Evaluation of Pore Structure of Hardened Cement Paste Immersed in Sodium Sulfate Solution

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate pore structure of hardened cement paste immersed in sodium sulfate solutions and to experimentally examine the relation between the change of pore structure and hydration products. Cement paste specimens were immersed in sodium sulfate solutions and ion-exchanged water for two weeks. Since oxygen gas can pass through the pores having micro scale, it is possible to evaluate the effect of the pore structure on the oxygen transport in cement pastes. Thus, the oxygen diffusion coefficient (DO2) of the specimens after immersion were measured, and the pore volume and the pore size distribution were also measured. In addition, the phase compositions of the specimens were acquired. As a result, DO2 of the specimens immersed in the sodium sulfate solutions decreased as compared to the specimens immersed in the ion-exchanged water. The tortuosity of the specimens immersed in the sodium sulfate solutions increased due to decreasing of the pore volume having a diameter larger than 20 nm. There was a correlation between the volume of ettringite and the pore volume having a diameter larger than 20 nm. According to the above results, it was considered that the decreasing of DO2 in the case of sulfate immersion can occur as a result of the complication of the pore structure owing to filling of the pores by ettringit

Strong atomic ordering in Gd-doped GaN

Gd-doped GaN (Ga 1-xGd xN) thin films were grown on a GaN(001) template by radio frequency plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy and characterized by means of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Three samples with a different Gd composition were prepared in this study: x = 0.02, 0.05, and 0.08. XRD and TEM results revealed that the low Gd concentration GaN possesses the wurtzite structure. On the other hand, it was found that an ordered phase with a quadruple-periodicity along the [001] direction in the wurtzite structure is formed throughout the film with x = 0.08. We proposed the atomistic model for the superlattice structure observed here. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.Manabu Ishimaru, Kotaro Higashi, Shigehiko Hasegawa, Hajime Asahi, Kazuhisa Sato, and Toyohiko J. Konno, "Strong atomic ordering in Gd-doped GaN", Appl. Phys. Lett. 101, 101912 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4751245

Association between preoperative toe perfusion index and maternal core temperature decrease during cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia: a prospective cohort study

Background: The main mechanism of body temperature decrease during cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia is core-to-peripheral redistribution of body heat, attributable to vasodilation. Perfusion index (PI) obtained with a pulse oximeter helps to assess peripheral perfusion dynamics by detecting the change in peripheral vascular tone. This study aimed to examine whether preoperative toe PI could predict the decrease in core temperature induced by spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery.Methods: Parturients undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia from September 2019 to March 2020 were enrolled in this single-center prospective cohort study. All parturients received 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (10 mg) with fentanyl (15 μg) intrathecally. A pulse oximeter probe was placed on the left second toe for continuous PI measurement. The 3 M™ Bair Hugger™ Temperature Monitoring System placed over the right temporal region was used to record core temperature over time. We evaluated the association between the maximum core temperature decrease, which is the primary outcome, and the preoperative toe PI at operating room (OR) admission using a segmented regression model (SRM) and a generalized additive model (GAM). The maximum core temperature decrease was defined as the difference between core temperature at OR admission and minimum intraoperative core temperature.Results: Forty-eight patients were evaluated. In the SRM, the slope for the association between the maximum core temperature decrease and the preoperative toe PI changed from 0.031 to 0.124 after PI = 2.4%. Likewise, with the GAM, there was a small core temperature decrease when preoperative toe PI was greater than 2.0 to 3.0%.Conclusions: Low preoperative toe PI was associated with maternal core temperature decrease during cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Preoperative toe PI is a simple, non-invasive, and effective tool for the early prediction of perioperative core temperature decrease during cesarean delivery.Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (registry number: UMIN000037965)

Prediction of POPF using CRP after LG

Purpose : Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a serious complication after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factor of POPF and evaluate C-reactive protein on postoperative day 1 (POD1) as the predictor for POPF after laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG). Methods : Between May 2013 and September 2016, 226 patients who underwent LG for gastric cancer were investigated. Patients were divided into 2 groups; POPF group (n = 17) and control group (n = 209). Clinicopathological factors were compared between 2 groups. Results : In POPF group, there are more male patients (p = 0.003) compared with control group. Preoperative factors, such as age, BMI, and prevalence of previous operation and comorbidity showed no significant difference between 2 groups. Regarding tumor factors and perioperative data such as blood loss and operative time, there were also no significant difference between 2 groups. POPF group showed longer postoperative hospital stay, and higher serum CRP level on POD1 (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that high CRP level on POD1 ( ≥ 3mg/dl) was independent risk factor of POPF. Conclusions : High serum CRP level on POD1 can predict the occurrence of POPF

Real-world management of treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema : 2-year visual outcome focusing on the starting year of intervention from STREAT-DMO study

