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The authors have proposed a new combustion process called the Plume Ignition Combustion Concept (PCC), in which with an optimal combination of hydrogen injection timing and controlled jet geometry, the plume of the hydrogen jet is spark-ignited to accomplish combustion of a rich mixture. This combustion process markedly improves thermal efficiency by reducing cooling loss, which is essential for increasing thermal efficiency in a hydrogen engine while maintaining high power. In order to improve thermal efficiency and reduce NOx formation further, PCC was applied to a lean-burn regime to burn a leaner mixture globally. In this study, the effect of supercharging which was applied to recover the reduced output power due to the leaner mixture on improving thermal efficiency was confirmed along with clarifying the cause. [Display omitted] • Supercharging improves the thermal efficiency, high output, and NOx emissions of a direct-injection hydrogen engine. • Major factors that improve thermal efficiency by supercharge are reduction of cooling loss and unburned hydrogen. • Optimization of SOI timing and λ is important for achieving high efficiency and near-zero NOx emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azimuthal asymmetry of atmospheric delay, coming from hydrostatic delay (dry air) and wet delay (water vapor), makes atmospheric delay gradients (MacMillan, 1995). Those gradients, unless properly treated, may cause GNSS positioning errors of up to a few centimeters, and its spatial and temporal changes help us study dynamics of tropospheric water vapor. We studied average atmospheric delay gradients in winter (January) and summer (July) at ~1300 continuous GNSS stations in Japan with time resolution of 4 hours using the GAMIT software. Gradients at the coastal stations in summer are dominated by changes in atmospheric water vapor and are made of diurnal landward components and stationary southward components. Those in winter, on the other hand, showed stationary southward components throughout the day. Diurnal landward gradients in summer show maximum in daytime (~0.5 mm). They correlate well with the strength of sea breeze (2-4 m/s) and would originate from the landward thickening of the atmospheric boundary layer due to landward winds and topographic slopes. We also found those at inland stations often show strong diurnal changes in gradient. They may come from mountain-valley breeze, but their pattern is not so clear as coastal stations. Surface pressure distribution and spatial changes in zenith total delays suggest that the stationary southward components in winter (~0.26 mm) come ~70 % from hydrostatic delay and ~30 % from wet delay. This reverses for stationary southward components in summer (~0.30 mm), i.e. they come ~30 % from hydrostatic delay and ~70 % from wet delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite maximal care, the patient's condition continued to decline and the patient died of multi-organ failure on the 12th day of admission. B Results: b Strongyloides Hyperinfection Syndrome (SHS) typically occurs in immunocompromised patients. Although DAH secondary to SHS is rare, SHS is life-threatening and SHS should be included in work-up for DAH, especially among immunocompromised patients. [Extracted from the article]

Summary Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is an innate immune receptor for single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) and has important roles in infectious diseases. We previously reported that TLR7 shows synergistic activation in response to two ligands, guanosine and ssRNA. However, the specific ssRNA sequence preference, detailed recognition mode of TLR7 and its ligand, and molecular determinants of TLR7 and TLR8 selectivity remain unknown. Here, we report on TLR7 from a large-scale crystallographic study combined with a multifaceted approach. We reveal that successive uridine-containing ssRNAs fully or moderately bind TLR7, whereas single uridine-containing ssRNAs have reduced affinities. We also reveal the detailed relationships between the chemical structures of ligands and their binding to TLR7. We demonstrate that an engineered TLR8 mutant alters its responsiveness to TLR7-specific ligands. Finally, we identify guanosine 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate (2′,3′-cGMP) as a possible endogenous ligand for TLR7 with greater affinity than guanosine. The abundant structural information will facilitate future development of treatments targeting TLR7. Graphical Abstract Highlights • Successive U-containing ssRNAs show full binding to TLR7 • Determination of complex structures with four imidazoquinoline derivatives and GS9620 • Mutated TLR8 gains responsiveness to TLR7-specific ligands, guanosine and GS9620 • The crystal structure identifies 2′,3′-cGMP, a possible endogenous ligand Zhang et al. determine a series of crystal structures of TLR7 complexed with agonistic ligands. The findings contain detailed ssRNA sequence specificity, recognition mechanism(s) of synthetic ligands, the molecular basis of TLR7 and TLR8 ligand selectivity, and identification of possible