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A retrospective study was conducted with patients involuntarily admitted to psychiatric hospitals. Patients were divided into the following two groups based on whether they had a history of legal proceedings before committing the act that subjected them to their current sentence: those who repeatedly harmed others (RHO) and those who did not (NRHO). We compared their characteristics and performed a two-variable logistic regression analysis. The total number of patients was 210. The RHO and NRHO groups included 51(24.3%) and 159(75.7%) patients. A comparison between the two groups revealed that patients in the RHO group were overwhelming male, with substance use and intellectual problems. The two-variable logistic regression analysis results indicated that the variables associated with RHO were "F1" and "a history of involuntary admission" in order of high odds ratios. The essential points regarding support for the RHO group were as follows: (1) intervention at the stages of initial criminal proceedings and involuntary admission, and (2) collaborative support between penal codes and the public health, medical, and welfare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate if early exercise can help prevent skeletal muscle loss and improve the clinical outcomes of esophageal cancer patients receiving preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective observational cohort study of 110 patients with advanced esophageal cancer. We analyzed the effect of early exercise on the risk of skeletal muscle loss (defined as > 2.98%) during NAC and the subsequent clinical outcomes. Patients in the early exercise group (n = 71) started exercise therapy 8 days earlier than those the late exercise group (n = 39). Results: The median age of the patients was 65.4 years, the mean BMI was 21.1 kg/m2, and 92 (84%) of the 110 patients were men. Skeletal muscle loss occurred in 34% and 67% of the early and late exercise groups, respectively (p < 0.001). There was a lower risk of surgical site infection in the early exercise group (1% vs 16%, p = 0.021). Multivariate analysis revealed that early exercise reduced the risk of skeletal muscle loss (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.09–0.65, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Our results suggest that early exercise reduces the risk of both skeletal muscle loss during NAC and subsequent surgical site infection in patients with esophageal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural and electrical conduction properties of nitrogen-doped nanocrystalline diamond films are studied as a function of deposition temperature (TD) in a microwave Ar-rich/CH4 plasma with 30%N2 addition. Hall- and Seebeck-effect measurements confirm n-type conduction for TD above 1100 K. For TD from 1100 and 1220 K, the electron concentration increases up to 1020 cm-3 and the electron mobility is in the range of 4–8 cm2 V-1 s-1. For TD above 1250 K, the mobility decreases to ∼1 cm2 V-1 s-1. Low conductivity films deposited at low TD exhibit semiconductorlike thermal activation in the Arrhenius plots, while high conductivity films deposited at high TD are almost temperature independent, indicative of quasimetallic conduction. The nitrogen concentration in the films is about 0.3 at. %, independent of TD. As TD is increased, the sp2 content and order increase. This is responsible for the appearance of midgap states, their delocalization, and the larger distance between diamond grains. The high conductivity at high TD is due to the amount and crystallinity of sp2 carbon, rather than the nitrogen concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Notch strength can be expressed in terms of the R parameter as a unique master curve for ductile cast irons independent of the temperature and strain rate. • The notch–strengthening threshold R th was proposed to describe the lowest service temperature and highest strain rate that can be applied to structural components. • If the real products are under the condition R ≧ R th , their notch strength can be evaluated safely and conveniently using tensile strength in mechanical design to prevent instantaneous fracture. Abstract In this study, notch strength σ B notch was studied for a wide range of testing speed and temperature in comparison with the static tensile strength at room temperature σ B, RT smooth. High–speed tensile tests were conducted on high–Si ductile cast iron, conventional ferrite–pearlite ductile cast iron, and fully pearlitic ductile cast iron at a stroke speed ranging between 8.5 × 10−3 and 2.7 × 102 mm/s (strain rate of 2.1 × 10−4 and 1.8 × 101 s−1) and temperature ranging between −180 °C and 22 °C. Then, σ B notch and σ B, RT smooth were compared in terms of the strain rate–temperature parameter R = T ln (A/ ε ̇) to evaluate the combined influence of the strain rate ε ̇ and temperature T. It was found that the notch strength σ B notch can be expressed as a unique master curve in terms of R parameter for each material. Then, a notch–strengthening threshold criterion R ≧ R th was proposed to describe the lowest service temperature and highest strain rate that can be applied to the structural components. Under the condition R ≧ R th , σ B notch is always larger than σ B, RT smooth , and therefore, notched components can be used safely. In other words, if R ≧ R th , σ B, RT smooth can be used to evaluate the notched components in machine design to prevent instantaneous fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the ophthalmoscopic changes of the choroidal vessels in the posterior pole of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease patients whose choroid is thickened due to asymptomatic choroiditis.Methods: Three patients whose choroidal vessels are indistinct or not visible in the posterior pole by ophthalmoscopy were examined by fundus photography and enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).Results: They did not complain of vision problems, and visual acuity