Reproduction of Array Observation Records by Means of Centrifuge Shaking Table Model

This paper shows the effects of the degree of consolidation of the soft clay layer on the strong motion response. Seismic behavior of the Kobe artificial islands during the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nambu earthquake is studied by using centrifuge shaking table test. At the earthquake, it is known that the liquefaction damage of artificial island was different from each other. Authors consider the reason why is due to the degree of consolidation of clay layer underlying the reclaimed ground. The model grounds used for the centrifuge test are made by the clay and fill material sampled from Kobe artificial island, and each clay layer of models is consolidated as the same degree as the sites. First, from the viewpoint of the reproducibility of in-situ behavior, the seismic response and the ground settlement are compared with observation data. Next, we compare the seismic response of the test results of the different degree of consolidation. It is found that the degree of consolidation and the shear strength of the clay layer significantly affect the ground behavior. The large damage is not always come to being on the ground with soft clay layer

Prognostic Impact of Cardio-renal-anemia Syndrome in Patients at Risk for Heart Failure from the IMPACT-ABI study

Article信州医学雑誌 68(3): 139-147(2020)journal articl

EGFR Mutations in NSCLC treated with Afatinib

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as afatinib are used for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and show varying efficacy depending on EGFR gene mutation. Few studies have examined the relationship between EGFR gene mutations and the adverse events of afatinib in NSCLC. This retrospective study included 32 Japanese patients with NSCLC with EGFR gene mutation who were treated with afatinib between May 2014 and August 2018 at Kagawa University Hospital. Among the 32 Japanese patients with NSCLC treated with afatinib, 19 patients were positive for exon 19 deletion mutation (Del 19) and 13 patients were negative for Del 19. The incidence of grade ≥ 2 skin rash was slightly higher in patients positive for Del 19 (42.1% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.050). No significant differences were detected in other adverse events between the two patient groups. Patients positive for Del 19 also showed significantly longer median progression-free survival (288 vs. 84 days, P = 0.049). Our study indicates a higher incidence of skin rash associated with afatinib treatment in Japanese patients with NSCLC positive for Del 19 compared with patients without Del 19. The Del 19 positive patient group also showed better progression-free survival

TAZ / PIPC agranulocytosis in puerperal

Tazobactam / piperacillin (TAZ / PIPC) is an injectable combination drug consisting of a broad-spectrum penicillin and a β-lactamase inhibitor. This antimicrobial has a wide spectrum of efficacy against both Gram-positive bacteria and anaerobes. Adverse events usually present as diarrhea or liver dysfunction ; agranulocytosis has not been reported in Japanese patients with puerperal disorders. However, we report a 32-year-old Japanese woman who received TAZ / PIPC to treat an intraperitoneal infection that developed after complications related to transvaginal delivery. Within 14 days of beginning TAZ / PIPC therapy, the patient developed agranulocytosis, indicated by a white blood cell count of 1900 cells / μL and a neutrophil count of 475 cells / μL. We discontinued TAZ / PIPC at this point and changed the antimicrobial to meropenem. Seven days later, her white blood cell count increased to 3700 cells / μL (neutrophil count : 1684 cells / μL), and the intraperitoneal infection resolved. Patients receiving TAZ / PIPC should be monitored periodically for agranulocytosis as well as for diarrhea and liver dysfunction

Importance of Fatty Acid Compositions in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Objective: Importance of fatty acid components and imbalances has emerged in coronary heart disease. In this study, we analyzed fatty acids and ankle-brachial index (ABI) in a Japanese cohort. Methods: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was diagnosed in 101 patients by ABI <= 0.90 and/or by angiography. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors and components of serum fatty acids were examined in all patients (mean age 73.2 +/- 0.9 years; 81 males), and compared with those in 373 age- and sex-matched control subjects with no evidence of PAD. Results: The presence of PAD (mean ABI: 0.71 +/- 0.02) was independently associated with low levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) (OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.85-0.96; P = 0.002), eicosapentaenoic acid: arachidonic acid (EPA: AA) ratio (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.17-0.86; P = 0.021), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96-0.98; P<0.0001), and with a high hemoglobin A1c level (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.06-1.69; P = 0.013). Individuals with lower levels of GLA (<= 7.95 mu g/mL) and a lower EPA: AA ratio (<= 0.55) had the lowest ABI (0.96 +/- 0.02, N = 90), while the highest ABI (1.12 +/- 0.01, N = 78) was observed in individuals with higher values of both GLA and EPA: AA ratio (P<0.0001). Conclusion: A low level of GLA and a low EPA: AA ratio are independently associated with the presence of PAD. Specific fatty acid abnormalities and imbalances could lead to new strategies for risk stratification and prevention in PAD patients.ArticlePLOS ONE. 9(9):e107003 (2014)journal articl

Genetic distance of inbred lines of Chinese cabbage and its relationship to heterosis

AbstractChinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis) is an important vegetable in Asia. Most Japanese commercial cultivars of Chinese cabbage use an F1 hybrid seed production system because of the high yielding cultivars produced. An efficient method for predicting hybrid performance in the parental generations is desired, and genetic distance between parental lines might be a good indicator of the level of hybrid vigor in a cross. Information concerning the genetic relationships among parental candidate inbred lines is useful for variety protection. The number of DNA markers available that can be used to assess the purity of inbred lines is limited in B. rapa. The aim of this study is to use DNA markers to assess the genetic distance between inbred lines to examine early developmental and yield heterosis so as to develop methods for selecting the best parental lines for the production of hybrids. We screened highly polymorphic SSR and CAPS markers to assess the genetic uniformity of inbred lines and characterize their genetic relationship. We examined the early size and yield heterosis in 32 F1 hybrids of Chinese cabbage. There was a moderate correlation in mid-parent heterosis between leaf size at 21days after sowing and harvested biomass but not in best-parent heterosis. In contrast there was no correlation between genetic distance and mid-parent or best-parent heterosis, indicating that genetic distance does not predict the heterosis phenotype

Association between Inter-atrial Septum Motion and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Catheter Ablation

Article信州医学雑誌 69(4) : 189-201(2021)departmental bulletin pape

High concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with the development of atrial fibrillation in the Japanese population

The favorable effect of fish oils rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) is controversial. The relationship between the serum concentrations of n-3 PUFAs and the incidence of AF is unclear; therefore, in the present study, we aimed to elucidate this relationship. We evaluated the serum concentrations of n-3 PUFAs in 110 patients with AF, 46 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and no AF, and 36 healthy volunteers. Thirty-six patients had a history of IHD (IHD-AF group) and 74 did not (L-AF group). The eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels in the L-AF group were higher than those in the IHD-AF and control groups (117 +/- A 64, 76 +/- A 30, and 68 +/- A 23 mu g/ml, respectively); the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels showed the same pattern (170 +/- A 50, 127 +/- A 27, and 126 +/- A 35 mu g/ml, respectively). In both the L-AF and IHD-AF groups, the EPA levels in patients with persistent and permanent AF were higher than those in patients with paroxysmal AF (L-AF 131 +/- A 74 vs. 105 +/- A 51 mu g/ml; IHD-AF 82 +/- A 28 vs 70 +/- A 33 mu g/ml). Multivariate analysis showed that cases of AF were associated with higher levels of EPA but not DHA. In this Japanese population study, the EPA and DHA levels in patients with L-AF were higher than those in normal subjects. In particular, the EPA level was associated with the incidence of AF. These findings suggest that an excess of EPA might be a precipitating factor of AF.ArticleHEART AND VESSELS. 28(4):497-504 (2013)journal articl