Background/aims To investigate the yearly change of real-world outcomes for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 2-year clinical intervention for treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Methods Retrospective analysis of aggregated, longitudinal medical records obtained from 27 retina specialised institutions in Japan from Survey of Treatment for DMO database. A total of 2049 treatment-naïve centre involving DMO eyes of which the initial intervention started between 2010 and 2015, and had been followed for 2 years, were eligible. As interventions, antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, local corticosteroids, macular photocoagulation and vitrectomy were defined. In each eye, baseline and final BCVA, the number of each intervention for 2 years was extracted. Each eye was classified by starting year of interventional treatment. Results Although baseline BCVA did not change by year, 2-year improvement of BCVA had been increased, and reached to +6.5 letters in the latest term. There is little difference among starting year about proportions of eyes which BCVA gained >15 letters, in contrast to those which lost >15 letters were decreased by year. The proportion of eyes receiving anti-VEGF therapy was dramatically increased, while those receiving the other therapies were gradually decreased. The proportion of eyes which maintained socially good vision of BCVA>20/40 has been increased and reached to 59.0% in the latest term. Conclusion For recent years, treatment patterns for DMO have been gradually but certainly changed; as a result, better visual gain, suppression of worsened eyes and better final BCVA have been obtained. Anti-VEGF therapy has become the first-line therapy and its injection frequency has been increasing

Real-world management of treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema in Japan : two-year visual outcomes with and without anti-VEGF therapy in the STREAT-DME study

Background/Aims To investigate real-world outcomes for best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 2-year clinical intervention for treatment-naïve, centr-involving diabetic macular oedema (DME). Methods Retrospective analysis of longitudinal medical records obtained from 27 institutions specialising in retinal diseases in Japan. A total of 2049 eyes with treatment-naïve DME commencing intervention between 2010 and 2015 who were followed for 2 years were eligible. Interventions for DME included anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, local corticosteroid therapy, macular photocoagulation and vitrectomy. Baseline and final BCVA (logMAR) were assessed. Eyes were classified by the treatment pattern, depending on whether anti-VEGF therapy was used, into an anti-VEGF monotherapy group (group A), a combination therapy group (group B) and a group without anti-VEGF therapy (group C). Results The mean 2-year improvement of BCVA was −0.04±0.40 and final BCVA of >20/40 was obtained in 46.3% of eyes. Based on the treatment pattern, there were 427 eyes (20.9%) in group A, 807 eyes (39.4%) in group B and 815 eyes (39.8%) in group C. Mean improvement of BCVA was −0.09±0.39, –0.02±0.40 and −0.05±0.39, and the percentage of eyes with final BCVA of >20/40 was 49.4%, 38.9%, and 52.0%, respectively. Conclusion Following 2-year real-world management of treatment-naïve DME in Japan, BCVA improved by 2 letters. Eyes treated by anti-VEGF monotherapy showed a better visual prognosis than eyes receiving combination therapy. Despite treatment for DME being selected by specialists in consideration of medical and social factors, a satisfactory visual prognosis was not obtained, but final BCVA remained >20/40 in half of all eyes

Detection of bacterial tRNA and rRNA gene clusters hidden in long DNAsequences: Prediction of a putative tRNA (Glu) (TTC) -tRNA (Asp) (GTC)-tRNA (Phe) (GAA) gene cluster of the Gram-positive bacteriumMycobacterium leprae

From the genomic DNA sequences of Archebacteria, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bactdria, Mycoplasmas, and other bacteria accumulated by the GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ (Release 19), records of only the tRNA and rRNA gene clusters were extracted, and arranged in a KWIC index-like list of gene clusters. In the genomic 40123-base DNA fragment (Locus ML15182) of the Gram-positive bacterium Mycobacterium lepre, we found two putative genes, tRNA Glu(TTC) (37225 to 37296, 72bp) and tRNA Asp(GTC) (37328 to 37400, 73 bp). The gene cluster list currently has only two entries whose headwords begin with [ED] (i.e., the tRNA Glu(TTC) -tRNA Asp(GTC) popular gene cluster) : (1) the 5S rRNA -tRNA Gly(GCC) -tRNA Arg(ACG) -tRNA Val(TAC) - [ED], and (2) the tRNA Lys(TTT) - [ED] -tRNA Phe(GAA) of the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus delbruecki, respectively. Therefore we tried to find corresponding tRNA Val(TAC), tRNA Lys(TTT), and/or tRNA Phe(GAA) genes also in M. lepre, and found a tRNA Phe(GAA) (37432 to 37509, 73bp). The resulted new putative tRNA Glu(TTC) -tRNA Asp(GTC) -tRNA Phe(GAA) gene cluster overlaps the known tRNA Asp(ATC) -tRNA Phe(GGC). Also one more putative tRNA Lys(TTT) (3710l to 37029, complement, 73 bp) came into sight, which overlaps the known tRNA Lys(TTT) (37095 to 37023, complement, 73 bp). They are separated from the known coding regions

Genetic variation among Japanese populations of chum salmon inferred from the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA control region

We examined the nucleotide sequences of 500 bp variable portion from the 5' end of mitochondrial (mt) DNA control region in about 500 individuals from 12 populations that were captured in 11 rivers, six in Hokkaido and five in Honshu, Japan. Comparison of the sequences showed 10 variable sites, defining a total of 12 haplotypes in the examined individuals. All the 12 haplotypes occurred in seven Hokkaido populations, whereas only six haplotypes were found in the five Honshu populations. Among these haplotypes, two were common in all the Hokkaido and Honshu populations. The AMOVA analysis inferred a genetic differentiation among three geographic regions, i.e. Hokkaido, Pacific Ocean coast in Honshu, and Japan Sea coast in Honshu. Haplotype diversity was higher in the populations of Hokkaido than those of Honshu, indicating a greater genetic variation in the Hokkaido than the Honshu populations. The estimates of painwise population F_[ST] suggested that the regional differentiation was mostly ascribed to the divergence between populations in Hokkaido and the Pacific coast in Honshu