was good. Serous retinal detachment was not observed by ophthalmoscopy or by OCT. However, choroidal thickening was observed in the EDI-OCT, while choroidal vessels became blurred or invisible on ophthalmoscopy. After steroid therapy, choroidal thickness decreased to normal levels and the small and large choroidal vessels previously indiscernible became visible by ophthalmoscopy and fundus photography.Conclusions: Asymptomatic choroiditis not accompanied by serous retinal detachment can be detected and assessed by observing the changes in the choroidal vessels by ophthalmoscopy and fundus photography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the impact of varying stand-off distance (SOD) on the weld interface of pure titanium (Ti)/stainless steel (SS316) clads. Microstructural examination revealed a wavy interface morphology of welded clads. The morphological changes of the bonding interface under different SOD conditions showed that both the wavelength and amplitude increased with an increase in the SOD, with the wavelength demonstrating a more pronounced effect. In addition, a scratch test was also employed to characterize the weld interface. It is an important tool for evaluating the mechanical properties of a material. During scratch tests, an oval-shaped scratch morphology was observed on the Ti side, with the appearance of first divergent and then convergent behavior at the weld interface. In the tensile shear test, the Ti/SS316 clads exhibited higher tensile shear strength in the longitudinal direction compared to the transverse direction. The observed tensile shear strength values were in the range of 352.7–404.6 MPa for the longitudinal direction and 295.7–359.3 MPa for the transverse direction. The study found that the tensile shear strength increased in both the longitudinal and transverse directions as the SOD was increased from 5 to 10 mm. However, at an SOD of 15 mm, a decrease in tensile shear strength was observed in both directions. This decrease was attributed to the presence of non-uniform defects, such as cracks, voids, and high plastic deformation, at the interface zone. The fracture study revealed a combination of ductile and brittle fracture, with ductile fracture dominant at lower SOD and brittle fracture at higher SOD. The study found that the SOD had a substantial effect on the output of the weld results, and a SOD of 10 mm was determined to be the optimal welding parameter for Ti/SS316 clads based on microstructure and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To reconsider the pathogenesis of traumatic myopia by describing two cases and literature review. Methods: Refraction was measured, A-scan ultrasonography was performed, and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) was used to observe the ciliary body in the acute and recovery stages. Results: The first patient had a myopic shift of −6.12 diopters (D) on the initial examination (day 2) compared with the recovered stage. UBM showed ciliochoroidal effusion in one half of the circumference and severe edema in three eighths of the ciliary body, which led to an anterior rotation of the ciliary body. Immediately after the cycloplegia, the myopic shift decreased by −3.9 D. On day 11, the refraction was −0.63 D, and the UBM findings were normalized. The second patient had a myopic shift of −4.38 D on the first examination compared with the recovered stage. UBM showed an annular ciliochoroidal effusion leading to anterior rotation of the ciliary body. Immediately after the cycloplegia, there was a decrease of −2.75 D. Biometric measurements showed an increased anterior chamber depth and a decreased thickness of the lens. On day 16, the refraction was −1.0 D, and the UBM findings were normalized. In both cases, biometric measurements in the acute phase suggested a anterior chamber shallowing, a thickening of the lens, and an anterior shift of the lens-iris diaphragm Conclusions: Cycloplegia decreased the myopic shift by more than 60 %. These findings indicate a significant contribution of ciliary spasm combined with ciliochoroidal effusion, anterior shift of the lens-iris diaphragm, and thickening of the lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-molecule imaging and manipulation with optical microscopy have become essential methods for studying biomolecular machines; however, only few efforts have been directed towards synthetic molecular machines. Single-molecule optical microscopy was now applied to a synthetic molecular rotor, a double-decker porphyrin (DD). By attaching a magnetic bead (ca. 200 nm) to the DD, its rotational dynamics were captured with a time resolution of 0.5 ms. DD showed rotational diffusion with 90° steps, which is consistent with its four-fold structural symmetry. Kinetic analysis revealed the first-order kinetics of the 90° step with a rate constant of 2.8 s−1. The barrier height of the rotational potential was estimated to be greater than 7.4 kJ mol−1 at 298 K. The DD was also forcibly rotated with magnetic tweezers, and again, four stable pausing angles that are separated by 90° were observed. These results demonstrate the potency of single-molecule optical microscopy for the elucidation of elementary properties of synthetic molecular machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-molecule imaging and manipulation with optical microscopy have become essential methods for studying biomolecular machines; however, only few efforts have been directed towards synthetic molecular machines. Single-molecule optical microscopy was now applied to a synthetic molecular rotor, a double-decker porphyrin (DD). By attaching a magnetic bead (ca. 200 nm) to the DD, its rotational dynamics were captured with a time resolution of 0.5 ms. DD showed rotational diffusion with 90° steps, which is consistent with its four-fold structural symmetry. Kinetic analysis revealed the first-order kinetics of the 90° step with a rate constant of 2.8 s−1. The barrier height of the rotational potential was estimated to be greater than 7.4 kJ mol−1 