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When the boundary layer of a sports ball undergoes the transition from laminar to turbulent flow, a drag crisis occurs whereby the drag coefficient (Cd) rapidly decreases. However, the aerodynamic properties and boundary-layer dynamics of a soccer ball are not yet well understood. In this study we showed that the critical Reynolds number (Recrit) of soccer balls ranged from 2.2 x 105 to 3.0 x 105. Wind-tunnel testing, along with visualisation of the dynamics of the boundary layer and the trailing vortex of a ball in flight, demonstrated that both non-spinning and spinning (curved) balls had low Cd values in the super-critical region. In addition, the Recrit values of the soccer balls were lower than those of smooth spheres, ranging from ~3.5 x 105 to 4.0 x 105, due to the effects of their panels. This indicated that the aerodynamic properties of a soccer ball were intermediate between those of a smooth ball and a golf ball. In a flow visualisation experiment, the separation point retreated and the Cd decreased in a super-critical regime compared with those in a sub-critical regime, suggesting a phenomenon similar to that observed in other sports balls. With some non-spinning and spinning soccer balls, the wake varied over time. In general, the high-frequency component of an eddy dissipated, while the low-frequency component increased as the downstream vortex increased. The causes of the large-scale fluctuations in the vortex observed in the present study were unclear; however, it is possible that a 'knuckle-ball effect' of the non-rotating ball played a role in this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are crucial for the outcome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in patients with cystic fibrosis. We compared PMNs and inflammatory cytokines in the lungs and blood from susceptible BALB/c and resistant C3H/HeN mice 1 and 2 days after intratracheal challenge with alginate embedded P. aeruginosa. These parameters were correlated with the quantitative bacteriology and histopathology of the lungs. After challenge, the content of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) was increased in the lungs and the sera and the percentage of PMNs was increased in the blood. However, 2 days after challenge the concentration of G-CSF and MIP-2 was higher in the lungs and sera of BALB/c mice. CD11b expression was higher on the PMNs of the C3H/HeN mice. The expression of CD62L on PMNs of both strains of mice was decreased 1 day after bacterial challenge, whereas the expression was increased after 2 days of challenge on PMNs of C3H/HeN mice only. These changes were accompanied by a more severe lung inflammation in BALB/c mice and faster clearance of the bacteria in C3H/HeN mice. In conclusion, the rapid early bacterial clearance in the lungs of C3H/HeN mice could be explained by faster activation of the PMNs, as indicated by the higher up-regulation of CD11b. The severe lung inflammation in BALB/c mice may be caused by the early higher content of G-CSF in the sera mobilizing PMNs from the bone marrow and the persistent chemotactic gradient provided by MIP-2 in the lungs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Repeated challenge with antigen is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of pulmonary diseases. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience recurrent pulmonary colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa before establishment of chronic lung infection. To mimic recurrent lung infections in CF patients, the lungs of susceptible BALB/c mice were re-infected with P. aeruginosa 14 days after the initial infection. Singly-infected BALB/c mice, as well as non-infected mice, were used as controls. Decreased mortality and milder lung inflammation in re-infected BALB/c mice, as well as a tendency for improved clearance of bacteria, was observed when compared with singly-infected mice. The improved outcome in re-infected mice correlated with changes in CD4 cell numbers. Surface expression of LFA-1 on pulmonary CD4 cells was increased in re-infected compared with singly-infected mice. Moreover, resistance to re-infection was paralleled by a shift towards a Th1-dominated response and increased IL-12 production. No significant increase in serum IgG was observed in the re-infected mice. In conclusion, these results indicate a protective role for a Th1-dominated response, independent of antibody production, in chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection in CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of 80-year-old man diagnosed from spontaneous complete regression of rectal cancer. Topics discussed include sessile polyp revealed by colonoscopy, development and growth of colorectal cancer (CRC), and several diagnosis done, which include radiographic or endoscopic images of lesions, endoscopic biopsy, and computed tomography (CT) scans.

