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Abstract Laser therapy is the most effective treatment considered for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We compared the foveal morphology of the retina in eyes with a history of ROP to that of full-term children. This cross-sectional comparative study included 74 patients with a history of ROP, aged 4–6 years. Among them, 41 underwent laser treatment for ROP. The clinical findings and retinal morphology in these patients were compared to that of 33 patients who had spontaneous ROP regression and 30 age-matched full-term controls. All the patients with ROP had 20/40 or better best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The foveal thickness was significantly thicker in laser-treated ROP eyes than in regressed ROP eyes and controls. The outer nuclear layer was significantly thicker, and the inner segment (IS) of the photoreceptors and the inner retinal layer were significantly thicker in the laser-treated ROP eyes than that in the control eyes. In the patients with ROP and controls, better BCVA was associated positively with deeper foveal depression, which was associated with a later gestational age. Our results suggest that prematurity and laser treatment affect the foveal morphology and BCVA.

Abstract Background Planar cell polarity (PCP) coordinates the patterning and orientation of cells and their structures along tissue planes, and although its acquisition during the formation of airway epithelium has been described, the mechanisms for its maintenance and reconstruction are poorly understood. We aimed to clarify whether ambient environment change by orthotropic autologous transplantation affected PCP at the cellular level. Methods We performed orthotropic autologous transplantation by inverting tracheal segments in rats, and then performed morphological evaluation by microscopy. The PCP of the tracheal epithelium was assessed over time by analyzing the directions of mucociliary transport and ciliary beat, the positional relationship between the basal body and basal foot, and the bias of Vang-like protein 1 (Vangl1) at 2, 4, and 6 months postoperatively. Results After 2 months, the directions of mucociliary transport and ciliary beat were preserved toward the lung in the inverted tracheal segments. The positional relationship between the basal body and the basal foot, and the bias of Vangl1, also indicated preservation of PCP in the inverted tracheal segments. Similar results were obtained at 6 months. Conclusion The PCP of ciliated epithelium was preserved in reversed trachea, even after long-term observation.

Abstract A calcium (Ca)-deficient hydroxyapatite was investigated for its potential to remove Sr2+ from environmentally relevant water. We conducted sorption tests on solutions containing magnesium ion (Mg2+) and calcium ion (Ca2+) as competing cations at a strontium ion (Sr2+) concentration of 0.05 mmol/L. The Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite maintained a high Sr2+ sorption ratio of above 80% in the presence of Mg2+ and Ca2+ at the concentrations between 0.1 and 1.0 mmol/L, whereas the stoichiometric hydroxyapatite showed a lower ratio even in the presence of small amounts of Mg2+ and Ca2+ (72% for Mg2+ and 51% for Ca2+ at 0.1 mmol/L). For solutions with various Sr2+ concentrations between 0.01 and 10 mmol/L, Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite exhibited a higher Sr2+ sorption ratio than stoichiometric hydroxyapatite. The bonding states of Sr2+ on the Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite were evaluated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements. The results indicated that there are specific sorption sites in Ca-deficient hydroxyapatite where Sr2+ is stably and preferentially immobilized.

Fluidized beds are widely used in industrial processes concerned with heat transfers. In the present study, a measurement technique based on the coupling between particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) and infrared thermography (IT) measurement is proposed. By using the technique, the motion and the temperature of individual particles and its relations with the characteristic flow structures formed in fluidized beds can be investigated simultaneously without disturbing the flow field. After careful preparations, the technique is applied to a two-dimensional gas-fluidized bed under a spouting condition and the motion and the temperature of individual particles influenced by the bubble occurrence are clearly observed.

