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First, we examined whether cfDNA of psoriasis-related autoantigens exists. ddPCR showed that PLA2G4D DNA was detectable in healthy controls and patients with psoriasis (Fig. 1a); however, LL-37 DNA was not detected (data not shown) and circulating PLA2G4D DNA copies in patients with psoriasis were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (Fig. [Extracted from the article]

Ovulation and oocyte-pick-up are essential processes in fertilization. Herein, we found associations between autoimmune disease and the aforementioned processes in mice. At three and six months, along with the evaluation of autoimmune disease indices, the ovary, mesosalpinx, and oviducts were histologically examined in C57BL/6, MRL/MpJ, and MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/lpr mice as healthy control, mild and severe models of autoimmune disease, respectively. In superovulated mice, the number of “oocyte cumulus complexes” found in the ampulla was macroscopically counted, and that of “ovulated oocytes” was histologically evaluated, as indicated by ruptured follicles or corpora hemorrhagica in ovaries. Finally, the oocyte-pick-up rate was calculated. In MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/lpr mice, the oocyte-pick-up rate decreased with disease-related deterioration, unlike in other mouse strains. Further, more ovulated oocytes were found in MRL/MpJ mice than in C57BL/6 mice, and this number significantly decreased with aging in MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/lpr mice. Numerous T-cells infiltrated into the infundibulum or a part of the mesosalpinx in aged MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/lpr mice, and their infundibulum showed swelling and fewer ciliated epithelial cells compared to that of C57BL/6 mice. In conclusion, the progression of severe autoimmune disease affected the oocyte-pick-up process through histopathological changes in the infundibulum. These results provide important insights into female infertility associated with autoimmune disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Angiosarcoma is a rare malignant neoplasm derived from endothelial cells, and because advanced angiosarcoma is resistant to standard chemotherapy its prognosis is poor. Therefore, new therapies are urgently needed. Heat shock protein ( HSP)90 has been identified as a molecular chaperone that regulates various cancer-related proteins. Numerous clinical trials are currently testing the effectiveness of HSP90 inhibitors in various types of malignancies. Objectives To investigate the role of HSP90 in the pathogenesis of angiosarcoma and whether the inhibition of HSP90 may have antitumour activity. Methods The expression of HSP90 protein in angiosarcoma was examined using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. The effects of HSP90 inhibition were proven using proliferation, migration and invasion assay in angiosarcoma cells. The mechanism of antitumour effect by HSP90 inhibition was investigated by the transfection of small interfering RNA (si RNA). Results The levels of HSP90 protein expression in cultured angiosarcoma cell lines were markedly increased compared with those in normal tissue cell lines. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the expression of HSP90 protein was strongly detected in angiosarcoma tissues compared with that in normal dermal vessels or senile angioma tissues. Ganetespib, an HSP90 inhibitor, with or without taxanes, inhibited the proliferation of angiosarcoma cells via apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. HSP90 si RNA suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of angiosarcoma cells. Knock-down of HSP90 did not suppress vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 directly, but selectively suppressed several downstream targets of vascular endothelial growth factor signalling in angiosarcoma cells. Conclusions HSP90 could be a novel therapeutic target for angiosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors obtained very good back‐to‐back bit error rate performance in up to 80 Gbaud DP‐16QAM operation by using their coherent driver modulator of a 3‐dB electro‐optic bandwidth of over 50 GHz. To achieve high bandwidth and good signal integrity, they used double ultra‐low loop wires between the driver IC and the modulator and a differential capacitively loaded travelling‐wave RF electrode based on straight coupled coplanar waveguide with a ground‐signal–signal‐ground configuration for their InP modulator. As far as they know, this is the highest bandwidth and baud rate operation so far for the high‐bandwidth coherent driver modulator configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors used 65‐nm CMOS technology to develop a linear four‐channel driver IC with low temperature dependence and ultra‐low power dissipation for 64‐Gbaud coherent optical transmitters. The driver showed more than a 48‐GHz 3‐dB electrical bandwidth and less than 1‐W power consumption in four‐channel operation. By employing a circuit that suppresses the temperature dependence, they achieved 3‐dB electrical bandwidth variation of 3.0 GHz and the gain variation of 1.5 dB under the −5 to 75°C and ±5% supply voltage variation