Search Results (59)

Mid-infrared passive spectroscopic imaging is a novel non-invasive and remote sensing method based on Planck’s law. It enables the acquisition of component-specific information from the human body by measuring naturally emitted thermal radiation in the mid-infrared region. Unlike active methods that require an external light source, our passive approach harnesses the body’s own emission, thereby enabling safe, long-term monitoring. In this study, we successfully demonstrated the simultaneous, non-invasive measurements of blood glucose and lactate levels of the human body using this method. The measurements, conducted over approximately 80 min, provided emittance data derived from mid-infrared passive spectroscopy that showed a temporal correlation with values obtained using conventional blood collection sensors. Furthermore, to evaluate localized metabolic changes, we performed k-means clustering analysis of the spectral data obtained from the upper arm. This enabled visualization of time-dependent lactate responses with spatial resolution. These results demonstrate the feasibility of multi-component monitoring without physical contact or biological sampling. The proposed technique holds promise for translation to medical diagnostics, continuous health monitoring, and sports medicine, in addition to facilitating the development of next-generation healthcare technologies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pembrolizumab demonstrates a high response rate in patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), with responses often sustained even after treatment cessation. However, the pathological complete response (pCR) rate in clinically responding cases remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the radiological and pathological responses in patients with dMMR mCRC who responded to pembrolizumab. Methods: This retrospective study included 27 patients with dMMR mCRC treated with pembrolizumab. The radiological response was assessed using RECIST version 1.1 criteria. The pathological response was evaluated in patients who underwent metastasectomy, with pCR defined as the absence of residual cancer cells. Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the cohort was 19 months. Among the 27 patients, 3 achieved clinical complete response (cCR), and 10 had clinical partial response (cPR), resulting in a response rate of 48%. All three patients with cCR maintained their responses without metastasectomy (2-year PFS: 100%). Among patients with cPR, eight maintained their responses, while two experienced progression (2-year PFS: 75%). Five patients with cPR underwent curative-intent metastasectomy, and four of them (80%) achieved pCR. Thus, at least 40% of patients with cPR in this cohort had no residual cancer histologically. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the significant discordance between the radiological and pathological responses to pembrolizumab in dMMR mCRC patients, with 80% of those with cPR achieving pCR upon metastasectomy. These observations highlight the need for improved response assessment methods for precision immunotherapy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Facial asymmetry is known to cause not only deformities in the facial skeleton but also alterations in the cranial vault. However, limited research has explored the association between mandibular asymmetry and cranial vault deformation. This study aimed to evaluate the three-dimensional craniofacial morphology, including the cranial vault, in patients with skeletal mandibular prognathism using computed tomography (CT) imaging. Methods: Patients were classified into two groups: those with facial asymmetry (ANB ≤ 0°, Menton deviation ≥ 4 mm) and those without (ANB ≤ 0°, Menton deviation < 3 mm). Reference planes were established in three orthogonal directions, and distances from anatomical landmarks on the maxilla and mandible to each reference plane were measured. Additionally, the cranial vault was segmented into four regions, and the volume of each section was calculated. Results: Compared with the symmetric group, the asymmetric group exhibited significant lateral displacement in the maxilla and both anteroposterior and lateral displacements in the mandible. Furthermore, a significant difference in the posterior cranial vault volume between the left and right sides was observed in the asymmetric group. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.543, p = 0.045) was also found between the direction of mandibular deviation and the direction of posterior cranial vault deformation. Conclusions: A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.543, p = 0.045) was observed between mandibular deviation and posterior cranial vault asymmetry. These findings may suggest that the cranial vault morphology may influence facial asymmetry, and it may serve as one of the considerations for discussing the necessity of early intervention for cranial vault deformity during infancy. Full article

Propofol is commonly used for anesthetic induction, but its dose-dependent hypotensive effect remains a concern. Although the required dose for loss of consciousness decreases with age, the optimal induction dose in older individuals is not well established. This retrospective study aimed to construct a neural network model to predict the propofol induction dose and to quantify the relationship between age and the propofol induction dose through model-based simulations. We analyzed data from 405 patients who underwent elective non-cardiac surgery. A multilayer perceptron model (“model N”) was developed to predict the required induction dose based on clinical parameters. Its predictive performance was compared with that of “model P”, a previously published regression equation derived from multivariable analysis, using the RMSE and MAE. Model N showed significantly better accuracy than model P (RMSE: 17.6 vs. 25.8; MAE: 13.0 vs. 16.7; p < 0.001). Simulation utilizing model N revealed that the induction dose of propofol per body weight decreased by approximately 0.1 mg/kg for every 10-year increase in age. These findings suggest that our proposed model may help determine more accurate and safer dosing strategies for elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia. Full article

