Abstract
We have newly developed a vibration isolation system to reduce vibration via heat links, which would be one of the obstacles in the control of KAGRA gravitational wave detector. KAGRA adopts ...cryogenic mirrors for main optics to reduce thermal noise, which is a fundamental noise source in ground-based gravitational wave detectors in 100 Hz region, and achieves the best sensitivity in this frequency region in the world. The cryogenic mirror needs to be cooled down rapidly not to waste observation time and quietly not to disturb the mirror suspension system. For the former, radiative cooling works effectively with black coatings in high temperature region. Conductive cooling will strongly work with heat links in low temperature. However, according to our calculation, it was revealed that vibration via heat links impairs the detector sensitivity in several dozen Hz. The cryogenic suspension with heat links needs to be properly controlled up to almost same frequency region, thus, we have focused on reducing transmitting vibration with Heat Link Vibration Isolation System. In this paper, we will introduce the cryogenic suspension system, cooling system and Heat Link Vibration Isolation System in KAGRA.
Purpose
Malnutrition is reported as one of the risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI). The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is a simple method for nutritional evaluation. However, little is ...known about the relationship between SSI and the PNI in patients after spine surgery. We aimed to determine independent predictors of SSI after spine surgery.
Methods
We analyzed 1115 patients who underwent spine surgery (369 males, 746 females, mean age 56 years, follow-up period: at least 1 year). Patients were divided into SSI and non-SSI groups. Preoperative risk factors, including PNI (10 × serum albumin g/dL + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count /μL), were assessed.
Results
Postoperatively, 43 patients (3.9%) experienced SSI. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative PNI (48.5 vs 51.7;
p
< 0.01), revision status (
p
< 0.05), male sex (
p
< 0.01), body mass index (BMI) (
p
< 0.05), and usage of anticoagulant agents (
p
< 0.05) differed significantly between the SSI and non-SSI groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative PNI (odds ratio OR, 0.94; 95% confidence interval CI: 0.90–0.98;
p
< 0.01), male sex (OR, 2.64; 95% CI: 1.40–4.99;
p
< 0.01), length of surgery ≥ 180 min (OR, 2.78; 95% CI: 1.30–5.96;
p
< 0.01), BMI ≥ 30 kg/m
2
(OR, 2.89; 95% CI: 1.20–6.97;
p
< 0.05), and revision status (OR, 2.30; 95% CI: 1.07–4.98;
p
< 0.05) were independently associated with SSI postoperatively.
Conclusion
Lower preoperative PNI was found to be a risk factor for SSI after spine surgery. Patients with lower preoperative PNI values should be cautioned about the risk of SSI and provide adequate informed consent.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The increase in the use of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has made the detailed bioanalysis of these drugs essential not only for planning optimal ...therapeutic programs for clinical practice, but also for evaluating the biological equivalencies in the development of other biosimilars. The ligand binding assays that are widely in use now are being replaced rapidly by the highly accurate, sensitive, and selective analytical method using a mass spectrometer. This review will discuss the progress in and challenges observed during the development of a mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical method for therapeutic mAbs and ADCs.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (HLF) is the most important component of lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). Analysis of hypertrophied ligamentum flavum (HLF) samples from patients with LSCS can be an ...important que. The current study analyzed the surgical samples of HLF samples in patients with LCSC using quantitative and qualitative high performance-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. We collected ligamentum flavum (LF) tissue from twelve patients with LSCS and from four patients with lumbar disk herniation (LDH). We defined LF from LSCS patients as HLF and that from LDH patients as non-hypertrophied ligamentum flavum (NHLF). Total lipids were extracted from the LF samples and evaluated for quantity and quality using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The total lipid amount of the HLF group was 3.6 times higher than that of the NHLF group. Phosphatidylcholines (PCs), ceramides (Cers), O-acyl-ω-hydroxy fatty acids (OAHFAs), and triglycerides (TGs) in the HLF group were more than 32 times higher than those of the NHLF group. PC(26:0)+H+, PC(25:0)+H+, and PC(23:0)+H+ increased in all patients in the HLF group compared to the NHLF group. The thickness of the LF correlated significantly with PC(26:0)+H+ in HLF. We identified the enriched specific PCs, Cers, OAHFAs, and TGs in HLF.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
STUDY DESIGN.Large cohort study of volunteers aged over 50.
OBJECTIVE.To investigate influence of age and sex on cervical sagittal alignment among volunteers aged over 50.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND ...DATA.Few large-scale studies have described normative values in cervical spine alignment regarding age and sex among volunteers aged over 50.
METHODS.The study cohort included 656 volunteers aged 50 to 89 years. Pelvic tilt, sacral slope, pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence−lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, T1 slope (T1S), cervical lordosis (CL), C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7 SVA), C2−C7 SVA, and T1S−CL were measured using whole spine and pelvic radiographs taken in the standing position. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the EuroQOL (EQ-5D) standardized instrument for measurement of health outcome and Oswestry Disability Index.
RESULTS.There were 36 subjects aged 50 to 59 years, 174 aged 60 to 69 years, 311 aged 70 to 79 years, and 135 aged 80 to 89 years. Average T1S for each decade was 32°, 31°, 33°, and 36° for males, and 28°, 29°, 32°, and 37° for females, respectively. Average C2–C7 SVA was 25, 28, 34, and 35 mm for males, and 20, 21, 22, and 28 mm for females, respectively. C2–C7 SVA 40 mm or more, T1S 40° or more, and T1S–CL 20° or more pertaining to EQ-5D were significantly worse in other cases.
