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Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with radial acquisition regime (RADAR; RADAR-DWI) is a fast spin echo (FSE)–based DWI imaging technique that is known to be robust to magnetic susceptibility artifacts and distortions as compared with echo planar imaging DWI (EPI-DWI). Several reports have suggested that the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained with FSE-based DWI are different from those obtained with EPI-DWI. The purpose of this study was to create phantoms that mimic the T 2 and ADC values of various tissues and to demonstrate the ADC values obtained with RADAR-DWI and EPI-DWI in low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. Several phantoms were created using sucrose and manganese (II) chloride tetrahydrate mimicking various tissues. RADAR-DWI and EPI-DWI were used to scan the phantoms, and the obtained ADC values were compared. The ADC values obtained with RADAR-DWI were significantly higher than those obtained with EPI-DWI for all phantoms (P < 0.05). The ADC values obtained by RADAR-DWI ranged from 0.70 ± 0.01 to 1.21 ± 0.02 (× 10−3mm2s−1). Meanwhile, the ADC values obtained with EPI-DWI ranged from 0.59 ± 0.01 to 1.08 ± 0.05 (× 10−3mm2s−1). We created phantoms mimicking T 2 and ADC values of various tissues and demonstrated the differences in ADC values obtained with RADAR-DWI and EPI-DWI using low-field MRI systems. ADC values obtained by RADAR-DWI are significantly higher than those obtained by EPI-DWI, with different cutoff values for various tumor malignancies between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a collagen disease with immune abnormalities, vasculopathy, and fibrosis. Ca blockers and prostaglandins are used to treat peripheral circulatory disturbances. Chronic limb‐threatening ischemia (CLTI) is a disease characterized by extremity ulcers, necrosis, and pain due to limb ischemia. Since only a few patients present with coexistence of CLTI and SSc, the treatment outcomes of revascularization in these cases are unknown. In this study, we evaluated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of seven patients with CLTI and SSc, and 35 patients with uncomplicated CLTI who were hospitalized from 2012 to 2022. A higher proportion of patients with uncomplicated CLTI had diabetes and male. There were no significant differences in the age at which ischemic ulceration occurred, other comorbidities, or in treatments, including antimicrobial agents, revascularization and amputation, improvement of pain, and the survival time from ulcer onset between the two subgroups. EVT or amputation was performed in six or two of the seven patients with CLTI and SSc, respectively. Among those who underwent EVT, 33% (2/6) achieved epithelialization and 67% (4/6) experienced pain relief. These results suggest that the revascularization in cases with CLTI and SSc should consider factors such as infection and general condition, since revascularization improve the pain of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, classical swine fever (CSF) reemerged in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, after 26 years of absence, and vaccination of domestic pigs using a live attenuated vaccine was initiated in 2019. Because the vaccine efficacy in piglets is influenced by the maternal antibody levels, vaccination should be administered at the optimal age by assuming the antibody level in sows. In this study, the shift in the antibody titer distribution in sows due to the initiation of vaccination to naïve herds and its influence on the vaccine-induced immunity rate in fattening pigs were investigated for 3 years. The results indicated that higher antibody titers were induced in first-generation sows after vaccine initiation because they were immunologically naïve, but the distribution of antibody titers shifted to lower levels along with their replacement with second-generation sows. The average vaccination age of fattening pigs became earlier year by year, and the vaccine-induced antibody rate was almost ≥80%. Based on the estimation of the optimal age for vaccination, it was found that vaccination at a younger age may reduce the risk of CSF infection. Taken together, the risk of CSF outbreaks can be reduced by administering vaccines at the optimal age based on the sequential monitoring of the sow's immune status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saccharomyces cerevisiae LBTF 21.3, Pichia manshurica LBTF 21.1, and Leuconostoc lactis LBTF 21.1 were used as single and mixed cultures in coffee fermentations. Fermentations carried out in glass jars with P. manshurica LBTF 21.1/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1 showed higher fermentation rates than S. cerevisiae LBTF 21.3/P. manshurica LBTF 21.1 or S. cerevisiae LBTF 21.3/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1. The highest cup quality was reached with P. manshurica LBTF 21.1/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1 (83.0 points). Full factorial design (22) carried out with P. manshurica LBTF 21.1 revealed that the higher proportion of water added before the fermentation resulted in higher production of acetic acid. A contrary effect of this variable was observed on the production of lactic acid with Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1. Fermentations conducted in bioreactor evidenced the production of acetaldehyde by P. manshurica LBTF 21.1/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1, P. manshurica LBTF 21.1, and Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1. Additionally, the highest cup quality was reached in fermentations with P. manshurica LBTF 21.1 (82.5 points) followed by Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1 (81.5 points) and P. manshurica LBTF 21.1/Leuc. lactis LBTF 21.1 (81.0 points). Fermentations of coffee with single and mixed cultures are interesting strategies for the improvement of the sensory quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fall of 2022, high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) were detected from raptors and geese in Japan, a month earlier than in past years, indicating a shift in detection patterns. In this study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis on H5N1 HPAIVs detected from six wild birds during the 2022/2023 season to determine their genetic origins. Our findings revealed that these HPAIVs belong to the G2 group within clade 2.3.4.4b, with all isolates classified into three subgroups: G2b, G2d, and G2c. The genetic background of the G2b virus (a peregrine falcon-derived strain) and G2d viruses (two raptors and two geese-derived strains) were the same as those detected in Japan in the 2021/2022 season. Since no HPAI cases were reported in Japan during the summer of 2022, it is probable that migratory birds reintroduced the G2b and G2d viruses. Conversely, the G2c virus (a raptor-derived strain) was first recognized in Japan in the fall of 2022. This strain might share a common ancestor with HPAIVs from Asia and West Siberia observed in the 2021/2022 season. The early migration of waterfowl to Japan in the fall of 2022 could have facilitated the early invasion of HPAIVs.

