Animal-borne video systems provide insight into the reproductive behavior of the Asian black bear

Previous studies on the mating system of the Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) have been limited to observations of captive populations and estimations of multiple paternities. Hence, the mating system of wild bears remains poorly understood. Animal-borne camera systems (i.e., cameras mounted on animals) provide novel tools to study the behavior of elusive animals. Here, we used an animal-borne video system to record the activities of wild bears during the mating season. Video camera collars were attached to four adult Asian black bears (male “A” and “B,” and female “A” and “B”) captured in Tokyo, central Japan, in May and June 2018. The collars were retrieved in July 2018, after which the video data were downloaded and analyzed in terms of bear activity and mating behavior. All the bears were found to interact with other uniquely identifiable bears for some of the time (range 9–22 days) during the deployment period (range 36–45 days), and multiple mating in males was documented. Both males and females exhibited different behaviors on social days (i.e., days when the bear interacted with conspecifics) compared with solitary days (i.e., days with no observed interactions with conspecifics). Compared with solitary days, the bears spent a lower proportion of time on foraging activities and higher proportion of time on resting activities on social days. Our results suggest that Asian black bears have a polygamous mating system, as both sexes consort and potentially mate with multiple partners during a given mating season. Furthermore, bears appeared to reduce their foraging activities on social days and engaged more in social interactions.publishedVersio

Animal-borne video systems provide insight into the reproductive behavior of the Asian black bear

Previous studies on the mating system of the Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) have been limited to observations of captive populations and estimations of multiple paternities. Hence, the mating system of wild bears remains poorly understood. Animal-borne camera systems (i.e., cameras mounted on animals) provide novel tools to study the behavior of elusive animals. Here, we used an animal-borne video system to record the activities of wild bears during the mating season. Video camera collars were attached to four adult Asian black bears (male “A” and “B,” and female “A” and “B”) captured in Tokyo, central Japan, in May and June 2018. The collars were retrieved in July 2018, after which the video data were downloaded and analyzed in terms of bear activity and mating behavior. All the bears were found to interact with other uniquely identifiable bears for some of the time (range 9–22 days) during the deployment period (range 36–45 days), and multiple mating in males was documented. Both males and females exhibited different behaviors on social days (i.e., days when the bear interacted with conspecifics) compared with solitary days (i.e., days with no observed interactions with conspecifics). Compared with solitary days, the bears spent a lower proportion of time on foraging activities and higher proportion of time on resting activities on social days. Our results suggest that Asian black bears have a polygamous mating system, as both sexes consort and potentially mate with multiple partners during a given mating season. Furthermore, bears appeared to reduce their foraging activities on social days and engaged more in social interactions.publishedVersio

HPC ゲルの刺激応答性

The stimuli-response of the radiation cross-linked hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) gel was investigated. Temperature, pH and electric current (electric field) were changed in the experiments. The volume of the HPC gel was decreased as the water temperature rose from 20℃ to 50℃. On the other hand, the gel volume was increased with the decrement of the water temperature. The HPC gel volume grew large slightly at the high pH above 11. The volume phase transition of the HPC gel with the current change was not recognized in this experiment

Genotype prevalence and age distribution of human papillomavirus from infection to cervical cancer in Japanese women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: National HPV vaccination coverage in Japan is less than one percent of the eligible population and cervical cancer incidence and mortality are increasing. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive estimate of HPV genotype prevalence for Japan. Methods: English and Japanese databases were searched to March 2021 for research reporting HPV genotypes in cytology and histology samples from Japanese women. Summary estimates were calculated by disease stage from cytology only assessment – Normal, ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL and from histological assessment – CIN1, CIN2, CIN3/AIS, ICC (ICC-SCC, and ICC-ADC), and other. A random-effects meta–analysis was used to calculate summary prevalence estimates of any-HPV, high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) vaccine types, and vaccine genotypes (bivalent, quadrivalent, or nonavalent). This study was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42018117596. Results: A total of 57759 women with normal cytology, 1766 ASCUS, 3764 LSIL, 2017 HSIL, 3130 CIN1, 1219 CIN2, 869 CIN3/AIS, and 4306 ICC (which included 1032 ICC-SCC, and 638 ICC-ADC) were tested for HPV. The summary estimate of any-HPV genotype in women with normal cytology was 15·6% (95% CI: 12·3–19·4) and in invasive cervical cancer (ICC) was 85·6% (80·7–89·8). The prevalence of HR-HPV was 86·0% (95% CI: 73·9–94·9) for cytological cases of HSIL, 76·9% (52·1–94·7) for histological cases of CIN3/AIS, and 75·7% (68·0–82·6) for ICC. In women with ICC, the summary prevalence of bivalent vaccine genotypes was 58·5% (95% CI: 52·1–64·9), for quadrivalent genotypes was 58·6% (52·2–64·9) and for nonavalent genotypes was 71·5% (64·9–77·6), and of ICC cases that were HPV positive over 90% of infections are nonavalent vaccine preventable. There was considerable heterogeneity in all HPV summary estimates and for ICC, this heterogeneity was not explained by variability in study design, sample type, HPV assay type, or HPV DNA detection method, although studies published in the 1990s had lower prevalence estimates of any-HPV and HR HPV genotypes. Interpretations: HPV prevalence is high among Japanese women. The nonavalent vaccine is likely to have the greatest impact on reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Japan

