Purpose
To evaluate whether early chest computed tomography (CT) lesions quantified by an artificial intelligence (AI)-based commercial software and blood test values at the initial presentation can ...differentiate the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia.
Materials and methods
This retrospective study included 100 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with mild (n = 23), moderate (n = 37) or severe (n = 40) pneumonia classified according to the Japanese guidelines. Univariate Kruskal–Wallis and multivariate ordinal logistic analyses were used to examine whether CT parameters (opacity score, volume of opacity, % opacity, volume of high opacity, % high opacity and mean HU total on CT) as well as blood test parameters procalcitonin, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), C-reactive protein, % lymphocyte, ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, hemoglobin A1c, prothrombin time, activated partial prothrombin time (APTT), white blood cell count and creatinine differed by disease severity.
Results
All CT parameters and all blood test parameters except procalcitonin and APPT were significantly different among mild, moderate and severe groups. By multivariate analysis, mean HU total and eGFR were two independent factors associated with severity (
p
< 0.0001). Cutoff values for mean HU total and eGFR were, respectively, − 801 HU and 77 ml/min/1.73 m
2
between mild and moderate pneumonia and − 704 HU and 53 ml/min/1.73 m
2
between moderate and severe pneumonia.
Conclusion
The mean HU total of the whole lung, determined by the AI algorithm, and eGFR reflect the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia.
Adaptive thermogenesis is essential for survival, and therefore is tightly regulated by a central neural circuit. Here, we show that microRNA (miR)-33 in the brain is indispensable for adaptive ...thermogenesis. Cold stress increases miR-33 levels in the hypothalamus and miR-33
mice are unable to maintain body temperature in cold environments due to reduced sympathetic nerve activity and impaired brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. Analysis of miR-33
dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH)-Cre mice indicates the importance of miR-33 in Dbh-positive cells. Mechanistically, miR-33 deficiency upregulates gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
receptor subunit genes such as Gabrb2 and Gabra4. Knock-down of these genes in Dbh-positive neurons rescues the impaired cold-induced thermogenesis in miR-33
DBH-Cre mice. Conversely, increased gene dosage of miR-33 in mice enhances thermogenesis. Thus, miR-33 in the brain contributes to maintenance of BAT thermogenesis and whole-body metabolism via enhanced sympathetic nerve tone through suppressing GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission. This miR-33-mediated neural mechanism may serve as a physiological adaptive defense mechanism for several stresses including cold stress.
In order to advance the performances of micro chemical and biochemical systems on a chip, the fabrication of microstructures such as channels and pillars is an essential basic technology. However, ...conventional fabrication methods based on wet etching have limitations in their applications for device engineering. In this study, we report on a new microchannel fabrication process on a fused silica substrate using photoresist and plasma etching based on C3F8, CHF3, and Ar gases. Deep, rectangular microchannels, having vertical angles close to 90°, 10 μm-scale deep and low surface roughness of less than 1 nm, could be fabricated on a fused silica substrate at high etching rates on the order of 5 – 7 nm s−1. This metal-free fabrication methodology is expected to be a low-cost, easy, and simple technique for a fused silica microstructure applications.
This work investigated the electrolysis of ammonium dinitramide (ADN: NH4N(NO2)2) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Various fundamental electrolysis properties of ADN were assessed based on an ...electrochemical study and the associated mechanisms were examined based on a quantum chemical approach. ADN exhibited three redox peaks at −0.69, −1.16 and −1.52 V, and two oxidation peaks at 0.34 and 0.50 V (vs Ag/AgCl) at a scan rate of 50 mV s−1 during cyclic voltammetry trials with a platinum electrode. Ultraviolet‐visible spectra of ADN in DMSO were also acquired to determine temporal changes under galvanostatic reduction conditions. These spectra showed that a continuous current in conjunction with an applied voltage of −1.5 V decomposed the ADN, but were unable to elucidate electrolysis products. Quantum chemistry calculations identified possible pathways for the electrolysis of ADN in DMSO, and indicated that reduced ADN rapidly decomposes to form NH3, N2O, NO2 and OH−. The associated Gibbs energy barrier was determined to be almost 0 kJ mol−1 when calculated at the CBS‐QB3//ωB97X‐D/6‐311++G(d,p)/SCRF=(SMD, solvent=dmso) level of theory. These results suggest that ADN can undergo electrolysis in a solvent for which the potential window is sufficiently wide given the application of the appropriate voltage.
