To determine the amount of chironomids and mite antigens in the indoor and outdoor environment, we investigated samples from air, soil and house dust in the area around Lake Kojima, located in the western part of Japan. Three species of chironomid (Tokunagayusurika akamusi, Chironomus yoshimatsui and Chironomus plumosus) and species of mite, Dermatophagoides farinae antigens were studied. The antigens were detected and quantified by inhibition ELISA. In the outdoor environment, C. yoshimatsui and T. akamusi antigens were more abundant than mite antigen, and seasonal fluctuations were observed. In the indoor environment, mite was the predominant antigen. D. farinae antigen was detected in almost all dust samples, with a slight reduction in winter compared to summer.

HighlightsIdiopathic omental hemorrhage is a rare cause of an acute abdomen, which is potentially life-threatening.Idiopathic omental hemorrhage may develop after eating.Omentectomy is preferred to ligation or transcatheter arterial embolization to rule out an underlying malignancy or aneurysm.

Aims The safety and efficacy of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients over the age of 80 years remain controversial. We aimed to examine post‐PD outcomes and to determine the age limit for PD. Methods Patients were divided into two subgroups: the younger (<80 years) group and octogenarian (≥80 years) group. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical benefit of PD for periampullary diseases in the younger and octogenarian groups, focusing on short‐ and long‐term outcomes. Results From March 2005 to December 2018, 586 consecutive surgically curable patients with diagnosed periampullary diseases were studied, among whom 122 (20.8%) were ≥80 years old. The general preoperative physical condition (G8 screening, instrumental activities of daily living, and Charlson comorbidity index) and nutritional status were significantly worse in the octogenarian group. However, there were no significant differences between the younger and octogenarian groups in postoperative severe complication rates (34% vs 36%) or perioperative mortality rates (1.5% vs 0.0%). We observed significantly poorer 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year overall survivals in the octogenarian group than in the younger group (P = .007). In the younger group, the main cause of death (89.6%) was cancer recurrence. However, only 60% of patients in the octogenarian group developed and died from cancer recurrence. Increased neutrophilic/lymphocyte ratio and elevated Controlling Nutritional Status score were associated with worse outcomes. Conclusions It is important to carefully determine the indication for PD in octogenarian patients with periampullary diseases, although patient age over 80 years should not be a contraindication for PD.

Abstract:We attempted to detect natural mutations existing in the Jcl:ICR closed colony of mice which is maintained by random mating. We used ordinary genetic backcrosses to efficiently detect recessive mutations carried by individual mice in the colony. Crosses of DBA/2 females and ICR males were performed to obtain F 1 mice. Four F 1 females randomly selected from each cross were backcrossed to the male parent. More than thirty backcross progeny were obtained from each F 1 female by several deliveries. Phenotypes of the backcross progeny were observed macroscopically at about one month of age. As a result, 18 (26.1%) of 69 Jcl:ICR males carried 11 recessive mutation(s). Based on the phenotypes, the tentative names were abnormal kidney, aplasia of eyelids/hind limb digits, circling, dwarfism, heterotaxy, hind limb paralysis, hydrocephalus, rigidity (or rigor), testicular hypoplasia, tremor, and wobbling. The genes responsible for aplasia of eyelids/hind limb digits and dwarfism were each carried by two males, the genes responsible for hydrocephalus and testicular hypoplasia were each carried by three males and the gene responsible for wobbling by four males. It was strongly suggested that the genes shared by several males originated from an identical mutated gene. Surprisingly, male No. 43 had the responsible genes of abnormal kidneys and testicular hypoplasia, and No. 79 had those of dwarfism and tremor. The results obtained in this study suggest that breeders need to be aware of the presence of natural mutations in their colonies.

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