Chemical State Analysis of Al Contained in Iron and Steel Slag Using Chemical Shift of X-Ray Fluorescence Spectra

鉄鋼スラグに含まれるアルミニウムの化学状態を分析することを目的とし，X 線分光法を用いて，Al Kα線のケミカルシフトと配位数との相関からスラグ中に含まれるアルミニウムの化学状態分析を行った．スラグ試料としては，アルニミウムを約14 ～ 31[mass%] 含む高炉スラグ及び製鋼スラグを用いた．また，実際にスラグ試料を測定する前に，配位数の既知であるアルミニウム化合物について蛍光X線分光法により，配位数とケミカルシフトとの相関を確認した．これらの結果，本研究で用いたスラグ試料に含まれるアルミニウムはいずれも4 配位型（AlO4 型）の構造であることが結論された．　In order to analyze chemical state of aluminum in iron and steel slag, aluminum contained in slag is analyzed by X-ray spectrometry after the measurement of correlation between chemical shift of Al Kα lines and effective charges. We use blast furnace slag and steelmaking slag including approximately from 14 to 31 mass percent of aluminum as slag samples. Aluminum compounds, whose coordination numbers are known, are investigated with correlation between coordination number and chemical shift by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry before the measurement of slag samples. As a result of this study it can be concluded that aluminum contained in each of slag samples are 4-coordinated

Butyltin and phenyltin residues in water, sediment and biological samples collected from Otsuchi Bay, Japan

Between 1996-2001, butyltin (BT) and phenyltin (PT) compounds were monitored in water, sediment, plankton mussels and fish from Otsuchi Bay. The changes of tributyltin (TBT) compounds in water and sediment were not observed during study period, however TBTs in plankton, mussels between 1997-1999 decreased in comparison with those in 1996. The current status of BTs and PTs in Otsuchi Bay was investigated. TBT in water, sediment, plankton, mussels and fish ranged of , 0.016-0.110mgkg^ dry, 0.010-0.255mgkg^ dry, 0.012-0.048mgkg^ wet and 0.009-0.029mgkg^ wet, respectively. TBT concentrations were high near the shipyard. Triphenyltin (TPT) compounds in water and mussel were not detected. TPT in sediment, plankton and fish ranged of dry, dry and wet, respectively

The acceleration of reproductive aging in Nrg1flox/flox;Cyp19-Cre female mice

Irregular menstrual cycles, reduced responses to exogenous hormonal treatments, and altered endocrine profiles (high FSH/high LH/low AMH) are observed in women with increasing age before menopause. In this study, because the granulosa cell-specific Nrg1 knockout mice (gcNrg1KO) presented ovarian and endocrine phenotypes similar to older women, we sought to understand the mechanisms of ovarian aging and to develop anewstrategy for improving fertility in older women prior to menopause. In the ovary of 6-month-old gcNrg1KO mice, follicular development was blocked in bilayer secondary follicles and heterogeneous cells accumulated in ovarian stroma. The heterogeneous cells in ovarian stroma were distinguished as two different types: (i) the LH receptor-positive endocrine cells and (ii) actin-rich fibrotic cells expressing collagen. Both the endocrine and fibrotic cells disappeared following long-term treatment with a GnRH antagonist, indicating that the high levels of serum LH induced the survival of both cell types and the abnormal endocrine profile to reduce fertility. Moreover, follicular development to the antral stages was observed with reduced LH and the disappearance of the abnormal stromal cells. Mice treated with the GnRH antagonist regained normal, recurrent estrous cycles and continuously delivered pups for at least for 3 months. We conclude that endocrine and matrix alternations occur within the ovarian stroma with increasing age and that abolishing these alternations resets the cyclical release of LH. Thus, GnRH antagonist treatments might provide a new, noninvasive strategy for improving fertility in a subset of aging women before menopause.This work was supported in part by The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI, JP24688028, JP 16H05017 (to MS) and JP15J05331 (to TU), by Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) 16gk0110015 h0001 (to MS), and by National Institute of Health (NIH)-HD-076980 (to JSR)

Anatomical consideration for safe pericardiocentesis assessed by three-dimensional computed tomography: Should an anterior or posterior approach be used?

AbstractBackgroundThe efficacy of epicardial catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia has been reported. However, the safest anatomical method for pericardial puncture has not been determined.MethodsThirty patients who underwent 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) preceding catheter ablations for atrial fibrillation were enrolled in this study. We used the skin surface 1cm below the xiphisternum as the puncture site. For the anterior approach, the attainment site was the pericardium of the mid portion of right ventricular anterior site, and for the posterior approach it was the pericardium of the inferior ventricular site. The distance and the angle between the 2 sites were measured using 3D-CT.ResultsFor the anterior approach, the distance was 54±11mm and the needle angle was 37±11° toward the left scapula and 34±12° towards the back of the body. For the posterior approach, the distance was 56±10mm and the corresponding needle angles were 60±9° and 86±13°. The distance correlated with BMI for the anterior and posterior approaches (anterior approach: r2=0.43, P<0.001; posterior approach: r2=0.49, P<0.001). Liver existed along the pathway of the posterior approach in 11 (37%) of 30 patients, and through in 2 (18%) of 11 patients. The liver and lung were not located along the pathway of the anterior approach in any patients.ConclusionsPerforming subxiphoid pericardiocentesis is anatomically safer via the anterior approach than via the posterior approach

Intra-cardiac echocardiography guided catheter ablation of a right posterior accessory pathway in a patient with Ebstein׳s anomaly

