Simultaneous Validation of Seven Physical Activity Questionnaires Used in Japanese Cohorts for Estimating Energy Expenditure: A Doubly Labeled Water Study

Background: Physical activity questionnaires (PAQs) used in large-scale Japanese cohorts have rarely been simultaneously validated against the gold standard doubly labeled water (DLW) method. This study examined the validity of seven PAQs used in Japan for estimating energy expenditure against the DLW method.Methods: Twenty healthy Japanese adults (9 men; mean age, 32.4 [standard deviation {SD}, 9.4] years, mainly researchers and students) participated in this study. Fifteen-day daily total energy expenditure (TEE) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were measured using the DLW method and a metabolic chamber, respectively. Activity energy expenditure (AEE) was calculated as TEE − BMR − 0.1 × TEE. Seven PAQs were self-administered to estimate TEE and AEE.Results: The mean measured values of TEE and AEE were 2,294 (SD, 318) kcal/day and 721 (SD, 161) kcal/day, respectively. All of the PAQs indicated moderate-to-strong correlations with the DLW method in TEE (rho = 0.57–0.84). Two PAQs (Japan Public Health Center Study [JPHC]-PAQ Short and JPHC-PAQ Long) showed significant equivalence in TEE and moderate intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). None of the PAQs showed significantly equivalent AEE estimates, with differences ranging from −547 to 77 kcal/day. Correlations and ICCs in AEE were mostly weak or fair (rho = 0.02–0.54, and ICC = 0.00–0.44). Only JPHC-PAQ Short provided significant and fair agreement with the DLW method.Conclusions: TEE estimated by the PAQs showed moderate or strong correlations with the results of DLW. Two PAQs showed equivalent TEE and moderate agreement. None of the PAQs showed equivalent AEE estimation to the gold standard, with weak-to-fair correlations and agreements. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings

Electronic Phase Transition of Cesium Metal under High Pressure

The isostructural phase transition of cesium metal, CsII←→CsIII, under pressure is discussed in terms of the crystalline energy as a function of volume. Using the augmented plane wave (APW) method and the quantum defect method, the energy bands are calculated at symmetry points in the Brillouin zone for the ran e of relative volume V/V_0 (V_0 : the volume at normal pressure) from 1.30 to 0.24. As the volume decreases, there appears a pronounced tendency of d-states to fall lower relative to s-states, which rise significantly at V/V_0≤0.6. Besides overall rise of the band energy with decreasing volume, a small humped portion is found at 0.4≤V/V_0≤0.5, this being attributed to the shift of electrons into the vicinity of X. The transition beyond this portion is accompanied by a significant volume change. Thus the CsII←→CsIII transition is interpreted as an electronic one. A calculation using the Green\u27s function method is also carried out and the results are compared with those by the APW method

Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy of Pyrrhotite

Magentization curves in the base plane and along the c-axis of natural pyrrhotite crystals (Fe_7S_8) are measured up to a magnetic field strength of 90 kOe. The results can be expressed in terms of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy, E_K=-K_0|cos θ|+K_3 cos^2θ+K_4cos^4θ, the last term being the correction term for the. preceding one. The values of K_0, K_3 and K_4 obtained are K_0=0.51×10^6erg/cc, K_3=3.2×10^6 erg/cc and K_4=0.098×10^6 erg/cc at 293°K and K_0=1.2×10^6 erg/cc, K_3=4.2×10^6 erg/cc and K_4=0.21×10^6 erg/cc at 77°K. These values obtained are discussed on the basis of Adachi\u27s theory of magnetocrystalline anisotropy

The Liver Transection Area Is a Novel Predictor for Surgical Difficulty in Laparoscopic Liver Resection