endogenous ligands with a high activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sex differences in clinical characteristics of ischemic heart disease patients have been widely examined, differences in the type of coronary artery disease (CAD) and their impacts on prognosis have not been well elucidated in Japanese. Methods: The Kumamoto Intervention Conference Study (KICS) is a multicenter registry enrolling consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 16 centers in Japan. Between August 2008 and March 2014, 11,095 consecutive patients were enrolled in this registry. To clarify the sex differences, depending on the type of coronary artery disease, 10,822 successful PCI subjects with 1-year follow-up were enrolled in this study. Results: In this patient population, 2,983 patients (28.3%) were female and the remaining 7,839 patients (71.7%) were male. Age and comorbidity of chronic kidney disease(CKD) were significantly higher in female, and other atherosclerotic factors were significantly higher in male. The 1-year MACE was significantly higher in female patients (2.6% vs. 2.0%, p=0.084). Sub-analysis in patients with stable coronary artery disease (sCAD) or unstable angina (UA), sex difference was not observed in any 1-year MACE, procedural factors, or medication treatments. Multivariate analysis revealed CKD and peripheral artery disease (PAD) in female, and PAD in males as independent predictors for 1-year MACE. As regards patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 1-year MACE was significantly higher in female (2.5% vs. 1.5%, p=0.023). Proportion of Killip3/4 (11.5% vs. 9.2%, p=0.034) and slow flow/no reflow rate during PCI procedures (11.5% vs. 8.9%, p=0.015) were significantly higher in female than in male. Post dilatation after stent deployments was significantly fewer in female than in male (44.0% vs. 50.7%, p=0.001). Regarding with medication treatments, usage of beta-blocker was significantly lower in female than in male (48.6% vs. 53.4%, p=0.009). Predictive factors for 1-year MACE in AMI patients were high age and left main trunk (LMT) lesions in female, CKD and LMT lesion in male, respectively. Conclusion: Sex differences in the clinical events after PCI were observed only in AMI patients, furthermore, the predictors for the events, depending on the sex, were different among the different type of coronary artery disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll-like Receptor 9 (TLR9) is an innate immune receptor recognizing microbial DNA. TLR9 is also activated by self-derived DNA, such as mitochondrial DNA, in a variety of inflammatory diseases. We show here that TLR9 activation in vivo is controlled by an anti-TLR9 monoclonal Ab (mAb). A newly established mAb, named NaR9, clearly detects endogenous TLR9 expressed in primary immune cells. The mAb inhibited TLR9-dependent cytokine production in vitro by bone marrow-derived macrophages and conventional dendritic cells. Furthermore, NaR9 treatment rescued mice from fulminant hepatitis caused by administering the TLR9 ligand CpGB and D-(+)-galactosamine. The production of proinflammatory cytokines induced by CpGB and D-(+)-galactosamine was significantly impaired by the mAb. These results suggest that a mAb is a promising tool for therapeutic intervention in TLR9-dependent inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Thermal efficiency was substantially improved and NOx emissions were reduced to a level at a single-digit ppm with PCC combustion by optimizing such characteristics as the direction, number and diameter of the injected jet and controlling the injection timing and also by combining with combustion of lean mixture. Output power declined by lean mixture was recovered by supercharging in keeping NOx emissions remained at the same level, while thermal efficiency was improved furthermore by slightly re-optimizing jet conditions. As a result, hydrogen engine which does not emit any CO2 and particulate matter in principle is worth to be called near-zero emission engines in both name and reality. Graphical abstract Thermal Efficiency and NOx Emission Level Achieved for all Variation of Injection Angle in MBT and LBT Conditions. Image 1 Highlights • Development of near-zero emission hydrogen engines. • Attainment of NOx reduction with high thermal efficiency and output power. • Optimization of hydrogen jet configuration and concentration by nozzle design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleocytosis of the cerebrospinal fluid is a key finding for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis presenting in normal cerebrospinal fluid is rare in adult patients. We describe the case of a patient with pneumococcal meningitis without cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. This case suggests that immediate antibiotic therapy should be started when meningitis is suspected, even with normal cerebrospinal fluid findings. (See Figure.