Search

To determine the characteristics of pediatric patients 0–19 years of age who died after onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Japan during January 1–September 30, 2022, we reviewed multiple sources. We identified 62 cases, collected detailed information from medical records and death certificates, and conducted interviews, resulting in 53 patients with detailed information for our study. Among 46 patients with internal causes of death (i.e., not external causes such as trauma), 15% were

ABSTRACTBackground This study aimed to evaluate VE of primary, first, and second booster ancestral-strain monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination against symptomatic infections and severe diseases in Japan.Methods We conducted a test-negative case-control study. We included medically attended episodes and hospitalizations involving individuals aged [Formula: see text]16 with signs and symptoms from July to November 2022, when Omicron BA.5 was dominant nationwide. To evaluate VE, we calculated adjusted ORs of vaccination among test-positive versus test-negative individuals using a mixed-effects logistic regression.Results For VE against symptomatic infections among individuals aged 16 to 59, VE of primary vaccination at > 180 days was 26.1% (95% CI: 10.6–38.8%); VE of the first booster was 58.5% (48.4–66.7%) at [Formula: see text]90 days, decreasing to 41.1% (29.5–50.8%) at 91 to 180 days. For individuals aged [Formula: see text]60, VE of the first booster was 42.8% (1.7–66.7%) at [Formula: see text]90 days, dropping to 15.4% (−25.9–43.2%) at 91 to 180 days, and then increasing to 44.0% (16.4–62.5%) after the second booster. For VE against severe diseases, VE of the first and second booster was 77.3% (61.2–86.7%) at [Formula: see text]90 days and 55.9% (23.4–74.6%) afterward.Conclusion mRNA booster vaccination provided moderate protection against symptomatic infections and high-level protection against severe diseases during the BA.5 epidemic in Japan.

Abstract Background The AmoyDx Pan lung cancer PCR panel (AmoyDx PLC panel) has been approved as a companion diagnostic tool for multiple anticancer agents in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the suitability of cytology specimens as samples for the AmoyDx PLC panel remains unclear. We evaluated the performance of frozen cell pellets from cytology specimens (FCPs) in the Amoy 9‐in‐1 assay, a preapproval assay of the AmoyDx PLC panel. Methods We retrospectively collected data of NSCLC patients enrolled in LC‐SCRUM‐Asia from the Shizuoka Cancer Center between September 2019 and May 2021. Results A total of 49 cases submitted FCPs for evaluation of oncogenic driver alterations and were assessed using Amoy 9‐in‐1 and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) assays. The success rates of DNA and RNA analyses using the Amoy 9‐in‐1 were both 100%, compared with 86% and 45%, respectively, using NGS assays. Oncogenic driver alterations were detected in 27 (55%) and 23 (47%) patients using Amoy 9‐in‐1 and NGS, respectively. No inconsistent results were observed among 19 cases in which both assays showed successful detection. In the remaining 30 cases, 10 had inconsistent results: nine oncogenic driver alterations (3 MET, 2 ALK, 2 ROS1, and 2 KRAS) were detectable only in Amoy 9‐in‐1, and one epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation was detectable only in NGS. Conclusion FCPs can be successfully used in the AmoyDx PLC panel, with higher success rate compared with the NGS assay. The AmoyDx PLC panel may be an option in cases when insufficient tissue sample is available for the NGS assay.

Abstract Background Although posterior decompression with fusion (PDF) are effective for treating thoracic myelopathy, surgical treatment has a high risk of various complications. There is currently no information available on the perioperative complications in thoracic ossification of the longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL) and thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (T-OLF). We evaluate the perioperative complication rate and cost between T-OPLL and T-OLF for patients underwent PDF. Methods Patients undergoing PDF for T-OPLL and T-OLF from 2012 to 2018 were detected in Japanese nationwide inpatient database. One-to-one propensity score matching between T-OPLL and T-OLF was performed based on patient characteristics and preoperative comorbidities. We examined systemic and local complication rate, reoperation rate, length of hospital stays, costs, discharge destination, and mortality after matching. Results In a total of 2,660 patients, 828 pairs of T-OPLL and T-OLF patients were included after matching. The incidence of systemic complications did not differ significantly between the T-OPLL and OLF groups. However, local complications were more frequently occurred in T-OPLL than in T-OLF groups (11.4% vs. 7.7% P = 0.012). Transfusion rates was also significantly higher in the T-OPLL group (14.1% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.003). T-OPLL group had longer hospital stay (42.2 days vs. 36.2 days, P = 0.004) and higher medical costs (USD 32,805 vs. USD 25,134, P

Background: Canine prostatic carcinoma (cPC) is a urogenital tumor with poor prognosis, for which no effective treatment has been established. Recently, it has been shown that human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in cPC cells; however, the efficacy of HER2-targeted therapy remains unclear. Aim: Investigate the anti-tumor effect of lapatinib on HER2-positive cPC cell lines. Methods: Two cell lines (muPC and bePC) were established from two dogs with cPC and the effects of lapatinib treatment on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and HER2 downstream signaling were investigated. Furthermore, muPC was used to generate tumor-bearing mice, and the anti-tumor effects of lapatinib were examined in vivo. Results: Lapatinib treatment inhibited the proliferation and phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt, which are downstream signals of HER2. Furthermore, the TUNEL assay showed that lapatinib induced apoptosis in both cell lines. The muPC-engrafted nude mouse model showed that lapatinib significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased the area of necrotic tumor tissue compared to the vehicle-treated groups. Conclusion: Lapatinib exerts anti-tumor effects on cPC cells by inhibiting HER-2 signaling. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(5.000): 1259-1268]

Abstract Background The morphology of coxa profunda remains inadequately understood. However, knowledge about the characteristics of the acetabulum in coxa profunda can help to predict pelvic morphology in three dimensions based on radiographic findings, as well as help to diagnose and predict hip pathologies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the morphological characteristics of the pelvis and coxa profunda. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis including women who had undergone unilateral total hip arthroplasty. Only those with normal hip joint morphology on the opposite side, as evidenced by anteroposterior pelvic radiography showing a distance of ≥ 2 mm between the ilioischial line and acetabular floor, were included. Five parameters related to acetabular anteversion, thickness, and the position of the ilioischial line were measured using axial computed tomography at the central hip joint. The coxa profunda group (n = 39) and control group (n = 34) were compared. Results The mean acetabular anteversion angle was 12.5° ± 4° in the control group and 22.3° ± 5.6° in the coxa profunda group. The mean thickness from the acetabular fossa to the medial wall was 7.5 ± 1.7 mm in the control group and 3.9 ± 1.2 mm in the coxa profunda group. Furthermore, the bony region representing the ilioischial line was positioned more posteriorly in the coxa profunda group than it was in the control group. Conclusion Our findings suggest that coxa profunda in women is associated with anterior acetabular dysplasia and a thin acetabulum, in contrast to previous interpretations of excessive coverage. This insight suggests a conversion of coxa profunda from a finding of pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement to a finding of acetabular dysplasia, a revelation that also draws attention to cup positioning for total hip arthroplasty.