conditions. The CMOS driver has all the necessary functions for a high‐bandwidth coherent driver modulator such as a gain control, peaking control, peak detection and temperature monitoring, all of which functions can be controlled by a serial peripheral interface. A fabricated sub‐assembly consisting of the CMOS driver and an InP modulator showed a 48‐GHz 3‐dB electro‐optic bandwidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We examined the hypothesis that the minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane for maintaining bispectral index (BIS) below 50 (MACBIS 50 ) decreases with advance of age.Methods: Sixty young (20-30 year), middle-aged (31-65 year) and elderly (66-80 year) patients were included (n = 20, each group). Five minutes following the start of continuous intravenous administration of remifentanil at 0.25 μg/kg/min, general anaesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg and rocuronium 0.8 mg/kg to facilitate tracheal intubation. Infusion of remifentanil was stopped immediately after tracheal intubation. When BIS began to increase > 60, maintenance of anaesthesia was started with an end-tidal desflurane concentration of 4.0% and maintained for 10 min followed by 1-min assessment of BIS taken at 10-s intervals. MACBIS 50 of each age group was estimated by up-down methodology.Results: MACBIS 50 of desflurane in young, middle-aged and elderly patients was 4.25% end-tidal (95% confidence intervals 4.04-4.46), 3.58% (3.38-3.79) and 2.75% (2.50-3.00) respectively. MACBIS 50 was higher (P = 0.011) in young patients and lower (P = 0.012) in elderly patients than those in middle-aged patients.Conclusions: Advance in age significantly decreased the concentrations of desflurane required to maintain BIS below 50. BIS reflected age-associated decrease in end-tidal concentrations of desflurane required for maintaining adequate depth of anaesthesia during resting state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MRL/MpJ mice possess highly heat-shock-resistant spermatocytes (HRS) in comparison with C57BL/6 mice. This resistance depends on the MRL/MpJ-type loci at the 81 cM region of Chromosome (Chr) 1 and the 40 cM region of Chr 11. To evaluate the functions of these loci in detail, we examined the histopathological changes resulting from experimental cryptorchidism or transient scrotal heat stress (SHS) in the testes of C57BL/6-based congenic strains (B6.MRLc1, B6.MRLc11, and B6.MRLc1c11) carrying the MRL/MpJ-derived loci responsible for HRS. Among cryptorchid testes from congenic strains, those in B6.MRLc1c11 mice showed the highest heat resistance, indicating that the genetic interactions between MRL/MpJ-derived HRS loci on Chrs 1 and 11 may be important for maintaining spermatogenesis under continuous testicular hyperthermia. In contrast, immediately after SHS induction, germ cell loss via apoptosis was inhibited in B6.MRLc11 and B6.MRLc1c11 mice, similar to that in MRL/MpJ mice. However, this HRS phenotype was not observed in C57BL/6 or B6.MRLc1 mice after SHS induction. Furthermore, testicular calcification owing to long-term damage by SHS induction was inhibited in all congenic strains in comparison with that in C57BL/6 mice, indicating that each MRL/MpJ-derived locus on Chrs 1 and 11 acted independently to facilitate the recovery of heat-induced testicular damage by inhibiting calcification. B6.MRLc11 and B6.MRLc1c11 mice showed greater recovery in spermatogenesis than B6.MRLc1 mice 60 days after SHS induction. Therefore, the MRL/MpJ-derived HRS locus on Chr 11 might play an important role in recovery from heat stress damage. On the basis of these results, we concluded that MRL/MpJ-derived loci on Chrs 1 and 11 cooperatively or independently regulate testicular heat sensitivity depending on the various heat stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An underwater secondary streamer for a single-shot pulsed positive voltage was found to propagate with an average velocity of 18 km/s during the appearance of a continuous component on the discharge current waveform. The continuous component was the first discharge current with a direct-current–like component detected after a displacement current. However, the propagation velocity decreased to less than 2 km/s during the appearance of pulsed currents, which followed the continuous component. These results were analyzed by highly spatiotemporal visualization synchronized with the discharge current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that various spectroscopic methods based on measurements of X-ray spectra radiated from cluster targets can be used for estimation of the destruction degree of clusters by laser prepulses. These methods allow insight to be gained regarding the important issue of preservation of the dense cluster core at the moment of the arrival of the main laser pulse. In addition, they can be used for quantitative estimation of the size of the undestroyed parts of the clusters and also for measuring the temperature and density of the preplasmas produced by the laser prepulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We retrospectively evaluated the effect of transpulmonary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumours on the lung. Methods: 16 patients (10 males and 6 females; mean age, 65.2 years) with 16 liver tumours (mean diameter 1.5 cm) underwent transpulmonary RFA under CT fluoroscopic guidance. The tumours were either hepatocellular carcinoma (n=14) or liver metastasis (n=12). All 16 liver tumours were undetectable with ultrasonography. The pulmonary function values at 3 months after transpulmonary RFA were compared with baseline (i.e. values before RFA). Results: In 8 of 16 sessions, minor pulmonary complications occurred, including small pneumothorax (n=8) and small pleural effusion (n=1). In two sessions, major pulmonary complications occurred, including pneumothorax requiring a chest tube (n=2). These chest tubes were removed at 4 and 6 days, and these patients were discharged 7 and 10 days after RFA, respectively, without any sequelae. The pulmonary function values we evaluated were forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0) and vital capacity (VC). The mean values of FEV1.0 before and 3 months after RFA were 2.55 l and 2.59 l, respectively; the mean values of VC before and 3 months after RFA were 3.20 l and 3.27 l, respectively. These pulmonary values did not show any significant worsening (p=0.393 and 0.255 for FEV1.0 and VC, respectively). Conclusion: There was no significant lung injury causing a fatal or intractable complication after transpulmonary RFA of liver tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR) on image noise and image quality as compared with standard filtered back projection (FBP) in 320-detector row CT coronary angiography (CTCA). Methods: 50 patients (14 females, mean age 68±9 years) who underwent CTCA (100 kV or 120 kV, 400–580 mA) within a single heartbeat were enrolled. Studies were reconstructed with FBP and subsequently AIDR. Image noise, vessel contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in the coronary arteries were evaluated. Overall image quality for coronary arteries was assessed using a five-point scale (1, non-diagnostic; 5, excellent). Results: All the examinations were performed in a single heartbeat. Image noise in the aorta was significantly lower in data sets reconstructed with AIDR than in those reconstructed with FBP (21.4±3.1 HU vs 36.9±4.5 HU; p<0.001). No significant differences were observed between FBP and AIDR for the mean vessel contrast (HU) in the proximal coronary arteries. Consequently, CNRs in the proximal coronary arteries were higher in the AIDR group than in the FBP group (p<0.001). The mean image quality score was improved by AIDR (3.75±0.38 vs 4.24±0.38; p<0.001). Conclusion: The use of AIDR reduces image noise and improves image quality in 320-detector row CTCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate altered pulmonary function retrospectively after RFA. Methods: This retrospective study comprised 41 ablation sessions for 39 patients (22 men and 17 women; mean age, 64.8 years). Vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) at 1 and 3 months after RFA were compared with the baseline (i.e., values before RFA). To evaluate the factors that influenced impaired pulmonary function, univariate analysis was performed by using multiple variables. If two or more variables were indicated as statistically significant by univariate analysis, these variables were subjected to multivariate analysis to identify independent factors. Results: The mean VC and FEV(1) before RFA and 1 and 3 months after RFA were 3.04 and 2.24 l, 2.79 and 2.11 l, and 2.85 and 2.13 l, respectively. The values at 1 and 3 months were significantly lower than the baseline. Severe pleuritis after RFA was identified as the independent factor influencing impaired VC at 1 month (P = 0.003). For impaired FEV(1) at 1 month, only severe pleuritis (P = 0.01) was statistically significant by univariate analysis. At 3 months, severe pleuritis (VC, P = 0.019; FEV(1), P = 0.003) and an ablated parenchymal volume ≥20 cm(3) (VC, P = 0.047; FEV(1), P = 0.038) were independent factors for impaired VC and FEV(1). Conclusions: Pulmonary function decreased after RFA. RFA-induced severe pleuritis and ablation of a large volume of marginal parenchyma were associated with impaired pulmonary function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hyperkeratosis and acanthosis occur in inflamed skin. Proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes are important processes during epidermal repair after inflammation. Neuropsin and its human homologue kallikrein-related peptidase 8 (KLK8) have been reported to be involved in epidermal proliferation and differentiation, but the involved molecular mechanisms are obscure. Objectives To explore the molecular mechanism of KLK8/neuropsin-induced hyperkeratosis and acanthosis in inflamed skin. Methods The molecular mechanism involved in KLK8/neuropsin-induced hyperkeratosis and acanthosis in inflamed skin was investigated both in vivo and in vitro using neuropsin knockout mice and KLK8 knockdown human keratinocytes. Neuropsin-related genes were identified by differential gene display. The localization and functional relationship of the molecules affected downstream of KLK8/neuropsin in normal and inflamed skin were analysed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Results Hyperkeratosis and acanthosis in sodium lauryl