THE INCIDENCE OF PEPTIC ULCER SURGERY BEFORE AND AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF H2-RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

Since the introduction of H2-receptor antagonists, the incidence of ulcer surgery has decreased markedly. Based on the number of patients who underwent ulcer surgery and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in our hospital, the number of operations for peptic ulcer disease has decreased, although the number of peptic ulcer patients diagnosed by endoscopy has increased after the introduction of cimetidine (the first H2-receptor antagonist in Japan). The decreasing rate of surgical therapy before and after the administration of H2-receptor antagonists was 49.1%. The number of emergency operations has also decreased among ulcer patients diagnosed by endoscopy although the number of perforated and bleeding ulcer patients has increased. It is also reported that the most common operative procedure for both gastric and duodenal ulcer was distal gastrectomy reconstructed by gastroduodenostomy (Billroth Ⅰ)

Opacity effects on soft X-ray spectra from highly charged lanthanide ions in laser-produced plasmas

We have observed soft X-ray spectra from highly charged ions of seven different lanthanide elements with atomic numbers ranging from 60 to 70 in laser-produced plasmas (LPPs) using CO2 and Nd:YAG laser systems, the wavelengths of which are 10.6 μm and 1.064 μm, respectively. The spectral feature drastically changes between the two types of LPPs due primarily to the difference in opacity. Narrow band quasicontinuum features arising from n= 4–4 transitions, the centre wavelength of which systematically moves to shorter wavelength as the atomic number (Z) increases, are observed in theCO2LPPs, accompanied by sharp peaks coinciding with the strongest resonance lines of Pd-like ions for lower Z elements. In contrast, the quasicontinuum bands are broader and smoother in the Nd:YAG LPPs, appearing with bands of n= 4–5 transitions on the shorter wavelength side. The results are also discussed based on comparisons with atomic structure calculations for ions with outermost 4d and 4f subshells

Optimization of Extreme Ultra-violet Light Emitted From the Co2 Laser-irradiated Tin Plasmas Using 2d Radiation Hydrodynamic Simulations

We studied Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV) emission characteristics of the 13.5 nm wavelength from CO2 laser-irradiated pre-formed tin plasmas using 2D radiation hydrodynamic simulations. Our results indicate that when a CO2 laser irradiates pre-formed tin plasma, the heated plasma expands towards the surrounding plasma, steepening the density at the ablation front and lowering the density near the laser axis due to the transverse motion of the plasma. Consequently, the laser absorption fraction decreases, and the contribution to EUV output from the ablation front becomes dominant over that from the low-density plasmas. We estimated that an EUV conversion efficiency of 10% from laser to EUV emission could be achieved with a larger laser spot size, shortened laser pulse width, and longer pre-formed plasma density scale length. Our results offer one optimizing solution to achieve an efficient and powerful EUV light source for the next-generation semiconductors

Community-acquired, hospital-acquired, and healthcare-associated pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

We describe three types of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. Case 1. P. aeruginosa was isolated from the blood and sputum of a 29-year-old male non-smoker who developed severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Piperacillin was initially effective, but fever and lobular pneumonia with cavities developed seven days after discharge. Intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam and tobramycin were administered for four weeks, followed by oral ciprofloxacin for two weeks. He finally recovered, but developed recurrent CAP due to P. aeruginosa despite appropriate antibiotic therapy and immunocompetent status. Case 2. P. aeruginosa was isolated from the blood and sputum of a 57-year-old woman with renal cancer who developed hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) after surgical treatment. She recovered after meropenem administration for four weeks. Case 3. A 67-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis and malignant lymphoma who was followed up on an outpatient basis underwent immunosuppressive therapy. Thereafter, she developed pneumonia and was admitted to our institution where P aeruginosa was isolated from blood and sputum samples. Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) was diagnosed and effectively treated with tobramycin and ciprofloxacin. P. aeruginosa is not only a causative pathogen of HAP and HCAP, but possibly also of CAP

Charge-separated spectra of suprathermal highly charged bismuth ions in a dual laser-produced plasma soft x-ray source

We evaluated the charge-separated spectra of highly charged suprathermal bismuth (Bi) ions from a dual laser-produced plasma soft x-ray source developed for soft x-ray microscopy. The charge distribution of these suprathermal ions emitted from a solid planar Bi target was measured by an electrostatic energy analyzer (ESA). The maximum ionic charge state was observed to be Z = 17 and to possess a maximum energy of about 200 keV. This evaluation provides important information essential for debris mitigation in a soft x-ray microscope

Observation of Water-Window Soft X-Ray Emission from Laser-Produced Au Plasma Under Vacuum at Various Laser Parameters

We want to provide the scientific community with a new soft x-ray microscope (SXRM), that: Provides 50 nm spatial resolution, Is powered by a commercial laser and Comes at convinient tabletop size. To realize such a system, a bright short-pulsed soft x-ray source must be developed.The 11th International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications (IFSA 2019

Observation of water-window soft x-ray emission from laser-produced Au plasma under optically thin condition

We present a systematic approach how to charactorize the dynamics of a laser-produced Au plasma, generated with a commercial Joule-class laser system. By means of our diagnostic methods, we identify the dominant ionic species within the water-window spectral region, as well as the radiated energy, the x-ray emission duration and the total dimensions of the x-ray source. We present additional analysis through radiation hydrodynamic simulations to provide details about the electron temperature and density profiles and further show that the plasma exhibits nearly 20% self-absorption, while the electron temperature is limited to 400 eV. A comparison with the experimental data further allows us to verify the applied numerical code

Intermittent pneumatic compression for prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism after gynecologic surgery

Abstract Background To investigate the incidence of pulmonary embolism and risk factors for this condition after obstetric and gynecologic surgery, as well as the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression. Methods A total of 6,218 patients operated at Keio University Hospital excluding obstetric or infertility-related surgery and uterine cervical conization were evaluated retrospectively to determine the preventive effect of intermittent pneumatic compression on postoperative pulmonary embolism. Results Pulmonary embolism occurred in 42 patients (0.68%). Multivariate analysis showed that malignancy, blood transfusion, and a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 or ≥28 kg/m2 were independent risk factors for postoperative pulmonary embolism. A significantly lower incidence of pulmonary embolism occurred in patients receiving pneumatic compression postoperatively versus those without it. Among gynecologic malignancies, endometrial cancer was a significant risk factor for pulmonary embolism. Conclusion Preventive measures, including intermittent pneumatic compression, should be taken to avoid postoperative pulmonary thromboembolism in the gynecology field.</p