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For hard disk drives (HDD's) having multiple disk rotational speeds, a new data channel and head positioning servo system was developed. Head positioning performance at the low spin-speed was preserved by using a synchronous servo scheme with more servo areas than the conventional scheme. Using a common physical disk format, sufficient servo performance and the same data recording density of 1.3 Gbit/[inch.sup.2] were obtained on two 2.5 inch prototype HDD's with a low spin-speed 37.5 Hz and a high spin-speed of 75 Hz. Disk interchangeability was also confirmed. Index Terms--Magnetic disk drive, disk rotational speed, sampiing frequency, synchronous servo.

Background: Pulmonary oedema is a feared and difficult to predict complication of severe malaria that can emerge after start of antimalarial treatment. Proinflammatory mediators are thought to play a central role in its pathogenesis., Methods: An exploratory study was conducted to evaluate the predictive capacity of biomarkers for development of clinical pulmonary oedema in patients with severe falciparum malaria at two hospitals in Bangladesh. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), soluble Receptor of Advanced Glycation End-products (sRAGE), surfactant protein-D (SP-D), club cell secretory protein (CC16), and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) on admission were compared with healthy controls. Correlations between these biomarker and plasma lactate and Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) levels were evaluated. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess the predictive capacity for clinical pulmonary oedema of the biomarkers of interest., Results: Of 106 screened patients with falciparum malaria, 56 were classified as having severe malaria with a mortality rate of 29%. Nine (16%) patients developed clinical pulmonary oedema after admission. Plasma levels of the biomarkers of interest were higher in patients compared to healthy controls. IL-6, IL-8, TNF, sRAGE, and CC16 levels correlated well with plasma PfHRP2 levels (r s = 0.39; P = 0.004, r s = 0.43; P = 0.001, r s = 0.54; P < 0.001, r s = 0.44; P < 0.001, r s = 0.43; P = 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, IL-6 and IL-8 levels correlated well with plasma lactate levels (r s = 0.37; P = 0.005, r s = 0.47; P < 0.001, respectively). None of the biomarkers of interest had predictive capacity for development of clinical pulmonary oedema., Conclusions: IL-6, IL-8, TNF, sRAGE, SP-D, CC16 and KL-6 cannot be used in predicting clinical pulmonary oedema in severe malaria patients., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Evaluating the selective pressure of antimicrobials on bacteria is important for promoting antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). The aim of this study was to assess the selective pressure of antimicrobials by evaluating their use (carbapenem [CBP] and CBP-sparing therapy) over time and the detection status of CBP-resistant organisms using multicenter data., Methods: Among the facilities whose data were registered in the Japan Surveillance for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology from 2017 to 2020, those that had data on the use of CBP and CBP-sparing therapy (fluoroquinolones [FQs], cefmetazole [CMZ], piperacillin-tazobactam [PIP/TAZ], ampicillin-sulbactam [ABPC/SBT], ceftriaxone/cefotaxime [CTRX/CTX], CAZ (ceftazidime), cefepime [CFPM], and aminoglycosides [AGs]) as well as on CBP-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and CBP-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) detection were included. Alcohol-based hand rubbing (ABHR) usage was also analyzed. Regression analyses, including multivariable regression analysis, were performed to evaluate trends. The association of antimicrobial use density (AUD) with CRE and CRPA detection rates was evaluated., Results: In 28 facilities nationwide, CBP, FQ, CAZ, AG, and PIP/TAZ use decreased over the 3-year period, whereas the use of CMZ, ABPC/SBT, CTRX/CTX, CFPM, and ABHR as well as the rates of CRE and CRPA detection increased. The average AUD did not significantly correlate with CRE and CRPA detection rates. The multivariable regression analysis did not reveal any significant correlation between each AUD or ABHR and CRE or CRPA detection., Conclusion: CBP and ABHR use showed a decreasing and an increasing trend, respectively, while CRPA and CRE detection rates exhibited a gradual increase. The considerably low CRE and CRPA detection rates suggest that slight differences in numbers may have been observed as excessive trend changes. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate selective pressure while considering the characteristics of ASP and the mechanisms underlying resistance., 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 Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

