Search

A Faraday rotation measure (RM) catalogue, or RM Grid, is a valuable resource for the study of cosmic magnetism. Using the second data release (DR2) from the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS), we have produced a catalogue of 2461 extragalactic high-precision RM values across 5720 deg2 of sky (corresponding to a polarized source areal number density of ∼0.43 deg−2). The linear polarization and RM properties were derived using RM synthesis from the Stokes Q and U channel images at an angular resolution of 20 arcsec across a frequency range of 120 to 168 MHz with a channel bandwidth of 97.6 kHz. The fraction of total intensity sources (>1 mJy beam−1) found to be polarized was ∼0.2 per cent. The median detection threshold was 0.6 mJy beam−1 (8σ QU ), with a median RM uncertainty of 0.06 rad m−2 (although a systematic uncertainty of up to 0.3 rad m−2 is possible, after the ionosphere RM correction). The median degree of polarization of the detected sources is 1.8 per cent, with a range of 0.05 per cent to 31 per cent. Comparisons with cm-wavelength RMs indicate minimal amounts of Faraday complexity in the LoTSS detections, making them ideal sources for RM Grid studies. Host galaxy identifications were obtained for 88 per cent of the sources, along with redshifts for 79 per cent (both photometric and spectroscopic), with the median redshift being 0.6. The focus of the current catalogue was on reliability rather than completeness, and we expect future versions of the LoTSS RM Grid to have a higher areal number density. In addition, 25 pulsars were identified, mainly through their high degrees of linear polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present new radio continuum images of the edge-on starburst galaxy NGC 5775, from LOFAR (140 MHz) and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array CHANG-ES survey (1500 MHz). We trace the non-thermal radio halo up to 13 kpc from the disc, measuring the non-thermal spectral index and estimating the total equipartition magnetic field strength (≈13  |$\mu$| G in the disc and ≈7  |$\mu$| G above the plane). The radio halo has a similar extent at both frequencies, displays evidence for localized cosmic ray streaming coinciding with prominent H α filaments and vertical extensions of the regular magnetic field, and exhibits a boxy morphology especially at 140 MHz. In order to understand the nature of the disc–halo flow, we extend our previous model of cosmic ray propagation by implementing an iso-thermal wind with a tunable 'flux tube' (approximately hyperboloidal) geometry. This updated model is successful in matching the vertical distribution of non-thermal radio emission, and the vertical steepening of the associated spectral index, in a consistent conceptual framework with few free parameters. Our new model provides the opportunity to estimate the mass outflow driven by the star formation process, and we find an implied rate of |$\dot{M}\approx 3$| – |$6\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }\, yr^{-1}}$| (≈40–80 per cent of the star formation rate) if the escape velocity is reached, with substantial uncertainty arising from the poorly understood distribution of interstellar medium material entrained in the vertical flow. The wind may play a role in influencing the vertical gradient in rotational velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Since 2023, COVID-19 induced by SARS-CoV-2 XBB variants have been a global epidemic. The XBB variant-induced epidemic was largest in the Okinawa Prefecture among areas in Japan, and healthcare institutions have been burdened by increased COVID-19 hospitalizations. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features of XBB variant-induced COVID-19 and risk factors for severe COVID-19., Methods: This retrospective study included adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between May and July 2023 at four tertiary medical institutions in Okinawa, Japan. Patients with bacterial infection-related complications were excluded. According to oxygen supplementation and intensive care unit admission, patients were divided into two groups, mild and severe. Patient backgrounds, symptoms, and outcomes were compared between both groups, and the risk factors for severe COVID-19 were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model., Results: In total of 367 patients included, the median age was 75 years, with 18.5% classified into the severe group. The all-cause mortality rate was 4.9%. Patients in the severe group were more older, had more underlying diseases, and had a higher mortality rate (13.2%) than those in the mild group (3.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-3.772), whereas bivalent omicron booster vaccination was an independent factor for less severe COVID-19 (95% CI, 0.203-0.862)., Conclusion: This study implies that assessing risk factors in older adults is particularly important in the era of omicron variants., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Ideguchi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major causative bacteria of pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD); however, the mechanisms underlying its severity and invasion remain to be defined. Pneumococcal colonies exhibit opaque and transparent opacity phase variations, which have been associated with invasive infections and nasal colonization, respectively, in animal studies. This study evaluated the relationship between the opacity of pneumococcal colonies and the clinical presentation of pneumococcal pneumonia. Methods. This retrospective study included adult patients hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia between 2012 and 2019 at four tertiary medical institutions. Pneumococcal strains from lower respiratory tract specimens were determined for their serotypes and microscopic colony opacity, and the association between the opacity phase and the severity of pneumonia was evaluated. Serotypes 3 and 37 with mucoid colony phenotypes were excluded from the study because their colony morphologies were clearly different. Results. A total of 92 patients were included. Most patients were older adults (median age: 72 years) and males (67 %), and 59 % had community-acquired pneumonia. Of the 92 patients, 41 (45 %), 12 (13 %), and 39 (42 %) patients had opaque, transparent, and mixed variants in their pneumococcal colony, respectively. The opaque and non-opaque pneumococcal variants had no statistically significant difference in patient backgrounds. Although the pneumonia severity index score did not differ between the opaque and non-opaque groups, the rate of bacteremia was significantly higher in the opaque group than in the non-opaque group. Serotype distribution was similar between the groups. Conclusions. Opaque pneumococcal variants may cause pneumonia and invasive diseases in humans. This study could help elucidate IPD, and opacity assessment may serve as a predictor for IPD.

