The Optimal Cut-offValue of Ankle Brachial Index for Screening Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Hemodialysis Patients

Article信州医学雑誌 64(3): 135-146(2016)journal articl

Spin-charge mixing effects on resonant tunneling in a polarized Luttinger Liquid

We investigate spin-charge mixing effect on resonant tunneling in spin-polarized Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid with double impurities. The mixing arises from Fermi velocity difference between two spin species due to Zeeman effect. Zero bias conductance is calculated as a function of gate voltage $V_{\rm g}$, gate magnetic field $B_{\rm g}$, temperature and magnetic field applied to the system. Mixing effect is shown to cause rotation of the lattice pattern of the conductance peaks in $(V_{\rm g},B_{\rm g})$ plane, which can be observed in experiments. At low temperatures, the contour shapes are classified into three types, reflecting the fact that effective barrier potential is renormalized towards ``perfect reflection'', ``perfect transmission'' and magnetic field induced ``spin-filtering'', respectively.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, Sec.I and references largely changed, results for a strong barrier limit added in a new section Sec.I

Classification of Zeropotent Algebras of Dimension 3 over mathbbRmathbb{R} (Logic, Language, Algebraic system and Related Areas in Computer Science)

This is a summary of our results [Y. Kobayashi, K. Shirayanagi, S.-E. Takahasi and M. Tsukada, Classification of three-dimensional zeropotent algebras over an algebraically closed field, Comm. Algebra, Vol. 45 (12), 5037-5052, 2017.] and [K. Shirayanagi, S.-E. Takahasi, M. Tsukada and Y. Kobayashi, Classification of three-dimensional zeropotent algebras over the real number field, Comm. Algebra, Vol. 46 (11), 4665-4681, 2018.]

Up-regulation of Na+,K+-ATPase α3-isoform and down-regulation of the α1-isoform in human colorectal cancer

AbstractWe investigated expression levels of Na+,K+-ATPase α-isoforms and their ATPase activities in human colorectal cancer tissue and the accompanying normal mucosa. A decrease in expression of the α1-isoform protein was observed in all sampled cancer tissues compared with the normal mucosae. The level of ouabain (5 μM)-sensitive Na+,K+-ATPase activity in carcinomas was 81±5% that of in the normal mucosae. The mRNA expression of α2- and α4-isoforms was decreased in almost all the carcinoma samples. Interestingly, the expression level of the α3-isoform protein in the cancer tissue was higher than that of the normal mucosa. These results indicate that a decrease in the α1-isoform expression and an increase in the α3-isoform expression may be associated with colorectal cancer

K+-Cl- Cotransporter-3a Up-regulates Na+,K+-ATPase in Lipid Rafts of Gastric Luminal Parietal Cells*

Gastric parietal cells migrate from the luminal to the basal region of the gland and they gradually lose acid secretory activity. So far, distribution and function of K+-Clcotransporters (KCCs) in gastric parietal cells have not been reported. We found that KCC3a but not KCC3b mRNA was highly expressed and KCC3a protein was predominantly expressed in the basolateral membrane of rat gastric parietal cells located in the luminal region of the glands. KCC3a and Na+,K+-ATPase α1-subunit (α1NaK) were co-immunoprecipitated and both of them were highly localized in a lipid raft fraction. The ouabain-sensitive K+-dependent ATP-hydrolyzing activity (Na+,K+-ATPase activity) was significantly inhibited by a KCC inhibitor (DIOA). The stable exogenous expression of KCC3a in LLC-PK1 cells resulted in association of KCC3a with endogenous α1NaK and it recruited α1NaK in lipid rafts, accompanying increases of Na+,K+-ATPase activity and ouabain-sensitive Na+ transport activity which were suppressed by DIOA, while the total expression level of α1NaK in the cells was not significantly altered. On the other hand, the expression of KCC4 induced no association with α1NaK. In conclusion, KCC3a forms a functional complex with α1NaK in the basolateral membrane of luminal parietal cells and it up-regulates α1NaK in lipid rafts, while KCC3a is absent in basal parietal cells

Broadband inelastic light scattering of a relaxor ferroelectric 0.71Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.29PbTiO3

Brillouin and Raman scatterings of a 0.71Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.29PbTiO3 single crystal have been measured to investigate broadband inelastic spectra. The two different central peaks related to fast and slow relaxation processes have been observed separately. These two processes are attributed to the thermally activated switching of polarization in polar nanoregions. By the analysis of modified superparaelectric model, the activation energies of fast and slow relaxation processes are determined to be 3.66×103 and 4.31×102 K, respectively. The fast process with the lower activation energy probably originated from 180° switching, whereas the slow one with the higher energy from non-180° switching