To maintain the oxygen supply, the production of red blood cells (erythrocytes) is promoted under low-oxygen conditions (hypoxia). Oxygen is carried by hemoglobin in erythrocytes, in which the majority of the essential element iron in the body is contained. Because iron metabolism is strictly controlled in a semi-closed recycling system to protect cells from oxidative stress caused by iron, hypoxia-inducible erythropoiesis is closely coordinated by regulatory systems that mobilize stored iron for hemoglobin synthesis. The erythroid growth factor erythropoietin (EPO) is mainly secreted by interstitial fibroblasts in the renal cortex, which are known as renal EPO-producing (REP) cells, and promotes erythropoiesis and iron mobilization. Intriguingly, EPO production is strongly induced by hypoxia through iron-dependent pathways in REP cells. Here, we summarize recent studies on the network mechanisms linking hypoxia-inducible EPO production, erythropoiesis and iron metabolism. Additionally, we introduce disease mechanisms related to disorders in the network mediated by REP cell functions. Furthermore, we propose future studies regarding the application of renal cells derived from the urine of kidney disease patients to investigate the molecular pathology of chronic kidney disease and develop precise and personalized medicine for kidney disease., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed., (Copyright © 2024 JCBN.)

Background: The cumulative antibiogram is essential to guide empirical therapy for infectious diseases and monitor the trend of antimicrobial resistance. However, the status of antibiogram generation at medical institutions in Japan is uncertain., Methods: A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted in February 2023 on the status of antibiogram preparation among facilities participating in the Japan Surveillance for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology (J-SIPHE), an infection control surveillance system in Japan., Results: The questionnaire collection rate was 19.6% (379/1931). Of all facilities, 47% (178/379) performed microbiological tests mainly in-house, while 53% (201/379) performed microbiological tests mainly outsourced. Of all facilities, 78% (296/379) prepared antibiograms. Of those without antibiograms, 33% (27/83) were considering the development in the future. Some facilities cited staff shortage as a barrier to preparing antibiograms. Of the 214 facilities with antibiograms that could use the J-SIPHE system to prepare antibiograms, 19% (41/214) were using the J-SIPHE system to prepare their antibiograms., Conclusions: One-quarter of the facilities that responded to the survey had not prepared antibiograms. Technical support for surveillance and awareness activity for using cumulative antibiograms might promote antibiogram preparation in Japan, which may improve antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance measures., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None declared., (Copyright © 2023 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, and Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We report a case of eosinophilia and an allergic reaction that caused a cerebellar haemorrhage.An woman in her 80s presented with headache, dyspnoea and vomiting with severe hypotension soon after switching the dialysis membrane, and a CT scan revealed cerebellar haemorrhage. In the subsequent clinical course, the patient developed an allergic reaction to multiple membranes and required corticosteroids to continue haemodialysis (HD). Pre-existing eosinophilia is a risk factor for cerebral infarctions and dialysis membrane allergy, which is a common feature in patients undergoing HD. Membrane switching and corticosteroid therapy must be considered in case of multiple membrane allergies., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Electron ionization (EI) mass spectrum library searching is usually performed to identify a compound in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. However, compounds whose EI mass spectra are registered in the library are still limited compared to the popular compound databases. This means that there are compounds that cannot be identified by conventional library searching but also may result in false positives. In this report, we report on the development of a machine learning model, which was trained using chemical formulae and EI mass spectra, that can predict the EI mass spectrum from the chemical structure. It allowed us to create a predicted EI mass spectrum database with predicted EI mass spectra for 100 million compounds in PubChem. We also propose a method for improving library searching time and accuracy that includes an extensive mass spectrum library., (Copyright © 2023 Kubo, Azusa Kubota, Haruki Ishioka, Takuhiro Hizume, Masaaki Ubukata, Kenji Nagatomo, Takaya Satoh, Mitsuyoshi Yoshida, and Fuminori Uematsu.)

