Development of high temperature superconducting current feeders for a large-scale superconducting experimental fusion system

The National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), in collaboration with universities and laboratories in Japan, the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (FZK) and the Max-Planck Institut fur Plasma Physik (IPP) in Germany, is planning to develop high temperature superconducting (HTS) current feeders for large-scale superconducting coils. Two programs are being progressed: one is a current feedthrough for superfluid helium (He II) cooled superconducting coils; the other is current leads for experimental fusion system. The paper describes the present status of the two programs, including joint experiments of a 20 kA Bi-2223 current lead developed by FZK and development of a prototype YBCO bulk current feedthrough for He II cooled superconducting coils. In addition, the test results of Bi-2212 tubes fabricated by diffusion process, applicable to HTS current leads, are described Bi_2Sr_2 CaCu_2O_

Acute coronary ischemia during alcohol withdrawal: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The potential of alcohol withdrawal to cause acute coronary events is an area that needs the urgent attention of clinicians and researchers.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 52-year-old heavy-alcohol-using Sri Lankan man who developed electocardiogram changes suggestive of an acute coronary event during alcohol withdrawal. Despite the patient being asymptomatic, subsequent echocardiogram showed evidence of ischemic myocardial dysfunction. We review the literature on precipitation of myocardial ischemia during alcohol withdrawal and propose possible mechanisms.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Alcohol withdrawal is a commonly observed phenomenon in hospitals. However, the number of cases reported in the literature of acute coronary events occurring during withdrawal is few. Many cases of acute ischemia or sudden cardiac deaths may be attributed to other well known complications of delirium tremens. This is an area needing the urgent attention of clinicians and epidemiologists.</p

Phosphorus Is Associated with Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Preserved Renal Function

High serum phosphorus levels have been associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease and in the general population. In addition, high phosphorus levels have been shown to induce vascular calcification and endothelial dysfunction in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of phosphorus and coronary calcification and atherosclerosis in the setting of normal renal function. This was a cross-sectional study involving 290 patients with suspected coronary artery disease and undergoing elective coronary angiography, with a creatinine clearance >60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Coronary artery obstruction was assessed by the Friesinger score and coronary artery calcification by multislice computed tomography. Serum phosphorus was higher in patients with an Agatston score >10 than in those with an Agatston score ≤10 (3.63±0.55 versus 3.49±0.52 mg/dl; p = 0.02). In the patients with Friesinger scores >4, serum phosphorus was higher (3.6±0.5 versus 3.5±0.6 mg/dl, p = 0.04) and median intact fibroblast growth factor 23 was lower (40.3 pg/ml versus 45.7 pg/ml, p = 0.01). Each 0.1-mg/dl higher serum phosphate was associated with a 7.4% higher odds of having a Friesinger score >4 (p = 0.03) and a 6.1% greater risk of having an Agatston score >10 (p = 0.01). Fibroblast growth factor 23 was a negative predictor of Friesinger score (p = 0.002). In conclusion, phosphorus is positively associated with coronary artery calcification and obstruction in patients with suspected coronary artery disease and preserved renal function

Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Two Novel Regions at 11p15.5-p13 and 1p31 with Major Impact on Acute-Phase Serum Amyloid A

Elevated levels of acute-phase serum amyloid A (A-SAA) cause amyloidosis and are a risk factor for atherosclerosis and its clinical complications, type 2 diabetes, as well as various malignancies. To investigate the genetic basis of A-SAA levels, we conducted the first genome-wide association study on baseline A-SAA concentrations in three population-based studies (KORA, TwinsUK, Sorbs) and one prospective case cohort study (LURIC), including a total of 4,212 participants of European descent, and identified two novel genetic susceptibility regions at 11p15.5-p13 and 1p31. The region at 11p15.5-p13 (rs4150642; p = 3.20×10−111) contains serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) and the adjacent general transcription factor 2 H1 (GTF2H1), Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome 5 (HPS5), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), and lactate dehydrogenase C (LDHC). This region explains 10.84% of the total variation of A-SAA levels in our data, which makes up 18.37% of the total estimated heritability. The second region encloses the leptin receptor (LEPR) gene at 1p31 (rs12753193; p = 1.22×10−11) and has been found to be associated with CRP and fibrinogen in previous studies. Our findings demonstrate a key role of the 11p15.5-p13 region in the regulation of baseline A-SAA levels and provide confirmative evidence of the importance of the 1p31 region for inflammatory processes and the close interplay between A-SAA, leptin, and other acute-phase proteins

Res Medica, April 1967, Special Issue – Lauder Brunton Centenary Symposium on Angina Pectoris

WelcomeHistorical SessionOpening AddressLauder BruntonHistory of Angina Pathophysiological SessionThe Pathology of AnginaExperimental Studies on the Myocardial Collateral CirculationFirst DiscussionCoronary Blood Flow and Myocardial Metabolism in Angina PectorisCardiac Function in Patients with AnginaSecond Discussion Therapeutic SessionThe Modern EpidemicIs Angina Preventable?Third DiscussionChest Pain, Exercise Electrocardiography and Coronary Arteriography(Correlative Studies in Angina PectorisPrognosis of Angina PectorisPanel DiscussionSumming U