酸化型HMGB-1は間葉系幹細胞/間葉系細胞を介して大腸癌の転移性を促進する

High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is known to be a chemotactic factor for mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), but the effect of post-translational modification on its function is not clear. In this study, we hypothesized that differences in the oxidation state of HMGB1 would lead to differences in the function of MSCs in cancer. In human colorectal cancer, MSCs infiltrating into the stroma were correlated with liver metastasis and serum HMGB1. In animal models, oxidized HMGB1 mobilized three-fold fewer MSCs to subcutaneous tumors compared with reduced HMGB1. Reduced HMGB1 inhibited the proliferation of mouse bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) and induced differentiation into osteoblasts and vascular pericytes, whereas oxidized HMGB1 promoted proliferation and increased stemness, and no differentiation was observed. When BM-MSCs pretreated with oxidized HMGB1 were co-cultured with syngeneic cancer cells, cell proliferation and stemness of cancer cells were increased, and tumorigenesis and drug resistance were promoted. In contrast, co-culture with reduced HMGB1-pretreated BM-MSCs did not enhance stemness. In an animal orthotopic transplantation colorectal cancer model, oxidized HMGB1, but not reduced HMGB1, promoted liver metastasis with intratumoral MSC chemotaxis. Therefore, oxidized HMGB1 reprograms MSCs and promotes cancer malignancy. The oxidized HMGB1–MSC axis may be an important target for cancer therapy.博士（医学）・甲第874号・令和5年3月15

A New Device Facilitating Intracorporeal Purse-string Suture during Endoscopic Surgery

Standard laparoscopic colorectal surgery requires additional incision or enlargement of the trocar incision for the retrieval of the surgical specimen. A natural orifice specimen extraction （NOSE） procedure, in which the specimen is retrieved through the anus or vagina without any additional skin incision, requires purse-string suture （PSS） of the rostral intestinal segment in order to fix the anvil head of the stapler and perform extracorporeal mechanical anastomosis. Colorectal surgery has a limited NOSE in cases where the end of the rostral segment could be pulled through the anus. Broader application of NOSE depends on intracorporeal PSS. We developed a new forceps for intracorporeal PSS during NOSE and evaluated its efficacy. The PSS instrument was refined to pass through a 12-mm trocar in an intracorporeal PSS and achieve anastomosis using double stapling. In trials utilizing an endoscopic practice box, regular spacing of stitches during PSS were consistent （n＝10）, and tight intracorporeal anastomosis of the porcine colon was successfully performed （n＝2）. We then confirmed efficacy through an operation on a pig. Our novel PSS device will help us perform NOSE not only in laparoscopic colorectal surgery but also in any operation requiring intracorporeal PSS, which should contribute to further advances in endoscopic digestive surgery

Factors causing climatologically high temperatures in a hottest city in Japan: a multi-scale analysis of Tajimi

In this study, multi-scale climatological features of extreme high temperature (EHT) events in Tajimi, the hottest cities in Japan, were investigated using observational data collected by the Japan Meteorological Agency over the past 23 years, and original data observed by the authors over the last 3 years. Results revealed the background factors that lead to climatologically high temperatures in Tajimi: the occurrence of a characteristic pressure pattern called ‘whale’: the synoptic-scale factors, and the urbanization of Tajimi: the meso-γ-scale factors. In addition, the high temperatures measured in Tajimi are affected by the foehn-like westerly airflow coming from the mountains located in the northwest/west towards the Nobi Plain where Tajimi is located at the east end: the meso-β-scale factors, and the location of the Tajimi observation site, which is within an urbanized area where the highest temperatures tend to be observed: the micro-scale factors. In contrast, statistical analysis demonstrated that the small-scale basin effects and soil dryness around Tajimi were of lesser importance than aforementioned factors, in the occurrence of EHT events in Tajimi

Structural analysis of crystalline R(+)-α-lipoic acid-α-cyclodextrin complex based on microscopic and spectroscopic studies

