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In this study, we systematically investigated the anomalous Nernst effect in perpendicularly magnetized amorphous TbFeCo thin films with various compositions. It was found that the magnitude of the off diagonal thermopower (ODT), which corresponds to the anomalous Nernst effect, can be uniformly explained with respect to the Tb content regardless of the concentration above or below the compensation composition. The maximum ODT of 1.3 μ V/K and the thermoelectric conductivity of 1.59 A/mK at room temperature were obtained, which is more significant than other perpendicular magnetic anisotropy thin films to achieve a large Nernst voltage for roll-type thermoelectric devices. By considering the thermoelectric tensor, Mott's equation, and the scaling law, it was shown both experimentally and theoretically that the magnitudes of the first and second terms contributing to the anomalous Nernst effect are comparable. It was also found that the ODT of TbFeCo thin films is twice or more significant than the product of the Seebeck coefficient and the Hall angle. Furthermore, amorphous metals and Mn-alloys with a large Berry curvature are located above the relation that the ODT is twice the product of the Seebeck coefficient and the Hall angle, which means that amorphous metals are expected to enhance the ANE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine artificial intelligence-based macular fluid (MF) parameters in diabetic macular edema (DME) with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and examine stage-by-stage differences in MF parameters and their relationship with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Methods: This study enrolled 104 eyes with treatment-naïve DME. Intraretinal fluid (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF) were detected in horizontal OCT images based on the "Hokkaido University MF segmentation model" when DME was first observed together with BCVA testing. The MF area, the mean brightness, and the variance of brightness were compared between mild or moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (mNPDR, n = 33), severe NPDR (sNPDR, n = 52), and PDR eyes (n = 19). Correlations between logMAR BCVA and MF parameters were also examined. Results: All the MF parameters tended to increase with DR stages. Especially, the mean brightness of IRF was significantly greater in PDR than in mNPDR. The variance of brightness of IRF increased in sNPDR compared to mNPDR, whereas that of SRF increased in PDR compared to sNPDR. LogMAR BCVA showed positive correlations with MF areas and the variance of brightness of SRF. Conclusions: The qualitative and quantitative MF parameters may be useful for better understanding DME pathogenesis according to DR progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an on-site system for the rapid simultaneous determination of multiple elements that integrates microdroplet technology with a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. This system combines the concentration of heavy metals in microdroplets through homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction with the widespread application of handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The focus of our research was the analysis of heavy metals, specifically lead. Under optimal conditions, we achieved a high extraction percentage of 93.3%, and a high volume ratio of 120 times was achieved (from 23.9 to 0.200 mL). Building on these optimal conditions, we explored a mixed solution of copper and lead to facilitate the simultaneous rapid determination of multiple elements. By exposing a 200-μL microdroplet to a focused X-ray beam (9.0 mm in diameter), we confirmed a good proportional relationship for copper and lead concentrations ranging from 0.0837 to 0.126 mg/L. The determination limit (10 σ) was 0.040 mg/L for copper and 0.030 mg/L for lead. This system enables the stable evaluation of heavy metals at low concentrations (ppb level) with a straightforward operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute acquired comitant esotropia caused by prolonged near work, such as the use of digital devices, has been frequently reported in recent years. However, intracranial examination is necessary even for patients with nonparalytic comitant esotropia. Lhermitte–Duclos disease is a rare tumor that grows in layers in the cerebellum. Among those with this disease, cases of esotropia have been reported due to abduction limitation of the eye, but there have been no reports of comitant esotropia. Here, we report the case of a young woman with acute acquired comitant esotropia who was found to have Lhermitte–Duclos disease. Case presentation: A 16-year-old Japanese female patient, whose ethnicity was Asian, was referred to our hospital for acute acquired comitant esotropia. Fundus examination revealed papilledema in both eyes, and magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed a cerebellar tumor in the right cerebellum with obstructive hydrocephalus. She underwent partial tumor resection, and a histopathological diagnosis of Lhermitte–Duclos disease was obtained. However, comitant esotropia status remained unchanged, and she underwent strabismus surgery. Finally, diplopia disappeared completely. Conclusion: Neurological and intracranial imaging examinations are essential when acute acquired comitant esotropia is observed. Acute acquired comitant esotropia by Lhermitte–Duclos disease did not improve with partial tumor resection and required strabismus surgery, but good surgical results were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Precut papillotomy is performed in cases of difficult biliary cannulation, but identification of the biliary orifice is difficult. Texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) can enhance the structure, color, and brightness. This study compared TXI and white light imaging (WLI) in visibility of biliary orifices. Methods: We retrospectively examined 20 patients who underwent bile duct cannulation using both WLI and TXI after precut papillotomy at our center between 2021 and 2022. On WLI and TXI images displayed in random order, bile duct orifice on precut‐incision surface of each image was independently evaluated by eight evaluators. Single‐indication accuracy rate of biliary orifices, visibility score rated on a 4‐grade scale, and color difference between the biliary orifice and the surrounding tissue were examined. Results: The single‐indication accuracy rate was higher in TXI compared to WLI (50.6% vs. 35.6%, odds ratio 2.26 [95% CI: 1.32–3.89], p =.003). The time to indicate the biliary orifice was comparable between TXI and WLI (median, 9.7 s [range, 2.6–43] vs. 10.9 s [1.5–64], p =.086). Furthermore, the visibility score was higher in TXI than in WLI (median, 3 [interquartile range, 2–3] vs. 2 [2, 3], p <.001), and the color difference between the biliary orifice and surrounding tissue in TXI was more pronounced than in WLI (median, 22.9 [range, 9.39–55.2] vs. 18.0 [6.48–43.0]; p <.001). Conclusions: TXI enhanced the color difference and visibility of the biliary orifice after precut and improved single‐indication accuracy rate, suggesting that it could be useful for biliary cannulation after precut papillotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two male Japanese Black calves developed an enlarged scrotum and testis. Orchiectomy was performed and pus was collected during surgery. After removal of the testis, bacteriological and histopathological examinations were conducted to investigate the cause and confirm the diagnosis. Based on the results obtained, both cases were diagnosed with epididymitis caused by an infection with Pasteurella multocida. This is the first study to show that P. multocida causes epididymitis in male calves. Further studies are required to clarify the details underlying the infection of calves with P. multocida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary cardiac tumors in animals are very rare. The purpose of this report was to describe the first case of a cardiac tumor comprising a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and spontaneous atrial osseous metaplasia in a Corriedale sheep. Histologically, the tumor in the bilateral atrial pericardium consisted of dense cellular components comprising tumor cells and a sparse cellular area, and non-neoplastic mature bone tissue. The tumor cells were spindle-shaped, round, or polygonal, and proliferating, with fascicular, storiform, palisading, and sheet patterns. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, S-100, occasionally positive for myeline basic protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament, neuron specific enolase, and neuron growth factor receptor suggesting that they originated from the nervous system. On the basis of these findings, the final diagnosis was a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and spontaneous atrial osseous metaplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]