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the rotation speed of ball milling on the CO₂ reduction performance of P₄O₁₀/TiO₂. The rotation speeds studied were 600 rpm, 400 rpm and 200 rpm. It is revealed that the particle size of P₄O₁₀ within P₄O₁₀/TiO₂ prepared at the rotation speed of 600 rpm was the smallest among the investigated rotation speeds. It is revealed that the concentration of formed CO, as well as the molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst P₄O₁₀/TiO₂, prepared at the rotation speed of 600 rpm in the case of CO₂:H₂O = 1:1 was the highest among the different molar ratios irrespective of light illumination condition. In the case of CO₂:H₂O = 1:1 under the light illumination conditions of UV and VIS and IR, VIS and IR, and IR, the following findings were obtained: The molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst prepared at 600 rpm was 25.2 μmol/g under the light illumination condition of UV and VIS and IR, which was 20.3% more than that prepared at 400 rpm and 20.6% more than that prepared at 200 rpm. The molar quantity of CO per unit weight of rotation speed of 600 rpm under the light illumination condition of VIS and IR was 18.4 μmol/g, which was 21.3% more than that prepared at 400 rpm and 38.7% more than that prepared at 200 rpm. The molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst prepared at 600 rpm was 11.9 μmol/g under the light illumination condition of IR, which was 1.8% more than that prepared at 400 rpm and 8.2% more than that prepared at 200 rpm. Full article

Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) can worsen the quality of life and prognosis of patients with cirrhosis. We analyzed the risk factors of CHE and identified patients at high risk for overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) who would benefit from therapeutic interventions. We included 145 patients without a history of or treatment for overt HE. Patients were divided into the CHE and no-CHE groups (n = 91 and 54, respectively). CHE had a score above the age-based cutoff value of one of the neuropsychological tests, such as the Stroop and number connection tests. CHE prevalence was 62.8% (n = 91). Compared with the no-CHE group, the CHE group had significantly lower serum zinc and albumin levels. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified serum zinc levels at a cutoff value of 74 µg/dL. Subclinical zinc deficiency showed a diagnostic performance of 55.6% sensitivity and 81.5% specificity for CHE. Blood ammonia levels and liver functional reserves were not predictive of CHE. Compared with patients with zinc levels < 74 µg/dL (n = 102), those with ≥74 µg/dL (n = 43) had significantly lower CHE prevalence and better hepatic functional reserve. Subclinical zinc deficiency was associated with CHE occurrence in patients with cirrhosis without a history of or treatment for overt HE. Measurement of zinc levels facilitates early detection of CHE by neuropsychological testing. Full article

Background/Objectives: As endoscopy is increasingly being used to diagnose superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs), there is a growing need for their early detection and minimally invasive treatment. This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of biopsy specimens for SNADETs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinicopathologic data from 98 patients with SNADETs who had undergone endoscopic resection. The presurgical diagnosis, based on biopsy specimens, was compared with the histological diagnosis of the excised specimens. Results: Herein, preoperative biopsies were performed on 98 SNADETs specimens from 91 patients. Of the 68 adenomas and 30 carcinomas, 22.4% adenomas were later found to be carcinomas. Carcinoma biopsy diagnosis sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 54.6%, 80.0%, and 71.4%, respectively. Biopsy accuracy for carcinoma differed significantly by location to the papilla of Vater (p = 0.0455). The preoperative biopsy diagnostics’ sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for oral and anal carcinomas to Vater papilla were 69.2%, 92.0%, and 84.2% and 42.1%, 73.2%, and 63.3%, respectively. Conclusions: The diagnostic accuracy of biopsy for SNADETs was low; however, it was higher on the oral side than the anal side of the papilla of Vater. The biopsy of duodenal lesions should be performed after an endoscopic examination, considering their location and reducing the risks of fibrosis. Full article

The purpose of this study is to reveal the characteristics of a Pd/Cu membrane and Ni/Cr catalyst adopted in a biogas dry reforming (BDR) membrane reactor by the numerical simulation procedure. The commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics ver. 6.2 was adopted in the numerical simulation. COMSOL is one type of commercial software that can solve multiphysics phenomena, i.e., chemical reaction, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, etc. The impact of the initial reaction temperature and the thickness of the Pd/Cu membrane on the performance of the BDR membrane reactor using an Ni/Cr catalyst is also investigated. The initial reaction temperatures adopted were 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C, and the thicknesses of the Pd/Cu membrane were varied at 20 μm, 40 μm, and 60 μm. It was discovered that when the initial reaction temperature was raised, the molar concentration of H₂ increased while the molar concentrations of CH₄ and CO₂ decreased. Because the penetration resistance of the Pd/Cu membrane decreased with the decrease in the thickness of the Pd/Cu membrane, the molar concentrations of H₂ remaining in the Pd/Cu membrane and sweep chamber rose with the decrease in the thickness of the Pd/Cu membrane. Full article