Background: A difficulty scoring system was developed to estimate the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic liver surgery (LLS); however, the effect of the liver transection area (LTA) on LLS outcomes have not been previously examined. Therefore, this study investigated the predictive significance of the LTA for LLS. Methods: This retrospective study included 106 patients who underwent LLS in our hospital between January 2012 and December 2023. The association of the LTA with the surgical difficulty level and operative time was investigated. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors predicting surgical difficulty in LLS. Results: The median LTA and operative time were 62.5 (IQR, 36.0–91.8) cm2 and 250 (IQR, 195–310) minutes, respectively. The LTA was significantly associated with surgical difficulty as evaluated using the IWATE Criteria. Moreover, the LTA significantly correlated with operative time (r2 = 0.19, p < 0.001). The multivariable analyses found that the LTA (≥59 cm2) (odds ratio [OR], 6.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.38–16.6; p < 0.001) and the type of LLS (≥segmentectomy) (OR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.35–11.4; p = 0.01) were significant factors associated with surgical difficulty. Conclusions: The LTA is a useful parameter that reflects the difficulty of LLS

Surgical protocol of robotic liver resection using a two-surgeon technique (TAKUMI-3): a technical note and initial outcomes

Background Internationally, evidence supporting robotic liver resection (RLR) has gradually increased in recent years. However, a standardized protocol for RLR remains lacking. This study describes a surgical protocol and the initial outcomes of RLR in a high-volume center for robotic hepatopancreatobiliary surgery in Japan. Methods Patients were placed in the reverse Trendelenburg position, with a supine position for anterolateral tumors and left lateral position for posterosuperior tumors. Our standard RLR protocol involved a two-surgeon technique. Liver parenchymal transection was performed by an assistant using the clamp crush technique with a console, with or without a laparoscopic Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA). Surgical techniques, including the tips, tricks, and pitfalls of RLR, are also demonstrated. Results We performed 113 RLR at our institution for common primary diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 52, 46.0%) and metastatic tumors (n = 48, 42.5%) between July 2022 and December 2024. The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 156 min (interquartile range [IQR], 121-209 min) and 20 mL (IQR, 0-100 mL), respectively. During liver parenchymal transection, a laparoscopic CUSA was used in 59 patients (52.2%), and a water-jet scalpel was used in 12 patients (10.6%). The incidence of mortality, major complications, and bile leakage was 0%, 6.2%, and 2.7%, respectively. The median hospital stay was 7 days (IQR, 6-9 days). Conclusions We successfully introduced an RLR program using the two-surgeon technique. Safe implementation of RLR can be achieved upon completion of the training program and thorough understanding of the surgical protocols

On the Magnetic Anisotropy of a Pyrrhotite Crystal

Measurement of the magnetic anisotropy energy of a single crystal of natural pyrrhotite in c-plane was made by means of the torque method at room temperature up to a magnetic field of 20000 Oe and at low temperature in a constant field. It was found that the easy axis lay along [210] direction above -80℃ which, however, changed to [100] direction below that temperature. The torque curves in c-plane were composed of two- and six-fold symmetric parts. It was also found that in the range of strong magnetic fields the six-fold symmetric part at room temperature decreased with the inverse square of the applied field ; such a field dependence is explained assuming a triad structure for the single crystal of pyrrhotite. A remark is also given on the origin of the two-fold symmetric torque

Central pancreatectomy of the remnant pancreas without reconstruction after pancreatoduodenectomy

Background There are several reports on the safety and feasibility of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) without reconstruction of the small remnant pancreas. However, a few studies have explored central pancreatectomy (CP) for non-reconstructed small remnant pancreases after PD. This study presents a case of CP without pancreatic reconstruction after PD. Case presentation A 58-year-old man with cerebral palsy underwent PD for distal cholangiocarcinoma. Three years postoperatively, a 12-mm tumor was detected in the remnant pancreatic body and diagnosed as a pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm. Surgical resection was performed, because the tumor was enlarged and chemotherapy resistant. The afferent loop with pancreatojejunostomy anastomosis was dissected, and CP, including pancreatojejunostomy anastomosis, was performed. Given the remnant pancreas was hard and atrophic, the pancreatic tail was transected using a stapler without reconstructing the small remnant pancreas. The patient experienced no postoperative complications including postoperative pancreatic fistula, and the endocrine function of the pancreas was preserved. Conclusions We present a case of remnant pancreatic CP that did not require reconstruction after PD. Preservation of the small remnant pancreas without reconstruction during CP may be feasible to maintain endocrine function in select patients after PD

