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Double concave friction pendulum system (DCFPS) performs well in the vibration control of building structures, while its effectiveness is limited due to the absence of considering the interrelation between design parameters, ground motion (GM) characteristics, friction heating and seismic responses. By systematically evaluating the optimum design parameters for DCFPS under different strong GM classifications and taking into account the effect of friction heating, this paper contributes a comprehensive understanding of the optimum design solutions for DCFPS. To provide a precise characterization of the effect of friction heating and loading conditions on the responses, an analytical model for DCFPS in the SDOF structure is established, and its accuracy in characterizing the friction heating effect is validated by full-scale bearings under different dynamic loading conditions. Based on this, the friction coefficient considering the influence of friction heating under strong GMs is applied in the seismic design. Subsequently, from the perspective of GM generation, strong GM records are categorized based on earthquake magnitude, distance-to-fault and soil conditions to indicate their magnitudes and spectral attributes. Then, the optimal design parameters are investigated for different GM classifications considering the effect of friction heating and response restrictions using response magnitude as criterion, and the effect of GM characteristics on the response and design parameters of DCFPS is investigated. It was found that, the consideration of residual displacement restriction and friction heating shows critical influence on the optimum selection of design parameters. Furthermore, the optimum friction coefficient is highly related to distance-to-fault, while the optimum range of isolation period is minimally influenced by GM characteristics. On top of these, a performance-based design method of FPS considering three performance criteria corresponding to three GM intensity levels is proposed, providing an effective method for mitigating the vibration of FPS under GMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is an echocardiographic measure to detect chemotherapy-related cardiovascular dysfunction. However, its limited availability and the needed expertise may restrict its generalization. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based GLS might overcome these challenges. Our aims are to explore the agreements between AI-based GLS and conventional GLS, and to assess whether the agreements were influenced by expertise levels, cardiac remodeling and cardiovascular diseases/risks. Echocardiographic images in the apical four-chamber view of left ventricle were retrospectively analyzed based on AI-based GLS in patients treated with chemotherapy, and correlation between AI-based GLS (Caas Qardia, Pie Medical Imaging) and conventional GLS (Vivid E9/VividE95, GE Healthcare) were assessed. The agreement between unexperienced physicians ("GLS beginner") and experienced echocardiographer were also assessed. Among 94 patients (mean age 69 ± 12 years, 73% female), mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 64 ± 6%, 14% of patients had left ventricular hypertrophy, and 21% had left atrial enlargement. Mean GLS was − 15.9 ± 3.4% and − 19.0 ± 3.7% for the AI and conventional method, respectively. There was a moderate correlation between these methods (rho = 0.74; p < 0.01), and bias was − 3.1% (95% limits of agreement: -8.1 to 2.0). The reproducibility between GLS beginner and an experienced echocardiographer was numerically better in the AI method than the conventional method (inter-observer agreement = 0.82 vs. 0.68). The agreements were consistent across abnormal cardiac structure and function categories (p-for-interaction > 0.10). In patients treated with chemotherapy. AI-based GLS was moderately correlated with conventional GLS and provided a numerically better reproducibility compared with conventional GLS, regardless of different levels of expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A noninvasive, immediate, and convenient method for assessing muscle tissue status during exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) has not been established. This study was designed to assess and determine parameters suitable for measuring EIMD after eccentric exercise, using multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA). Thirty-five young male participants performed dumbbell exercises with their left arm, and their BIA parameters were measured at various time points up to 168 h post exercise using a multi-frequency BIA device. At all-time points, intra and extracellular water content was greater in the left arm than in the right arm, whereas the impedance, reactance, resistance, and phase angle were lower in the left arm than in the right arm. Established EIMD indices, such as maximal isometric voluntary contraction, were measured and used in correlational analyses. Only reactance was correlated with biomarkers, indicating muscle damage (r = − 0.56 to − 0.49). Furthermore, reactance was found to correlate well with indirect indicators of EIMD, suggesting that it may be a suitable marker for evaluating EIMD. However, the relationship with the limited evaluation indices employed in this study is constrained. Future studies should investigate the correlation between reactance and direct damage indicators, such as structural damage, observed in biopsies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluid dynamics studies have proposed that coronary flow reserve can be calculated from coronary artery pressure instead of coronary blood flow. We sought to investigate the diagnostic performance of pressure-bounded coronary flow reserve (pb-CFR) compared with CFR measured by conventional thermodilution method (CFRthermo) in the clinical setting. Pressure guidewire was used to measure CFRthermo and fractional flow reserve (FFR) in left anterior descending coronary artery in 62 patients with stable coronary artery disease. Pb-CFR was calculated only with resting distal coronary artery pressure (Pd), resting aortic pressure (Pa) and FFR. Pb-CFR was moderately correlated with CFRthermo (r = 0.54, P < 0.001). Pb-CFR showed a poor agreement with CFRthermo, presenting large values of mean difference and root mean square deviation (1.5 ± 1.4). Pb-CFR < 2.0 predicted CFRthermo < 2.0 with an accuracy of 79%, sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 78%, positive predictive value of 48%, negative predictive value of 95%. The discordance presenting CFRthermo < 2.0 and pb-CFR ≥ 2.0 was associated with diffuse disease (P < 0.001). The discordance presenting CFRthermo ≥ 2 and pb-CFR < 2 was associated with a high FFR (P = 0.002). Pb-CFR showed moderate correlation and poor agreement with CFRthermo. Pb-CFR might be reliable in excluding epicardial coronary artery disease and microcirculatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) has a wide range of severity. We investigate the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) particle production and severity of RRP. From September 2005 to June 2021, 68 RRP samples (from 29 patients) were included. HPV type was determined. HPV viral load, physical status, and demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for p16, Ki-67, L1, and E4. We used NanoSuit-CLEM (correlative light and electron microscopy) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine the samples. The total number of surgeries in HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases were 3.78 (n = 55/68, range: 1–16) and 1.30 (n = 13/68, range: 1–3), respectively (p = 0.02). IHC showed that L1 and E4 were correlated and expressed on the tumour surface. NanoSuit-CLEM and TEM revealed HPV particles in L1-positive nuclei. L1 IHC-positive cases had a shorter surgical interval (p < 0.01) and more frequent surgeries (p = 0.04). P16 IHC, viral load, and physical status were not associated with disease severity. This study visualised HPV particle production