Effects of extreme meteorological conditions in 2018 on European methane emissions estimated using atmospheric inversions

The effect of the 2018 extreme meteorological conditions in Europe on methane (CH4) emissions is examined using estimates from four atmospheric inversions calculated for the period 2005-2018. For most of Europe, we find no anomaly in 2018 compared to the 2005-2018 mean. However, we find a positive anomaly for the Netherlands in April, which coincided with positive temperature and soil moisture anomalies suggesting an increase in biogenic sources. We also find a negative anomaly for the Netherlands for September-October, which coincided with a negative anomaly in soil moisture, suggesting a decrease in soil sources. In addition, we find a positive anomaly for Serbia in spring, summer and autumn, which coincided with increases in temperature and soil moisture, again suggestive of changes in biogenic sources, and the annual emission for 2018 was 33 ± 38% higher than the 2005-2017 mean. These results indicate that CH4 emissions from areas where the natural source is thought to be relatively small can still vary due to meteorological conditions. At the European scale though, the degree of variability over 2005-2018 was small, and there was negligible impact on the annual CH4 emissions in 2018 despite the extreme meteorological conditions. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Rising methane: is warming feeding warming? (part 2)'.

Comparison of condylar positions at intercuspal and reference positions in patients with condylar bone change

The purpose of this study was to investigate the condylar displacement from intercuspal position (IP) to reference position (RP), using a jaw movement measuring system with 6 d.f. and helical computed tomography (CT). The 19 patients included in the present study were divided into a group with bilateral condylar bone change (10 subjects, including the sub-groups with flattening and osteophyte formation) and a group with no condylar bone change (9 subjects). The results showed that the bone change group had significantly more superior, posterior and absolute horizontal IP to RP slides than the no bone change group. There was also a significant difference in the amount of antero-posterior and supero-inferior condylar IP-RP displacements related to the type of condylar bone change within the bone change group. The osteophyte sub-group showed the largest posterior displacement, and the flattening sub-group showed the largest superior displacement. These results suggested that this large IP-RP difference in the bone change group might be related to their temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology, and it might therefore be useful to keep this difference in mind as one of the clinical indices suggesting the presence of TMJ osteoarthritis (OA).

Morphology of the articular eminence in temporomandibular joints and condylar bone change

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the inclination of the articular eminence and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology in orthognathic surgery patients with signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders. Twenty-one female orthognathic surgery patients with signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders were examined using pre-treatment helical computed tomography scans. The slope of the eminence in the medial, central and lateral sections of the subjects with osteophyte formation was significantly less than in the subjects with no bone change, and the medial section of the subjects with osteophyte formation was also significantly less steep than in the subjects with erosion. The central and lateral sections in the subjects with anterior disc displacement with reduction were significantly steeper than in subjects with anterior disc displacement without reduction. These results suggest that eminence flattening might occur during changes from erosion to osteophyte formation and from anterior disc displacement with reduction to anterior disc displacement without reduction. This appears to represent adaptation of the condyle, articular disc and articular eminence to changes in loading.

Thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa and condylar bone change: a CT study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the existence and types of condylar bone change.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Helical CT was used to measure the thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa at its thinnest part in 37 orthodontic patients with temporomandibular disorders. Condylar bone changes were classified into four types: no bone change (24 joints); flattening (19 joints); osteophyte formation (13 joints); and erosion (18 joints).

RESULTS

The roof of the glenoid fossa was significantly thicker in joints with bone change than in joints with no bone change (Mann-Whitney U-test, P<0.05). There was also a significant difference in relation to the type of condylar bone change: the thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa in the erosion group was significantly greater than in the no bone change (P<0.01), flattening (P<0.05) and osteophyte formation (P<0.05) groups (Kruskal-Wallis and Games-Howell tests).

CONCLUSION

Compensative bone formation in the roof of the glenoid fossa might help to withstand the increased stress in the TMJ accompanying condylar bone change, especially erosion.

Suppression of lung and liver carcinogenesis in mice by oral administration of myo-inositol

It has been reported that myo-inositol can inhibit carcinogenesis in various organs, such as the mammary gland, colon and lung. In the present study, at first, inhibitory effects of myo-inositol on lung carcinogenesis were confirmed. Then, the influence of myo-inositol on liver carcinogenesis in mice was investigated. In C3H/He male mice, the rate of spontaneous liver carcinogenesis is known to be high. Using this experimental model, the effects of oral administration of myo-inositol (added into the drinking water at the concentration of 1%) were assessed. Significant suppression of liver carcinogenesis was observed in mice treated with myo-inositol for 40 weeks. In the control group without myo-inositol administration, 88% of the animals developed liver tumors, whereas in the myo-inositol-supplemented group, the incidence of liver tumors was 38% (p < 0.05). The average number of liver tumors per mouse was also decreased significantly by myo-inositol treatment; from 7.8 in the control group to 0.8 in the myo-inositol-supplemented group (p < 0.01). Thus, myo-inositol may be useful for cancer chemoprevention in the liver, as well as the lung.

Inhibitory effect of Epstein-Barr virus activation by Citrus fruits, a cancer chemopreventor

To search useful compounds in Citrus fruit for cancer chemoprevention, we carried out a primary screening of extracts of fruit peels and seeds from 78 species of the genus Citrus and those from two Fortunella and one Poncirus species, which were closely related to the genus Citrus. These Citrus extracts inhibited the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) as a useful screening method for anti-tumor promoters. Our results indicated that Citrus containing substances may be inhibit susceptibility factors involved in the events leading to the development of cancer.

