A case of intrahepatic clear cell cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic clear cell cholangiocarcinoma is very rareonly 8 cases have been reported.A 56-year-old Japanese man with chronic hepatitis B infection was diagnosed with a 2.2 cm hepatocellular carcinoma on imaging,and hepatic segmentectomy was performed.Histopathologically,the tumor cells had copious clear cytoplasm and formed glandular structures or solid nests.These pathological findings suggested the tumor was a clear cell variant of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Particular stains and radiological image...     

Development of casting investment preventing blackening of noble metal alloys part 1. Application of developed investment for Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy

The objective of this study is to develop a casting investment that prevents the blackening of the cast surface of noble metal alloys. The experimental investments were prepared using a gypsum-bonded investment in which the metallic powders such as boron (B), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al) and titanium (Ti) were added as oxidizing agents. An Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy was cast into the mold made of the prepared investment. The effect of the addition of each metal powder was evaluated from the color difference between the as-cast surface and the polished surface of the cast specimen. The color of the as-cast surface approached that of the polished surface with increasing B and Al content. A lower mean value in the color difference was obtained at 0.25-1.00 mass% B content. B and Al are useful as an additive in a gypsum-bonded investment to prevent the blackening of an Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy. The effects of Si and Ti powder addition could not be found.     

Development of casting investment preventing blackening of noble metal alloys Part 2. Application of developed investment for type 4 gold alloy

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the developed investment for the prevention of blackening of a cast Type 4 gold and to analyze the oxides on its surface in relation to the blackening of the alloy. The experimental investments were prepared using a gypsum-bonded investment in which boron (B) or aluminum (Al) was added as a reducing agent. A Type 4 gold alloy was cast into the mold made of the prepared investment. The effect of the additives was evaluated from the color difference (deltaE*) between the as-cast surface and the polished surface of the cast specimen. B and Al were effective to prevent the blackening of a Type 4 gold alloy and the color of the as-cast surface approached that of the polished surface with increasing B and Al content. The prevention of the blackening of the gold alloy can be achieved by restraining the formation of CuO.     

Development of ten microsatellite markers for Arisaema minus (Araceae), a vulnerable Japanese herb species

Arisaema minus is a vulnerable perennial herb species endemic to Japan. We isolated and characterized ten microsatellite loci in this species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 28, with an average of 12.8. The observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.472 to 0.861 with an average of 0.703, and the expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.486 to 0.962 with an average of 0.779. The total exclusionary powers of all ten loci, when no parental information existed or when one parent was known, were 0.99940154 and 0.99998730, respectively, indicating the high resolution of these microsatellite loci. This marker set is potentially useful for conservation genetics, reproductive studies, and the development of effective A. minus conservation programs.     

Changes with time in skin temperature of the shoulders in healthy controls and a patient with shoulder-hand syndrome

Background

Abnormal skin temperature in the shoulder is caused by various diseases. A thermography is unable to capture temperature changes over time. In contrast, a Thermocron is an effective measuring device to monitor temperature changes over time.

Purposes

The purposes of this study employing a Thermocron were to measure shoulder skin temperature over time in healthy subjects and to detect shoulder skin temperature abnormalities in a patient with shoulder-hand syndrome.

Subjects and methods

Subjects comprised 10 healthy volunteers (20 shoulders; 4 men and 6 women, mean age 54 years). For measurements, a Thermocron was attached on both shoulders. Measurements were made from 21.00 to 07.00 the following morning at 15-minute intervals.

Results

Gradual difference in right and left shoulder skin temperature was observed with the timing of measurements but no significant difference was apparent, i.e. dominant side 34.9 ± 0.8°C, non-dominant side 34.9 ± 0.9°C (P = 0.28).

Presentation of a case with shoulder-hand syndrome

A 54-year-old woman with the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear underwent surgical treatment of rotator cuff repair, but the pain of the operated shoulder persisted due to phase 1 shoulder-hand syndrome. In postoperative week 3, skin temperature measurement using Thermocrons demonstrated a significant decrease in temperature on the operated side (affected side 34.3 ± 0.4°C, healthy side 35.2 ± 0.3°C; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The changing of the skin temperature during night-time was successfully recorded both in the healthy subjects and a case with shoulder-hand syndrome using a Thermocron.