Association Between Individual Differences in Dichotomous Thinking and Current and Childhood High-Crime Environments

The way people perceive the things around them is closely related to living in a complex and challenging social environment. Dichotomous thinking (preference for dichotomy, dichotomous belief, and profit-and-loss thinking), which classifies things in a simple way, can be useful in dangerous and resource-limited environments. However, based on prior studies, people's manner of perceiving things may have developed as a response to the harshness of their childhood environment, and may not be related to their current environment. Therefore, we examined the relationship between individual differences in dichotomous thinking and high-crime environments as indicators of environmental harshness. We assessed dichotomous thinking in 41,284 Japanese residents using large-scale data from the Human Information Database FY19 compiled by NTT DATA Institute of Management Consulting, Inc. The fixed effects regression model showed that, after controlling for age, high-crime environment of the residents' childhood was associated with dichotomous thinking, with the exception of dichotomous belief. On the other hand, their current environment of crime was not associated. In sum, our research suggests that people's dichotomous thinking tendency may be a form of adaptation to the harshness of their childhood environment rather than their current one.

A validation of the Japanese adaptation of the Big Five Inventory-2

The purpose of this study was to adapt a Japanese version of the Big Five Inventory-2 (BFI-2-J) to examine its factor structure, reliability, validity, and measurement invariance. The BFI-2-J assesses five domains and 15 facets of the Big Five personality traits. We analyzed two datasets: 487 Japanese undergraduates and 500 Japanese adults. The results of the principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the domain-facet structure of the BFI-2-J was similar to that of other language versions. The reliability of the BFI-2-J is sufficient. The correlation coefficients between the BFI-2-J and the other Big Five and self-esteem measures supported convergent and discriminant validity. Moreover, we confirmed measurement invariance across age and sex groups in domain-level and facet-level models. The results suggest that the BFI-2-J is a good instrument for measuring the Big Five personality traits and their facets in Japan. The BFI-2-J is expected to be useful in Japanese personality research and international comparative research.

Rocuronium priming for tracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients

Priming doses of non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking drugs given before administration of anaesthetic agents have been used to hasten the onset of neuromuscular blockade. In the settings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this could be used to reduce the apnoeic, and potentially aerosol-generating, window. To our knowledge, we report the first cases of tracheal intubation with rocuronium for COVID-19 using the priming principle. Both patients needed their tracheas intubated for severe hypoxia using a rapid sequence induction technique with a priming dose of rocuronium. Despite adequate pre-oxygenation a sudden, unexpected fall in arterial oxygen saturations was observed in both patients after administration of a priming dose of 2 mg of rocuronium. Clinicians should consider this possible risk associated with priming doses of neuromuscular blocking drugs in the management of patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19.

The contribution of Arabidopsis homologs of L-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase to the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid

To clarify the involvement of seven Arabidopsis homologs of rat L-gulono-1,4-lactone (L-GulL) oxidase, AtGulLOs, in the biosynthesis of L-ascorbic acid (AsA), transgenic tobacco cells overexpressing the various AtGulLOs were generated. Under treatment with L-GulL, the levels of total AsA in three transgenic tobacco cell lines, overexpressing AtGulLO2, 3, or 5, were significantly increased as compared with those in control cells.

Light regulation of ascorbate biosynthesis is dependent on the photosynthetic electron transport chain but independent of sugars in Arabidopsis

It has been known that leaves exposed to high light contain more L-ascorbic acid (AsA) than those in the shade. However, the mechanism of the light regulation of the AsA pool size in plants is largely unknown. In this work, the relationship between gene expression levels related to AsA biosynthesis and photosynthesis have been studied. When 2-week-old Arabidopsis plants grown under a 16 h daily photoperiod were moved into the dark, the AsA level in the leaves was decreased by 91% in 72 h, whereas it increased by 171% in the leaves of plants exposed to continuous light during the same period. Among the several enzymes of the AsA biosynthesis pathway, the transcript levels of GDP-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase, L-galactose 1-P phosphatase, L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase, and the VTC2 gene were down-regulated in the dark. Treatment with inhibitors of photosynthesis, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and atrazine, arrested a rise in the AsA pool size accompanying the decrease in the transcript levels of the genes of the above enzyme in the leaves. When the plants were transferred to a medium containing 0.5% (w/v) sucrose, the photosynthesis activities and the leaf AsA levels were lowered even under exposure to light compared with those in plants on the medium without sucrose. In contrast, the AsA level in leaves of the sugar-insensitive Arabidopsis mutant abi4/sun6 was unaffected by external sucrose. No significant difference in the expression profiles for AsA biosynthesis enzymes was observed between the wild-type and mutant plants by sucrose feeding. The results suggest that photosynthetic electron transport of chloroplasts is closely related to AsA pool size regulation in leaves.

