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Although a conventional isotropic Nd-Fe-B bonded magnet (coercivity: 800 kA/m, thickness: 350 μm) has been widely used for a miniaturized motor, deposition of a thick film magnet without resin directly on a small shaft enables us to advance the further reduction of the motor. When obtaining the film magnet on the shaft, we carried out fundamental experiments using a stainless plate. Namely, we investigated the mechanical characteristic such as adhesion together with magnetic properties of PLD (Pulsed Laser Deposition)-made films as a function of Pr content. It was found that Pr-Fe-B films with Pr content above 15 at. % tended to peel from the plates after the deposition. We suppose that the result is attributed to the different linear expansion coefficient between a stainless (10.3×10-6 K-1) and Pr element (6.7×10-6 K-1). On the other hand, an increase in Pr contents of the samples enabled us to enhance coercivity compared with that of a conventional Nd-Fe-B bonded magnet. In the study, we prepared a 250 μm-thick Pr-Fe-B film magnet with the coercivity (Hcj) of approximately 1250 kA/m on a thin stainless shaft applicable to a small motor by the PLD.

A degradação fotocatalítica de imazetapir, um herbicida da família das imidazolinonas, em suspensão aquosa de dióxido titânio foi investigada na presença de dois receptores de elétrons como persulfato de potássio e periodato de sódio, assim como na presença de dois sais inorgânicos como sulfato de sódio e dihidrogenofosfato de sódio a 30oC. O modelo cinético de pseudo-primeira ordem foi empregado para discutir os resultados. O desaparecimento de imazetapir em função do tempo de irradiação foi analisado por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Entre os dois oxidantes estudados a degradação foi mais rápida quando se adicionou o periodato de sódio, enquanto a presença do sulfa- to de sódio retarda a degradação de imazetapir mais que o dihidrogenofosfato na suspensão de TiO 2

We have already reported Fe-Ni firms with good soft magnetic properties prepared by using an electroplating method. In our previous studies, we prepared the Fe-Ni films from citric-acid-based baths (CA-baths) and ammonium-chloride-based ones (AC-baths), and confirmed that the coercivity for the AC-baths was lower than that for the CA-baths. In the present study, we investigated reasons for the lower coercivity for the AC-baths to further improve the soft magnetic properties. From an observation of magnetic domains of the Fe22Ni78 films, we found that Fe22Ni78 film for AC-bath had a magnetic anisotropy in the width direction, and also found that the coercivity in the width direction was lower than the longitudinal one for the AC-bath. As an annealing for a stress relaxation in the films reduced the difference in the coercivity, we considered that the anisotropy is attributed to the magneto-elastic effect.

Fe-Pt thick-films were electroplated on Ta, Ti, Co, Ni, and Cu plates (substrates) using a direct current, and the surface morphology, the magnetic properties, and the crystal structure of the films were evaluated. The films plated on the Co, Ni, and Cu substrates showed much smooth surface compared with those for the Ta and Ti ones, and we confirmed that the Cu plate was the most attractive substrate due to very small cracks after an annealing for L10 ordering. High coercivity (>800 kA/m) for the Cu substrate is almost the same as that for our previous study in which we employed the Ta substrate, and we found that the Cu plate is a hopeful substrate to improve the surface conditions of electroplated Fe-Pt thick-film magnets.

We electroplated Fe-Co-Ni films in ammonium-chloride-based plating baths, and investigated the effect of the Co content on the magnetic properties and the structural ones of the as-plated films. The coercivity increased abruptly when the Co content become more than 60 at.%. As the rough surfaces were observed in the high Co content region, we considered that degradation of the surface is a factor of the abrupt increase in the coercivity. From the XRD analysis, we found that another factor of the abrupt increase is fcc-bcc phase transformation, and concluded that we need to keep the fcc structure to obtain Fe-Co-Ni films with low coercivity.