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Title compounds such as (V) and (IX) are prepared via a new three-step sequence including base-induced Sommelet-Hauser rearrangement, subsequent von Braun reaction and intramolecular α-alkylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present method furnishes valuable intermediates for preparation of α-aryl-α-amino or α-aryl-β-amino carboxylic acid derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a rare condition caused by various underlying diseases including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and neoplasms. Obtaining an accurate definitive diagnosis of the underlying cause of CDI is difficult. Recently, anti-rabphilin-3A antibodies were demonstrated to be a highly sensitive and specific marker of lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis (LINH). Here, we report a detailed case series, and evaluated the significance of anti-rabphilin-3A antibodies in differentiating the etiologies of CDI. A prospective analysis was conducted in 15 consecutive patients with CDI from 2013 to 2020 at a single referral center. Anti-rabphilin-3A antibodies were measured and the relationship between antibody positivity and the clinical/histopathological diagnoses was evaluated. Among 15 CDI patients, the positive anti-rabphilin-3A antibodies were found in 4 of 5 LINH cases, 3 of 4 lymphocytic panhypophysitis (LPH) cases, one of 2 sarcoidosis cases, and one intracranial germinoma case, respectively. Two Rathke cleft cyst cases and one craniopharyngioma case were negative. This is the first report of anti-rabphilin-3A antibodies positivity in CDI patients with biopsy-proven LPH. Measurement of anti-rabphilin-3A antibodies may be valuable for differentiating CDI etiologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, PtRu solid‐solution alloy nanoparticles enable high‐performance H2 evolution reaction cocatalysts through the transfer of knowledge from electrocatalysis to photocatalysis. Ultrafine PtRu alloy nanoparticles (1.0 ± 0.2 nm in diameter) are synthesized by using a chemical polyol method and used for electro/photo‐catalyses. Integration of PtRu nanoparticles with carbon and Al‐doped SrTiO3 powders via liquid‐phase adsorption and successive two‐step air and H2 annealing ensures uniform deposition of PtRu alloy nanoparticles (<2 nm) with a solid‐solution structure. The PtRu alloy nanoparticles exhibit higher electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction than monometallic Pt counterparts. Modifying Al‐doped SrTiO3 with PtRu alloy nanoparticles results in efficient photocatalytic overall water‐splitting activity with an apparent quantum yield of 65% at 365 nm and a solar‐to‐hydrogen energy conversion efficiency of 0.45%, which are the highest values among SrTiO3‐based photocatalytic water splitting systems with Rh‐free cocatalysts. Transient diffuse reflectance spectroscopy reveals that the PtRu nanoparticles have a superior electron‐capturing ability than the Pt counterparts, probably due to the decreased work function of Pt by alloying with Ru. This work establishes a framework to elucidate catalytic trends and provides rational design guidance toward the development of bimetallic solid‐solution nanoparticles as cost‐effective and highly active cocatalysts for overall water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recessive mutations in SLC12A6 have been linked to hereditary motor sensory neuropathy with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Patients with early‐onset peripheral neuropathy associated with SLC12A6 heterozygous variants were reported in 2016. Only five families and three variants have been reported to date, and the spectrum is unclear. Here, we aim to describe the clinical and mutation spectra of SLC12A6‐related Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease in Japanese patients. Methods: We extracted SLC12A6 variants from our DNA microarray and targeted resequencing data obtained from 2598 patients with clinically suspected CMT who were referred to our genetic laboratory by neurological or neuropediatric departments across Japan. And we summarized the clinical and genetic features of these patients. Results: In seven unrelated families, we identified one previously reported and three novel likely pathogenic SLC12A6 heterozygous variants, as well as two variants of uncertain significance. The mean age of onset for these patients was 17.5 ± 16.1 years. Regarding electrophysiology, the median motor nerve conduction velocity was 39.6 ± 9.5 m/sec. For the first time, we observed intellectual disability in three patients. One patient developed epilepsy, and her brain MRI revealed frontal and temporal lobe atrophy without changes in white matter and corpus callosum. Conclusions: Screening for the SLC12A6 gene should be considered in patients with CMT, particularly those with central nervous system lesions, such as cognitive impairment and epilepsy, regardless of the CMT subtype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are considered the principal cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; the effect of stroke-induced cardiac manifestations is well recognized; however, not enough clinical data have been found about the impact of stroke with underlying cardiac disease. This study's objective is to assess the impact of stroke on the prognosis of patients with underlying IHD, who underwent PCI treatment. This was a multicenter, 1-year observational study in patients undergoing PCI in one of the 17 participating centers across Japan. 