Preoperative Evaluation of the Right Upper Lobe Pulmonary Artery by 3D-CT Pulmonary Angiography vs. Thin-Section Multiplanar Reconstruction Images Obtained by Contrast-Enhanced Multidetector-Row CT

We compared the effectiveness of 3-dimensional computed tomography pulmonary angiography (3D-CTPA) and thin-section multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images obtained using contrast-enhanced multidetector row CT (MDCT), in the evaluation of pulmonary artery (PA) branches of the right upper lobe. We studied 127 patients suspected of having lung cancer of the right upper lobe who underwent contrast-enhanced MDCT scans and a right upper lobectomy. We compared the intraoperative findings of the PA branches of the right upper lobe obtained with 3D-CTPA and thin-section MPR images. In 125 (97.7%) patients, one or more PA branches arose from arteries other than the superior trunk. Among 10 (7.9%) patients, a PA branch arose from the middle lobe in one patient and from the superior segment of the lower lobe in the other 9 patients. According to the intraoperative findings, 97.2% and 99.7% of the PA branches were identified by 3D-CTPA and thin-section MPR images, respectively (p＜0.03). The single branch missed by both imaging modalities was 1.0mm in dia. The 8 branches missed only by 3D-CTPA were＜1.4mm in dia. Both the 3D-CTPA and thin-section MPR images provided precise preoperative information regarding PA branches of the right upper lobe. However, the thin-section MPR images appeared to contribute more to the evaluation of smaller PA branches

Observation of micropores in hard-carbon using Xe-129 NMR porosimetry

The existence of micropores and the change of surface structure in pitch-based hard-carbon in xenon atmosphere were demonstrated using Xe-129 NMR. For high-pressure (4.0 MPa) Xe-129 NMR measurements, the hard-carbon samples in Xe gas showed three peaks at 27, 34 and 210 ppm. The last was attributed to the xenon in micropores (<1 nm) in hard-carbon particles. The NMR spectrum of a sample evacuated at 773 K and exposed to 0.1 MPa Xe gas at 773 K for 24 h showed two peaks at 29 and 128 ppm, which were attributed, respectively, to the xenon atoms adsorbed in the large pores (probably mesopores) and micropores of hard-carbon. With increasing annealing time in Xe gas at 773 K, both peaks shifted and merged into one peak at 50 ppm. The diffusion of adsorbed xenon atoms is very slow, probably because the transfer of molecules or atoms among micropores in hard-carbon does not occur readily. Many micropores are isolated from the outer surface. For that reason, xenon atoms are thought to be adsorbed only by micropores near the surface, which are easily accessible from the surrounding space.</p

Properties of a novel hard-carbon optimized to large size Lion secondary battery studied by 7Li NMR

The state of lithium in a novel hard-carbon optimized to the anode of large size Li ion secondary battery, which has been recently commercialized, was investigated and compared with other existing hard-carbon samples by 7Li NMR method. The new carbon material showed a peak at 85 ppm with a shoulder signal at 7 ppm at room temperature in static NMR spectrum, and the former shifted to 210 ppm at 180 K. The latter at room temperature was attributed to Li doped in small particles contained in the sample. The new carbon sample showed weaker intensity of cluster-lithium signal than the other hard-carbon samples in NMR, which corresponded to a tendency of less "Constant Voltage" (CV) capacity in charge-discharge curves of electrochemical evaluation. Smaller CV capacity and initial irreversible capacity, which are the features of the novel hard-carbon, are considered to correspond to a blockade of the diffusion of Li into pore of carbon.</p

The importance of central airway dilatation in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a clinical syndrome characterised by progressive small airway obstruction, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Central airway dilatation is one of its radiological characteristics, but little is known about the clinical and pathological associations between airway dilatation and BO. Methods: This retrospective study consecutively included patients who underwent lung transplantation due to BO at Kyoto University Hospital from 2009 to 2019. Demographic and histopathological findings of the resected lungs were compared between patients with and without airway dilatation measured by chest computed tomography (CT) at registration for lung transplantation. Results: Of a total of 38 included patients (median age, 30 years), 34 (89%) had a history of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, and 22 (58%) had airway dilatation based on CT. Patients with airway dilatation had a higher frequency of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation with greater residual volume than those without airway dilatation. Quantitative CT analysis revealed an increase in lung volume to predictive total lung capacity and a percentage of low attenuation volume <-950 HU at inspiration in association with the extent of airway dilatation. Airway dilatation on CT was associated with an increased number of bronchioles with concentric narrowing of the lumen and thickening of the subepithelium of the walls on histology. Conclusions: In patients with BO, airway dilatation may reflect increased residual volume or air trapping and pathological extent of obstructive bronchioles, accompanied by a risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation. More attention should be paid to the development of airway dilatation in the management of BO

Rhopilema asamushi Uchida (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Rhizostomidae) newly occurred in Tanabe Bay, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

A blue jellyfish body fragment of Rhopilema asamushi Uchida, that is identifiable by mitochondrial gene analysis (COI gene sequences: 644 bps), is washed ashore at Hatakejima Island in Tanabe Bay, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. This occurrence is the first record in the Pacific side of southern Japan

Observation of micropores in hard-carbon using Xe-129 NMR porosimetry

The existence of micropores and the change of surface structure in pitch-based hard-carbon in xenon atmosphere were demonstrated using 129 Xe NMR. For high-pressure (4.0 MPa) 129 Xe NMR measurements, the hard-carbon samples in Xe gas showed three peaks at 27, 34 and 210 ppm. The last was attributed to the xenon in micropores (smaller than 1 nm) in hard-carbon particles. The NMR spectrum of a sample evacuated at 773 K and exposed to 0.1 MPa Xe gas at 773 K for 24 h showed two peaks at 29 and 128 ppm, which were attributed respectively to the xenon atoms adsorbed in the large pores (probably mesopores) and micropores of hard-carbon. With increasing annealing time in Xe gas at 773 K, both peaks shifted and merge