A Case of Benign Schwannoma of the Transverse Colon with Granulation Tissue

Schwannomas occurring in the gastrointestinal tract are rare, and among them, schwannomas of the large intestine are extremely rare. In this paper, we report a case of a macroscopically atypical schwannoma of the transverse colon. The case is a female aged 67. Stool occult blood test was positive, and colonoscopy revealed a protruded lesion resembling a type 1 carcinoma measuring 4 cm with a reddish and uneven surface on the transverse colon. The surface was smooth and lobulated in observation with indigo carmine spray, and granulation tissue was revealed by biopsies. CT of the abdomen showed an irregular mass, and clinical examinations could not rule out malignancy. Therefore, partial transverse colectomy with peripheral lymph node dissection was performed. Histologically, proliferation of spindle cells was observed originating from the muscularis propria, and most of the upper part of the lesion was replaced by granulation tissue. In immunohistochemical staining, S-100 protein and NSE were positive while KIT, CD34, desmin and smooth muscle actin were negative, and the tumor was therefore diagnosed to be a schwannoma. In addition, since the MIB-1 labeling index was low and virtually no mitosis was observed, it was diagnosed as benign tumor

p53-armed oncolytic adenovirus induces autophagy and apoptosis in KRAS and BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells harboring KRAS or BRAF mutations show a more-malignant phenotype than cells with wild-type KRAS and BRAF. KRAS/BRAF-wild-type CRCs are sensitive to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting agents, whereas KRAS/BRAF-mutant CRCs are resistant due to constitutive activation of the EGFR-downstream KRAS/BRAF signaling pathway. Novel therapeutic strategies to treat KRAS/BRAF mutant CRC cells are thus needed. We recently demonstrated that the telomerase-specific replication-competent oncolytic adenoviruses OBP-301 and p53-armed OBP-702 exhibit therapeutic potential against KRAS-mutant human pancreatic cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of OBP-301 and OBP-702 against human CRC cells with differing KRAS/BRAF status. Human CRC cells with wild-type KRAS/BRAF (SW48, Colo320DM, CACO-2), mutant KRAS (DLD-1, SW620, HCT116), and mutant BRAF (RKO, HT29, COLO205) were used in this study. The antitumor effect of OBP-301 and OBP-702 against CRC cells was analyzed using the XTT assay. Virus-mediated modulation of apoptosis, autophagy, and the EGFR-MEK-ERK and AKT-mTOR signaling pathways was analyzed by Western blotting. Wild-type and KRAS-mutant CRC cells were sensitive to OBP-301 and OBP-702, whereas BRAF-mutant CRC cells were sensitive to OBP-702 but resistant to OBP-301. Western blot analysis demonstrated that OBP-301 induced autophagy and that OBP-702 induced autophagy and apoptosis in human CRC cells. In BRAF-mutant CRC cells, OBP-301 and OBP-702 suppressed the expression of EGFR, MEK, ERK, and AKT proteins, whereas mTOR expression was suppressed only by OBP-702. Our results suggest that p53-armed oncolytic virotherapy is a viable therapeutic option for treating KRAS/BRAF-mutant CRC cells via induction of autophagy and apoptosis

High-Field Magnetization Process in R_2Fe_<14>B and R_2Fe_<17>N_x Compounds(Magnetism)

General method of calculating magnetization curves in ternary system R-Fe-X is given, where R is a rare-earth element and X a non-magnetic element such as B. In this method the ferromagnetism of Fe sublattice is treated phenomenologically, while exchange and crystal field acting on R ions are exactly taken into account. Experimental data on R_2Fe_B and R_2Fe_N_x systems are summarized in comparison with the calculated curves. Detailed analyses have shown that in the light R compounds the inter-multiplet mixing via the R-Fe exchange interaction is important especially for the first-order magnetization process, which often occurs at low temperatures with external fields along the hard direction