sulphate-stimulated skin were markedly inhibited in neuropsin knockout mice. Knockdown of KLK8/neuropsin increased transcription factor activator protein-2α (AP-2α) expression and decreased keratin 10 expression in human keratinocytes and mouse skin, respectively. AP-2α has been reported to inhibit epidermal proliferation and keratin 10 expression. Distributional analysis showed that KLK8/neuropsin was expressed in the stratum spinosum, AP-2α was expressed in the stratum basale and the lower part of the stratum spinosum, and keratin 10 was expressed throughout the stratum spinosum. Conclusions The above findings suggest the following mechanism of events underlying KLK8/neuropsin-induced hyperkeratosis: (i) skin inflammation increases KLK8/neuropsin expression in the stratum spinosum; (ii) the released KLK8/neuropsin inhibits AP-2α expression in the cells of the stratum basale and stratum spinosum; (iii) the decrease in AP-2α results in cell proliferation in the stratum basale and cell differentiation in the stratum spinosum, with an increase in keratin 10 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a case of pulmonary artery (PA) pseudoaneurysm related to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of lung tumor. We performed RFA for a pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma directly adjacent to a branch of the PA. Seventeen days later, the patient complained of hemoptysis. A chest CT image revealed PA pseudoaneurysm. Transcatheter coil embolization was performed 59 days after RFA. Although PA pseudoaneurysm is rare, with an incidence of 0.2% (1/538 sessions) at our institution, it should be recognized as a risk when treating lung tumors adjacent to a branch of the PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate laser-ion acceleration from a near-critical density plasma, using amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) to convert a solid foil target into a lower-density target. In order to investigate the target density dependence of the laser-ion acceleration, two cases were investigated for which the ASE intensity differed by three orders of magnitude. In the low contrast case the beam centre for higher energy protons is shifted closer to the laser-propagation direction of 45○, while the centre of lower-energy beam remains near the target normal direction. We show that a near-critical density plasma can be used to control proton beam direction based on its energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 75-year-old man with portal hypertension was referred to our institution because he suddenly began to pass a large amount of tarry stool. Arterial portography and computed tomography (CT) during arterial portography via the superior mesenteric artery, using a unified 64-slice multidetector row CT and angiography system, revealed bleeding ileal varices. The varices were supplied blood by a single ileal vein and drained by dilated veins in the abdominal wall. The bleeding was successfully arrested by performing percutaneous transhepatic sclerotherapy with 12 ml of 5% ethanolamine oleate. The blood flow to the varices was controlled by balloon occlusion, and microcoils were inserted into the varices and supplying vein. No complications or rebleeding occurred during the 13-month follow-up period, and CT images obtained during follow-up showed that the varices had disappeared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although conventional CT scan-guided needle biopsy is an established diagnostic method for pulmonary lesions, few large studies have been conducted on the diagnostic outcomes of CT fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsy. We have conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the diagnostic outcomes of 1,000 CT fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsies performed with 20-gauge coaxial cutting needles.Methods: We determined the diagnostic yield of CT fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsies performed with 20-gauge coaxial cutting needles for 1,000 lesions in 901 patients. Independent risk factors for diagnostic failure (ie, nondiagnostic, false-positive, and false-negative results) were determined with multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results: The biopsy results were nondiagnostic in 0.6% of the lesions (6 of 1,000 lesions). The sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of malignancy was 94.2% (741 of 787 lesions) and 99.1% (211 of 213 lesions), respectively; diagnostic accuracy was 95.2% (952 of 1,000 lesions). For lesions measuring or= 3.1 cm (OR, 4.32; p = 0.007).Conclusions: CT fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsy performed with 20-gauge coaxial cutting needles resulted in a high diagnostic yield, even in the case of small lesions. Factors such as the acquisition of two or fewer specimens, lesions in the lower lobe, malignant lesions, and lesions measuring or= 3.1 cm significantly increased the rate of diagnostic failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We encountered a case of systemic air embolism during preoperative pulmonary marking with a short hook wire and suture system under CT fluoroscopy guidance. The pulmonary tumor was present in the right S3, and the procedural position was