XPS Investigation on Improving Hydrogen Sorption Kinetics of the KSiH3 System by Using Zr-Based Catalysts

The superior hydrogen storage properties makes the KSiH₃ system a potential hydrogen storage material for practical applications. A theoretical capacity of 4.3 wt% bring this material to the front line of all the available hydrogen storage materials; however, the activation barrier of the reaction restricts the system to absorb and desorb hydrogen reversibly at elevated temperatures even if the thermodynamics suggest its room temperature operation. Several catalysts have already been tested to enhance its kinetic properties. In this work, the efforts were made to reduce the activation energy by using Zr-based catalysts to the KSi/KSiH₃ system. The value of activation energy was found to be lowest (i.e., 87 kJ mol⁻¹⁾ for the ZrH₂-added KSiH₃ system. The mechanism of this improvement was investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

A pilot study of intraoperative localization of peripheral small pulmonary tumors by cone-beam computed tomography: sandwich marking technique

BackgroundIntraoperative identification of small pulmonary nodules has been an important technical issue. We aimed to develop a new localization method which is much safer and simple procedure compared with conventional methods.MethodsThis was a retrospective study including patients with resected peripheral pulmonary nodules between November 2017 and April 2021 at Teikyo University School of Medicine, and Saitama Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center. All surgical procedure was wedge resection, and the tumor size was equal to or less than 20 mm which were detected by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT; Philips Allura Xper FD 20, Philips). Some metal clips were put on several places of visceral pleura, where the target lesion was sandwiched by marking clips (sandwich marking technique). CBCT detected both the target lesion and metal clips, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed. Radiological and pathological findings were analyzed, and the correlation coefficient of tumor size was examined among pre-, intra-, and post-operative tumor sizes.ResultsThe average age of 90 patients was 65.2 years, and 47 were male (52.2%). All procedure was wedge resection including twelve bi-wedge resections, and one hundred nine peripheral pulmonary lesions were obtained by sandwich marking technique. The detection rate was 100%, and there was no marking-related complication.ConclusionsAll small peripheral pulmonary lesions were successfully detected and resected by using CBCT with no marking-related complication. Sandwich marking technique was demonstrated to provide safe, reliable, and simple localization procedure for small peripheral pulmonary lesions.     

Relationship between Vitamin Intake and Resilience Based on Sex in Middle-Aged and Older Japanese Adults: Results of the Shika Study

Epidemiological studies reported that resilience, generally regarded as the ability to manage stress in the face of adversity, correlates with mental health in middle-aged and older adults. Currently, there is limited information on eating habits that affect resilience. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between vitamin intake and resilience based on sex in community-dwelling middle-aged and older individuals in Shika town, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. A total of 221 participants (106 men and 115 women) aged 40 years or older were included in the analysis. We assessed vitamin intake and resilience using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) and the resilience scale (RS), respectively. A two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that higher intakes of β-carotene and vitamin K were associated with higher RS in women, but not in men. Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression analysis stratified by sex showed that β-carotene and vitamin K were significant independent variables for RS only in women. The present study suggests that higher intakes of β-carotene and vitamin K were associated with higher resilience among middle-aged and older women. The results obtained demonstrate that β-carotene and vitamin K intakes may enhance resilience by strengthening stress tolerance.     

Synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis Syndrome with Bilateral Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion is a rare manifestation in synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome, which is characterized by the presence of osteoarticular lesions and dermatological involvement. We herein report a 71-year-old man with pleural effusion resulting from SAPHO syndrome. He was successfully treated using corticosteroids and has experienced no recurrence for one year. We should consider SAPHO syndrome when encountering cases of anterior chest pain and pleural fluid.     

Inter-prefectural Travel and Network Connectedness During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan

BackgroundIncreases in human mobility have been linked to rises in novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. The pandemic era in Japan has been characterized by changes in inter-prefectural mobility across state of emergency (SOE) declarations and travel campaigns, but they have yet to be characterized.MethodsUsing Yahoo Japan mobility data extracted from the smartphones of more than 10 million Japanese residents, we calculated the monthly number of inter-prefectural travel instances, stratified by residential prefecture and destination prefecture. We then used this adjacency matrix to calculate two network connectedness metrics, closeness centrality and effective distance, that reliably predict disease transmission.ResultsInter-prefectural mobility and network connectedness decreased most considerably during the first SOE, but this decrease dampened with each successive SOE. Mobility and network connectedness increased during the Go To Travel campaign. Travel volume between distant prefectures decreased more than travel between prefectures with geographic proximity. Closeness centrality was found to be negatively correlated with the rate of COVID-19 infection across prefectures, with the strength of this association increasing in tandem with the infection rate. Changes in effective distance were more visible among geographically isolated prefectures (Hokkaido and Okinawa) than among metropolitan, central prefectures (Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka).ConclusionThe magnitude of reductions in human mobility decreased with each subsequent state of emergency, consistent with pandemic fatigue. The association between network connectedness and rates of COVID-19 infection remained visible throughout the entirety of the pandemic period, suggesting that inter-prefectural mobility may have contributed to disease spread.Key words: Japan, human mobility, domestic travel, COVID-19, travel campaign     