The relationship between microorganisms present in the lower respiratory tract and the subsequent incidence of pneumonia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is unclear. A retrospective cohort study was designed to include a total of 121 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent bronchoscopy at three hospitals between January 2008 and December 2017. Data on patient characteristics, microorganisms detected by bronchoscopy, and subsequent incidences of pneumonia were obtained from electronic medical records. Patients were divided into groups based on the microorganisms isolated from the lower respiratory tract. The cumulative incidence of pneumonia was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and decision tree analysis was performed to analyze the relation between the presence of microorganisms and the occurrence of pneumonia. The most frequently isolated microbes were Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus aureus , and Haemophilus influenzae . Patients whose samples tested negative for bacteria or positive for normal oral flora were included in the control group. The rate of the subsequent incidence of pneumonia was higher in the P. aeruginosa group than in the control group ( p = 0.026), and decision tree analysis suggested that P. aeruginosa and patient performance status were two important factors for predicting the incidence of pneumonia. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the presence of P. aeruginosa in the lower respiratory tract was associated with the subsequent incidence of pneumonia.

The physical and mechanical properties of waste ground were examined at 14 locations across 4 inert waste landfills in Japan with the goal of establishing a safe and cost-effective design methodology specific to inert waste landfills. Composition analysis, basic physical properties, angle of repose, CASPOL impact value tests, and in situ direct shear tests were conducted. Inert wastes were comprised of three main components: fibrous, granular, and soil-like content, and their compositions varied between 3.6-54%, 13-45%, and 43-74%, respectively. As the fibrous content and age after reclamation increased, the water content increased but the percentage air voids decreased. The impact value (I a ), which is an indicator of the bearing capacity, increased as the dry density increased. For all locations, the angle of repose after avalanche (α a ) was found between 34 and 44°. In direct shear tests, the cohesion (c) and internal angle of friction (φ) ranged from 2 to 21 kN/m 2 and 22-59°, respectively. The shear stresses obtained from these c and φ values were higher than those for the municipal solid wastes, particularly for landfills with fibrous fractions ranging 14-31% under a normal stress of 25.55 kN/m 2 . c increased and φ decreased as the dry density increased. The correlation calculated for c and φ with I a for inert waste landfill were c = 4.10I a  - 21.32 and φ = -4.61I a  + 82.37. Finally, the utilization of the results obtained in this study is discussed in three design stages: planning, landfilling, and future expansion., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic and life-threatening pulmonary infection with an increasing prevalence among individuals who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative. Evidence regarding diagnostic testing of PCP in this patient population is insufficient. We evaluated the performance of serum (1, 3)-β-d-glucan (BDG) using the Fungitec G-test MK kit for diagnosing PCP in non-HIV patients. We retrospectively analyzed data from 219 non-HIV adult patients who underwent bronchoscopy and were tested for P. jirovecii DNA by PCR using lavage samples from the lower respiratory tract. Fifty PCP patients and 125 non-PCP patients were included. The most common underlying diseases were malignancies and systemic autoimmune diseases. Using the serum BDG Fungitec G-test MK test to diagnose PCP, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.924, whereas the modified cut-off value of 36.6 pg/mL had a sensitivity and specificity of 92.0% and 84.8%, respectively. The AUC for patients with systemic autoimmune diseases was 0.873, and the accuracy of serum BDG test declined when using methotrexate (MTX). In conclusion, the serum BDG test was useful for diagnosing PCP in non-HIV patients; however, the results should be carefully interpreted in case of MTX administration., Lay Summary: The Fungitec G-test MK kit for measuring serum (1, 3)-β-d-glucan (BDG) levels had a sufficient diagnostic performance for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients. However, the results should be carefully interpreted in case of MTX administration., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology.)