An advanced preparation method was carried out to obtain a magnetized cylindrical micro rotorfabricated from directly consolidated isotropic α-Fe/Pr2Fe14B nanocomposite thick-films with self-bonding layer. A magnetic torque of the above film with the remanence value of 0.97 T, the coercivity value of 650 kA/m, and the (BH)max value of 142 kJ/m3 was investigated under different field strengths. Namely, magnetic torque of the above-mentioned rotor with a single pole pairincreased by 117%, compared with that of Fe3B/Nd2Fe14B films with the remanence value of 1.1 T, the coercivity value of 334 kA/m, and the (BH)max value of 95 kJ/m3. It was found that the use of α-Fe/Pr2Fe14B films is effective in obtaining a multipolarly magnetized micro rotor with highly dense torque as well as magnetic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The use of indigo carmine in ureteral operations," by J. E. Song and S. K. Kim.

A double pole pair milli-size rotor with 1 mm in outer diameter and 0.3 mm in inner diameter was fabricated from an isotropic laminated film magnet with a non-magnetic material. Permeance coefficient distribution together with static magnetic field of the film were also estimated by using 3-D and 2-D finite element model, and the average permeance coefficient, B/µoH, could be estimated as 18.7. A torque of the isotropic film magnet with the remanence value of approximately 1 T was measured under the different field strength, and a relative torque and relative torque constant, dT/dH-gradient, of the above-mentioned magnet with the double pole pair increased by 172 % and 152 %, respectively, compared with those of an anisotropic bulk magnet with a single pole pair whose remanence value was approximately 1.3 T. It was found that use of isotropic laminated film magnet is effective in obtaining a micro multi-polarly magnetized rotor with highly dense torque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Phase I/II clinical trials of S-1 plus cisplatin for advanced gastric cancer have yielded good responses and the treatment was well tolerated. In this S-1 Plus cisplatin versus S-1 In RCT In the Treatment for Stomach cancer (SPIRITS) trial, we aimed to verify that overall survival was better in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with S-1 plus cisplatin than with S-1 alone. METHODS: In this phase III trial, chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced gastric cancer were enrolled between March 26, 2002, and Nov 30, 2004, at 38 centres in Japan, and randomly assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin or S-1 alone. In patients assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin, S-1 (40-60 mg depending on patient's body surface area) was given orally, twice daily for 3 consecutive weeks, and 60 mg/m(2) cisplatin was given intravenously on day 8, followed by a 2-week rest period, within a 5-week cycle. Those assigned to S-1 alone received the same dose of S-1 twice daily for 4 consecutive weeks, followed by a 2-week rest period, within a 6-week cycle. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, proportions of responders, and safety. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00150670. FINDINGS: 305 patients were enrolled; seven patients were ineligible or withdrew consent, therefore, 148 patients were assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin and 150 patients were assigned to S-1 alone. Median overall survival was significantly longer in patients assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin (13.0 months [IQR 7.6-21.9]) than in those assigned to S-1 alone (11.0 months [5.6-19.8]; hazard ratio for death, 0.77; 95% CI 0.61-0.98; p=0.04). Progression-free survival was significantly longer in patients assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin than in those assigned to S-1 alone (median progression-free survival 6.0 months [3.3-12.9] vs 4.0 months [2.1-6.8]; p<0.0001). Additionally, of 87 patients assigned S-1 plus cisplatin who had target tumours, one patient had a complete response and 46 patients had partial responses, ie, a total of 54% (range 43-65). Of 106 patients assigned S-1 alone who had target tumours, one patient had a complete response and 32 had partial responses, ie, a total of 31% (23-41). We recorded more grade 3 or 4 adverse events including leucopenia, neutropenia, anaemia, nausea, and anorexia, in the group assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin than in the group assigned to S-1 alone. There were no treatment-related deaths in either group. INTERPRETATION: S-1 plus cisplatin holds promise of becoming a standard first-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Effects of long-term administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the colon have not been well characterized. Aim To investigate colonoscopic findings and prevalence of adverse events following long-term use of NSAIDs. Methods The study included 425 patients (mean 66.4 years) treated for over one year with NSAIDs, and 2125 age- and sex-matched patients without NSAIDs as controls. Eligible candidates were selected by medical record review for underlying diseases, pre-endoscopic symptoms, category of NSAIDs used, and duration of use. We used endoscopy to study lesion characteristics. Results The occurrence rate of colonic lesions or bleeding in the NSAIDs user (13/425, 3.1%) was higher than that in controls (28/2125, 1.3%) ( p = 0.017). Colitis was found in 10 of the 13 patients. The sigmoid colon, descending colon or both (70.0%) was