Analysis of Waveform of the R-C Load-Current Controlled by the back to back SCR Pair

The waveform of the load current has been analyzed theoretically on the single-phase series R-C circuit controlled by the back to back SCR pair. And then, the fluctuation of the barmonics calculated by the use of the electronic digital computer, has been discussed as for the firing angles of SCRs and the phase angle of load

The effect of anastrozole on bone mineral density during the first 5 years of adjuvant treatment in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer

PURPOSE: The administration of aromatase inhibitors is associated with bone loss in postmenopausal women. We assessed changes in bone mineral density (BMD) from baseline to 60 months of treatment in patients receiving anastrozole as initial adjuvant therapy. METHODS: Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer receiving anastrozole as adjuvant therapy at our center since 2004 were enrolled in this study. BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months. Oral bisphosphonate (Bis) treatment was initiated when patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis having a T-score of −2.5 or lower. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were enrolled in the study between 2004 and 2011, and the mean follow-up period was 53.6 months. Thirty-five patients were administered Bis (risedronate in 27 patients, alendronate in 8 patients). After 6 months of hormone therapy, BMD decreased by 0.5% from baseline at the lumbar spine (LS) and BMD decreased by 1.5% at the femoral neck (FN). However, BMD increased by 1.9% at the LS and BMD decreased by 1.5% at the FN for 60 months of treatment. In patients treated with upfront Bis (n = 19), 5.4% BMD increase from baseline was noted at the LS whereas in those without Bis (n = 21) BMD decreased by 4.3% from baseline within 24 months (P < 0.0001). Fractures were observed in 4 patients (7.3%), and 1 patient (1.8%) had a fragility fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Upfront treatment of Bis with anastrozole significantly increased BMD at the LS and an optimal use of Bis would not increase bone fractures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000001757

Pathophysiological relevance of sputum MUC5AC and MUC5B levels in patients with mild asthma

[Background] Airway mucus hypersecretion is an important pathophysiological feature of asthma. MUC5AC and MUC5B are the major secreted polymeric mucins in airways, and their compositions affect mucus properties. Despite the increasing appreciation of MUC5AC and MUC5B compositions in asthmatic airways, their pathophysiological relevance remains to be fully understood in humans. [Methods] In this cross-sectional study, we prospectively enrolled newly referred steroid-untreated patients with mild asthma and healthy controls. We compared induced sputum MUC5AC and MUC5B levels between patients and controls. Subsequently, we assessed the correlation between MUC5AC and MUC5B levels and clinical indices in patients. Sputum MUC5AC and MUC5B levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. [Results] Sputum MUC5AC and MUC5B levels were significantly higher in patients (n = 87) than in controls (n = 22) (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.006, respectively). The ratio of sputum MUC5AC to MUC5B tended to be higher in patients than in controls (p = 0.07). Sputum MUC5AC levels significantly and positively correlated with fractional exhaled nitric oxide at expiratory flow of 50 mL/s (Spearman's rho = 0.29, p = 0.006), sputum eosinophil proportion (rho = 0.34, p = 0.0013), and airway sensitivity (rho = 0.39, p = 0.0005). By contrast, sputum MUC5B levels significantly and positively correlated with airway sensitivity (rho = 0.35, p = 0.002) and negatively correlated with airway reactivity (rho = −0.33, p = 0.004). [Conclusions] Sputum MUC5AC is increased by protein levels and involved in airway type 2/eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in steroid-untreated patients with mild asthma

Paraganglioma that caused sinus arrest

Paragangliomas are neural-crest-derived nonepithelial neuroendocrine tumors distributed along the parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves. To our knowledge, no studies were reported regarding sinus arrest on day 4 after paraganglioma resection. A 66-year-old female patient with a history of pulmonary vein isolation visited our department for sigmoid colon cancer treatment. Enhanced computed tomography revealed an enhanced small nodule-like lymph node near the root of the inferior mesenteric artery. The patient underwent laparoscopic colectomy with regional lymph node dissection. Postoperatively, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation attacks developed, and the patient resumed oral medication. Additionally, sinus arrest after tachycardia developed. Changing the oral medication could maintain her circulatory dynamics. Pathological examination revealed that differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma infiltrated the submucosa. Immunohistochemically, the excised nodule as a lymph node was considered a functional paraganglioma. Our case indicates that paraganglioma resection and oral medication resumption may contribute to sinus arrest. When arrhythmias affecting the circulation occur perioperatively, the presence of a catecholamine-producing tumor should be considered in addition to cardiac disease

セキジュウジ ヒョウショウ ノ シヨウ ト カンリ ニ カンスル ジョウヤク キソク カイセツシュウ ノ ヘンサン

赤十字標章は、武力紛争時において医療活動を行う組織、要員及び資機材を保護するために1864年のジュネーブ条約によりその使用が規定された国際特殊標章である。本研究は、同標章の使用と管理を規定する国際文書及び国内文書並びに解説書を網羅した文献集を編纂することにより、標章の使用と管理を行う関係機関がこれらの適正な運用を図ることに資することを目的にする。本稿は、標記研究の成果として平成22年3月に刊行の『赤十字標章ハンドブック～標章の使用と管理の条約・規則・解説集』([株]東信堂刊)の「はしがき」「目次」「凡例」のみを抜粋し、本研究の概要を解説したものであり、研究の全体像については同書を参照ください。The Red Cross emblem, which was first adopted as an international distinctive emblem in the Geneva Convention of 1864, has been exclusively used for protecting the medical services of military or civilian in times of armed conflicts and, after WWII, more widely used in peace time as well. This study is aimed at compiling the collective documents of international, domestic legal instruments and their major commentaries on the applied use of the Red Cross emblem. Henceforth to facilitate proper use/management of the emblem among parties concerned with helping secure a better implementation of the law governing the use of the emblem. This abstract summarizes the outline of study by extracting the "introduction," "contents" and "explanatory notes" from "The Handbook on the Red Cross emblem: documents and commentaries on its use," to be published in March 2010. As for the full contents of the study, please refer to the above Handbook