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening renal infection characterized by the formation of gas within the renal parenchyma and collecting duct system, as well as perinephric tissues. We herein report a case of bilateral EPN accompanied by the urinary tract infection caused by spherical growth of Candida albicans in a patient with underlying diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer. The diagnosis was assisted by computed tomography, urography, and gram staining. Despite immediate percutaneous catheter drainage and a 4-week course of antifungal treatment, the C. albicans infection was refractory, as indicated by continuous isolation from the urine, and the patient eventually died. A local autopsy of urinary organs revealed C. albicans in the renal tissue. EPN caused by Candida species frequently occurs in men, and almost all cases have underlying poorly controlled diabetes. This condition is subject to delayed diagnosis, which may lead to extended disease and high mortality. Candida species should be considered as causative microorganism for refractory EPN in patients with poorly controlled diabetes who are receiving antibiotic treatment. Gram staining may contribute to an early diagnosis of EPN caused by Candida species, which may require long-term antifungal therapy., (Copyright © 2018 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) has recently been used for improved diagnostic yields for peripheral pulmonary lesions. This study retrospectively evaluated the factors related to the diagnostic yield of EBUS-GS for peripheral lung cancer. The medical records of 76 patients who had been diagnosed with lung cancer and had undergone bronchoscopy with EBUS-GS in our hospital between August 2014 and September 2015 were reviewed. The total diagnostic ratio of peripheral lung cancer was 71.1%. The following factors of the diagnostic yield were evaluated: location of pulmonary lesion; size; feature; bronchus sign; location of EBUS probe; EBUS detection; number of biopsies performed; procedure time; use of virtual bronchoscopic navigation; use of EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration with EBUS-GS; CT slice thickness; operator's years of medical experience; and specialized training in bronchoscopy at the National Cancer Center. In all cases, lesion size ≧ 20 mm (80.8% vs. 50.0%, P = 0.006), EBUS probe location "within" (90.0% vs. 50.0%, P < 0.001), EBUS detection (80.7% vs. 28.6%, P < 0.001), number of biopsies ≧ 5 (78.0% vs. 47.1%, P = 0.013), and bronchoscopy training (81.6% vs. 60.5%, P = 0.043) significantly contributed to an increase in the diagnostic yield. Following a multivariate analysis, EBUS probe location "within" was found to be the most significant factor affecting the diagnostic yield (odds ratio 14.10, 95% CI 3.53-56.60, P < 0.001), and bronchoscopy training was the second most significant factor (odds ratio 6.93, 95% CI 1.86-25.80, P = 0.004). EBUS probe location "within" and bronchoscopy training are the most important factors for improved diagnostic yield by bronchoscopy with EBUS-GS for peripheral lung cancer.

A therapeutic agent of vitamin K2 is approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in Japan. However, little is known about the efficacy of dietary intake of vitamin K2 for bone health. We compared the effects of various levels of fermented soybeans (Natto) intake, which contains plenty of vitamin K2, on bone stiffness and bone turnover markers in healthy premenopausal women. Seventy-three healthy premenopausal women were randomly divided into four groups matched for age and parity categories. Natto was supplied as follows: Group 1 (no intake), Group 2 (once per month), Group 3 (once per week) and Group 4 (three times per week). Subjects took Natto at a lunch for 1 y, and the stiffness index by quantitative ultrasound and bone turnover markers were assessed at baseline, 6 mo and 1 y. There was no statistical difference in the stiffness index during the 1 y observation. However, bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in Group 4 was higher than that in Group 3 at 1 y and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (Glu) in Group 4 was significantly lower than those in Groups 1, 2 and 3 at 6 mo. Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of reduction of bone formation markers declined to 0.07 in Group 4 based on that in Group 1. In premenopausal women who had to keep the stiffness index as high as possible before menopause, Natto intake may have contributed to the promotion of bone formation.

