Lyapunov Exponent and the Solid-Fluid Phase Transition

We study changes in the chaotic properties of a many-body system undergoing a solid-fluid phase transition. To do this, we compute the temperature dependence of the largest Lyapunov exponents $\lambda_{max}$ for both two- and three-dimensional periodic systems of $N$-particles for various densities. The particles interact through a soft-core potential. The two-dimensional system exhibits an apparent second-order phase transition as indicated by a $\lambda$-shaped peak in the specific heat. The first derivative of $\lambda_{max}$ with respect to the temperature shows a peak at the same temperature. The three-dimensional system shows jumps, in both system energy and $\lambda_{max}$, at the same temperature, suggesting a first-order phase transition. Relaxation phenomena in the phase-transition region are analyzed by using the local time averages.Comment: 16 pages, REVTeX, 10 eps figures, epsfig.st

Remifentanil Prevents Withdrawal Movements Caused by Intravenous Injection of Rocuronium

PURPOSE: The incidence of pain induced withdrawal movement following intravenous injection of rocuronium is high. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the effect of pretreatment of remifentanil on the withdrawal movements due to intravenous injection of rocuronium during anesthetic induction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety adult female patients undergoing thyroidectomy were randomly allocated to three groups. Each patient intravenously received one of three solutions of equal volume (4 mL): normal saline (Group I, n=30), 0.5 microg/kg remifentanil (Group II, n=30) or 1 microg/kg remifentanil (Group III, n=30). Thirty seconds after remifentanil administration, anesthesia was induced with 5 mg/kg IV thiopental. Twenty seconds after thiopental injection, 0.6 mg/kg IV rocuronium was administered (injection rate of 0.5 mL/sec) and patients' withdrawal movements were assessed. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were assessed on arrival in the operation room, before the tracheal intubation and immediately, 1 and 2 min after the tracheal intubation. RESULTS: The incidence of withdrawal movements was significantly lower in both of the remifentanil groups (3 and 0% in Group II and III, respectively) than in the saline group (70%). Remifentanil attenuated the increase of heart rate and MAP immediately and 1 min after the tracheal intubation. CONCLUSION: The pretreatment with 0.5 and 1.0 microg/kg remifentanil of bolus doses prevented the withdrawal movements caused by rocuronium injection, and effectively blunted cardiovascular activation following tracheal intubationope

Nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hemorrhagic stroke risk: the Acute Brain Bleeding Analysis study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationship between nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NANSAIDs) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) remains unclear. We examined the risk of HS associated with the use of NANSAIDs in Koreans. METHODS: We performed a nationwide, multicenter case-control study from 2002 to 2004. This study included 940 nontraumatic acute HS cases in patients aged 30 to 84 years, with an absence of a history of stroke or hemorrhage-prone brain lesions, alongside 940 community controls, matched to each case by age and sex. Pretrained interviewers obtained information on prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter drugs taken within 14 days before the onset of stroke. We adjusted potential confounders, including family histories of stroke, histories of hypertension, smoking, alcohol consumption, high salt intake, and laborious work hours. The adjusted ORs and their 95% CIs were calculated by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: The proportion of NANSAIDs exposure within 14 days was 2.9% for HS patients and 2.0% for the controls. The adjusted odds ratios of stroke in NANSAIDs users compared with nonusers was 1.12 (95% CI, 0.77 to 1.65) for all HS, 1.03 (95% CI, 0.49 to 2.18) for subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 1.19 (95% CI, 0.76 to 1.87) for intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: No increased risk of HS either subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracerebral hemorrhage was found among NANSAIDs users.This study was partially supported by the Korean Food and Drug Administration

Could Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Test be Useful in Predicting Inhaled Corticosteroid Responsiveness in Chronic Cough? A Systematic Review

© 2016 Background Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a safe and convenient test for assessing T H 2 airway inflammation, which is potentially useful in the management of patients with chronic cough. Objective To summarize the current evidence on the diagnostic usefulness of FENO for predicting inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) responsiveness in patients with chronic cough. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted to identify articles published in peer-reviewed journals up to February 2015, without language restriction. We included studies that reported the usefulness of FENO (index test) for predicting ICS responsiveness (reference standard) in patients with chronic cough (target condition). The data were extracted to construct a 2 × 2 accuracy table. Study quality was assessed with Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2. Results We identified 5 original studies (2 prospective and 3 retrospective studies). We identified considerable heterogeneities in study design and outcome definitions, and thus were unable to perform a meta-analysis. The proportion of ICS responders ranged from 44% to 59%. Sensitivity and specificity ranged from 53% to 90%, and from 63% to 97%, respectively. The reported area under the curve ranged from abou t 0.60 to 0.87; however, studies with a prospective design and a lower prevalence of asthma had lower area under the curve values. None measured placebo effects or objective cough frequency. Conclusions We did not find strong evidence to support the use of FENO tests for predicting ICS responsiveness in chronic cough. Further studies need to have a randomized, placebo-controlled design, and should use validated measurement tools for cough. Standardization would facilitate the development of clinical evidence