Fe-Ni alloy films were electroplated in DES-based plating baths with various primary amines, and we investigated the effect of the primary amines on the magnetic and the structural properties of the films. The primary amines of ammonium sulfamate, DL-α-alanine and L-glutamic acid reduced the coercivity and the surface roughness of the Fe-rich films (Fe > 70 at.%), and the reduction tendencies of the coercivity and the roughness show good agreement with the result of our previous study on another primary amine of glycine. From the results for the TEM observation, we found that the texture of the Fe-rich film is clearly different from that for the Fe-poor one (Fe < 30 at.%), and we concluded that the primary amines are effective additives for the Fe-rich films electroplated in the DES-based plating baths.

We have already reported Fe-Ni films with good soft magnetic properties prepared by using an electroplating method. In the present study, we employed an annealing for further improvement in soft magnetic properties of the electroplated Fe-Ni films. The annealing reduces the coercivity of the films, and the reduction rate of the coercivity depended on the Cl- ion concentration in the bath. The Fe22Ni78 films prepared in the plating bath with high Cl- ion concentration showed large reduction rate of the coercivity, and we found that the annealing is more effective for high Cl- ion concentration bath since much lower coercivity value can be obtained compared with that for low Cl- ion concentration one.

Purpose: Thoracoscopic procedures such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) have gained popularity for the treatment of thymoma. Accurate preoperative assessments of tumor invasion are crucial to identifying the appropriate surgical approach. Although imaging techniques have been used to predict invasion, a quantifiable method is still needed in clinical practice., Methods: The ubjects of this retrospective study were 226 patients with thymoma who underwent surgery at our hospital. Clinicopathological data, tumor staging, and recurrence rates were analyzed. Calcification identified through computed tomography (CT) defined the "calcified group" as having a long diameter of ≥ 5 mm. Statistical analyses were performed to assess relationships and survival outcomes., Results: The calcified group had higher Masaoka and World Health Organization classification than the noncalcified group, with significantly higher organ invasion rates. The calcified group also had remarkably higher recurrence rates., Conclusion: Thymoma calcification appears to correlate with increased invasiveness and recurrence rates, suggesting its potential as a predictor of tumor stage and prognosis. Despite its retrospective nature and inherent limitations, this study highlights the potential clinical significance of calcification in the surgical planning and prognostication of patients with thymoma., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.)

Background: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a heterogenous disorder with profound deficiency of T/B-cell functions. The best SCID therapy requires hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) early in life. HSCT with conditioning is necessary to achieve a long-term reconstitution of B-cell functions. However, conditioning may aggravate pre-existing infection and cause transplant-related toxicity, especially in very young infants. Hence, the intensity of conditioning should be reduced to allow the reconstitution of immunity including B cells to the extent that prevents transplant-related toxicity and delayed complications., Methods: An infant with a family history of X-linked SCID (X-SCID) was diagnosed with X-SCID disorder soon after birth. The infant exhibited cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection despite being strictly isolated. At 1.5 months of age, we performed an unrelated cord blood transplantation (CBT) with a less intensity conditioning regimen: fludarabine (125 mg/m 2 ) + melphalan (80 mg/m 2 ). We evaluated the efficacy of reconstitution by assessing B-cell function and growth and psychomotor development at 5 years and 7 months after CBT., Results: The clinical course after CBT was uneventful after CBT. The CMV infection was fully controlled by ganciclovir or foscavir therapy, which was discontinued at day 55 after CBT. Furthermore, immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy was also discontinued at 6 months after CBT. A sufficient proportion of CD27 + memory B cells was developed, which was essential for an effective vaccination and prevention of infections. While the B-cell chimerism became recipient-dominant, the Ig replacement therapy was substituted by very successful post-vaccine immunity acquisition after CBT. The analysis of the general developmental parameters showed that chemotherapy did not cause any delay in growth and psychomotor development., Conclusions: The CBT therapy with this conditioning regimen was well tolerated and induced an effective reconstitution of B-cell functions in an X-SCID infant under the 3 months of age., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None of the authors have any conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: The ICRP 2011 Seoul Statement recommended a reduction in the dose limit for lens exposure to 100 mSv for 5 y and 50 mSv for 1 y. Based on this recommendation, the dose limit for lens exposure was lowered in Japan with the revision of the Ionization Regulations, which took effect in April 2021. In the present study, lens doses were measured during fluoroscopic procedures performed in four departments (Urology, Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, and Orthopedics). Lens doses were measured without protective eyewear for 6 mo (pre-intervention) and then with protective eyewear for the next 6 mo (post-intervention). Monthly doses were collected and lens doses before and after the use of protective eyewear were calculated as the lens dose per unit time. The use of protective eyewear reduced the lens dose per unit time by approximately two thirds. In all departments, the lens dose was slightly lower after than before the intervention. A significant difference was observed in lens doses between the pre- and post-intervention periods in the Urology department. The present results demonstrated the effectiveness of protective eyewear in daily practice. Therefore, the use of protective eyewear is recommended during fluoroscopic procedures., (Copyright © 2024 Health Physics Society.)

