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Ultrasound vascularity imaging provides important information for differential diagnosis of tumors. Peak-hold (PH) is a useful technique for precisely imaging small vessels by selecting a maximum brightness in each pixel through the frames obtained sequentially. To use PH successfully one needs motion compensation to reduce image blur, but out-of-plane motion cannot be avoided. To address this problem, we developed a sub-pixel motion-tracking method with out-of-plane motion detection (OPMD). It is a combination of the sum of the absolute differences (SAD) method and the Kanade-Lucas-Tomasi method and can be accurately applied to various motions. The value from OPMD (γ) is defined as a statistical value obtained from the distribution of residual values in the SAD procedure with the obtained frames. The value is ideally 0, and the frames having large γ are removed from the PH procedure. The accuracy of the proposed tracking method was found by a simulation study to be approximately 20 μm. We also found, through a phantom experiment, that the value of γ sensitively increased enough to detect out-of-plane motion. Most important, γ begins to increase before tracking errors occur. This suggests that OPMD can be used to predict tracking errors and effectively remove frames from the PH procedure. An in vivo experiment with a rabbit showed that the PH image obtained with motion tracking clearly revealed peripheral vessels that were blurred in the PH image obtained without motion tracking. We also found that the image quality becomes better when OPMD was used to remove frames including out-of-plane motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of anaphylaxis in a six year old girl caused by polyethylene glycol (PEG) in a diazepam suppository. It is reported that the girl, with a history of febrile seizures, received the suppository prophylactically and developed pruritus, rash, and respiratory symptoms. It highlights the challenge of diagnosing PEG allergy, which is present in various products, and the importance of lifestyle guidance after diagnosis.

Using synchrotron radiation x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we have studied Ca-rich Bi-based superconducting whiskers grown by an Al2O3-seeded glassy quenched platelet method. The Ca-rich Bi-based superconducting whiskers show a high critical current density of 2×105 A/cm2 at 40 K in self-field. We found that excess Ca2+ ions substitute for the Sr2+ sites and cause pillar-shaped nanocrystalline domains with shorter period modulation embedded in the base crystalline. The embedded nanocrystalline domains can result in structural distorted defects which work as strong pinning center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electron spectroscopies, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and so on have been used for surface chemical analysis of nanostructured specimens. Simulation softwares comparing a simulated electron spectrum with an experimental one have played an important role in revealing the layered nanostructure of specimens, and the widespread use of the simulation softwares, therefore, boosts the commonly accepted capability of the analysis with the electron spectroscopies to a higher level. This report proposes an XML data format for effectively describing simulated results so that the format can promote discussing the results and storing them in a database that helps a user to master the simulation softwares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ electrochemical X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) apparatus, which allows XPS at solid/liquid interfaces under potential control, was constructed utilizing a microcell with an ultra-thin Si membrane, which separates vacuum and a solution. Hard X-rays from a synchrotron source penetrate into the Si membrane surface exposed to the solution. Electrons emitted at the Si/solution interface can pass through the membrane and be analyzed by an analyzer placed in vacuum. Its operation was demonstrated for potential-induced Si oxide growth in water. Effect of potential and time on the thickness of Si and Si oxide layers was quantitatively determined at sub-nanometer resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The platinum/[niobium-doped strontium titanate] junction (Pt/SrTiO3:Nb) was investigated by x-ray photoemission (XPE) spectroscopy. Aluminum Kα and synchrotron radiation (6 keV) were used to obtain XPE spectra with different probing depths. The broadening and shift of the XPE peaks for SrTiO3:Nb, which resulted from the formation of a potential barrier at the interface, were quantitatively analyzed by fitting simulations. The barrier height was calculated to be 0.7-0.8 regardless of the Nb concentration. Furthermore, the XPE profile of the junction was reproduced when the permittivity of SrTiO3 was assumed to depend on the electric field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: One of the candidate materials for overpack in the Japanese engineered barrier system for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is iron and therefore its long-term stability for at least 1000 years is very important for safety analysis of the repository system. Therefore, several of the iron artifacts excavated from the Yamato 6th tumulus (ancient tomb) in Nara prefecture were analyzed using X-ray computed tomography (CT) to determine corrosion depth. The samples analyzed, both of two large and 11 smaller iron artifacts are called ‘Tetsutei’. The thickness of each rust layer was measured from a cross-section image of the sample and the difference in material density between rust and iron was shown by the image density by the X-ray CT. In the case of pitting corrosion in the sample, the depth of the pits was measured directly and estimated as total corrosion depth with general corrosion layer. The corrosion depths are 0.5–2.1mm. These data indicate conservative predictions for the extrapolations based on experimental studies. Such corrosion data from archaeological samples are useful in analogue studies of high-level radioactive waste disposal as evidence of long-term stability of a waste container. