Design method for a mini centrifugal pump is not established because the internal flow condition for these small-sized fluid machines is not clarified and conventional theory is not suitable for small-sized pumps. The...Design method for a mini centrifugal pump is not established because the internal flow condition for these small-sized fluid machines is not clarified and conventional theory is not suitable for small-sized pumps. Then, a semi-open impeller for the mini centrifugal pump with 55mm impeller diameter is adopted in this research to take simplicity and maintenance into consideration. Splitter blades are adopted in this research to improve the performance and internal flow condition of mini centrifugal pump having large blade outlet angle. The performance tests are conducted with these rotors in order to investigate the effect of the splitter blades on the performance and internal flow condition of the mini centrifugal pump. A three dimensional steady numerical flow analysis is conducted to analyze rotor, volute efficiency and loss caused by a vortex. It is clarified from the experimental results that the performance of the mini centrifugal pump is improved by the effect of the splitter blades. Flow condition at outlet of the rotor becomes uniform and back flow regions are suppressed in the case with the splitter blades.Further, the volute efficiency increases and the vortex loss decreases. In the present paper, the performance of the mini centrifugal pump is shown and the flow condition is clarified with the results of the experiment and the numerical flow analysis. Furthermore, the performance analyses of the mini centrifugal pumps with and without the splitter blades are conducted.展开更多
Research Background and Purpose: The number of diabetic patients is rapidly increasing, making it crucial to find methods to prevent diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness. We investigated the effects...Research Background and Purpose: The number of diabetic patients is rapidly increasing, making it crucial to find methods to prevent diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness. We investigated the effects of prophylactic pattern scanning laser retinal photocoagulation on DR development in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats as a new prevention approach. Methods: Photocoagulation was applied to the right eyes of 8-week-old Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats, with the left eyes serving as untreated controls. Electroretinography at 9 and 39 weeks of age and pathological examinations, including immunohistochemistry for vascular endothelial growth factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein at 24 and 40 weeks of age, were performed on both eyes. Results: There were no significant differences in amplitude and prolongation of the OP waves between the right and left eyes in SDT fatty rats at 39 weeks of age. Similarly, no significant differences in pathology and immunohistochemistry were observed between the right and left eyes in SDT fatty rats at 24 and 40 weeks of age. Conclusion: Prophylactic pattern scanning retinal laser photocoagulation did not affect the development of diabetic retinopathy in SDT fatty rats.展开更多
This study is a digital form-finding and manual fabrication experiment in woven architectural design,with one traditional weaving style,Kagome,used to scale the craft up into an architectural-scale bamboo woven artifa...This study is a digital form-finding and manual fabrication experiment in woven architectural design,with one traditional weaving style,Kagome,used to scale the craft up into an architectural-scale bamboo woven artifact.Kagome is a trihexagonal pattern employed in traditional bamboo basketry as a triaxial weaving system,resulting in an object with a self-bracing capacity without the use of fasteners owing to its interlacing lattices.Although existing studies and tools have addressed triaxial weaving design and representation,the current consideration of the advantages of weaving with bamboo is insufficient.To address this research gap,this study develops a computational design method based on studies on bamboo basketry.This allows for the representation and exploration of design geometries using combinations of regular triangular meshes for the fabrication of Kagome woven bamboo artifacts.A full-scale mock-up was fabricated to evaluate the effectiveness of the method.The mock-up demonstrated the self-bracing properties of Kagome,but there were discrepancies between the mock-up and the design.Factors affecting bamboo weaving on an architectural scale have been identified within this study to inform future research on woven bamboo structures.展开更多
AIM To investigate the relationship between vitamin D and liver fibrosis in hepatitis C-monoinfected or hepatitis C virus(HCV)-human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) coinfected patients. METHODS Pertinent studies were loca...AIM To investigate the relationship between vitamin D and liver fibrosis in hepatitis C-monoinfected or hepatitis C virus(HCV)-human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) coinfected patients. METHODS Pertinent studies were located by a library literature search in PubM ed/Embase/Cochrane/Scopus/LILACS by two individual reviewers. Inclusion criteria:(1) studies with patients with HCV or co-infected HCV/HIV;(2) studies with patients ≥ 18 years old;(3) studies that evaluated liver fibrosis stage, only based on liver biopsy; and(4) studies that reported serum or plasma 25(OH)D levels. Studies that included pediatric patients, other etiologies of liver disease, or did not use liver biopsy for fibrosis evaluation, or studies with inadequate data were excluded. Estimated measures of association reported in the literature, as well as corresponding measures of uncertainty, were recorded and corresponding odds ratios with 95%CI were included in a meta-analysis. RESULTS The pooled data of this systematic review showed that 9 of the 12 studies correlated advanced liver disease defined as a Metavir value of F3/4 with 25(OH) D level insufficiency. The meta-analysis indicated a significant association across studies.CONCLUSION Low vitamin D status is common in chronic Hepatitis C patients and is associated with advanced liver fibrosis.