Number of Yellow Plaques Detected in a Coronary Artery Is Associated With Future Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome Detection of Vulnerable Patients by Angioscopy

ObjectivesWe sought to test whether the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can be estimated by angioscopy.BackgroundDisruption of vulnerable plaque and subsequent thrombosis is regarded as a major mechanism of ACS. Although yellow plaques are supposedly vulnerable, the association between angioscopically determined extent of coronary atherosclerosis and risk of ACS events has not been reported.MethodsPatients (n = 552) who received catheterization and angioscopic examination for the diagnosis of coronary artery diseases were prospectively included and followed up for new onset of ACS events. Yellow color intensities of all detected yellow plaques were graded as 1, 2, or 3 according to the standard colors. Number of yellow plaques (NYP) in a coronary artery and maximum color grade of detected yellow plaques (maxYP) were determined. Association between the incidence of ACS events and angioscopic findings were analyzed.ResultsFollow-up interval was 57.3 ± 22.1 months. Acute coronary syndrome events were detected in 39 patients (7.1%). Although maxYP was not statistically different (2.0 ± 0.7 vs. 1.8 ± 0.9; p = 0.18), NYP was higher in the patients with an ACS event than those without the event (3.1 ± 1.8 vs. 2.2 ± 1.5; p = 0.008). Patients with NYP ≥2 and those with NYP ≥5 had 2.2- and 3.8-fold higher event rates, respectively, than those with NYP 0 or 1 (9.0% and 15.6%, respectively, vs. 4.1%; p = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed NYP and multivessel disease as the independent risk factors of ACS events.ConclusionsPatients with multiple yellow plaques per vessel have a higher risk of suffering ACS events than those with NYP 0 or 1. Angioscopy would be useful to detect vulnerable patients

Angioscopic Observation After Coronary Angioplasty for Chronic Coronary Occlusion Comparison With Severe Stenotic Lesion

Objectives To clarify the underlying mechanism for the high restenosis rate after the coronary angioplasty for the chronic total occlusion by using the coronary angioscope

The Masquelet technique for septic arthritis of the small joint in the hands: Case reports

Septic arthritis in distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints sometimes occurs in association with mucous cysts or after the surgical treatment of mallet fingers. Recently, several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Masquelet technique in the treatment of bone defects caused by trauma or infection. However, only few studies have reported the use of this technique for septic arthritis in small joints of the hand, and its effectiveness in treating septic arthritis in DIP joints remains unclear. We report the clinical and radiological outcomes of three patients who were treated with the Masquelet technique for septic arthritis in DIP joints. One patient had uncontrolled diabetes and another had rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate and prednisolone. The first surgical stage involved thorough debridement of the infection site, including the middle and distal phalanx. We placed an external fixator from the middle to the distal phalanx and then packed the cavity of the DIP joint with antibiotic cement bead of polymethylmethacrylate (40 g) including 2 g of vancomycin and 200 mg of minocycline. At 4-6 weeks after the first surgical stage, the infection had cleared, and the second surgical stage was performed. The external fixator and cement bead were carefully removed while carefully preserving the surrounding osteo-induced membrane. The membrane was smooth and nonadherent to the cement block. In the second surgical stage, an autogenous bone graft was harvested from the iliac bone and inserted into the joint space, within the membrane. The bone graft, distal phalanx, and middle phalanx were fixed with Kirschner wires and/or a soft wire. Despite the high risk of infection, bone union was achieved in all patients without recurrence of infection. Although the Masquelet technique requires two surgeries, it can lead to favorable clinical and radiological outcomes for infected small joints of the hand.Septic arthritis in distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints sometimes occurs in association with mucous cysts or after the surgical treatment of mallet fingers. Recently, several studies have demonstrated..

