Morphological and Chemical Diversity within Japanese Laurencia Complex (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales, Rhodophyta).

Seaweeds of the red algal genus Laurencia are distributed worldwide in tropical, subtropical to temperate zones, growing in Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Laurencia is highly difficult to classify morphologically because of a high degree of morphological variation within individual species. Nevertheless, Laurencia investigation is favored by organic chemists as it produces uniquely structured compounds.

A rare case of neuroendocrine cell tumor mixed with a mucinous component in the ampulla of Vater.

Background: A rare case of neuroendocrine cell tumor (NET) having both conventional and mucinous components was reported. Mucinous NET is rarely encountered in the pathological diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) tumors. Here we examined the mechanism for transformation of conventional NETs into mucinous NETs.

Biased Bowl-Direction of Monofluorosumanene in the Solid State.

A new curved π-conjugated molecule 1-fluorosumanene () was designed and synthesized that possesses one fluorine atom on the benzylic carbon of sumanene. This compound can exhibit bowl inversion in solution, leading to the formation of two diastereomers, and , with different dipole moments. Experimental and theoretical investigation revealed an energetical relationship among , , and solvent to realize the various : ratios in the single crystals of depending on the crystallization solvent.

New acetogenin katsuurallene from Laurencia saitoi collected from Katsuura, Japan.

We examined the chemical constitution of the red alga Laurencia saitoi Perestenko, collected from Katsuura, Boso Peninsula, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. This specimen produced a new polyhalogenated acetogenin, named katsuurallene (1), which structure was determined by the spectral methods, along with known diterpene, deoxyparguerol (2) and triterpene, thyrsiferol (3). In this paper we describe the structural elucidation of katsuurallene together with some biological activities.

Two New Halogenated Compounds from the Marine Red Alga Laurencia nipponica Yamada from the Kunashiri and Etorofu Islands.

The red alga Laurencia nipponica comprises various chemical races distributed relative to the ocean current in Japanese coastal areas. We investigated the chemical compositions and chemical races of L. nipponica distributed from the Kunashiri and Etorofu Islands, the confluence of the Soya warm current and Oya-shio cold current.

Effects of early high nutrition related to metabolic imprinting events on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle).

The study was conducted to clarify how early high plane of nutrition related to metabolic imprinting affected growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle). Wagyu steers were allocated randomly into 2 dietary groups: (1) steers fed milk replacer (crude protein 26.0%, crude fat 25.

Characteristic Radiological Features of Retrospectively Diagnosed Pancreatic Cancers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the characteristic radiological features of early-stage pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods: Between 2009 and 2016, 510 PC patients were selected from our hospital cancer registry database based on International Classification of Diseases for Oncology-3 (C25). Among them, 64 patients (42 males and 22 females; median age, 74 [range, 59-91]) had received repeated abdominal radiological examinations before their diagnosis of PC and were retrospectively investigated for specific radiological findings.

Two new brominated C-acetogenins from the red alga .

We report on the chemical characteristics of the red alga , collected off the coast of Yoshio, Katsuura, Boso Peninsula, Japan. We isolated two new brominated C-acetogenins in this species, which we name katsuurenyne A () and katsuurenyne B (), along with two already known halogenated terpenes [2,10-dibromo-3-chloro-α-chamigrene () and aplysiadiol ()]. We extensively analysed spectral data (from IR, ESI-MS, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR) to confirm the structure of these compounds.

[Four Patients Who Underwent Proton Beam Therapy after Debulking Surgery and Omental Wrapping of the Residual Tumor as a Spacer for Unresectable Local Recurrence of Rectal Cancer].

We report 4 patients who underwent proton beam therapy after debulking surgery for unresectable local recurrence of rectal cancer. Case 1: A 55-year-old man underwent radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy for local recurrence; however, the lesion exhibited evident regrowth. Combination therapy of debulking surgery, omental wrapping of the residual tumor as a spacer, and postoperative proton beam therapy was performed.

[Indication for Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Skull Base Accompanied by Cranial Nerve Palsies].

Distant metastasis to the skull base region frequently manifests various cranial nerve symptoms and reduces patients' quality of life(QOL). We report a 62-year-old woman with skull base metastasis of breast cancer, whose condition clinically improved following palliative radiotherapy. The patient presented to our hospital with hoarseness.

Abscopal effect following radiation monotherapy in breast cancer: A case report.

Radiotherapy has been found to be valuable for the control and eradication of local foci in various malignant tumors. The abscopal effect is determined as a systemic antitumor response at a distance from the irradiation site invoked by local irradiation. We herein present an extremely rare case of breast cancer in a 64-year-old woman, in whom the abscopal effect was observed after radiotherapy induced an antitumor response in all metastatic lesions, without any combination therapy.

Genome-wide association studies identified variants for taurine concentration in Japanese Black beef.

