A Design and Prototyping of In-Network Processing Platform to Enable Adaptive Network Services

The explosive growth of the usage along with a greater diversification of communication technologies and applications imposes the Internet to manage further scalability and diversity, requiring more adaptive and flexible sharing schemes of network resources. Especially when a number of large-scale distributed applications concurrently share the resource, efficacy of comprehensive usage of network, computation, and storage resources is needed from the viewpoint of information processing performance. Therefore, a reconsideration of the coordination and partitioning of functions between networks (providers) and applications (users) has become a recent research topic. In this paper, we first address the need and discuss the feasibility of adaptive network services by introducing special processing nodes inside the network. Then, a design and an implementation of an advanced relay node platform are presented, by which we can easily prototype and test a variety of advanced in-network processing on Linux and off-the-shelf PCs. A key feature of the proposed platform is that integration between kernel and userland spaces enables to easily and quickly develop various advanced relay processing. Finally, on the top of the advanced relay node platform, we implement and test an adaptive packet compression scheme that we previously proposed. The experimental results show the feasibility of both the developed platform and the proposed adaptive packet compression

Compressing Packets Adaptively Inside Networks

Introducing adaptive online data compression at network-internal nodes is considered for alleviating traffic congestion on the network. In this paper, we assume that advanced relay nodes, which possess both a relay function (network resource) and a processing function (computational and storage resources), are placed inside the network, and we propose an adaptive online lossless packet compression scheme utilized at these nodes. This scheme selectively compresses a packet according to its waiting time in the queue during congestion. Through preliminary investigation using actual traffic datasets, we investigate the compression ratio and processing time of packet-by-packet compression in actual network environments. Then, by means of computer simulations, we show that the proposed scheme reduces the packet delay time and discard rate and investigate factors necessary in achieving efficient packet relay

Kyushu-TCP : Improving Fairness of High-Speed Transport Protocols

With the emergence of bandwidth-greedy application services, high-speed transport protocols are expected to effectively and aggressively use large amounts of bandwidth in current broadband and multimedia networks. However, when high-speed transport protocols compete with other standard TCP flows, they can occupy most of the available bandwidth leading to disruption of service. To deploy high-speed transport protocols on the Internet, such unfair situations must be improved. In this paper, therefore, we propose a method to improve fairness, called Kyushu-TCP (KTCP), which introduces a non-aggressive period in the congestion avoidance phase to give other standard TCP flows more chances of increasing their transmission rates. This method improves fairness in terms of the throughput by estimating the stably available bandwidth-delay product and adjusting its transmission rate based on this estimation. We show the effectiveness of the proposed method through simulations

Adrenal androgen levels as predictors of outcome in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with combined androgen blockade using flutamide as a second-line anti-androgen

金沢大学附属病院泌尿器科Objectives: To analyze the clinical effects of flutamide as a second-line anti-androgen for combined androgen blockade in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) initially treated with bicalutamide as a first-line anti-androgen. Methods: Our study population consisted of 16 patients with CRPC who were treated with flutamide (375 mg daily) as second-line hormonal therapy. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, androstenediol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured to investigate the relationship between plasma androgens and outcome following treatment. Furthermore, adrenal androgen levels in a medium of adrenal cancer cell line were also measured. Results: Second-line hormonal therapy using flutamide resulted in a reduction of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in 14 (87.5%) of 16 patients. A PSA decline greater than 50% was observed in 8 (50%) of the 16 patients. The duration of median responsiveness was 6.25 months. PSA elevation of baseline androstenediol level was a predictive factor of PSA responsiveness. The lower DHEA group improved the duration of responsiveness to flutamide. In vitro, 3 μmol/L flutamide suppressed DHEA, androstenedione and androstenediol synthesis compared with bicalutamide in a medium of adrenal cancer cell line. Conclusions: Our data show that flutamide suppresses the adrenal androgens in comparison with bicalutamide. The responsiveness and response duration of flutamide can be predicted in patients with a higher baseline androstenediol level and a lower DHEA level. Metabolites from adrenal androgens contribute to the progression of prostate cancer. © 2010 The Japanese Urological Association

Efficacy of two-time prophylactic intravenous administration of tazobactam/piperacillin for transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the prostate

金沢大学大学院医学系研究科泌尿器集学的治療学 / Department of Integrative Cancer Therapy and Urology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical SciencesBackground Prevalence of fluoroquinolone (FQ)-resistant Escherichia coli has been recently increasing worldwide. We analyzed the incidence and characteristics of acute bacterial prostatitis after transrectal ultrasound-guided needle prostate biopsy (TRUSP-Bx) with prophylactic tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC) treatment as an alternative regimen. Methods A total of 391 patients who underwent TRUSP-Bx were included in the study. All patients received intravenous TAZ/PIPC (4.5 g) 30 minutes before and 6 hours after TRUSP-Bx. Results Acute bacterial prostatitis developed in six patients (1.5%); the frequency of its occurrence was significantly higher in patients in whom rectal disinfection was not performed (P < 0.05). These six patients developed clinical symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis a median of 24 hours after the biopsy. Escherichia coli was isolated in urine or blood bacterial cultures in four cases, and Klebsiella pneumoniae in two cases. All of the isolated organisms showed excellent sensitivity to TAZ/PIPC. Conclusions The incidence rate of acute prostatitis with prophylactic TAZ/PIPC was consistent with those reported previously with FQ-based regimens, despite the favorable sensitivity of isolated organisms. Two-time regimen of TAZ/PIPC may not always prevent the post-TRUSP-Bx infection, possibly due to the pharmacokinetic characteristics of TAZ/PIPC. However, if each case was considered individually to select the best setting and frequency of dosage of TAZ/PIPC, this can be an optimal prophylaxis in the era of widespread FQ-resistant microorganisms. Copyright © 2015 Asian Pacific Prostate Society, Published by Elsevier. All rights reserved