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this correspondence, an analytical technique for bit-error probability of 2-state convolutional code with Max-Log-maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) decoding is presented. This technique employs an iterative calculation of the probability density function (pdf) of the state metric per one transition, and gives the exact the bit-error probability for the overall signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) arises from proglucagon within enteroendocrine L cells of the small and large intestines, and its physiological roles have been gradually elucidated. However, the circulating GLP-2 levels in human neonates are still unknown. The aim of the present study was to measure serum GLP-2 levels in extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infants and normal-term infants, and to compare these values between the two groups. Methods: Blood samples were collected and serum GLP-2 concentrations measured, from 15 ELBW infants at three stages (stage I, before initial feeding after birth; stage II, point at which milk intake reached 100 mL/kg per day; stage III, corrected 40 weeks of gestation), and from 30 normal-term infants at two stages (stages I and II). Results: No significant difference in basal GLP-2 values at stage I (before initial feeding) was found between ELBW infants and normal-term infants (7.37 ± 0.95 ng/mL vs 9.47 ± 0.94 ng/mL). However, in ELBW infants, serum GLP-2 concentrations at stage II were significantly increased, compared with those at stage I ( P < 0.0001). In normal-term infants, serum GLP-2 concentrations at stage II were also significantly increased compared with those at stage I ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results suggest that initial feeding stimulates secretion of serum GLP-2 in neonates. In addition, the secretion mechanism of GLP-2 is considered to be established at 24 weeks of gestation at the latest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were originally identified as proteins capable of inducing endochondral bone formation when implanted at extraskeletal sites. BMPs have diverse biological activities during early embryogenesis and various aspects of organogenesis. BMPs bind to BMP receptors on the cell surface, and these signals are transduced intracellularly by Smad proteins. BMP signal pathways can be inhibited by both extra- and intracellular mechanisms. As for skeletal development, genetic studies suggest that BMPs are skeletal mesoderm inducers. Recent studies of tissue-specific activation and inactivation of BMP signals have revealed that BMP signals control proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, differentiation of osteoblasts and bone quality. These findings may contribute not only to understanding of bone biology and pathology, but also to improvement of the clinical efficacy of BMPs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The quality of the YB66 crystal was investigated by rocking curve measurements using a conventional X-ray source and the synchrotron radiation of BL15XU at SPring-8 before and after the irradiation with synchrotron radiation. It is confirmed by evaluating the full-width at half-maximum of rocking curve and by the Lang topographic method that the YB66 crystal has a nonuniform quality and distribution of energy resolution, and that density of dislocations and subgrain boundary structures depended on the position of the crystal, as reported previously. A significant change in the quality of the YB66 crystal was not observed between before and after irradiation of synchrotron radiation. The qualities of single YB66 crystals are sufficiently good to maintain a high resolution for dispersing synchrotron radiation at power density and power of not more than 1.7 W/mm2 and 0.13 W, respectively, for about 1000 h at the third-generation light source SPring-8.Furthermore, reactivity of YB66 crystal with GaIn was studied by SEM, EDX in the laboratory and by a transmission function of synchrotron radiation dispersed by a YB66 (4 0 0) double-crystal monochromator in the beam study of BL15XU. From these experiments, it is concluded that the reaction of YB66 crystal with GaIn does not occur. Thus, GaIn as an interface material between a YB66 crystal and a Cu holder coated with Ni is available for an indirect cooling system of BL15XU at SPring-8. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thermal analysis of YB66 crystal used at a third-generation light source was performed by the finite element method. It was confirmed that the effect of YB66 crystal thickness on maximum temperature on the surface was strongly dependent on the amount of heat load due to the irradiation by the beam and the heat transfer coefficient of the back surface. It was found that the heat load to the YB66 crystal for a practical use should be less than 0.1 W, 1.6 W/mm2 at 1.1 keV with a front-end (FE) slit size 0.2×0.2 mm2, or less than 0.4 W, 2.2 W/mm2 at 2 keV with an FE slit size 0.2×0.2 mm2. The photon flux was estimated to be ∼2×1010 photons/s/0.1% B.W./100 mA at the photon energy of 1.1 and 2 keV with an FE slit size 0.2×0.2 mm2 positioned downstream of the monochromator at the undulator beamline, such as SPring-8 BL15XU. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the 1–2 keV range, we adopted YB66 crystal for dispersing synchrotron radiation of the beamline No.15 (BL15XU) at SPring-8. YB66 crystal has a large d-value of 0.586 nm for the 4 0 0 reflection and is useful as a soft X-ray monochromator for dispersing synchrotron radiation, since there is no intrinsic absorption edge and it is more resistant than other crystals to synchrotron radiation damage. We investigated the resolution of the YB66 double-crystal monochromator and measured the photon flux passing through this monochromator. The full-width at half-maximum of the rocking curve ranged from 0.15 eV at 1.1 keV to 0.42 eV at 2.1 keV. The photon flux ranged from 6×108 photons/sec/100 mA measured at an experimental position at 1.1 keV to 5×109 photons/sec/100 mA measured at an experimental position at 2 keV. It is considered that the better energy resolution of the YB66 crystal was achieved by irradiating only a small restricted area of the crystal by an incident beam with small angular divergence originated from a helical undulator. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose. Histogenesis of synovial sarcoma remains controversial and reliable molecular markers for diagnosis are necessary. Expression of basic calponin, a smooth muscle differentiation-specific actin-binding protein, was studied in synovial sarcoma. Subjects and Methods. The basic calponin gene and the gene product were analyzed by reverse transcription PCR analysis (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry in 14 synovial sarcomas and a human synovial sarcoma cell line (HS-SY-II). Results and Discussion. Immunoreactivity for basic calponin was detected in the cytoplasm of 6 synovial sarcomas (43% positive). In the basic calponin-positive tumors and the HS-SY-II cells, expression for smooth muscle-specific genes, including basic calponin and SM22alpha, was detected by RT-PCR, suggesting a lineage relationship between synovial sarcoma cells and smooth muscle-like mesenchymal cells. Conclusions. A subset of synovial sarcomas expressing the basic calponin gene and the gene product were identified. The basic calponin may have potential utility as a novel molecular marker identifying certain synovial sarcomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundCalponin is a calmodulin-and actin-binding protein expressed in smooth muscle. It promotes actin polymerization and inhibits actin-activated myosin ATPase activity. Despite the molecular and functional characterization of calponin in vitro, the physiological role of calponin in vivo has not been clarified. ResultsWe investigated the in vivo function of smooth