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis(LC)is expected to become more common owing to its efficacy on portal hemodynamics.In this report we describe an alarming case of group B streptococcus(GBS)infect...BACKGROUND:Splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis(LC)is expected to become more common owing to its efficacy on portal hemodynamics.In this report we describe an alarming case of group B streptococcus(GBS)infection after splenectomy in a patient with LC.METHODS:A 72-year-old woman with a history of LC was admitted to our emergency department because of respiratory failure.The patient had received left lateral segmentectomy of the liver and splenectomy three months before admission.Pulmonary examination revealed significant wheezing during inspiration and expiration,but no crackles and stridor.Chest radiography and CT showed no infiltrates.A presumptive diagnosis of bronchial asthma caused by upper respiratory infection was made.Four days after admission,GBS infection was confirmed by blood culture and penicillin G was administered.Antibiotics were given intravenously for a total of 12 days.RESULTS:The patient was discharged on the 12th day after admission.CONCLUSIONS:Although efficacy of splenectomy in patients with LC has been reported,immune status should be evaluated for a longer period.Patients who have undergone splenectomy are highly susceptible to bacteria;moreover,LC itself is an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with sepsis.Since prophylaxis against GBS has not been established,immediate action should be taken.Emergency physicians should be aware of invasive GBS infection in the context of the critical risk factors related to splenectomy and LC,particularly the expected increase of splenectomy performed in LC patients.展开更多
We have developed a process for chemical purification of carbon nanotubes for solution-processable thin-film transistors （TFTs） having high mobility. Films of the purified carbon nanotubes fabricated by simple drop ...We have developed a process for chemical purification of carbon nanotubes for solution-processable thin-film transistors （TFTs） having high mobility. Films of the purified carbon nanotubes fabricated by simple drop coating showed carrier mobilities as high as 164 cm2V-1s -1 normalized transconductances of 0.78 Sm-1 and on/off current ratios of 10^6. Such high performance requires the preparation of a suspension of micrometer-long and highly purified semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWCNTs）. Our purification process includes length and electronic-type selective trapping of SWCNTs using recycling gel filtration with a mixture of surfactants. The results provide an important milestone toward printed high-speed and large-area electronics with roll-to-roll and ink-jet device fabrication.展开更多
MicroRNAs have been increasingly recognized as useful biomarkers for colorectal cancers(CRC).We have recently observed that microRNA-31(miR-31)expression is associated with BRAF mutation and prognosis in CRC.Moreover,...MicroRNAs have been increasingly recognized as useful biomarkers for colorectal cancers(CRC).We have recently observed that microRNA-31(miR-31)expression is associated with BRAF mutation and prognosis in CRC.Moreover,high miR-31 expression is frequently detected in sessile serrated adenomas compared with hyperplastic polyps(HPs).These results suggest that miR-31 may contribute to the progression of serrated lesions.At a follow-up colonoscopy,we observed the case of a 75-year-old man with a 7-mm flat-elevated lesion in the cecum and diagnosed the lesion as an early invasive carcinoma with serrated features.Tissue specimens were obtained from the representative areas to compare the molecular alterations in the carcinoma component with those in the HP component.Higher miR-31 expression was observed in the carcinoma component(57-fold increase)and the HP component(8-fold increase)compared with the paired normal mucosa,suggesting that miR-31 may be one of the key molecules in serrated pathway progression.展开更多
AIM To investigate the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and fibrosis stage in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS Two individual reviewers identified relevant studie...AIM To investigate the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and fibrosis stage in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS Two individual reviewers identified relevant studies using the Pub Med, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria were as follows:(1) Studies that evaluated adults with NAFLD and serum or plasma 25(OH)D levels; and(2) assessed fibrosis stage using liver biopsy. A rigorous analysis yielded six articles as having sufficient data to employ in evaluating the association of serum vitamin D levels in patients with NAFLD based on their liver fibrosis stage by histopathological analysis. The lead investigators of each of the six studies were contacted and the data were collected. To meta-analyze vitamin D levels in F0-F2 vs F3-F4 fibrosis, a random-effects meta-analysis fit using restricted maximum likelihood was applied. To examine trends across each stage of fibrosis with respect to vitamin D levels, a meta-regression was performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 937 subjects from six studies were included in the final analysis to evaluate the association of serum vitamin D levels in patients with NAFLD based on their liver fibrosis stage by histopathological analysis. The lead investigators of each of the six studies were contacted and the data were collected. First, the investigators performed a meta-analysis to compare serum vitamin D levels in patients with NAFLD with stage F0-F2 compared to F3-F4, which did not show significance [meta-estimate of the pooled mean difference =-0.86, P = 0.08(-4.17, 2.46)]. A metaregression evaluation of serum vitamin 25(OH)D levels across the individual stages(F0-F4) of fibrosis did not show an association for the six included studies.CONCLUSION Low vitamin D status is not associated with higher stages of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.展开更多
