On the Interpretation of the l-v Features in the Milky Way Galaxy

We model the gas dynamics of barred galaxies using a three-dimensional, high-resolution, $N$-body+hydrodynamical simulation and apply it to the Milky Way in an attempt to reproduce both the large-scale structure and the clumpy morphology observed in Galactic H\emissiontype{I} and CO $l-v$ diagrams. Owing to including the multi-phase interstellar medium, self-gravity, star-formation and supernovae feedback, the clumpy morphology, as well as the large-scale features, in observed $l-v$ diagrams are naturally reproduced. We identify in our $l-v$ diagrams with a number of not only large-scale peculiar features such as the '3-kpc arm', '135-km s$^{-1}$ arm' and 'Connecting arm' but also clumpy features such as `Bania clumps', and then link these features in a face-on view of our model. We give suggestions on the real structure of the Milky Way and on the fate of gas clumps in the central region.Comment: accepted to PAS

Interplay between Stellar Spirals and the ISM in Galactic Disks

We propose a new dynamical picture of galactic stellar and gas spirals, based on hydrodynamic simulations in a `live' stellar disk. We focus especially on spiral structures excited in a isolated galactic disk without a stellar bar. Using high-resolution, 3-dimensional N-body/SPH simulations, we found that the spiral features of the gas in galactic disks are formed by essentially different mechanisms from the galactic shock in stellar density waves. The stellar spiral arms and the interstellar matter on average corotate in a galactic potential at any radii. Unlike the stream motions in the galactic shock, the interstellar matter flows into the local potential minima with irregular motions. The flows converge to form dense gas clouds/filaments near the bottom of the stellar spirals, whose global structures resemble dust-lanes seen in late-type spiral galaxies. The stellar arms are non-steady; they are wound and stretched by the galactic shear, and thus local densities of the arm change on a time scale of ~ 100 Myrs, due to bifurcating or merging with other arms. This makes the gas spirals associated with the stellar arms non-steady. The association of dense gas clouds are eventually dissolved into inter-arm regions with non-cirucular motions. Star clusters are formed from the cold, dense gases, whose ages are less than ~30 Myrs, and they are roughly associated with the background stellar arms without a clear spatial offset between gas spiral arms and distribution of young stars.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, accepted by ApJ. Higher resolution of ms.pdf is available at http://d.pr/Nvjk A targzipped Supplementary movies is available at http://d.pr/TV6

Local Recurrence and Complications after Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma : A Retrospective Cohort Study Focused on Tumor Location

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the predisposing factors for local recurrence and complications after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC patients (n＝397) consecutively treated with RFA (256 males, 141 females, median age 69 years) were enrolled. In these patients, 1,455 nodules (median size 17mm) were ablated. Predisposing factors for overall recurrence and local recurrence in the context of tumor location and complications were examined. Local recurrence was observed for 113 of the 1,455 nodules. The 1-, 3- and 5-year local recurrence rates were 2.2ｵ, 7.4ｵ and 9.5ｵ, respectively. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that large tumor size (＞2cm), tumor location (adjacent to the major portal branch or hepatic vein), and small ablated margin (＜3mm) were independent predisposing factors for local recurrence after RFA (HR＝1.70-2.81). Tumor location (adjacent to the major portal branch, hepatic vein, or diaphragm) was also revealed as a risk factor for liver damage due to RFA. HCC adjacent to the major portal vein or hepatic vein was associated with a higher risk for local recurrence and for complications;therefore, special precautions are necessary when applying RFA to HCC near vessels even when the tumors are located at an easy-to-puncture site

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides treated with electron beam therapy that evolved into fatal, tumor-stage mycosis fungoides and erythroderma with multiple ulcerations

　A 71-year-old woman diagnosed with mycosis fungoides with multiple erythematous plaques and follicular papules on the scalp, trunk, and thigh was referred to our institution. Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides was histologically diagnosed, and the erythematous papules and plaques regressed temporarily after total-skin electron beam therapy. The patient then developed tumors and erythroderma. The area of painful erosion spread, and her condition rapidly worsened. The patient died 3 years and 4 months after the first examination due to multiple organ failure caused by sepsis. The cause of rapid evolution into erythroderma remains elusive and requires further investigation in similar cases

High-absorption curcumin reduces BNP in hypertensive heart disease

Aims Hypertension is a strong risk factor for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Curcumin has p300-specific histone acetyltransferase inhibitory activity, suppresses cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, and significantly reduces myocardial brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) expression without altering blood pressure in a rat model of hypertensive heart disease. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, for the first time, aimed to examine the efficacy of a high-absorption curcumin for the prevention of hypertensive heart disease in humans. Methods and results Patients exhibiting initial signs of hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥60% and stable blood pressure <140/90 mmHg orally took a double-blinded capsule (either a 90 mg curcumin capsule or placebo) twice daily for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was per cent changes in left ventricular diastolic function (E/E′) from baseline to 6 months after administration. The secondary endpoint was the per cent change in plasma BNP levels. The E/E′ ratio per cent change from baseline to 6 months after administration was similar between the placebo (n = 69) and the curcumin (n = 73) groups. The per cent change in plasma BNP levels was significantly lower in the curcumin group than in the placebo group. In patients <65 years, BNP per cent changes were significantly lower in the curcumin group than in the placebo group, but similar between groups in ≥65 years (<65 vs. ≥65 years: P for interaction = 0.011). Conclusions A high-absorption curcumin agent did not affect the E/E′ ratio, rather it significantly inhibited the increase in plasma BNP levels in patients with initial signs of hypertensive heart disease