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with metastases to the cervical lymph nodes are extremely rare, and its clinical course is characterized by rapidly progressive disease. Hence, there have been no reports of metastatic cervical lymph node recurrence indicated after a long postoperative surveillance period. Case presentation The patient was a 63-year-old male who underwent right hepatectomy for HCC of the right upper lobe. Three years after resection, metastatic lymph node recurrence was detected in the subdiaphragm, superior mediastinum, and right cervical lymph nodes. The patient underwent excisional biopsy of the cervical lymph node, followed by molecular-targeted therapy and radiation therapy. Lenvatinib reduced the size of all metastatic lymph nodes and the patient survived for a relatively long period of 43 months after the recurrence was detected. Conclusions After resection of HCC in the right upper lobe, there is the possibility of metastatic lymph node recurrence in unusual sites, including the cervical region, and lenvatinib may be effective in those recurrences.

Abstract This paper proposes a new idea for dramatically increasing the efficiency of CO2 reduction to CH4 at Pt/C electrocatalysts with negligibly low overpotentials. Pt catalysts have typically been disregarded in favor of other metal catalysts for CO2 reduction due to their poor performances. However, our strategically‐designed, multi‐potential‐step method, using a membrane electrode assembly with Pt/C catalysts, allows CO2 to be electrocatalytically converted to CH4 at close to the theoretical electrode potential with a net faradaic efficiency of 59.8±9.7 %. This approach is relevant and important because it provides a method of simultaneously ameliorating CO2 buildup and generating useful products.

Abstract Background Perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasm (PEComa) in a child is very rare. We herein report the first malignant case of PEComa developing in the liver of a pediatric patient. Case presentation A 10-year-old boy visited a private clinic with prolonged fever of unknown etiology. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to evaluate the fever’s origin, revealing a large tumor in the liver. He was thus referred to a nearby hospital to investigate the tumor further. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a 6.8 × 5.9 × 10.5-cm solid lesion on S4 and S5. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumor had a low signal intensity on T1 imaging and high signal intensity on T2 imaging, with partial diffusion restriction. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed a marked uptake in the mass lesion with no evidence of metastasis. The patient was negative for all tumor markers, including AFP, CEA and PIVKA-II. The results of a needle biopsy suggested hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor’s rapid growth suggested malignancy. Hepatic segmentectomy (S4 + S5 + S8) was performed. The tumor was resected en bloc with a margin. Microscopically, the tumor showed atypical spindle, polygonal or oval-shaped cells with a high nuclear grade, and vascular invasion. Immunohistochemistry was positive for alpha-smooth muscle antigen (α-SMA), human melanin black-45 (HMB-45) and melan A. The pathological diagnosis was malignant PEComa. In the 6 months after surgery, the patient complained of shoulder pain. MRI showed a dumbbell-shaped tumor at the 2nd thoracic vertebrae, which was confirmed to be bone metastasis of PEComa. After chemotherapy, including ifosfamide and doxorubicin, vertebrectomy was performed. Two years later, thoracoabdominal CT showed a 10-cm solid mass occupying the pelvis and a 15-mm nodule in the middle lobe of the right lung. Under a diagnosis of peritoneal and lung metastases, they were surgically removed and metastasis of PEComa was pathologically confirmed. Four months after the 2nd relapse, pelvic metastasis appeared again and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitor was initiated. To our knowledge, this is the first report of malignant hepatic PEComa in a pediatric patient. Conclusion Although extremely rare, malignant hepatic PEComa can develop in a child.

Here, Kodama et al. describe the discovery, isolation and characterization of a novel tick-borne orthonairovirus, designated Yezo virus (YEZV), from patients with an acute febrile illness in Japan. Serological testing of wildlife and molecular screening of ticks suggest an endemic circulation of YEZV in Japan.