Fermented soybeans (Natto), a traditional Japanese food, contain more than 100 times as much vitamin K2 as various cheeses and are considered to promote gamma-carboxylation. Thus it is conceivable that Natto may play a preventive role in the development of osteoporosis. In this study, the relationships between the bone stiffness index measured by ultrasound, bone turnover markers, and lifestyle factors, including Natto intake, were examined in relation to vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism. Among 117 premenopausal volunteers, approximately 75% were bb homozygotes, 20% were Bb heterozygotes, and only 5% were BB homozygotes. The B allele group and the bb group were subdivided according to Natto intake. In a monovariate analysis, no significant differences in indices for dietary intake, including Ca and vitamin D intake, were observed. The stiffness index in the B allele group, however, was slightly lower than in the bb groups when there was no Natto intake. There were no significant differences in serum ALP and Gla-osteocalcin, bone formation markers, or NTx and Ca in urine, bone resorption markers. A logistic regression test, including the interactional effect of Natto intake and VDR RFLP, indicated that the B allele group was a risk factor of bone mineral loss and that Natto was effective in maintaining bone stiffness in this group. Although the present study was cross sectional and requires longitudinal investigation, Natto may improve the bone health of people who have a low affinity receptor for vitamin D.

Objective: The authors sought to determine the usefulness of long-term continuous trigeminal nerve block with local anesthetics using an indwelling catheter in a patient with trigeminal neuralgia., Design: The study design included pain control in a patient with trigeminal neuralgia until the time of neurosurgical operation., Setting: The study was conducted in the Dental Hospital of Tokyo Medical and Dental University., Patient: The patient was a 78-year-old woman with trigeminal neuralgia in the right maxillary region. Her pain could not be controlled by carbamazepine and was unbearable., Intervention: The authors estimated the patient's pain intensity, quality, and locality using a visual analog scale to determine the effectiveness of continuous nerve block., Outcome Measures: Visual analog scores were measured during treatment. The treatment term was divided into three periods according to the difference of the catheter location and injection protocol (premandibular nerve block, infuser injection, and patient-controlled analgesia [PCA] pump injection). The authors also examined the patient's general condition and blood concentration of drugs., Results: The visual analog values were 44.8 +/- 3.6, 26.7 +/- 3.5, and 11.9 +/- 3.1 mm in each period, respectively. The value in the PCA pump infusion period was significantly lower than that in the other periods. No side effects of the local anesthetics were observed on the patient's systemic condition., Conclusions: The authors controlled trigeminal neuralgia pain by blocking the mandibular nerve with local anesthetics administered through an indwelling catheter. Because the continuous nerve block with local anesthetics is reversible and only mildly toxic, this method is beneficial for pain control in patients with trigeminal neuralgia scheduled to undergo microvascular decompression.

The effects on cardiovascular functions of noxious stimulation to the orofacial areas innervated by trigeminal afferent nerves were analyzed in urethane-anesthetized, spinal cord-intact rats and in rats acutely spinalized at the second cervical level. In the spinal cord-intact rats, pinching of the upper lip produced increases in both heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Both responses were considered to be due to activation of sympathetic efferent nerves to the cardiovascular organs. Both responses were attenuated but did not disappear after spinalization at the C2 level. In spinalized rats, sympathetic preganglionic neurons emerging from the thoracolumbar spinal cord could not receive any neural influences from the brain. The HR response in the spinal rats was abolished after either bilateral vagotomy or intravenous injection of a peripherally acting muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, methylatropine. This suggests that the increase in HR was elicited via vagal cholinergic efferent fibers, probably by decreasing tonic activity of vagus nerves to the heart. In spinal rats, neither vagotomy nor cholinergic blockade affected the increase in MAP, but i.v. injection of the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist, OPC-21268, abolished the response of MAP. This suggests that the response of MAP was due to peripheral vasoconstriction elicited by vasopressin secreted from the posterior pituitary lobe. The present study demonstrated that, in rats acutely spinalized at the C2 level, noxious stimulation of orofacial areas innervated by the trigeminal nerve could produce reflex increases both in HR, by decreasing cholinergic vagal nerve activity to the heart, and blood pressure, by secreting vasopressin from the pituitary gland, even though sympathetic efferent innervation to the cardiovascular organs could not be directly affected by trigeminal afferent nerve excitation.