Abstract Aims Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) affect each other and are often co‐morbid. The fact that HF development is not uncommon even after ablation suggests that we need a deeper understanding of the pathology of these conditions. Atrial myocardial degeneration is an underlying factor in AF patients and may be associated with HF development after ablation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of low‐voltage areas (LVAs) on HF prognosis after AF ablation. Methods and results This observational study included 1481 consecutive patients undergoing initial ablation for AF. Left atrial LVAs were defined as regions with a bipolar peak‐to‐peak voltage of

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and neutron diffraction experiments were carried out to clarify the typical features of the local structure of a family of medium-entropy alloys (CrCoNi, MnCoNi, and FeCoNi). A simple random cluster model was constructed for analyzing EXAFS spectra, and static and dynamic components of the mean-square relative displacement (MSRD) were separately extracted. In our analysis, the static MSRD of the MnCoNi sample was slightly larger than those of the CrCoNi and FeCoNi samples, whereas the dynamic MSRDs of these samples were almost identical. Based on the complementary neutron diffraction data, we argued that the origin of the large static displacement in the MnCoNi alloy can be associated with a short-range structural transformation through long-term structural relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hyper progressive disease (HPD) is a paradoxical phenomenon characterized by accelerated tumor growth following treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, the pathogenic causality and its predictor remain unknown. We herein report a fatal case of HPD in a 50-year-old man with metastatic bladder cancer. He had achieved a complete response (CR) through chemoradiation therapy followed by twelve cycles of chemotherapy, maintaining CR for 24 months. Three weeks after initiating maintenance use of a PD-L1 inhibitor, avelumab, a massive amount of metastases developed, leading to the patient’s demise. Omics analysis, utilizing metastatic tissues obtained from an immediate autopsy, implied the contribution of M2 macrophages, TGF-β signaling, and interleukin-8 to HPD pathogenesis.

Abstract Background Currently, only limited knowledge is available regarding the phenotypic association between fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) alterations and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in bladder cancer (BLCA). Methods A multi-omics analysis on 389 BLCA and 35 adjacent normal tissues from a cohort of OMPU-NCC Consortium Japan was retrospectively performed by integrating the whole-exome and RNA-sequence dataset and clinicopathological record. A median follow-up duration of all BLCA cohort was 31 months. Results FGFR3 alterations (aFGFR3), including recurrent mutations and fusions, accounted for 44% of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and 15% of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Within MIBC, the consensus subtypes LumP was significantly more prevalent in aFGFR3, whereas the Ba/Sq subtype exhibited similarity between intact FGFR3 (iFGFR3) and aFGFR3 cases. We revealed that basal markers were significantly increased in MIBC/aFGFR3 compared to MIBC/iFGFR3. Transcriptome analysis highlighted TIM3 as the most upregulated immune-related gene in iFGFR3, with differential immune cell compositions observed between iFGFR3 and aFGFR3. Using EcoTyper, TME heterogeneity was discerned even within aFGFR cases, suggesting potential variations in the response to checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs). Among 72 patients treated with CPIs, the objective response rate (ORR) was comparable between iFGFR3 and aFGFR3 (20% vs 31%; p = 0.467). Strikingly, a significantly higher ORR was noted in LumP/aFGFR3 compared to LumP/iFGFR3 (50% vs 5%; p = 0.022). This trend was validated using data from the IMvigor210 trial. Additionally, several immune-related genes, including IDO1, CCL24, IL1RL1, LGALS4, and NCAM (CD56) were upregulated in LumP/iFGFR3 compared to LumP/aFGFR3 cases. Conclusions Differential pathways influenced by aFGFR3 were observed between NMIBC and MIBC, highlighting the upregulation of both luminal and basal markers in MIBC/aFGFR3. Heterogeneous TME was identified within MIBC/aFGFR3, leading to differential outcomes for CPIs. Specifically, a favorable ORR in LumP/aFGFR3 and a poor ORR in LumP/iFGFR3 were observed. We propose TIM3 as a potential target for iFGFR3 (ORR: 20%) and several immune checkpoint genes, including IDO1 and CCL24, for LumP/iFGFR3 (ORR: 5%), indicating promising avenues for precision immunotherapy for BLCA.

