X-Ray View of the Shock Front in the Merging Cluster Abell 3376 with Suzaku

We report on a Suzaku measurement of the shock feature associated with the western radio relic in the merging cluster A3376. The temperature profile is characterized by an almost flat radial shape with kT ~ 4 keV within 0.5 r200 and a rise by about 1 keV inside the radio relic. Across the relic region (0.6-0.8 r200), the temperature shows a remarkable drop from about 4.7 keV to 1.3 keV. This is a clear evidence that the radio relic really corresponds to a shock front possibly caused by a past major merger. The observed sharp changes of the temperature and electron density indicate the Mach number M~3. The radial entropy profile is flatter than the prediction (r^1.1) of numerical simulations within 0.5 r200}, and becomes steeper around the relic region. These observed features and time-scale estimation consistently imply that the ICM around the radio relic has experienced a merger shock and is in the middle of the process of dynamical and thermal relaxation.Comment: Accepted for publication in PASJ (12 pages, 6 figures

Emergency Operation for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma of the Small Intestine

We report 5 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the small intestine (S-NHL) treated with emergency operation. These cases showed three reasons for emergency operation :［1］massive hemorrhage with shock before diagnosis of S-NHL (Case 1),［2］obstruction of the small intestine before and during chemotherapeutic treatment for S-NHL (Cases 2 and 3),and［3］spontaneous perforation with peritonitis before diagnosis of SNHL or iatrogenic perforation following chemotherapy (Cases 4 and 5).For tumor discovery,double-balloon endoscopy of the small intestine was employed in 3 cases.Three tumors were histologically diagnosed before treatment,while 2 were histopathologically diagnosed using the resected specimens after emergency operation. An advanced stage of NHL was frequently observed.No surgical mortality accurred.We always consider the possibility of emergency operation before, during, and after the diagnosis and treatment of patients with SNHL. Shinshu Med J 60 : 21-25, 2012Article信州医学雑誌 60(1): 21-25(2012)departmental bulletin pape

Suzaku and Chandra observations of the galaxy cluster RXC J1053.7+5453 with a radio relic

We present the results of Suzaku and Chandra observations of the galaxy cluster RXC J1053.7+5453 ($z=0.0704$), which contains a radio relic. The radio relic is located at the distance of $\sim 540$ kpc from the X-ray peak toward the west. We measured the temperature of this cluster for the first time. The resultant temperature in the center is $\sim 1.3$ keV, which is lower than the value expected from the X-ray luminosity - temperature and the velocity dispersion - temperature relation. Though we did not find a significant temperature jump at the outer edge of the relic, our results suggest that the temperature decreases outward across the relic. Assuming the existence of the shock at the relic, its Mach number becomes $M \simeq 1.4$. A possible spatial variation of Mach number along the relic is suggested. Additionally, a sharp surface brightness edge is found at the distance of $\sim 160$ kpc from the X-ray peak toward the west in the Chandra image. We performed X-ray spectral and surface brightness analyses around the edge with Suzaku and Chandra data, respectively. The obtained surface brightness and temperature profiles suggest that this edge is not a shock but likely a cold front. Alternatively, it cannot be ruled out that thermal pressure is really discontinuous across the edge. In this case, if the pressure across the surface brightness edge is in equilibrium, other forms of pressure sources, such as cosmic-rays, are necessary. We searched for the non-thermal inverse Compton component in the relic region. Assuming the photon index $\Gamma = 2.0$, the resultant upper limit of the flux is $1.9 \times 10^{-14} {\rm erg \ s^{-1} \ cm^{-2}}$ for $4.50 \times 10^{-3} {\rm \ deg^{2}}$ area in the 0.3-10 keV band, which implies that the lower limit of magnetic field strength becomes $ 0.7 {\rm \ \mu G}$.Comment: 13page, 8 figures, accepted for publication in PASJ. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1508.0584

Dynamically Integrated Transport Approach for High-Energy Nuclear Collisions at High Baryon Density

To explore the structure of the QCD phase diagram in high baryon density domain, several high-energy nuclear collision experiments in a wide range of beam energies are currently performed or planned using many accelerator facilities. In these experiments search for a first-order phase transition and the QCD critical point is one of the most important topics. To find the signature of the phase transition, experimental data should be compared to appropriate dynamical models which quantitatively describe the process of the collisions. In this study we develop a new dynamical model on the basis of the non-equilibrium hadronic transport model JAM and 3+1D hydrodynamics. We show that the new model reproduce well the experimental beam-energy dependence of hadron yields and particle ratio by the partial thermalization of the system in our core-corona approach.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; contribution to the proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Quarks and Nuclear Physics (QNP2018), Tsukuba, November 13-17, 201