Feedback inhibition of spinach L-galactose dehydrogenase by L-ascorbate

We have studied the enzymological properties of L-galactose dehydrogenase (l-GalDH), a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of l-ascorbate (AsA) in plants. L-GalDH was purified approximately 560-fold from spinach leaves. The enzyme was a homodimer with a subunit mass of 36 kDa. We also cloned the full-length cDNA of spinach L-GalDH, which contained an open reading frame encoding 322 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 35,261 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA showed 82, 79 and 75% homology to L-GalDH from kiwifruit, apple and Arabidopsis, respectively. Recombinant enzyme expressed from the cDNA in Escherichia coli showed L-GalDH activity. Southern blot analysis revealed that the spinach L-GalDH gene occurs in a single copy. Northern blot analysis suggests that L-GalDH is expressed in different organs of spinach. The purified native L-GalDH showed high specificity for L-galactose with a Km of 116.2+/-3.2 microM. Interestingly, spinach L-GalDH exhibited reversible inhibition by AsA, the end-product of the biosynthetic pathway. The inhibition kinetics indicated a linear-competitive inhibition with a Ki of 133.2+/-7.2 microM, suggesting feedback regulation in AsA synthesis in the plant.

[A case of pulmonary actinomycosis radiologically mimicking a lung cancer]

A 59-year-old male clerk consulted in general practitioner due to cough and hemoptysis. A mass shadow was pointed out in the left upper lung field on a chest radiograph. Patient was referred to our hospital for further treatment. Any definitive daiagnosis could not be made after examinations including sputum culture, cytology and TBLB. Because a lung cancer was strongly suspected, an exploratory thoracotomy was performed. Actinomyces was detected by pathological study of excised specimen, with no evidence of cancer. ABPC was administered for two months postoperatively. The patient is doing well without recurrence of actinomycosis 2.5 years after the surgery. Pulmonary actinomycosis presenting a mass shadow on a radiograph may mimick a pulmonary tumor, especially a lung cancer. Pulmonary actinomycosis should be considered in a differential diagnosis of pulmonary lesion thought to be malignant.

[Left heart bypass with the bio-medicus centrifugal pump by the use of an antithrombin agent, argatroban]

Seventeen adult patients who underwent surgery for the thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic disease by the use of left heart bypass with the Bio-Pump were divided into untreated, low-dose heparin treated and argatroban treated groups so as to evaluate the effects of systemic infusion of a newly synthesized antithrombin agent, argatroban, for the prevention of platelet loss and consumption coagulopathy. ACT reached 150 to 250 seconds at doses 0.5-7.5 micrograms/kg/min of argatroban and maximum ACT prolongation was limited to around 250 seconds. ACT spontaneously recovered below 150 seconds within 60 minutes following the end of bypass during which no excessive blood loss developed. In argartoban group, platelet loss during and immediately after surgery was effectively prevented as compared to other groups with significance. Fibrinogen was also preserved to some extent by argatroban treatment without evidence of systemic embolization. Argatroban, as an antithrombotic agent, is worthy of further trial of clinical use in bypass with a centrifugal pump.

[Coronary artery bypass grafting for a patient with single coronary artery]

A 47-year-old man was admitted with suddenly developed chest pain. Coronary arteriography could not identify the right coronary orifice at the right coronary sinus. Left coronary arteriography revealed that the right coronary artery originated from a proximal segment of the left anterior descending artery with subtotal obstruction at the segment just distal to the bifurcation of the right and anterior descending arteries. Coronary artery bypass grafting to the middle segment of the left anterior descending artery was carried out with satisfactory result. To our knowledge, only seven cases with a diagnosis of single coronary artery who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting have been reported.

[Surgical treatment of type A aortic dissection combined with aortic root lesions]

From January 1980 to December 1992, 36 patients with type A aortic dissection were operated on at the St. Marianna University Hospital. Hospital mortality and 10-year survival rate in 26 patients (Group I and II) undergoing replacement of the ascending aorta with or without hemi-arch resection (including one case of aortic wrapping for the closing dissection) were 19.2% and 88.0%, respectively. Among the patients having aortic root destructions due to acute aortic dissection or preexisting annuloaortic ectasia (Group III), 8 patients underwent aortic root reconstruction with a valved conduit and 2 patients supra-coronary aortic resection and graft replacement with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting with 20.0% of hospital mortality and 55.6% of 10-year cumulative survival rate. Modified Bentall operation using Carrel patch method seems to be preferable to avoid postoperative complications for the case with intimal tear extending to the aortic sinuses, ruptured outer layer of the aortic root or preexisting AAE. If the disrupted coronary artery is concerned, coronary artery bypass grafting is mandatory. In the case of replacement of the ascending aorta for the dissection extending to the aortic sinuses, complete obliteration of the proximal false lumen must be required to avoid uncontrollable bleeding and compromised coronary blood flow.