BACKGROUND The procedure for microwave endometrial ablation(MEA)follows established MEA practice guidelines but requires hysteroscopic observation of the uterine lumen before and after MEA.When a luminal uterine lesio...BACKGROUND The procedure for microwave endometrial ablation(MEA)follows established MEA practice guidelines but requires hysteroscopic observation of the uterine lumen before and after MEA.When a luminal uterine lesion is recognized,its removal requires preoperative dilation of the cervix because the outer diameter of a conventional rigid hysteroscope is 8.7 mm.Recently,a fully disposable rigid hysteroscope(LiNA OperaScope^(TM))with a narrow diameter(4.4 mm)and forceps capable of extracting endometrial lesions has become available.CASE SUMMARY Here,we report a case of heavy menstrual bleeding(HMB)complicated by endometrial polyps where MEA was performed after removing endometrial polyps using the LiNA OperaScope^(TM) device.A 48-year-old woman with three prior pregnancies and three deliveries was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment after being diagnosed with HMB 2 years earlier.The patient underwent MEA following endometrial polypectomy using LiNA OperaScope^(TM).After MEA,endometrial cauterization was again examined using the LiNA OperaScope^(TM),and the procedure was completed.No preoperative cervical dilation was performed.The patient’s clinical course was favorable,and she was discharged 3 h after surgery.One month after surgery,menstruation resumed,and both HMB and dysmenorrhea improved markedly from 10 preoperatively to 1 postoperatively,as assessed subjectively using the visual analog scale.The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful with no complic-ations.CONCLUSION LiNA OperaScope^(TM) can be a minimally invasive treatment for MEA of HMB with uterine lumen lesions.展开更多
In biological controls using <em>Bacillus</em> spp., cyclic lipopeptides play a role as elicitors to induce disease resistance on various host plants. However, it is still unclear the specificity between c...In biological controls using <em>Bacillus</em> spp., cyclic lipopeptides play a role as elicitors to induce disease resistance on various host plants. However, it is still unclear the specificity between cyclic lipopeptides and host plants to induce disease resistance. In this study, we aimed to clarify the specificity to induce disease resistance among cyclic lipopeptides on various host plants. Our data clearly showed both cyclic lipopeptides conferred disease suppression on most of host plants, but at different range of cyclic lipopeptide concentration. Our findings contribute to understanding the complex on the specificity of cyclic lipopeptide derived induced disease resistance.展开更多
To investigate the biobeical effects of terbium (Tb), male mice were intravenously ad ministered with TbCl3 at 10, 25, or 50 mg Tb/kg. Time-course and dose-related changes in organ distributions of Tb were determined ...To investigate the biobeical effects of terbium (Tb), male mice were intravenously ad ministered with TbCl3 at 10, 25, or 50 mg Tb/kg. Time-course and dose-related changes in organ distributions of Tb were determined . More than 95 % of the Tb in blood was in plas ma, and the concentrations decreased rapidly. Contrary to normal pharmacokinetics, Tb con centrations in plasma were higher in the 10 mg/kg group than in the 50 mg/kg group. The concentrations after injection of 25 mg/kg were between 10 and 50 mg/kg injections. Tb was incorporated mainly in liver, lung, and spleen. In all groups more than 80% of Tb adminis tered were found in these three organs. Disappearance of Tb in these organs was very slow.Tb was also found in kidney, heart and other organs. Coincidentally, it was found that the Ca concentration was increased in organs in which Tb was incorporated. After administration of Tb (50 mg/kg) the Ca concentration, compared to the controls, was 70-fold in spleen, 20-fold in lung, and 6-fold in liver. There were highly positive correlations between Tb and Ca concentrations in organs. Excretion of Tb in urine was 0. 15 ～ 0. 3 % and that in feces was 1.7～12. 5 % for up to 7 days. These results indicate that liver, lung, and spleen are the main target organs of Tb administered intravenously, and that the increase in Ca concentrations is one of the important biological effects of Tb in target organs展开更多
We herein report a case of bronchial bleeding afterradical esophagectomy that was treated with lobectomy.A 65-year-old male who underwent subtotal esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection for esophageal ca...We herein report a case of bronchial bleeding afterradical esophagectomy that was treated with lobectomy.A 65-year-old male who underwent subtotal esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection for esophageal carcinoma was referred to our hospital because of sudden hemoptysis.After the esophagectomy,bilateral vocal cord paralysis was observed,and the patient suffered from repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia.Bronchoscopy revealed hemosputum in the right middle lobe bronchus,and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed tortuous arteries arising from the right inferior phrenic artery and left subclavian artery toward the right middle lobe bronchus.Although bronchial arterial embolization was performed twice to control the recurrent hemoptysis,the procedures were unsuccessful.Right middle lobectomy was therefore performed via video-assisted thoracic surgery.Engorged bronchial arterys with medial hypertrophy and overgrowth of the small branches were noted near the bronchus in the resected specimen.The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 14.展开更多
Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) is a useful and relatively safe tool for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. However, there have recently been several reports of tumor see...Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) is a useful and relatively safe tool for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. However, there have recently been several reports of tumor seeding after EUS-FNA of adenocarcinomas. A 78-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to upper gastric pain. Examinations revealed a 20 mm mass in the pancreatic body, for which EUS-FNA was performed. The cytology of the lesion was adenocarcinoma, and the stage of the cancer was T3N0M0. The patient underwent surgery with curative intent, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1. An enlarging gastric submucosal tumor was found on gastroscopy at 28 mo after surgery accompanied by a rising level of CA19-9. Biopsy result was adenocarcinoma, consistent with a pancreatic primary tumor. Tumor seeding after EUS-FNA was strongly suspected. The patient underwent surgical resection of the gastric tumor with curative intent. The pathological result of the resected gastric specimen was adenocarcinoma with a perfectly matched mucin special stain result with the previously resected pancreatic cancer. This is the first case report of tumor seeding after EUS-FNA which was surgically resected and inspected pathologically.展开更多