in RRP for the first time. Persistent HPV particle infection was associated with severity. We suggest L1 IHC for evaluating RRP severity in addition to the Derkay score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-span steel structures have been widely adopted in stadiums, airports, factories, and train stations because they provide a large space for multi-functional use. To ensure business continuity, post-earthquake damage surveys and structural status estimation of such important and large-spaced buildings have attracted increasing attention. Structural health monitoring of buildings using accelerometers is already in widespread use; however, measuring the acceleration response alone cannot directly estimate the damage of individual structural members. Another potential approach is to measure strain; however, its application to building structures is very limited. The goal of this study is to establish a method for quantitatively determining the damage of a large-scale truss structure immediately after an earthquake. Truss structure specimens were statically loaded or shaken by a shaking table to cause buckling damage, and the relationship between the changes in acceleration and strain response before and after buckling and the progress of the damage were investigated. The response properties of both acceleration and strain changed as buckling damage progressed. However, the strain amplitude measured on the chord members showed significant change according to the progress of buckling damage, while the changes in the predominant frequency and mode shape calculated from the acceleration response were small. It was shown that the observed out-of-plane deformation was almost linear to the strain response, indicating the possibility of quantitative assessment of damage by strain measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the cumulative damage of seismic members is an important issue in seismic design. Steel beams are the primary components of seismic moment-resisting frames, wherein the story drift angle and ductility factor with respect to the number of cycles are used as indices of the degree of damage. The former is widely used in the United States and several other countries, whereas the latter is used in Japan. Additionally, these indices are used to express the plastic deformation capacity up to the ultimate state determined by fracture or other failure modes. In this study, an appropriate evaluation method was developed based on the numerical analysis of sub-assemblies for determining the cumulative damage and plastic deformation capacity of steel beams. The analytical results indicate that a unified evaluation is possible based on the relationship between the ductility factor of the beam of each steel grade and the number of cycles to fracture. The proposed method can be used regardless of geometric conditions, except in the case of short-span beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shaking table test, which is generally conducted using reduced-scale frames to investigate the collapse behavior of structures during underground motion, is an effective method in the seismic engineering field. However, unlike the shaking table test with full-scale frames, those with reduced-scale frames possess several problems owing to the scaling effect. This paper proposes a novel experimental method for performing the shaking table test with reduced-scale frames to overcome these problems; this method is known as the "inverted shaking table." Through a series of experiments using this method and two earthquake records as inputs without modifying the time axis, the elastoplastic behaviors of reduced-scale steel frames are obtained up to their collapse owing to the P-Δ effect. Additionally, the changes in the collapse process are studied by changing the vertical load on the test specimens. The test results obtained in this study are validated using the response analysis of a single degree-of-freedom system, which reveals that the hysteresis and acceleration multiplier of the input wave obtained using the response analysis and test for each specimen are approximately the same. This indicates that the proposed method is effective for reproducing the frame behavior up to collapse for specimens with portable components and using general experimental apparatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bisphosphonates (BPs) have been shown to reduce the incidence of vertebral fractures during the first year or two of glucocorticoid (GC) treatments and are therefore recommended as a first-line treatment for GC-induced osteoporosis (GIO). However, there are theoretical concerns about the long-term use of BPs in low-turnover osteoporosis caused by chronic GC therapy. Materials and methods: We analyzed the trabecular microarchitecture, bone metabolism, and material strength of iliac crest bone biopsy samples from 10 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received an average of 6.7 years of BP therapy for GIO (GIOBP group), compared with those of 10 age- and bone mineral density (BMD)-matched non-rheumatoid arthritis postmenopausal women (reference group). Results: Patients in the GIOBP group had a significantly greater fracture severity index, as calculated from the number and the extent of vertebral fractures compared with the reference patients. Micro-computed tomography analysis showed that the degree of mineralization and trabecular microarchitecture were significantly lower in the GIOBP group than in the reference patients. Patients in the GIOBP group exhibited lower bone contact stiffness, determined by micro-indentation testing, than in the reference group. The contact stiffness of the bone was negatively correlated with the fracture severity index and the daily prednisolone dosage. Immunohistochemistry and serum bone turnover markers showed decreased osteoclastic activity, impaired mineralization, and an increased fraction of empty lacunae in the GIOBP group. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that patients receiving long-term BP for GIO are still at high risk for fragility fractures because of poor bone quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nielsen–Lohse bridges employ braced cables that cross each other and are connected by intersection clamps. The usual process of estimating the cable tension requires the removal of the intersection clamps. The vibration-based cable tension estimation method for a single cable is applied to each cable, after which the intersection clamps are reinstalled. However, the removal and re-installation of the intersection clamps are labor-intensive. In addition, the bridge traffic must be controlled. With the aim of improving the efficiency of tension estimation, this paper proposes and compares two methods of simultaneously estimating the tension of both crossed cables in which removal of the intersection clamp is not required. One is an out-of-plane method using the natural frequencies in the out-of-plane direction and the other is an in-plane method using the natural frequencies in the in-plane direction. The validity of the proposed methods is verified in numerical simulations and a physical experiment. The numerical simulations reveal that both methods estimate tension with high accuracy when the solution range is set appropriately, and that the out-of-plane method is more accurate and robust than the in-plane method. In the physical experiment, the maximum tension estimation errors of the out-of-plane and in-plane methods were 10% and 30%, respectively. Through numerical and experimental verifications, the validity of the proposed methods is confirmed, and it is concluded that the out-of-plane method is superior to the in-plane method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the present study is to report the clinical characteristics of polyradiculoneuropathy induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed lists of all inpatients with neurological immune-related adverse events (irAEs) treated at the neurology departments of three hospitals in January 