muscle calponin (also called basic calponin or calponin h1) by generating mice carrying a targeted mutation in both alleles of the calponin gene. Mice lacking basic calponin expression displayed enhanced ectopic bone formation in vivo, induced by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), and an augmentation of the degree of osteoblastic differentiation of embryonic mesenchymal cells when they were stimulated by rhBMP-2. Basic calponin messenger RNA was shown to be expressed in developing and healing bone tissues, and in undifferentiated MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. An examination of the skeletons of mutated mice showed an early onset of cartilage formation and ossification, and increased postnatal bone formation characterized by an increase in the number of activated periosteal osteoblasts. Bone fracture healing was accelerated in mutated mice. ConclusionThis is the first demonstration of animals with enhanced BMP responsiveness in host cells, suggesting that endogenous basic calponin may play a negative role in an osteogenic programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This paper reports the procedures and the clinical results of a series of surgical treatments for skeletal metastases from soft tissue sarcomas. Subjects and methods. Surgical treatment of metastatic bony lesions from soft tissue sarcomas has been carried out over a 20 year period (1975-1996). Thirty-two patients developed skeletal metastases from soft tissue sarcomas, and 20 of these cases received surgical treatment. The 23 metastatic bony lesions in these 20 patients were treated using the following surgical approaches: wide resection with prosthetic replacement in five lesions, wide or marginal resection without reconstruction in four lesions, intramedullarly nailing with curettage and methylmethacrylate cementation in four lesions, marginal resection of vertebral body with replacement by a ceramic prosthesis in three lesions, laminectomy in three lesions, intramedullarly nailing in two lesions, and curettage in two lesions. Results. Relief of pain was achieved in 17 of the 20 patients. The ambulatory status of the patients with metastasis in the lower extremity or periacetabular region was significantly improved in nine of 10 cases. Seventeen patients died of disease, with a mean survival period of 17.9 months after surgery for metastasis. Discussion. Although surgical treatment for skeletal metastases from soft tissue sarcomas cannot save the life of the patient, it can be of value in improving their well-being and overall quality of life. In these cases, surgical intervention may be more frequently indicated than in tumors with an osteoblastic or mixed pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polar surfaces of wurtzite-type zinc oxide (ZnO) were characterized by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy to identify the origin of the polarity dependence of the valence band spectra. A characteristic sub-peak always appeared in the valence band spectra of the (0001) face regardless of the surface preparation conditions. It also appeared in the valence band spectra of the (10[formula]2) face, but only when the photoelectron take-off angle was parallel to the c-axis of ZnO. Our analysis demonstrates that this take-off angle dependency originates not from the surface state, photoelectron diffraction, or the presence of surfactants but from the crystal polarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy distribution of the interface states in the Si band-gap at an ultrathin oxide/Si(100) interface was investigated using a bias-voltage application in hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. For the SiO2/Si interface, interface states were observed near the mid-gap, whereas the interface states for the SiON/Si interface increased around the mid-gap and new states formed near the conduction band minimum (CBM) and valence band maximum (VBM) compared to the case of the SiO2/Si interface. Moreover, the interface state density increased with the nitrogen concentration in the oxide, but the spectral shape was independent of the nitrogen concentration. The N1s spectra indicated that the N-O species at the SiON/Si interface induced inhomogeneous interface sites. Because inhomogeneity might break or weaken bonds at the SiON/Si interface, the density of broken bonds (the mid-gap states) and weakened bonds (the states near VBM and CBM) at the interface increased as the number of inhomogeneous sites increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We developed an automated method for XPS analysis based on the active Shirley method. • A lot of initial fitting models were searched by changing a degree of smoothing. • The goodness of optimized models was ranked by information criteria. • The model selected by BIC is close to the result of peak fitting by XPS experts. We developed and implemented a fully automated method to perform X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectral analysis based on the active Shirley method and information criteria. Our method searches a large number of initial fitting models by changing the degree of smoothing, and then optimizes the peak parameters and background parameters to obtain a large number of fitting results. The goodness of those optimized models is ranked using information criteria. As a result of applying this algorithm to measured XPS spectra, we found that, using the Bayesian information criterion (BIC), a simple model with reasonably good agreement and a moderate number of peaks was selected. The model selected by the BIC was close to the result of peak fitting performed by XPS analysis experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints accompanied by osteochondral destruction. It can take many forms, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. These diseases share one commonality—osteochondral destruction based on inflammation. The background includes a close interaction between osseous tissues and immune cells through various inflammatory cytokines. However, the tissues and cytokines that play major roles are different in each disease, and as a result, the mechanism of osteochondral destruction also differs. In recent years, there have been many findings regarding not only extracellular signaling pathways but also intracellular signaling pathways. In particular, we anticipate that the intracellular signals of osteoclasts, which play a central role in bone destruction, will become novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we have summarized the pathology of arthritis and the latest findings on the mechanism of osteochondral destruction, as well as present and future therapeutic strategies for these targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the non-existence of positive glitches in spectra using the YB[sub 66] dispersing synchrotron radiation double-crystal monochromator of BL15XU at SPring-8. X-ray absorption near-edge structure; Suitability of the monochromator for soft X-ray beamlines on third-generation light sources.