The international issue to be addressed towards realizing a low-carbon society is to reduce the amount of carbon-based underground reserves such as coal, petroleum, and coke, and strongly encouraged to use carbon neut...The international issue to be addressed towards realizing a low-carbon society is to reduce the amount of carbon-based underground reserves such as coal, petroleum, and coke, and strongly encouraged to use carbon neutral biomass-derived resources. Woodceramics is a hybrid porous carbon material composed of wood-based biomass and phenolic resin, characterized by high far-infrared emissivity and large specific surface area. Woodceramics has been studied as heating elements and humidity and gas sensors, etc. If this is applied to the inner walls of aging and grain drying furnaces for vegetables and fruits, both ripening and drying are greatly promoted and fossil fuels used in boilers can be significantly reduced. In fact, it can produce black garlic with far infrared rays using a woodceramics brick efficiently. Furthermore, as a substitute for phenolic resin, if plant-based liquefied materials from cashew nut shell oil can be prepared and can be used for manufacturing woodceramics, then all carbon neutral circulating woodceramics made from wood-based biomass is possible to manufacture. On the other hand, woodplastics is a composite material that can be made of wooden materials and plastics, and able to expect the effective use of wood-based biomass and waste plastics.展开更多
Purpose: To clarify the impact of bone metabolism disorder on lumbago in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Methods: Data was retrospectively analyzed from 52 patients with PD in our outpatient clinic for more than 1 year (me...Purpose: To clarify the impact of bone metabolism disorder on lumbago in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Methods: Data was retrospectively analyzed from 52 patients with PD in our outpatient clinic for more than 1 year (mean age, 63 ± 4 years old;mean duration from onset, 6.3 ± 0.8 years). Patients’ characteristics, comorbid musculoskeletal disorders, serum bone metabolism biomarkers, and bone mineral density were examined. Results: Twenty-one PD patients (40.2%) had chronic lumbago. Severe comptocormia and scoliosis were the most common musculosketal disorders in this group (47.6%) affected by lumbago, followed by osteoporosis (14.3%), compression fracture (4.8%). There was no significant difference in the duration of PD, body mass index, frequency of falls, bone mineral density, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b, osteocalcin, and N-terminal telopeptide between PD patients with or without chronic lumbago. Multivaritae logistic regression analysis identified the independent predictors of chroni lumbago in PD patients as Hoen-Yahr stage (odds ration [OR] = 2.794, 95%CI 1.103 - 7.076), and elevated serum 1,25-OH<sub>2</sub> vitamin D level ([OR] = 0.92, 95%CI 0.86 - 98). Conclusion: Bone metabolism disorders are found to be associated with chronic lumbago in PD patients.展开更多
It is necessary to decrease the weight of space satellites, while maintaining their stiffness. To achieve this weight reduction, many structures, such as honeycomb and isogrid, have been reported in the literature. In...It is necessary to decrease the weight of space satellites, while maintaining their stiffness. To achieve this weight reduction, many structures, such as honeycomb and isogrid, have been reported in the literature. In this paper, the diamond rib method, a mechanical design method for improving the stiffness of structures, is introduced. By applying this method to a small space satellite, we propose a new structure called the “Diamond Rib Structure”. This structure significantly improves the ability to withstand the vibrational disturbances in a rocket fairing.展开更多
BACKGROUND Varicella-zoster virus(VZV)generally causes chickenpox at first infection in childhood and then establishes latent infection in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord or other nerves.Virus reactivation ...BACKGROUND Varicella-zoster virus(VZV)generally causes chickenpox at first infection in childhood and then establishes latent infection in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord or other nerves.Virus reactivation owing to an impaired immune system causes inflammation along spinal nerves from the affected spinal segment,leading to skin manifestations(herpes zoster).Viremia and subsequent hematogenous transmission and nerve axonal transport of the virus may lead to meningitis,encephalitis,and myelitis.One such case is described in this study.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old man presented with dysuria,pyrexia,and progressive disturbance in consciousness.He had signs of meningeal irritation,and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)analysis revealed marked pleocytosis with mononuclear predominance and a CSF/serum glucose ratio of 0.64.Head magnetic resonance imaging revealed hyperintense areas in the frontal lobes.He had four isolated blisters with papules and halos on his right chest,right lumbar region,and left scapular region.Infected giant cells were detected using the Tzanck test.Degenerated epidermal cells with intranuclear inclusion bodies and ballooning degeneration were present on skin biopsy.Serum VZV antibody titers suggested previous infection,and the CSF tested positive for VZV-DNA.He developed paraplegia,decreased temperature perception in the legs,urinary retention,and fecal incontinence.The patient was diagnosed with meningitis,encephalitis,and myelitis and was treated with acyclovir for 23 days and prednisolone for 14 days.Despite gradual improvement,the urinary retention and gait disturbances persisted as sequelae.CONCLUSION VZV reactivation should be considered in differential diagnoses of patients with sporadic blisters and unexplained central nervous system symptoms.展开更多
Applications using simultaneous wireless information and power transfer(SWIPT)have increased significantly.Wireless communication technologies can be combined with the Internet of Things to develop many innovative app...Applications using simultaneous wireless information and power transfer(SWIPT)have increased significantly.Wireless communication technologies can be combined with the Internet of Things to develop many innovative applications using SWIPT,which is mainly based on wireless energy harvesting from electromagnetic waves used in communications.Wireless power transfer that uses magnetrons has been developed for communication technologies.Injection-locked magnetrons that can be used to facilitate high-power SWIPT for several devices are reviewed in this paper.This new technology is expected to pave the way for promoting the application of SWIPT in a wide range of fields.展开更多