Prediction of stroke patients’ bedroom-stay duration: machine-learning approach using wearable sensor data

Background: The importance of being physically active and avoiding staying in bed has been recognized in stroke rehabilitation. However, studies have pointed out that stroke patients admitted to rehabilitation units often spend most of their day immobile and inactive, with limited opportunities for activity outside their bedrooms. To address this issue, it is necessary to record the duration of stroke patients staying in their bedrooms, but it is impractical for medical providers to do this manually during their daily work of providing care. Although an automated approach using wearable devices and access points is more practical, implementing these access points into medical facilities is costly. However, when combined with machine learning, predicting the duration of stroke patients staying in their bedrooms is possible with reduced cost. We assessed using machine learning to estimate bedroom-stay duration using activity data recorded with wearable devices.Method: We recruited 99 stroke hemiparesis inpatients and conducted 343 measurements. Data on electrocardiograms and chest acceleration were measured using a wearable device, and the location name of the access point that detected the signal of the device was recorded. We first investigated the correlation between bedroom-stay duration measured from the access point as the objective variable and activity data measured with a wearable device and demographic information as explanatory variables. To evaluate the duration predictability, we then compared machine-learning models commonly used in medical studies.Results: We conducted 228 measurements that surpassed a 90% data-acquisition rate using Bluetooth Low Energy. Among the explanatory variables, the period spent reclining and sitting/standing were correlated with bedroom-stay duration (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (R) of 0.56 and −0.52, p < 0.001). Interestingly, the sum of the motor and cognitive categories of the functional independence measure, clinical indicators of the abilities of stroke patients, lacked correlation. The correlation between the actual bedroom-stay duration and predicted one using machine-learning models resulted in an R of 0.72 and p < 0.001, suggesting the possibility of predicting bedroom-stay duration from activity data and demographics.Conclusion: Wearable devices, coupled with machine learning, can predict the duration of patients staying in their bedrooms. Once trained, the machine-learning model can predict without continuously tracking the actual location, enabling more cost-effective and privacy-centric future measurements

Nationwide retrospective observational study of idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification : clinical features with a progressive phenotype

Background: Diffuse pulmonary ossification is a specific lung condition that is accompanied by underlying diseases. However, idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification (IDPO) is extremely rare, and the clinical features remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to report the clinical characteristics of IDPO. Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey of patients with IDPO from 2017 to 2019 in Japan and evaluated the clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings of patients diagnosed with IDPO. Results: Twenty-two cases of IDPO were identified. Most subjects (82%) were male, aged 22-56 years (mean (SD), 37.9 (9.1)) at diagnosis. Nearly 80% of the subjects were asymptomatic, and the condition was discovered during a medical check-up. However, 36% of the subjects showed a decline in forced vital capacity (%FVC) predicted <80% at diagnosis. The typical radiological features of high-resolution CT (HRCT) are calcified branching structures that are predominantly distributed in the lower lung fields without any other conspicuous finding. Histopathological analysis also showed dendriform ossified lesions from the intraluminal areas to interstitial areas. Notably, during the follow-up period of 20 years, disease progression was found in 88% on HRCT and more than 50% on pulmonary function tests (FVC and/or forced expiratory volume in 1s). Two cases with rapid decline of 10% /year in %FVC predicted were observed.)) at diagnosis. Nearly 80% of the subjects were asymptomatic, and the condition was discovered during a medical check-up. However, 36% of the subjects showed a decline in forced vital capacity (%FVC) predicted <80% at diagnosis. The typical radiological features of high-resolution CT (HRCT) are calcified branching structures that are predominantly distributed in the lower lung fields without any other conspicuous finding. Histopathological analysis also showed dendriform ossified lesions from the intraluminal areas to interstitial areas. Notably, during the follow-up period of 20 years, disease progression was found in 88% on HRCT and more than 50% on pulmonary function tests (FVC and/or forced expiratory volume in 1s). Two cases with rapid decline of 10% /year in %FVC predicted were observed. )) at diagnosis. Nearly 80% of the subjects wereasymptomatic, and the condition was discovered during a medical check-up. However, 36% of the subjects showed a decline in forced vital capacity (%FVC) predicted <80% at diagnosis. The typical radiological features of high-resolution CT (HRCT) are calcified branching structures that are predominantly distributed in the lower lung fields without any other conspicuous finding. Histopathological analysis also showed dendriform ossified lesions from the intraluminal areas to interstitial areas. Notably, during the follow-up period of 20 years, disease progression was found in 88% on HRCT and more than 50% on pulmonary function tests (FVC and/or forced expiratory volume in 1s). Two cases with rapid decline of 10% /year in %FVC predicted were observed. Conclusions: IDPO develops at a young age with gradually progressive phenotype. Further research and long-term (>20 years) follow-up are required to clarify the pathogenesis and clinical findings in IDPO