Enhancing Empathy in Virtual Reality: An Embodied Approach to Mindset Modulation

A growth mindset has shown promising outcomes for increasing empathy ability. However, stimulating a growth mindset in VR-based empathy interventions is under-explored. In the present study, we implemented prosocial VR content, Our Neighbor Hero, focusing on embodying a virtual character to modulate players' mindsets. The virtual body served as a stepping stone, enabling players to identify with the character and cultivate a growth mindset as they followed mission instructions. We considered several implementation factors to assist players in positioning within the VR experience, including positive feedback, content difficulty, background lighting, and multimodal feedback. We conducted an experiment to investigate the intervention's effectiveness in increasing empathy. Our findings revealed that the VR content and mindset training encouraged participants to improve their growth mindsets and empathic motives. This VR content was developed for college students to enhance their empathy and teamwork skills. It has the potential to improve collaboration in organizational and community environments.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, 1 tabl

A single gene of a commensal microbe affects host susceptibility to enteric infection

Indigenous microbes inside the host intestine maintain a complex self-regulating community. The mechanisms by which gut microbes interact with intestinal pathogens remain largely unknown. Here we identify a commensal Escherichia coli strain whose expansion predisposes mice to infection by Vibrio cholerae, a human pathogen. We refer to this strain as 'atypical' E. coli (atEc) because of its inability to ferment lactose. The atEc strain is resistant to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proliferates extensively in antibiotic-treated adult mice. V. cholerae infection is more severe in neonatal mice transplanted with atEc compared with those transplanted with a typical E. coli strain. Intestinal ROS levels are decreased in atEc-transplanted mice, favouring proliferation of ROS-sensitive V. cholerae. An atEc mutant defective in ROS degradation fails to facilitate V. cholerae infection when transplanted, suggesting that host infection susceptibility can be regulated by a single gene product of one particular commensal species.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatic tumors: factors affecting baseline impedance

PurposeWe aimed to evaluate factors that affect baseline impedance of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we analyzed 51 patients with 55 hepatic tumors from November 2015 until April 2018. We measured the baseline impedance nine times with three adjustable tip sizes (2 cm, 2.5 cm, 3 cm) and three different pad locations (two pads attached on the thigh, four on the thigh, two on the back). The first roll-off time was measured with two grounding pads attached on the back. Body mass index, cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic liver parenchyma, previous procedure, tumor location, artificial ascites, active tip size, and the pad location were evaluated as potential factors affecting baseline impedance using the Mann–Whitney U test, t-test and analysis of variance test.ResultsComplete radiofrequency ablation was achieved in 51 patients. Body mass index (p = 0.897), cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic liver parenchyma (p = 0.767), previous procedure (p = 0.957), tumor location (p = 0.906), and artificial ascites (p = 0.882) did not significantly affect baseline impedance. Grounding pads located on the back showed the lowest baseline impedance (p < 0.001). Increase in active tip size showed gradual decrease in baseline impedance (p = 0.016).ConclusionThe factors affecting baseline impedance were the pad location and the tip size. Positioning pads on the back lowers the baseline impedance and can shorten the first roll-off time, ultimately resulting in reduced total ablation time

Correlation of long interspersed element-1 open reading frame 1 and c-Met proto-oncogene protein expression in primary and recurrent colorectal cancers

Background Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Colorectal cancer that has recurred and metastasized to other organs also has a very poor prognosis. According to recent studies, the long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposon open reading frame (ORF) is located in the intron of the c-Met proto-oncogene, which is involved in cancer progression and metastasis, and regulates its expression. However, no study has compared the expression patterns of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met, which are closely related to cancer progression and metastasis, and their correlation in primary and recurrent cancers. Methods In the present study, we compared the expression patterns of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met in both primary and recurrent colorectal cancer tissues from 10 patients. Expression patterns and correlations between LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met proto-oncogene proteins were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining using both LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met antibodies. Results The expression patterns of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met showed significant individual differences, and the expression of both proteins was correlated in all colorectal cancer patients. However, the expression levels of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met were not significantly different between primary and recurrent colorectal cancers. Conclusions The protein expression levels of LINE-1 ORF1 and c-Met were correlated, but did not change significantly in cases of recurrent colorectal cancer in the same patient