A 55-year-old patient was admitted for variceal treatment, a complication of chronic portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. Imaging studies revealed prominent duodenal varices, the ...pancreaticoduodenal vein as its afferent pathway, a drainer vessel into the inferior vena cava, and a paraumbilical vein. We successfully performed complete obliteration of the varix, including its afferent and efferent vessels, via the paraumbilical vein approach.
As heart failure (HF) progresses, ATP levels in myocardial cells decrease, and myocardial contractility also decreases. Inotropic drugs improve myocardial contractility but increase ATP consumption, ...leading to poor prognosis. Kyoto University Substance 121 (KUS121) is known to selectively inhibit the ATPase activity of valosin-containing protein, maintain cellular ATP levels, and manifest cytoprotective effects in several pathological conditions. The aim of this study is to determine the therapeutic effect of KUS121 on HF models.
Cultured cell, mouse, and canine models of HF were used to examine the therapeutic effects of KUS121. The mechanism of action of KUS121 was also examined. Administration of KUS121 to a transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced mouse model of HF rapidly improved the left ventricular ejection fraction and improved the creatine phosphate/ATP ratio. In a canine model of high frequency-paced HF, administration of KUS121 also improved left ventricular contractility and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure without increasing the heart rate. Long-term administration of KUS121 to a TAC-induced mouse model of HF suppressed cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. In H9C2 cells, KUS121 reduced ER stress. Finally, in experiments using primary cultured cardiomyocytes, KUS121 improved contractility and diastolic capacity without changing peak Ca2+ levels or contraction time. These effects were not accompanied by an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate or phosphorylation of phospholamban and ryanodine receptors.
KUS121 ameliorated HF by a mechanism totally different from that of conventional catecholamines. We propose that KUS121 is a promising new option for the treatment of HF.
Display omitted
•KUS121 maintains intracellular ATP levels and reduces endoplasmic reticulum stress.•KUS121 improves contractility and diastolic function in heart failure.•KUS121 does not cause cardiac hypertrophy or fibrosis.•KUS121 may be a new option for the treatment of heart failure.
Background
Colonic varices are rare among ectopic varices. A previous report demonstrated that once bleeding from colonic varices occurs, it can be fatal. Several treatments for colonic varices ...exist, including surgical, endoscopic, and endovascular treatments; however, management of colonic varices has not been standardized. For colonic varices, minimally invasive therapies would be desirable. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) is one of the treatment options for colonic varices to prevent their rupture. Two cases of successful conventional B-RTO for these varices have already been reported. However, B-RTO using coil-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration II (CARTO-II) procedure for these varices has not been reported.
Case presentation
A 71-year-old male patient had liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus infection. A varix was located at the ascending colon, which was coincidentally found on colonic endoscopy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed that the feeder vein was the ileocolic vein and that the main draining vein was the right renal vein. Physicians concluded that treatment was required to avoid the risk of death from massive bleeding due to varix rupture. However, endoscopic and surgical treatments were difficult due to the anatomical location of the varix and the high risk of operative compilations, respectively. This ascending colonic varix was treated by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) using coil-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration II (CARTO-II) procedure via the right renal vein. There were no complications during the procedure and no recurrences for 36 months during long-term follow-up.
Conclusions
CARTO-II can be one of the effective treatment techniques for ascending colonic varices.
The electrolysis of molten ammonium dinitramide Matsushita, Kazuki; Shiota, Kento; Iguchi, Kiichiro ...
Science and Technology of Energetic Materials,
2022, Volume:
83, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Open access
Electrolytic ignition systems are expected to be compatible with ammonium dinitramide (ADN)-based propellants, but it is necessary to understand the associated electrolysis mechanisms when developing ...such systems. The present study analyzed the electrolysis of molten ADN, employing a specially designed apparatus, while examining the various products using in situ microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, ion chromatography, gas detector tubes and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. During electrolysis, the formation of numerous bubbles was observed, and the color of molten ADN changed from yellow to pale yellow with the progress of electrolysis. Raman spectra and ion chromatogram confirmed the presence of nitrate ion in the resulting residue, while a gas detector tube indicated that gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ammonia were generated. FT-IR spectra demonstrated that N2O and water present in the gaseous products. Using these results, a new mechanism for the processes occurring during the electrolysis of molten ADN was devised. The findings reported herein provide an improved understanding of the electrolysis mechanism of ADN-basedpropellants.
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