supine. The patient experienced cardiac symptoms, and systemic air embolism was confirmed on CT images. With the patient in the Trendelenburg position, 100% oxygen was immediately administered as therapy for the embolism. Subsequently, the symptoms and systemic air embolism were resolved. The patient underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection after 5 days and was then discharged without any sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of polidocanol sclerotherapy in pain relief for painful venous malformations (VMs). Thirty-one patients with painful VMs underwent polidocanol sclerotherapy. Pain intensity was assessed with an 11-point verbal numerical rating scale. Sclerotherapy was technically successful in 58 (98.3%) of 59 sessions. Twenty-six (89.7%) out of 29 patients experienced an improvement in pain after sclerotherapy at follow-up, a mean of 46 months after treatment. The mean pain score improved from 6.6 + or - 2.5 before treatment to 2.4 + or - 2.9 after treatment (P <.001). The factors that significantly influenced the therapeutic effect were size of lesion (P = .008), margin of lesion (P = .006), and stasis of sclerosant (P = .032). Adverse events included hypotension and bradycardia during the procedure. No major complication occurred. Polidocanol sclerotherapy is safe and most efficacious in providing pain relief for patients with small VMs (equal to or less than 10 cm in diameter), VMs with a well-defined margin, and VMs with good stasis of sclerosant during sclerotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We encountered a case of atypical sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary (SST) in a middle-aged woman. This 52-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of abdominal distention. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large mass extending from the pelvis to the epigastrium. T2-weighted MRI showed an island-shaped area of slight hyperintensity. Dynamic MRI demonstrated gradual light enhancement of the area in which T2-weighted imaging showed low intensity. The diagnosis of the tumor proved difficult because neither MRI findings nor the age of getting sick were atypical. We report this case with MRI findings and correlated pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the most appropriate follow-up initiation time point for positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) following radio frequency ablation (RFA) of lung tumors, and the cutoff values of maximum standard uptake value (SUV(max)) to evaluate local tumor progression. Methods: We enrolled 15 patients (8 men, median age 62 years) with 60 tumors, who were treated with RFA of lung tumors and underwent fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT following RFA. Local tumor progression was assessed by periodic chest CT images prior to and following intravenous administration of a contrast medium. The SUV(max) of three periods, namely, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-9 months after RFA, was evaluated. The appropriate time point for follow-up initiation and the cutoff value of SUV(max) were determined using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The median follow-up period was 357 days. Of 60 tumors, 10 showed local progression. The area under the ROC curve (Az) for the 6-9 months (P = 0.044) was the largest and almost equal to that of the 3-6 months (P = 0.024). Az for the 0-3 months was the smallest and statistically insignificant (P = 0.705). The cutoff value of 1.5 of SUV(max) at 3-9 months after RFA showed 77.8% sensitivity and 85.7-90.5% specificity. Conclusions: The appropriate follow-up initiation time point is at least 3 months following RFA. Thus, SUV(max) is a useful and reliable predictive indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Staging of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) following lung transplantation is based on declines in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)). The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of (133)Xe ventilation scintigraphy in the early detection of BOS following living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT), to compare (133)Xe washout imaging with computed tomography (CT) findings for early detection of BOS following LDLLT, and to evaluate (133)Xe washout imaging by quantitative analyses. Methods: Subjects comprised 30 double-lung recipients and 1 single-lung recipient, who had undergone LDLLT at our institution and survived more than 1 year. Clinically diagnosed BOS developed in six recipients. Declines in graft function were evaluated using a combination of three methods, namely, dynamic spirometry, high-resolution CT (HRCT), and (133)Xe ventilation scintigraphy. Findings for all transplanted lungs were compared between CT and (133)Xe washout imaging. (133)Xe washout imaging was assessed using mean transit time (MTT) of bi-and unilateral lungs. Correlations between MTT of bilateral lungs and FEV(1)% were evaluated. Differences in MTT between BOS and non-BOS lungs, and between non-BOS and donor lungs were also evaluated on unilateral lungs. Appropriate cut-off values of MTT of unilateral lungs were set for the diagnosis of BOS. Results: In all six BOS cases, prolonged-washout