We develop an automatic peak fitting algorithm using the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) fitting method with confidence-interval estimation in spectral decomposition. First, spectral decomposition is carried out by adopting the Bayesian exchange Monte Carlo method for various artificial spectral data, and the confidence interval of fitting parameters is evaluated. From the results, an approximated model formula that expresses the confidence interval of parameters and the relationship between the peak-to-peak distance and the signal-to-noise ratio is derived. Next, for real spectral data, we compare the confidence interval of each peak parameter obtained using the Bayesian exchange Monte Carlo method with the confidence interval obtained from the BIC-fitting with the model selection function and the proposed approximated formula. We thus confirm that the parameter confidence intervals obtained using the two methods agree well. It is therefore possible to not only simply estimate the appropriate number of peaks by BIC-fitting but also obtain the confidence interval of fitting parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been demonstrated to accelerate bone healing; however, the mechanism underlying ESWT-induced bone regeneration has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to examine the effects of ESWT and the process of fracture healing. A rat model of femur delayed-union was established by cauterizing the periosteum. ESWT treatment at the fracture site was performed 2 weeks after the operation and the site was radiographically and histologically evaluated at weeks 4, 6, and 8. The bone union rate and radiographic score of the ESWT group were significantly higher than those of the control group at 8 weeks. Histological evaluation revealed enhanced endochondral ossification at the fracture site. The effects of ESWT on ATDC5 cells were examined in vitro. ESWT promoted chondrogenic differentiation without inhibiting the proliferation of ATDC5 cells. ESWT may induce significant bone healing by promoting endochondral ossification at the fracture site. • ESWT promotes callus and bridging bone formation in the delayed-union model. • Endochondral ossification is promoted by ESWT treatment in the delayed-union model. • ESWT potentiates the chondrogenic potential of ATDC5 cells. • ESWT may promote fracture healing by enhancing the chondrogenic potential of MSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the 88th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) which will be held on May 21-24, 2015, at Kobe International Convention Center in Kobe, Japan.

We present detailed comparisons of calculated inelastic mean‐free paths (IMFPs) of electrons with energies up to 10 keV from the full Penn algorithm (FPA) model and the Mermin model using prototypical Drude‐type energy‐loss functions (ELFs). From systematic comparisons of IMFPs obtained from the prototypical ELFs using these two models, we obtain evidence that supports the Mermin model as the more reasonable model for electron IMFP calculations than the FPA model. The deviations between these two models are mainly because of finite plasmon lifetimes and show a strong dependence on the width of the ELFs and electron energy. For instance, the theoretical description of the ELF based on the Mermin model predicts lower values for the IMFPs than those obtained by the FPA approach in most cases. As for those prototypical ELFs with neither very sharp nor very broad structures that describe the ELF of actual materials, the Mermin IMFPs are smaller than the FPA IMFPs by about 5% for energies between 1 and 10 keV. We also found that over the 130 to 10 keV range, the modified Bethe equation fits IMFPs calculated with both algorithms within a 1% relative difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omalizumab is effective in children with severe asthma, but its impact on medical cost in Japan is not clear. We evaluated the impact of omalizumab on medical cost by comparing the pre- vs post-omalizumab-initiation medical costs of 12 children with severe asthma who received omalizumab for 2 years, and calculating incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for omalizumab therapy. Health outcome was measured as hospital-free days (HFD). The median total medical costs and medication fee per patient increased significantly after omalizumab initiation because of the high cost of omalizumab. The median hospitalization fee per patient, however, decreased significantly after omalizumab initiation due to reduction in hospitalization. Omalizumab led to an estimated increase of 40.8 HFD per omalizumab responder patient per 2 years. The cost was JPY 20 868 per additional HFD. Omalizumab can therefore reduce hospitalization cost in children with severe asthma in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Determination of Schottky barrier profile at Pt/SrTiO3:Nb junction by x-ray photoemission," by Naoki Ohashi and colleagues that was published in the December 20, 2012 issue is presented.