Abstract The sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) is an important species among baleen whales in the North Pacific and plays a significant role in the ecosystem. Despite the importance of this species, information regarding its migration patterns and breeding locations remains limited. To enhance the understanding of the phenology of North Pacific sei whales, we deployed satellite-monitored tags on these whales in the western and central North Pacific from 2017 to 2023. We fitted 55 sei whale tracks to a state-space model to describe the whales’ seasonal movements at feeding grounds and their migratory behavior. The whales typically leave their feeding grounds between November and December, with migration pathways extending from off Japan to the west of the Hawaiian Islands. These southward transits converge in the waters of the Marshall Islands and north of Micronesia between 20° N and 7° N, which appear to be breeding grounds. After a brief stay at these breeding grounds, the whales migrate northward from January to February, reaching their feeding grounds around 30°N by March. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to present the phenology of feeding and breeding seasons and the migration pattern of North Pacific sei whales.

ABSTRACT Background Reducing anxiety about motor vehicle driving in patients receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillators is important not only for improving quality of life but also for preventing vehicle collisions owing to driver distraction. This study aimed to clarify the driving‐related anxiety of patients with these defibrillators and the factors that predict such anxiety. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional survey using a self‐administered questionnaire of patients who had been driving a vehicle after device implantation at a general hospital between August 2018 and November 2019. Results The mean age was 60.8 ± 12.6 years. The reasons for implantation were primary prevention in 47 patients and secondary prevention in 30 patients. A total of 16 patients experienced anxiety about driving and 61 did not. Significantly more younger patients (mean age of 50.4 vs. 63.6 years, p

Hedgehog signaling is a highly conserved pathway that plays pivotal roles in morphogenesis, tumorigenesis, osteogenesis, and wound healing. Previous investigations in patients with Gorlin syndrome found low harm avoidance traits, and increased volumes in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and cerebral ventricles, suggesting the association between brain morphology and the constitutive hyperactivation of hedgehog signaling, while the changes of regional brain volumes in upregulated hedgehog signaling pathway remains unclear so far. Herein, we investigated comprehensive brain regional volumes using quantitative structural brain MRI, and identified increased volumes of amygdala, striatum, and pallidum on the global segmentation, and increased volumes of the lateral and medial parts of the central nucleus of the amygdala on the detail segmentation in Ptch heterozygous deletion mice. Our data may enhance comprehension of the association between brain morphogenic changes and hyperactivity in hedgehog signaling.

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an effective therapy to prevent thromboembolic events among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, since the left atrial appendage (LAA) contributes to left atrial volume and serves as a buffer for increasing left atrial pressure, this procedure may impair left atrium (LA) compliance, enlarge LA, and deteriorate diastolic function. In this study, we sought to investigate the change in left atrial volume index (LAVI) following LAAC and its effect on prognosis. Methods and Results: We analyzed 225 patients from the OCEAN-LAAC registry, an ongoing, multicenter Japanese study. Comparing LAVI measurements at baseline and 6 months after LAAC, no significant increase was observed (55.0 [44.0, 70.0] ml/m2 vs. 55.0 [42.0, 75.6] ml/m2; P = 0.31). However, some patients underwent LAVI increase. Particularly, a smaller LAVI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.98 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.97–0.996]) and elevated tricuspid regurgitation pressure (TRPG) at baseline (OR: 1.04 [95 % CI: 1.00 – 1.08]) were significantly related to the increase in LAVI at 6-month follow-up. In addition, a 5 ml/m2 increase in LAVI was significantly associated with subsequent heart failure hospitalization (HFH) (hazard ratio: 3.37 [95 % CI: 1.18–9.65]). This association, however, was not observed in patients with lower baseline LAVI (≤55 ml/m2) but was only seen in those with a baseline LAVI over 55 ml/m2. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated an increase in LAVI after LAAC was related to smaller LAVI or elevated TRPG at baseline. The LAVI increase was significantly associated with subsequent HFH.

Abstract Background Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is essential for lung cancer treatment. It is important to collect sufficient tissue specimens, but sometimes we cannot obtain large enough samples for NGS analysis. We investigated the yield of NGS analysis by frozen cytology pellets using an Oncomine Comprehensive Assay or Oncomine Precision Assay. Methods We retrospectively enrolled patients with lung cancer who underwent bronchoscopy at Kobe University Hospital and were enrolled in the Lung Cancer Genomic Screening Project for Individualized Medicine. We investigated the amount of extracted DNA and RNA and determined the NGS success rates. We also compared the amount of DNA and RNA by bronchoscopy methods. To create the frozen cytology pellets, we first effectively collected the cells and then quickly centrifuged and cryopreserved them. Results A total of 132 patients were enrolled in this study between May 2016 and December 2022; of them, 75 were subjected to frozen cytology pellet examinations and 57 were subjected to frozen tissue examinations. The amount of DNA and RNA obtained by frozen cytology pellets was nearly equivalent to frozen tissues. Frozen cytology pellets collected by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration yielded significantly more DNA than those collected by transbronchial biopsy methods. (P

Abstract The CLIP1-LTK fusion was recently discovered as a novel oncogenic driver in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lorlatinib, a third-generation ALK inhibitor, exhibited a dramatic clinical response in a NSCLC patient harboring CLIP1-LTK fusion. However, it is expected that acquired resistance will inevitably develop, particularly by LTK mutations, as observed in NSCLC induced by oncogenic tyrosine kinases treated with corresponding tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In this study, we evaluate eight LTK mutations corresponding to ALK mutations that lead to on-target resistance to lorlatinib. All LTK mutations show resistance to lorlatinib with the L650F mutation being the highest. In vitro and in vivo analyses demonstrate that gilteritinib can overcome the L650F-mediated resistance to lorlatinib. In silico analysis suggests that introduction of the L650F mutation may attenuate lorlatinib-LTK binding. Our study provides preclinical evaluations of potential on-target resistance mutations to lorlatinib, and a novel strategy to overcome the resistance.