Abstract Background There is little evidence of abiraterone acetate (AA) plus prednisone for patients with non‐metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of real‐world survival outcomes between AA plus prednisone and enzalutamide (Enz) in patients with nmCRPC, utilizing our consortium dataset. Materials and Methods The clinical records of 133 nmCRPC patients treated with first‐line Enz or AA plus prednisone were analyzed. The primary endpoints of the study were overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS). Cumulative incidence function (CIF) using Fine and Gray models was also utilized to assess non‐cancer‐caused death considering the competing risk of cancer‐caused death. Results During a median follow‐up of 36 months, 34 patients (25.6%) had deceased, with a median OS of 99 months in the entire cohort. There were no significant differences in comorbidities between the Enz and AA groups. Time to PSA progression (TTPP: HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.51–1.30, P = 0.375) and CSS (HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.55–3.44, P = 0.5141) were comparable between the two groups. However, intriguingly, there was a trend towards shorter OS in patients treated with AA plus prednisone compared to Enz (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.29–1.12, P = 0.0978, median of 99 and 69 months in Enz and AA groups, respectively). CIF analysis revealed that nmCRPC patients treated with AA plus prednisone were more likely to result in non‐cancer‐caused death than those treated with Enz (HR 5.22, 95% CI 1.88–14.50, P = 0.0014). Conclusions Our real‐world survival analysis suggests that while AA plus prednisone may demonstrate comparable treatment efficacy to Enz in the context of nmCRPC, there may be an increased risk of non‐cancer‐caused death. Physicians should take into consideration this information when making treatment decisions for patients with nmCRPC.

This study investigates the impact of different control strategies on the performance of a single desiccant wheel dehumidifier with a heat recovery in real-world applications. A method to minimize the performance fluctuation as an effect of dynamic system performance response is proposed. First, the effect of regeneration heat input (Qin) changes on the system performance of the above dehumidifier was clarified. Second, the performance behavior was examined in response to transient conditions for different operation modes and was used to determine the most effective operation mode. Qin was assumed to change over time, which would influence the regeneration temperature and airflow velocity. The results showed that fluctuating Qin reduces the dehumidification capacity (ΔX) and coefficient of regeneration performance (COPreg). Therefore, a rotational control speed was implemented in the optimum operation mode, which was effective in preventing the system performance decline and accelerated the emergence of the rotational speed control effect.

Identifying prostate cancer patients who may respond well to PARP inhibitors is important for their success in the clinic. Here, using a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen, the authors identify MMS22L as a biomarker for sensitivity to PARP inhibition in BRCA1/2-proficient prostate cancer.

Abstract Aims The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of catheter ablation on cardiac structural reverse remodelling and atrial (AFMR) and ventricular (VFMR) functional mitral regurgitation (MR), and the long‐term prognosis of patients with AFMR and VFMR. Methods and results The retrospective study included persistent AF patients who had AFMR (n = 136, left atrial (LA) volume index >30 mL/m2 and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≥40%) or VFMR (n = 31, LV ejection fraction

Carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary tract comprises 1–3% of all urothelial malignancies and is often a precursor to muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC). This study aimed to examine the expression profiles of preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME), a cancer/testis antigen, and assess its diagnostic and therapeutic applications in CIS, given that its expression in UC has been minimally studied and has not yet been analyzed in CIS. We selected consecutive patients with CIS who underwent biopsy and/or transurethral tumor resection at the Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital. Immunohistochemical staining for PRAME and p53 was performed. Overall, 53 patients with CIS (6 females and 47 males) were included. Notably, PRAME expression was observed in 23 of the 53 patients (43.4%), whereas it was absent in the non-neoplastic urothelial epithelium. Furthermore, no correlation was found between PRAME expression and aberrant p53 expression. Therefore, PRAME expression may serve as a useful marker for CIS of the urinary tract. Furthermore, PRAME may be a candidate for the novel therapeutic target for standard treatment-refractory CIS patients.