AbstractWe report a case of Ebstein׳s anomaly in which radiofrequency catheter ablation of an accessory pathway was successfully performed under intra-cardiac echocardiography. A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for radiofrequency catheter ablation of a paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. A 12-lead surface electrocardiogram revealed ventricular pre-excitation associated with type B Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome. In the baseline electrophysiological study, an orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia with a right posterior accessory pathway was induced. A phased-array intra-cardiac echo probe was positioned in the right atrium to visualize the atrioventricular junction. The key structures for catheter ablation, such as the atrialized right ventricle, atrioventricular junction, and tricuspid valve, were clearly visualized on intra-cardiac echocardiography. Radiofrequency current was successfully delivered at the atrioventricular junction, where a Kent potential was recorded. During a 6-month follow-up period, the patient was free from arrhythmias. The findings in this case suggest that phased-array intra-cardiac echocardiography is useful for ablation of right-sided accessory pathways in patients with Ebstein׳s anomaly

Guideline from Japanese Society of Echocardiography : 2018 focused update incorporated into Guidance for the Management and Maintenance of Echocardiography Equipment

Echocardiography plays a pivotal role as an imaging modality in the modern cardiology practice. Information derived from echocardiography is definitely helpful for a patient care. The Japanese Society of Echocardiography has promoted echocardiography for a routine clinical and research use. One of the missions of the Society is to provide information that is useful for high-quality examinations. To ensure it, we believe equipment in good conditions and a comfortable environment are important for both a patient and an examiner. Thus, the Committee for Guideline Writing, the Japanese Society of Echocardiography published brief guidance for the routine use of echocardiography equipment in 2015. Recently, the importance of international standardization has been emphasized in the medical laboratories. Accordingly, the committee has revised and updated our guidance for the routine use of echocardiography equipment

Effects of 6-month eicosapentaenoic acid treatment on postprandial hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, insulin secretion ability, and concomitant endothelial dysfunction among newly-diagnosed impaired glucose metabolism patients with coronary artery disease. An open label, single blinded, prospective randomized controlled trial

Additional file 2: Table S2. Comparison of cookie meal test data between baseline and 6 months, and comparison of absolute change from baseline among patients with baseline plasma glucose <110 mg/dL

Topographic variability of the left atrium and pulmonary veins assessed by 3D-CT predicts the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation

AbstractBackgroundCatheter ablation (CA) is an established therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the assessment of anatomical information and predictors of AF recurrence remain unclear. We investigated the relationship between anatomical information on the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) from three-dimensional computed tomography images and the recurrence of AF after CA.MethodsSixty-seven consecutive AF patients (mean age: 62±10 years, median AF history: 42 (12; 60) months, mean LA size: 41±7mm, paroxysmal: 56%) underwent CA and were followed for 19±10 months. The segmented surface areas (antral, posterior, septal, and lateral) and dimensions (between the anterior and posterior walls, the right inferior PV and mitral annulus [MA], the right superior PV and MA, the left superior PV and MA, and the mitral isthmus) of the LA were evaluated three dimensionally using the NavX system. The cross-sectional areas of the PVs were also evaluated.ResultsAfter the follow-up period, 49 patients (73%) remained free from AF. A multivariate analysis showed that the diameter of the mitral isthmus and cross-sectional area of the right upper PV were associated with AF recurrence (odds ratio: 1.070, CI: 1.02–1.12, p=0.001; odds ratio: 0.41, CI: 0.21–0.77, p=0.006).ConclusionEnlargement of the mitral isthmus and a smaller right superior PV cross-sectional area were associated with AF recurrence

Visualization of the radiofrequency lesion after pulmonary vein isolation using delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging fused with magnetic resonance angiography

AbstractBackgroundThe radiofrequency (RF) lesions for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can be visualized by delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI). However, the quality of anatomical information provided by DE-MRI is not adequate due to its spatial resolution. In contrast, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) provides similar information regarding the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) as computed tomography angiography. We hypothesized that DE-MRI fused with MRA will compensate for the inadequate image quality provided by DE-MRI.MethodsDE-MRI and MRA were performed in 18 patients who underwent AF ablation (age, 60±9 years; LA diameter, 42±6mm). Two observers independently assessed the DE-MRI and DE-MRI fused with MRA for visualization of the RF lesion (score 0–2; where 0: not visualized and 2: excellent in all 14 segments of the circular RF lesion).ResultsDE-MRI fused with MRA was successfully performed in all patients. The image quality score was significantly higher in DE-MRI fused with MRA compared to DE-MRI alone (observer 1: 22 (18, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001; observer 2: 24 (23, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001).ConclusionsDE-MRI fused with MRA was superior to DE-MRI for visualization of the RF lesion owing to the precise information on LA and PV anatomy provided by DE-MRI

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis associated with cancer of unknown origin complicated with thrombus in the left auricular appendage: case report

A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of right lateroabdominal pain. He was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer, and then developed multiple brain embolic infarctions 7 days after admission. Transesophageal echocardiography showed that mobile, echo-dense masses were attached to the anterior and posterior mitral valve leaflet. Furthermore, there was a thrombus in the left auricular appendage despite sinus rhythm. These findings led to a diagnosis of suspected infectious endocarditis with subsequent multiple brain infarctions. The patient's general condition worsened and he died 13 days after admission. An autopsy was performed, and, while poorly differentiated cancer was observed in multiple organs, no primary tumor could be identified. Histological analysis showed that the masses of the mitral valve consisted mainly of fibrin without bacteria or oncocytes. This patient was therefore diagnosed with nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis associated with cancer of unknown origin complicated with thrombus in the left auricular appendage