2017 and December 2019. We also performed a review of the previous case reports with polyradiculoneuropathy induced by ICI therapy. Results: We had 4 patients with polyradiculoneuropathy following ICI therapy. We comprehensively reviewed our 4 patients and 32 previous case reports. There were 28 men and 8 women with a mean onset age of 61 years. ICI monotherapy was performed in 27 patients, whereas the combination of ICIs was administered in 9 patients. All patients except 2 showed limb weakness, which was observed symmetrically and predominantly in the legs rather than the arms. Bulbar involvement was observed in 7 patients. The laboratory findings were demyelination in electrophysiological studies and elevated protein with lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid. Disease severity was ranked on the Hughes functional scale; 17 patients were grade 4 or greater. The treatment responses to corticosteroid and intravenous methylprednisolone were favorable. Intravenous immunoglobulin was also used in combination with steroids. Seven patients died, including 4 who on mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Polyradiculoneuropathy induced by ICIs has a distinct subset of neurological irAEs and requires early recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A concise hysteretic model of 590 N/mm2 grade high performance steel SA440 which is used in Japan for building structure is proposed. First, cyclic loading tests of steel components under constant and programmed strain amplitude are performed. Then, hysteresis characteristics are modeled by decomposing the hysteresis curve into the skeleton part, Bauschinger part and the elastically unloading part. The skeleton part and the Bauschinger part are modeled by using the monotonic test result and bi-linear model, respectively. The proposed model is examined by comparing with test results. In addition, a series of member analysis is conducted with proposed model as for the example of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submerged arc welding, which is generally used for the corner joint of box-section columns, is a welding process with a high heat input. The influence on the strength and toughness of the heat-affected zone is an important concern, especially when used with a high-performance steel that may be more susceptible to heat input. The ductility of the welded corner joint is one of the important factors to ensure safety against external forces, such as during severe earthquakes. In this study, a series of material and cyclic loading tests of the corner joint comprising SA440C high-performance steel fabricated by submerged arc welding were conducted. The experimental results indicated that the welded corner joint comprising SA440C steel is ductile enough to dissipate input energy caused by the strong ground motion from an earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sal-like protein 4 (SALL4), an embryonic stem cell factor, has been reported to play an essential role in embryogenesis and oncogenesis. As yet, however, the expression and role of this transcription factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been established. Methods: We assessed SALL4 mRNA expression in a well-characterised dataset of 230 HNSCC samples (test cohort 110 cases and validation cohort 120 cases). We also transfected HNSCC cells (FaDu and UM-SCC-6) with SALL4 siRNA and assessed its effects on proliferation and expression of specific epigenetic factors in order to uncover the role of SALL4 in HNSCC. Results: Overexpression of SALL4 was detected in tumour samples of both cohorts. HNSCC cells treated with SALL4 siRNA showed a reduction in growth and a decrease in DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) expression. In the patient cohorts, SALL4 overexpression was found to significantly correlate with disease recurrence (p < 0.001) and SALL4 methylation status (p = 0.002). We also found that DNMT3A was significantly upregulated upon SALL4 upregulation (p < 0.001). High expression levels of SALL4 correlated with decreases in disease-free survival (DFS) rates (log-rank test, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that SALL4 expression served as an independent prognostic factor for DFS (hazard ratio: 2.566, 95% confidence interval: 1.598–4.121; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that SALL4 upregulation correlates with HNSCC tumour aggressiveness and an adverse patient outcome. Our findings also indicate that DNMT3A may synergistically contribute to the regulatory effects of SALL4. Our findings provide insight into SALL4-mediated HNSCC development via epigenetic modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy and safety of eribulin in Japanese patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) have not been evaluated in a large-scale cohort study. Thus, we aimed to investigate the clinical outcome of 82 Japanese patients with STS receiving eribulin across multiple study centers retrospectively. Of 82 STS patients receiving eribulin treatment, 13 were treated for locally unresectable tumor, 46 for metastasis, and 23 for both. The primary endpoint of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of eribulin against STS. The median age was 60 years. Thirty-seven were diagnosed with L-sarcoma (leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma) and 45 had non-L-sarcoma. The median progression-free survival (PFS) for all patients was 2.7 months, with 3.4 months in those with L-sarcoma and 2.2 months in those with non-L-sarcoma. Patients with L-sarcoma showed a better PFS than those with non-L-sarcoma. Overall, the median survival time was 11.1 months, and 12.3 months and 7.9 months in patients with L-sarcoma and non-L-sarcoma, respectively; however, there was no significant differences between the groups. The prognostic significance of PS = 0 and both existence of local and metastatic STS was evaluated by multivariate analysis. We also evaluated the overall survival (OS) in patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and other non-L-sarcomas. Patients with UPS had better OS than those with the other non-L-sarcomas. In conclusion, there was a significant difference in PFS between patients with L-sarcoma and non-L-sarcoma following treatment with eribulin. The anti-tumor potential of eribulin was evident in patients with UPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a hysteretic model of rectangular hollow section (RHS) columns that includes the deteriorating range caused by local buckling is proposed. The proposed model consists of the skeleton curve, the Bauschinger part that appears before reaching the maximum strength, the strength increasing part of the deteriorating range, and the unloading part. Of these, the skeleton curve, including the deterioration range caused by local buckling, which is considered to be equivalent to the load-deformation relationship under monotonic loading, is obtained through an analytical method. Bi-linear hysteretic models based on experimental results are applied to the Bauschinger part and the strength increasing part. The elastic stiffness is applied to the unloading part. The proposed model is verified by comparing with experimental results of RHS columns under monotonic and cyclic loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental study was conducted to investigate the seismic behavior of roof joint. Eight full-scale specimens were tested considering the effects of axial force, joint height, hole shape of base plate and edge distance of concrete on the failure mode and resistance capacity of roof joint. With the increase of axial force, the hysteretic curves were fuller. The mechanical model of roof joint change from bending to shear. With the increase of joint height, the ultimate strength of roof joint decreased. If the hole shape of base plate changed from circle to loose, the slip behavior of roof joint appeared and the ultimate strength of roof joint decreased. The damage of edge concrete may occur if the edge distance of concrete was not big enough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumors, and thus far, their spontaneous shrinkage is considered a rare phenomenon. This study was designed to investigate the exact ratio of remission to progressive or stable cases and analyze the mechanism of tumor regression on the basis of existing theories.