commonly involved, and showed segmental ischemic colitis features in 8 of the 13 patients (61.5%). Among these, duration of use ranged from 1-30 years (mean 7.8). Nine of 13 patients (69.2%) took low-dose aspirin. Conclusion The prevalence of colonic lesions in long-term NSAIDs users is much lower than that of upper gastrointestinal side effects, but higher than that of colonic lesions in non-NSAIDs users. The most common features of NSAIDs-associated colitis were segmental ischeznia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Colorectal depressed tumours have a tendency to invade deeper mucosal layers and metastasize in the lymph nodes, despite their small size. Aim To investigate the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of depressed early colorectal cancers (intramucosal and submucosal adenocarcinoma) compared with non-depressed early cancers. Methods Five hundred and seventy consecutive early colorectal cancers obtained through endoscopic resection or surgical operation were studied. Early cancers were endoscopically classified as either the depressed or non-depressed type. The age and gender of the patients as well as the size and distribution of the cancers were compared between types. The tumour locations were classified into three groups: caecum to transverse colon (right colon), descending to sigmoid colon (left colon) and rectum. Results Patients were similar with respect to age and gender. The mean size of the depressed type was smaller than that of the non-depressed type (mean 8.4 mm vs. 13.3 mm; P < 0.0001). The rate of occurrence of depressed type in the right colon was higher than that of non-depressed type (49% vs. 23%) ( P = 0.0006). Among the early cancers, the incidence of the depressed type in the right colon was higher than that in the left colon and rectum (15% in the right colon, 7% in the left colon and 4% in the rectum; P < 0.01). Conclusions Compared with non-depressed early colorectal cancers, depressed cancers were smaller in size and more likely to be distributed in the right colon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: We proposed thatFusobacterium variumis one of the causative agents in ulcerative colitis.: To examine the efficacy of antibiotic combination therapy againstF. variumand to investigate the mucosa-associated bacteria before and after the therapy using a new molecular approach.: Twenty patients with ulcerative colitis were randomly assigned into the antibiotic treatment group (amoxicillin, tetracycline and metronidazole for 2 weeks) and no-antibiotics group. Clinical assessment, colonoscopic and histological evaluations were performed at 0 and 3–5 months after the treatment. DNA from mucosal bacteria was isolated from biopsy specimens. We investigated the mucosa-associated bacterial components by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism with the restriction enzymeHhaI andMspI, and quantified the change in the number of bacteria by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical detection ofF. variumin biopsy specimens was also performed.: After the treatment, the clinical assessment, colonoscopic and histological scores improved in the antibiotic group compared with the control group. Three peaks of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism decreased after treatment only in the antibiotic group.Eubacterium rectale,Dorea formicigenerans,Clostridium clostridioformeandF. variumwere included in these peaks. Based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction study, onlyF. variumwas significantly reduced after treatment. In the immunostaining, post-treatment scores in treatment group were significantly lower than that in control group.: Antibiotics combination therapy was effective for ulcerative colitis. The number of mucosa-associatedF. variumsignificantly decreased after the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although therapeutic human papillomavirus vaccines could offer a noninvasive treatment for patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, none has been clinically implemented. Oral administration of the therapeutic human papillomavirus vaccine IGMKK16E7 results in the histological regression of human papillomavirus 16-positive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 to normal (complete response). We investigated biomarkers that could predict complete response after oral administration of IGMKK16E7., Methods: Forty-two patients administered high-dose oral IGMKK16E7 in a phase I/II trial were included. Cervix-exfoliated cells were collected before vaccine administration. Gene expression of CD4, CD8, FOXP3, programmed cell death 1 protein, CTLA4, CD103, CD28, CD80, CD86, and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 in the cells was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to explore potential biomarkers. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was used to correlate gene expression profiles with clinical outcome., Results: The only predictive biomarker of vaccine response for which receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed significant diagnostic performance with histological complete response was CD86 (area under the curve = 0.71, 95% confidence interval = 0.53 to 0.88, P = .020). Patients with complete response had significantly lower CD86 expression (CD86-low) than patients with no complete response (P = .035). The complete response rates for CD86-low and CD86-high patients were 50% and 19%, respectively, and CD86-low patients had a significantly higher complete response rate (P = .047). Compared with all patients, the CD86-low group had a 1.5-fold increase in the complete response rate. Gene expression of CD86 and CTLA4 showed the strongest positive correlation with clinical outcomes in the incomplete response group (P < .001)., Conclusion: Low expression of CD86 in exfoliated cervical cells can be used as a pretreatment biomarker to predict histological complete response after IGMKK16E7 administration., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Cervical cancer affects women worldwide and is the most common human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer. Carcinogenesis caused by HPV results in specific cancer behavior because of the underlying viral infection. The mechanism and timing of the transformation from viral infection to cancer cells have been elucidated in detail. Treatments for this cancer are based on its characteristics and are being implemented. Moreover, HPV infection is widespread worldwide and is transmitted through sexual activity. Although the HPV vaccination is the most effective strategy of preventing cervical cancer, it is not feasible to vaccinate the entire human population especially in low- and middle-income countries. In order to consider the next step for HPV vaccination, we need to understand the characteristics of HPV carcinogenesis and cervical cancer. Additionally, treatment aimed at preservation of reproductive function in patients with cervical cancer is often required, as the cervix is a reproductive organ and because the disease is more prevalent in the adolescent and young adult generation. Thus, there are still many challenges in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer., (© 2024 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Background: Elderly patients with femoral neck fractures, particularly those with severe comorbidities or living in regions with limited medical resources, may experience delays in surgical treatment. Although the benefits of preoperative rehabilitation (prehabilitation) in hip arthroplasty have been reported, pain management remains a challenge. The pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block, known for its exceptional analgesic effect and motor function preservation, may be a promising intervention during prehabilitation in these patients., Case: We enrolled ten patients with Garden classification 3-4 femoral neck fractures scheduled for hip arthroplasty. After receiving a PENG block with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine, all patients underwent initial prehabilitation sessions comprising 9 mobility levels, ranging from bed-sitting to walking. One patient was excluded due to experiencing high blood pressure during prehabilitation. Six of the nine remaining patients (66.7%) were successfully transferred from bed to wheelchair., Conclusions: The PENG block enhanced prehabilitation for patients with femoral neck fractures undergoing hip arthroplasty.

Background: Understanding background factors is beneficial for interpreting general movements (GMs). This study examines the factors involved in preterm-writhing GMs by comparing twins and singletons., Method: The subjects were 107 infants cared for at Oita University. The cohort consisted of very-low-birth-weight infants, including twins with a birth weight < 2000 g. The median gestational age (GA) was 29 weeks 1 day. The subjects consisted of 75 singletons, 32 twins (16 pairs), 20 monochorionic twins (M-twins), and 12 dichorionic twins (D-twins). GMs were scored according to the GMs optimality score (GMOS) and integrated into 6 items: the quality, neck-trunk and space, amplitude-speed, rotation, onset-offset and cramped, and tremulous score at 32-34 weeks, 35-36 weeks, and 37-42 weeks' GA. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using integrated GMOS, and the characteristics of clusters were examined according to clinical backgrounds., Results: Three clusters were identified. Cluster 1 was characterized by good-quality GMs, cluster 2 by a poor repertoire but optimal space and rotatory components, and cluster 3 by overall poor-quality GMs, respectively. The mean GMOSs were 36.6, 31.8 and 24.3 in clusters 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There were no marked differences in proportions within clusters with respect to sex and twins. Small-for-gestational age (SGA) was significantly more frequent in cluster 3 at 32-34 weeks' GA than in other clusters. Perinatal brain injury had a significantly lower proportion in cluster 1 and a higher proportion in cluster 3 at 35-36 weeks' GA and 37-42 weeks' GA. M-twin pairs tended to belong to the same clusters at 35-36 weeks' GA., Conclusion: Preterm writhing GMs are associated with SGA and perinatal brain injury. Cluster matching in M-twins suggests that certain genetic factors may substantially influence GMs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, is an aggressive and potentially critical infestation that primarily affects the liver and can metastasize to any part of the body. We herein report two cases of echinococcosis, which could be differentiated from malignancy on imaging studies, with infections of the liver and mediastinal lymph nodes, and also associated with systemic disseminated lesions. AE is a very invasive infectious disease, and in order to detect such lesions at an early stage when they are still resectable, it is necessary to understand the characteristic imaging findings and determine the patient's current medical history.