Original Article : Stimulation of Ovarian Development in a Tropical Damselfish by Prolonged Photoperiod using Pellets Containing Long-afterglow Phosphorescent Pigment

( Satoshi Imamura ),( Mohammad Abu Jafor Bapary ),( Yuki Takeuchi ),( Sung Pyo Hur ),( Akihiro Takemura ) 한국수산과학회(구 한국수산학회) 2014 Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Vol.17 No.2

The present study examined whether light emitted by long-afterglow phosphorescent pigments (LumiNova) would stimulate gonadal development in fish during the nonbreeding season. Pellets containing LumiNova powder (treatment group) were prepared and placed on the calvaria of specimens of the sapphire devil Chrysiptera cyanea, a reef-associated damselfish that requires long days for gonadal recrudescence. A pellet without LumiNova powder was placed on the calvaria of the control fish (control group). Fish were reared at 26°C under a light.dark cycle (12 h photophase, 12 h scotophase; LD 12:12) for 4 weeks. No difference in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) or ovarian histology was observed among the control, sham-operation, and treatment groups 1 week after the start of the experiment. After 4 weeks, the GSI of the control and sham-operation groups remained at low levels, and ovaries contained immature oocytes at the perinucleolus stage. In contrast, the treatment group exhibited significantly higher values of GSI as well as developed ovaries with fully vitellogenic oocytes. These results demonstrated that long-day conditions were produced by light emitted from the LumiNova pellets, thus stimulating ovarian development in the damselfish. Therefore, long-afterglow phosphorescent pigments can be used as an alternative to standard light sources for purposes of artificial stimulation of gonadal development in fish.

Efficacy and Safety of Abdominal Trunk Muscle Strengthening Using an Innovative Device in Elderly Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study

Satoshi Kato,Satoru Demura,Yuki Kurokawa,Naoki Takahashi,Kazuya Shinmura,Noriaki Yokogawa,Noritaka Yonezawa,Takaki Shimizu,Ryo Kitagawa,Hiroyuki Tsuchiya 대한재활의학회 2020 Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine Vol.44 No.3

Objective To examine the efficacy and safety of an innovative, device-driven abdominal trunk muscle strengthening program, with the ability to measure muscle strength, to treat chronic low back pain (LBP) in elderly participants. Methods Seven women with non-specific chronic LBP, lasting at least 3 months, were enrolled and treated with the prescribed exercise regimen. Patients participated in a 12-week device-driven exercise program which included abdominal trunk muscle strengthening and 4 types of stretches for the trunk and lower extremities. Primary outcomes were adverse events associated with the exercise program, improvement in abdominal trunk muscle strength, as measured by the device, and improvement in the numerical rating scale (NRS) scores of LBP with the exercise. Secondary outcomes were improvement in the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) score and the results of the locomotive syndrome risk test, including the stand-up and two-step tests. Results There were no reports of increased back pain or new-onset abdominal pain or discomfort during or after the device-driven exercise program. The mean abdominal trunk muscle strength, NRS, RDQ scores, and the stand-up and two-step test scores were significantly improved at the end of the trial compared to baseline. Conclusion No participants experienced adverse events during the 12-week strengthening program, which involved the use of our device and stretching, indicating the program was safe. Further, the program significantly improved various measures of LBP and physical function in elderly participants.

A 3-year postmarketing study on the safety and effectiveness of once-monthly risedronate in Japanese patients with osteoporosis

Satoshi Soen,Yuki Arai,Saori Matsuda,Kento Emori,Toshimi Ikezaki,Mitsuharu Osawa 대한골다공증학회 2020 Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia Vol.6 No.4

Objectives: This postmarketing study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of oral administration of risedronate at 75 mg once monthly for 36 months in patients with osteoporosis in Japan. Methods: Participants were ambulatory outpatients with osteoporosis who were ≥ 50 years old and had prevalent vertebral fractures. Outcomes were the incidence rate of adverse drug reaction (ADR), cumulative incidence of vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip fractures, the percent changes of lumbar spinal L2–4 bone mineral density (BMD), and low back pain. In addition, medication compliance was examined. Results: Safety, vertebral fractures, and other outcomes were analyzed in 542, 328, and 535 patients, respectively. In the safety analysis set, 88.38% of the patients were women and the mean age was 75.9 years. The monthly medication compliance rate ranged from 83.24% to 95.38%. The incidence rate of ADRs, including 4 severe ADRs, was 10.52% (n = 57). The common ADRs were gastrointestinal disorders, musculoskeletal, and connective tissue disorders. No osteonecrosis of the jaw was reported. The cumulative incidences (95% CI) of vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip fractures at 36 months were 12.58% (8.61–18.18), 6.59% (4.31–10.01), and 1.58% (0.64–3.88), respectively. The L2–4 BMD increased by 10.59% compared with baseline value (P < 0.01), and the proportion of patients with low back pain decreased to 30.77%, at 36 months. Conclusions: Administering 75 mg of risedronate once a month remains a favorable compliance rate and may be useful for the treatment of patients, even the elderly, with osteoporosis in daily practice.