Multiple emission lines of Hα\alpha emitters at z∼2.3z \sim 2.3 from the broad and medium-band photometry in the ZFOURGE Survey

We present a multiple emission lines study of $\sim$1300 H$\alpha$ emitters (HAEs) at $z \sim 2.3$ in the ZFOURGE survey. In contrast to the traditional spectroscopic method, our sample is selected based on the flux excess in the ZFOURGE-$K_s$ broad-band data relative to the best-fit stellar continuum. Using the same method, we also extract the strong diagnostic emission lines for these individual HAEs: [OIII]$\lambda\lambda4959,5007$, [OII]$\lambda\lambda3726,3729$. Our measurements exhibit good consistency with those obtained from spectroscopic surveys. We investigate the relationship between the equivalent widths (EWs) of these emission lines and various galaxy properties, including stellar mass, stellar age, star formation rate (SFR), specific SFR (sSFR), ionization states (O32). We have identified a discrepancy between between HAEs at $z\sim2.3$ and typical local star-forming galaxy observed in the SDSS, suggesting the evolution of lower gas-phase metallicity ($Z$) and higher ionization parameters ($U$) with redshift. Notably, we have observed a significant number of low-mass HAEs exhibiting exceptionally high $EW_{\mathrm{[OIII]}}$. Their galaxy properties are comparable to those of extreme objects, such as extreme O3 emitters (O3Es) and Ly$\alpha$ emitters (LAEs) at $z\simeq2-3$. Considering that these characteristics may indicate potential strong Lyman continuum (LyC) leakage, higher redshift anaglogs of the low-mass HAEs could be significant contributors to the cosmic reionization. Further investigations on this particular population are required to gain a clearer understanding of galaxy evolution and cosmic reionization.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figures, submitted to Ap

In-Stent Yellow Plaque at 1 Year After Implantation Is Associated With Future Event of Very Late Stent Failure The DESNOTE Study (Detect the Event of Very late Stent Failure From the Drug-Eluting Stent Not Well Covered by Neointima Determined by Angioscopy)

AbstractObjectivesThis study examined whether coronary angioscopy-verified in-stent yellow plaque at 1 year after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is associated with future event of very late stent failure (VLSF).BackgroundAtherosclerosis detected as yellow plaque by angioscopy has been associated with future events of acute coronary syndrome. Development of in-stent neoatherosclerosis is a probable mechanism of VLSF.MethodsThis study included 360 consecutive patients who received successful angioscopic examination at 1 year after implantation of a DES. They were clinically followed up for VLSF defined as cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina, or need for revascularization associated with the stent site.ResultsThe follow-up interval was 1,558 ± 890 days (4.3 ± 2.4 years). The incidence of VLSF was significantly higher in the patients with yellow plaque than in those without (8.1% vs. 1.6%; log rank p = 0.02). Multivariable analysis revealed the presence of yellow plaque (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.38; p = 0.02) and absence of statin therapy (HR: 3.25; p = 0.02) as risks of VLSF.ConclusionsIn-stent atherosclerosis evaluated by yellow plaque at 1 year after the implantation of DES and the absence of statin therapy were risks of VLSF. The underlying mechanism of VLSF appeared to be the progression of atherosclerosis as demonstrated by the yellow plaque

Two-dimensional spectroscopic observation of a pulse-modulated induction thermal plasma torch for nanopowder synthesis

The two-dimensional distributions of spectral radiation intensities in the plasma torch were observed for the pulse modulated induction thermal plasmas (PMITP) with continuous or intermittent feedstock feeding for TiO2 nanopowder synthesis. For this observation, an imaging spectrophotometer with a high speed video camera were adopted. The evaporation of feedstock Ti powder, the formation of TiO and TiO transportation were investigated from the observation results of a Ti atomic spectral line and TiO molecule spectra as well as those of Ar and O atomic lines. An interpretation was suggested from the observation results for Ti feedstock evaporation and TiO formation in nanoparticle synthesis using a PMITP with intermittent feedstock feeding

Spatiotemporal distribution of thermal plasma temperature and precursor formation in a torch during TiO2 nanopowder synthesis