18,495 patients were registered on the PCI list; 2481 patients had a prior stroke experience, whereas 15,979 were stroke-free. Our study revealed that stroke patients were significantly older (mean age 73.5 ± 9.6, 69.7(± 11.5), respectively), and suffered from more comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease, p < 0.0001). During the 1-year period, subjects with stroke showed higher incidence of clinical events compared to those without stroke; to illustrate, all-cause death accounted for 6.2% in patients with stroke, in contrast to only 2.8% in stroke-free patients (p < 0.0001), cardiac death amounted for 2.2 and 1.2%, respectively (p < 0.0001), recurrent stroke for 3.1% and 1.2% (p < 0.0001), non-cardiac death for 3.6 and 1.54% (p < 0.0001), and finally, hemorrhagic complications with 2.6 and 1.3% (p < 0.0001). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that stroke patients had a higher probability of all-cause mortality, cardiac death, and recurrent stroke (log-rank p < 0.0001). Cox hazard analysis also showed that the presence of stroke is a significant indicator in determining the outcome of cardiac death (HR = 1.457, 95% CI 1.036–2.051, p = 0.031); hence, proving it to be a crucial predictor on cardiac prognosis. History of prior stroke was common in PCI patients, and independently associated with a higher rate of subsequent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events recurrence. Thus, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive prevention of cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (PMSAH) is a group of diseases characterized by bleeding around the brainstem. In recent years, it has been suggested that PMSAH is associated with the venous system. We report a case of PMSAH caused by stenosis of the junction of the vein of Galen (VG) and the rectus sinus (RS). A 39-year-old man presented with restlessness at work. He was administered diazepam, and a few minutes later, his consciousness became clear. Imaging showed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) around the right midbrain, occlusion of the right sigmoid sinus and the right transverse sinus, stenosis of the junction of the VG and RS, T2 hyperintensity in the right middle temporal gyrus, and obstruction of the right vein of Labbe. The location of the SAH coincided with stenosis of the junction of the VG and RS. PMSAH was diagnosed due to the increase in intracranial venous pressure caused by the patient's sinus obstruction in addition to the stenosis of the junction of the VG and RS. It is necessary to pay attention to venous return when PMSAH is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The global point prevalence survey (Global-PPS) is the standard for the surveillance of prescribed antimicrobials among inpatients and provides data for the development of hospital antimicrobial stewardship programs. Aim. To evaluate the prevalence and quality of antimicrobial prescriptions using the universally standardized Global-PPS protocol in a non-acute care hospital in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Methods. Antimicrobial prescriptions for inpatients, staying at the hospital overnight, were surveyed on three separate week days in November 2018, January 2019, and May 2019. Information on the prescribed antimicrobials on the survey target day was obtained from the in-hospital pharmacy. Survey data were collected by physicians, based on the extracted information. Patient information was anonymized and entered in the Global-PPS Web application by physicians. We report the antimicrobial use prevalence, the indication for prescription, diagnosis, the most prescribed antimicrobials, and a set of quality indicators related to antimicrobial prescribing. Results. In total, 6.7% of the surveyed inpatients (120/1796) were prescribed antimicrobials on the survey day. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim was the most commonly prescribed, with 20.0% of systemic antibiotic prescriptions (ATC J01). Of all antibiotics for systemic use, up to 58.4% were Watch antibiotics, as defined by the World Health Organization AWaRe classification. The most prescribed group of systemic antibiotics was non-penicillin beta-lactam antibiotics (34.4%), followed by penicillin antibiotics in combination with beta-lactamase inhibitors (25.6%), and sulfonamides with trimethoprim (20.8%). Healthcare-associated infections and medical prophylaxis were the most common indications reported in 69.3% and 26.3% of prescriptions, respectively. The most common diagnosis for systemic antibiotic prescriptions was pneumonia (49.6%). Reasons for antimicrobial prescriptions were indicated in the medical records for 67.1% of prescriptions, and the stop/review date was documented to be 50.3%. Compliance with local guidelines reached 66.7%. Conclusions. This study highlights important challenges related to antimicrobial prescription in a highly specific, non-acute care patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A detailed chemical kinetic model with