Abstract Thermodynamically metastable glasses that can contain metastable species are important functional materials. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy is an effective technique for determining the valence states of cations, especially for the doping element in phosphors. Herein, we first confirm the valence change of silver cations from monovalent to trivalent in aluminophosphate glasses by X-ray irradiation using a combination of Ag L3-edge XANES, electron spin resonance, and simulated XANES spectra based on first-principles calculations. The absorption edge of the experimental and simulated XANES spectra demonstrate the spectral features of Ag(III), confirming that AgO exists as Ag(I)Ag(III)O2. A part of Ag(I) changes to Ag(III) by X-ray irradiation, and the generation of Ag(III) is saturated after high irradiation doses, in good agreement with conventional radiophotoluminescence (RPL) behaviour. The structural modelling based on a combination of quantum beam analysis suggests that the local coordination of Ag cations is similar to that of Ag(III), which is confirmed by density functional theory calculations. This demonstration of Ag(III) in glass overturns the conventional understanding of the RPL mechanism of silver cations, redefining the science of silver-related materials.

Funoran is a promising food polysaccharide with unique gelling properties but understanding its gelation behaviors remains inadequate. This study aimed to investigate the influence of cooling and heating rates on funoran gelation properties and study its gelation mechanism by dynamic rheology and NMR studies. With constant heating rates, the melting point was unaffected by changing cooling rates, whereas higher cooling and heating rates enhance the gel strength and thermal hysteresis. The gelation kinetics mechanism of the funoran solution was elucidated at different quenching temperatures. The rheological measurement results indicated that the funoran solution quenched to lower temperatures resulted in higher G` in the gel state, and faster gelation rate compared with the solution quenched at higher temperatures. 1H NMR results revealed a slow decay in funoran signal intensity at higher temperatures (20 °C) and a fast signal decay at 2 °C. A theoretical model involving second and first-order reactions was proposed to describe the gelation kinetic process of funoran at different quenching temperatures. It was shown longer helix lengths were required for stable intermolecular association and gel formation at higher temperatures than at lower temperatures. These results offer valuable insights for optimizing the funoran gelation properties for various food applications.

Abstract Objectives Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided tissue acquisition (EUS‐TA) is used for pathological diagnosis and obtaining samples for molecular testing, facilitating the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, samples obtained via EUS‐TA are often insufficient, requiring more efforts to improve sampling adequacy for molecular testing. Therefore, this study investigated the use of oil blotting paper for formalin fixation of samples obtained via EUS‐TA. Methods This prospective study enrolled 42 patients who underwent EUS‐TA for pancreatic cancer between September 2020 and February 2022 at the Osaka International Cancer Institute. After a portion of each sample obtained via EUS‐TA was separated for routine histological evaluation, the residual samples were divided into filter paper and oil blotting paper groups for analysis. Accordingly, filter paper and oil blotting paper were used for the formalin fixation process. The total tissue, nuclear, and cytoplasm areas of each sample were quantitatively evaluated using virtual slides, and the specimen volume and histological diagnosis of each sample were evaluated by an expert pathologist. Results All cases were cytologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. The area ratios of the total tissue, nuclear, and cytoplasmic portions were significantly larger in the oil blotting paper group than in the filter paper group. The frequency of cases with large amount of tumor cells was significantly higher in the oil blotting paper group (33.3%) than in the filter paper group (11.9%) (p = 0.035). Conclusions Oil blotting paper can increase the sample volume obtained via EUS‐TA on glass slides and improve sampling adequacy for molecular testing.

The demand for drone-based object transportation has been rapidly growing recently. Current drones face limitations in their ability to grasp objects on the flat surface. To address this issue, our study presents a universal jamming holding system with the capability to grasp flat surfaces. In general, jamming grippers cannot grasp flat surfaces. Here we have introduced a stretchable membrane and spherical shape to the gripper, allowing our jamming gripper to grasp flat surfaces. We assumed that when the stretchable membrane attaches to an object, the stretchable membrane spontaneously forms microscopic suction cup-like structure at the contact area. Our jamming gripper then can grasp flat objects by the effect of the suction cup-like structure. Our jamming gripper is ideal for drone mounting as it maintains the center of gravity during the gripping process and can operate with low positional accuracy. In addition, our jamming gripper operate on a pneumatic circuit powered by a solenoid valve, allowing our drone to hold objects without consuming energy. Our experimental results demonstrated that an acrylic plate could support a load of 945 g on a flat surface at a filling rate of 75%. Our gripper also has a good adsorption force on metal, acrylic, ice, and other surfaces. The gripping force of our grippers is independent of the pressing force. Our jamming gripper can be mounted on a drone and controlled wirelessly to perform grasping movements autonomously, making them highly versatile. It can be applied to various situations where the shapes of objects to be grasped are uncertain, such as delivery of goods to remote areas or sample collection.

