Kagawa University

About: Kagawa University is a education organization based out in Takamatsu, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 6028 authors who have published 11918 publications receiving 224111 citations. The organization is also known as: Kagawa Daigaku.

Venomous snake bites: clinical diagnosis and treatment

Abstract: Snake bites are life-threatening injuries that can require intensive care. The diagnosis and treatment of venomous snake bites is sometimes difficult for clinicians because sufficient information has not been provided in clinical practice. Here we review the literature to present the proper management of bites by mamushi, habu, and yamakagashi snakes, which widely inhabit Japan and other Asian countries. No definite diagnostic markers or kits are available for clinical practice; therefore, definitive diagnosis of snake-venom poisoning requires positive identification of the snake and observation of the clinical manifestations of envenomation. Mamushi (Gloydius blomhoffii) bites cause swelling and pain that spreads gradually from the bite site. The platelet count gradually decreases due to the platelet aggregation activity of the venom and can decrease to <100,000/mm3. If the venom gets directly injected into the blood vessel, the platelet count rapidly decreases to <10,000/mm3 within 1 h after the bite. Habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis) bites result in swelling within 30 min. Severe cases manifest not only local signs but also general symptoms such as vomiting, cyanosis, loss of consciousness, and hypotension. Yamakagashi (Rhabdophis tigrinus) bites induce life-threatening hemorrhagic symptoms and severe disseminated intravascular coagulation with a fibrinolytic phenotype, resulting in hypofibrinogenemia and increased levels of fibrinogen degradation products. Previously recommended first-aid measures such as tourniquets, incision, and suction are strongly discouraged. Once airway, breathing, and circulation have been established, a rapid, detailed history should be obtained. If a snake bite is suspected, hospital admission should be considered for further follow-up. All venomous snake bites can be effectively treated with antivenom. Side effects of antivenom should be prevented by sufficient preparation. Approved antivenoms for mamushi and habu are available. Yamakagashi antivenom is used as an off-label drug in Japan, requiring clinicians to join a clinical research group for its use in clinical practice.

Phenology, Growth and Yield of Three Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties as Affected by High Temperature Stress

Abstract: Wheat is the most important cereal in the world. However, due to an increasing trend of rising temperatures around the world, wheat may be exposed to greater thermal stress in the near future. Therefore, the identification and development of suitable wheat varieties is an important step to resolve this threat to production and to achieve high yield, even under high temperature stress. In this context, phenology, growth and yield of three elite varieties of wheat (‘Gourab’, ‘BARI Gom-25’ and ‘BARI Gom-26’) were evaluated under two sowing conditions: optimum (sown on November 15) and late heat stress condition (sown on December 27). All wheat varieties, when sown late, faced severe temperature stress that significantly affected phenology, growth and finally yield. Taking into consideration phenological variation, dry matter (fresh and dry weight) partitioning and grain yield, variety ‘BARI Gom-26’ performed better both in optimum and late heat stress, followed by ‘BARI Gom-25’; ‘Gourab’ performed the least. On the basis of heat tolerance parameters [relative performance (RP) and heat susceptibility index (HSI)], ‘BARI Gom-25’ (RP-79%; HSI-0.7) was the best performing variety followed by ‘BARI Gom-26’ (RP-74%; HSI-0.9) under heat stress while ‘Gourab’ (RP-61%; HSI-1.3) was sensitive to heat.

Effectiveness of fructose-modified chitosan as a scaffold for hepatocyte attachment.

Abstract: Free amino groups of chitosan, a substance which has previously been shown to be a good scaffold for hepatocyte attachment, were covalently modified with fructose. The modification significantly increased the number of cells that could be attached on the surface of chitosan gel. Rat hepatocytes cultivated on fructose-chitosan behaved similarly to those on unmodified chitosan, i.e., they retained the spherical shape they have in vivo, and released much less lactate dehydrogenase than cells attached on a collagen-coated surface. The modification with fructose did not alter the important characteristics of chitosan for hepatocyte culture: liver-specific functions such as urea synthesis and drug metabolism were stably maintained for 5 d in the hepatocytes cultured on fructose-chitosan. In sharp contrast, hepatocytes attached on a collagen-coated surface underwent a severe morphological change, from spherical to flat, and lost almost all their lidocaine-removal activity within 5d. A very thin fructose-chitosan layer was also applied onto the collagen-coated surfaces of polystyrene plates and a dextran microcarrier by crosslinking free amino groups in the chitosan and collagen with glutaraldehyde to fix the thin layer. Hepatocytes on the fructose-chitosan-coated surface retained their spherical shape, masking the cell-flattening effect of the collagen layer. Perfusion culture was then carried out using a hollow-fiber cartridge in which hepatocytes attached on fructose-chitosan-coated microcarriers were suspended in the extracapillary space: the liver-specific functions were stably maintained during 4d of the culture. A fructose-chitosan-coated surface thus appears to be a very promising scaffold for hepatocyte attachment which can be used in cellular biological studies of liver functions, especially in relation to cytochrome P450, as well as in bioartificial liver support systems.

High electron mobility in a columnar phase of liquid-crystalline perylene tetracarboxylic bisimide bearing oligosiloxane chains

Abstract: A liquid-crystalline (LC) semiconductor based on perylene tetracarboxylic bisimide (PTCBI) bearing four 1,1,1,3,3-pentamethyldisiloxane chains was synthesized. This LC PTCBI derivative exhibits ordered columnar phases and the low temperature columnar phase is retained below room temperature. The electron mobility in the ordered columnar phase of this compound at room temperature exceeds 0.1 cm2 V−1 s−1. Moreover, this compound is soluble in various organic solvents, except alcohols, and thin films in which the columnar aggregates are aligned parallel to the substrates are produced by spin-coating. In particular, LC thin films in which the columnar stacks are uniaxially oriented can be produced by a friction transfer method.