a reaction mechanism consisting of thousands of elementary step-like reactions has been successfully applied to predict the combustion and pyrolysis characteristics of hydrocarbon fuels. This approach, however, has seldom been used for predicting steam reforming of aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study, the predictive capability of an existing detailed chemical kinetic model was critically evaluated for the thermal conversion rates of aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of hydrogen and steam. Published experimental data on steam reforming of simulated coke oven gas (a mixture of hydrogen, steam, and an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, toluene, or naphthalene) in a tubular flow reactor (total pressure of 160kPa, temperature of 1073–1673K, and residence time of up to 1s) were used for the evaluations. Simulations based on a kinetic model that consists of more than 200 chemical species, more than 2000 elementary step-like reactions, and a plug flow reactor model well reproduced experimental results for major products such as CO, CO2, and CH4 as well as the conversion trends of source aromatic hydrocarbons. The coke yield was also fairly well predicted under the assumption that the computationally obtained total yields of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and acetylene, both of which are the most likely coke precursors, correspond to the experimentally determined coke yields. In addition, the influences of the hydrogen partial pressure and residence time on the product distributions were also well predicted for the naphthalene conversion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Epitaxial 3C-SiC (β-SiC) thin layers are grown on Si (001) substrates by carbonization in moderate-pressure microwave plasmas, typically used for diamond film deposition. The substrate temperature and the CH4 gas concentration diluted in H2 gas are varied from 1000 to 1200°C and from 2 to 8vol.%, respectively. The grown layers are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, reflection high energy electron diffraction, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. For 2% CH4, epitaxial 3C-SiC about 10nm thick is grown only when the temperature is increased to 1200°C, while polycrystalline 3C-SiC is grown for temperatures less than 1200°C. For 8% CH4, epitaxial 3C-SiC is grown even for temperatures less than 1200°C, but the thickness of the SiC layer is reduced. Some amounts of amorphous carbon and diamond phases are found to grow on the SiC layers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Similarly, there was no significant improvement in mortality amongst patients with solid-tumor malignancy (2011: 47.80% to 2020: 41.37%, p=0.913) and non-solid tumor (2011: 56% to 2020: 42.35%, p=0.393). We report the trend in survival over the last decade for patients with septic shock without malignancy and those with septic shock and malignancy. [Extracted from the article]

Septic cardiomyopathy is associated with poor outcomes but its definition remains unclear. In a previous meta-analysis, left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (LS) showed significant prognostic value in septic patients, but findings were not robust due to a limited number of studies, differences in effect size and no adjustment for confounders. We conducted an updated systematic review (PubMed and Scopus up to 14.02.2023) and meta-analysis to investigate the association between LS and survival in septic patients. We included studies reporting global (from three apical views) or regional LS (one or two apical windows). A secondary analysis evaluated the association between LV ejection fraction (EF) and survival using data from the selected studies. We included fourteen studies (1678 patients, survival 69.6%) and demonstrated an association between better performance (more negative LS) and survival with a mean difference (MD) of −1.45%[−2.10, −0.80] (p < 0.0001;I2 = 42%). No subgroup differences were found stratifying studies according to number of views used to calculate LS (p = 0.31;I2 = 16%), severity of sepsis (p = 0.42;I2 = 0%), and sepsis criteria (p = 0.59;I2 = 0%). Trial sequential analysis and sensitivity analyses confirmed the primary findings. Grade of evidence was low. In the included studies, thirteen reported LVEF and we found an association between higher LVEF and survival (MD = 2.44% [0.44,4.45]; p = 0.02;I2 = 42%). We confirmed that more negative LS values are associated with higher survival in septic patients. The clinical relevance of this difference and whether the use of LS may improve understanding of septic cardiomyopathy and prognostication deserve further investigation. The association found between LVEF and survival is of unlikely clinical meaning. PROSPERO number CRD42023432354 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] 1,3a,6a-Triazapentalene (TAP) derivatives were developed as erasable fluorescent cell staining reagents that can be used with a confocal laser microscope. To enhance the utility of previously developed erasable fluorescent cell staining reagents such as 2-biphenyl-TAP (1a) for practical applications in confocal