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of microbial infections and other metrics related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has not yet been fully described. Using data from Japan Surveillance for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology (J-SIPHE), a national surveillance database system that routinely collects clinical and epidemiological data on microbial infections, infection control practices, antimicrobial use, and AMR emergence from participating institutions in Japan, we assessed the temporal changes in AMR-related metrics before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that an apparent decrease in the incidence of microbial infections in 2020 compared with 2019 may have been driven primarily by a reduction in bed occupancy, although the incidence showed a constant or even slightly increasing trend after adjusting for bed occupancy. Meanwhile, we found that the incidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae dramatically decreased from April 2020 onward, probably due to stringent non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19. Antimicrobial use showed a weak increasing trend, while the use of hand sanitiser at the included medical institutions increased by about 50% in 2020 compared with 2019., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest AE received a research grant from Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for research outside this study. ST received payment for supervising medical articles from Gilead Sciences, Inc. outside this study., (Copyright © 2022 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study evaluated the improvement of respiratory function and airway volumes using spirometry and computed tomography (CT) in severely obese Japanese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We also evaluated the quality of life (QOL) of enrolled patients using questionnaires., Methods: A total of 71 patients who underwent LSG at Iwate Medical University Hospital between October 2013 and September 2020 were enrolled. The changes and relationships between respiratory parameters including CT volumetry and weight-loss effects were evaluated. Improvements to QOL and bronchial asthma (BA) were also assessed before LSG and 1 year after LSG., Results: The mean excess weight loss percentage (%EWL) and total weight loss percentage (%TWL) were measured at 55.1% and 26.1%, respectively. The attack frequency of BA significantly decreased (6.1/month vs. 1.5/month; P < 0.001), and the disease severity decreased according to severity classification (P = 0.032). Almost spirometric parameters, lung volume (LV) (4905.0 mL vs. 5490.3 mL; P < 0.001), and airway volume (AV) (108.6 mL vs. 119.3 mL; P = 0.022) significantly improved. The change of functional residual capacity (FRC) was correlated with both %EWL (ρ = 0.69, P < 0.001) and %TWL (ρ = 0.62, P < 0.001). The increase of LV (ρ = 0.79, P < 0.001) and AV (ρ = 0.69, P < 0.001) were correlated with the increase of FRC. Scores of QOL questionnaires dramatically became better owing to improvements in dyspnea., Conclusion: Weight loss effects and the reduction of body fat mass correlated significantly with increase in LV and AV. Improvements of respiratory functions after LSG contributes to QOL and BA symptoms., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The main objective of the study is to assess the impact of regional heterogeneity on the severity of COVID-19 in Japan. We included 27,865 cases registered between January 2020 and February 2021 in the COVID-19 Registry of Japan, to examine the relationship between the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) of COVID-19 patients on the day of admission and the prefecture where the patients live. A hierarchical Bayesian model was used to examine the random effect of each prefecture in addition to the patients' backgrounds. Additionally, we compared the results of two models; one model included the number of beds secured for COVID-19 patients in each prefecture as one of the fixed effects, and the other model did not. The results indicated that the prefecture had a substantial impact on the severity of COVID-19 on admission, even when considering the effect of the number of beds separately. Our analysis revealed a possible association between regional heterogeneity and increased/decreased risk of severe COVID-19 infection on admission. This heterogeneity was derived not only from the number of beds secured in each prefecture but also from other factors., (Copyright © 2022 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Health and Productivity Management has been promoted in Japan since 2014. Certification criteria for Health and Productivity Management include the improvement of employee health literacy. This report provides an overview of the "Eat, Sleep, Walk" health literacy development project using ICT+incentives+nudges developed for companies, and describes its preliminary evaluation and challenges.