[Pseudocoarctation associated with dissecting aneurysm of the aorta: a case report]

A case of pseudocoarctation with dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta and arch is reported. A 49-year-old man was admitted with chest pain and loss of consciousness. Angiogram showed kinking of the aortic isthmus and dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta. There was no pressure gradient between arms and legs. Prosthetic graft replacement of the ascending aorta was successfully performed by the use of total cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia. Etiology of the development of pseudocoarctation is unknown, however, hypothesis that embryological abnormality of the aortic arch is one of the contributing factors has been widely accepted. This case was accompanied by bicuspid aortic valve. It is suggested that the developmental etiology of this case seems to be similar to that of classical coarctation of the aorta. Development of the dissecting aneurysm is supposed to be due to hypertension of the upper body during exercise, even though there is no pressure gradient at rest.

[Subarachnoid hemorrhage following commencement of danazol treatment in a patient well controlled on warfarin anticoagulation]

A 45-year-old woman with prosthetic valves replacement, was admitted with severe headache and vomiting one month after starting danazol treatment at 300 mg per day. She was receiving long-term anticoagulation with warfarin and dipyridamole, taking 3.5 mg and 300 mg per day respectively. The patient's thrombotest value was less than 6% at the time of admission. Cranial CT revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage. Warfarin and danazol treatment ware discontinued with replenishment of vitamin K. Recovery was uneventful. Danazol is 2, 3 isoxazol derivative of 17-alpha-ethinyl testosterone. As such, it shares the property of C 17 alkylated steroids in potentiating the action of coumarin. It is suggested that danazol affects the turnover of vitamin-K-dependent clotting factors, an impairment of synthesis being a likely mechanism. The possible hazard of the potentiating effect of danazol on warfarin should be widely appreciated.

[Right ventricular myxoma complicated by paroxysmal atrial tachycardia: a surgical case report]

A rare case of right ventricular myxoma complicated by paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) is presented. A 13-year-old boy was referred to our hospital because of the recurrent episodes of PAT. Every available medical treatment was tried to reverse the PAT, during which an abnormal mass in the right ventricle was found by echocardiography. Subsequently magnetic resonance imaging computed tomography demonstrated that the tumor developed from the anterior wall of right ventricle with a pedicle. A 10 g of reddish myxomatous mass originating from the base of anterior papillary muscle was resected including the stalk during total cardiopulmonary bypass. The transient paroxysmal atrial tachycardia developed shortly after operation, however, tachycardic episode has never recurred after that. It is noteworthy that intracardiac evaluation is necessary when there is longstanding and inveterate tachyarrhythmia in otherwise healthy children.

[Surgical treatment of aortic root aneurysm associating with infectious endocarditis]

From 1979 to 1989, aortic root aneurysms were encountered in 6 of the 30 patients who underwent surgical treatment for infectious endocarditis. Four patients underwent aortic valve replacement and direct or patch closure of the orifice of aortic root aneurysm. In additional 2 patients with infected aneurysm of right coronary sinus of Valsalva rupturing into the right ventricle, the aneurysm and infected tissue in the right ventricular outflow tract were completely resected and the defect of aortic sinus and VSD were closed with double Teflon fabric patches. All patients survived postoperatively, however, one patients died 1.5 months after the operation probably due to rupture of mycotic aneurysm of cerebral artery. Another late death seemed to be concerned with recurrent aortic root aneurysm, in which case direct closure of aneurysm had been performed. We believe that even if the aneurysm seems to be small, its orifice should be closed with the use of a fabric patch to prevent recurrent aneurysm formation.

Surgical experience with traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta

Nine cases of traumatic thoracic aortic rupture (TAR), operated on at St. Marianna University Hospital between July 1980 and December 1988, were reviewed in order to evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced CT in the early diagnosis of TAR. The absence of mediastinal hematoma on CT eliminated the need for aortography in 30 (38.5%) of the 78 patients suspected of having TAR on the basis of chest roentgenograms. The presence of mediastinal hematoma necessitated aortography in 48 patients. However, operative treatment was carried out without aortography in 3 patients who had specific signs of rupture on CT. CT proved to be a reliable indicator for the selection of the patients who need aortography. As a rule, emergency operations were performed in these patients. Simple aortic crossclamping was employed in 4 patients, and heparinless left heart bypass with the BioPump was performed for spinal cord protection in 2 recent patients without complication of embolization. Use of the BioPump as an adjunct in the repair of TAR appears to be promising.

[The results of bypass with the BioPump in the surgery of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta without heparin]

In surgery of the traumatic rupture of descending thoracic aorta, external shunt without systemic heparinization is commonly employed to avoid the bleeding of other injured organs as well as the ischemic injury of spinal cord. However, it provides no means of controlling the flow. We employed the BioPump without heparinization in 2 cases of traumatic rupture of descending thoracic aorta and additional 2 cases of aneurysm of thoracic aorta. Significant platelet loss occurred immediately after operation, however, there was no postoperative evidence of the organ failures due to microembolization. Heparinless bypass with the BioPump is considered to be safe and simple as an adjunct means in surgery of the traumatic rupture of thoracic aorta.