Living bodies emit mid-infrared light (wavelength band centered at approximately 10 µm) with a temperature-dependent intensity. Several studies have shown the possibility of measuring blood glucose levels using the mid-infrared emission of living bodies, and we have demonstrated non-invasive blood glucose measurements through distant wrist measurements (wavelength 8–14 µm) by mid-infrared passive spectroscopic imaging. However, it is not clear why blood glucose is detectable, as there is no formula that shows the effect of material thickness and concentration on emission intensity. In this study, we developed a principle for understanding glucose detection by proposing that an emission integral effect underpins the changes in emission intensity with substance thickness and absorption coefficient. We demonstrate the emission integral effect by measuring the spectral radiance of polypropylene with different thicknesses using mid-infrared passive spectroscopic imaging. The simulation results based on the emission integral effect indicate that in living bodies, dilute components such as glucose are easier to identify than components with high concentrations. Mid-infrared passive spectroscopic imaging offers potential innovative solutions for measuring various substances from a distance, with the emission integral effect acting as the basic working principle. Full article

The aim of the present study was to clarify the influence of the thickness of the Pd/Cu membrane on the characteristics of biogas dry reforming (BDR) with aNi/Cr/Ru catalyst. We also clarified the impact of the reaction temperature, the molar ratio of CH₄:CO₂, the differential pressure between the reaction and sweep chambers, and the introduction of a sweep gas on the characteristics of a BDR reactor with a Pd/Cu membrane and a Ni/Cr/Ru catalyst. Through this study’s results, we clarify that the concentration of H₂ in the reaction chamber and the sweep chamber increases with the increase in the reaction temperature. In addition, this study clarifies that the highest concentration of H₂ in the reaction chamber and the sweep chamber can be obtained with a molar ratio of CH₄:CO₂ = 1.5:1. This study also clarifies that the highest concentration of H₂ can be obtained with a thickness of 40 μm, a molar ratio of CH₄:CO₂ = 1.5:1, and a differential pressure between the reaction chamber and the sweep chamber of 0 MPa without a sweep gas, which was 4890 ppmV in the reaction chamber and 38 ppmV in the sweep chamber. Under these conditions, CH₄ conversion, H₂ yield, and thermal efficiency were 75.0%, 0.214%, and 2.92%, respectively. Full article

Proline is the most abundant amino acid in wine and beer, largely due to the limited utilization of proline by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae during fermentation. Previous studies have shown that the arginine transporter Can1 plays a role in regulating proline utilization by acting as a transceptor, combining the functions of both a transporter and a receptor for basic amino acids. However, the CAN1-disrupted strains have exhibited the inhibition of proline utilization under nutrient-rich conditions, indicating that additional factors beyond basic amino acids contribute to the inhibition of proline utilization. Here, we used the parent strain with the CAN1 deletion to derive mutants that can utilize proline even under nutrient-rich conditions. A genomic analysis revealed a mutation in the MET30 gene, which encodes an F-box subunit of the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex, that causes reduced Met30 function. Importantly, we found that Met30 and Can1 independently regulate proline utilization. Our screening showed that the Met30-dependent inhibition of proline utilization occurs when ammonium ions, methionine or cysteine, and another amino acid (especially threonine or isoleucine) are present simultaneously. The present data offer new insights into the regulation of proline metabolism. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anticoagulant therapy, particularly the use of direct oral anticoagulant agents (DOACs), is recommended for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This multicenter observational retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of DOACs compared to warfarin in Japanese patients aged 75 years and older with NVAF. Methods: Data from the Mie-Life Innovation Promotion Center Database were used to collect medical information on the patients. The cumulative incidences of clinically significant bleeding events and systemic embolic events (SEEs) were analyzed. Results: This study included 1787 older adult patients, of whom 1321 received DOACs (edoxaban: 428; apixaban: 586; dabigatran: 105; rivaroxaban: 202) and 466 receiving warfarin. There were no statistically significant differences in the cumulative incidence of bleeding events between the DOAC- and warfarin-treated groups. However, a statistically significant difference was observed for SEEs, with dabigatran showing a significantly lower incidence compared to warfarin. Conclusions: The incidence rates of bleeding events for individual DOACs were comparable to those for warfarin. Additionally, a history of vascular disorders was identified as a risk factor for bleeding events in the DOAC-treated group (hazard ratio (HR): 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16–2.88, p < 0.01) and warfarin-treated group (HR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.15–2.84, p < 0.01). Based on real-world data, the overall efficacy and safety of DOACs were generally comparable to warfarin. Full article