CONCLUSION.C2–C7 SVA was significantly greater in males among all age groups, particularly among those with C2–C7 SVA of 40 mm or more males, 69% (82/118) vs. females, 33% (36/118). Sagittal parameters of cervical spine were significantly worse in males than females. C2–C7 SVA, T1S, and T1S–CL negatively influenced EQ-5D. These results help to explain the greater prevalence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy among elderly males.Level of Evidence3
Glycol lignins (GLs) produced through acid-catalyzed solvolysis of softwood meal using glycols, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), have been used for the development of functional materials. In this ...study, GLs with various physical and chemical properties were synthesized via solvolysis with monomethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol (MPEG), such as MPEG-n4 and MPEG-n8. The effects of the reaction time and temperature on the yield, molecular weight, and thermal properties of MPEG-lignin were studied. The yield of MPEG-lignin increased with the solvolysis time. Acid-catalyzed solvolysis using MPEG-n4 occurred faster than that using MPEG-n8. Higher reaction temperature resulted in a higher yield of MPEG-lignin with a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) and viscous thermal flow temperature (Tf). The Tg and Tf of MPEG-lignins increased with the solvolysis time. The MPEG-lignins synthesized at higher reaction temperatures showed a relatively strong carbonyl absorbance band in the infrared spectra, which was ascribed to decomposed sugar derivatives.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In healthy tissue, the tight junction protein Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) is present only in the gastric mucosa. Upon malignant transformation of gastric epithelial tissue, perturbations in cell polarity ...lead to cell surface exposure of CLDN18.2 epitopes. Moreover, CLDN18.2 is aberrantly expressed in malignancies of several other organs, such as pancreatic cancer (PC). A monoclonal antibody, zolbetuximab (formerly known as IMAB362), has been generated against CLDN18.2. In a phase 2 clinical trial (FAST: NCT01630083), zolbetuximab in conjunction with chemotherapy prolonged overall and progression-free survival over chemotherapy alone and improved quality of life. In this study, the mechanism of action and antitumor activity of zolbetuximab were investigated using nonclinical PC models. Zolbetuximab bound specifically and with strong affinity to human PC cells that expressed CLDN18.2 on the cell surface. In ex vivo systems using immune effector cells and serum from healthy donors, zolbetuximab induced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), resulting in the lysis of cultured human PC cells. The amplitude of ADCC and CDC directly correlated with cell surface CLDN18.2 levels. The chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine upregulated CLDN18.2 expression in cultured human PC cells and enhanced zolbetuximab-induced ADCC. In mouse xenograft tumors derived from human PC cell lines, including gemcitabine-refractory ones, zolbetuximab slowed tumor growth, benefited survival, and attenuated metastases development. The results presented here validate CLDN18.2 as a targetable biomarker in PC and support extension of the clinical development of zolbetuximab to patients with CLDN18.2-expressing PC.
The causes of dentofacial deformities include various known syndromes, genetics, environmental and neuromuscular factors, trauma, and tumors. Above all, the functional effects of muscles are ...important, and deformation of the mandible is often associated with a mechanical imbalance of the masticatory muscles.
With the vertical position of the face, weakness of the sling of the masseter muscle and medial pterygoid muscle causes dilatation of the mandibular angle. In patients with a deep bite, excessive function of the masticatory muscles is reported.
Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) properties also affect jawbone morphology. In short-face patients, the proportion of type II fibers, which are fast muscles, is high. The proportions of muscle fiber types are genetically determined but can be altered by postnatal environmental factors. Orthognathic surgery may results in the transition of MyHC to type II (fast) fibers, but excessive stretching enhances the release of inflammatory mediators and causes a shift toward a greater proportion of slow muscle fibers. This feature can be related to postoperative relapse.
Bones and muscles are in close crosstalk, and it may be possible to use biochemical approaches as well as biomechanical considerations for the treatment of jaw deformities.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Glycol lignins (GLs) produced through acid-catalyzed solvolysis of softwood meal using glycols, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), have been used for the development of functional materials. In this ...study, GLs with various physical and chemical properties were synthesized via solvolysis with monomethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol (MPEG), such as MPEG-n4 and MPEG-n8. The effects of the reaction time and temperature on the yield, molecular weight, and thermal properties of MPEG-lignin were studied. The yield of MPEG-lignin increased with the solvolysis time. Acid-catalyzed solvolysis using MPEG-n4 occurred faster than that using MPEG-n8. Higher reaction temperature resulted in a higher yield of MPEG-lignin with a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) and viscous thermal flow temperature (Tf). The Tg and Tf of MPEG-lignins increased with the solvolysis time. The MPEG-lignins synthesized at higher reaction temperatures showed a relatively strong carbonyl absorbance band in the infrared spectra, which was ascribed to decomposed sugar derivatives.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) fracture in adult spinal deformity surgery leads serious complications, such as spinal cord injury in 0.5-0.8%. Although tip-apex distance is important for ...preventing screw cut-out in proximal femoral fracture surgery, this suggest that the screw occupancy rate for bone fragments is also important. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the occupancy rate of pedicle screws (ORPS) affects UIV fracture. Patients with UIV fracture 1 year after surgery were defined as the fracture group (F); others were defined as the no fracture group (NF). ORPS, cut-out of pedicle screw (PS), medications, and bone mineral density were evaluated. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between group F (n = 58) and group NF (n = 260) were observed in age (71 years old in group F and 65 years old in group NF), diabetes medication use (19% in group F and 4% in group NF), steroid drug use (10% in group F and 2% in group NF), and ORPS (70% in group F and 76% in group NF). The cut-off value of ORPS using receiver operator characteristic analysis was 73%. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified diabetes medication use (P = 0.026, odds ratio OR 4.0) and ORPS < 73% (P = 0.001, OR 3.6) as significant risk factors for UIV fracture. The surgeon can't control use of diabetes medication. However, they can replace with longer PS when ORPS < 73% is detected on radiographs taken during surgery. Further studies will be needed to better elucidate it's use.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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