We administered 3 g of taurine orally for four weeks to 35 patients suffering from liver cirrhosis with repeated muscle cramp (MC). Improvement of MC was noted in 22 cases (62.9%). We also determined the plasma taurine concentration in eight cases of liver cirrhosis with MC. The plasma taurine concentration before ingestion was 54.1 +/- 20.7 nmol/ml, whereas that of four weeks after ingestion was 125.1 +/- 59.1 nmol/ml, which was significantly elevated by 2.3 fold. As the concentration increased, the frequency of MC decreased, suggesting the good correlation between ingestion and the decrease in frequency of MC. In liver cirrhosis without MC the plasma taurine concentration was 81.0 +/- 16.7 nmol/ml, which was significantly higher than in liver cirrhosis with MC. In a few cases with taurine ingestion, serial plasma taurine concentrations were detected. Plasma taurine reached the peak value during the first week of ingestion and plasma taurine levels were maintained 2-5 fold higher during ingestion.

Thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) and Plasmin-alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC) were examined in fifty two cases of various chronic liver diseases. TAT was significantly elevated in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but PIC did not show significant changes in any chronic liver diseases. Elevations of TAT and PIC were seen in cases of HCC accompanied by tumor enlargement and extensive tumor thrombosis. In cases of HCC undergoing transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), TAT and PIC increased on the next day after TAE, and tended to recover with time, returning to almost normal at fourth week. Prolongation of prothrombin time, elevation of FDP and positive FM test were noted more often in liver cirrhosis with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) than in severe liver dysfunction without DIC. Of five cases confirmed as DIC, only three cases were diagnosed as DIC by DIC score. On the other hand, TAT and PIC were significantly elevated in DIC cases. Especially, TAT exceeded 30 ng/ml in all DIC cases. TAT was regarded to be useful for the diagnosis of DIC in severe liver dysfunction.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) isolates were differentiated by immunoblotting analysis using a mixture of polyclonal antisera directed against HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV type 2 (HSV-2) glycoprotein fractions (gB/gC of HSV-1 and gC/gE/84-kDa protein of HSV-2), since the mixed antisera recognized viral polypeptides with different molecular weights in HSV-1- and HSV-2-infected cells. Results of typing by immunoblotting analysis were consistent with those obtained by restriction endonuclease analysis of DNAs extracted from 10 HSV isolates. These results suggest that the immunoblotting technique will be applicable to reliable typing of HSV isolates using polyclonal antisera showing the difference in reaction patterns between HSV-1- and HSV-2-infected cells.

On June 11, 1986, a 70-year-old man was introduced to our hospital because of an elevated AFP and hepatomegaly. He was diagnosed as having an HCC in the left medial segment and a transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was able to reduce his AFP level. In December, 1986, repeated tarry stool was noted, and he was readmitted to hospital on January, 28, 1987, because of severe anemia. An ordinary X-ray revealed an abnormal gas shadow in the right upper abdomen. A subsequent endoscopic examination showed a tumoral mass protruding into the duodenal lumen through a duodenal perforation. After death an autopsy revealed that the perforation was due to the expansive growth of the tumoral mass to the duodenum.

A case of a hepatocellular carcinoma with a metastasis to abdominal wall is reported. The patient was a 52-year-old man who, in December, 1982, had been found to have a 16 x 13 cm of tumor in the right lobe of the liver. He received transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) several times and a hepatic segmentectomy twice. He survived more than six years until his death on January, 17, 1989. A subcutaneous tumor that had appeared in May, 1988 had gradually increased in size and was found to have reached 6 x 5.5 x 2.5 cm on autopsy. The tumor had connected directly with the liver tumor.