We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using the BovineSNP50 array to detect significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may affect the concentration of 22 free amino acids and three peptides in Japanese Black beef cattle. A total of 574 Japanese Black cattle and 40,657 SNPs from the array were used for this study. Genome-wide significant SNPs were detected for β-alanine (three SNPs on chromosomes 22 and 29) and taurine (26 SNPs on chromosome 22).

Effect of two non-synonymous ecto-5'-nucleotidase variants on the genetic architecture of inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) and its degradation products in Japanese Black beef.

Background: Umami is a Japanese term for the fifth basic taste and is an important sensory property of beef palatability. Inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) contributes to umami taste in beef. Thus, the overall change in concentration of IMP and its degradation products can potentially affect the beef palatability.

Neuroendocrine tumor of the extrahepatic bile duct: A case report.

Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the extrahepatic bile ducts are extremely rare neoplasms arising from endocrine cells and have variable malignant potential. They most commonly occur in young females and usually present with painless jaundice.

Presentation Of Case: Here we present the case of an asymptomatic 57-year-old woman with NET of the common bile duct that was incidentally discovered on abdominal ultrasound during a medical examination.

Historical δ15N records of Saccharina specimens from oligotrophic waters of Japan Sea (Hokkaido).

Historically Saccharina spp. beds occurred along the west coast of Hokkaido, an oligotrophic area, and were commercially exploited. Currently extensive commercial Saccharina spp.

[A Case of Perianal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Left Inguinal Lymph Node Metastasis That Showed a Complete Response More Than Five Years after Chemotherapy and Concomitant Proton Beam Therapy].

We report a case of perianal squamous cell carcinoma and left inguinal lymph node metastasis that showed a complete response more than 5 years after chemotherapy and concomitant proton beam therapy. A 34-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for an anal tumor and a left inguinal tumor. A digital rectal examination revealed a tumor in the anterior wall of the anal canal.

[An Autopsy Case of Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy That Progressed Slowly during Chemotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer].

A man in his 50s presented to our hospital for anemia and was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer with para-aortic lymph node metastases. He underwent gastrojejunostomy and received postoperative chemotherapy. Despite stable disease with chemotherapy, he complained of cough and respiratory discomfort and was subsequently admitted with progressive respiratory distress.

[A Case of an Abdominal Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor with Metastasis in the Medulla Oblongata].

A desmoplastic small round cell tumor(DSRCT)is a very rare malignant tumor that mainly occurs in the intra-abdominal cavity in young adults.This neoplasm has an extremely poor prognosis, with a clinical course characterized by rapid progression and metastasis.We present a 31-year-old man who presented with chief complaints of dysphagia, ataxic gait, and hoarseness.

Next-Generation Sequencing of an 88-Year-Old Specimen of the Poorly Known Species Liagora japonica (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta) Supports the Recognition of Otohimella gen. nov.

Liagora japonica is a red algal species distributed in temperate regions of Japan. This species has not been collected from its type locality on the Pacific coast of Japan since 1927 and seems to have become extinct in this area. For molecular characterization of L.

Factors associated with poor therapeutic response in outpatients with irritable bowel syndrome: a multicenter study in Japan.

Background: Some patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) show poor response to treatment. However, risk factors associated with poor therapeutic response have not been determined.

Methods: This multicenter trial evaluated consecutive outpatients with IBS undergoing treatment for more than 1 month.

Genome-wide association study for carcass traits, fatty acid composition, chemical composition, sugar, and the effects of related candidate genes in Japanese Black cattle.

We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and candidate gene analysis to: (i) evaluate the effectiveness of the GWAS in our small population by performing GWAS for carcass weight (CW) and fatty acid composition; (ii) detect novel candidate regions affecting non-CW carcass traits, chemical composition and sugar; and (iii) evaluate the association of the candidate genes previously detected in CW and fatty acid composition with other economically important traits. A total of 574 Japanese Black cattle and 40 657 Single nucleotide polymorphisms were used. In addition, candidate gene analyses were performed to evaluate the association of three CW-related genes and two fatty acid-related genes with carcass traits, fatty acid composition, chemical composition and sugar.

Arteriovenous malformation of the pancreas: a case report.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the pancreas is uncommon in the gastrointestinal tract. We present a case of AVM of the pancreatic head in a 59-year-old male. He was admitted to a hospital with hematemesis and tarry stool and referred to our hospital in March 2014 on the diagnosis of pancreatic artery pseudoaneurysm.

Intrahepatic splenosis in a chronic hepatitis C patient with no history of splenic trauma mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Intrahepatic splenosis (IHS) is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue that mostly develops after abdominal injury and is often misdiagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) because of similarities in radiological features. We had an opportunity to treat an extremely rare case of intrahepatic splenosis, which were found in a patient without any history of splenic injury. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case report in the world.