Equivalency of Series-Parallel Hybrid System Using Planetary Gear and Hybrid System Using EVT

Yuki Kubo,Satoshi Ogasawara,Masatsugu Takemoto 전력전자학회 2011 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2011 No.5

The series-parallel hybrid system using a planetary gear realizes low-fuel consumption and restraining of the exhaust gas by performing an optimal control of the internal combustion engine (ICE) with various driving modes. On the other hand, the hybrid system using electric variable transmission (EVT) has been proposed. This paper presents a theoretical consideration on equivalency of the series-parallel hybrid system and the hybrid system using the EVT. Additionally, some experimental results and simulation results are compared to confirm equivalency of the two systems.

Running exercise and food restriction affect bone chemical properties in young female rats

Yuki Aikawa,Yuich Noma,Umon Agata,Yuya Kakutani,Satoshi Hattori,Hitomi Ogata,Ken Kiyono,Naomi Omi 한국운동영양학회 2023 Physical Activity and Nutrition (Phys Act Nutr) Vol.27 No.2

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of a combination of running and food restriction on the chemical properties of the bone in young female rats using Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, we investigated whether the chemical property parameters correlated with the bone-breaking strength. [Methods] Female Sprague–Dawley rats (7 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups: sedentary and ad libitum feeding (SED, n = 8), voluntary running exercise and ad libitum feeding (EX, n = 8), sedentary and 30% food-restricted (SED-FR, n = 8), and voluntary running exercise and 30% food-restricted (EX- FR, n = 8). The experiment was conducted for a period of 12 weeks. Four parameters measured by Raman spectroscopy were used to evaluate the bone chemical quality. [Results] Exercise and restriction had significant interactions on the mineral to matrix ratio. The mineral-to-matrix ratio in the SED-FR group was significantly higher than that in the SED group and significantly lower in the EX-FR group than that in the SED-FR group. Running exercise had significant effects on increasing the crystallinity and carbonate-to-phosphate ratio. In the ad libitum intake condition, there were significant positive correlations between breaking energy and crystallinity (r = 0.593) and between breaking energy and carbonate-to-phosphate ratio (r = 0.854). [Conclusion] Our findings show that running exercise and food restriction, alone or in combination, affect the chemical properties of bone. Furthermore, under ad libitum intake conditions, positive correlations were found between the breaking energy and crystallinity, or carbonate-to-phosphate ratio.

Risk Factors for Acute Cholangitis Caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium

( Yuki Karasawa ),( Jun Kato ),( Satoshi Kawamura ),( Kentaro Kojima ),( Takamasa Ohki ),( Michiharu Seki ),( Kazumi ),( Tagawa ),( Nobuo Toda ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2021 Gut and Liver Vol.15 No.4

Background/Aims: Acute cholangitis (AC) is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection, and timely antimicrobial treatment, faster than that achieved with bacterial cultures, is recommended. Although the current guidelines refer to empirical antimicrobial treatment, various kinds of antimicrobial agents have been cited because of insufficient analyses on the spectrum of pathogens in AC. Enterococcus spp. is one of the most frequently isolated Gram-positive bacteria from the bile of patients with AC, but its risk factors have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors of AC caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Methods: Patients with AC who were hospitalized in a Japanese tertiary center between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients’ first AC episodes in the hospital were evaluated. Results: A total of 266 patients with AC were identified. E. faecalis and/or E. faecium was isolated in 56 (21%) episodes of AC. Prior endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), the presence of a biliary stent, prior cholecystectomy, and past intensive care unit admission were more frequently observed in AC patients with E. faecalis and/or E. faecium than in those without such bacteria. Prior EST was identified as an independent risk factor for AC caused by E. faecalis and/or E. faecium in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Given the intrinsic resistance of E. faecalis and E. faecium to antibiotics, clinicians should consider empirical therapy with anti-enterococcal antibiotics for patients with prior EST. (Gut Liver 2021;15:616-624)

Stimulation of Ovarian Development in a Tropical Damselfish by Prolonged Photoperiod using Pellets Containing Long-afterglow Phosphorescent Pigment

Imamura, Satoshi,Bapary, Mohammad Abu Jafor,Takeuchi, Yuki,Hur, Sung-Pyo,Takemura, Akihiro The Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Scienc 2014 Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Vol.17 No.2

The present study examined whether light emitted by long-afterglow phosphorescent pigments (LumiNova) would stimulate gonadal development in fish during the nonbreeding season. Pellets containing LumiNova powder (treatment group) were prepared and placed on the calvaria of specimens of the sapphire devil Chrysiptera cyanea, a reef-associated damselfish that requires long days for gonadal recrudescence. A pellet without LumiNova powder was placed on the calvaria of the control fish (control group). Fish were reared at $26^{\circ}C$ under a light-dark cycle (12 h photophase, 12 h scotophase; LD 12:12) for 4 weeks. No difference in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) or ovarian histology was observed among the control, sham-operation, and treatment groups 1 week after the start of the experiment. After 4 weeks, the GSI of the control and sham-operation groups remained at low levels, and ovaries contained immature oocytes at the perinucleolus stage. In contrast, the treatment group exhibited significantly higher values of GSI as well as developed ovaries with fully vitellogenic oocytes. These results demonstrated that long-day conditions were produced by light emitted from the LumiNova pellets, thus stimulating ovarian development in the damselfish. Therefore, long-afterglow phosphorescent pigments can be used as an alternative to standard light sources for purposes of artificial stimulation of gonadal development in fish.

