Tai Chi for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients with Benign Prostate Hypertrophy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Tai chi exercise has been recommended as suitable for the improvement of health in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tai chi on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs), quality of life (QoL), and sex hormone levels in patients with benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). The elderly patients with BPH were randomized to receive tai chi or usual care. Fifty-six participants were randomized into either the tai chi group (n = 28) or the control group (n = 28). After 12 weeks of treatment, the tai chi group showed significant improvement in LUTS and QoL. There was a significant effect of tai chi on testosterone but no significant effect on insulin or glucose. No serious adverse events were observed during the study period. In conclusion, our results suggest that 12 weeks of tai chi may improve LUTS and QoL in elderly patients with BPH

Triclinic Na3.12Co2.44(P2O7)(2) as a High Redox Potential Cathode Material for Na-Ion Batteries

Two types of sodium cobalt pyrophosphates, triclinic Na3.12Co2.44(P2O7)(2) and orthorhombic Na2CoP2O7, are compared as high-voltage cathode materials for Na-ion batteries. Na2CoP2O7 shows no electrochemical activity, delivering negligible capacity. In contrast, Na3.12Co2.44(P2O7)(2) exhibits good electrochemical performance, such as high redox potential at ca. 4.3 V (vs. Na/Na+) and stable capacity retention over 50 cycles, although Na3.12Co2.44(P2O7)(2) delivered approximately 40 mA h g(-1). This is attributed to the fact that Na2CoP2O7 (similar to 3.1 angstrom) has smaller diffusion channel size than Na3.12Co2.44(P2O7)(2) (similar to 4.2 angstrom). Moreover, the electrochemical performance of Na3.12Co2.44(P2O7)(2) is examined using Na cells and Li cells. The overpotential of Na cells is smaller than that of Li cells. This is due to the fact that Na3.12Co2.44(P2O7)(2) has a smaller charge transfer resistance and higher diffusivity for Na+ ions than Li+ ions. This implies that the large channel size of Na3.12Co2.44(P2O7)(2) is more appropriate for Na+ ions than Li+ ions. Therefore, Na3.12Co2.44(P2O7)(2) is considered a promising high-voltage cathode material for Na-ion batteries, if new electrolytes, which are stable above 4.5 V vs. Na/Na+, are introduced.

The Dendritic magnetic avalanches in carbon-free MgB2_2 thin films with and without a deposited Au layer

From the magneto optics images (MOI), the dendritic magnetic avalanche is known to appear dominantly for thin films of the newly discovered MgB$_2$. To clarify the origin of this phenomenon, we studied in detail the MOI of carbon-free MgB$_2$ thin films with and without a deposited gold layer. The MOI indicated carbon contamination was not the main source of the avalanche. The MOI clearly showed that the deposition of metallic gold deposition on top of a MgB$_2$ thin film improved its thermal stability and suppressed the sudden appearance of the dendritic flux avalanche. This is consistent with the previous observation of flux noise in the magnetization.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figeure

Myoepitheliomas of the Soft Palate: Helical CT Findings in Two Patients

We describe the enhancement patterns of myoepithelioma in two patients with a soft palate mass. In the first case, helical CT revealed a faintly enhancing mass. Histologically, the tumor was composed of plasmacytoid cells in a background of rich myxoid stroma. Immunostaining for CD34 showed scanty blood vessels. In the second case, helical CT revealed an intensely enhancing mass. Histologically, the mass was a cellular tumor with fibrous stroma. Immunostaining for CD34 also showed frequent blood vessels

Flux Dendrites of Opposite Polarity in Superconducting MgB2_2 rings observed with magneto-optical imaging

Magneto-optical imaging was used to observe flux dendrites with opposite polarities simultaneously penetrate superconducting, ring-shaped MgB$_2$ films. By applying a perpendicular magnetic field, branching dendritic structures nucleate at the outer edge and abruptly propagate deep into the rings. When these structures reach close to the inner edge, where flux with opposite polarity has penetrated the superconductor, they occasionally trigger anti-flux dendrites. These anti-dendrites do not branch, but instead trace the triggering dendrite in the backward direction. Two trigger mechanisms, a non-local magnetic and a local thermal, are considered as possible explanations for this unexpected behaviour. Increasing the applied field further, the rings are perforated by dendrites which carry flux to the center hole. Repeated perforations lead to a reversed field profile and new features of dendrite activity when the applied field is subsequently reduced.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, accepted to Phys. Rev.

Phylogenetic relationships between different raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) populations based on four nuclear and Y genes

© 2020, The Genetics Society of Korea.Background: The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), endemic to East Asia, is classified as six subspecies according to their geographical distribution including a population introduced to Europe. Studies on phylogenetic relationship or population genetics in both native and introduced areas have been carried out recently. Lately, opinions that Japanese raccoon dogs should be classified as a different species were asserted based on several studies using karyotypes, morphometric characters, mtDNA, and microsatellites analysis. However, no data pertaining to the nuclear DNA (nDNA) or Y chromosome are available. Objective: To estimate the relationship among the species using different genes is necessary in understanding of the history of this species. Method: Therefore, we investigated nDNA and Y chromosomes in our study to define relationships: (1) between continental raccoon dog populations, (2) between original and introduced groups, and (3) between continental and Japanese groups. Results: The analysis of four nuclear (CHRNA1, VTN, TRSP, WT1) and ZFY genes indicated that there had been no genetic differentiation among the continental populations. However, significant differences were observed between continental and Japanese raccoon dogs in VTN and ZFY genes implying genetic differentiation has been going between them. Conclusion: To better understand the phylogenetic relationship among raccoon dog populations, further study will be necessary.N