Near-Infrared and X-Ray Observations of XSS J12270-4859

XSS J12270-4859 (J12270) is an enigmatic source of unknown nature. Previous studies revealed that the source has unusual X-ray temporal characteristics, including repetitive short-term flares followed by spectral hardening, non-periodic dips, and dichotomy in activity; i.e. intervals filled with flares and those without. Together with a power-law X-ray spectrum, it is suggested to be a low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB). In order to better understand the object, we present the results of our near-infrared (NIR) photometry and linear polarimetry observations as well as X-ray spectroscopy observations, which overlap with each other partially in time, taken respectively with the InfraRed Survey Facility (IRSF) and the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). We detected several simultaneous NIR and X-ray flares for the first time. No significant NIR polarization was obtained. We assembled data taken with IRSF, RXTE, Suzaku, Swift, and other missions in the literature and compared the flare profile and the spectral energy distribution (SED) with some representative high-energy sources. Based on some similarities of the repetitive NIR and X-ray flaring characteristics and the broad SED, we argue that J12270 is reminiscent of microquasars with a synchrotron jet, which is at a very low luminosity state of ~1e-4 Eddington luminosity for a stellar mass black hole or neutron star at a reference distance of 1 kpc.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

Cost Performance and Efficacy of Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (Off-Pump CABG) may provide an alternative form of surgical revascularization by avoiding the unwanted complications of cardiopulmonary bypass, particularly in high-risk patients. To clarify the efficacy and cost performance of Off- Pump CABG, we studied the postoperative course of Off-Pump CABG and compared it to On- pump coronary artery bypass grafting (On-Pump CABG). From Aug. 1998 to Feb. 2002, twenty-eight patients who had preoperative complications such as cerebral vascular disease (11), chronic renal failure (4), atheromatous aorta (4), one lung (1), severely impaired left ventricular function (6), re-do CABG (1), and cancer (1) underwent Off- Pump CABG. Another thirty-six patients who underwent On-Pump CABG served as a control. The Off-Pump CABG patients were almost the same age as the On-Pump CABG patients (68 ± 8 vs 64 ± 8 years, ns). The Number of grafts was similar in both groups (2.6 ± 1.0 vs 2.9 ± 1.0, ns). Peak CK, peak CKMB, peak LDH, and peak GOT release were significantly lower in the Off-Pump CABG group compared with the On-Pump CABG group. Graft patency rates were similar in both groups (98 0n Off-Pump CABG vs 98 0n On-Pump CABG). The total cost for surgery and patient care was significantly lower (p<0.0001) in the Off-Pump CABG group ($21000 ± 7000) compared with the On-Pump CABG group ($ 33000 ± 4200). Off-Pump CABG is less invasive to the myocardium, is less expensive, and has a similar efficacy in comparison with On-Pump CABG

Efficacy of soft palatal augmentation prosthesis for oral functional rehabilitation in patients with dysarthria and dysphagia: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Palatal augmentation prosthesis (PAP) is used in patients with articulation and swallowing disorders caused by postoperative loss of tongue tissue due to tongue cancer, cerebrovascular disease sequelae and age-related hypofunction. We have previously reported a newly designed soft PAP fabricated using an thermoplastic material that is particularly appropriate for early intervention. However, the effect of soft PAP on oral function improvement remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to investigate whether soft PAP can improve dysarthria and dysphagia occurring as cerebrovascular disease sequelae. Methods and analysis This prospective, randomised, controlled trial will compare the immediate and training effects of rehabilitation using soft PAP with those of rehabilitation without using it. Primary outcomes are the single-word intelligibility test score and pharyngeal transit time (PTT). Secondary outcomes are tongue function (evaluated based on maximum tongue pressure, repetitions of tongue pressure and endurance of tongue pressure), articulation function (evaluated based on speech intelligibility, oral diadochokinesis, Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL)) and swallowing function (evaluated using Eating Assessment Tool-10). The study results will help determine the efficacy of Soft PAP in improving functional outcomes of word intelligibility and PTT. We hypothesised that early rehabilitation using Soft PAP would more effectively improve articulation and swallowing function compared with conventional rehabilitation without using soft PAP. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was obtained from the Okayama University Certified Review Board. The study findings will be published in an open access, peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences and research meetings