Abstract Parameter optimization is a long-standing challenge in various production processes. Particularly, powder film forming processes entail multiscale and multiphysical phenomena, each of which is usually controlled by a combination of several parameters. Therefore, it is difficult to optimize the parameters either by numerical-model-based analysis or by “brute force” experiment-based exploration. In this study, we focus on a Bayesian optimization method that has led to breakthroughs in materials informatics. Specifically, we apply this method to exploration of production-process-parameter for the powder film forming process. To this end, a slurry containing a powder, polymer, and solvent was dropped, the drying temperature and time were controlled as parameters to be explored, and the uniformity of the fabricated film was evaluated. Using this experiment-based Bayesian optimization system, we searched for the optimal parameters among 32,768 (85) parameter sets to minimize defects. This optimization converged at 40 experiments, which is a substantially smaller number than that observed in brute-force exploration and traditional design-of-experiments methods. Furthermore, we inferred the mechanism corresponding to the unknown drying conditions discovered in the parameter exploration that resulted in uniform film formation. This demonstrates that a data-driven approach leads to high-throughput exploration and the discovery of novel parameters, which inspire further research.

In-stent calcified nodules (CNs) are one of the mechanisms of in-stent restenosis, but their underlying cause has not been elucidated. We report a case of a patient with early stent thrombosis due to an in-stent CN only 2 weeks after drug-eluting stent implantation. The fact that the in-stent CN was detected only 2 weeks after the initial percutaneous coronary intervention means that the underlying mechanism was the progression of the CN, indicating that in-stent CNs can occur even in the subacute phase. After percutaneous coronary intervention for a severe calcified lesion, very early progression of CNs can occur, and they require close follow-up and intensive antiplatelet therapy. Résumé: La présence d’un nodule calcifié (NC) est l’un des facteurs pouvant donner lieu à une resténose intra-endoprothèse, mais la cause sous-jacente n’est pas encore bien comprise. Nous décrivons ici le cas d’une patiente qui a subi une thrombose précoce due à un NC à l’intérieur de la prothèse à peine deux semaines après la mise en place d’une endoprothèse médicamentée. La détection du NC dans la prothèse seulement deux semaines après l’intervention percutanée initiale signifie que la progression du NC constitue la cause sous-jacente et indique que des NC peuvent survenir même au cours de la phase subaiguë. Après une intervention coronarienne percutanée pour traiter une lésion calcifiée grave, une progression très précoce des NC peut avoir lieu, d’où l’importance d’un suivi rigoureux et d’un traitement antiplaquettaire intensif.

CO2 capture from air is crucial in achieving negative emissions. Based on conventional or newly developed high-enriching processes, we investigated the rough enrichment of CO2 from air via an externally heated or cooled adsorber (temperature-swing adsorption, TSA), along with air purge using double-pipe heat exchangers packed with low-volatility polyamine-loaded silica. A simple adsorption–desorption cycle was attempted in a TSA experiment, by varying the temperature from 20 °C to 60 °C using moist air, yielding an average CO2 concentration of product gas that was ~17 times higher than the feed air, but the CO2 recovery rate was poor. A double-step adsorption process was applied to increase CO2 adsorption and recovery simultaneously. In this process, substantial-CO2-concentration gas was used as the product gas, and the remaining gas was used as the reflux feed gas for adsorber. This method can provide a product gas with ~100 times higher CO2 concentration than raw gas, with a recovery ratio ~60% under the shortest adsorption/desorption time and the longest refluxing time of cycle operation. Therefore, the refluxing step significantly helped to enhance CO2 capture via adsorption from elevated-CO2-concentration recirculating gas. With this CO2 concentration, the product gas can serve as the CO2 supplement for the growing plant processes.

Abstract Background Although several clinical reports demonstrated a durable patency rate after a novel fluoropolymer-coated paclitaxel-eluting stent (Eluvia; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) placement, aneurysmal degeneration after drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) placement has raised clinical concerns. Here, we report a case with progressive aneurysm formation on serial angiography and intravascular ultrasound over 50 months after drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) placement for a superficial femoral artery atheromatous plaque. Case presentation A 79-year-old woman with right leg intermittent claudication at 100 m distance was referred to our hospital. Pre-procedural angiography showed long-segment severe stenosis from the middle-to-distal part of the right superficial femoral artery, and a 7 mm wide drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) was placed. However, the patient had a recurrence of intermittent claudication in the right lower extremity 25 months thereafter. Angiography revealed de novo stenosis in the distal part of the popliteal artery and proximal superficial femoral artery in-stent restenosis. Subsequently, the patient underwent endovascular therapy for these lesions. In addition, intravascular ultrasound at the time of endovascular therapy revealed femoral artery enlargement with a maximum vessel diameter of 10.0 mm at the distal edge of the stent. Intermittent claudication on the right side recurred again 50 months after drug-eluting stent (Eluvia). Angiography demonstrated de novo severe stenosis from the distal part of the superficial femoral artery to the middle part of the popliteal artery. Peri-stent contrast staining was found at the distal part of the drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) site. Intravascular ultrasound showed a further enlargement of maximum vessel diameter to 12.0 mm at the distal edge of the stent. Conclusions We report a case with progressive aneurysm degeneration on serial angiography and intravascular ultrasound over 50 months after drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) placement for a superficial femoral artery stenosis.