Abstract Background Previous studies have revealed the risk factors for femoral pseudoaneurysms (FPA). Most data on FPA are based on coronary and peripheral interventions, with limited studies focusing on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, patient backgrounds, anticoagulation regimens, and vascular access methods differ. In addition, a standard for managing FPA after AF ablation remains elusive due to the difficult nature of achieving thrombosis in pseudoaneurysms. Methods This single‐center, retrospective, observational study included 2805 consecutive patients who underwent AF ablation between January 2016 and December 2021. All patients underwent femoral artery and vein punctures. Puncture sites were checked 1 day post‐procedure. Results A total of 23 FPA patients were identified during the study period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension (odds ratio 4.66, 95% confidence interval: 1.38–15.71; p = .0032) and warfarin use (odds ratio 3.83, 95% confidence interval: 1.40–10.45; p = .021) were significantly associated with the occurrence of FPA. The compression success rate was low (22%). There were nine and six patients in the endovascular treatment (EVT) and ultrasound‐guided thrombin injection (UGTI) groups, respectively. The success rates were 100% and 84% in the EVT and UGTI groups, respectively. The length of hospital stay after FPA treatment was 2.1 days in the EVT group and 1.3 days in the thrombin group. Conclusion We must be careful about post‐procedural FPA, especially for hypertension and warfarin‐using patients. Treatment of pseudoaneurysms with anticoagulants is unlikely to achieve hemostasis, and an early switch to invasive treatments, such as EVT, should be considered.

Abstract Background It is essential to collect a sufficient amount of tumor tissue for successful next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. In this study, we investigated the clinical risk factors for avoiding re-biopsy for NGS analysis (re-genome biopsy) in cases where a sufficient amount of tumor tissue could not be collected by bronchoscopy. Methods We investigated the association between clinical factors and the risk of re-genome biopsy in patients who underwent transbronchial biopsy (TBB) or endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and required re-genome biopsy in cases enrolled in LC-SCRUM Asia, a prospective nationwide genome screening project in Japan. We also examined whether the frequency of re-genome biopsy decreased between the first and second halves of the enrolment period. Results Of the 572 eligible patients, 236 underwent TBB, and 134 underwent EBUS-TBNA. Twenty-four TBBs required re-genome biopsy, and multivariate analysis showed that the risk of re-genome biopsy was significantly increased in lesions where the tumor lesion was centrally located. In these cases, EBUS-TBNA should be utilized even if the lesion is a pulmonary lesion. However, it should be noted that even with EBUS-TBNA, lung field lesions are at a higher risk of re-canalization than mediastinal lymph node lesions. It was also found that even when tumor cells were detected in rapid on-site evaluation, a sufficient amount of tumor tissue was not always collected. Conclusions For centrally located pulmonary mass lesions, EBUS-TBNA, rather than TBB, can be used to obtain tumor tissues that can be analyzed by NGS.

Abstract Aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been proven effective in a clinical trial of carcinogenesis blockade. However, various modes of action have been reported for these effects. Thus, in this study, we aimed to present reasonable mode of actions as a proof of concept for human trials, especially trials for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Aspirin treatment at 1000 ppm inhibited intestinal tumorigenesis in FAP model Min mice. As a mode of action, aspirin regulated β-catenin signaling, inflammation, and oxidative stress both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we examined novel markers predictive of aspirin treatment based on liquid biopsy. Here, we demonstrated that aspirin reduced the levels of reactive carbonyl species in the serum of Min mice. These data are expected to be of use for proof of concept of aspirin human trials and implied for the prediction of aspirin efficacy.

Abstract Despite the dedicated research of artificial intelligence (AI) for pathological images, the construction of AI applicable to histopathological tissue subtypes, is limited by insufficient dataset collection owing to disease infrequency. Here, we present a solution involving the addition of supplemental tissue array (TA) images that are adjusted to the tonality of the main data using a cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN) to the training data for rare tissue types. F1 scores of rare tissue types that constitute

The urban albedo is regarded as an important indicator for mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. The goal of this paper is to create neural network models that forecast the urban albedo of various reflection directional characteristic urban surfaces by simply inputting the sun’s position (altitude and azimuth) and solar radiation. In this study, two urban models with diffuse highly reflective (DHR) and retro-reflective (RR) urban coatings are created, and their urban albedo for two sunny days is calculated using standard (ASTM E1918A). Using the measured urban albedo for one sunny day, two predictive neural network models, Gaussian process (NNGP) and hyperbolic tangent function (NNTanH) are developed (August 1, 2021). The two developed neural network models are used to forecast the urban albedo for another sunny day (July 19, 2021). In the case of DHR urban coatings, the NNTanH model is more accurate with higher R-squared (R2) and lower root mean squared error (RMSE) than the NNGP model, and there is no significant difference between the two neural network models. However, it is demonstrated that the NNGP model is more accurate than the NNTanH model in predicting urban albedo in the case of RR urban coatings, with higher R2 and lower RMSE.

Effective phosphorus (P) management is crucial for optimal blueberry production. However, a comprehensive understanding of phosphorus distribution across soil depths and types after two decades of blueberry cultivation remains a challenge. This study examines pH, EC, SOC (soil organic carbon), Total N (total nitrogen), and phosphorus fractions in soils from Japanese blueberry fields that have been cultivated for over 20 years. The soils selected for this study represent typical soils from long-term blueberry-growing regions in Japan, ensuring the relevance of the findings to these key agricultural areas. Soil samples were gathered from depths of 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm, revealing significant variations in phosphorus content that are influenced by soil properties and fertilization history. Soil types such as KS (Kuroboku soils) and FS (Fluvic soils) show higher Total P accumulation in deeper layers, whereas BFS (Brown Forest soils) and RYS (Red-Yellow soils) accumulate more in shallower layers. Long-term cultivation has led to greater non-labile phosphorus (NLP) accumulation in shallower layers of KS, BFS, and FS soils, indicating strong phosphorus fixation. BFS soil also exhibits increased organic phosphorus (NaOH-Po) at deeper depths. NaOH-Po and NaHCO3-Po, through their interactions with EC and pH, critically modulate the transformation of NLP into labile phosphorus (LP), thereby influencing overall phosphorus and nitrogen dynamics in the soil. These findings underscore the importance of tailored phosphorus fertilization strategies based on blueberry field characteristics, providing a basis for low-input phosphorus fertilization approaches.

