Integrated Evaluation of Soil Carbon Budget by Manure Application on Forage Production

Grasslands and forage crop fields produce forages and also have many services and functions such as repositories of biodiversity, climate regulation and soil conservation (Sala and Paruelo, 1997). Carbon budget is one of these important ecosystem services by high levels of carbon sequestration below ground (Hungate et al., 1997). Manure application increases carbon budget and also affects forage production, NO3- leaching to underground water and N2O emission to atmosphere. Integrated evaluation of these various environmental impacts is important to find optimum condition for forage production and environmental impacts. LIME2 (Life-cycle Impact assessment Method based on Endpoint modeling 2, Itsubo and Inaba, 2010) is one of the methods to evaluate environmental impacts and to integrate them into a single index of environmental damages with the unit of Japanese yen. By comparing this index to economic benefit of forage production, integrated evaluation of environmental damages and profit of farmers is achieved. In this study, the effects of manure application to forage production, carbon budget, NO3- leaching and N2O emission were evaluated and optimum level of manure application level was estimated with LIME2 integration factors

Dysbindin Regulates the Transcriptional Level of Myristoylated Alanine-Rich Protein Kinase C Substrate via the Interaction with NF-YB in Mice Brain

BACKGROUND: An accumulating body of evidence suggests that Dtnbp1 (Dysbindin) is a key susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. Using the yeast-two-hybrid screening system, we examined the candidate proteins interacting with Dysbindin and revealed one of these candidates to be the transcription factor NF-YB. METHODS: We employed an immunoprecipitation (IP) assay to demonstrate the Dysbindin-NF-YB interaction. DNA chips were used to screen for altered expression of genes in cells in which Dysbindin or NF-YB was down regulated, while Chromatin IP and Reporter assays were used to confirm the involvement of these genes in transcription of Myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS). The sdy mutant mice with a deletion in Dysbindin, which exhibit behavioral abnormalities, and wild-type DBA2J mice were used to investigate MARCKS expression. RESULTS: We revealed an interaction between Dysbindin and NF-YB. DNA chips showed that MARCKS expression was increased in both Dysbindin knockdown cells and NF-YB knockdown cells, and Chromatin IP revealed interaction of these proteins at the MARCKS promoter region. Reporter assay results suggested functional involvement of the interaction between Dysbindin and NF-YB in MARCKS transcription levels, via the CCAAT motif which is a NF-YB binding sequence. MARCKS expression was increased in sdy mutant mice when compared to wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that abnormal expression of MARCKS via dysfunction of Dysbindin might cause impairment of neural transmission and abnormal synaptogenesis. Our results should provide new insights into the mechanisms of neuronal development and the pathogenesis of schizophrenia

Prolonged Tachycardia with Higher Heart Rate Is Associated with Higher ICU and In-hospital Mortality

Tachycardia is common in intensive care units (ICUs). It is unknown whether tachycardia or prolonged tachycardia affects patient outcomes. We investigated the association between tachycardia and mortality in critically ill patients. This retrospective cohort study’s primary outcome was patient mortality in the ICU and the hospital. We stratified the patients (n=476) by heart rate (HR) as LowHR, MediumHR, and HighHR groups. We also stratified them by their durations of HR >100 (prolonged HR; tachycardia): MildT, ModerateT, and SevereT groups. We determined the six groups’ mortality. The ICU mortality rates of the LowHR, MediumHR, and HighHR groups were 1.0%, 1.5%, and 7.9%, respectively; significantly higher in the HighHR vs. LowHR group. The in-hospital mortality rates of these groups were 1%, 4.5%, and 14.6%, respectively; significantly higher in the HighHR vs. LowHR group. The ICU mortality rates of the MildT, ModerateT, and SevereT groups were 0.9%, 5.6%, and 57.1%, respectively. The mortality of the HRT=0 (i.e., all HR ≤ 100) patients was 0%. The in-hospital mortality rates of the MildT, ModerateT, and SevereT groups were 1.8%, 16.7%, and 85.7%, respectively; that of the HRT=0 patients was 0.5%. Both higher HR and prolonged tachycardia were associated with poor outcomes