Web conference system used in the Ogasawara Greenfinch PHVA workshop

2020年12月19日にオガサワラカワラヒワ保全計画作りワークショップの本大会が開催された。また、事前の講演会および報告会も複数開催した。これらの開催期間は、コロナ禍であったため、感染防止対策として、全てWEB会議システムを使用した。本稿では、講演会や報告会を含め、ワークショップ時におけるWEB 会議システムとその運用方法についての記録を目的とした。WEB 会議システムとしてはZOOMを選択し、補助としてGoogle Jamboard、Googleフォームなどのソフトも併用し、会議運営の円滑化を図った。結果としては、進行に問題はなく、コロナ感染防止対策を行った状態でワークショップを開催することができた。The Ogasawara Greenfinch PHVA workshop was held in December 19th, 2020, and several lectures and debriefings were held before and after the workshop. Because the whole period of the workshop and other events was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to conduct all events using a web conference system as the infection prevention measures. The purpose of this paper is to document the operations of web conferencing system. We chose ‘ZOOM’ as our web conferencing system, and used software such as ‘Google Jamboard’ and ‘Google Forms’ to assist the conference management. As a result, no problems occurred through all workshop processes, and we were able to hold the workshop with COVID-19 infection prevention measures.departmental bulletin pape

トランスフォーミング ゾウショク インシ ベータ 1 ワ ナンコツ サイボウ ニ オケル テイシュツリョク パルス チョウオンパ ノ コウカ オ デンタツスル

京都大学0048新制・論文博士博士(医学)乙第11890号論医博第1904号新制||医||931(附属図書館)UT51-2006-P39京都大学大学院医学研究科外科系専攻(主査)教授 戸口田 淳也, 教授 堤 定美, 教授 開 祐司学位規則第4条第2項該当Doctor of Medical ScienceKyoto UniversityDA

Effects of Complement Suppression on Xenograft Survival in Hyperacute Rejection

To examine the significance of complement in discordant cardiac xenograft rejection, morphological changes in the rejection reaction were investigated following administration of FUT-175 (FUT), an anticomplement reagent. Guinea pigs were the cardiac donors, and Wistar rats were the recipients. Four groups of rats were constituted as follows: Group 0 was the control group. FUT of 40 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally in group I. It was followed by continuous intravenous infusion (20 and 40 mg/kg/hr) in groups II and III. In one series, the effects of FUT on complement suppression was examined. In the FUT groups of rats (groups I to III), the serum levels of CH50 and ACH50 were measured at 0, 1, 2 and 4 hr following injection of FUT. In the second series of rats with identical treatments, the graft heart beating time following cardiac transplantation was measured. Cardiac transplantation into untreated rats was also performed as a control (group 0). In another series, the graft hearts in the FUT groups were extracted after 15, 30, 60 and 90 min of coronary reperfusion for morphological examination with scanning electron microscopy.　　 The complement levels decreased significantly in the FUT-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. Although the graft heart beating times in the FUT-treated groups were significantly longer than in group 0 (103, 106, and 112 min versus 14.7 min, p<0.01), there was no significant difference in the graft heart beating time or in the morphological changes among the three FUT groups. Our results suggest the presence of factors other than complements contribute to the cardiac xenograft rejection

Arteriovenous malformation with pseudoaneurysm on the left upper limb

Abstract A 61‐year‐old woman developed a pulsatile mass on the left upper limb and was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation with pseudoaneurysm. A two‐stage operation including ligation and resection of the aberrant branches and subsequent resection of the mass with revascularization was performed. Histological analysis suggested arteriovenous malformation and pseudoaneurysm