Successful Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization followed by Radical Liver Transplantation in a Patient with Severe Liver Damage

Introduction: Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been established as a curative therapy of underlying liver disease and cancer. However, the role of liver transplantation remains controversial for patients with HCC beyond Milan criteria. Case Presentation: A man in his 50s who was diagnosed as having two foci of HCC and advanced liver cirrhosis was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment. Both foci of HCC were located in segment 8 of the liver and measured 39 and 9 mm. Endoscopy showed esophageal varices that had a high risk of bleeding. After endoscopic ligation of the esophageal varices, he underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for downstaging of the advanced HCCs. No further liver deterioration was observed after TACE, and HCC staging was successfully downstaged to within the Milan criteria. One hundred ten days after TACE, he underwent liver transplantation; at 2.5 years after transplantation, he remains alive without HCC recurrence. Discussion/Conclusion: There are only a few treatment options available for patients with advanced HCC and severe liver damage. Multidisciplinary treatment such as locoregional treatments and prophylaxis of variceal bleeding may result in tumor downstaging, enabling radical liver transplantation without further exacerbation of liver damage

Androgen replacement therapy contributes to improving lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with hypogonadism and benign prostate hypertrophy: A randomised controlled study

金沢大学附属病院泌尿器科Purpose. We performed a randomised controlled study regarding the effects of androgen replacement therapy (ART) on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in hypogonadal men with benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). Methods. Fifty-two patients with hypogonadism and BPH were randomly assigned to receive testosterone (ART group) as 250 mg of testosterone enanthate every 4 weeks or to the untreated control group. We compared International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry data, post-voiding residual volume (PVR) and systemic muscle volume at baseline and 12 months after treatment. Results. Forty-six patients (ART group, n=23; control, n=23) were included in the analysis. At the 12-month visit, IPSS showed a significant decrease compared with baseline in the ART group (15.7±8.7 vs. 12.5 ± 9.5; p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the control group. The ART group also showed improvement in maximum flow rate and voided volume (p < 0.05), whereas no significant improvements were observed in the controls. PVR showed no significant changes in either group. In addition, the ART group showed significant enhancement of mean muscle volume (p < 0.05), whereas no significant changes were seen in the controls. Conclusion. ART improved LUTS in hypogonadal men with mild BPH. © 2010 Informa UK, Ltd

Liquid-based urine cytology as a tool for detection of human papillomavirus, Mycoplasma spp., and Ureaplasma spp. in men

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Liquid-based urine cytology (LB-URC) was evaluated for cytological diagnosis and detection of human papillomavirus (HPV), Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma. Midstream urine samples were collected from 141 male patients with urethritis and 154 controls without urethritis, and sediment cells were preserved in liquid-based cytology solution. Urethral swabs from urethritis patients were tested for the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Papanicolaou tests were performed for cytological evaluation. HPV, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma genomes were determined by PCR-based methods, and localization of HPV DNA in urothelial cells was examined by in situ hybridization (ISH). The β-globin gene was positive in 97.9% of LB-URC samples from urethritis patients and in 97.4% of control samples, suggesting that high-quality cellular DNA was obtained from the LB-URC samples. HPV DNA was detected in 29 (21.0%) urethritis cases and in five (3.3%) controls (P<0.05). HPV type 16 (HPV 16) was most commonly found in urethritis patients. Cytological evaluations could be performed for 92.1% of urethritis patients and 64.3% of controls. Morphological changes suggestive of HPV infection were seen in 20.7% of the HPV-positive samples, and ISH demonstrated the presence of HPV DNA in both squamous and urothelial cells in HPV-positive samples. Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum, and Ureaplasma urealyticum were detected in 14.5%, 10.9%, 6.5%, and 12.3% of urethritis patients, respectively. The prevalence rates of these microorganisms (except Ureaplasma parvum) were significantly higher in urethritis cases than controls (P<0.05). LB-URC is applicable for detection of HPV, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma. HP infection occurs in urothelial cells, especially in gonococcal urethritis. Copyright © 2012, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved

A plastidial sodium-dependent pyruvate transporter (vol 476, pg 472, 2011)

Furumoto T, Yamaguchi T, Ohshima-Ichie Y, et al. A plastidial sodium-dependent pyruvate transporter (vol 476, pg 472, 2011). Nature. 2011;478(7368):274

プロバイダ カンリガタ VPN ニ オケル サイテイ タイイキ ホショウ サービス ニ カンスル ケンキュウ

博士(Doctor)工学(Engineering)奈良先端科学技術大学院大学博第830号甲第830号博士(工学)奈良先端科学技術大学院大