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in Colorectal Cancer - Prognostic Significance of Portal Blood Level -

The prognostic significance of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) values in the drainage vein of the tumor (portal blood levels of CEA) of colorectal cancer patients were evaluated by examining the correlation with the peripheral blood levels of CEA and histopathologic findings of the tumor. 1) Portal blood levels of CEA were significantly increased by the operative procedure. Mean values of CEA in portal blood were higher than those in peripheral blood. Portal blood CEA was correlated with Dukes\u27 staging, and revealed higher positive rates than CEA in peripheral blood in each stage. Elevated CEA levels were noted in those who had cancer infiltration extending through the proper muscle layer. There was a close correlation between portal CEA and CEA content in cancerous tissue (ng/g, wet weight) (p<0.05), but no significant correlation between peripheral CEA level and cancerous tissue CEA (r = 0.372). The mean values of portal CEA in aneuploidy were significantly higher than those in diploidy. These findings indicate that circulating CEA in peripheral blood might be influenced by the metabolic process of CEA in the liver as well as cancer progression rather than CEA production of the tumor. 2) The 5 year survival rate of the patient\u27s group with a negative rate of portal CEA (93%) was far better than that with a positive rate (57%). This study suggested that the portal blood level of CEA in colorectal carcinoma may be very useful for assessment of the patient\u27s survival

Single-cell transcriptomics of human cholesteatoma identifies an activin A-producing osteoclastogenic fibroblast subset inducing bone destruction

Cholesteatoma, which potentially results from tympanic membrane retraction, is characterized by intractable local bone erosion and subsequent hearing loss and brain abscess formation. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying bone destruction remain elusive. Here, we performed a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis on human cholesteatoma samples and identify a pathogenic fibroblast subset characterized by abundant expression of inhibin βA. We demonstrate that activin A, a homodimer of inhibin βA, promotes osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, the deletion of inhibin βA /activin A in these fibroblasts results in decreased osteoclast differentiation in a murine model of cholesteatoma. Moreover, follistatin, an antagonist of activin A, reduces osteoclastogenesis and resultant bone erosion in cholesteatoma. Collectively, these findings indicate that unique activin A-producing fibroblasts present in human cholesteatoma tissues are accountable for bone destruction via the induction of local osteoclastogenesis, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.Shimizu K., Kikuta J., Ohta Y., et al. Single-cell transcriptomics of human cholesteatoma identifies an activin A-producing osteoclastogenic fibroblast subset inducing bone destruction. Nature Communications 14, 4417 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40094-3

Association of glucocorticoid doses and emotional health in lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS): a cross-sectional study

Background While survival of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has improved substantially, problems remain in the management of their emotional health. Medium to high-dose glucocorticoid doses are known to worsen emotional health; the effect is unclear among patients receiving relatively low-dose glucocorticoids. This study aims to investigate the association between low glucocorticoid doses and emotional health in lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS). Methods This cross-sectional study drew on data from SLE patients in 10 Japanese institutions. The participants were adult patients with SLE duration of >= 1 year who met LLDAS criteria at the study visit from April 2018 through September 2019. The exposure was the daily glucocorticoid dose (mg oral prednisolone). The outcome was the emotional health score of the lupus patient-reported outcome scale (range: 0 to 100). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed with adjustment for confounders including disease-related damage, activity, and psychotropic drug use. Results Of 192 patients enrolled, 175 were included in the analysis. Their characteristics were as follows: female, 89.7%; median age, 47 years (interquartile range (IQR): 37.0, 61.0). Median glucocorticoid dose was 4.0 mg (IQR 2.0, 5.0), and median emotional health score 79.2 (IQR 58.3, 91.7). Multiple linear regression analysis showed daily glucocorticoid doses to be associated with worse emotional health (beta coefficient = - 2.54 [95% confidence interval - 4.48 to - 0.60], P = 0.01). Conclusions Daily glucocorticoid doses were inversely associated with emotional health among SLE patients in LLDAS. Further studies are needed to determine whether glucocorticoid tapering leads to clinically significant improvements in emotional health