Abstract Objectives Japanese guidelines include high‐grade (poorly differentiated) tumors as a risk factor for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). However, whether the grading is based on the least or most predominant component when the lesion consists of two or more levels of differentiation varies among institutions. This study aimed to investigate which method is optimal for assessing the risk of LNM in T1 CRC. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 971 consecutive patients with T1 CRC who underwent initial or additional surgical resection from 2001 to 2021 at our institution. Tumor grading was divided into low‐grade (well‐ to moderately differentiated) and high‐grade based on the least or predominant differentiation analyses. We investigated the correlations between LNM and these two grading analyses. Results LNM was present in 9.8% of patients. High‐grade tumors, as determined by least differentiation analysis, accounted for 17.0%, compared to 0.8% identified by predominant differentiation analysis. A significant association with LNM was noted for the least differentiation method (p < 0.05), while no such association was found for predominant differentiation (p = 0.18). In multivariate logistic regression, grading based on least differentiation was an independent predictor of LNM (p = 0.04, odds ratio 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.00–2.83). Sensitivity and specificity for detecting LNM were 27.4% and 84.1% for least differentiation, and 2.1% and 99.3% for predominant differentiation, respectively. Conclusions Tumor grading via least differentiation analysis proved to be a more reliable measure for assessing LNM risk in T1 CRC compared to grading by predominant differentiation.

ABSTRACT: Background: Treatment for pyogenic spondylitis tends to be prolonged; however, few studies have examined the factors associated with the time required for infection control. Therefore, we analyzed a consecutive cohort of patients to identify factors associated with the time required to control infection in pyogenic spondylitis. This study aimed to clarify the factors linked to the duration necessary for achieving infection control in cases of pyogenic spondylitis, using C-reactive protein (CRP) normalization as an indicator. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we investigated 108 patients diagnosed with pyogenic spondylitis. We evaluated the number of days from the first visit to CRP normalization; for cases wherein CRP did not normalize, the number of days to the date of final blood sampling was evaluated. In the present study, infection control in pyogenic spondylitis was defined as a CRP falling within the normal range (≤0.14 mg/dL). We performed univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify various factors associated with the time required for CRP normalization in pyogenic spondylitis. Results: The mean time required for CRP normalization was 148 days. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the serum creatinine level, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), lymphocyte percentage, neutrophil percentage, CRP level, CRP-albumin ratio, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were significantly associated with the time required to control infection. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that a higher neutrophil percentage, diabetes mellitus, and a lower eGFR were the independent factors associated with a longer infection control time. Conclusions: We found that a higher neutrophil percentage, diabetes mellitus, and a lower eGFR were significantly associated with a longer time for CRP normalization in pyogenic spondylitis. These findings may help identify patients with pyogenic spondylitis who are at a high risk for an extended infection control period.

Soft robotics is a breakthrough technology to support human–robot interactions. The soft structure of a soft robot can increase safety during human and robot interactions. One of the promising soft actuators for soft robotics is dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). DEAs can operate silently and have an excellent energy density. The simple structure of DEAs leads to the easy fabrication of soft actuators. The simplicity combined with silent operation and high energy density make DEAs interesting for soft robotics researchers. DEAs actuation follows the Maxwell-pressure principle. The pressure produced in the DEAs actuation depends much on the voltage applied. Common DEAs requires high voltage to gain an actuation. Since the power consumption of DEAs is in the milli-Watt range, the current needed to operate the DEAs can be neglected. Several commercially available DC-DC converters can convert the volt range to the kV range. In order to get a voltage in the 2–3 kV range, the reliable DC-DC converter can be pricy for each device. This problem hinders the education of soft actuators, especially for a newcomer laboratory that works in soft electric actuators. This paper introduces an entirely do-it-yourself (DIY) Ultrahigh voltage amplifier (UHV-Amp) for education in soft robotics. UHV-Amp can amplify 12 V to at a maximum of 4 kV DC. As a demonstration, we used this UHV-Amp to test a single layer of powdered-based DEAs. The strategy to build this educational type UHV-Amp was utilizing a Cockcroft-Walton circuit structure to amplify the voltage range to the kV range. In its current state, the UHV-Amp has the potential to achieve approximately 4 kV. We created a simple platform to control the UHV-Amp from a personal computer. In near future, we expect this easy control of the UHV-Amp can contribute to the education of soft electric actuators.

Introduction Many developed countries including Japan are experiencing declining birth rates, particularly in urban areas. A gap between the planned number of children and the actual number of children exists, that is attributed to various factors such as: childcare leave and employment policies, childcare services, financial support, husbands’ contributions to household chores and childcare, marriage support, community, and couples’ well-being. Therefore, we propose HAMA study for having a baby, parenting, and marriage life (HAMA = ‘H’aving ‘A’ baby, parenting, and ‘MA’rriage life) in Yokohama (an urban area) to examine these issues.Methods and analysis In this large-scale cohort study, we will elucidate the actual situation of families and child-rearing in Yokohama, evaluate the current policies and propose future measures to prevent a decline in the birth rate. Overall, 10 000 young married couples (wives aged 20–39 years as of 2022) will be randomly selected, and a survey form will be sent to them annually. They will be followed-up for 5 years to examine the factors associated with the planned number of children, well-being of the couple, childcare support policies, externalisation of housework and childcare, fathers’ participation in housework and childcare, wives’ free time, loneliness and social connectedness, relationship with the spouse and if they are working, questions regarding their work style and work-life balance will also be included. Ultimately, a conceptual model of the planned number of children and associated factors will be developed.Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Yokohama City University (reference number: 2022–10) and will be conducted following appropriate ethical guidelines. Opportunities to withdraw consent to participate in the survey are provided to participants. The results of this survey will be published as research papers in relevant journals and will be reported to the administration of Yokohama city and other agencies.

Background: Compression therapy is widely used as a therapeutic option for edema; however, concerns regarding its safety in patients with heart failure (HF) arose, particularly due to increased venous return, which increases pulmonary artery blood pressure. This study aimed to investigate the safety of compression therapy in patients with chronic HF. Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled patients with stable chronic HF who initiated treatment with compression therapy for lower extremity edema. The primary outcome was New York Heart Association (NYHA) class changes after 1 month of compression therapy, and adverse events were evaluated. Results: We analyzed 101 patients who initiated compression therapy. The number of patients continuing compression therapy at one month was 86. Overall, 61.6 % were female and the median age was 81 years. The proportion of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was 50.4 %. Brain natriuretic peptide levels were significantly lower than baseline levels at 1 month, (baseline vs 1 month: 486 (360–696) vs 311 (211–511), p