at 298 K. The DD was also forcibly rotated with magnetic tweezers, and again, four stable pausing angles that are separated by 90° were observed. These results demonstrate the potency of single-molecule optical microscopy for the elucidation of elementary properties of synthetic molecular machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess whether the phosphorylated Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) at 194 serine (p-FADD) is valuable as a marker of biochemical recurrence in hormone-naive patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy. Materials and Methods: We used radical prostatectomy specimens from 106 patients. None of the patients had received neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. The percentage of positive p-FADD cells (nuclear staining) was immunohistochemically evaluated. The correlation between FADD phosphorylation and the clinicopathologic parameters was assessed. The correlation between the biochemical recurrence-free rate and the p-FADD expression level was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Overall, 39 patients developed biochemical recurrence. We investigated the expression of p-FADD in 106 patients with prostate cancer using immunohistochemistry. We compared our findings with the clinicopathologic parameters, including the follow-up data. Patients with a greater positive p-FADD rate had a significantly lower biochemical recurrence rate than those with a lower positive p-FADD rate (P < .001). A significant inverse correlation was found between the positive p-FADD rate and the Gleason score. Conclusion: A low expression of p-FADD could be a predictor of biochemical recurrence in hormone-naive patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New rotary molecular machines ( 1 and 2) were synthetically constructed from two distinct porphyrin-based rotors, a cerium(IV) bis(porphyrinate)s double-decker (CeDD) and a porphyrinatorhodium(III)-based rotor. These rotors are adjacently mounted on rotational axes aligned to near vertical as resembling the bevel-gear-shaped structure. Structural study using NMR analysis reveals that these distinct rotors are connected through a coordination bond between rhodium(III) and a pyridyl group. At temperature from 193 to 393 K, each rotor represents rotational motion driven by heat fluctuation without decomposition into the corresponding precursors in dichloromethane- d and tetrachloroethane- d. Importantly, the mechanical interaction between the teeth of these rotors is strongly dependent on the central metal atom in a DD rotor and the teeth structure in a porphyrinatorhodium(III)-based rotor. Understanding such relationship between the chemical structures and mechanical interaction is of importance for generating cooperative motion in the hybrid machinery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of microfluidics systems for high-throughput postgenome analysis has been steadily increasing. We conceived and fabricated an integrated six-microchip capillary electrophoresis unit on a small area of 30 × 30 mm for high-throughput DNA analysis. The design of the structure was performed using a fluid dynamics simulation of electrophoresis to improve the DNA separation resolution. A narrow width of the micro channel at the corners was adopted. For simple fabrication of the microchip, we developed the PMMA structure of the micro fluid channel using lithography, molding, and fusion bonding techniques. It was demonstrated that the proposed integrated structure of micro channels results in good performance of on-chip DNA separation in a small one-unit area of 9 × 9 mm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 177(1): 32-36, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (). DOI 10.1002/eej.21156 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A double-decker porphyrin 1R bearing one chiral substituent per porphyrin ring was synthesised. The host 1R showed highly cooperative binding towards chiral guest 2R with stoichiometry of the complex (1:2) and its stepwise association constants (K1 and K2) were evaluated to be log K1 = 1.6 and log K2 = 4.1, respectively. 1R also recognised 2S cooperatively and formed into a 1:3 complex in log K1 = 1.9, log K2 = 1.2 and log K3 = 3.8. When we use racemic 2, 1R exhibits unconventional enantioselectivity only towards 2R in a specific concentration region. It not only showed a chiral screening but also changed the stoichiometry depending on the guest chirality. These high enantioselectivity and stoichiometric modulation are effected by proper incorporation of the structural information of two enantiomers into the host and utilisation of multiple equilibrium characteristic of positive allosterism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A macrocyclic host molecule that comprised two different rotating modules, cerium(IV) bis(porphyrinate)s and ferrocenyl rotating units, exhibiting contraction/expansion motion was synthesized, which can be regarded as a prototype of artificial molecular spring driven by cooperative guest binding in 1:6 stoichiometry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Morphology control plays a major role in the design of solid catalysts. Since the heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalyst (ZNC) is based on the in situ synthesis of MgCl2 support in a top-down manner, the individual control of the exterior and the interior structure of the catalyst macro-particles is challenging. In this study, we successfully prepared a ZNC with a multi-grain interior structure by the spray-drying of MgO nanoparticles, inspired by the fact that the MgO/MgCl2/TiCl4 core–shell catalyst can maintain the morphology of the raw MgO nanoparticles. This catalyst is the first example of the bottom-up preparation of MgCl2-supported ZNC. Here, we report its basic preparation method, characterization results, and performance in the homo-polymerization of ethylene and propylene, and copolymerization with 1-hexene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: ObjectiveTo determine the pathogenesis of transient high myopia after blunt eye trauma.: DesignTwo observational case reports and literature review.: MethodsRefraction was measured in two patients with an autorefractometer in the acute and convalescent stages after a blunt eye injury. The anterior chamber angle, the ciliary body, and the choroid were examined by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in the acute and convalescent stages. In one patient, the anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and axial length were measured by A-scan ultrasonography in the acute and convalescent stages.: Main outcome measuresComparison of the refraction, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, axial length, and the UBM-determined appearance of the choroid and ciliary body during the acute stage with the values during the convalescent stages.: ResultsThe first patient showed a myopic shift of −9.75 diopters (D) and an anterior chamber shallowing of 0.94 mm measured 3 days after trauma by an air bag inflation compared with the measurements at the convalescent phase. UBM showed an annular ciliochoroidal effusion with ciliary body edema, anterior rotation of the ciliary processes, and disappearance of the ciliary sulcus. Eleven days after the injury, these UBM findings normalized, and the myopia decreased to −0.75 D, 27 days after trauma. The second patient had a myopic shift of −8.9 D compared with the convalescent phase, immediately after blunt trauma by a firework. Seven days after the injury, UBM revealed a partial cyclodialysis in addition to findings similar to those in the first patient. Ten days after injury, a myopic shift (−4.75 D), anterior chamber shallowing (by 1.1 mm), and thickening of the crystalline lens (by 0.27 mm) were observed compared with the convalescent phase. Associated UBM findings confirmed the anterior shift of the lens-iris diaphragm. Seventeen days after trauma, the UBM findings, including the cyclodialysis, were normalized, and the myopia had decreased to −1.0 D.: ConclusionsTransient high myopia after blunt trauma is caused by anatomic changes in the ciliary body and crystalline lens. The anterior shift of the lens-iris diaphragm caused by ciliochoroidal effusion with ciliary body edema and thickening of the crystalline lens from blunt eye trauma are involved in traumatic high myopia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carrier transport mechanism in n-type nanocrystalline diamond (NCD)/p-type Si heterojunction diodes prepared by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is studied in a temperature range of room temperature to 473 K. Current-voltage measurements show at most three orders of magnitude of rectification at ±20 V of biasing and room temperature, depending upon the deposition temperature. The current-voltage characteristics are described with the high ideality factor and the low current injection barrier due to the disordered NCD/Si heterojunction interface, mainly associated with grain boundaries in the NCD film. The Arrhenius plots of the currents reveal that the thermal excitation of carriers limits the conduction, and the apparent activation energy decreases drastically upon the bias voltage change from reverse to forward. The current injection mechanism at the interface is explained along the predicted energy-band diagrams, such that the major carriers from the defect states of the NCD are injected into the conduction band of the Si by forward biasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Novice runners with pronated feet are at an increased risk of running-related injuries. However, not all runners with pronated feet have increased foot pronation during running. Moreover, although foot muscle morphology is related to static foot alignment, the relationship between foot muscle morphology and foot kinematics during running remains unclear. We aimed to determine foot kinematic patterns during running among novice runners with pronated feet and the presence of a relationship between these foot kinematic patterns and foot muscle morphology.Methods: Twenty-one novice runners with pronated feet participated in this study, and data on 39 lower limbs were collected. Data on foot kinematics during running (rearfoot strike) were collected using a three-dimensional motion capture system in terms of navicular height (NH) at initial contact and dynamic navicular drop (DND). A hierarchical cluster analysis method was used to identify the optimal number of clusters based on these two foot-related kinematic variables. Following identification of the clusters, differences in cluster variables and cross-sectional areas of selected foot muscles assessed using ultrasonography in each cluster were examined. The muscles of interest included the abductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis and longus, flexor digitorum brevis and longus, and peroneus longus.Results: Three subgroups were identified based on foot kinematics during running: cluster 1, lowest NH at initial contact and larger DND; cluster 2, moderate NH at initial contact and smaller DND; and cluster 3, highest NH at initial contact and larger DND. Clusters 1 and 3 had a larger abductor hallucis compared with cluster 2, and cluster 3 had a larger flexor hallucis brevis compared with cluster 2.Significance: These subgroups may differ in terms of resistance to and type of running-related injury. Moreover, foot kinematics during running is possibly impacted by the morphology and function of medial intrinsic foot muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly conductive, nitrogen-incorporated nanocrystalline diamond films with quasimetallic character emit electrons at low turn-on fields (∼3 V μm-1). These films exhibit stronger delocalization of carriers, indicative of smaller energy separation between the defect bands in the band gap. We show that the emission level derived from the measured emission characteristic and electron affinity shifts upward (up to a few eV) with increasing the