For a fully chaotic two-dimensional(2D) microcavity laser, we present a theory that guarantees both the existence of a stable single-mode lasing state and the nonexistence of a stable multimode lasing state, under the...For a fully chaotic two-dimensional(2D) microcavity laser, we present a theory that guarantees both the existence of a stable single-mode lasing state and the nonexistence of a stable multimode lasing state, under the assumptions that the cavity size is much larger than the wavelength and the external pumping power is sufficiently large. It is theoretically shown that these universal spectral characteristics arise from the synergistic effect of two different kinds of nonlinearities: deformation of the cavity shape and mode interaction due to a lasing medium. Our theory is based on the linear stability analysis of stationary states for the Maxwell–Bloch equations and accounts for single-mode lasing phenomena observed in real and numerical experiments of fully chaotic 2D microcavitylasers.展开更多
文摘Design method for a mini centrifugal pump is not established because the internal flow condition for these small-sized fluid machines is not clarified and conventional theory is not suitable for small-sized pumps. Then, a semi-open impeller for the mini centrifugal pump with 55mm impeller diameter is adopted in this research to take simplicity and maintenance into consideration. Splitter blades are adopted in this research to improve the performance and internal flow condition of mini centrifugal pump having large blade outlet angle. The performance tests are conducted with these rotors in order to investigate the effect of the splitter blades on the performance and internal flow condition of the mini centrifugal pump. A three dimensional steady numerical flow analysis is conducted to analyze rotor, volute efficiency and loss caused by a vortex. It is clarified from the experimental results that the performance of the mini centrifugal pump is improved by the effect of the splitter blades. Flow condition at outlet of the rotor becomes uniform and back flow regions are suppressed in the case with the splitter blades.Further, the volute efficiency increases and the vortex loss decreases. In the present paper, the performance of the mini centrifugal pump is shown and the flow condition is clarified with the results of the experiment and the numerical flow analysis. Furthermore, the performance analyses of the mini centrifugal pumps with and without the splitter blades are conducted.
文摘Research Background and Purpose: The number of diabetic patients is rapidly increasing, making it crucial to find methods to prevent diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness. We investigated the effects of prophylactic pattern scanning laser retinal photocoagulation on DR development in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats as a new prevention approach. Methods: Photocoagulation was applied to the right eyes of 8-week-old Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats, with the left eyes serving as untreated controls. Electroretinography at 9 and 39 weeks of age and pathological examinations, including immunohistochemistry for vascular endothelial growth factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein at 24 and 40 weeks of age, were performed on both eyes. Results: There were no significant differences in amplitude and prolongation of the OP waves between the right and left eyes in SDT fatty rats at 39 weeks of age. Similarly, no significant differences in pathology and immunohistochemistry were observed between the right and left eyes in SDT fatty rats at 24 and 40 weeks of age. Conclusion: Prophylactic pattern scanning retinal laser photocoagulation did not affect the development of diabetic retinopathy in SDT fatty rats.
基金the Start-up Grant from the School of Architecture at The Chinese University of Hong Kong[ARC]partially by the General Research Fund[RGC Ref.No.CUHK 14617122]from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council.
文摘This study is a digital form-finding and manual fabrication experiment in woven architectural design,with one traditional weaving style,Kagome,used to scale the craft up into an architectural-scale bamboo woven artifact.Kagome is a trihexagonal pattern employed in traditional bamboo basketry as a triaxial weaving system,resulting in an object with a self-bracing capacity without the use of fasteners owing to its interlacing lattices.Although existing studies and tools have addressed triaxial weaving design and representation,the current consideration of the advantages of weaving with bamboo is insufficient.To address this research gap,this study develops a computational design method based on studies on bamboo basketry.This allows for the representation and exploration of design geometries using combinations of regular triangular meshes for the fabrication of Kagome woven bamboo artifacts.A full-scale mock-up was fabricated to evaluate the effectiveness of the method.The mock-up demonstrated the self-bracing properties of Kagome,but there were discrepancies between the mock-up and the design.Factors affecting bamboo weaving on an architectural scale have been identified within this study to inform future research on woven bamboo structures.
文摘AIM To investigate the relationship between vitamin D and liver fibrosis in hepatitis C-monoinfected or hepatitis C virus(HCV)-human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) coinfected patients. METHODS Pertinent studies were located by a library literature search in PubM ed/Embase/Cochrane/Scopus/LILACS by two individual reviewers. Inclusion criteria:(1) studies with patients with HCV or co-infected HCV/HIV;(2) studies with patients ≥ 18 years old;(3) studies that evaluated liver fibrosis stage, only based on liver biopsy; and(4) studies that reported serum or plasma 25(OH)D levels. Studies that included pediatric patients, other etiologies of liver disease, or did not use liver biopsy for fibrosis evaluation, or studies with inadequate data were excluded. Estimated measures of association reported in the literature, as well as corresponding measures of uncertainty, were recorded and corresponding odds ratios with 95%CI were included in a meta-analysis. RESULTS The pooled data of this systematic review showed that 9 of the 12 studies correlated advanced liver disease defined as a Metavir value of F3/4 with 25(OH) D level insufficiency. The meta-analysis indicated a significant association across studies.CONCLUSION Low vitamin D status is common in chronic Hepatitis C patients and is associated with advanced liver fibrosis.