Background: Clinical characteristics and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) according to the age of initial diagnosis are unclear. Methods: This study is a sub-analysis of the ILLUMINATE-CS registry, which is a retrospective, multicenter registry that enrolled patients with CS between 2001 and 2017. Patients were divided into three groups according to the tertile of age at the time of initial diagnosis of CS. The study compared the clinical background at the time of CS diagnosis and the incidence rate of cardiac events across age categories. Results: A total of 511 patients were analyzed in this study. In baseline, older patients were more likely to be female. History of hypertension, heart failure admission, and atrioventricular block were more common in patients with older age. There was no significant difference in the history of ventricular arrhythmias and left ventricular ejection fraction among all age groups. During a median follow-up period of 3.2 [IQR: 1.7–4.2] years, 35 deaths, 56 heart failure hospitalization, and 98 fatal ventricular arrhythmias was observed. The incidence rate of all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization was significantly higher in patients with older age (p

Background: Currently, cryoballoon (CB) thawing after single stop is generally performed. Previous research had reported that long thawing time using a single stop affects pulmonary veins tissue injury. However, it is uncertain whether CB thawing after single stop affects clinical outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to clarify clinical significance of CB thawing in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Methods: Two hundred ten patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent CB from January 2018 to October 2019 were analyzed. We compared the clinical outcomes of patients whose CB applications were completely stopped with only the double stop technique (DS group, n = 99) and patients with single stop (SS group, n = 111). In DS group, we performed double stop technique for all CB application regardless of phrenic nerve injury or the temperature of esophagus. Results: The atrial arrhythmia free-survival rate at 2 years after CB was significantly lower for the DS group than the SS group (76.8% vs 87.4%; p = 0.045). Complications occurred in 2 patients from the DS group and no complications were observed in patients from the SS group (p = 0.13). Mean procedural time was shorter in the DS group than in the SS group (53.1 vs 58.1 min; p = 0.046) Conclusion: DS group had higher recurrence rate than SS group. There was no significant difference regarding safety between both the groups. We found that the thawing process after single stop is very important for CB application.

Study Design A single-center retrospective study. Purpose To research the predictive factors associated with postoperative patient satisfaction 1 year after minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF), a minimally invasive procedure for lumbar degenerative disease. Overview of Literature There have been reports of numerous variables influencing patient satisfaction with lumbar surgery; however, there have been few investigations on MIS are limited. Methods This study included 229 patients (107 men and 122 women; mean age, 68.9 years) who received one or two levels of MIS-TLIF, and the patient’s age, gender, disease, paralysis, preoperative physical functions, duration of symptom(s), and surgery-associated factors (waiting for surgery, number of surgical levels, surgical time, and intraoperative blood loss) were studied. Radiographic characteristics and clinical outcomes such as Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0–100) ODI scores for low back pain, leg pain, and numbness were studied. One year following surgery, patient satisfaction (defined as satisfaction for surgery and for present condition; 0–100) was assessed using VAS and its relationships with investigation factors were examined. Results The mean VAS scores of satisfaction for surgery and for present condition were 88.6 and 84.2, respectively. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that preoperative adverse factors of satisfaction for surgery were being elderly (β=−0.17, p=0.023), high preoperative low back pain VAS scores (β=−0.15, p=0.020), and postoperative adverse factors were high postoperative ODI scores (β=−0.43, p

The greater muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) is associated with greater skeletal muscle mass and strength, whereas muscle fiber atrophy is considered a major feature of sarcopenia. Muscle fiber size is a polygenic trait influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. However, the genetic variants underlying inter-individual differences in muscle fiber size remain largely unknown. The aim of our study was to determine whether 1535 genetic variants previously identified in a genome-wide association study of appendicular lean mass are associated with the CSA of fast-twitch muscle fibers (which better predict muscle strength) in the m. vastus lateralis of 148 physically active individuals (19 power-trained and 28 endurance-trained females, age 28.0 ± 1.1; 28 power-trained and 73 endurance-trained males, age 31.1 ± 0.8). Fifty-seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified as having an association with muscle fiber size (p < 0.05). Of these 57 SNPs, 31 variants were also associated with handgrip strength in the UK Biobank cohort (n = 359,729). Furthermore, using East Asian and East European athletic (n = 731) and non-athletic (n = 515) cohorts, we identified 16 SNPs associated with athlete statuses (sprinter, wrestler, strength, and speed–strength athlete) and weightlifting performance. All SNPs had the same direction of association, i.e., the lean mass-increasing allele was positively associated with the CSA of muscle fibers, handgrip strength, weightlifting performance, and power athlete status. In conclusion, we identified 57 genetic variants associated with both appendicular lean mass and fast-twitch muscle fiber size of m. vastus lateralis that may, in part, contribute to a greater predisposition to power sports.

Many countries, including Japan, are experiencing declining birth rates. Assisted reproductive technologies have consistently demonstrated good results in resolving infertility. Although the development of fertilized eggs into blastocysts has been recognized as a crucial step in assisted reproductive technologies, the involved mechanisms are currently unclear. Here, we established a new culture system for the in vitro development of fertilized eggs into blastocysts. In the Transwell culture system, the rate of blastocysts hatching from fertilized eggs cultured with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) was significantly higher than that of blastocysts cultured only with fertilized eggs. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the developed blastocysts displayed essential gene expression patterns in mature blastocysts. Additionally, when cultured with 3rd-passage ASCs, the developed blastocysts expressed the core genes for blastocyst maturation and antioxidant properties compared to those cultured only with fertilized eggs or cultured with 20th-passage ASCs. These results suggest that the Transwell culture system may imitate the in vivo tubal culture state for fertilized eggs. Exosomes derived from stem cells with stemness potential play a powerful role in the development of blastocysts from fertilized eggs. Additionally, the exosomes expressed specific microRNAs; therefore, the Transwell culture system resulted in a higher rate of pregnancy. In future, the extraction of their own extracellular vesicles from the culture medium might contribute to the development of novel assisted reproductive technologies.