images of engrafted lungs revealed early-phase BOS with declines from baseline FEV(1), whereas only one BOS case could be detected using early CT findings of BO (bronchodilatation, decrease in number and size of pulmonary vessels, thickening of septal lines, and volume reduction). A significant correlation was identified between MTT and FEV(1)% (r = -0.346, P < 0.0001). MTT of unilateral lungs was significantly longer in BOS lungs than in non-BOS lungs (P < 0.0001). The cut-off MTT of unilateral lungs for the diagnosis of BOS was set at 64.77 s. Conclusions: Our data show that (133)Xe washout imaging offers excellent potential for early detection of BOS compared with early CT findings. Using (133)Xe washout imaging and MTT with radioactive tracer offers a noninvasive indication of selective ventilatory function in engrafted lungs following LDLLT. MTT appears useful for identifying BOS following LDLLT and allows quantitative evaluation of graft function in unilateral lungs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic air embolism is recognized as a potentially fatal but extremely rare complication following percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. However, its incidence might be underestimated by missing systemic air in patients without cardiac or cerebral symptoms. Methods: This study was based on four cases (one man and three women; age range, 54 to 75 years) of systemic air embolism complicating CT scan-guided transthoracic needle biopsy, which were encountered among 1,010 procedures performed at our institution from April 1999 to December 2006. The target lesion was a lung tumor in three patients, and a mediastinal tumor in one patient. The procedure was performed percutaneously under CT scan-fluoroscopic guidance by using a coaxial biopsy needle system. Results: In all four patients, a specimen was successfully obtained from the lesions. During or immediately after the procedure, all patients experienced paroxysms of coughing. In three patients without cardiac or cerebral symptoms, the presence of systemic air was confirmed on postprocedural CT scan images; it was resolved without causing morbidity after the immediate therapy. The presence of systemic air was missed in one initially asymptomatic patient, resulting in a subsequent neurologic deficit. Conclusions: Systemic air embolism following CT scan-guided transthoracic needle biopsy was encountered more frequently than would be expected. The considerable attention we gave to this complication enabled us to recognize it in patients without cardiac or cerebral symptoms. No sequelae were observed in the three patients in whom systemic air embolism was detected, and the therapy was initiated immediately, whereas missing systemic air led to cerebral embolism in one patient in our four cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the viability of soil microorganisms has been examined to develop a new method of sterilization without using agricultural chemicals and to explore the habitable zone of the microorganisms in the earth's interior. It is found that almost all microorganisms in soil cannot survive above 0.75 GPa at room temperature but a small amount of microorganisms are still alive above 0.75 GPa. The slow rate of releasing pressure is found to have a small effect on the viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patients with advanced oesophageal carcinoma with aortic invasion, any therapy potentially causes fatal haemorrhage. We describe here the successful application of intra-aortic stent graft to prevent haemorrhage before radical oesophagectomy for advanced oesophageal cancer. Four patients with advanced oesophageal cancer complicated by invasion of the aorta. Under general anaesthesia, aortic invasion is evaluated by an intravascular sonography. The stent graft is passed through the right femoral artery into the descending aorta. Subsequently, the stent graft is released to expand in the thoracic aorta during an artificial cardiac arrest. Aortography is performed to check for any stent migration or endoleakage. This procedure was successful in all four patients without any complications. All patients underwent radical oesophagectomy following aortic stent-grafting. One patient survived more than 2 years after stent grafting and operation. This procedure is safe and applicable for the patient with aortic invasion before radiochemotherapy or operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors obtain a new equation to estimate the forward component of a photon dose generated through the interaction between a target and a short pulse high power laser. As the equation is quite simple, it is useful for calculating the photon dose. The equation shows that the photon dose is proportional to the electron temperature in the range >3 MeV and proportional to the square of the electron temperature in the range <3 MeV. The dose estimated with this method is roughly consistent with the result of Monte Carlo simulation. With some assumptions and corrections, it can reproduce experimental results obtained and the dose result calculated at other laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of experiments are presented for a single laser pulse interaction with a very low density gas target under conditions when the generated wake wave is below the wave-breaking threshold and the laser pulse power is lower than the critical power for relativistic self-focusing. A quasimonoenergetic electron beam is found to be stably generated for various laser pulse intensity values by controlling the acceleration length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the usefulness of virtual computed tomographic (VCT) gastrectomy for laparoscopic gastrectomy including the VCT navigation of sentinel lymph nodes. The benefits of the laparoscopic approach include smaller surgical incision, lesser interoperative blood loss, faster recovery for normal bowel function and shorter hospital stay, compared to the conventional open surgery.