A 61-year-old man presented with chronic limb threatening ischemia due to reocclusion of a femoropopliteal (FP) bypass using a saphenous vein graft (SVG). After performing endovascular intervention using plain angioplasty and drug-coated balloon and drug-eluting stent implantation of the proximal anastomosis of FP bypass, refractory early reocclusion occurred during the perioperative period. Thus, we decided to alternatively place a stent-graft in the occluded FP bypass. After the SVG had been dilated using a high-pressure balloon, a stent-graft was successfully placed. This alternative therapy using a stent-graft prevented SVG FP bypass reocclusion, and the patient's ulcers had completely healed within 1 month.

Abstract Background We assessed the prognostic value of body mass index (BMI) in Asian patients with localized RCC who underwent nephrectomy. Methods A total of 665 patients who underwent nephrectomy for localized RCC were enrolled in the present study and divided into the two BMI groups: i.e., BMI 25 in 202 (30.4%) patients. Results In total, there were 482 (72.5%) males and 183 (27.5%) females. Five-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were significantly higher in increased BMI than the lower BMI group (97.1 and 92.5%: P = 0.007). When stratified by sex, significantly longer CSS in higher BMI was confirmed in males (5-year CSS of 92.7% in BMI 25, p = 0.005), while there was no difference in CSS between BMI groups for female patients. Multivariable analysis exhibited that higher BMI was an independent predictor for favorable CSS in male (cox model: p = 0.041, Fine & Gray regression model: p = 0.014), but not in the female. Subgroup analysis for CSS revealed that favorable CSS with higher BMI was observed in patient subgroups of age 4 cm, p = 0.020) as well as male (p = 0.020). Conclusion Our findings collected from the multi-institutional Japanese dataset demonstrated longer survival in patients with higher BMI than lower BMI for non-metastatic RCC treated with nephrectomy. Intriguingly, this finding was restricted to males, but not to females.

Background Stent thrombosis (ST) remains a significant medical issue. In particular, longer‐term mortality and clinical predictors after ST occurrence have yet to be elucidated. Methods and Results This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational study. A total of 187 definite ST cases from January 2008 to December 2017 were enrolled, and the long‐term clinical outcomes were investigated. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative mortality after ST occurrence. In addition, independent predictors of mortality were assessed. Among the stent types causing ST, bare‐metal stent, first‐generation drug‐eluting stent, second‐generation drug‐eluting stent, and third‐generation drug‐eluting stent comprised 31.0%, 19.3%, 36.9%, and 6.4% of cases, respectively. Median duration from stent implantation to ST was 680.5 (interquartile range, 33.8–2450.5) days. Cumulative mortality was 14.6%, 17.4%, 21.2%, 24.4%, and 33.8% at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively. The cumulative mortality did not significantly differ by type of stent, and mortality of late ST was higher than that of early ST and very late ST; however, it did not reach statistical significance after the multivariate analysis. Independent predictors of mortality were hemodialysis (hazard ratio [HR], 7.80; 95% CI, 3.07–19.81; P

The article introduces a magnetic resonance imaging methodology that provides internal granular velocity measurements that are faster compared to previous work. Topics discussed include article position measurements, particle velocity measurements, granular shock wave measurements and design and construction of the 16-channel radio frequency (RF) detector array.