R(+)-α-lipoic acid (RALA) is a naturally-occurring substance, and its protein-bound form plays significant role in the energy metabolism in the mitochondria. RALA is vulnerable to a variety of physical stimuli, including heat and UV light, which prompted us to study the stability of its complexes with cyclodextrins (CDs). In this study, we have prepared and purified a crystalline RALA-αCD complex and evaluated its properties in the solid state. The results of 1H NMR and PXRD analyses indicated that the crystalline RALA-αCD complex is a channel type complex with a molar ratio of 2:3 (RALA:α-CD). Attenuated total reflection/Fourier transform infrared analysis of the complex showed the shift of the C=O stretching vibration of RALA due to the formation of the RALA-αCD complex. Raman spectroscopic analysis revealed the significant weakness of the S–S and C–S stretching vibrations of RALA in the RALA-αCD complex implying that the dithiolane ring of RALA is almost enclosed in glucose ring of α-CD. Extent of this effect was dependent on the direction of the excitation laser to the hexagonal morphology of the crystal. Solid-state NMR analysis allowed for the chemical shift of the C=O peak to be precisely determined. These results suggested that RALA was positioned in the α-CD cavity with its 1,2-dithiolane ring orientated perpendicular to the plane of the α-CD ring. © 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

ベバシズマブ併用化学療法中に消化管穿孔をきたした再発乳癌の１例

　ベバシズマブはパクリタキセルとの併用でHER2陰性の進行・再発乳癌に対する有効性が示されており，無増悪生存期間を有意に延長させる．しかし，ベバシズマブ特有の有害事象も報告されており，投与の際には注意を要する．今回，再発乳癌に対しベバシズマブを使用し，腸管穿孔を起こした１例を経験した．症例は72歳女性．右乳癌術後５年目に多発リンパ節，肺転移を認め，化学療法で治療中に８次治療としてベバシズマブとパクリタキセル（BP）療法を開始した．１年ほど奏効したが，突然，腹痛を訴え受診した．CT で腹腔内にfree air を認めたため緊急開腹術を施行した．小腸に１か所の穿孔部位を認めた．病理組織検査では，穿孔部に乳癌の転移巣が認められた．乳癌に対するベバシズマブ併用化学療法中の消化管穿孔は報告が少ない．腹膜播種を認める症例やベバシズマブ投与期間の長い患者では，腹部膨満感や腹痛を訴えた際は消化管穿孔を念頭におく必要がある．　Combination therapy with bevacizumab and paclitaxel (BP therapy) has been reported to be effective for the treatment of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer and to significantly prolong progression-free survival. However, there are specific adverse effects induced by bevacizumab that physicians should pay attention to. We report a recent case of metastatic breast cancer with gastrointestinal perforation during bevacizumab therapy. A 72-year-old female patient had metastases into multiple lymph nodes and lungs five years after surgery for primary breast cancer, and was treated with several chemotherapies. The patient received BP therapy as the eighth treatment regimen. Although the therapy led to stable disease for approximately one year, the patient suddenly developed abdominal pain. Emergency laparotomy was performed because computed tomography revealed free air in the peritoneal cavity. A perforated lesion was found in her small intestine. On pathological examination, breast cancer metastasis was noted around the perforated site. There are few reports of gastrointestinal perforation during bevacizumab therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer. When a patient has peritoneal dissemination, long-term BP therapy and abdominal pain, physicians should keep in mind the possibility of gastrointestinal perforation during BP therapy. (187 words

Cricotracheostomy for patients with severe COVID-19: A case control study

BackgroundTracheostomy is an important procedure for the treatment of severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Older age and obesity have been reported to be associated with the risk of severe COVID-19 and prolonged intubation, and anticoagulants are often administered in patients with severe COVID-19; these factors are also related to a higher risk of tracheostomy. Cricotracheostomy, a modified procedure for opening the airway through intentional partial cricoid cartilage resection, was recently reported to be useful in cases with low-lying larynx, obesity, stiff neck, and bleeding tendency. Here, we investigated the usefulness and safety of cricotracheostomy for severe COVID-19 patients.Materials and methodsFifteen patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent cricotracheostomy between January 2021 and April 2022 with a follow-up period of ≥ 14 days were included in this study. Forty patients with respiratory failure not related to COVID-19 who underwent traditional tracheostomy between January 2015 and April 2022 comprised the control group. Data were collected from medical records and comprised age, sex, body mass index, interval from intubation to tracheostomy, use of anticoagulants, complications of tracheostomy, and decannulation.ResultsAge, sex, and days from intubation to tracheostomy were not significantly different between the COVID-19/cricotracheostomy and control/traditional tracheostomy groups. Body mass index was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than that in the control group (P = 0.02). The rate of use of anticoagulants was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Peri-operative bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, and stomal infection rates were not different between the groups, while stomal granulation was significantly less in the COVID-19 group (P = 0.04).ConclusionsThese results suggest that cricotracheostomy is a safe procedure in patients with severe COVID-19