[A CR case of amylase-producing tumor treated by hyperthermochemotherapy]

A 64-year-old female who was diagnosed with an amylase-producing tumor of unknown origin was treated by hyperthermochemotherapy. The patient was admitted with a complaint of abdominal fullness due to ascites. Laboratory examination showed high levels of serum amylase and tumor markers, including CA15-3, CA 125 and CA 72-4. Laparotomy showed peritoneal dissemination with histological findings of adenocarcinoma of unknown origin. After laparotomy, she was given hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy using carboplatin (CBDCA), mitomycin C (MMC) and doxifluridine (5'-DFUR). Hyperthermia (13.56 MHz radiofrequency for 40-50 min) was performed a total of six times within one and a half months. The total doses of CBDCA and MMC were 450 mg and 24 mg, respectively, and 600 mg of 5'-DFUR was orally administered every day. By these combined treatments, ascites disappeared and serum levels of amylase and all tumor markers were decreased and normalized. MRI and echo examination also showed complete disappearance of peritoneal metastasis. Two and a half years after the treatment, the patient is alive without any evidence of recurrence, which suggests that this combined therapy is one of the useful modalities for peritoneal dissemination as well as an inoperable tumor itself.

Metanephric adenoma of the kidney: ultrastructural, immunohistochemical and lectin histochemical studies

A case of metanephric adenoma, a rare benign tumor of the kidney is reported, and the results of ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and lectin histochemical studies are presented. The patient was a 47 year old Japanese man presenting with a left renal tumor by ultrasonography. The nephrectomy material revealed a well-demarcated tumor with medullary appearance, and on histological examination the tumor was composed of cuboidal cells forming regular small tubules with hyalinous stroma. Incomplete glomeruloid structures were formed in a few elongated tubules composed of columnar cells. Metanephric blastema was not observed in the tumor or in the normal kidney. By electron microscope, the tumor cells were observed to be immature cells with microvilli at the apical surfaces. The neoplastic tubules were surrounded by basal lamina. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for Leu 7, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, and low molecular weight cytokeratin, and were weakly immunoreactive for S-100 protein. Peanut agglutinin, soybean agglutinin, and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin were bound to the apical surfaces of the tumor cells.

[A case of complete remission of metastatic skin carcinoma (erythema type) from advanced gastric cancer by CDDP administration]

A 75-year-old female with skin metastasis from advanced gastric cancer (portion A, tub2, ss beta, n2, P0H0, Borrmann 3-type) was successfully treated with CDDP at a dosage of 25 mg/body every week or two. She had undergone R2 curative subtotal gastrectomy in October 1986, and had orally taken tegafur 300 mg/day as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Three years after the operation, she had skin erythema at chest and neck. A pathological examination revealed that the skin erythema was a metastasis of gastric cancer. After administration of 5-FU and MMC, the skin lesion diminished in size, but in November of 1990, it expanded again. Administration of 5-FU, MMC and epirubicin was not effective. The skin lesion expanded extensively and changed to nodular type. CDDP was intermittently administered from August 1991 to December 1991, 25 mg/body div. every week or two; the total volume of CDDP reached 225 mg. The metastatic skin carcinoma disappeared and a complete response was obtained. CEA, which had been high (190 ng/ml), regained the normal level. Thrombocytopenia and liver dysfunction developed as side effects, but reduced after cessation of CDDP administration. The patient has been well for 3 years and 6 months since the onset of the skin metastasis.

[Use of Nd:YAG laser and flexible cystoscope in outpatient treatment of recurrent superficial bladder tumors]

Nd:YAG laser irradiation and flexible cystoscopy were used in the outpatient management of 16 cases (21 sessions) with superficial bladder tumors. Irradiation of tumors was accomplished in all cases except 3 in which the visual field was affected by bleeding after the cup biopsy of tumors. Tumors at the bladder neck were easily irradiated through the flexible cystoscope. No tumor recurred at or near the previously irradiated site. This method provided a safe and cost-effective means to treat superficial bladder tumors in selected cases.

[Removal of migrated ureteral stent with a Fogarty catheter]

A 64-year-old woman had undergone right percutaneous nephrolithotomy and transurethral ureteroscopy elsewhere. Stenosis of uretero-pelvic junction had occurred. Against the stenosis a double-J ureteral stent was placed within the right ureter and migration of the stent out of the bladder into the more proximal ureter was found after the stent exchange. The patient was referred to us for endoscopic removal and treatment of stenosis. A 4F Fogarty catheter was inserted into the right ureter endoscopically and manipulated up alongside the double-J stent. After the balloon was inflated with 0.8 ml of diluted contrast medium, the stent was removed into the urinary bladder. We have found our method to be convenient and safe in the removal of migrated ureteral stent.

[Efficacy of etoposide in bone metastasis of breast cancer]

We have used ADM, MMC, CDDP and other drugs for a case of bone metastasis of breast cancer, but the bone destruction was advanced and she could not walk. We have also used etoposide, a new chemotherapeutic drug, for the same case. Two months later bone sclerosis was seen by X-ray film and pain disappeared. Bone sclerosis then advanced after 6 months, she has begun to stand, and after 8 months she has been able to walk with a cane. There was no severe side effect. Etoposide was very effective for bone metastasis of the breast cancer.