Dynamically generated electric charge distributions in Abelian projected SU(2) lattice gauge theories

We show in the maximal Abelian gauge the dynamical electric charge density generated by the coset fields, gauge fixing and ghosts shows antiscreening as in the case of the non-Abelian charge. We verify that with the completion of the ghost term all contributions to flux are accounted for in an exact lattice Ehrenfest relation.Comment: LATTICE98(confine

Cromakalim, a vasodilator, differentially inhibits Ca2+ currents in NG108-15 neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells

AbstractExtracellular perfusion with the antihypertensive agent cromakalim produced an inhibition of 22–66% in the low-threshold transient Ca2+ (T-like) current in NG108-15 hybrid cells. Cromakalim suppressed the high-threshold and long-lasting Ba2+ current (L-like Ca2+ current) by 29–73%, but had almost no effect on the high-threshold and inactivating Ba2+ current (N-like Ca2+ current). IC50 for T-like and L-like currents was the same at about 100 μM. The inhibitory effect developed relatively fast and was reversible. These results indicate that cromakalim can selectively inhibit the activity of inward Ca2+ currents

Development of low-volume, high-intensity, aerobic-type interval training for elderly Japanese men: a feasibility study

BackgroundThe purposes of this study were to identify 1) the feasibility of a novel exercise protocol (elderly Japanese male version of high-intensity interval aerobic training: EJ-HIAT) and 2) its preliminary data (%V̇O2peak, rating of perceived exertion) in comparison with traditional moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training (MICT).ResultsTwenty-one sedentary elderly men, aged 60–69 years, performed two exercise protocols: EJ-HIAT, consisting of 3 sets of 2−3-min cycling at 75−85%V̇O2peak with 1−2-min active rests at 50%V̇O2peak between sets, and MICT, consisting of 40-min cycling at 65%V̇O2peak. The completion rate, defined as the rate of participants who 1) did not demand withdrawal, 2) were not interrupted by the tester, and 3) did not change the workload during either exercise protocol, of EJ-HIAT was similar to that of MICT (EJ-HIAT: 100%, MICT: 95.2%). Maximal perceived exertion ratings assessed by Borg scale were also similar between EJ-HIAT and MICT. However, objectively measured maximal intensity assessed by %V̇O2peak was higher for EJ-HIAT than for MICT (EJ-HIAT: 86.0 ± 5.6%, MICT: 67.1 ± 6.4%).ConclusionThese results suggested that EJ-HIAT has good feasibility and perceived exertion similar to MICT despite having higher objectively measured intensity than MICT. An intervention aimed as identifying the effects of EJ-HIAT on exercise tolerance should be performed in the future

Mid-Ventricular Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Associated with an Apical Aneurysm: Evaluation of Possible Causes of Aneurysm Formation

Mid-ventricular obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (MVOHCM) is a rare type of cardiomyopathy, associated with apical aneurysm formation in some cases. We report a patient presenting with ventricular fibrillation, an ECG with an above normal ST segment, and elevated levels of cardiac enzymes but normal coronary arteries. Left ventriculography revealed a left ventricular obstruction without apical aneurysm. There was a significant pressure gradient between the apical and basal sites of the left ventricle. Cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), performed on the 10th hospital day, showed asymmetric septal hypertrophy, mid-ventricular obstruction, and an apical aneurysm with a thrombus. The first evaluation by contrast-enhanced imaging showed a subendocardial perfusion defect and delayed enhancement. It was speculated that the intraventricular pressure gradient, due to mid-ventricular obstruction, triggered myocardial infarction, which subsequently resulted in apical aneurysm formation

Predictors of Pericardial Effusion in Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Artery Banding