Background and Aims: The increasing prevalence of obesity has significantly contributed to the global burden of colorectal cancer and the precancerous colorectal adenoma (CRA). Gut microbiota vary at each stage of colorectal carcinogenesis and participate in energy homeostasis. Elucidating gut microbiotal characteristics in obesity-related CRA may help prevent and treat colorectal tumors; however, this remains unclarified. Therefore, this study investigated the gut microbiota profile of patients with obesity-related CRA., Methods: This hospital setting-based cross-sectional study included 113 participants (66 [without CRA control group] and 37 [with CRA group]; each group was divided into obese and nonobese groups) who underwent screening colonoscopy between June 2019 and January 2020. Gut microbiota were analyzed using 16S rRNA and polymerase chain reaction techniques and the data compared between the aforementioned groups., Results: No between-group difference was observed in the diversity index; however, α diversity was the lowest in the obese CRA group. The CRA group had significantly higher and lower numbers of 26 and 17 genera, respectively. Genus Slackia was significantly lower in the obese CRA group than in the nonobese CRA group. Multivariate analysis of the quartiles according to genus Slackia relative abundance rates revealed that the first quartile was an independent risk factor for CRA (odds ratio, 3.57; 95% confidence interval 1.19-10.7). The proportion of equol reductase-positive participants was lowest in the obese CRA group ( P  = .04). Multivariate odds ratio for CRA was 5.46 (95% confidence interval 1.35-22.0) for genus Slackia and equol reductase-negative participants., Conclusion: Decreased abundance of genus Slackia and absence of equol reductase potentially influence obesity-related CRA development., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the distance and travel time from each municipality to the nearest delivery facilities in the other municipalities and the frequency of out-of-facility deliveries in Hokkaido., Methods: Vital statistics from 2016 to 2020 were used. For municipalities without delivery facilities, the distance and travel time from the town office of each municipality to the nearest delivery facility was measured using Google maps. Negative binomial regression with an offset term was used to calculate the relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of out-of-facility delivery for distance (<30, 30-59, ≥60 km), and travel time by car (<30, 30-59, and ≥60 min) from the town office to the nearest delivery facility compared with the presence of delivery facilities., Results: The overall rate of out-of-facility deliveries in Hokkaido was 2.1‰; in municipalities with delivery facilities, 1.8‰, and in municipalities without delivery facilities, 3.1‰. The adjusted RRs (95% CIs) for out-of-facility deliveries were significantly higher in municipalities with less than 30 km and travel time of less than 30 min to delivery facilities, 2.63 (1.34-5.17) and 2.76 (1.36-5.58), respectively, compared to municipalities with delivery facilities. However, the adjusted RR of out-of-facility delivery for municipalities ≥30 km was higher, although the difference was not significant., Conclusions: Even in municipalities with a distance to delivery facilities of less than 30 km or travel time of less than 30 min, we should keep in mind the occurrence of out-of-facility deliveries., (© 2023 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Background: In Japan, the mortality rate of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants is notably low in comparison with other developed countries, but the prevalence of chronic lung disease (CLD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is relatively high. This study aimed to estimate the mortality and morbidity of ELBW infants born in 2015 who were admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Japan and to examine the factors that affected the short-term outcomes of these infants. We also compared the mortality of ELBW infants born in 2005, 2010, and 2015., Methods: We analyzed the mortality, morbidity, and factors related to short-term outcomes of ELBW infants, using data from 2782 infants born in 2015 and registered at NICUs in Japan., Results: The mortality rates during NICU stays were 17.0%, 12.0%, and 9.8% for ELBW infants born in 2005, 2010, and 2015, respectively. Among ELBW infants born in 2015, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that short gestational age and low birthweight Z-score contributed to the increased risk of death. Births by cesarean section and antenatal corticosteroid administration were significantly associated with a reduced risk of death. Among infants who survived, CLD was observed in 53.1% and ROP requiring treatment was observed in 30.4%., Conclusions: Mortality in ELBW infants decreased significantly from 2005 to 2015. As CLD and ROP may affect quality of life and long-term outcomes of infants who survived, prevention strategies and management for these complications are critical issues in neonatal care in Japan., (© 2023 Japan Pediatric Society.)