The spatiotemporal distribution of Ti excitation temperature (Tex Ti) was determined from twodimensional optical emission spectroscopy (2D OES) during TiO2 nanopowder synthesis using an inductively coupled thermal plasma (ICTP) torch. The Ti feedstock powder was injected intermittently into the ICTP torch to elucidate the evaporation of the feedstock and the formation of atomic vapour, precursor molecules, and particle nuclei dynamically. The spectroscopic observation results revealed that Tex Ti was estimated as 2500-4000 K around the central axis of the ICTP torch, and more than 4500 K in the off-axis region. In the on-axis region, TiO was detected with a high radiation intensity in the lower temperature region. These results showed that TiO molecules are formed only in the low temperature region around the central axis of the ICTP torch. In addition, TiO molecular density could be high, especially in the downstream region at the central axis of the ICTP torch. © 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd.Embargo Period 12 month

Environmental impact on star-forming galaxies in a z∼0.9z \sim 0.9 cluster during course of galaxy accretion

Galaxies change their properties as they assemble into clusters. In order to understand the physics behind that, we need to go back in time and observe directly what is occurring in galaxies as they fall into a cluster. We have conducted a narrow-band and $J$-band imaging survey on a cluster CL1604-D at $z=0.923$ using a new infrared instrument SWIMS installed at the Subaru Telescope. The narrow-band filter, NB1261, matches to H$\alpha$ emission from the cluster at $z=0.923$. Combined with a wide range of existing data from various surveys, we have investigated galaxy properties in and around this cluster in great detail. We have identified 27 H$\alpha$ emitters associated with the cluster. They have significant overlap with MIPS 24$\mu$m sources and are located exclusively in the star forming regime on the rest-frame $UVJ$ diagram. We have identified two groups of galaxies near the cluster in the 2D spatial distribution and the phase-space diagram, which are likely to be in-falling to the cluster main body. We have compared various physical properties of star forming galaxies, such as specific star formation rates (burstiness) and morphologies (merger) as a function of environment; cluster center, older group, younger group, and the field. As a result, a global picture has emerged on how the galaxy properties are altered as they assemble into a denser region. This includes the occurrence of mergers, enhancement of star formation activity, excursion to the dusty starburst phase, and eventual quenching to a passive phase.Comment: 19 pages, 15 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ. Error bars in Table 2 correcte

Clustering of Lyman Break Galaxies at z=4 and 5 in The Subaru Deep Field: Luminosity Dependence of The Correlation Function Slope

We explored the clustering properties of Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) at z=4 and 5 with an angular two-point correlation function on the basis of the very deep and wide Subaru Deep Field data. We found an apparent dependence of the correlation function slope on UV luminosity for LBGs at both z=4 and 5. More luminous LBGs have a steeper correlation function. To compare these observational results, we constructed numerical mock LBG catalogs based on a semianalytic model of hierarchical clustering combined with high-resolution N-body simulation, carefully mimicking the observational selection effects. The luminosity functions for LBGs predicted by this mock catalog were found to be almost consistent with the observation. Moreover, the overall correlation functions of LBGs were reproduced reasonably well. The observed dependence of the clustering on UV luminosity was not reproduced by the model, unless subsamples of distinct halo mass were considered. That is, LBGs belonging to more massive dark haloes had steeper and larger-amplitude correlation functions. With this model, we found that LBG multiplicity in massive dark halos amplifies the clustering strength at small scales, which steepens the slope of the correlation function. The hierarchical clustering model could therefore be reconciled with the observed luminosity-dependence of the angular correlation function, if there is a tight correlation between UV luminosity and halo mass. Our finding that the slope of the correlation function depends on luminosity could be an indication that massive dark halos hosted multiple bright LBGs (abridged).Comment: 16 pages, 17 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ, Full resolution version is available at http://zone.mtk.nao.ac.jp/~kashik/sdf/acf/sdf_lbgacf.pd