This numerical study investigates the impact of the reaction temperature, molar ratio of CH₄:CO₂, and catalyst porosity (ε_p) on the H₂ yield and H₂ selectivity during biogas dry reforming over a Ni/Cr catalyst. Using COMSOL Multiphysics, we conducted detailed simulations to elucidate the underlying reaction characteristics. Our findings reveal that increasing ε_p from 0.1 to 0.95 significantly provides a 5 times increase in H₂ production and a 2.3% increase in H₂ selectivity while simultaneously reducing CO selectivity by 2.3%. This effect is attributed to the improved mass transfer within the catalyst bed, leading to more efficient reactant conversion and product formation. Additionally, we observed a strong correlation between higher reaction temperatures and increased H₂ yield and H₂ selectivity. By optimizing these operational parameters, our results suggest that Ni/Cr catalysts can be effectively employed for the sustainable production of H₂ from biogas. Full article

Background: The short-term outcomes of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with S-1 (a combination of tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil) following limited surgery for patients with T1 or T2 lower rectal cancer have shown encouraging results. Objectives: This study was designed to delve deeper into the long-term outcomes of CRT with S-1 after limited surgery, with the goal of evaluating both the long-term efficacy and potential risks associated with this treatment approach in patients diagnosed with T1 or T2 lower rectal cancer. Methods: This was conducted as a multicenter, single-arm, prospective phase II trial. The patient population consisted of individuals clinically diagnosed with either T1 or T2 lower rectal or anal canal cancer, with a maximum tumor diameter of 30 mm and classified as N0 or M0. Patients underwent local excision or endoscopic resection. After surgery, CRT with S-1 was administered to patients meeting several criteria, including the confirmation of well-differentiated or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, negative surgical margins, submucosal invasion depth of ≥1000 µm, and high tumor-budding grade (2/3). The primary endpoint of this study was relapse-free survival, while secondary endpoints included local recurrence-free survival, overall survival, anal sphincter preservation rate, and safety. Results: A total of 52 patients were included, with pathological diagnoses revealing T1 in 36 patients and T2 in 16 patients. The 3-year and 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 90.17% and 85.87%, respectively. The 3-year and 5-year local recurrence-free survival rates were 90.17% and 88.07%, respectively, while the 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 94.03% and 91.94%, respectively. Conclusions: CRT with S-1 after limited surgery for T1 lower rectal cancer demonstrated favorable outcomes in terms of recurrence, survival, and local control rates while effectively maintaining anal function in patients. However, further treatment approaches may be necessary to improve outcomes for patients diagnosed with stage T2 lower rectal cancer Full article

The present study pays attention to biogas dry reforming for the purpose of producing H₂. It is known that biogas contains approximately 40 vol% CO₂, causing a decrease in the efficiency of power generation due to its lower heating value compared to natural gas, i.e., CH₄. We suggest a hybrid system composed of a biogas dry reforming membrane reactor and a high-temperature fuel cell, i.e., a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Since biogas dry reforming is an endothermic reaction, we adopt a membrane reactor, controlled by providing a non-equilibrium state via H₂ separation from the reaction site. The purpose of the present study is to understand the effect of the thickness of the Pd/Cu membrane on the performance of the biogas dry reforming membrane reactor with a Pd/Cu membrane as well as a Ni/Cr catalyst. The impact of the reaction temperature, the molar ratio of CH₄:CO₂ and the differential pressure between the reaction chamber and the sweep chamber on the performance of the biogas dry reforming membrane reactor with the Pd/Cu membrane as well as the Ni/Cr catalyst was investigated by changing the thickness of the Pd/Cu membrane. It was revealed that we can obtain the highest concentration of H₂, of 122,711 ppmV, for CH₄:CO₂ = 1:1 at a reaction temperature of 600 °C and a differential pressure of 0 MPa and using a Pd/Cu membrane with a thickness of 40 μm. Under these conditions, it can be concluded that the differential pressure of 0 MPa provides benefits for practical applications, especially since no power for H₂ separation is necessary. Therefore, the thermal efficiency is improved, and additional equipment, e.g., a pump, is not necessary for practical applications. Full article