Impact of the Sensitivity to Empiric Antibiotics on Clinical Outcomes after Biliary Drainage for Acute Cholangitis

Kawamura Satoshi,Karasawa Yuki,Toda Nobuo,Nakai Yousuke,Shibata Chikako,Kurokawa Ken,Arai Junya,Funato Kazuyoshi,Kurosaki Shigeyuki,Maeshima Shuya,Kondo Mayuko,Kojima Kentaro,Ohki Takamasa,Seki Michih 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2020 Gut and Liver Vol.14 No.6

Background/Aims: Empiric antibiotics are given in combination with biliary drainage for acute cholangitis but sometimes turn out to be insensitive to microorganisms in blood and bile. Clinical outcomes were compared according to sensitivity to microorganisms detected in blood and bile culture to evaluate the impact of sensitivity to empiric antibiotics in cholangitis. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent biliary drainage for acute cholangitis were retrospectively studied. Clinical outcomes such as 30-day mortality, length of hospital stay and high care unit stay, organ dysfunction and duration of fever were compared in three groups: group A (sensitive to both blood and bile culture), group B (sensitive to blood culture alone) and group C (insensitive to both blood and bile culture). Results: Eighty episodes of cholangitis were classified according to sensitivity results: 42, 32 and six in groups A, B and C. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were two major pathogens. There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality rate (7%, 0%, and 0%, p=0.244), length of hospital stay (28.5, 21.0, and 20.5 days, p=0.369), organ dysfunction rate (14%, 25%, and 17%, p=0.500), duration of fever (4.3, 3.2, and 3.5 days, p=0.921) and length of high care unit stay (1.4, 1.2, and 1.7 days, p=0.070) in groups A, B and C. Empiric antibiotics were changed in 11 episodes but clinical outcomes appeared to be non-inferior even in 31 episodes of cholangitis who were on inadequate antibiotics throughout the course. Conclusions: Sensitivity of empiric antibiotics was not associated with clinical outcomes in acute cholangitis.

Efficacy and Safety of Bolus 5-Fluorouracil and L-Leucovorin as Salvage Chemotherapy for Oral Fluoropyrimidine-Resistant Unresectable or Recurrent Gastric Cancer: A Single Center Experience

Muranaka, Tetsuhito,Yuki, Satoshi,Komatsu, Yoshito,Sawada, Kentaro,Harada, Kazuaki,Kawamoto, Yasuyuki,Nakatsumi, Hiroshi,Sakamoto, Naoya The Korean Gastric Cancer Association 2016 Journal of gastric cancer Vol.16 No.3

Purpose: The International Organization for Standardization-5fluorouracil (FU) 10 trial found that bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin was not inferior to S-1 in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). Continuous 5-FU and the rapid injection of 5-FU have different anti-cancer effects. Thus, bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin treatment might be useful for oral FU-resistant GC. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all patients with S-1 or capecitabine-resistant, unresectable, or recurrent GC treated with bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin between January 2010 and December 2015 at Hokkaido University Hospital. The bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin regimen consisted of intravenous l-leucovorin ($250mg/m^2/2h$) and bolus 5-FU ($600mg/m^2$) administered once weekly followed by a 2-week rest period; each cycle was repeated every 8 weeks. Results: A total of 14 patients were identified. The disease control rate was 35.7%. The median progression-free survival was 1.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3~2.0 months), and the median overall survival was 6.3 months (95% CI, 4.7~7.9 months). No patient died from treatment-related causes. The most common severe adverse event associated with bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin was neutropenia, which occurred in 21.4% of patients. Conclusions: Bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin treatment might be useful for oral FU-resistant GC. We are planning a multi-center prospective phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin treatment for pre-treated unresectable or recurrent GC to confirm the results of this limited, retrospective study.

The Development of a Power System of the Combination of Diesel Generator and UPS

Dawei Qiu,Satoshi Uda,Hironori Kashihara,Yuki Fukuda,Naoya Okazaki,Shoji Nishimura,Yoshinori Kawasaki 전력전자학회 2019 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2019 No.5

This paper shows the development of a power supply system to solve the anomalous voltage sag, power failure and peak cut demand. This power supply system includes an UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), a standby generator and a Hybrid Switch, which is the integration of mechanical switches and IGBTs with good performance of low conducting loss and fast opening time. The results of a real-time simulation demonstrate its voltage compensation can perform within 2 ms response time when power failure occurs and transfer without voltage down between micro grid operation and gird-connected operation. Also, they are successfully validated by using a prototype system.