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected images of solitary osteochondromas in patients from 1992 to 2013, excluding cases involving short-term follow-up periods and follow-up periods that ended before growth plate closure. A total of 121 patients were diagnosed and screened for study inclusion. Tumor shrinkage was measured by assessing three points on tumor contours to determine if they had regressed or vanished. Patterns of shrinkage were further divided on the basis of mechanisms described as incorporation, absorption, and fracture.Results: Seventeen patients (mean age at initial diagnosis 13.1 years) met the study inclusion criteria. Tumor morphological classifications were pedunculated (10 cases) and sessile (7 cases). Osteochondroma shrinkage was the most common outcome (8 cases), followed by stable osteochondromas (6 cases), and osteochondromas that had progressed (3 cases). Tumors with sessile morphology were more prone to shrinkage (6 of 7 cases) compared with those of pedunculated morphology (2 of 10 cases; p = 0.015). Among pedunculated cases, tumor shrinkage was via absorption. The timing of tumor growth cessation was related to the pattern of tumor shrinkage. Absorption mostly followed tumor growth cessation, whereas incorporation mostly preceded tumor growth cessation.Conclusion: The shrinkage of osteochondromas appears less rare than was originally thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity on the echocardiographic peak systolic transtricuspid pressure gradient (TRPG) and evaluated the usefulness of the peak early diastolic transpulmonary valve pressure gradient (PRPG) for estimating pulmonary artery (PA) pressure. In 55 consecutive right heart-catheterized patients, we measured the peak systolic right ventricular (RV)-right atrial (RA) pressure gradient (RV-RA), peak early diastolic PA-RV pressure gradient (PA-RV), and mean PA pressure (MPAP). Using echocardiography, we obtained the TRPG, PRPG, and an estimate of the mean PA pressure (EMPAP) as the sum of PRPG and the estimated RA pressure, and measured the vena contracta width of TR (VC). The difference between the TRPG and RV-RA was significantly greater in the very severe TR group (VC > 11 mm) than in the mild, moderate, and severe TR groups, and significantly greater in the severe TR group (7 < VC ≤ 11 mm) than in the mild TR group. The overestimation of the pressure gradient >10 mmHg by TRPG was not seen in the mild or moderate TR groups, but was observed in the severe and very severe TR groups (22 and 83%, respectively). In the ROC analysis, EMPAP could distinguish patients with MPAP ≥ 25 mmHg with the area under the curve of 0.93, 100% sensitivity, and 87% specificity. In conclusion, TRPG frequently overestimated RV-RA when VC was >11 mm and sometimes did when VC was >7 mm, where EMPAP using PRPG was useful for estimating PA pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether and how left ventricular (LV) strain and strain rate correlate with wall stress is not known. Furthermore, it is not determined whether strain or strain rate is less dependent on the afterload. In 41 healthy young adults, LV global peak strain and systolic peak strain rate in the longitudinal direction (LS and LSR, respectively) and circumferential direction (CS and CSR, respectively) were measured layer-specifically using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) before and during a handgrip exercise. Among all the points before and during the exercise, all the STE parameters significantly correlated linearly with wall stress (LS: r = −0.53, p < 0.01, LSR: r = −0.28, p < 0.05, CS in the inner layer: r = −0.72, p < 0.01, CSR in the inner layer: r = −0.47, p < 0.01). Strain more strongly correlated with wall stress than strain rate ( r = −0.53 for LS vs. r = −0.28 for LSR, p < 0.05; r = −0.72 for CS vs. r = −0.47 for CSR in the inner layer, p < 0.05), whereas the interobserver variability was similar between strain and strain rate (longitudinal 6.2 vs. 5.2 %, inner circumferential 4.8 vs. 4.7 %, mid-circumferential 7.9 vs. 6.9 %, outer circumferential 10.4 vs. 9.7 %), indicating that the differences in correlation coefficients reflect those in afterload dependency. It was thus concluded that LV strain and strain rate linearly and inversely correlated with wall stress in the longitudinal and circumferential directions, and strain more strongly depended on afterload than did strain rate. Myocardial shortening should be evaluated based on the relationships between these parameters and wall stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the waveform of systolic strain and strain-rate curves to find a characteristic left ventricular (LV) myocardial contraction pattern in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and evaluated the utility of these parameters for the differentiation of HCM and LV hypertrophy secondary to hypertension (HT). From global strain and strain-rate curves in the longitudinal and circumferential directions, the time from mitral valve closure to the peak strains (T-LS and T-CS, respectively) and the peak systolic strain rates (T-LSSR and T-CSSR, respectively) were measured in 34 patients with HCM, 30 patients with HT, and 25 control subjects. The systolic strain-rate waveform was classified into 3 patterns ('V', 'W', and '√' pattern). In the HCM group, T-LS was prolonged, but T-LSSR was shortened; consequently, T-LSSR/T-LS ratio was distinctly lower than in the HT and control groups. The '√' pattern of longitudinal strain-rate waveform was more frequently seen in the HCM group (74 %) than in the control (4 %) and HT (20 %) groups. Similar but less distinct results were obtained in the circumferential direction. To differentiate HCM from HT, the sensitivity and specificity of the T-LSSR/T-LS ratio <0.34 and the '√'-shaped longitudinal strain-rate waveform were 85 and 63 %, and 74 and 80 %, respectively. In conclusion, in patients with HCM, a reduced T-LSSR/T-LS ratio and a characteristic '√'-shaped waveform of LV systolic strain rate was seen, especially in the longitudinal direction. The timing and waveform analyses of systolic strain rate may be useful to distinguish between HCM and HT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoroalkyl end-capped vinyltrimethoxysilane oligomer [ R -(CHCHSi(OMe))- R ; R = CF(CF)OCF, n = 2, 3: R -(VM)- R oligomer] can undergo the sol-gel reaction in the presence of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) fine particles under alkaline conditions to afford the corresponding fluorinated oligomeric silica/poly(tetrafluoroethylene) nanocomposites [ R -(VM-SiO)- R /poly(tetrafluoroethylene) nanocomposites]. Interestingly, the modified glass, poly(tetrafluoroethylene) sheet and filter paper surfaces treated with the obtained nanocomposites were found to exhibit a superoleophilic/superhydrophobic characteristic, although the original poly(tetrafluoroethylene) sheet and the modified glass surface treated with the R -(VM)- R oligomeric silica nanoparticles [ R -(VM-SiO)- R ] can provide the usual oleophobic/hydrophobic and oleophobic/superhydrophobic properties, respectively. The modified filter paper was applied to the separation membrane for the mixture of oil/water. In addition, the fluorinated poly(tetrafluoroethylene) nanocomposite white-colored powders thus obtained were applied to the packing material for the column chromatography to separate the mixture of oil/water and water-in-oil emulsions. We have also studied on the reusability of the present nanocomposite particle powders as the packing material for the separation of not only the mixture of oil/water but also the water-in-oil emulsions, and the colorless oil was quantitatively isolated under similar conditions even after the use of the packing materials five times. Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is an important hemodynamic parameter in patients with heart failure, especially when the pulmonary arterial pressure is lower due to reduced stroke volume. Several echocardiographic methods to estimate PVR have been proposed, but their applications in patients with organic left-sided heart diseases have been limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the usefulness of our new method to estimate PVR (PVRPR) based on the continuous-wave Doppler velocity measurements of pulmonary regurgitation in these patients. In 43 patients who underwent right heart catheterization, PVRPR was calculated as the difference between the Doppler-derived early- and end-diastolic pulmonary artery (PA)-right ventricular (RV) pressure gradients divided by the cardiac output measured in the left ventricular outflow tract by echocardiography. The PVRPR correlated well with invasive PVR (PVRCATH) (r = 0.81, p < 0.001) without any fixed bias in Bland-Altman analysis. The conventional echocardiographic PVRs showed inadequate correlations with PVRCATH, or a obvious overestimation of PVRCATH. In the receiver operating characteristic analyses to determine the patients with abnormal elevation of PVRCATH (>3 Wood units, WU), the area under the curve was the greatest for PVRPR (0.964) compared to the conventional PVRs (0.649-0.839). PVRPR had 83 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity at the optimal cut-off value of 3.10 WU in identifying patients with PVRCATH >3 WU. Our simple and theoretical PVRPR is useful for the noninvasive estimation of PVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand how plant-frugivore interactions change in relation to forest stand development, we investigated the abundance and species composition of frugivorous bird assemblages, and their fruit removal over several years in three warm-temperate forest stands. All stands were located in an urban forested area of western Japan, and each was at a different developmental stage: a secondary deciduous broad-leaved forest stand (DB), an evergreen broad-leaved forest stand where an evergreen oak became dominant recently (EB-I), and a well-developed evergreen broad-leaved forest stand (EB-II). Although the species richness and Shannon diversity indices of frugivorous birds did not vary among the three stands, the abundance of birds was almost always greatest in the EB-II stand, lowest in the DB stand, and intermediate in the EB-I stand. Generalized linear mixed model analyses using data on monthly fruit availability and the number of frugivorous birds observed in censuses showed that forest stand differences had a significant effect on the abundance of frugivorous birds, whereas fruit availability had no significant positive influence on bird abundance. Fruit removal was most intensive in the EB-II stand, where both fruit and bird abundance were highest, followed by the EB-I stand, where bird abundance was intermediate but fruit abundance was lowest. Our study demonstrates that increasing structural complexity during forest stand development likely had positive effects on the abundance of frugivorous birds, which in turn influenced fruit removal in this urban forested area. Hence, a positive feedback mechanism of plant-bird interactions would exist for the development of forest stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a concise hysteretic model of structural steel that is effective at simulating the mechanical behaviour of steel components. A series of plate element specimens made of SS400 structural steel were tested under diverse cyclic axial strain loadings. The hysteresis loops of the specimens are decomposed into skeleton curves and Bauschinger parts. The hysteretic model, which is composed of the skeleton curve, the Bauschinger part, and the elastic unloading part, is proposed based on the test results. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed hysteretic model, three simply supported beam specimens were tested under cyclic loadings. In addition, numerical analyses of the beams were performed using the proposed hysteretic model. The analytical results were compared with the experimental results, and the overall load-deformation relationships and the local strain histories show a good correspondence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Advanced lung cancer frequently causes bone metastasis which can be associated with skeletal-related events (SREs) that may cause significant deterioration of the patient's quality of life (QoL). The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) can be used to assist in standardizing evaluations of neoplastic spinal instability between spinal and non-spine surgeons. This research investigated the association between SREs and SINS for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods: Between 2009 and 2013, 47 patients with NSCLC who were diagnosed with bone metastasis were classified using SINS into either a stable group (SINS, 0-6 points) or unstable group (SINS, 7-18 points). The primary endpoint was time from diagnosis of metastasis to SREs. Secondary endpoints included tumor type and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutational status. SREs were defined as spinal compression, pathologic fracture, spinal surgery, and hypercalcemia.Results: Patients included 37 cases of adenocarcinoma and 10 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Mean follow-up time was 10.2 ± 13.7 months. SRE incidence was 15.0 % (3/20) in the stable group versus 44.4 % (12/27) in the unstable group (p = 0.048). A Cox regression model revealed that an EGFR-positive mutational status (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.15, 95 % CI, 0.030.71; p = 0.017) or good spinal stability (HR = 0.49; 0.08-0.99; p = 0.049) were favorable prognostic factors.Conclusion: The incidence of SREs was significantly lower in NSCLC patients with better spinal stability as determined by SINS, which was a good prediction tool for SREs from bone metastasis. The lower incidence of SREs in EGFR-positive patients suggests tumor biology should be considered when predicting SREs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accelerated clearance of technetium-sestamibi (MIBI) has been observed after reperfusion therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but the mechanisms have not been fully investigated. MIBI retention may depend on mitochondrial function. The clearance rate of carbon-acetate reflects such mitochondrial functions as oxidative metabolism. The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms of accelerated MIBI clearance in ACS. We therefore compared it to oxidative metabolism estimated using C-acetate positron emission tomography (PET). Methods: Eighteen patients [mean age 69.2 ± 8.7 years, 10 males (56 %)] with reperfused ACS underwent MIBI single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), echocardiography, and C-acetate PET within 3 weeks of the onset of ACS. MIBI images were obtained 30 min and 3 h after MIBI administration. Regional left ventricular (LV) function was evaluated by echocardiography. The measurement of oxidative metabolism was obtained through the mono-exponential fitting of the C-acetate time-activity curve ( k). Results: Among 95 segments of reperfused myocardium, MIBI SPECT showed 64 normal segments (group N), 14 segments with accelerated MIBI clearance (group AC), and 17 segments with fixed defect (group F). Group AC showed lower k than group N (0.041 ± 0.009 vs 0.049 ± 0.010, p = 0.02). Group F showed lower k than group N (0.039 ± 0.012 vs 0.049 ± 0.010, p = 0.01). However, k was similar in group AC and group F ( p = 0.99). Conclusions: Segments with accelerated MIBI clearance showed reduced oxidative metabolism in ACS. Loss of MIBI retention may be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blooms of moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita s.l. occur in various vertical distribution patterns within the water column. Reasons for these distribution