laser microscopy, a carbonyl group with strong electron-withdrawing properties was introduced between the TAP core skeleton and the biphenyl group, leading to a longer wavelength shift in absorption and emission maxima. While the analog 1b , featuring only the carbonyl group insertion, declined significantly in fluorescence intensity, the two-carbon extended ketone analog 1d showed a desirable shift in absorption maximum towards longer wavelengths, green fluorescence, and high fluorescence intensity. Cell staining experiments using 1d demonstrated its usefulness, including rapid staining, erasable fluorescent staining, and compatibility with confocal laser microscopy employing a standard filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new-generation QuantiFERON (QFT)-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) is expected to be useful because it includes a new peptide that is supposed to induce a CD8+ T cell response. There is a need for a new marker with sensitivity higher than that of the conventional IFN-γ release assays owing to false-negative results in the latter. This study aimed to compare cytokines in QFT-plus and QuantiFERON-Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) supernatants to discriminate between active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). A cross-sectional study was conducted at Tokyo National Hospital, wherein 21 LTBI patients and age and sex-matched active TB patients were randomly selected. The levels of various cytokines were measured and compared using the MAGPIX System, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated. IL-1RA, IFN-γ, CXCL10/IP-10, and CCL4/MIP-1β levels were higher in the active TB group than in the LTBI group in QFT-GIT antigen (GIT Ag) tubes. In QFT-plus tubes, IL-1RA was higher in TB1 and TB2 tubes, while CCL2/MCP-1 was higher only in TB2 tubes. In Nil tubes, CCL5/RANTES, TNF-α, PDGF-BB, and IL-2 levels were significantly higher in the active TB group. IL-1RA in GIT Ag tubes showed the highest area under the curve of 0.8367. The sensitivity and specificity of IL-1RA were 66.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.0–85.4) and 90.5% (95% CI: 69.6–98.8), respectively, which were the highest among the cytokines. IL-1RA level in the QFT-GIT supernatant can be a good marker for discriminating active TB from LTBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the efficacy of the following interferon (IFN)-γ release assays (IGRAs): QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus), QFT-Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT), and T-SPOT. TB (T-SPOT) with the quantitative values of IFN-γ response. Blood samples were collected from patients with active tuberculosis (TB), latent TB infection (LTBI), individuals with previous TB infection, and healthy volunteers enrolled between May 2017 and June 2018. IGRAs results were analyzed in 175 subjects (76 had active TB, 14 had LTBI, 35 had prior TB infection, and 50 were healthy). QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT revealed equal efficacy for IFN-γ values, and the IFN-γ response in QFTs tended to increase with the spot counts in T-SPOT, with similar high sensitivities (approximately 90%) in the active TB group. The test concordance of two of three IGRAs was optimal among all subjects (κ coefficients: 0.82–0.96). Additionally, the median quantitative values of IFN-γ with QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT were higher in the active TB group than in the LTBI and previous TB groups. Three IGRAs showed equivalent efficacy with high sensitivities and higher IFN-γ response in active TB group than that in non-active TB group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We investigated whether diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) could detect pathological changes that occur in Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy with predominant parkinsonism (MSA-P) or predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C), and progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome (PSPS) and thus be used for differential diagnosis that is often difficult. Methods: Seventy patients (41 with PD, 6 with MSA-P, 7 with MSA-C, 16 with PSPS) and 20 healthy controls were examined using a 3.0 T MRI scanner. From DKI and QSM data, we automatically obtained mean kurtosis (MK), fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD) values of the midbrain tegmentum (MBT), pontine crossing tract (PCT), and superior/middle cerebellar peduncles (CPs), which were used to calculate diffusion MBT/PCT ratios (dMPRs) and diffusion superior/middle CP ratios (dCPRs), as well as MS (magnetic susceptibility) values of the anterior/posterior putamen (PUa and PUp) and globus pallidus (GP). Results: dMPRs of MK were significantly decreased in PSPS and increased in MSA-C compared with the other groups, while dCPRs of MK showed significant differences only between MSA-C and PD, PSPS, or control. MS values were significantly increased in the PUp of MSA-P and in the PUa and GP of PSPS compared with those in PD. The combined use of MK-dMPR and MS-PUp showed sensitivities of 83-100% and specificities of 