In C1–C2 posterior fixation, the C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle/translaminar screw insertion under spine navigation have been used frequently. To avoid the risk of neurovascular damage in atlantoaxial stabilization, we assessed the safety and effectiveness of a preoperative computed tomography (CT) image-based navigation system with intraoperative independent C1 and C2 vertebral registration. It is ideal when a reference frame can be linked directly to the C1 posterior arch for C1-direct-captured navigation, but there is a mechanical challenge. A new spine clamp-tracker system was implemented recently, which allows reliable C1- and C2- direct-captured navigation in nine patients with traumatic C2 fractures. In this way, there was no misalignment of C1–C2 screws. C1 lateral mass screws were used except for one case, and translaminar screws were primarily used as an anchor for C2. The C1 lateral mass screw locations, which are 19 mm laterally from the C1 posterior arch’s center, are taken to be constant. However, there is one unusual circumstance in which using a C1 laminar hook instead of a C1 lateral mass screw appears to be a beneficial substitute. The increase of surgical accuracy for posterior C1–C2 screw fixation without cost constraints is significantly facilitated by intraoperative C1- and C2-direct-captured navigation with preoperative computed CT images.

Methods: We observed 141 patients (61 men, 80 women; average age, 65.8 years) who had undergone PLIF and checked for the presence of L5/S interbody fusion. We investigated factors such as age, gender, the presence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), fusion level, and grade 2 osteotomy, as well as pre-, post-, and post−preoperative L5/S disk height and angle, lumbar lordosis, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and pelvic incidence (PI), comparing those with and without L5/S interbody fusion. In addition, we analyzed the patients classified into short-level (n=111) and multi-level fusion groups (n=30). Results: Overall, the L5/S interbody fusion rate was 70% (short-level, 78%; multi-level, 40%). Age and pre- and post−preoperative L5/S disk angle were significantly different in each fusion level group. DISH presence, grade 2 osteotomy, and postoperative VAS and JOA scores were significantly different in the short-level fusion group, whereas PI was significantly different in the multi-level fusion group. Conclusions Incomplete union after L5/S PLIF correlates with advanced age, many fusion levels, and a large value of preoperative and a small value of post−preoperative L5/S disk angles.

Methods: A total of 400 patients (175 men, 225 women) who underwent PLIF were observed for >1 year. Factors investigated included the frequency of cage retropulsion and surgical revision. In addition, physical (age, sex, disease), surgical (fusion and PLIF levels, cage number, grade 2 osteotomy), and comorbid (DISH, existing vertebral fracture) factors were compared between patients with and without cage retropulsion. Factors related to surgical revision during the observation period were also considered. Results: Cage retropulsion occurred in 15 patients and surgical revision was performed in 11. Revisions included the replacement of pedicle screws (PSs) with larger screws in all patients and supplementary implants in 10. Among the patients with cage retropulsion, the average PLIF level was 2.7, with DISH present in nine patients and existing vertebral fractures in six. Factors affecting cage retropulsion were diagnoses of osteoporotic vertebral fracture, multilevel fusion, single-cage insertion, grade 2 osteotomy, presence of DISH, and existing vertebral fracture. Multivariable analysis indicated that retropulsion of a fusion cage occurred significantly more frequently in patients with DISH and multilevel PLIF. Conclusions DISH and multilevel PLIF were significant risk factors affecting cage retropulsion. Revision surgery for cage retropulsion revealed PS loosening, suggesting that implant replacement was necessary to prevent repeat cage retropulsion after revision.

Aspergillus luchuensis is known as an industrially important fungal species used for making fermented foods such as awamori and shochu in Japan, makgeolli and Meju in Korea, and Pu-erh tea in China. Nonetheless, this species has not yet been widely studied regarding mating-type genes. In this study, we examined the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 gene ratio in black koji molds (A. luchuensis, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus tubingensis) and in Aspergillus welwitschiae isolated from Meju, a fermented soybean starting material for traditional soy sauce and soybean paste in Korea. The number of strains with the MAT1-1 locus was 2 of 23 (A. luchuensis), 6 of 13 (A. tubingensis), 21 of 28 (A. niger), and 5 of 10 (A. welwitschiae). Fungal species A. tubingensis and A. welwitschiae showed a 1 : 1 ratio of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 mating-type loci. In contrast, A. luchuensis revealed predominance of MAT1-2 (91.3%) and A. niger of MAT1-1 (75%). We isolated and identified 2 A. luchuensis MAT1-1 strains from Meju, although all strains for making shochu in Japan are of the MAT1-2 type. These strains may be a good resource for breeding of A. luchuensis to be used in the Asian fermented-food industry.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Aspergillus ; Aspergillus niger ; Breeding ; China ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Niger ; Soy Foods ; Soybeans ; Tea