patterns have remained obscure. To quantify the influence of pycnocline and low dissolved oxygen (DO) on the vertical distribution of A. aurita aggregations, we investigated temperature, salinity, DO, and observed densities of A. aurita at 1-2 m depth intervals via video camera in a eutrophicated, enclosed bay, Mikawa Bay, Japan, for 3 years. During the observed period, stratification and hypoxic status of the bay varied seasonally and interannually due to climatic events, such as rainy season and typhoon passage. Both sharp pycnocline and low DO limited A. aurita vertical distribution. The more strongly stratified the water column, the more the upper boundary of A. aurita distribution was restricted. Bottom hypoxic water limited the lower boundary of A. aurita distribution. The DO threshold for in situ distribution was estimated to be ~2.5 mg l, which is much higher than the experimentally obtained, sublethal values identified in previous studies. Our results show that climatic events affect A. aurita vertical distribution through changes in the physical characteristics of the water column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) is a rare central nervous system (CNS) disorder with distinct radiological features. However, CLIPPERS may mimic CNS lymphoma, and several cases in which CLIPPERS occurred premonitory to CNS lymphoma have been reported. We report a 31-year-old man presenting with progressive gait ataxia and the characteristic MRI features of CLIPPERS. He was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 15, and we considered the possibility of newly emerged CNS lymphoma occurring in the immunosuppressive condition after the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Histological findings showed no evidence of CNS lymphoma and the neurological symptoms were resolved by steroids. Although CLIPPERS developed in the reverse order in this case, CLIPPERS should be considered in different diagnosis for CNS lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Paper proposes a method to improve plastic deformation capacity of the welded wide flange beam-to-column connections in existing steel buildings by using supplemental H-section haunches jointed by high-strength bolts and welding which expected to secure construction quality. By attaching supplemental haunches to upper and lower flanges of the beam end, the critical section is moved from the beam end to the beam cross-section corresponding to the tip of the supplemental haunch. As a result, it could prevent the fracture of beam flange initiated from toe of weld access hole. Cumulative plastic deformation capacities of retrofitted specimens were 1.5 to 2.0 times larger than that of un-retrofitted specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low-grade osteosarcoma, including low-grade central osteosarcoma and parosteal osteosarcoma, is an extremely rare variant, and the diagnosis is occasionally difficult. In this article we present cases of low-grade osteosarcomas that should be reviewed by a clinical oncologist. Patients and methods: Nine cases of histologically diagnosed Broder grade 1 osteosarcoma were retrospectively reviewed. The pathological diagnoses included parosteal osteosarcoma, low-grade central osteosarcoma, and low-grade chondroblastic osteosarcoma in four, four, and one cases, respectively. Results: Duration from initial surgical intervention including biopsy to final diagnosis as low-grade osteosarcoma was a mean of 9.4 months. The initial benign diagnoses on biopsy specimens included fibrous dysplasia in three cases, chondroblastoma in one case, and a giant cell tumor in one case. The average number of histological examinations was 1.8. Low-grade osteosarcomas are well suited for biological reconstruction: seven cases were reconstructed by frozen autografts, distraction osteogenesis, or vascularized bone grafts. Conclusion: Low-grade osteosarcomas can be misdiagnosed as benign lesions, especially fibrous dysplasia. If the diagnosis of a low-grade osteosarcoma is not established on the basis of radiologic findings, care should be exercised, even when a biopsy suggests a benign lesion. Low-grade osteosarcomas should be treated with wide excision, even after an intralesional excision. Biological reconstruction might be a better option for low-grade osteosarcomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress measurements of bone are essential for evaluating the risk of bone fracture, the cure of bone diseases (e.g., osteoporosis), and the bone adaptation. Previously, a method using X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to assess the presence of residual stress in the diaphysis of bovine and rabbit extremities. However, the previous method required a complicated experimental setup, long irradiation time, and limitations of the sample size. To profoundly enhance the understanding of distribution and biomechanical implications of bone residual stresses, it is necessary to develop an alternative method that features a simple setup without limitations on the sample size and shape. An imaging plate (IP) can obtain the two-dimensional distribution of hydroxyapatite crystal deformation and has the potential to resolve the previously mentioned issues. The aim of this study was to develop a measurement system using an XRD technique with an IP for obtaining the surface distribution of residual stress in the diaphysis of extremities. A mid-diaphysis specimen taken from an adult bovine femur was irradiated with characteristic Mo-Kα X-rays under no external forces and the diffracted X-rays were detected by an IP in the reflection side. The residual stress in the bone axis was calculated from the XRD pattern. As a result, tensile residual stresses were detected at the diaphyseal surface, corresponding to the results of the previous method. The developed system reduced the irradiation time by two thirds and the limitations of the sample size were removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Omeprazole has ( R)- and ( S)-enantiomers, which exhibit different pharmacokinetics (PK) among patients with cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 genotype groups. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the 1-point, 4-h postdose ( R)-omeprazole hydroxylation index (HI) of racemic omeprazole reflects the three CYP2C19 genotype groups in Japanese individuals. Methods: Ninety healthy Japanese individuals were enrolled and classified into the three different CYP2C19 genotype groups: homozygous extensive metabolizers (hmEMs; n = 34), heterozygous EMs (htEMs; n = 44), and poor metabolizers (PMs; n = 12). Blood samples were drawn 4 h after the intake of an oral dose of omeprazole 40 mg, and plasma levels of omeprazole and its metabolites were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a chiral column. Results: Mean plasma concentrations of ( R)- and ( S)-omeprazole in PMs were significantly higher than those in hmEMs and htEMs, and similar results were obtained in the case of omeprazole sulfone. Additionally, there was a significant difference in plasma concentrations of ( R)-5-hydroxyomeprazole among CYP2C19 genotype groups, whereas no significant differences were observed in that of ( S)-5-hydroxyomeprazole. Similarly, ( R)-omeprazole HI in hmEMs, htEMs, and PMs were 5.6, 3.1, and 0.3, respectively, which were significantly different, but no significant difference was present in the ( S)-omeprazole HI. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that ( R)-omeprazole HI correlated better with CYP2C19 genotype groups than racemic-omeprazole HI, and these results may be useful for classification among patients in CYP2C19 genotype groups prior to omeprazole treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Takayasu arteritis (TA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are chronic inflammatory disorders. The mechanisms underlying these diseases are not precisely known, but tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is considered to have an important role in the pathophysiology of both TA and IBD. Simultaneous occurrence of both TA and IBD is rare. Our first case was a 42-year-old woman with TA and inflammatory bowel disease unclassified. The patient was refractory to treatment with an immunomodulator, and infliximab (IFX) was started. After starting IFX, clinical remission was achieved and maintained for 2 years. The second case was a 34-year-old woman with TA accompanied by Crohn's disease. Because her abdominal symptoms relapsed despite treatment with an immunomodulator, IFX was started. Both diseases were well controlled for 2 years by scheduled maintenance therapy with IFX. Relapse of the TA required increased doses of IFX at shorter intervals, which relieved her symptoms. Overall, we identified nine cases for which IFX was effective, including our 2 cases. They may demonstrate the efficacy of IFX for IBD with TA and emphasize the role of TNF-α in the pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) is an important step in the echocardiographic diagnosis of aortic stenosis (AS). We aimed to investigate the causes of discrepancies between the degrees of AS and LVH. Methods: The study subjects consisted of 149 consecutive patients with AS having aortic valve area <2.0 cm (mean age 72.5 ± 11.9 years, 67 men and 82 women). Coexisting cardiac diseases were determined based on echocardiographic findings and comprehensive clinical judgment. Echocardiographic measurements included LV mass index (LVMI), aortic valve area index (AVAI), transaortic mean pressure gradient (MPG), valvulo-arterial impedance (Zva), energy loss coefficient (ELCo), and energy loss index (ELI). Results: LVMI was not significantly correlated with AVAI and Zva, and had a weak correlation with MPG ( r = 0.305, p = 0.0001). There were 55 patients in group A (non-severe AS without significant LVH), 58 in group B (non-severe AS with significant LVH), 7 in group C (severe AS without significant LVH), and 29 in group D (severe AS with significant LVH). Coexisting cardiac diseases were more frequently observed ( p = 0.0003) in group B (50 %) than in group A (18 %). In group C, ELCo and (ELI − AVAI)/ELI were significantly greater than in group D ( p = 0.043 and 0.007, respectively). Conclusion: Significant LVH seen in less than moderate AS is often due to coexisting cardiac diseases, and there may be an overestimation of AS severity due to pressure recovery among patients with apparently severe AS who do not have significant LVH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Diastolic function is impaired in patients with end-stage heart failure. Favorable structural changes by surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) are thought to improve diastolic function, however, previous studies reported the contradictory results. We hypothesized that cardiac oxidative metabolism and diastolic dysfunction might improve in parallel to the reduction of left ventricular chamber size after SVR. Methods: We studied 11 patients underwent SVR associated with mitral valve repair for end-stage heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Diastolic function was assessed by echocardiography and myocardial oxidative metabolism was measured by the monoexponential clearance (k-mono) of C-acetate positron emission tomography at baseline and 1 month after SVR. Results: All patients had preoperative severe diastolic dysfunction [E/A 4.11 ± 1.18, deceleration time (DT) 134 ± 26 ms]. The study patients were divided into 2 groups according to the changes in diastolic function after SVR; unchanged or worsened diastolic function in 6 patients (55 %, Non-responder) and improved diastolic function in 5 (45 %, Responder). K-mono and wall stress decreased only in responder. The changes in k-mono before and after SVR correlated with those in deceleration time ( r = -0.63; p < 0.05) and wall stress ( r = 0.75; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Improvement of diastolic dysfunction in patients with end-stage heart failure by SVR was in parallel to that in oxidative metabolism. It suggests that SVR reduced excessive metabolism during the diastolic phase, in part, via the improvement in diastolic function and the reduction in LV wall stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is often observed in healthy subjects and can be a cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (EF). We aimed to investigate the role of LV diastolic asynchrony as a cause of diastolic dysfunction in healthy subjects. Methods: In 40 healthy subjects, two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2DSTI) was performed to measure the peak early diastolic longitudinal strain rates (Esr) of the apical, mid-ventricular, and basal segments of the septum and posterior wall. A mean value of the Esr of the 6 segments (mEsr) was calculated. The time from aortic valve closure to the Esr was measured for each segment, and the standard deviation (SDTEsr) was calculated. The peak global early diastolic strain rate (gEsr) was measured with a region of interest (ROI) on the whole LV myocardium. LV flow propagation velocity (FPV) was measured using conventional Doppler techniques. Results: SDTEsr was not correlated with age, but was significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) ( r = 0.41, p < 0.01). Although no significant correlation was observed between mEsr and FPV, gEsr and SDTEsr significantly correlated with FPV ( r = 0.41, p < 0.01; r = −0.54, p < 0.001). As a result of the multiple regression analysis, SDTEsr was the single determinant of FPV. Conclusions: Diastolic asynchrony, associated with overweight but not with aging, may contribute to diastolic dysfunction in healthy subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To elucidate the stereoselective pharmacokinetics of omeprazole enantiomers and their metabolites after racemic IV dosing because there is little information about the stereoselective metabolism of omeprazole in in vivo study. Methods: Seventeen subjects were classified into three CYP2C19 groups based on their genotypes: homozygous extensive metabolizers (hmEMs; n = 5), heterozygous EMs (htEMs; n = 7) and poor metabolizers (PMs; n = 5). Results: After single IV administration of racemic omeprazole (20 mg), the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of R(+)-omeprazole in PMs was significantly higher than that in hmEMs and htEMs, while that of S(−)-omeprazole was no significance among three genotypes because of a wide inter-individual variability. In addition, although the AUC of R(+)-5-hydroxyomeprazole were determined among three genotypes, the that of S(−)-5-hydroxyomeprazole was undetectable in the hmEMs and barely detectable in the htEMs. Conversly, the AUC of S(−)-5-hydroxyomeprazole was greater than that of R(+)-5-hydroxyomeprazole in the PMs. Conclusions: These data therefore suggest that, for EMs, the CYP2C19-mediated formation from R(+)-enantiomer is a 5-hydroxy-metabolite, while that from S(−)-enantiomer may be a minor metabolite. Thus, the in vivo disposition of S(−)- and R(+)-omeprazole after racemic dosing may be different among the CYP2C19 genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the Macrochironidae Humes & Boxshall, (Copepoda: Cyclopoida), Pseudomacrochiron aureliae n. sp., is described based on adult specimens extracted from the gastrovacular cavity of the scyphistomae of Aurelia sp. (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) collected in the Seto Inland Sea and Ise Bay off the coast of Japan. The new species differs from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: a caudal ramus with a length to width ratio of 3.1; an accessory flagellum on caudal setae II, III and VI; three apical setae on the maxillule; only setae I and II on the maxillary basis; two short spines on the female maxilliped claw (endopod); an armature of III, I, 4 on the terminal exopodal segment of leg 3; an armature of I, II, 2 on the terminal endopodal segment of leg 3; an armature of II, I, 4 on the terminal exopodal segment of leg 4; and a short free exopodal segment of leg 5 (length to width ratio of 1.4) armed with a long seta and