81-100% for discriminating among the disease groups, respectively. Conclusion: A quantitative assessment using DKI and QSM analyses, particularly MK-dMPR and MS-PUp values, can readily identify patients with parkinsonism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose There have been scarce data evaluating the differences of clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) depending on underlying pulmonary diseases. We tried to clarify them in CPA patients who had pulmonary emphysema or previous pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods We reviewed and evaluated CPA patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2013 with pulmonary emphysema (PE group; n = 29), with previous pulmonary tuberculosis (PT group; n = 47) and with combination of these 2 underlying conditions (CTE group; n = 24). Results In CT findings, fungus balls were rare in PE group (7% in PE group and 36% in PT group; p = 0.006). Compared with PT group, PE group patients exhibited more frequent preceding antibiotics administration (45% vs 11%; p = 0.002) and fever (52% vs 17%; p = 0.002), less frequent hemosputum (24% vs 57%; p = 0.008), and more frequent consolidations in imaging (79% vs 38%; p = 0.001) and respiratory failure (34% vs 13%; p = 0.020), possibly suggesting more acute clinical manifestations of CPA in emphysematous patients. Trend of the differences between PT and PE group was not changed when patients with fungal balls were excluded. Multivariate Cox regression analysis of risks for all-cause mortality revealed age (HR, 1.079; p = 0.002) and emphysema (HR, 2.45; p = 0.040) as risk factors. Conclusions Assessment of underlying lung diseases is needed when we estimate prognosis and consider treatment of CPA patients. Particularly, emphysematous patients can be presented as refractory pneumonia and show poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astro-H is the Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite to be launched in 2015. The Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) on board Astro-H is a high energy resolution spectrometer utilizing an X-ray micro-calorimeter array, which is operated at 50 mK by the ADR with the 30 liter superfluid liquid helium. The mechanical cryocoolers, 4 K-class Joule Thomson (JT) cooler and 20 K-class double-staged Stirling (2ST) cooler, are key components of the SXS cooling system to extend the lifetime of LHe cryogen beyond 3 years as required. Higher reliability was therefore investigated with higher cooling capability based on the heritage of existing cryocoolers. As the task of assessing further reliability dealt with the pipe-choking phenomena by contaminant solidification of the on-orbit SMILES JT cryocooler, outgassing from materials and component parts used in the cryocoolers was measured quantitatively to verify the suppression of carbon dioxide gas by their storage process and predict the total accumulated carbon dioxide for long-term operation. A continuous running test to verify lifetime using the engineering model (EM) of the 4 K-JT cooler is underway, having operated for a total of 720 days as of June 2013 and showing no remarkable change in cooling performance. During the current development phase, prototype models (PM) of the cryocoolers were installed to the test SXS dewar (EM) to verify the overall cooling performance from room temperature to 50 mK. During the EM dewar test, the requirement to reduce the transmitted vibration from the 2ST cooler compressor was recognized as mitigating the thermal instability of the SXS microcalorimeter at 50 mK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the prevalence and risk factors of recurrence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) after discontinuation of antifungal triazoles. Method We reviewed the medical records of CPA patients who achieved resolution of clinical and radiographic manifestations and stopped taking antifungal triazoles between June 2006 and June 2012 at Tokyo National Hospital. We evaluated whether there was CPA recurrence within 1 year after treatment cessation and investigated risk factors for relapse. The association of anti-Aspergillus antibody conversion with CPA recurrence was also reviewed. Results A total of 39 patients were included in this study and there was CPA recurrence in 14 patients. Compared with the Non-recurrence group, the Recurrence group exhibited 1) younger age ( p = 0.017), 2) more than one lung lobe affected by CPA more frequently ( p = 0.008), 3) longer duration needed to remit manifestations of chest radiograph ( p = 0.031), 4) longer antifungal treatment duration ( p = 0.042). The present study did not reveal an association between negative conversion of serum anti-Aspergillus antibody and recurrence risk. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with CPA with affected area of more than one lung lobe had increased risk (odds ratio, 10.