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little information is available regarding adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) who needed unscheduled hospitalization (USH). This paper aims to elucidate the clinical features of adult patients with CHD requiring USH. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Study subjects included patients with CHD aged 18 years or older who were hospitalized at our facility during a 5-year study period. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed and data regarding USH were collected. Patient's background, underlying heart disease, cause of hospitalization, and prognosis (second USH regardless of cause or death) were examined. RESULTS: Overall, 959 CHD patients underwent a total of 1761 hospitalizations, including 145 patients who were unexpectedly hospitalized 239 times. The median age at USH was 27 years old. Of the 959 patients, 54% were male. Underlying heart diseases included repaired tetralogy of Fallot (21%), single ventricular physiology after Fontan operation (17%), and Eisenmenger syndrome (12%). The causes of USH included arrhythmia (40%), heart failure (20%), infectious disease (13%), and hemorrhage or thrombus (13%). A total of 48 patients required readmission. In total, 13 patients died, including four hospital deaths. The USH-free survival rate was 77% for 1 year and 58% for 3 years. CONCLUSION: The rate of USH was high for adults with complicated CHD. Common causes of USH included arrhythmia, heart failure, hemorrhage-related or thrombus-related conditions and infection. These data provide the current status of medical care for adult CHD patients in Japan and their therapeutic needs.
Adult* ; Aging ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Communicable Diseases ; Eisenmenger Complex ; Fontan Procedure ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization* ; Humans ; Japan ; Male ; Medical Records ; Physiology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Thrombosis

No abstract available.
Sarcoma, Myeloid* ; Skin*

No abstract available.
Immunoglobulins* ; Interleukin-6* ; Sclerosis* ; Skin*

Background: As a complementary medicine we have evaluated the efficacy of Benihuuki green tea, which contains methylated form of tea catechin reported stronger anti-allergic activities than ordinary catechin, on Japanese Cedar Pollinosis (JCP) in comparison with Yabukita green tea, contains ordinary catechin. This study was carried out during the pollination season, Feb.–April, in 2005.
Method: Four hundred eighty six patients with JCP, visiting 12 otorhinolaryngology clinics in Fukuoka prefecture were divided into A and B groups and subjected to quasi-single blind clinical trials. Under ordinary conditions, A-group patients took Benihuuki green tea and B-group took Yabukita green tea every day from February 1^st to the end of Japanese cedar and Cupressaceae pollination season. We compared nose and eye symptom scores, medication scores and disturbance of quality of life (QOL).
Result: There were no differences observed between the two groups with respect to their symptom scores and the disturbance of QOL. However, decreasing trend of the medication scores was observed in A-group (p < 0.1).
Conclusion: It has been suggested that Benihuuki green tea is a possible candidate as a complementary medicine for JCP during the pollination season.

Aim To investigate more efficient synthetic method of the nitrogen analogue 4 of salacinol (1) for searching new antidiabetic agents. Methods The synthesis of the key intermediate 2,4-O-isopropylidene-L-erythritol 1,3-cyclic sulfate (2a) was accomplished by modification of reports from Dglucose via seven steps in much more less expensive. Using this method, an efficient synthesis of 4 was carried out. The glycosidase inhibitory activity of 4 was tested for the intestinal α-glucosidase in vitro and compared with that of salacinol. Results A nitrogen analogue 4 of salacinol (1) was synthesized by the coupling reaction between the cyclic sulfate 2a and an azasugar 3b. Conclusion Substitution of the sulfur atom in 1 with a nitrogen reduced the activity considerably.