Objectives: To clarify differences in arterial 18F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) uptake between silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)-based and conventional PET/CT scanners, and to compare clinical and phantom results., Patients and Methods: Twenty-six patients with lung tumours underwent serial SiPM-based and conventional PET/CT scans on the same day. We compared the target-to-background ratios [TBRsi (SiPM), TBRc (conventional)] and the percentage difference between TBRsi and TBRc (ΔTBR) in the carotid artery, aorta and peripheral arteries. The correlation between ΔTBR and vessel size was also investigated. In the carotid artery, active segment analyses were performed with the threshold (TBR ≥1.6), and we compared each scanner's ratio of active segments and TBR values. We compared the clinical results with the recovery coefficients (RCs)., Results: The TBRsi was significantly higher than the TBRc in the carotid artery, aorta and peripheral arteries (1.63 ± 0.22 vs. 1.43 ± 0.22, 1.65 ± 0.19 vs. 1.53 ± 0.15 and 1.37 ± 0.31 vs. 1.11 ± 0.27, mean ± SD, P ≤ 0.0001 for all), and the peripheral arteries showed the highest ΔTBR (24.4 ± 16.8%). The small (10-15 mm) vessels (26.9 ± 15.9%) showed significantly higher ΔTBRs than the larger vessels (7.3 ± 8.5% for 15-20 mm, 8.0 ± 12.8% for ≥20 mm, P < 0.0001 for both). The carotid artery showed significantly higher ratios of active segment (54.5 vs. 20.5%, P < 0.0001) and TBR values (1.85 ± 0.25 vs. 1.76 ± 0.15, P = 0.0006) for TBRsi vs. TBRc. The differences in RCs were similar to those of ΔTBR for each vessel size., Conclusions: SiPM-based PET/CT scanners showed higher arterial 18F-FDG uptake (especially in vessels <15 mm) than conventional scanners, and the threshold TBR ≥1.6 is not applicable for the carotid artery for SiPM-based PET/CT systems., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rationale: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is a powerful analytical tool used to separate and then identify volatile compounds through library database searches. However, as not all compounds are registered in these databases, it is not uncommon to detect unregistered components. Therefore, new analytical techniques were developed that utilize methods of identification beyond database searches alone., Methods: Acquire data by using electron ionization (EI) and soft ionization (SI) with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Use the EI mass spectra to library search for matches. Use the SI mass spectra for accurate mass analysis of the EI molecular ions. Conduct an isotope pattern analysis of the molecular ion to refine the possible candidate compositions. Use these compositions as a constraint for the accurate mass analysis of the EI fragment ions. If a given molecular ion formula is not correct, the EI fragment ions will not show good matches. Finally, all analytical results are integrated into a color-coded qualitative analysis report., Results: The capabilities of this new integrated analytical method were assessed for a polymer resin sample that was measured by using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 161 compounds were detected in the total ion current chromatogram, and 154 of these compounds were identified as having only one chemical formula candidate with this new integrated qualitative analysis method., Conclusions: This new integrated qualitative analysis method gives analytical results independent of library search results. It can be applied to a variety of SI methods including chemical ionization, photoionization, field ionization, and low-energy EI., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: Impaired microvascular perfusion is central to the development of coma and lactic acidosis in severe falciparum malaria. Refractory hypotension is rare on admission but develops frequently in fatal cases. We assessed cardiac function and volume status in severe falciparum malaria and its prognostic significance., Methods: Patients with severe (N = 101) or acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria (N = 83) were recruited from 2 hospitals in India and Bangladesh, and healthy participants (N = 44) underwent echocardiography., Results: Patients with severe malaria had 38% shorter left ventricular (LV) filling times and 25% shorter LV ejection times than healthy participants because of tachycardia; however, stroke volume, LV internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd), and LV internal diameter in systole (LVIDs) indices were similar. A low endocardial fraction shortening (eFS) was present in 17% (9 of 52) of severe malaria patients. Adjusting for preload and afterload, eFS was similar in health and severe malaria. Fatal cases had smaller baseline LVIDd and LVIDs indices, more collapsible inferior vena cavae (IVC), and higher heart rates than survivors. The LVIDs and IVC collapsibility were independent predictors for mortality, together with base excess and Glasgow Coma Scale., Conclusions: Patients with severe malaria have rapid ejection of a normal stroke volume. Fatal cases had features of relative hypovolemia and reduced cardiac index reserve., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Objectives: To clarify differences in incidences of articular and extra-articular involvement in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) using FDG-PET/CT. Methods: Twenty PMR patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. We compared frequency, degree, and patterns (diffuse or non-diffuse) of abnormal FDG accumulation in the proximal and distal articular structures (PAS, DAS), and extra-articular synovial structures (ESS). Regional analyses were performed for the large joints (shoulder, hip, and knee). Results: The incidences of positive FDG accumulation were significantly higher in the PAS (96.7%) and ESS (91.4%) than in the DAS (31.8%, p  < .0001), although, the incidence in the knees (96.2%) was exceptionally high. PAS (2.79 ± 0.61) and ESS (2.52 ± 0.85) had significantly higher visual scores than DAS (0.89 ± 1.33, p  < .0001). Shoulder, hip, and knee joints each had a different accumulation pattern. Strong FDG accumulation was frequently observed in the medial-to-subscapular part of the shoulder joints, the lateral part of the hip joints, and the medial part of the knee joints. Conclusion: ESS were found to be the main affected areas in PMR patients as well as PAS. DAS involvement occurred with low frequency except in the knee joints. Each large joint showed a different accumulation pattern and its own characteristically strongly affected areas.