ジンコウ ナイジ ウメコミ シュジュツ オ ヨウシタ インフルエンザ カンキン ズイマクエン ノ ダンジ レイ

人工内耳手埋込術を必要としたインフルエンザ桿菌による化膿性髄膜炎を報告した.症例は2 歳男児.感冒症状の5 日目に意識障害が出現し,化膿性髄膜炎と診断された.髄液培養検査で起因菌はインフルエンザ桿菌と判明した.莢膜血清型はb 型で,PBP-3 耐性遺伝子の変異を伴うgBLNAR と判明した.デキサメタゾン0.15 mg/kg×4×4 日,g グロブリン150 mg/kg×2 日,および抗生剤としてCTX 200 mg/kg/日とMEPM120 mg/kg/日を14 日間投与した.経過中,脳MRI で硬膜下膿瘍を確認した.第27 病日の聴性脳幹反応検査では,両耳ともに100 dB 刺激でI-V波すべて無反応を示した.両耳に人工内耳埋込手術を施行し,右耳は聴力が回復したが,左耳は既に蝸牛の骨化が進行し,手術は不能であった.デキサメタゾン療法と適切な抗生剤加療を励行しても,インフルエンザ桿菌による化膿性髄膜炎に伴う聴力障害を完全に回避することは臨床的に不可能である.近年,国内でもインフルエンザ桿菌に対するワクチンが導入された.インフルエンザ桿菌による化膿性髄膜炎および併発する聴力障害を防ぐためには,ワクチン接種による髄膜炎の予防を啓蒙することが重要である.We repot a surgical cochlear implantation for a deafened2-year-old boy with ossified cochleae after plurent meningitisdue to Haemophilus Influenzae type B. Purulent meningitiswas diagnosed following a consciousness disorder appearingon the 5th day of flu-like symptoms. An inspectionof the cerebrospinal fluid culture identified the originatingbacterium as Haemophilus Influenzae. The capsular serotypewas of type b, and was identified as gBLNAR, whichaccompanies a mutation of the PBP-3 resistance gene. A14-day treatment was provided consisting of dexamethasone(0.15 mg/kg×4×4 days), g -globulin (150 mg/kg×2days), and as an antibiotic, (CTX 200 mg/day and MEPM120 mg/kg/day). An MRI scan of the brain revealed a subduralabscess. An auditory brain-stem response test conductedon the 27th day of hospitalization revealed that bothears showed no response to a 100db stimulation of all WaveI-V. Surgery to insert artificial inner ears was carried outon both ears, and although the right ear regained hearing,ossification of the cochlea in the left ear had already progressed,preventing surgery.Despite the administration of dexamethasone therapy andthe appropriate treatment of antibiotics, completely avoidinghearing disability as a result of purulent meningitis dueto Haemophilus influenza is not clinically possible. In recentyears, a vaccine to Haemophilus influenza has been introduceddomestically. In order to prevent the occurrence ofhearing disability associated with purulent meningitis dueto Haemophilus influenzae, it is important to educate societyon the prevention of purulent meningitis through vaccinatio

Clinical, serologic and magnetic resonance imaging of 3 cases of inflammatory myopathy with abundant macrophages in the Japanese population

We report the first 3 cases of inflammatory myopathy with abundant macrophages (IMAM) to be found in an Asian country. Diagnosis of IMAM was based on the infiltration of CD68+ macrophages into biopsied specimens, particularly the fascia. Proximal skeletal muscle symptoms and signs, elevation of creatine kinase, and myogenic changes in electromyography were found in all of the cases, and magnetic resonance imaging clearly revealed thickening of the fascia. Since dermatomyositis (DM)-specific skin alterations were not found, none of the patients in this study fulfilled Bohan and Peter\u27s criteria for DM; however, anti-PL-7 antibody was detected in case number 1. In addition, CD20+ B-cell infiltration into the fascia was also detected in all of the cases, indicating further transition to DM. Severe illness, namely macrophage activation syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome, occurred in case 1 but was resolved with intensive combination therapy. The other 2 cases also required glucocorticoids to achieve remission