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is used to sustain or favor hepatocyte differentiation in vitro. Thus, DMSO is used in the differentiation protocol of the HepaRG cells that present the closest drug-metabolizing enzyme activities to primary human hepatocytes in culture. The aim of our study is to clarify its influence on liver-specific gene expression. For that purpose, we performed a large-scale analysis (gene expression and histone modification) to determine the global role of DMSO exposure during the differentiation process of the HepaRG cells. The addition of DMSO drives the upregulation of genes mainly regulated by PXR and PPARα whereas genes not affected by this addition are regulated by HNF1α, HNF4α, and PPARα. DMSO-differentiated-HepaRG cells show a differential expression for genes regulated by histone acetylation, while differentiated-HepaRG cells without DMSO show gene signatures associated with histone deacetylases. In addition, we observed an interplay between cytoskeleton organization and EMC remodeling with hepatocyte maturation.

Background: Adherence to medications is important to maintain disease under control and to prevent complications in pregnant patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). To evaluate the incidence of non-adherence during pregnancy and its effect on relapse and pregnancy outcomes, we conducted a multicenter prospective study using a patient self-reporting system without physician interference., Methods: Sixty-eight pregnant UC women were recruited from 17 institutions between 2013 and 2019. During the course of pregnancy, questionnaires were collected separately from patients and physicians, to investigate the true adherence to medications, disease activity, and birth outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for the relapse or adverse pregnancy outcomes., Results: Of 68 pregnancy, 15 adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred in 13 patients. The rate of self-reported non-adherence was the greatest to mesalamines in the first trimester, which was significantly higher than physicians' estimate (p = 0.0116), and discontinuation was observed in 42.1% of non-adherent group. Logistic regression analysis revealed non-adherence as an independent risk factor for relapse [odds ratio (OR) 7.659, 95% CI 1.928-30.427, p = 0.038], and possibly for adverse pregnancy outcome (OR 8.378, 95% CI 1.350-51.994, p = 0.023). Among the subgroup of patients treated with oral mesalamine alone, the non-adherence was confirmed to be an independent risk factor for relapse (p = 0.002)., Conclusion: Non-adherence to mesalamine was underestimated by physicians in pregnant UC patients and contributed to disease relapse and possibly on pregnancy outcomes. Preconceptional education regarding safety of medications and risk of self-discontinuation is warranted.