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.49–69.77; p = 0.018). Conclusion CPA recurrence can be seen in about one-third of cases after discontinuing azole treatment. We should make decisions about treatment duration and follow up depending on the severity of each case, particularly on the expansion of CPA-affected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tensile testing of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film, peeled off from the substrate, was carried out using a nanomaterials testing system (NTS) that consisted of a nanomaterials tester and a scanning electron microscope. The stress–strain curve of the DLC film was successfully measured with this system. The Young''s modulus of the film was estimated from the S–S curve to approximately 110GPa. This result matches the range of Young''s modulus values measured by indentation. The execution of the tensile test in DLC films made clear that notch processing of the film was necessary because of brittleness. The experimental results demonstrated that the NTS would be one of the effective testing methods to evaluate the mechanical characteristics of DLC films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This report describes the results and operating status of ground lifetime testing and achievements on orbit of coolers for space use. Ground lifetime tests of coolers of three types were conducted to demonstrate their long life and reliability. Three single-stage Stirling coolers were tested for 89,016, 71,871 and 68,273h from 1998, a two-stage Stirling cooler was tested for 72,906h, and a 4-K class cooler with a two-stage Stirling cooler and a Joule–Thomson cooler was tested for over 2.5years. After lifetime tests were completed, a few coolers were investigated to determine the cause of the cooling performance degradation. Additionally, the filled gas of the coolers was analyzed. These coolers have shown good results on orbit. Three single-stage Stirling coolers were carried on the X-ray astronomical satellite “SUZAKU” (launched in July 2005), Japanese lunar polar orbiter “KAGUYA” (launched in September 2007), and the Japanese Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” (launched in June 2010). Two units of a two-stage Stirling cooler were carried on the infrared astronomical satellite “AKARI” launched in February 2006. A 4-K class cooler was carried on the Superconducting Submillimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder (SMILES) aboard the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) of the International Space Station (ISS). SMILES was launched in September 2009. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The process by which collagen fibrils are aligned following tendon injury remains unknown. Therefore, we analyzed the process of tendon regeneration by transmission electron microscopy, using a film model method. In mice, the Achilles tendon of medial head was transected. On day 3, after only the proximal end of the transected tendon was placed on film and kept in vivo, a translucent substance containing granules, called tendon gel, was secreted. On day 5, the granules assembled in a loose (L) layer, and coalesced tightly in a dense (D) layer, forming an L-D-L layered pattern. On day 10, granules showed high electron density in H layers, which developed into D-H-D layers on day 13. The distal end was placed on film to face the proximal end. On day 10, the tendon gel showed a D-H-D layer pattern. On day 11, mechanical stress from muscular constriction changed the tendon gel to aligned collagen fibrils (6 ± 2 nm in diameter). Thereafter, the diameter of the fibrils increased. Tendon gel harvested on day 5 or day 10 was pulled manually or by hanging weights (about 0.6 MPa). Aligned collagen fibrils (32 ± 7 nm in diameter) were created by traction using tendon gel harvested on day 10. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1944-1950, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Introduction: b Septic shock patients have heterogeneous and dynamic cardiovascular dysfunction. B Methods: b This retrospective study included patients with septic shock receiving vasopressin as a catecholamine adjunct who had an echo performed after shock onset and prior to vasopressin initiation. Patients with LV systolic dysfunction were less frequently vasopressin responsive (with LV dysfunction: 10/27 [37%] vs. without LV dysfunction: 62/102 [61%], absolute difference -24%; 95% CI -44% to -3%). [Extracted from the article]

Summary Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) recognizes DNA containing CpG motifs derived from bacteria and viruses and activates the innate immune response to eliminate them. TLR9 is known to bind to CpG DNA, and here, we identified another DNA binding site in TLR9 that binds DNA containing cytosine at the second position from the 5′ end (5′-xCx DNA). 5′-xCx DNAs bound to TLR9 in the presence of CpG DNA and cooperatively promoted dimerization and activation of TLR9. Binding at both sites was important for efficient activation of TLR9. The 5′-xCx DNA bound the site corresponding to the nucleoside binding site in TLR7 and TLR8 as revealed by the structural analysis. This study revealed that TLR9 recognizes two types of DNA through its two binding sites for efficient activation. This information may contribute to the development of drugs that control the activity of TLR9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]