Abstract Background Early arterial healing after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation may enable short dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) strategy. The impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on this healing has not been elucidated. We used coronary angioscopy (CAS) to compare intravascular status of DM and non-DM patients in the early phase after DES implantation. Methods This study was a multicenter retrospective observational study. We analyzed CAS findings of 337 lesions from 270 patients evaluated 3–5 months after DES implantation. We divided the lesion into two groups: DM (n = 149) and non-DM (n = 188). We assessed neointimal coverage (NIC) grades (dominant, maximum and minimum), thrombus adhesion and maximum yellow color grade. NIC was graded as follows: grade 0, stent struts were not covered; grade 1, stent struts were covered by thin layer; grade 2, stent struts were buried under neointima. Yellow color was graded as grade 0, white; grade 1, light yellow; grade 2, yellow; grade 3, intensive yellow. Results Minimum NIC grade was significantly lower in DM than in non-DM groups (p = 0.002), whereas dominant and maximum NIC grades were similar between them (p = 0.59 and p = 0.94, respectively), as were thrombus adhesion (44.3% vs. 38.8%, p = 0.32) and maximum yellow color grade (p = 0.78). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that DM was an independent predictor of minimum NIC of grade 0 (odds ratio: 2.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.19–3.86, p = 0.011). Conclusions DM patients showed more uncovered struts than non-DM patients 3–5 months after DES implantation, suggesting that the recent ultra-short DAPT strategy might not be easily applied to DM patients.

Abstract Background Disappearance of pulmonary vein (PV) potentials is an important indicator of successful PV isolation during cryoballoon ablation. Conventional octapolar 20‐mm‐diameter circular PV mapping catheters occasionally fail to identify persistent PV potentials. A new decapolar 25‐mm‐diameter circular PV mapping catheter has been introduced to improve the detection of PV potentials and their elimination. We compared the detection rates of PV potential disappearance between the decapolar and the octapolar PV mapping catheters. Methods and Results A total of 44 consecutive patients (175 PVs) undergoing initial cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation were included. The decapolar catheter was used for 79 (45%) PVs in 20 (45%) patients. There was no difference in left atrial diameter or PV diameter in patients mapped with the two catheters. The decapolar mapping catheter demonstrated a significantly higher detection rate of PV potential disappearance than the octapolar catheter. The need for touch‐up ablation was similar between the two groups (5% vs 8%, P = 0.39). When PV potentials were identified, the decapolar catheter detected significantly higher‐amplitude PV potentials than the octapolar catheter. In multivariate analysis, use of the decapolar catheter was an independent predictor of the detection of PV potential disappearance. Conclusions The decapolar PV mapping catheter demonstrated improved detection of PV potential disappearance in cryoballoon PV isolation.

We developed a novel chemically modified miR-143 (miR-143#12), and with it we investigated the contribution of miR-143 to the pathogenesis of bladder cancer (BC), in which miR-143 is extremely downregulated. Since miR-143 silenced K-RAS and RAS effector-signaling molecules Erk and Akt, we performed the ectopic expression of miR-143 in human BC 253J-BV cells, and we examined the growth inhibition and the mechanism of it in vitro and in orthotopic model mice. As a result, miR-143#12 induced a marked growth inhibition with apoptosis through impairing RAS-signaling networks, including SOS1, which exchanges guanosine diphosphate (GDP)/RAS for active guanosine triphosphate (GTP)/RAS. In the in vivo study, miR-143#12 exhibited a marked anti-tumor activity by either systemic or intravesical administration with polyionic copolymer (PIC) as the carrier, compared with the activity obtained by use of lipofection. These findings raised the possibility that the chemically modified miR-143#12 would be a candidate of microRNA (miRNA) medicine for BC delivered by intravesical infusion. Keywords: miR-143, K-RAS, SOS1, bladder cancer, PI3K/Akt, MEK/Erk signaling, intravesical infusion