Background: Previously, we developed a hybrid implant composed of hydroxyapatite (HA)–based artificial bone coupled with a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)–based scaffold-free tissue-engineered construct (TEC) and demonstrated its feasibility for osteochondral repair. Beta-tricalcium phosphate (βTCP) may be a promising alternative to HA, as it is a highly biocompatible material and is resorbed more rapidly than HA in vivo. Hypothesis: A βTCP-based hybrid TEC implant will exhibit superior osteochondral repair when directly compared with an HA-based hybrid implant, as tested using a rabbit osteochondral defect model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Osteochondral defects were created in the femoral groove of skeletally mature rabbits. The TEC and artificial bone, using either HA or βTCP with the same porosities and similar mechanical properties, were hybridized and then implanted in the defects. A histological evaluation and microindentation testing were performed for the assessment of repair tissue. Results: Osteochondral defects treated with the TEC/βTCP implants showed more rapid subchondral bone repair at 1 month, but the cartilaginous tissue deteriorated over time out to 6 months after implantation. Osteochondral defects treated with the TEC/HA implants maintained good histological quality out to 6 months after implantation and also exhibited better biomechanical properties at 6 months as compared with the TEC/βTCP implants. Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis, the TEC/HA hybrid implant facilitated better osteochondral repair than did the TEC/βTCP implant. The results of the present study suggest the importance of a stable restoration of subchondral bone for long-term effective osteochondral repair rather than rapid remodeling of subchondral bone. Clinical Relevance: This study contributes to the future selection of suitable materials for patients with osteochondral lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The risk of osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is frequently overlooked, and investigating a simple indicator in routine care may be beneficial to motivate osteoporosis examination. The aim of this retrospective, case-controlled study was to identify the correlation between serum albumin concentrations and the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal patients with RA.Methods: This study enrolled 197 patients who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of lumbar spine (LS) and proximal femur without osteoporosis treatment [mean age, 67.5 years; disease duration, 12.8 years; Disease Activity Score assessing 28 joints with C-reactive protein, 2.0; prednisolone dose, 4.9 mg/day (usage, 42.6%); and LS T-score, -1.9]. Patients were classified into 2 groups: osteoporosis, defined as ≥ 1 part bone mineral density T-score ≤ -2.5 or history of fragility fracture of the vertebra or proximal femur (121 patients), and non-osteoporosis (76 patients). Groups were then matched by propensity score using clinical backgrounds affecting bone metabolism.Results: In non-matched model, serum albumin concentration was significantly associated with osteoporosis-related factors such as aging, inflammation, physical disability, and glucocorticoid dose. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that serum albumin concentration was independently and significantly associated with osteoporosis risk (odds ratio = 0.22, 95% confidence interval = 0.08, 0.61, p = 0.0033). After propensity score matching, 57 patients for each group showed that in addition to the LS and femoral neck T-scores (p < 0.001), serum albumin concentrations (p = 0.01) remained lower in the osteoporosis group compared to non-osteoporosis group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in non-matched model revealed that when cut-off value of serum albumin concentration for indicating osteoporosis was set at 4.2 g/dl, the area under the curve was 0.69, sensitivity 0.74, and specificity 0.58.Conclusions: Low serum albumin concentration was significantly and independently associated with the prevalence of osteoporosis, which may be considered as one of the osteoporosis-related factors in postmenopausal patients with RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a surface analysis technique for the nondestructive identification of elemental species and chemical states of solid samples, and the measured spectra are affected by not only sample-specific information but also factors dependent on the measurement environment. This feature makes it difficult to analyze the data for the chemical state identification of mixed samples when referring to the data measured with different models or in different environments. In a previous study, Bayesian inference was successfully applied to the analysis of XPS narrow-scan spectra, but the challenge was to apply Bayesian inference to XPS spectra of samples that are nonuniform in the depth direction. We propose a method to infer the layer structure of a sample from XPS spectra by incorporating Bayesian inference into the simulation of electron spectra for surface analysis (SESSA). SESSA can simulate XPS spectra of samples with specified composition and microstructure, and is already in use as a simulator with highly reproducible results. By utilizing the proposed method, one can estimate the layer structure of a sample from XPS data on the basis of the posterior probability distribution. In a typical XPS measurement, wide-scan data are acquired to qualitatively identify elemental species, and narrow-scan data are acquired to the estimate detailed composition and chemical state information of a sample. In this study, we have shown that given wide-scan or narrow-scan data without angle resolution, Bayesian inference can be applied to quantitatively analyze the layer structure information. • A new method utilizing the simulator SESSA for analyzing XPS data by Bayesian inference is proposed. • The layered structure parameters of the samples were statistically estimated. • It was shown that estimation is possible from either narrow-scan or wide-scan data. • Exchange Monte Carlo sampling allows quantitative evaluation of estimation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article shows that reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy can be used to identify Li compounds with comparable accuracy as X-ray absorption