Background: Liberal fluid resuscitation has proved harmful in adults with severe malaria, but the level of restriction has not been defined., Methods: In a prospective observational study in adults with severe falciparum malaria, restrictive fluid management was provided at the discretion of the treating physician. The relationships between the volume of fluid and changes in renal function or tissue perfusion were evaluated., Results: A total of 154 patients were studied, 41 (26.6%) of whom died. Median total fluid intake during the first 6 and 24 hours from enrollment was 3.3 (interquartile range [IQR], 1.8-5.1) mL/kg per hour and 2.2 (IQR, 1.6-3.2) mL/kg per hour, respectively. Total fluid intake at 6 hours was not correlated with changes in plasma creatinine at 24 hours (n = 116; rs = 0.16; P = .089) or lactate at 6 hours (n = 94; rs = -0.05; P = .660). Development of hypotensive shock or pulmonary edema within 24 hours after enrollment were not related to the volume of fluid administration., Conclusions: Restrictive fluid management did not worsen kidney function and tissue perfusion in adult patients with severe falciparum malaria. We suggest crystalloid administration of 2-3 mL/kg per hour during the first 24 hours without bolus therapy, unless the patient is hypotensive., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Background: In severe falciparum malaria, unlike sepsis, hypotension on admission is uncommon. We hypothesized that low nitric oxide bioavailability due to the presence of cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) increases vascular tone in severe malaria., Methods: Patients with severe malaria (n = 119), uncomplicated malaria (n = 91), or suspected bacterial sepsis (n = 56), as well as healthy participants (n = 50), were recruited. The systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) was estimated from the echocardiographic cardiac index and the mean arterial pressure., Results: SVRI and hematocrit levels were lower and plasma CFH and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels were higher in patients with malaria, compared with healthy participants. In multivariate linear regression models for mean arterial pressure or SVRI in patients with severe malaria, hematocrit and CFH but not asymmetric dimethylarginine were significant predictors. The SVRI was lower in patients with suspected bacterial sepsis than in those with severe malaria, after adjustment for hematocrit and age. Plasma CFH levels correlated positively with the core-peripheral temperature gradient and plasma lactate levels and inversely with the perfusion index. Impaired peripheral perfusion, as reflected by a low perfusion index or a high core-peripheral temperature gradient, predicted mortality in patients with severe malaria., Conclusions: CFH is associated with mean arterial pressure, SVRI, and peripheral perfusion in patients with severe malaria. This may be mediated through the nitric oxide scavenging potency of CFH, increasing basal vascular tone and impairing tissue perfusion., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

An 81-year-old Japanese man with no history of diabetes mellitus was admitted to our hospital for a fever with a new ulcerative lesion on the left heel. Blood cultures on admission grew Arcanobacterium haemolyticum in aerobic bottles. He was therefore diagnosed with A. haemolyticum bacteremia and osteomyelitis complicated with foot decubitus ulcer. He was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy and debridement of the left heel. Our case and literature review show that it is important to recognize that A. haemolyticum is a systemic causative pathogen in immunocompetent patients in primary care practice.