Effect of Including Sand Component in a Debris Flow on Concentration of Coarser Particles at the Flow Front

We conducted flume experiments for a debris flow consisting of coarser particles, finer particles and sand, focusing on the concentration of coarser particles at the flow front. Our experimental results revealed that the concentration of coarser particles at the flow front using sediment mixture with sand was less than that without sand. This may be because including of sand component in the material contributed to be a smaller averaged interstice between particles in the flow layer and a smaller averaged particle size. These may lead to reduce the falling volume of sand or finer particles and dispersion pressure for the rise of coarser particles, respectively, resulting in the inhibition of inverse grading formation. Our experimental results also suggested that the changing trend in the proportion of finer particles depended on the relationship between their particle size and the average particle size of the flow. These are consistent with our previous experimental results using material without sand. This consistency suggested that for the concentration of coarser particles at the flow front, the behavior of the sand component can be considered in the same manner as other coarser-sized components

Clinical Experience Using a Real Time Autofluorescence Endoscopy System in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Autofluorescence spectra of neoplastic tissues have been reported to be significantly different from those of normal tissues when excited by blue or violet light. From this concept, a light-induced autofluorescence endoscopic imaging system for gastrointestinal mucosa (LIFE-GI; Xillix, Canada and Olympus, Japan) has been newly developed and the clinical evaluation of the prototype system has been conducted in hospitals in Canada, Netherlands and Japan

Serotonin transporter gene polymorphism may be associated with functional dyspepsia in a Japanese population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although familial clustering of functional dyspepsia (FD) has been reported, the role of genetics in the susceptibility to FD is still not well understood. In the present study, the association between serotonin transporter (SERT) gene (<it>SLC6A4</it>) polymorphism and FD was explored.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects were divided into either a postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) group or an epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) group according to the Rome III criteria. The healthy controls were those who had visited a hospital for an annual health check-up. The presence of the <it>SLC6A4 </it>promoter polymorphism, <it>5-hydroxytryptamin transporter gene linked polymorphic region </it>(<it>5-HTTLPR</it>), was then evaluated, and logistic regression analysis was used to test all variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The <it>5-HTTLPR </it>genotype distribution was 448 SS, 174 SL, and 24 LL in controls and 30 SS, 20 SL, and 3 LL in FD subjects. No significant correlation was found between the <it>5-HTTLPR </it>genotype and FD. When the genotypes and subtypes of FD were exploratory evaluated, the SL genotype was significantly associated with PDS [odds ratio (OR) = 2.24, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.16-4.32, <it>P </it>= 0.034 after Bonferroni correction] compared to the SS genotype adjusted for sex and age. Comparison of the SS genotype with the SL/LL genotype also showed a significant association of genotype with PDS (OR = 2.32, 95% CI; 1.23-4.37, <it>P </it>= 0.009).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present results suggest that <it>5-HTTLPR </it>L allele may influence the susceptibility to PDS.</p

Usefulness of Preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT for Patients with Thymic Epithelial Tumors

[Background] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between preoperative FDG-PET parameters and the World Health Organization (WHO) classification or Masaoka staging system of thymic epithelial tumors. [Methods] We retrospectively reviewed 32 patients with histologically proven thymic epithelial tumors who underwent FDG-PET/CT before surgical resection. FDG-PET parameters, including the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolytic activity (TLG), were measured. These PET parameters were compared in the Masaoka staging system and WHO classification. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was performed to identify the cut-off values of PET parameters for the accurate differentiation of early and advanced stages in the Masaoka staging system. [Results] There were 17 low-risk thymomas (1 type A, 9 type AB, and 7 type B1), 8 high-risk thymomas (4 type B2 and 4 type B3), and 7 thymic carcinomas (7 squamous cell carcinoma). Their Masaoka stages were as follows: 24 in the early stage (stages I and II) and 8 in the advanced stage (stage III). Regarding the WHO classification, only SUVmax showed a significant difference (P < 0.05). In the Masaoka stage, all PET parameters were significantly higher in the advanced stage than in the early stage (P < 0.05). In the ROC analysis to predict the early and advanced stages in thymic epithelial tumors, the area under the curve was the highest for TLG among the PET parameters examined and the cut-off value of TLG for discriminating the early from advanced stage with maximal sensitivity and specificity was 30.735. [Conclusion] Although volumetric PET parameters, such as MTV and TLG, did not correlate with the WHO classification, a significant correlation was observed between SUVmax and the WHO classification. In the Masaoka staging system, volumetric PET parameters may achieve more precise staging than SUVmax

Contribution of immunomodulators to gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications: stromal cells, interleukin 4, and adiponectin: Immunomodulators of esophageal mucosal damage

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has become the most commonly seen gastrointestinal disorder in outpatient clinics. In the United States, around 20% of the general population experience heartburn on a weekly basis. Although clinical complaints can be mild or moderate, patients with GERD may develop further complications, such as peptic strictures, Barrett's esophagus (BE), and even esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Pathologically, GERD is developed as a result of chronic and enhanced exposure of the esophageal epithelium to noxious gastric refluxate. In this review article, we provide an overview of GERD, and then focus on the roles of stromal cells, interleukin 4 (IL-4), and adiponectin in GERD and BE. The importance of inflammation and immunomodulators in GERD pathogenesis is highlighted. Targeting the immunomodulators or inflammation in general may improve the therapeutic outcome of GERD, in particular, in those refractory to proton pump inhibitors

Гомосексуальный субъект в пространстве публичного: нарративное измерение камин-аута

<div><p>Background</p><p>Although <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>) infection is closely associated with the development of peptic ulcer, its involvement in pathophysiology in the lower intestinal tract and gastrointestinal (GI) motility remains unclear. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut hormone produced in the lower intestinal tract and involved in GI motility. Here, we investigated the effect of <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection on the link between GLP-1 expression and motility of the GI tract.</p><p>Methods</p><p>C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with a <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> strain. Twelve weeks later, the <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>-infected mice underwent <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> eradication treatment. GI tissues were obtained from the mice at various time intervals, and evaluated for the severity of gastric inflammatory cell infiltration and immunohistochemical expression of GLP-1 and PAX6 in the colonic mucosa. Gastrointestinal transit time (GITT) was measured by administration of carmine-red solution.</p><p>Results</p><p>GLP-1 was expressed in the endocrine cells of the colonic mucosa, and PAX6 immunoreactivity was co-localized in such cells. The numbers of GLP-1- and PAX6-positive cells in the colon were significantly increased at 12 weeks after <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection and showed a positive correlation with each other. The GITT was significantly longer in <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>-infected mice than in non-infected controls and showed a positive correlation with GLP-1 expression. When <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>-infected mice underwent <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> eradication, GITT and PAX6/GLP-1 expression did not differ significantly from those in untreated <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>-infected mice.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p><i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection may impair GI motility by enhancing the colonic GLP-1/PAX6 expression.</p></div