film conductivity, thereby decreasing the effective potential barrier height for the emission. This is attributed to higher probabilities of electron injection into upper defect levels during the transport process, originating from internal band bending and increasing band continuity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reverse leakage current in n-type nanodiamond film/p-type silicon wafer heterojunction diodes is examined as a function of the film conductivity. We observe that as the delocalization of carriers in the films becomes stronger, the leakage current becomes larger (from 10-3 to 101 A cm-2). The major leakage source is attributed to the minority carriers from the π defect bands introduced by sp2 carbon. Both a current injection barrier and a dielectric barrier at the interface are found to be small (∼0.6 eV). The simultaneous reduction in leakage current and turn-on voltage for low-loss diodes needs optimization of the interfacial valence band connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A route to high-purity nanocrystalline diamond films from C2 dimers and related mechanisms have been investigated by enhancing C2 growth chemistry in Ar-rich microwave plasmas. Efficient C2 production by direct dissociation from acetylene causes the micro- to nanocrystal transition with a low threshold Ar concentration of ∼70% and produces films of ∼20 nm grains with a distinct visible-Raman peak of diamond. C2 grows nanodiamond on diamond surfaces but rarely initiates nucleation on foreign surfaces. The phase purity can be improved by increasing the dominance of nanodiamond growth from C2 over nondiamond growth from CHx(x=0–3) and large radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. Purpose: To report a case of a traumatic macular hole with severe retinal folds in which vitreous surgery combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling was beneficial. To demonstrate that the area from which the ILM was peeled can be clearly differentiated by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Methods: A posterior hyaloid detachment was created during vitreous surgery on a 34 year old man with a traumatic macular hole. The remaining vitreous was resected and the ILM was peeled. The fundus was examined through a scanning laser ophthalmoscope before and after the surgery. Results: The retinal folds disappeared concurrently with the detachment of the ILM, resulting in closure of the macular hole. The area from which the ILM was peeled was clearly observed through the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Conclusion: In this patient, it was helpful to perform not only posterior hyaloid detachment but also ILM peeling. The scanning laser ophthalmoscope was highly useful for observing the area from which the ILM was peeled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The morphology of foot muscles that support the medial longitudinal arch differs between normal and pronated feet. The degree to which the difference depends on the severity of the pronated foot deformity is unclear. In the clinical setting, however, to reduce the pronated deformity, muscle-strengthening exercises are performed.Research Question: Does a relationship exist between foot muscle morphology and severity of the pronated foot deformity and foot kinematics during gait?Methods: Using the six-item foot posture index (FPI-6), 26 study participants were assessed for their foot posture and divided into two groups of 13 participants each based on the FPI-6 score: pronated foot group (with a score of 6-9) and highly pronated foot group (with a score of 10-12). Select foot muscles were scanned with ultrasonography, and muscle thicknesses were measured. The following were the muscles of interest: abductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis and longus, flexor digitorum brevis and longus, and peroneus longus. Foot kinematic data during gait was collected using a three-dimensional motion capture system as a dynamic navicular drop.Results: No between-group differences were noted for muscle thickness and dynamic navicular drop. However, the abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis thicknesses were correlated with the dynamic navicular drop, but not with the severity of the pronated foot deformity.Significance: In individuals with pronated foot deformity, more developed abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis muscles may reduce the dynamic navicular drop that represents the degree of medial longitudinal arch deformation during the stance phase of gait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the high enantioselective recognition of dicarboxylic acid substrates by the control of nonlinear sigmoidal responses. An analogous compound of cerium(IV) bis(porphyrinato) double-decker complex that exhibits positive homotropic allostery on binding cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-dicarboxylic acid (RR-CHDA), could recognize three equivalents of RR-CHDA via seven hydrogen bonds without significant conformational changes.

Purpose: To report a patient with a Leber’s idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis-like lesion that was caused by vitreous traction accompanying a posterior hyaloid detachment. Methods: We present a 49-year-old woman who showed segmental optic disc edema, peripapillary retinal detachment, and a macular star. Results: An incomplete posterior hyaloid detachment was present, and the posterior hyaloid membrane was attached to the nasal margin of the optic disc. Fluorescein angiography revealed a bent retinal artery on the upper margin of the optic disc, and leakage of fluorescein was observed from this area. Conclusion: Vascular damage to the optic disc due to vitreous traction should also be considered as a mechanism for the ophthalmoscopic appearance of the fundus when lesions suggestive of Leber’s idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis are present in an adult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor in response to an article about diabetic maculopathy by Dr. Toke Bek in the August 1999 issue.

