A new approach to improve dynamic characteristics of digitally controlled buck-boost dc-dc converter

This paper presents a new digital control buck-boost dc-dc converter with bias model to improve dynamic characteristics. The buck-boost converter needs to respond appropriately to changing input voltage and load change with wide input voltage. This approach makes adjustment to the bias value by input voltage and output current. As a result, it is revealed that not only the dynamic characteristics but also static characteristics can be improved and it is effective for wide range input voltage.2010 International Symposium on Power Electronics, Electrical Drives, Automation and Motion (SPEEDAM 2010) : Pisa, Italy, 2010.06.14-2010.06.1

Successful Treatment of MMP-9-Expressing Angiosarcoma with Low-Dose Docetaxel and Bisphosphonate

We describe a 78-year-old Japanese patient with angiosarcoma on the scalp. Interestingly, immunohistochemical staining revealed this tumor as positive for matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). After conventional therapy for angiosarcoma with surgical treatment and radiation therapy, we intravenously administered docetaxel at 40 mg/m2 body surface area together with oral administration of 17.5 mg sodium risedronate hydrate. One and a half years after the standard treatment, there was no evidence of local recurrence or metastasis

大学生のコンタクトレンズ使用状況および使用に関する実態調査

To investigate the adequate use of contact lenses (CL) and the necessity health guidance to prevent ocular disorders, we conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the use of CL and the presence or absence of ocular disorders in 127 students from whom informed consent regarding the survey contents was obtained. Seventy students (55.1%) used CL. The make-to-female ratio was 1:2. The mean interval from the start of CL application was 5.1±2.4 years. The types of CL consisted of hard CL in 12.9% of the 70 students, conventional soft CL (SCL) in 21.4%, frequent-replacement SCL (2 weeks) (FRSCL) in 50.0%, and daily disposable SCL in 15.7%. The proportion of students using FRSCL was the highest. The duration of wearing CL per day ranged from 12 to 14 hours; students wearing CL over many hours accounted for more than 50%. Concerning their experience regarding CL-related ocular disorders, 62.9% reported a history of oculopathy, including severe cases such as endophthalmitis. These results suggest that a method to inform CL users of the risk of CL-related ocular disorders, which develop despite appropriate care and periodic consultations, should be examined

Geographic disparity of pathophysiological coronary artery disease characteristics: Insights from ASET trials

The geographical disparity in the pathophysiological pattern of coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unknown. To elucidate the geographical variance in the pathophysiological characteristics of CAD. Physiological indices derived from angiography-based fractional flow reserve pullbacks from patients with chronic coronary syndrome enrolled in the ASET Japan (n = 206) and ASET Brazil (n = 201) studies, which shared the same eligibility criteria, were analysed. The pathophysiological patterns of CAD were characterised using Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (μQFR)-derived indices acquired from pre-PCI angiograms. The diffuseness of CAD was defined by the μQFR pullback pressure gradient index. Significant functional stenoses pre-PCI (μQFR ≤0.80) were more frequent in ASET Japan compared to ASET Brazil (89.9% vs. 67.5%, p < 0.001), as were rates of a post-PCI μQFR <0.91 (22.1% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.013). In the multivariable analysis, pre-procedural μQFR and diffuse disease were independent factors for predicting a post-PCI μQFR <0.91, which contributed to the different rates of post-PCI μQFR ≥0.91 between the studies. Among vessels with a post-PCI μQFR <0.91, a consistent diffuse pattern of CAD pre- and post-PCI occurred in 78.3% and 76.7% of patients in ASET Japan and Brazil, respectively; only 6.3% (Japan) and 10.0% (Brazil) of vessels had a major residual gradient. Independent risk factors for diffuse disease were diabetes mellitus in ASET Japan, and age and male gender in Brazil. There was geographic disparity in pre-procedural angiography-based pathophysiological characteristics. The combined pre-procedural physiological assessment of vessel μQFR and diffuseness of CAD may potentially identify patients who will benefit most from PCI. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adult Onset of BRAFV600E-Mutated Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis with Cutaneous Involvement Successfully Diagnosed by Immunohistochemical Staining

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterized by the clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells; it is categorized as a single-system disease with single or multifocal lesions, and as a multi-system disease with or without the risk of organ involvement. Although the skin is not categorized as a risk organ, the precise diagnosis of skin lesions is necessary to determine the protocol for the treatment of LCH. In this report, we describe a 28-year-old Japanese man with adult onset of BRAFV600E-mutated LCH with cutaneous involvement successfully diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining. Our report suggests that immunohistochemical staining for the BRAFV600E gene could be a diagnostic tool to determine the clinical type of LCH

A long-surviving patient with advanced esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma treated only with radiotherapy: case report and literature review

Abstract Background Esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (EBSCC) is a rare malignant disease. Advanced EBSCC (AEBSCC) has a poorer prognosis than the more common esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but no treatment policy has yet been established. This is the first reported case with AEBSCC treated only with radiotherapy. Thus, our long-surviving patient merits consideration. We therefore reviewed cases with the same stage of AEBSCC for further investigation. Case presentation An 85-year-old man with a chief complaint of difficulty swallowing foods was diagnosed with AEBSCC, cT3N1M0, stage III, by thorough examination. The basaloid carcinoma extended from the upper thoracic esophagus to the middle thoracic esophagus based on imaging studies, endoscopy and biopsy. Morphologically, the tumor was an elevated ulcerative area. We conducted radiotherapy to relieve symptoms, as the patient and his family refused aggressive treatment. He has remained alive without recurrence for 2 years, to date, after completing radiotherapy. Conclusions Basaloid carcinoma might be highly sensitive to radiotherapy. Thus, radiotherapy for local control might be beneficial for elderly patients with complications and those refusing aggressive treatment

Successful Treatment of Plasmacytosis Circumorificialis with Topical Tacrolimus: Two Case Reports and an Immunohistochemical Study

Plasmacytosis circumorificialis (PLC), a benign chronic inflammatory disease with an unknown pathogenesis, is characterized by erythema, erosion nodules and ulcers around the openings of the human body. In this report, we describe two cases of PLC successfully treated with topical tacrolimus. Interestingly, immunohistochemical staining revealed that prominent CD163+ proinflammatory macrophages and IL-17-producing cells were infiltrating around plasma cells, which might suggest the reason for the therapeutic effect of topical tacrolimus on PLC