near edge structure by optimizing the energy and energy width of the irradiated electron beam. This method was applied to analyzing the solid–electrolyte interface of Li metal, and the chemical state of Li could be examined directly without being affected by surface contamination. • Li K-edge reflection EELS for lithium compounds with the same accuracy with XANES. • Irradiated electron energy and energy width are key points. • Li K-edge reflection EELS applicable to solid–electrolyte interface analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of vertebral Hounsfield unit (HU) values from computed tomography (CT) in cancer staging as a supplementary screening tool for bone health among prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Methods: T-scores of bone mineral density (BMD) in each lumbar vertebra (L1–L4) and hip for newly diagnosed PCa patients (N = 139) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The degenerative changes in each lumbar vertebra were assessed, and the HU values of trabecular bone in axial CT images of each vertebral body (vertebral CT-HU value) were measured using staging CT. Results: 556 vertebrae were analyzed. 326 of 556 (59%) lumbar vertebrae had degenerative changes. The vertebral CT-HU value was positively correlated with the lumbar BMD T-score, with higher correlation coefficients observed in vertebrae without degenerative changes (r = 0.655, N = 230) when compared to vertebrae with degenerative changes (r = 0.575, N = 326). The thresholds matching BMD T-scores of − 2.0 and − 1.5 set by cancer treatment-induced bone loss guidelines were 95 HU and 105 HU, respectively. Based on the intervention threshold (lumbar BMD T-score < − 1.5), 15.1% of PCa patients required osteoporosis treatment; and, this value increased to 30.9% when L1–L4 CT-HU thresholds that corresponded to BMD T-score < − 1.5 were used. Conclusion: Lumbar BMD values from DXA may not reflect true bone health in PCa patients who often have lumbar degenerative diseases. Thresholds based on the vertebral CT-HU value can be used as a supplementary method to identify PCa patients who need anti-osteoporosis drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of local surgery in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS) remains unknown. The study aims to assess the clinical outcomes and impact of surgical resection on survival in patients with metastatic STS and elucidate the survival differences between synchronous and metachronous metastatic groups.Methods: Among the 272 patients with STS treated between 2000 and 2018, 84 with synchronous or metachronous metastasis were included. Associations between overall survival and primary tumor resection and metastasectomy were assessed using multivariate Cox regression analyses to adjust for baseline differences between surgically and non-surgically treated patients. Propensity score matching was applied to compare synchronous and metachronous metastasis.Results: Among the 84 patients included, 69 (82%) and 41 (49%) underwent primary tumor resection and metastasectomy, respectively. The 2- and 5-year overall survivals of all patients after first detection of metastasis were 51.1% and 24.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that size <8 cm, grade <3, and number of metastases <4 were associated with longer overall survival. After adjusting for baseline demographic and tumor characteristics, primary tumor resection and metastasectomy still had favorable effects on survival. Tumor subtypes, grade, and number of metastases differed significantly between synchronous and metachronous groups. However, after adjusting for these valuables, both groups exhibited comparable survival.Conclusions: Approximately one fourth of the patients with metastatic STS survived for >5 years. Our results showed that surgical resection of primary tumors or metastatic lesions had favorable impact on survival even after adjusting for patient backgrounds, with comparable survival observed between those with synchronous and metachronous metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterogeneous partition coefficient ( λ) for Ra in BaCO (witherite) was determined by coprecipitation using the free drift method. Initially, CO (100 %) was bubbled through a solution equilibrated with witherite. After a small amount of Ra was added into the solution, coprecipitation was induced by a slow increase in pH, caused by degassing CO(g) from the solution. Kinetically controlled precipitation was restricted to be slow because of the slow degassing of CO(g). The observed low precipitation rate allowed for the equilibrium partitioning of elements during coprecipitation of witherite. The value of λ derived for Ra was (1.3 ± 0.7) × 10, a value similar to that obtained from the coprecipitation of Ra in CaCO (calcite). The obtained results indicated that partitioning of Ra in carbonate-based minerals was not dependent on the similarity of its ionic radius with that of the metal in the host carbonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objectives were to clarify morphology of the hip as well as infinitesimal femoral head movement in specific positions in young and elderly volunteers without joint degeneration. Both hips of 20 young and 20 elderly healthy volunteers were examined. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed at four different positions for each hip: neutral, 45° flexion, 15° extension, and the Patrick position. Femoral and pelvic bone images were separately extracted when in the neutral position and superimposed over the images of each different position by using voxel‐based registration. The distance between the acetabular center and the femoral head center (FHC) at the neutral position was defined as 3D‐migration. The distance between FHCs at neutral position and that at each different position was defined as 3D‐translation. The x‐, y‐, and z‐axes pointed in the anterior, cranial, and lateral directions, respectively. 3D‐migration‐y in the elderly was more caudal than that in the young (P <.001). 