A primary aorto-duodenal fistula associated with an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm: a case report.

Primary aorto-enteric fistula (PAEF)is a serious complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA). We report a patient with PAEF associated with inflammatory AAA who underwent emergent surgery. A 52-year-old male presented with recurrent hematemesis. A computer tomography scan showed a sealed rupture of the AAA adjacent to the duodenum. At surgery, a coin-sized PAEF was noted. The aorta was replaced with a Dacron graft in situ . Histological examination revealed the characteristics of an inflammatory AAA. The postoperative course was uneventful, and there has been no evidence of infection during a follow-up period of 3 years. We discuss the etiologic and surgical considerations regarding this unusual entity.</p

Distribution of β2-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression along the hamster nephron segments

AbstractDistribution of β2-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression along the microdissected hamster nephron segments was examined by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Conventional RT-PCR using a set of primers on separate exons could not be applied for the detection of β2-adrenergic receptor mRNA because of its intronless nature. We used the ‘rapid amplification of cDNA ends’ protocol [(1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 8998-9002] as a maneuver for RT-PCR of an intronless gene. Using this method, we successfully located hamster β2-adrenergic receptor mRNA only in glomeruli and early proximal convoluted tubule along the nephron segments tested

Relationship between serum concentrations of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids and the homeostasis model insulin resistance index in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background : Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) improves the lipid metabolism of diabetics, leading to prevents of arteriosclerosis. Exact relationship between saturated fatty acids (SFA) or PUFA and the insulin resistance of diabetics are unknown. Subjects and Methods : We investigated the relationship between the serum concentrations of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and the homeostasis model insulin resistance index (HOMA-R) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results : The SFA, i.e., lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid ; the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), i.e., palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, and erucic acid ; and the PUFA, i.e., eicosadienoic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, docosatetraenoic acid, and docosapentaenoic acid were positively correlated with HOMA-R. However, no correlations were found between HOMA-R and SFA, i.e., arachidic acid, behenic acid, and lignoceric acid ; the MUFA, i.e., eicosenoic acid and nervonic acid ; and the PUFA, i.e., linoleic acid, γ-linolenic acid, linolenic acid, 5-8-11 eicosatrienoic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. Conclusions : Some PUFA as well as SFA were positively correlated with HOMA-R. These results indicate that the intake of diet fatty acid must be well balanced in diabetic patients and it is not always true to refrain from taking SFA and increase the unsaturated fatty acids in their diets

Controlling factors of large-scale harmful algal blooms with Karenia selliformis after record-breaking marine heatwaves

Unprecedented, large-scale harmful algal blooms (HABs) dominated by Karenia selliformis occurred off the southeastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan, from late September to early November 2021, about a month after intense and extensive marine heatwaves (MHWs) had subsided. The aims of the present study were to understand the mechanism of development, maintenance, and decay of the HABs as well as to investigate the effect of the MHWs on the HABs. We developed a one-dimensional, lower trophic-level ecosystem model (NEMURO+) to simulate the HABs. The model successfully simulated the 2021 HABs and indicated that their development, maintenance, and decay were controlled primarily by changes of water temperature. Nitrate supply from subsurface layers by seasonal vertical diffusion in autumn also helped to maintain the HABs. Vertical diffusion following MHWs in 2021 contributed to the long duration of the preferred temperature for K. selliformis and the occurrence of pre-bloom of K. selliformis, resulting in preconditioning and accelerating the HABs. However, simulations for normal years (i.e., the climatological mean during 2003–2018) showed that HABs could have occurred, even in the absence of MHWs. The simulations indicated that massive blooms of other phytoplankton species (e.g., diatoms) would not have occurred in 2021, even in the absence of a K. selliformis bloom. The implication was that the HABs in 2021 were the species-specific responses of K. selliformis. The proposed mechanism of the HABs was peculiar to our study area and differed from that previously reported for other K. selliformis blooms. Specifically, the preferred temperature for the HABs of K. selliformis was clearly lower than the previously reported preferred temperature of K. selliformis; thus, the physiological characteristics of the K. selliformis that bloomed in our study area differed from those of other K. selliformis strains. These discoveries provide the first evidence to explain how MHWs affect HABs, and to understand how inter-regional dissimilarities of K. selliformis can lead to large-scale, devastating outbreaks under different oceanographic conditions

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) mRNA expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and non-cancerous liver tissue

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) regulates lipid metabolism in the liver. It is unclear, however, how this receptor changes in liver cancer tissue. On the other hand, mouse carcinogenicity studies showed that PPARα is necessary for the development of liver cancer induced by peroxisome proliferators, and the relationship between PPARα and the development of liver cancer have been the focus of considerable attention. There have been no reports, however, demonstrating that PPARα is involved in the development of human liver cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The subjects were 10 patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. We assessed the expression of PPARα mRNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and non-cancerous tissue, as well as the expression of target genes of PPARα, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A and cyclin D1 mRNAs. We also evaluated glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in the glycolytic system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The amounts of PPARα, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA in cancerous sections were significantly increased compared to those in non-cancerous sections. The level of cyclin D1 mRNA tends to be higher in cancerous than non-cancerous sections. Although there was a significant correlation between the levels of PPARα mRNA and cyclin D1 mRNA in both sections, however the correlation was higher in cancerous sections.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present investigation indicated increased expression of PPARα mRNA and mRNAs for PPARα target genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma. These results might be associated with its carcinogenesis and characteristic features of energy production.</p

Macroscale Double Networks: Design Criteria for Optimizing Strength and Toughness

The double network concept, based on the fracture of sacrificial bonds, has been revolutionary toward the creation of robust soft materials. Based on the essence of double network hydrogels, macroscale, three-dimensional printed rigid sacrificial networks are embedded within silicone rubber stretchable matrices. Preferential fracture of the sacrificial network results in a , similar to 60 time increase in stiffness and a similar to 50% increase in the work of extension compared with the neat matrix. Maximizing yield strength while maintaining multistep internal fracture occurs when the strength of the sacrificial network approaches the strength of the matrix. Upon determining the optimal sacrificial network strength, the sacrificial bond section density can be increased to maximize energy dissipation and toughening efficiencies up to similar to 70% of the maximum theoretical toughness are achieved. High toughness and dissipation are achieved because topological interlocking enables significant force transmission to the sacrificial network at smaller length scales than interfacial adhesion, allowing much higher sacrificial bond density. This method is general and can be used with a variety of materials systems, without requiring strong interfacial adhesion, contrasting traditional composite systems. Demonstrating that the double network concept can be used at length scales far beyond the molecular scale will have important implications toward the development of future structural materials