文摘BACKGROUND:Splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis(LC)is expected to become more common owing to its efficacy on portal hemodynamics.In this report we describe an alarming case of group B streptococcus(GBS)infection after splenectomy in a patient with LC.METHODS:A 72-year-old woman with a history of LC was admitted to our emergency department because of respiratory failure.The patient had received left lateral segmentectomy of the liver and splenectomy three months before admission.Pulmonary examination revealed significant wheezing during inspiration and expiration,but no crackles and stridor.Chest radiography and CT showed no infiltrates.A presumptive diagnosis of bronchial asthma caused by upper respiratory infection was made.Four days after admission,GBS infection was confirmed by blood culture and penicillin G was administered.Antibiotics were given intravenously for a total of 12 days.RESULTS:The patient was discharged on the 12th day after admission.CONCLUSIONS:Although efficacy of splenectomy in patients with LC has been reported,immune status should be evaluated for a longer period.Patients who have undergone splenectomy are highly susceptible to bacteria;moreover,LC itself is an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with sepsis.Since prophylaxis against GBS has not been established,immediate action should be taken.Emergency physicians should be aware of invasive GBS infection in the context of the critical risk factors related to splenectomy and LC,particularly the expected increase of splenectomy performed in LC patients.
文摘We have developed a process for chemical purification of carbon nanotubes for solution-processable thin-film transistors （TFTs） having high mobility. Films of the purified carbon nanotubes fabricated by simple drop coating showed carrier mobilities as high as 164 cm2V-1s -1 normalized transconductances of 0.78 Sm-1 and on/off current ratios of 10^6. Such high performance requires the preparation of a suspension of micrometer-long and highly purified semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWCNTs）. Our purification process includes length and electronic-type selective trapping of SWCNTs using recycling gel filtration with a mixture of surfactants. The results provide an important milestone toward printed high-speed and large-area electronics with roll-to-roll and ink-jet device fabrication.
基金Supported by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS)Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research,grant No.23790800(to Nosho K)A-STEP(Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-driven R and D)(to Nosho K)
文摘MicroRNAs have been increasingly recognized as useful biomarkers for colorectal cancers(CRC).We have recently observed that microRNA-31(miR-31)expression is associated with BRAF mutation and prognosis in CRC.Moreover,high miR-31 expression is frequently detected in sessile serrated adenomas compared with hyperplastic polyps(HPs).These results suggest that miR-31 may contribute to the progression of serrated lesions.At a follow-up colonoscopy,we observed the case of a 75-year-old man with a 7-mm flat-elevated lesion in the cecum and diagnosed the lesion as an early invasive carcinoma with serrated features.Tissue specimens were obtained from the representative areas to compare the molecular alterations in the carcinoma component with those in the HP component.Higher miR-31 expression was observed in the carcinoma component(57-fold increase)and the HP component(8-fold increase)compared with the paired normal mucosa,suggesting that miR-31 may be one of the key molecules in serrated pathway progression.
文摘AIM To investigate the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and fibrosis stage in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS Two individual reviewers identified relevant studies using the Pub Med, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria were as follows:(1) Studies that evaluated adults with NAFLD and serum or plasma 25(OH)D levels; and(2) assessed fibrosis stage using liver biopsy. A rigorous analysis yielded six articles as having sufficient data to employ in evaluating the association of serum vitamin D levels in patients with NAFLD based on their liver fibrosis stage by histopathological analysis. The lead investigators of each of the six studies were contacted and the data were collected. To meta-analyze vitamin D levels in F0-F2 vs F3-F4 fibrosis, a random-effects meta-analysis fit using restricted maximum likelihood was applied. To examine trends across each stage of fibrosis with respect to vitamin D levels, a meta-regression was performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 937 subjects from six studies were included in the final analysis to evaluate the association of serum vitamin D levels in patients with NAFLD based on their liver fibrosis stage by histopathological analysis. The lead investigators of each of the six studies were contacted and the data were collected. First, the investigators performed a meta-analysis to compare serum vitamin D levels in patients with NAFLD with stage F0-F2 compared to F3-F4, which did not show significance [meta-estimate of the pooled mean difference =-0.86, P = 0.08(-4.17, 2.46)]. A metaregression evaluation of serum vitamin 25(OH)D levels across the individual stages(F0-F4) of fibrosis did not show an association for the six included studies.CONCLUSION Low vitamin D status is not associated with higher stages of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.
