MEASUREMENTS OF WINDING SPEED OF ROVING

ArticleJournal of the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University. Ser. B, Engineering 14: 1-14(1979)departmental bulletin pape

Alteration of N-glycans related to articular cartilage deterioration after anterior cruciate ligament transection in rabbits

SummaryObjectiveOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common of all joint diseases, but the molecular basis of its onset and progression is controversial. Several studies have shown that modifications of N-glycans contribute to pathogenesis. However, little attention has been paid to N-glycan modifications seen in articular cartilage. The goal of this study was to identify disease specific N-glycan expression profiles in degenerated cartilage in a rabbit OA model induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT).MethodsCartilage samples were harvested at 7, 10, 14, and 28 days after ACLT and assessed for cartilage degeneration and alteration in N-glycans. N-Glycans from cartilage were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.ResultsHistological analysis showed that osteoarthritic changes in cartilage occurred 10 days after ACLT. Apparent alterations in the N-glycan peak pattern in cartilage samples were observed 7 days after ACLT, and overall N-glycan changes in OA reflected alterations in both sialylation and fucosylation. These changes apparently preceded histological changes in cartilage.ConclusionThese results indicate that changes in the expression of N-glycans are correlated with OA in an animal model. Understanding mechanisms underlying changes in N-glycans seen in OA may be of therapeutic value in treating cartilage deterioration

Nel positively regulates the genesis of retinal ganglion cells by promoting their differentiation and survival during development

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Esophageal perforation secondary to malignant gastric outlet obstruction: a case report

Background Esophageal perforation is a rare presenting sign of gastric cancer. To date, only nine case reports of this phenomenon have been previously published. Case presentation Esophageal perforation was diagnosed radiographically during workup for acute chest pain in a 67-year-old man. Emergent endoscopy confirmed esophageal perforation and biopsied a pre-pyloric mass confirmed to be adenocarcinoma. The perforation was managed with endoscopically placed transluminal pleural and mediastinal drains and esophageal stenting. The gastric outlet obstruction was temporized with a transpyloric stent. After the patient recovered from sepsis, distal gastrectomy was performed and he made a full recovery. Conclusions Rarely, pre-pyloric gastric cancer can present with Boerhaave syndrome, spontaneous esophageal perforation associated with forceful vomiting. We present the tenth report in the literature of this phenomenon and the first to be initially treated with endoscopic stenting and transluminal thoracoscopic drainage. When endoscopic management is used to treat patients with Boerhaave syndrome, it may be beneficial to examine the entire stomach to evaluate for malignant etiology

Using keystroke logging to understand writers’ processes on a reading-into-writing test

Background Integrated reading-into-writing tasks are increasingly used in large-scale language proficiency tests. Such tasks are said to possess higher authenticity as they reflect real-life writing conditions better than independent, writing-only tasks. However, to effectively define the reading-into-writing construct, more empirical evidence regarding how writers compose from sources both in real-life and under test conditions is urgently needed. Most previous process studies used think aloud or questionnaire to collect evidence. These methods rely on participants’ perceptions of their processes, as well as their ability to report them. Findings This paper reports on a small-scale experimental study to explore writers’ processes on a reading-into-writing test by employing keystroke logging. Two L2 postgraduates completed an argumentative essay on computer. Their text production processes were captured by a keystroke logging programme. Students were also interviewed to provide additional information. Keystroke logging like most computing tools provides a range of measures. The study examined the students’ reading-into-writing processes by analysing a selection of the keystroke logging measures in conjunction with students’ final texts and interview protocols. Conclusions The results suggest that the nature of the writers’ reading-into-writing processes might have a major influence on the writer’s final performance. Recommendations for future process studies are provided

A patient with spontaneous rupture of the esophagus and concomitant gastric cancer whose life was saved: case of report and review of the literature in Japan