Background The efficacy of low‐voltage‐area (LVA) ablation has not been well determined. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of LVA ablation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation on rhythm outcomes in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and Results VOLCANO (Catheter Ablation Targeting Low‐Voltage Areas After Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Patients) trial included paroxysmal AF patients undergoing initial AF ablation. Of 398 patients in whom a left atrial voltage map was obtained after pulmonary vein isolation, 336 (85%) had no LVA (group A). The remaining 62 (15%) patients with LVAs were randomly allocated to undergo LVA ablation (group B, n=30) or not (group C, n=32) in a 1:1 fashion. Primary end point was 1‐year AF‐recurrence‐free survival rate. No adverse events related to LVA ablation occurred. Procedural (124±40 versus 95±33 minutes, P=0.003) and fluoroscopic times (29±11 versus 24±8 minutes, P=0.034) were longer in group B than group C. Patients with LVAs demonstrated lower AF‐recurrence‐free survival rates (88%) than those without LVA (B, 57%, P

Abstract Background Okinoerabu Island and Tokunoshima Island lie in the sea to the south of the Japanese mainland, about 100 km north of Okinawa and about 500 km south of Kyushu. There are no facilities that specialize in kidney transplants, so the patients need to leave the island to undergo the procedure. Up to a few years ago, there were less than five kidney transplant patients on the island. We report the status of transplant medicine on these remote islands, including concrete methods for periodic examinations and how emergencies are handled. Case presentation Recipient age was 60.0 ± 8.9 years (mean ± SD); 15 were males and 10 were females. Donor age was 57.9 ± 8.48 years (mean ± SD); 14 were males and 11 were females. Recipient diseases leading to ESRD were diabetes (36.0%), chronic glomerulonephritis (28.0%), and ADPKD (12.0%). The duration of dialysis prior to transplantation was 382.6 ± 233.2 days (mean ± SD). We physicians specializing in kidney transplants formed an alliance with local facilities a few years back to create specialized outpatient facilities, and the number of transplant patients has gradually increased. Delayed graft function was observed in only one patient, biopsy-proven acute rejection in four patients, and chronic allograft nephropathy in two patients. In these cases, the local doctor performed the treatment in their facilities under our direction. Most of the treatments were performed safely and successfully. The mean follow-up period was 1208 ± 1809 days. None of the patients has had graft loss, with mean SCr (serum Cr level) of 1.35 ± 0.85 mg/dl. Conclusions To coordinate medical care recipients with their primary care physicians, physicians specializing in kidney transplants no longer need to travel long distances to receive follow-up outpatients. Recently, likelihood of kidney transplantation has been much higher among these islands. The number of transplant patients has gradually increased.

Abstract Background No standard chemotherapy regimen for advanced urothelial cancer has been established, except for cisplatin-based regimens. We report the case of a patient with double primary cancer, urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract and colorectal cancer, who underwent oxaliplatin-based chemotherapies. Case presentation A 56-year-old Japanese man presented to our hospital with the diagnosis of a left renal pelvic tumor and rectal cancer. Several examinations including ureteroscopic biopsy and computed tomography-guided biopsy were performed; however, the diagnosis of renal pelvic cancer could not be made. Because the rectal cancer had been growing during the course of examination, he underwent five cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. The volumes of both the rectal cancer and renal pelvic tumor drastically decreased. He then underwent pelvic evisceration with colostomy and ureterocutaneostomy. The histological diagnosis of the renal pelvic tumor was urothelial carcinoma. He is free of disease at 12 months after the treatment. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing a remarkable response to fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan therapy for renal pelvic cancer. We suggest fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan is an effective therapy for patients with advanced urothelial cancer.