Background:Although pulmonary artery banding (PAB) is a common palliative procedure for pediatric heart malformation, there are concerns of pressure overload and concomitant immune reactions in the right ventricle causing postsurgical complications such as pericardial effusion. At this time, no clear guidelines as to potential risk factors or procedural contraindications have been widely disseminated. Therefore, a study was undertaken to examine wide-ranging factors to find potential biomarkers for postsurgical pericardial effusion formation risk.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on all cardiac surgeries performed over an eight-year period, and the main inclusion criterion was pericardial effusion development after PAB that required surgical drainage. Nine cases were then analyzed against a control group of 45 cases with respect to body measurements, concomitant surgeries, genetic screens, laboratory tests results, and cardiac function parameters.Results:Trisomy 21 was strongly associated with the development of severe pericardial effusion after PAB, and postoperative serum albumin levels in patients with trisomy 21 were associated with pericardial effusion development. Other parameters showed no significant correlation with pericardial effusion development.Conclusions:Our data indicate a strong association between trisomy 21 and pericardial effusion requiring drainage after PAB, which is in line with translational research findings. Pressure overload from PAB may play a role in the formation of severe pericardial effusion that is exacerbated by cardiac structural defects commonly associated with trisomy 21. Surgical teams should therefore use caution and plan to implement drainage in PAB cases, and postoperative serum albumin may serve as a useful biomarker for pericardial effusion formation

Congenital-idiopathic superficial femoral artery aneurysm in a 7-year-old child

Superficial femoral artery aneurysm in children is distinctly uncommon, and usually results from infection, vasculitis, connective tissue disorder, or trauma. We report a 7-year-old girl who had multiple fusiform aneurysms of the right superficial femoral artery, with no evidence of related disorders. The patient successfully underwent aneurysm resection and femoral artery reconstruction with autogenous saphenous vein. Histologic examination revealed intimal thickening with fibroplasia without severe inflammatory infiltrates or cystic medial necrosis, suggesting a congenital-idiopathic arterial aneurysm. Three years after the procedure, the saphenous vein graft is fully patent and the patient is in good condition

Pneumococcal polyarticular septic arthritis after a single infusion of infliximab in a rheumatoid arthritis patient: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>We present a case of <it>Streptococcus pneumoniae </it>polyarticular septic arthritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis receiving a single infusion of infliximab.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 38-year-old Japanese man with a 5-year history of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis had previously received sulphasalazine and methotrexate therapies and was on regular low-dose prednisolone therapy. Despite these treatments, his disease activity remained high and infliximab was introduced in addition to methotrexate, prednisolone, and folic acid. However, he was admitted to hospital with a fever of 40.6°C, chills, and polyarthralgia eight days after the first infusion of infliximab. His joints were swollen, painful, and warm. Laboratory data showed marked acute inflammation. He was diagnosed with bacterial septic polyarthritis, and emergency surgical joint lavage and drainage was performed at the knees along with needle aspiration and lavage of the ankles and right wrist. He was then given intravenous antibiotic therapy for 31 days. He made a good recovery and was discharged on day 37.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We believe this is the first reported case of severe pneumococcal septic arthritis requiring hospitalization in a patient treated with infliximab. <it>S. pneumonia </it>is now a well-recognized but uncommon cause of polyarticular septic arthritis that can lead to cessation of therapy, as in our patient's case.</p

Computational performance of Free Mesh Method applied to continuum mechanics problems

The free mesh method (FMM) is a kind of the meshless methods intended for particle-like finite element analysis of problems that are difficult to handle using global mesh generation, or a node-based finite element method that employs a local mesh generation technique and a node-by-node algorithm. The aim of the present paper is to review some unique numerical solutions of fluid and solid mechanics by employing FMM as well as the Enriched Free Mesh Method (EFMM), which is a new version of FMM, including compressible flow and sounding mechanism in air-reed instruments as applications to fluid mechanics, and automatic remeshing for slow crack growth, dynamic behavior of solid as well as large-scale Eigen-frequency of engine block as applications to solid mechanics

CVIT expert consensus document on primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 2018

While primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has significantly contributed to improve the mortality in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction even in cardiogenic shock, primary PCI is a standard of care in most of Japanese institutions. Whereas there are high numbers of available facilities providing primary PCI in Japan, there are no clear guidelines focusing on procedural aspect of the standardized care. Whilst updated guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction were recently published by European Society of Cardiology, the following major changes are indicated; (1) radial access and drug-eluting stent over bare metal stent were recommended as Class I indication, and (2) complete revascularization before hospital discharge (either immediate or staged) is now considered as Class IIa recommendation. Although the primary PCI is consistently recommended in recent and previous guidelines, the device lag from Europe, the frequent usage of coronary imaging modalities in Japan, and the difference in available medical therapy or mechanical support may prevent direct application of European guidelines to Japanese population. The Task Force on Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT) has now proposed the expert consensus document for the management of acute myocardial infarction focusing on procedural aspect of primary PCI