A 71-year-old man suddenly developed abdominal pain and vomiting on drinking soda after a meal, and visited a physician. Cervical subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysemas were observed on CT, and the patient was transferred to the emergency medical center of our hospital on the same day. Esophagography was performed at our department. A ruptured region was identified on the left side of the lower thoracic esophagus, and surgery was emergently performed employing sequential left thoracoabdominal incision. The chest wall was adhered due to inflammation, and large amounts of residual food and sloughing were present in the thoracic cavity and mediastinum. Moreover, necrotic changes were noted in the superior through inferior mediastinum. An about 2-cm rupture site was confirmed on the left side of the lower thoracic esophagus and closed by suture and filling with pediculate omentum. The presence of a tumorous lesion located mainly in the body of the stomach and lymph node enlargement were also diagnosed before surgery, for which gastric and intestinal fistulae were inserted to prepare for the second-stage surgery. The patient was admitted to an ICU after surgery. ARDS and MRSA-induced pneumonia and enteritis concomitantly developed but remitted. Curative surgery for gastric cancer was performed at 40 POD. Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus is relatively rare and that complicated by gastric caner is very rare, with only six cases being reported in Japan. Herein, we report the case

Deoxymugineic acid increases Zn translocation in Zn-deficient rice plants

Deoxymugineic acid (DMA) is a member of the mugineic acid family phytosiderophores (MAs), which are natural metal chelators produced by graminaceous plants. Rice secretes DMA in response to Fe deficiency to take up Fe in the form of Fe(III)–MAs complex. In contrast with barley, the roots of which secrete MAs in response to Zn deficiency, the amount of DMA secreted by rice roots was slightly decreased under conditions of low Zn supply. There was a concomitant increase in endogenous DMA in rice shoots, suggesting that DMA plays a role in the translocation of Zn within Zn-deficient rice plants. The expression of OsNAS1 and OsNAS2 was not increased in Zn-deficient roots but that of OsNAS3 was increased in Zn-deficient roots and shoots. The expression of OsNAAT1 was also increased in Zn-deficient roots and dramatically increased in shoots; correspondingly, HPLC analysis was unable to detect nicotianamine in Zn-deficient shoots. The expression of OsDMAS1 was increased in Zn-deficient shoots. Analyses using the positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS) showed that Zn-deficient rice roots absorbed less 62Zn-DMA than 62Zn2+. Importantly, supply of 62Zn-DMA rather than 62Zn2+ increased the translocation of 62Zn into the leaves of Zn-deficient plants. This was especially evident in the discrimination center (DC). These results suggest that DMA in Zn-deficient rice plants has an important role in the distribution of Zn within the plant rather than in the absorption of Zn from the soil

Diversity of SCCmec Elements in Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Clinical Isolates

in MR-CoNS can generate useful information on the mobilization and evolution of this element.). in MR-CoNS

A phase II study of LFP therapy (5-FU (5-fluorourasil) continuous infusion (CVI) and Low-dose consecutive (Cisplatin) CDDP) in advanced biliary tract carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Unresectable biliary tract carcinoma is known to demonstrate a poor prognosis. We conducted a single arm phase II study of LFP therapy (5-FU (5-fluorourasil) continuous infusion (CVI) and Low-dose consecutive (Cisplatin) CDDP) for advanced biliary tract malignancies basically on an outpatient basis. METHODS: Between February 1996 and September 2003, 42 patients were enrolled in this trial. LFP THERAPY: By using a total implanted CV-catheter system, 5-FU (160 mg/m(2)/day) was continuously infused over 24 hours for 7 consecutive days and CDDP (6 mg/m(2)/day) was infused for 30 minutes twice a week as one cycle. The administration schedule consisted of 4 cycles as one course. RESIST criteria (Response evaluation criteria for solid tumors) and NCI-CTC (National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria) (ver.3.0) were used for evaluation of this therapy. The median survival time (MST) and median time to treatment failure (TTF) were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Patients characteristics were: mean age 66.5(47–79): male 24 (54%): BDca (bile duct carcinoma) 27 GBca (Gallbladder carcinoma) 15: locally advanced 26, postoperative recurrence 16. The most common toxicity was anemia (26.2%). Neither any treatment related death nor grade 4 toxicity occurred. The median number of courses of LFP Therapy which patients could receive was two (1–14). All the patients are evaluable for effects with an over all response rates of 42.9% (95% confidence interval C.I.: 27.7–59.0) (0 CR, 18 PR, 13 NC, 11 PD). There was no significant difference regarding the anti tumor effects against both malignant neoplasms. Figure 2 Shows the BDca a longer MST and TTF than did GBca (234 vs 150, 117 vs 85, respectively), but neither difference was statistically significant. The estimated MST and median TTF were 225 and 107 days, respectively. The BDca had a longer MST and TTF than GBca (234 vs 150, 117 vs 85, respectively), but neither difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: LFP therapy appears to be useful modality for the clinical management of advanced biliary tract malignancy