The cover page of the journal "Angewandte Chemie International Edition" is presented.

Assistive suits reduce human muscle effort by improving human motion. However, most assistive suits are bulky, are expensive, need external power sources, and are impractical to carry everywhere. We present the development of the pneumatic gel muscle, which can be actuated by very low air pressure, and its characteristics by comparing with a commercially available artificial muscle. We also discuss the design of an unplugged powered suit for walking assist that unloads the muscle effort using the pneumatic gel muscle, demonstrating that assistive forces can be applied without the use of a compressor or air tanks. We performed experiments to measure characteristics of the pneumatic gel muscle, such as the actuation and applied force, for various pressure ranges. We measured surface EMG of the lower limb with and without an unplugged powered suit to identify the unloading effect of the suit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We conducted a historical cohort study of patients with schizophrenia to identify more robust risk factors at discharge that contribute to readmission within a year. Methods and Findings: The subjects underwent brief psychoeducation during hospitalization. Multivariate analysis was conducted using factors selected in the univariate analysis. Using logistic regression analysis, the number of hospital admissions (P =.01) and Schedule for Assessment of Insight Japanese version score (P =.04) were identified as risk factors for readmission, with odds ratios of 0.70 and 1.18, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that improvement in insight and early intervention may lead to a more stable community life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Conventional trabeculotomy (CT) is performed in an ab-externo manner with at most 120 degrees of incision area of Schlemm's canal (SC). Recently, gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT), which makes possible a 360-degree incision area of SC in an ab-interno manner, is introduced. The purpose of this study was to compare surgical outcomes for CT and GATT with and without simultaneous phacoemulsification over 24 months and to identify factors associated with surgical success. Results: Patients' baseline characteristics were not significantly different between two groups. The surgical success rate in CT and GATT with phacoemulsification groups were 40.4% and 96.6% and were significantly higher in the GATT group than in the CT group (p < 0.001). However, the surgical success rate in CT and GATT without phacoemulsification groups were 40.8% and 54.2%, and there were no significant differences between two groups without phacoemulsification (p = 0.55). Similarly, the postoperative IOP was significantly lower in the GATT group than in the CT group only in eyes with simultaneous phacoemulsification. There were no significant differences in the numbers of glaucoma medications between the two groups. Additional glaucoma surgery was needed in 13.2% and 25.9% of patients in the GATT and CT groups, respectively (p = 0.157). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the surgical success of trabeculotomy was significantly associated with combined phacoemulsification and the type of glaucoma surgery (GATT). Conclusion: Although both groups without phacoemulsification had a similar surgical success and IOP-lowering effect, GATT combined with phacoemulsification had a higher surgical success rate and a greater IOP-lowering effect compared with combined CT and phacoemulsification. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with higher surgical success at one year and two years postoperatively were the combined phacoemulsification procedure and the GATT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pivotal guest role: A new porphyrin polymer, poly(PorZn⋅DD) (see picture, pink/purple), composed of a porphyrinatozinc and a porphyrin double‐decker complex as a repeating unit was synthesized. In poly(PorZn⋅DD), porphyrinatozinc complexes recognize a divalent amine (tan/red) to induce an intramolecular pivoting motion through the rotation of porphyrin double‐decker complexes and the polymer undergoes shortening and compaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Der Gast bestimmt: Ein Porphyrinpolymer, poly(PorZn⋅DD) (siehe Bild, rosa/violett), mit einem Porphyrinatozink ‐ und einem Porphyrin ‐ Doppeldeckerkomplex als Wiederholungseinheit, wurde synthetisiert. Die Porphyrinatozinkkomplexe in ihm erkennen ein divalentes Amin (braun/rot), was eine intramolekulare Drehbewegung durch Rotation der Porphyrin ‐ Doppeldeckerkomplexe zur Folge hat und so zu einer Verkürzung und Kompaktierung des Polymers führt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance and relaxation measurements of the 59Co nuclei for the well-defined field-aligned powder of the triangular lattice superconductor Na x CoO2 · yH2O with a nearly optimal composition for the transition temperature T c have been performed. Detailed analyses indicate that the Knight shifts for the directions parallel and perpendicular to the CoO2 plane and the spin-lattice relaxation rates, taken by making an inevitable deterioration of specimen minimal, are significantly smaller than most of the data reported to date, and that this compound is classified into one of the unconventional spin-singlet superconductors as suggested by recent works for single crystals with a lower T c. A small enhancement of two-dimensional antiferromagnetic spin correlations at some nonzero wave vector may emerge near T c. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: PurposeTo investigate whether interleukin-6 (IL-6) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is related to diabetic macular edema (DME) in subjects without posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).: DesignRetrospective case-control study.: ParticipantsTwenty-six subjects who had DME without PVD and 12 subjects who had nondiabetic ocular disease (the control group).: MethodsVitreous fluid samples were obtained at vitreoretinal surgery, and the IL-6 and VEGF levels in vitreous fluid and plasma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.: Main outcome measuresVitreous levels of IL-6 and VEGF in DME subjects without PVD.: ResultsThe vitreous levels of both IL-6 and VEGF were significantly higher in the subjects with DME than in control subjects (P<0.0001 and P<0.0001, respectively). The vitreous level of IL-6 was significantly correlated with that of VEGF (P<0.0001). Vitreous levels of both IL-6 and VEGF were significantly higher in subjects with hyperfluorescent DME than in those with minimally fluorescent DME (P = 0.0008 and P = 0.0038, respectively).: ConclusionsWe found that the levels of both IL-6 and VEGF were elevated in the vitreous fluid of subjects with hyperfluorescent DME. Our results suggest that IL-6 and VEGF may promote an increase of vascular permeability in DME subjects without PVD. Interleukin-6 may possibly induce an increase of vascular permeability through a paracrine effect on VEGF in these subjects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: PurposeTo investigate whether angiotensin II (AII) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is related to diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients with and without posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).: DesignA case-control study.: MethodsVitreous fluid samples were obtained at vitreoretinal surgery from 28 eyes of 28 DME patients without PVD, 8 eyes of 8 DME patients with PVD, 14 eyes of 14 nondiabetic patients, and 8 eyes of diabetic patients without retinopathy. The VEGF levels in vitreous fluid and plasma were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while AII levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.: ResultsThe vitreous levels of AII and VEGF were significantly higher in DME patients with or without PVD than in nondiabetic patients or diabetic patients without retinopathy (without PVD: P < .0061, P < .0001, P = .0261, and P < .0001; with PVD: P < .0012, P < .0001, P = .0473, and P < .0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the vitreous levels of AII or VEGF between patients with or without PVD (P = .4948 and P = .6642, respectively). The vitreous level of AII significantly correlated with that of VEGF in DME patients without PVD (P = .576) or with PVD (P = .488). AII and VEGF levels in vitreous fluid were significantly higher than the respective plasma levels.: ConclusionsWe found that the vitreous levels of AII and VEGF were elevated in DME patients irrespective of the status of PVD. Angiotensin II and VEGF may be induced in the eyes and be related to the pathogenesis of DME. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between angiotensin II (AII) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the vitreous fluid and the severity of diabetic macular edema (DME).DESIGN: A case-control study.METHODS: Vitreous fluid samples were obtained at the time of vitreoretinal surgery from 20 eyes of 20 patients with DME, 6 eyes of 6 diabetic patients without retinopathy, and 14 eyes of 14 nondiabetic patients. The VEGF levels in vitreous fluid and plasma were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while AII levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.RESULTS: The vitreous concentration of VEGF was significantly higher in patients with DME than in nondiabetic patients or diabetic patients without retinopathy (P < .0001 and P < .0001, respectively). Vitreous levels of AII were also higher in patients with DME than in nondiabetic patients (P = .0082). The vitreous concentration of AII was significantly correlated with that of VEGF (P = .0022). Vitreous concentrations of both AII and VEGF were significantly higher in patients with hyperfluorescent DME than in those with hypofluorescent (P = .0228 and P = .0068, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: We found that the levels of both AII and VEGF were elevated in the vitreous fluid of patients with hyperfluorescein DME. Our results suggest that both AII and VEGF are related to the increase of vascular permeability in DME. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Microwave-assisted polycondensation was employed for screening of organically-modified TiO 2 /SiO 2 catalysts. • Organic modification led to superior polycondensation performance at a reduced amount of titanium. • Role of organic modification was clarified by multilateral characterization. Development of efficient and environmental-friendly solid catalysts is an important target for polyester production. Herein, we report a novel screening strategy based on microwave-assisted polycondensation and its application for exploring organically-modified TiO 2 /SiO 2 catalysts with varied chemical composition and organic functionality. Modification of TiO 2 /SiO 2 catalysts with specific organic groups resulted in superior polycondensation performance at a reduced amount of titanium. Among these, phenylethyl modification was found to be most promising, which exhibited at least 9 and 19 times higher activity than industrial TiO 2 /SiO 2 and Sb 2 O 3 catalysts. The phenylethyl modification during coprecipitation led to smaller catalyst particles with improved hydrophobicity, and the dilution of surface titanium sites by silicon atoms for enhanced Lewis acidity. Synergistic combination of these positive consequences realized the high activity of the developed catalyst, particularly at low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate real-world evidence for intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation after subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection (STTA) in 1252 Japanese patients (1406 eyes) in the Japan Clinical REtina STudy group (J-CREST). Methods: This was a multicentre retrospective study of the medical records of 1252 patients (676 men (758 eyes); mean