3D‐translation of 45° flexion in the elderly was larger than that in the young with statistical significance (P =.001), while 3D‐translation of the Patrick position in the elderly was smaller than that in the young (P =.012). Age was significantly correlated with 3D‐translation in 45° flexion (r =.431; P <.001) and that in Patrick (r = −.296; P =.008). These results can be used as a basis for the natural course with aging of morphometry and kinematics of the hip, as well as for potential disease progression in osteoarthritis of the hip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined the characteristic features of synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated by TNF inhibitors in order to delineate their mechanism of action. Synovial tissues were obtained during the joint surgical operations from 12 RA patients who had been treated with TNF inhibitors in addition to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for at least 5 months (5-25 months) (RA-TNFinh), and from 12 RA patients who had been treated with DMARDs alone (RA-DMARD), and were evaluated under light microscopy. There were no significant differences in disease duration, serum CRP levels, DAS28, Steinbrocker's stages on X-ray and treatment regimen except for TNF inhibitors between RA-TNFinh and RA-DMARD. The most prominent changes in the synovium from RA-TNFinh were discoid fibrosis in the subliming layers of the synovium with degeneration and detachment of synoviocytes and marked decrease in vasculatures. There was no significant difference in these synovial features between RA patients with infliximab and those with etanercept. Interestingly, appearance of osteoclasts was observed in RA-TNFinh (3 out of 12 patients) and in RA-DMARD (1 out of 12 patients). These results indicate that not only infliximab, but etanercept might have direct actions on synovial cells in the deep lining layers of the synovium, leading to the discoid fibrosis thereof. Moreover, the data confirm that the deep lining or sublining layers of the synovium are the most important portions that steer the disease process of RA synovitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a widely used measurement technique in material surface analysis, but its analysis is subject to operator arbitrariness in the results. In a previous paper, a method based on genetic algorithms was proposed to estimate the composition ratios of compounds from XPS data using reference spectra and it was shown that it is possible to analyze them automatically from the reference spectra data. In this paper, we newly proposed a Bayesian spectral decomposition method based on the exchange Monte Carlo method and tested it on artificial data. This method provides a posterior distribution of the model parameters. This not only allows the estimation of compositional ratios for samples, but also allows statistical reliability assessment. In addition, we simulated an artificial data analysis to clarify the effect on the identification of compounds and the estimation of their compositional ratios by varying the signal-to-noise ratio of the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a framework to estimate the metal temperature from an optical micrograph of metals by using a machine learning approach. Specifically, 38 image statistical parameters such as area, contour, and circularity are calculated for the precipitate region determined through optical microscopy. Sparse modeling is then conducted to build a statistical model to estimate the Larson-Miller parameter (LMP), which is generally used in the evaluation of creep strength. This allows for the prediction of the metal temperature from the optical micrographs. The prediction performance of the proposed method is analyzed by applying it to KA-SUS304J1HTB (18Cr-9Ni-3Cu-Nb-N steel), reported in the NIMS Creep Data Sheets No. 56A and No. M-11. Consequently, temperature prediction is successfully achieved for unknown data with an error within ± 10°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) peak structure (i.e. peak parameters and the number of peaks) offers critical insights in chemical analysis of materials. Reference XPS spectral data are available for single-phases of compounds, as cited in various research papers and databases. Herein, we consider how individual peak structure varies among different reference spectra for the same single-phase of a compound. We developed a technique that automatically estimates common peak structures from multiple spectral data sets. Specifically, we developed a peak separation method that considers both common peak parameters and measurement-derived fluctuations. The proposed method can uniquely estimate the common peak structure of multiple XPS spectral data sets. For example, we applied the proposed approach to Ti 2p XPS results for T i O 2 from 15 previous reports. In this way, we confirmed that estimated structure has high interpret-ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling has been implicated in cartilage formation in various studies, the exact role played by TGF-β in this process remains controversial. TGF-β signals are transduced through TGF-β type II receptor (TGF-βRΙΙ) and type I receptor (ALK5). Col2a1-Cre-mediated deletion of Tgfbr2 did not cause obvious defects in long bone formation, suggesting that TGF-β signals are dispensable for normal cartilage formation in the stage of condensing mesenchymal cells and chondrocytes or that related molecules can compensate for the lack of TGF-βRΙΙ. In the present study, we established a conditional transgenic mouse in which a dominant negative form of TGF-βRII (dnTGF-βRII) is expressed in condensing mesenchymal cells and chondrocytes in limbs using the Cre/loxP system. Recombination at loxP sites and expression of dnTgfbr2 were monitored by the disappearance of LacZ expression. The conditional transgenic mice expressing dnTgfbr2 developed hypoplastic cartilage. The phenotype was much more severe than that of Col2a1-Cre-mediated Tgfbr2 conditional knockout mice, although the pattern of dnTgfbr2 expression appears similar to the pattern of Tgfbr2 deletion. These phenotypic differences suggest that the signaling through TGF-β receptors is complex in cartilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic cytoskeletal changes appear to be one of intracellular signals that control cell differentiation. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of short-term actin cytoskeletal changes on osteoblastic differentiation. We found an actin polymerization interfering reagent, cytochalasin D, promoted osteoblastic differentiation in mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. We also found that these effects were mediated by the protein kinase D (PKD) pathway. Short-term cytochalasin D treatment increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OCN) secretion, and mineralization of the extracellular matrix in MC3T3-E1 cells, with temporary changes in actin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, the disruption of actin cytoskeleton induced phosphorylation of 744/748 serine within the activation loop of PKD in a dose-dependent manner. The protein kinase C (PKC)/PKD inhibitor Go6976 suppressed cytochalasin D-induced acceleration of osteoblastic differentiation, whereas Go6983, a specific inhibitor of conventional PKCs, did not. Involvement of PKD signaling was confirmed by using small interfering RNA to knock down PKD. In addition, another actin polymerization interfering reagent, latrunculin B, also stimulated ALP activity and OCN secretion with PKD activation. On the other hand, the present data suggested that transient dynamic actin cytoskeletal reorganization could be a novel cellular signal that directly stimulated osteoblastic differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined a new-generation yttria-stabilized zirconia head manufactured by NGK 1 year after total hip arthroplasty. Monoclinic content of the retrieved head was twice that of the unused head at the pole and equator. A fourfold increase in monoclinic content was observed at 5 mm below the equator. Transformation from the tetragonal phase to the monoclinic phase occurred in the new generation zirconia with alumina doping within a relatively short period in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play critical roles at various stages in endochondral bone formation. In vitro studies have demonstrated that Smad7 regulates transforming growth factor-β and BMP signals by inhibiting Smad pathways in chondrocytes. However, the in vivo roles of Smad7 during cartilage development are unknown. To investigate distinct effects of Smad7 at different stages during chondrocyte differentiation, we generated a series of conditional transgenic mice that overexpress Smad7 in chondrocytes at various steps of differentiation by using the Cre/loxP system. We generated Col11a2-lacZfloxed-Smad7 transgenic mice and mated them with three types of Cre transgenic mice to obtain Smad7Prx1, Smad711Enh, and Smad711Prom conditional transgenic mice. Smad7Prx1 mice overexpressing Smad7 in condensing mesenchymal cells showed disturbed mesenchymal condensation associated with decreased Sox9 expression, leading to poor cartilage formation. Smad711Enh mice overexpressing Smad7 in round chondrocytes showed decreased chondrocyte proliferation rates. Smad711Prom mice overexpressing Smad7 in flat chondrocytes showed inhibited maturation of chondrocytes toward hypertrophy. Micromass culture of mesenchymal cells showed that BMP-induced cartilaginous nodule formation was down-regulated by overexpression of Smad7, but not Smad6. Overexpression of Smad7, but not Smad6, down-regulated the phosphorylation of p38 MAPKs. Our data provide in vivo evidence for distinct effects of Smad7 at different stages during chondrocyte differentiation andsuggestthatSmad7inprechondrogeniccellsinhibitschondrocyte differentiation possibly by down-regulating BMP-activated p38 MAPK pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In inflammatory arthritis such as RA, osteoclastic activity is severely enhanced. GM-CSF was reportedly elevated in synovial fluid, but is a strong inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis; here lies a contradiction. Our objective was to examine what type of osteoclasts generate and resorb bone with resistance to GM-CSF in an inflammatory joint. Monocyte-derived cells generated in GM-CSF were morphologically and immunophenotypically different from both the conventional DC and macrophage. They could differentiate into osteoclasts in the presence of RANKL + M-CSF, acquiring a stronger osteoclastic activity under TNF treatment. Furthermore, their differentiation was not inhibited by GM-CSF, while monocyte-derived osteoclast differentiation was completely inhibited. The resorption was suppressed by GM-CSF, and the existence of another osteoclastic pathway has been suggested. Our findings indicate another type of osteoclast exists in inflammatory arthritis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Drosophila melanogaster genes, ladybird early (lbe) and ladybird late (lbl), encode transcriptional regulators, which play an important role in neurogenesis, myogenesis and cardiogenesis. Here, we report an isolation of a novel ladybird family homeobox gene (lbx3) and its expression during chick development. The open reading frame of lbx3 encodes a predicted protein of 213 amino acids including a homeodomain, a PST motif and a nuclear localization signal. The homeodomain of lbx3 protein has 80% identities with the chick and mouse lbx1 homeodomains, and 75% identity with the mouse lbx2 homeodomain. Both lbx1 and lbx3 are expressed in prospective hypaxial myoblasts at cervical and limb level. In addition, lbx3 transcripts are detected in the medial dermomyotomal lips of somites of all axial levels at stage 23, but not detected in the neural tube. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Site-specific valence-band X-ray photoelectron spectra of SrTiO3 (111) were successfully obtained by using X-ray standing wave technique. Contributions of the Ti and SrO3 derived states to the valence-band spectra were clearly separated. The spectra provided not only site-specific but also bulk-sensitive information on the SrTiO3 crystal because of the use of a high-energy synchrotron X-ray source (hν=4750eV) for photoelectron excitation with the large escape depth. The electronic structures calculated by the DV-Xα method using a (Sr8Ti27O108)92− cluster model well reproduced the observed structures in the valence-band spectra. The partial density of states of both Ti and Sr ions in SrTiO3 were mainly distributed over the bottom of the valence-band to produce the covalent bonding with O ions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents a case of an eleven-year old boy with a twisted left knee after kicking a soccer ball. Demonstration of the process of repair of articular cartilage by histology and autoradiography with tritiated thymidine; Ultrastructural observations on surgically produced partial-thickness defects in articular cartilage; Indication of long-term results of superficial defects in articular cartilage through the use of a scanning electron-microscope.