We present the results of electron generation experiments conducted at the Advanced Photon Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, using 23-fs relativistically intense 20-TW tightly focused laser pulses with underdense plasma. We observed electron energies up to 40 MeV characterized by a two-temperature Maxwell distribution. With the help of particle-in-cell simulations, we found that these are due to different plasma wave-breaking processes. A charge of 5 nC/shot was obtained at a small solid angle, which corresponds to high peak current generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been attracting attention for its capacity to improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients. However, there are disadvantages to this approach, namely, it is difficult to obtain an image of the entire view of the operative field, and organs and lesions cannot be manipulated directly by the surgeon during surgery. For this reason, it takes a relatively large amount of time to ligate vessel, which can vary between patients. Furthermore, vessels and organs can be damaged during lymph nodes dissection under laparoscopic guidance, leading to heavy bleeding that prevents the surgeon from having access to a good view of the operative field. Then, to assess preoperatively the vascular anatomy, we carried out multiphase, contrast-enhanced examinations using multidetector-row CT (MDCT) on patients with colorectal cancer, and prepared the fused image of 3D images of arteries, veins, the colorectum, organs, and tumor. We called the utilization of 3D imaging virtual CT colectomy, which contributed to rapid and safe manipulation of the origins of the arteries and the veins, as well as lymph nodes dissection, without incurring injury to the involved arteries and veins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of experiments are presented for the single laser pulse interaction with a very low density gas target, under the conditions when the generated wake wave is below the wave-breaking threshold and the laser pulse power is lower than the critical power for relativistic self-focusing. A quasi-monoenergetic electron beam is found to be stably generated for various laser pulse intensity values by controlling the acceleration length. The results of two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that for the electron acceleration an additional mechanism of electron injection into the acceleration phase is required. It is demonstrated that the longitudinal inhomogeneity of the plasma density leads to the electron injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NdFeB sintered magnets are widely used in rotating electrical machines. In order to develop an efficient rotating machine, it is important to estimate ac loss of the permanent magnet of rotor precisely. In this paper, the ac losses of the permanent magnet of IEEJ model (surface permanent-magnet motor model) are examined by using the three -dimensional finite-element method taking into account the newly measured hysteresis losses of permanent magnet. The result shows that we should consider not only the eddy-current loss but also the hysteresis loss, when the frequency of ac field due to a slot ripple is of the order of several hundred hertz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence of small, dense lipoproteins, which are thought to be related to the metabolic syndrome caused by insulin resistance, can be predicted by routine serum lipid profiling.Methods: The relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and serum lipid levels was analysed in 284 school children (148 boys and 136 girls), aged 7 to 13 y old. LDL particle size was determined by gradient gel electrophoresis.Results: The LDL particle diameter was significantly correlated with the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = - 0.437, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (TG) (r = -0.432, p < 0.001), and with the atherogenic index (AI) [total cholesterol/ HDL-C] (r = -0.450, p < 0.001), while only weak correlations were observed with the serum levels of total cholesterol, apolipoprotein Al and apolipoprotein B. No significant relationship was observed between LDL particle diameter and the serum LDL-C level.Conclusion: The presence of small, dense LDL as a metabolic marker of lifestyle-related diseases in children seems to be reflected by a serum lipid profile characterized by an elevation in TG, a reduction in HDL-C, and a raised AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]