The interplay of spin-orbit coupling with other relevant parameters gives rise to the rich phase competition in complex ruthenates featuring octahedrally coordinated Ru4+. While locally, spin-orbit coupling stabilizes a nonmagnetic Jeff = 0 state, intersite interactions resolve one of two distinct phases at low temperatures: an excitonic magnet stabilized by the magnetic exchange of upper-lying Jeff = 1 states or Ru2 molecular orbital dimers driven by direct orbital overlap. Pyrochlore ruthenates A2Ru2O7 (A = rare earth, Y) are candidate excitonic magnets with geometrical frustration. We synthesized In2Ru2O7 with covalent In-O bonds. This pyrochlore ruthenate hosts a local Jeff = 0 state at high temperatures; however, at low temperatures, it forms a unique nonmagnetic ground state with nearly linear Ru-O-Ru molecules, in stark contrast to other A2Ru2O7 compounds. The disproportionation of covalent In-O bonds drives Ru2O molecule formation, quenching not only the local spin-orbit singlet but also geometrical frustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveThis study investigated post-traumatic stress symptoms in relation to the population affected by the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, one year after the disaster. Additionally, we investigated social factors, such as forced displacement, which we hypothesize contributed to the high prevalence of post-traumatic stress. Finally, we report of written narratives that were collected from the impacted population.Design and settingsUsing the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), questionnaires were sent to 2,011 households of those displaced from Fukushima prefecture living temporarily in Saitama prefecture. Of the 490 replies; 350 met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine several characteristics and variables of social factors as predictors of probable post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD.ResultsThe mean score of IES-R was 36.15±21.55, with 59.4% having scores of 30 or higher, thus indicating a probable PTSD. No significant differences in percentages of high-risk subjects were found among sex, age, evacuation area, housing damages, tsunami affected, family split-up, and acquaintance support. By the result of multiple logistic regression analysis, the significant predictors of probable PTSD were chronic physical diseases (OR = 1.97), chronic mental diseases (OR = 6.25), worries about livelihood (OR = 2.27), lost jobs (OR = 1.71), lost social ties (OR = 2.27), and concerns about compensation (OR = 3.74).ConclusionAlthough there are limitations in assuming a diagnosis of PTSD based on self-report IES-R, our findings indicate that there was a high-risk of PTSD strongly related to the nuclear disaster and its consequent evacuation and displacement. Therefore, recovery efforts must focus not only on medical and psychological treatment alone, but also on social and economic issues related to the displacement, as well.

We develop a dark-field X-ray microscope using full-field optics based on a synchrotron beamline. Our setup consists of a condenser system and a microscope objective with an angular acceptance larger than that of the condenser. The condenser system is moved downstream from its regular position such that the focus of the condenser is behind the objective. The dark-field microscope optics are configured by excluding the converging beam from the condenser at the focal point. The image properties of the system are evaluated by observing and calculating a Siemens star test chart with 10 keV X-rays. Our setup allows easy switching to bright-field imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The response of granular materials to plate drag is numerically studied using a large-scale discrete element method (DEM) simulation. The effect of the initial volume fraction of the materials on the drag force acting on the plate is examined. The results show that a volume-fraction-dependent bifurcation occurs in the force; in an initially loose granular bed, the force reaches an approximately constant value as the plate advances, while in an initially dense bed, the force oscillates with a large amplitude. The force oscillation is attributed to the periodic evolution of a shear band formed only in the dense bed. The behaviors of the drag force and shear band, which depend on the initial volume fraction in the DEM simulation, are in close agreement with those obtained experimentally in previous studies [N. Gravish et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 128301 (2010); Phys. Rev. E 89, 042202 (2014)]. Further analysis using the DEM simulation shows that the formation of the shear band is explained by the local dilation and compaction of the granular materials induced by the plate drag. Independent of the volume fraction, materials dilate in a wedge-shaped flow region that formed in front of the plate. In the loose bed, a compacted front builds up ahead of the flow region. Because the compacted front advances into a weaker undisturbed region, the flow region behind the front can constantly advance. On the other hand, in the dense bed, the materials largely dilate in a disturbed flow region formed in front of the plate. Because a denser undisturbed region is more stable compared to the flow region, the flow region is strongly confined. As a result, the shear strain is localized along a flow boundary between these regions, and the shear band develops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sinking of an intruder sphere into a powder bed in the apparently fixed bed regime exhibits complex behavior in the sinking rate and the final depth when the sphere density is close to the powder bed density. Evidence is adduced that the intruder sphere locally fluidizes the apparently fixed powder bed, allowing the formation of voids and percolation bubbles that facilitates spheres to sink slower but deeper than expected. By adjusting the air injection rate and the sphere-to-powder bed density ratio, this phenomenon provides the basis of a sensitive large particle separation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]