Background and Aim: Multiple Lugol-voiding lesions (LVLs) on Lugol chromoendoscopy can predict the development of metachronous multiple cancers in the esophagus and the head and neck regions. However, Lugol chromoendoscopy sometimes causes adverse events such as chest pain and discomfort. We therefore investigated the endoscopic findings on narrow band imaging (NBI) or blue laser imaging (BLI) that correspond to the presence of multiple LVLs in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma., Methods: First, we investigated the NBI/BLI findings corresponding to individual small LVLs (one-to-one correspondence). Second, we investigated the association between the grade of multiple LVLs and the five endoscopic findings, including multiple foci of dilated vessels (MDV), multiple small brownish areas without microvascular irregularity, and a nonuniform color tone., Results: One-to-one correspondence of endoscopic findings was analyzed in 106 small LVLs. The main findings matched with small LVLs were a focus of dilated vessels (44 lesions), a small brownish area (17 lesions), and a small brownish area with a focus of dilated vessels (19 lesions). The relationship between multiple LVLs and each finding assessed by NBI/BLI was assessed in 155 patients. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the presence of MDV was the only finding independently associated with multiple LVLs (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: The presence of MDV in the noncancerous background esophageal mucosa was significantly associated with multiple LVLs. This pilot study demonstrates that MDV has the potential to be a new risk factor for the development of metachronous multiple esophageal squamous cell carcinoma., (© 2018 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background/aims: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are relatively rare. Here, we present clinical and pathological characteristics of PNETs to show a relationship between computed tomography (CT) imaging and the 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) classification., Methodology: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 41 PNET patients who were treated between 2002 and 2012. All tumors were classified as neuroendocrine tumor (NET) grade 1 (G1), NET grade 2 (G2), or neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) grade 3 (G3) on the basis of the 2010 WHO classification system., Results: Twenty-five tumors were classified as G1, 11 as G2, and five as G3. Mean sizes of the G1, G2 and G3 tumors were 1.84 ± 0.54, 4.90 ± 0.84, and 5.62 ± 1.18 cm, respectively, (P < 0.01). A PNET is typically hypervascular and exhibits contrast enhancement on enhanced CT. Higher percentage of G1 tumors demonstrated typical imaging and showed a significantly greater distinct mass compared with G2 and G3 tumors., Conclusions: Although PNET has many imaging features that appear on CT, G2 and G3 tumors often show atypical imaging features, particularly with large sizes and/or ill-defined features, when compared with G1 tumors. If a PNET has atypical imaging features, possibility of malignancy should be considered.

Background: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 infection causes severe diseases such as bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Although EHEC O157:H7 strains have exhibited high genetic variability, their abilities to cause human diseases have not been fully examined., Methods: Clade typing and stx subtyping of EHEC O157:H7 strains, which were isolated in Japan during 1999-2011 from 269 HUS patients and 387 asymptomatic carriers (ACs) and showed distinct pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns, were performed to determine relationships between specific lineages and clinical presentation., Results: Clades 6 and 8 strains were more frequently found among the isolates from HUS cases than those from ACs (P = .00062 for clade 6, P < .0001 for clade 8). All clade 6 strains isolated from HUS patients harbored stx2a and/or stx2c, whereas all clade 8 strains harbored either stx2a or stx2a/stx2c. However, clade 7 strains were predominantly found among the AC isolates but less frequently found among the HUS isolates, suggesting a significant association between clade 7 and AC (P < .0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that 0-9 year old age is a significant predictor of the association between clade 8 and HUS. We also found an intact norV gene, which encodes for a nitric oxide reductase that inhibits Shiga toxin activity under anaerobic condition, in all clades 1-3 isolates but not in clades 4-8 isolates., Conclusions: Early detection of EHEC O157:H7 strains that belonged to clades 6/8 and harbored specific stx subtypes may be important for defining the risk of disease progression in EHEC-infected 0- to 9-year-old children.