Background: Idiopathic epilepsy in cats is a more common disease than previously thought, but little information is available about the medical treatment of feline idiopathic epilepsy. Aim: To assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of antiseizure medication (ASM) for a minimum of six months, including zonisamide (ZNS), in feline idiopathic epilepsy at a referral hospital in Japan. Methods: Twenty cats diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy treated with ASMs were retrospectively included. Results: Nine cats that were finally treated with phenobarbital (PB) monotherapy reached the primary goal (the seizure frequency after the treatment intervention was less than one seizure every 3 months). Three cats were treated with ZNS monotherapy and two reached the primary goal. Eight cats finally received combination therapy. Two of the three cats receiving PB and ZNS therapy achieved the primary goal, but one was considered no responder. Five cats (PB + diazepam (DZP), ZNS + DZP, and ZNS + levetiracetam + DZP) decreased the seizure frequency and reached the primary goal in all but one cat reached the secondary goal. Adverse events were observed in eight patients, but these were curable. Two patients had vomiting after ZNS monotherapy, one had diarrhea, and another was an increase in sleeping hours. Conclusion: PB was frequently used and seemed effective as both monotherapy and combination therapy. Some cats were treated with ASM protocols containing ZNS. ZNS may be available to treat idiopathic epilepsy in cats. However, ZNS administration may cause adverse events, such as gastrointestinal toxicity, in cats. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(7.000): 846-853]

Background: The anti-epileptic effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in dogs and humans remain controversial. The dosage and efficacy of DHA were various in the previous reports. Aim: The effects of high-dose DHA supplementation as add-on therapy for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs were evaluated. Methods: An open-label clinical trial was designed in this pilot study. Six dogs (median age: 6 years) with idiopathic epilepsy were included. All the patients were diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy using magnetic MRI and cerebrospinal fluid examination (median: 2.0 years before the trial). They had 5–45 seizures and/or auras (median: 9.0) in the month before starting DHA supplementation. DHA was adjunctively administered at doses of 69–166 mg/kg/day without changing other prescriptions. Results: Four of the six patients completed the 6-month observation period. All the patients showed a decrease in seizure frequency of 50% or more within 2–3 months after the start of the administration, and three patients decreased to a frequency of 0–1 per month after 5–6 months. No clear adverse events were observed in the general condition or blood test results in any patients. Conclusion: Although the sample size was small and the study was not a randomized controlled trial, the data suggest that add-on supplementation of DHA could be useful in reducing the frequency of seizures in canine idiopathic epilepsy. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(7.000): 942-947]

Background: Range of motion (ROM) limitations can result in restricted activities of daily living (ADL) due to shoulder dysfunction, suggesting that evaluation of complex shoulder movements is necessary in clinical practice. Here, we present a new physical examination, the elbow forward translation motion (T-motion) test for measuring the position of the elbow when both dorsal hands are placed on the iliac crest in a sitting position and the elbow is moving forward. We examined the relationships between T-motion and shoulder function to identify the significance of this test in clinical practice. Methods: Preoperative patients with rotator cuff tears (RCTs) were eligible for this cross-sectional study. Active ROM and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were measured as shoulder function. The degree of internal rotation was based on the Constant-Murley Score. We defined a positive T-motion test result as an elbow positioned posterior to the body on the sagittal plane. Group comparisons and logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationships between the availability of T-motion and shoulder function. Results: Sixty-six patients with RCTs participated in this cross-sectional study. The values of the JOA total score (P

Abstract Background The Japanese eel Anguilla japonica has a single spawning area on the west coast of the Mariana Islands, and the larvae disperse widely via the North Equatorial Current and the Kuroshio Current to freshwater and coastal areas of East Asia for nursery and growth habitats. Spawning adults reared in their respective habitats begin their migration to spawn from September to February, but little is known about regional differences in migration routes, their contribution to spawning populations, or their migratory behavior. To better understand the spawning migrations of Japanese eels, we tracked adult migratory stage eels (silver eels) captured in coastal areas of three regions (Tokai region, Sea of Japan coastline, and Tohoku region) from October 2019 to February 2020 using pop-up satellite archival tags. Results Twenty-three tagged eels were released in each coastal area, and data were collected on 15 eels for a maximum of 59 days. Eels released in the Tokai region migrated southeast along the Kuroshio Current. On the other hand, eels on the Sea of Japan coastline and in the Tohoku region tended to migrate westward and southward against the ocean current, respectively, but no eels from either region reached waters near the Kuroshio Current. In addition, the present study found region-specific vertical movement patterns among the eels. Eels from the Tokai region showed typical diurnal vertical movements, while an eel from the Sea of Japan coastline repeated non-diurnal vertical movements, which was attributed to regional differences in bathymetry and water mass structure. Except for one eel suspected of being preyed upon, all other eels did not venture into depth zones with temperatures below 4 $$^{\circ }\textrm{C}$$ ∘ C , thus suggesting that the maximum depth of vertical movement is limited by water temperature. Conclusions This study provided new insights into the migratory behavior of Japanese silver eel from the Sea of Japan coastline and the Tohoku region, but further long-term tracking is required to reveal the fate of the spawning adults from the coast of Japan.

Abstract Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer. Known risk variants explain only a small fraction of lung adenocarcinoma heritability. Here, we conducted a two-stage genome-wide association study of lung adenocarcinoma of East Asian ancestry (21,658 cases and 150,676 controls; 54.5% never-smokers) and identified 12 novel susceptibility variants, bringing the total number to 28 at 25 independent loci. Transcriptome-wide association analyses together with colocalization studies using a Taiwanese lung expression quantitative trait loci dataset (n = 115) identified novel candidate genes, including FADS1 at 11q12 and ELF5 at 11p13. In a multi-ancestry meta-analysis of East Asian and European studies, four loci were identified at 2p11, 4q32, 16q23, and 18q12. At the same time, most of our findings in East Asian populations showed no evidence of association in European populations. In our studies drawn from East Asian populations, a polygenic risk score based on the 25 loci had a stronger association in never-smokers vs. individuals with a history of smoking (Pinteraction = 0.0058). These findings provide new insights into the etiology of lung adenocarcinoma in individuals from East Asian populations, which could be important in developing translational applications.