Clinical Aspect of Peripheral Cholangiocarcinoma: A Study of 7 Hepatectomy Cases

To clarify the features and problems presented by a peripheral cholangiocarcinoma (CCC), seven patients with hepatectomy from the First Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University School of Medicine (6 patients), and from Department of Surgery, National Ureshino Hospital (one patient) were reviewed. Men predominate with ratio of 5:2, and an average age was 65.4 years. Tumor location was left lateral segment in 4 patients, right lobe, middle lobe and posterior segment in one, respectively. Three patients were associated with hepatolithiasis. Underlying liver disease was found in 4 patients (57%); cirrhosis in 3 patients, and chronic hepatitis in one. Initial symptoms were abdominal pain, fever and palpable abdominal mass. In imaging modalities available, the detection rates of tumor were 100% in CT and 67% in US and angiography, respectively. Combination of MRI and CT clearly showed tumor characteristics. The serum CEA was slightly elevated in 5 patients (83%), but serum CA19-9 rose strikingly in 3 patients. Most tumors showed an infiltrating growth along intrahepatic bile duct, with a portal vein thrombus and/or satellite tumors frequently. In 3 patients, early recurrence with intrahepatic metastasis occured within the first 6 months. The patient of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma containing a squamous or signet ring cell carinoma showed an extremely poor prognosis. This study suggests that early detection of small CCC and an extended resection are the most important factors for the survival of patient

Pancreatic Pseudocysts - Proposal for Diagnosis and Surgical Management -

To determine the clinical features and problems presented by a pancreatic pseudocyst, eighteen patients managed at our hospitals since 1980 were reviewed. Males predominated with a ratio of 16: 2, and the average age was 36.2 years. Pseudocyst was located in the pancreatic head in 6, in the body in 6, in the tail in 5 and multiple pseudocysts in one case. The cause of pancreatic pseudocyst was chronic pancreatitis in 9 (including 8 patients with histories of alcoholism), acute pancreatitis in 2 and trauma in 7 patients, respectively. Three patients were associated with pancreatic calculi. Rupture of pseudocyst occurred in one patient with multiple cysts. Autopsy showed acute pancreatic necrosis and penetration to the stomach and duodenum. The indications for surgery were principally cyst-related symptoms(infection, hemorrhage, enlargement and compression of adjacent organs) and differential diagnosis from malignancy. Most of the patients underwent internal drainage ; 9 cystojejunostomy, 2 cystogastrostomy). Three patients underwent cystojejunostomy with longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis. Massive hemorrhage after cystogastrostomy occurred in one patient with infected pseudocysts, which required removal of the cysts. Postoperative outcome of the 17 surgical patients was excellent in 16 patients. Only one patient died of pancreatitis associated with alcohol abuse, resulting in a 5.9% mortality. This study suggests that adequate internal drainage by pancreaticojejunostomy to treat the underlying pancreatic disease is most important to obtain an excellent prognosis in patients with pseudocysts

Biliary Cystadenocarcinoma - Report of 2 Cases -

The clinical and pathologic features of two patients with biliary cystadenocarcinoma were presented and the previous literatures were reviewed. Case 1 : A 52-year-old man complained of heart burn and weight loss. Abdominal ultrasound and CT offered suspicions of biliary cystadenocarcinoma of the left hepatic lobe. Left hepatic lobectomy was performed, but the tumor invaded to adjacent viscera. The resected tumor (26×21×5.5 cm) was multilocular cystadenocarcinoma with mucin production. He survived for one year and 8 months after surgery. Case 2: A 60-year-old man suffering from sudden-onset frost and high fever underwent left lateral segmentectomy of the liver with a diagnosis of cystadenocarcinoma defined by biopsy specimen in previous operation. The tumor (6.0×4.5×3.5 cm) was multilocular cyst with mucin-producing papillary adenocarcinoma. He died of recurrent cancer 2 years and one month after surgery. The histogenesis of cystadenocarcinoma is still unclear because of its rare disease. The presence of benign epithelium in our cases may support their origin from cystadenoma