文摘BACKGROUND The procedure for microwave endometrial ablation(MEA)follows established MEA practice guidelines but requires hysteroscopic observation of the uterine lumen before and after MEA.When a luminal uterine lesion is recognized,its removal requires preoperative dilation of the cervix because the outer diameter of a conventional rigid hysteroscope is 8.7 mm.Recently,a fully disposable rigid hysteroscope(LiNA OperaScope^(TM))with a narrow diameter(4.4 mm)and forceps capable of extracting endometrial lesions has become available.CASE SUMMARY Here,we report a case of heavy menstrual bleeding(HMB)complicated by endometrial polyps where MEA was performed after removing endometrial polyps using the LiNA OperaScope^(TM) device.A 48-year-old woman with three prior pregnancies and three deliveries was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment after being diagnosed with HMB 2 years earlier.The patient underwent MEA following endometrial polypectomy using LiNA OperaScope^(TM).After MEA,endometrial cauterization was again examined using the LiNA OperaScope^(TM),and the procedure was completed.No preoperative cervical dilation was performed.The patient’s clinical course was favorable,and she was discharged 3 h after surgery.One month after surgery,menstruation resumed,and both HMB and dysmenorrhea improved markedly from 10 preoperatively to 1 postoperatively,as assessed subjectively using the visual analog scale.The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful with no complic-ations.CONCLUSION LiNA OperaScope^(TM) can be a minimally invasive treatment for MEA of HMB with uterine lumen lesions.
文摘In biological controls using <em>Bacillus</em> spp., cyclic lipopeptides play a role as elicitors to induce disease resistance on various host plants. However, it is still unclear the specificity between cyclic lipopeptides and host plants to induce disease resistance. In this study, we aimed to clarify the specificity to induce disease resistance among cyclic lipopeptides on various host plants. Our data clearly showed both cyclic lipopeptides conferred disease suppression on most of host plants, but at different range of cyclic lipopeptide concentration. Our findings contribute to understanding the complex on the specificity of cyclic lipopeptide derived induced disease resistance.
文摘To investigate the biobeical effects of terbium (Tb), male mice were intravenously ad ministered with TbCl3 at 10, 25, or 50 mg Tb/kg. Time-course and dose-related changes in organ distributions of Tb were determined . More than 95 % of the Tb in blood was in plas ma, and the concentrations decreased rapidly. Contrary to normal pharmacokinetics, Tb con centrations in plasma were higher in the 10 mg/kg group than in the 50 mg/kg group. The concentrations after injection of 25 mg/kg were between 10 and 50 mg/kg injections. Tb was incorporated mainly in liver, lung, and spleen. In all groups more than 80% of Tb adminis tered were found in these three organs. Disappearance of Tb in these organs was very slow.Tb was also found in kidney, heart and other organs. Coincidentally, it was found that the Ca concentration was increased in organs in which Tb was incorporated. After administration of Tb (50 mg/kg) the Ca concentration, compared to the controls, was 70-fold in spleen, 20-fold in lung, and 6-fold in liver. There were highly positive correlations between Tb and Ca concentrations in organs. Excretion of Tb in urine was 0. 15 ～ 0. 3 % and that in feces was 1.7～12. 5 % for up to 7 days. These results indicate that liver, lung, and spleen are the main target organs of Tb administered intravenously, and that the increase in Ca concentrations is one of the important biological effects of Tb in target organs
文摘We herein report a case of bronchial bleeding afterradical esophagectomy that was treated with lobectomy.A 65-year-old male who underwent subtotal esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection for esophageal carcinoma was referred to our hospital because of sudden hemoptysis.After the esophagectomy,bilateral vocal cord paralysis was observed,and the patient suffered from repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia.Bronchoscopy revealed hemosputum in the right middle lobe bronchus,and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed tortuous arteries arising from the right inferior phrenic artery and left subclavian artery toward the right middle lobe bronchus.Although bronchial arterial embolization was performed twice to control the recurrent hemoptysis,the procedures were unsuccessful.Right middle lobectomy was therefore performed via video-assisted thoracic surgery.Engorged bronchial arterys with medial hypertrophy and overgrowth of the small branches were noted near the bronchus in the resected specimen.The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 14.
文摘Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) is a useful and relatively safe tool for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. However, there have recently been several reports of tumor seeding after EUS-FNA of adenocarcinomas. A 78-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to upper gastric pain. Examinations revealed a 20 mm mass in the pancreatic body, for which EUS-FNA was performed. The cytology of the lesion was adenocarcinoma, and the stage of the cancer was T3N0M0. The patient underwent surgery with curative intent, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1. An enlarging gastric submucosal tumor was found on gastroscopy at 28 mo after surgery accompanied by a rising level of CA19-9. Biopsy result was adenocarcinoma, consistent with a pancreatic primary tumor. Tumor seeding after EUS-FNA was strongly suspected. The patient underwent surgical resection of the gastric tumor with curative intent. The pathological result of the resected gastric specimen was adenocarcinoma with a perfectly matched mucin special stain result with the previously resected pancreatic cancer. This is the first case report of tumor seeding after EUS-FNA which was surgically resected and inspected pathologically.