Background Earlier studies and clinical trials of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) showed that drugs such as antiviral drugs, antibody cocktails, and steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs can prevent severe outcomes and death. Methods Observational data in Japan assess drug effectiveness against COVID-19. We applied the average treatment effect model, particularly propensity scoring, which can treat the choice of administered drug as if administration were randomly assigned to inpatients. Data of the Medical Information Analysis Databank, operated by National Hospital Organization in Japan, were used. The outcome was defined as mortality. Subjects were all inpatients, inpatients with oxygen administration, and inpatients using respiratory ventilation, classified by three age classes: all ages, 65 years old or older, and younger than 65 years old. Information about demographic characteristics, underlying disease, administered drug, the proportions of Alpha, Beta and Omicron variant strains, and vaccine coverage were used as explanatory variables for logistic regression. Results Estimated results indicated that only one antibody cocktail (sotrovimab, casirivimab and imdevimab) was associated with raising the probability of survival consistently and significantly. By contrast, other drugs, an antiviral drug (remdesivir), a steroid (dexamethasone), and an anti-inflammatory drug (baricitinib and tocilizumab) were related to reduce the probability of survival. However, propensity score matching method might engender biased results because of a lack of data such as detailed information related to intervention and potential confounders. Therefore, the effectiveness of some drugs might not be evaluated properly in this study. Conclusions Results indicate high likelihood that antibody cocktails were consistently associated with high probability of survival, although low likelihood was found for other drugs for older patients with mild to severe severity and all age patients with moderate severity. Further study is necessary in light of the lack of available data.

Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction induced by mast cell degranulation. Among the various mediators of mast cells, little is known about the role of tryptase. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the role of protease-activating receptor-2 (PAR-2), a receptor activated by tryptase, in murine anaphylactic models using PAR-2-deficient mice and newly generated tryptase-deficient mice. Anaphylaxis was induced by IgE-dependent and IgE-independent mast cell degranulation in mice. PAR-2 deficiency exacerbated the decrease in body temperature and hypotension during anaphylaxis; however, the number of skin mast cells, degree of mast cell degranulation, and systemic and local vascular hyperpermeability were comparable in PAR-2 knockout and wild-type mice. Nitric oxide, which is produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is an indispensable vasodilator in anaphylaxis. In the lungs of anaphylactic mice, PAR-2 deficiency promoted eNOS expression and phosphorylation, suggesting a protective effect of PAR-2 against anaphylaxis by downregulating eNOS activation and expression. Based on the hypothesis that the ligand for PAR-2 in anaphylaxis is mast cell tryptase, tryptase-deficient mice were generated using CRISPR-Cas9. In wild-type mice, the PAR-2 antagonist exacerbated the body temperature drop due to anaphylaxis; however, the effect of the PAR-2 antagonist was abolished in tryptase-deficient mice. These results suggest that tryptase is a possible ligand of PAR-2 in anaphylaxis and that the tryptase/PAR-2 pathway attenuates the anaphylactic response in mice.

The conventional electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pump is limited to pumping functional and dielectric liquids, which restricts its applications in fields like microfluidics, food safety, and materials production. In this study, we present a flexible water pump driven by EHD fluid, achieved by integrating valveless elements into the fluidic channel. Our approach leverages the water–EHD interface to propel the immiscible aqueous liquid and reciprocate this process using the nozzle–diffuser system. All components of the water pump are digitally fabricated and assembled. The valveless parts are created using a laser cutting machine. Additionally, we develop a model for the EHD pump and nozzle–diffuser system to predict the generated flow rate, considering factors such as the asymmetrical performance of the EHD pump, pulse frequency, applied voltage, and structural parameters. Finally, we experimentally characterize the flow rates of both the EHD pump and water pump and apply the newly developed device to air bubble manipulation and droplet generation. This research broadens the range of specialized liquids pumped by EHD pumps to include other aqueous liquids or mixtures.

Case summary The patient was a castrated male American Shorthair cat, approximately 14 years old, weighing 3.4 kg. The patient had chronic kidney disease (CKD) (International Renal Interest Society stages 3–4) as an underlying disease. The cat was examined at a hospital for intermittent lethargy and seizures. Hypoglycaemia was repeatedly observed, and the insulin level was 1.78 ng/ml (reference interval 0.27–0.69) when the blood glucose was 49 mg/dl. Although the cat was tentatively diagnosed with insulinoma, surgery was not recommended because of the severe CKD. Although frequent feeding and prednisolone treatment were initially attempted, blood glucose decreased to 24–42 mg/dl. Diazoxide was additionally prescribed at a dose of 5.2 mg/kg q12h. The cat’s clinical signs improved, and the blood glucose was in the range of 75–103 mg/dl during the first 2 months. It was maintained at >50 mg/dl until the patient died of renal failure 161 days after the start of diazoxide treatment. With regard to adverse events, vomiting once every 2–3 days without weight loss and non-regenerative anaemia were observed, which might have been at least partially caused by diazoxide treatment. An insulinoma was definitively diagnosed via pathological autopsy. Relevance and novel information This is the first reported case of long-term treatment with diazoxide in a cat with insulinoma. Since it was effective in situations where conventional therapies were unsuccessful, diazoxide could be useful as a new therapeutic option for cats with insulinoma. Since adverse events, such as progression of vomiting frequency and non-regenerative anaemia, were observed, careful monitoring was required during administration.

We present a case of orthodromic atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia exhibiting both right and left bundle branch block pattern wide QRS morphologies caused by bilateral bystander nodoventricular (NV) accessory pathways. These wide QRS morphologies came from pre-excitation accompanied by delta waves. In the context of NV accessory pathways, left-sided manifest NV accessory pathways are rare.

Abstract This study presented the successful deposition of layered double hydroxide (LDH) onto non‐pretreated carbon cloth (CC) using lactate salts as raw materials. Specifically, under the hydrothermal condition using urea hydrolysis and lactate salts as the source of Mg and Al, MgAl‐LDH was deposited onto the CC surface, which is typically treated with organic solvents and acids to enhance its hydrophilicity prior to LDH deposition. X‐ray diffraction patterns, field‐emission electron microscope images, and elemental analyses revealed the deposition and coating of hexagonal platy particles of a carbonate‐type MgAl‐LDH with pseudo hexagonal phase and Mg/Al molar ratio of 1 onto CC. This LDH coating was not achieved when using chlorides and nitrates, which commonly used Mg and Al sources. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method for facile LDH deposition on hydrophobic surfaces.