age: 63.8 ± 12.9 years) who received STTA in participating centres between April 2013 and July 2017. Results: IOP elevation was observed in 206 eyes (14.7%) and IOP increase ≥ 6 mmHg was found in 328 eyes (23.3%). In total, 106 eyes (7.5%) needed medication and two eyes (0.14%) needed surgical procedures. Younger age, higher baseline IOP, and steroid dose were risk factors associated with IOP elevation. Risk factors associated with IOP increase ≥ 6 mmHg were younger age, lower baseline IOP, steroid dose, and higher incidences of diabetic macular oedema (DME) and uveitis. In contrast, with steroid dose fixed at 20 mg, a lower incidence of DME was a risk factor for increased IOP, suggesting that STTA had dose-dependent effects on IOP increase, especially in patients with DME. Conclusion: Our real-world evidence from a large sample of Japanese patients who received STTA showed that the incidence of IOP elevation after STTA was 14.7%, and was associated with younger age, higher baseline IOP, and steroid dose. Thus, IOP should be monitored, especially in patients with younger age, higher baseline IOP, and higher incidences of DME and uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the strain rate concentration is considered for high speed tensile test, which is now being recognized as a standard testing method. To evaluate the impact strength of engineering materials under high impact speed, Izod and Charpy tests are unsuitable since they cannot control the impact speeds and therefore do not coincide with the real failure of real products. For smooth specimens, the strain rate can be determined from the tensile speed u / t and specimen length l as ε ̇ smooth = u / tl . For notched specimens, however, the strain rate at the notch root ε ̇ notch should be analyzed accurately. In this study, therefore, the strain rate concentration factor defined as K t ε ̇ = ε ̇ notch / ε ̇ smooth is studied with varying the notch geometry and specimen length. It is found that the strain concentration factor K t ε ̇ can be estimated from stress concentration factor K t ∗ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A patient with glaucoma developed sudden blurred vision immediately after the nasal mucosal injection of a betamethasone acetate solution into the inferior turbinate. The fundus examination revealed several white emboli in the choroidal vessels of the temporal region of the optic disc. After vigorous massage, her visual acuity recovered from counting fingers to 20/32. Six days after the initial examination, Goldmann perimetry showed expansion of the superior and inferior arcuate scotomas. In this case, temporary ischemia of the central retinal and short posterior ciliary arteries involving the arterial circle of Zinn-Haller led to the deterioration of the preexisting glaucomatous optic neuropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In several malignant diseases, elevated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is associated with progression or resistance to chemotherapy. We evaluated the clinical significance of HO-1 expression in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Patients and Methods: We examined 109 patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The immunoexpression of HO-1, p53, and Ki-67 was analyzed using paraffin-embedded tissue from transurethral resection in comparison with the clinicopathological variables. Results: Positive expression of HO-1 was found in 66 of 109 tumors (61%), and the positivity of HO-1 correlated significantly with high tumor grade and the altered expression patterns of p53 and Ki-67. In our analysis of 16 cases treated by intravesical administration of anthracyclines, the positive expression of HO-1 correlated with poor disease-free survival (p = 0.015). In in vitro experiments using urothelial cancer cell lines, HO-1 upregulation was observed by exposure to doxorubicin. Moreover, siRNA-mediated suppression of HO-1 upregulation sensitized the urothelial cancer cells to doxorubicin. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that resistance against anthracyclines correlated with HO-1 and expression analysis of HO-1 may be a useful predictive marker for intravesical administration of anthracyclines. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IL-33, a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines, is the ligand for ST2 (IL-33Rα chain). IL-33 has the capacity to induce Th2 cytokine production from Th2 cells, mast cells and basophils, indicating that IL-33 has the potential to induce Th2 cytokine-mediated allergic inflammation of the eye. Thus, we tested the pathological role of IL-33 in allergic conjunctivitis (AC). As reported elsewhere, animals immunized with ragweed pollen (RW)/alum and boosted with RW/PBS developed AC promptly (within 15 min) and conjunctival eosinophilic inflammation after a delay (within 24 h) in response to eye drop challenge with RW. Furthermore, RW-immunized mice, when topically challenged with both RW and IL-33, developed more striking eosinophilia in their conjunctiva without exacerbation of the clinical AC score. This in vivo IL-33 treatment significantly increased the capacity of T cells in the cervical lymph nodes of RW-immunized mice to produce IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 upon challenge with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies in vitro. Furthermore, the infiltrating cells were largely eosinophils and a small proportion of CD4+ T cells, both of which express ST2. We also found that even splenic eosinophils express ST2 and show increased expression in response to IL-5, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or IL-33. Eosinophils, stimulated with IL-5 and/or GM-CSF, are responsive to IL-33, which induces production of IL-4 and chemokines. Finally, we showed that conjunctival tissues constitutively express biologically active IL-33, suggesting that IL-33 might play a crucial role in the induction and augmentation of AC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]