A mid term comparison of open wedge high tibial osteotomy vs unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The choice of surgical treatments for unicompartmental osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is still somewhat controversial. Midterm results from cases treated using unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) or open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) were evaluated retrospectively.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-seven knees of 24 patients with varus deformities underwent OWHTO and 30 knees of 18 patients underwent UKA surgeries for the treatment of medial compartmental osteoarthritis (OA). The KSS score, FTA, range of motion and complications were evaluated before and after surgery.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The preoperative mean KSS scores were 49 points in the OWHTO group and 62 in the UKA group which improved postoperatively to 89 (excellent; 19 knees, good; 8 knees), and 88 (excellent; 25, good; 4, fair; 1), respectively. There was no significant difference between the OWHTO and UKA scores. Seventeen patients in the OWHTO group could sit comfortably in the formal Japanese style after surgery. The preoperative mean FTA values for the OWHTO and UKA groups were 182 degrees and 184, and at follow-up measured 169 and 170, respectively. In the UKA group, the femoral component and the polyethylene insertion in one patient was exchanged at 5 years post-surgery and revision TKAs were performed in 2 cases. In the OWHTO group, one tibial plateau fracture and one subcutaneous tissue infection were noted.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Treatment options should be carefully considered for each OA patient in accordance with their activity levels, grade of advanced OA, age, and range of motion of the knee. OWHTO shows an improved indication for active patients with a good range of motion of the knee.</p

Mid- term results of stryker® scorpio plus mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: The mobile bearing knee system was introduced to lessen contact stress on the articular bearing surface and reduce polyethylene wear. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the mid-term results of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) using Scorpio Plus Mobile Bearing Knee System (Stryker, Mahwah, NJ), and compare the outcomes between patients with osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis (OA·ON group) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA group). METHODS: Eight males and 58 females were followed up for a period of 4.4- 7.6 years from June 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005. There were 53 knees with osteoarthritis, 17 knees with rheumatoid arthritis, and 6 knees with osteonecrosis. Clinical and radiographic follow- up was done using The Japanese Orthopedic Association knee rating score (JOA score) and Knee Society Total Knee Arthroplasty Roentgenographic Evaluation and Scoring System. RESULTS: With regard to the JOA score, there was significant improvement in both groups. The postoperative range of motion was between 0.8°and 116.8° in OA·ON group, and between 0.0° and 113.7° in RA group. There were no significant differences with the radiographic evaluation between two groups. Spontaneous dislocation of a polyethylene insert occurred in one patient, and deep infection was occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION: There was significant improvement with regard to the clinical and radiographic results of patients undergoing TKAs using the model. The risk of polyethylene insert dislocation related to the mobile bearing TKA is a cause for concern

Clinical evaluation of a fully automated and high-throughput molecular testing system for detection of influenza virus

Introduction: We investigated the performance of the cobas® 6800 system and cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B, a fully automated molecular testing system for influenza viruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This enabled an assay in a batch of 96 samples in approximately 3 h. Methods: An assay was performed using the cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B on the cobas 6800 system for samples collected in four facilities between November 2019 and March 2020 in our previous study. The results were compared with those obtained using the reference methods.Results: Of the 127 samples analyzed, the cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B detected influenza A virus in 75 samples, of which 73 were positive using the reference methods. No false negative results were observed. The overall positive and negative percent agreement for influenza A virus detection were 100.0% and 96.3%, respectively. There were no positive results for the influenza B virus or SARS-CoV-2.Conclusion: The cobas 6800 system and cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B showed high accuracy for influenza A virus detection and can be useful for clinical laboratories, especially those that routinely assay many samples

Neuropilin-2 expression in breast cancer: correlation with lymph node metastasis, poor prognosis, and regulation of CXCR4 expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neuropilin-2 (Nrp2) is a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), which is a well-known lymphangiogenic factor and plays an important role in lymph node metastasis of various human cancers, including breast cancer. Recently, Nrp2 was shown to play a role in cancer by promoting tumor cell metastasis. CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) also promotes tumor metastasis. In the previous studies, we demonstrated that VEGF-C and cytoplasmic CXCR4 expressions were correlated with poorer patient prognosis (BMC Cancer 2008,8:340; Breast Cancer Res Treat 2005, 91:125–132).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The relationship between Nrp2 expression and lymph node metastasis, VEGF-C expression, CXCR4 expression, and other established clinicopathological variables (these data were cited in our previous papers), including prognosis, was analyzed in human breast cancer. Effects of neutralizing anti-Nrp2 antibody on CXCR4 expression and chemotaxis were assessed in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nrp2 expression was observed in 53.1% (60 of 113) of the invasive breast carcinomas. Nrp2 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, VEGF-C expression, and cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression. Survival curves determined by the Kaplan-Meier method showed that Nrp2 expression was associated with reduced overall survival. In multivariate analysis, Nrp2 expression emerged as a significant independent predictor for overall survival. Neutralizing anti-Nrp2 antibody blocks cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression and CXCR4-induced migration in MDA-MB-231 cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Nrp2 expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis, VEGF-C expression, and cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression. Nrp2 expression may serve as a significant prognostic factor for long-term survival in breast cancer. Our data also showed a role for Nrp2 in regulating cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression <it>in vitro</it>.</p