short spine. P. aureliae n. sp. is the first member of the genus reported from off Japan and from the scyphistomae of its scyphozoan host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We surveyed the distribution of colonies of polyps of Aurelia aurita sensu lato ( s.l.) in Mikawa Bay, Japan. First, we surveyed the distribution of ephyrae of A. aurita s.l. at 75 stations encompassing the whole of Mikawa Bay in early 2008. A total of 37 ephyrae were sampled mostly from fishing ports. Ephyrae were most abundant around the islands located near the mouth of the bay, and decreased from the western part to the eastern part of Mikawa Bay. Next, we selected five fishing ports in Mikawa Bay where ephyrae occurred and surveyed the underside of floating piers and underwater overhangs of wharfs. We found dense colonies of polyps of A. aurita s.l. under nearly all of the floating piers at the two islands located near the mouth of the bay. Fitting a logistic regression model to the dataset showed that the percentage coverage of Aurelia polyps was significantly greater at the two islands compared with the other locations. In addition, the coverage of Aurelia polyps was greater when the coverage of other fouling organisms was in the range of 65-90%, and the coverage of Aurelia polyps was lower on floating piers with a vinyl surface and on concrete wharfs. The combined distribution of polyp colonies of A. aurita s.l. in Ise Bay and Mikawa Bay suggested that A. aurita s.l. in the two bays probably forms a single population and shoals of medusae mainly originate from protected harbors along the mouth-part of the bays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The relationship between myocardial oxidative metabolism and pressure overload in aortic valve stenosis (AS) is not fully elucidated. We identified the determinants of myocardial oxidative metabolism by measuring its changes after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with AS. Methods: Myocardial C-acetate clearance rate constant (Kmono), an index of oxidative metabolism, was measured non-invasively by using positron emission tomography in 16 patients with moderate to severe AS and 7 healthy controls. The severity of AS was assessed by echocardiography. Of 16 patients, 5 were reexamined at 1 month after AVR. Results: Kmono was significantly higher in patients with AS than healthy controls by 42% (0.068 ± 0.014 vs 0.048 ± 0.007/min, p < 0.01). Kmono was significantly correlated with age ( r = 0.58, p < 0.01), left ventricular (LV) mass index ( r = 0.61, p < 0.01) and estimated systolic LV pressure ( r = 0.81, p < 0.001) measured by echocardiography. By multivariate analysis, estimated LV systolic pressure was an independent predictor of Kmono (β = 0.93, p < 0.01). After AVR, Kmono (from 0.075 ± 0.012 to 0.061 ± 0.014/min, p = 0.043) and LV mass index (from 183 ± 49 to 124 ± 41 g/ml, p = 0.043) were significantly decreased despite no significant changes in rate-pressure product. Conclusion: Myocardial oxygen metabolism was increased in patients with AS, which was decreased after AVR. The increased myocardial oxidative metabolism in AS was largely attributable to the pressure overload of the LV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 28-year-old woman was admitted to a nearby hospital because of low-grade fever and lower abdominal pain, where ascites and slightly elevated serum CA125 level were found. Both acid-fast stain (AFS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) failed to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in her ascitic fluid, sputum, and gastric juice. She was referred to our division under suspicion of tuberculous peritonitis or ovarian carcinoma. Finally, diagnostic laparoscopy was carried out, showing yellowish-white small nodules disseminated on her whole peritoneum with thin fibrous adhesions. Peritoneal biopsy of these nodules showed epithelioid cell granulomas without caseous necrosis. AFS and PCR again failed to show any evidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in these biopsied samples. Based on the laparoscopic findings, however, we thought that she suffered from tuberculous peritonitis. Antituberculous therapy was started and she improved soon. Later, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was demonstrated in the 4-week culture of a peritoneal biopsy specimen. We conclude that laparoscopy may be the only way to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in tuberculous peritonitis whenever doubtful but no direct evidence is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several previous studies have suggested the presence of right ventricular (RV) diastolic dysfunction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and those with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (HT-LVH), the mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the RV global diastolic dysfunction in these patients and the regional myocardial diastolic function, including synchronicity of the interventricular septum and RV free wall. In 20 age-matched patients with HT-LVH, 20 patients with HCM and 22 control subjects without pulmonary hypertension, RV isovolumic relaxation time (IRTR) was measured using continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography. The early diastolic peak strain rate ( ESR) and time from QRS to ESR ( T– ESR) were measured in the apical, mid-ventricular and basal segments of the interventricular septum and RV free wall using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2DST). IRTR was more prolonged both in HT-LVH and in HCM than in the controls. The averaged septal ESR was reduced both in HT-LVH and in HCM ( P < 0.0001, respectively), but the averaged RV free wall ESR was decreased only in HCM ( P = 0.0007). ESR averaged for six septal and RV free wall segments was correlated with IRTR ( r = −0.46, P = 0.0001). Neither intergroup difference nor correlation with IRTR was observed in a coefficient of variation of T– ESR for the six segments. RV global diastolic function is impaired in patients with HT-LVH and HCM due to relaxation abnormalities, not an asynchrony, of the myocardium surrounding the RV cavity. The detection of RV free wall relaxation abnormality using 2DST may be useful to differentiate HCM from HT-LVH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second virial coefficient A2 and intrinsic viscosity [n] were determined in methanol at 25.0°C for poly(Nisopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) samples synthesized by living anionic polymerization in the range of weight-average molecular weight Mw from 4.91 x 10³ to 7.23 x 104, which are called L samples, and also for those by radical polymerization in ten-butanol and benzene by the use of azobis(isobutyronitrile) as an initiator in the range of Mw from 1.23 x 104 to 7.83 x 104, which are called T and B samples, respectively. It is found for both A2 and [n] that their values for the three kinds of samples agree well with each other in the range of Mw <∼ 3 x 104 but deviate from each other as Mw is increased from 3 x 104, the value for the L sample being the largest and that for the B sample the smallest. The result is consistent with the fact that the average chain dimension is the largest for the L sample having no branch point and the smallest for the B sample having the largest number of branch points. From a simultaneous analysis of A2 and [n] for the L samples on the basis of the Kratky-Porod wormlike chain with excluded volume, the stiffness parameter λ-1 is estimated to be 18 Å, which is almost the same as those determined for typical flexible polymers. For the L samples, the cloud point was also determined in their aqueous solutions in the range of the weight fraction w of PNIPA from ca. 0.5 to ca. 10%. It is found that the cloud point in the range of w >∼ 2% decreases from ca. 32°C to ca. 18°C as Mw is decreased from 7.23 x 104 to 5.47 x 10³. Such behavior may be regarded as arising from effects of hydrophobic chain end groups of the L samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]