文摘The international issue to be addressed towards realizing a low-carbon society is to reduce the amount of carbon-based underground reserves such as coal, petroleum, and coke, and strongly encouraged to use carbon neutral biomass-derived resources. Woodceramics is a hybrid porous carbon material composed of wood-based biomass and phenolic resin, characterized by high far-infrared emissivity and large specific surface area. Woodceramics has been studied as heating elements and humidity and gas sensors, etc. If this is applied to the inner walls of aging and grain drying furnaces for vegetables and fruits, both ripening and drying are greatly promoted and fossil fuels used in boilers can be significantly reduced. In fact, it can produce black garlic with far infrared rays using a woodceramics brick efficiently. Furthermore, as a substitute for phenolic resin, if plant-based liquefied materials from cashew nut shell oil can be prepared and can be used for manufacturing woodceramics, then all carbon neutral circulating woodceramics made from wood-based biomass is possible to manufacture. On the other hand, woodplastics is a composite material that can be made of wooden materials and plastics, and able to expect the effective use of wood-based biomass and waste plastics.
文摘Purpose: To clarify the impact of bone metabolism disorder on lumbago in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Methods: Data was retrospectively analyzed from 52 patients with PD in our outpatient clinic for more than 1 year (mean age, 63 ± 4 years old;mean duration from onset, 6.3 ± 0.8 years). Patients’ characteristics, comorbid musculoskeletal disorders, serum bone metabolism biomarkers, and bone mineral density were examined. Results: Twenty-one PD patients (40.2%) had chronic lumbago. Severe comptocormia and scoliosis were the most common musculosketal disorders in this group (47.6%) affected by lumbago, followed by osteoporosis (14.3%), compression fracture (4.8%). There was no significant difference in the duration of PD, body mass index, frequency of falls, bone mineral density, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b, osteocalcin, and N-terminal telopeptide between PD patients with or without chronic lumbago. Multivaritae logistic regression analysis identified the independent predictors of chroni lumbago in PD patients as Hoen-Yahr stage (odds ration [OR] = 2.794, 95%CI 1.103 - 7.076), and elevated serum 1,25-OH<sub>2</sub> vitamin D level ([OR] = 0.92, 95%CI 0.86 - 98). Conclusion: Bone metabolism disorders are found to be associated with chronic lumbago in PD patients.
文摘It is necessary to decrease the weight of space satellites, while maintaining their stiffness. To achieve this weight reduction, many structures, such as honeycomb and isogrid, have been reported in the literature. In this paper, the diamond rib method, a mechanical design method for improving the stiffness of structures, is introduced. By applying this method to a small space satellite, we propose a new structure called the “Diamond Rib Structure”. This structure significantly improves the ability to withstand the vibrational disturbances in a rocket fairing.
文摘BACKGROUND Varicella-zoster virus(VZV)generally causes chickenpox at first infection in childhood and then establishes latent infection in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord or other nerves.Virus reactivation owing to an impaired immune system causes inflammation along spinal nerves from the affected spinal segment,leading to skin manifestations(herpes zoster).Viremia and subsequent hematogenous transmission and nerve axonal transport of the virus may lead to meningitis,encephalitis,and myelitis.One such case is described in this study.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old man presented with dysuria,pyrexia,and progressive disturbance in consciousness.He had signs of meningeal irritation,and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)analysis revealed marked pleocytosis with mononuclear predominance and a CSF/serum glucose ratio of 0.64.Head magnetic resonance imaging revealed hyperintense areas in the frontal lobes.He had four isolated blisters with papules and halos on his right chest,right lumbar region,and left scapular region.Infected giant cells were detected using the Tzanck test.Degenerated epidermal cells with intranuclear inclusion bodies and ballooning degeneration were present on skin biopsy.Serum VZV antibody titers suggested previous infection,and the CSF tested positive for VZV-DNA.He developed paraplegia,decreased temperature perception in the legs,urinary retention,and fecal incontinence.The patient was diagnosed with meningitis,encephalitis,and myelitis and was treated with acyclovir for 23 days and prednisolone for 14 days.Despite gradual improvement,the urinary retention and gait disturbances persisted as sequelae.CONCLUSION VZV reactivation should be considered in differential diagnoses of patients with sporadic blisters and unexplained central nervous system symptoms.
基金the collaborative research program from the Microwave Energy Transmission Laboratory(METLAB)Research Insti⁃tute for Sustainable Humanosphere(RISH)Kyoto University and National Institute of Information and Communications Technology(NICT),JAPAN under Grant No.02401.
文摘Applications using simultaneous wireless information and power transfer(SWIPT)have increased significantly.Wireless communication technologies can be combined with the Internet of Things to develop many innovative applications using SWIPT,which is mainly based on wireless energy harvesting from electromagnetic waves used in communications.Wireless power transfer that uses magnetrons has been developed for communication technologies.Injection-locked magnetrons that can be used to facilitate high-power SWIPT for several devices are reviewed in this paper.This new technology is expected to pave the way for promoting the application of SWIPT in a wide range of fields.
文摘For a fully chaotic two-dimensional(2D) microcavity laser, we present a theory that guarantees both the existence of a stable single-mode lasing state and the nonexistence of a stable multimode lasing state, under the assumptions that the cavity size is much larger than the wavelength and the external pumping power is sufficiently large. It is theoretically shown that these universal spectral characteristics arise from the synergistic effect of two different kinds of nonlinearities: deformation of the cavity shape and mode interaction due to a lasing medium. Our theory is based on the linear stability analysis of stationary states for the Maxwell–Bloch equations and accounts for single-mode lasing phenomena observed in real and numerical experiments of fully chaotic 2D microcavitylasers.