SARC-F scores can predict health status and daily activity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BackgroundThe strength, assistance in walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls questionnaire (SARC-F) is widely used for screening sarcopenia. We aimed to examine the association of SARC-F scores with the measurements of quality of life and activity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).MethodsThis cross-sectional pilot study prospectively enrolled 54 patients with IPF who completed pulmonary function tests, the 6-min walk test, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT), St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a daily step count. The daily step count was measured continuously for 7 consecutive days using a tri-axis accelerometer device.ResultsThe mean age was 73.6±7.9 years and the mean percent predicted forced vital capacity was 80.4%±15.6%. The median [interquartile range] SARC-F score, SGRQ total scores, and CAT scores were 2 [1–3.25], 28.8 [14.4–46.9], and 13 [7–22], respectively. SARC-F scores were correlated with the percent predicted forced vital capacity (r=−0.51, P<0.001), CAT score (r=0.57, P<0.001), SGRQ total score (r=0.77, P<0.001), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety score (r=0.31, P=0.025), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression score (r=0.28, P=0.041). Linear regression analyses revealed that the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) (standardized β=0.33, P=0.011) and SARC-F score (standardized β=−0.39, P=0.005), but not the CAT score and SGRQ total score, were significant predictors for daily step count.ConclusionsSARC-F scores were correlated with health status and daily activity in patients with IPF. Further studies are warranted to validate the utility of the SARC-F in patients with IPF.     

Effects of pain-related catastrophic thinking,anxiety, and depression on pain intensity and quality of life in patients with knee and low back pain

[Purpose] We aimed to examine the effects of pain-related catastrophic thoughts and anxiety/depression on pain intensity and quality of life (QOL), and how these effects (relationships) vary with pain location, in outpatients with chronic pain. [Participants and Methods] We recruited 14 participants with low back pain (2 males and 12 females) and 14 with knee joint pain (3 males and 11 females). We used the following evaluation tools: the visual analog scale (to evaluate pain intensity), pain catastrophizing scale (in which scores are categorized into helplessness, rumination, and magnification), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (for psychodynamic evaluation), and a questionnaire for QOL evaluation. [Results] There was no difference in pain intensity between the groups. The “low back pain” group showed a positive correlation between pain intensity and anxiety, while the “knee pain” group showed a positive correlation between pain intensity and helplessness. The “low back pain” group showed a negative correlation between health in QOL assessment items and helplessness, and between health and magnification. However, in the “knee pain” group, there was a negative correlation between health and rumination, between health and anxiety, and between positive mental attitude and magnification. [Conclusion] Mental status varied depending on the pain location, regardless of the intensity of the pain. This suggests that a psychological approach dependent on pain location is needed during physical therapy.     

Single-stage repair for ascending aortic aneurysm,artery stenosis and occlusion of neck vessels caused by Takayasu arteritis

Takayasu arteritis results in a variety of vascular symptoms, and there are some cases in which progressive vascular lesions require surgical intervention. We present a case with ascending aortic aneurysm, right common carotid artery stenosis, left common carotid artery occlusion and left subclavian artery stenosis caused by Takayasu arteritis that was successfully treated with total arch replacement and ascending aorta to right internal carotid artery bypass.     

Permeability of the flavonoids liquiritigenin and its glycosides in licorice roots and davidigenin, a hydrogenated metabolite of liquiritigenin, using human intestinal cell line Caco-2

The present investigation focused on the transepithelial flux of liquiritigenin (LG), davidigenin (DG), liquiritin (LQ), and liquiritin apioside (LA) using the human colonic cell line Caco-2 as a model of human intestinal absorption. Apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) for the apical to basolateral flux of LG and DG were (16.0 +/- 0.727) x 10(-6) cm/s and (18.2 +/- 1.67) x 10(-6) cm/s, respectively. These Papp were higher than that of the transcellular transport marker propranolol (13.5 +/- 0.34) x 10(-6) cm/s (P < 0.01). Papp for the apical to basolateral flux of LQ and LA were (0.26 +/- 0.12) x 10(-6) cm/s and (0.075 +/- 0.005) x 10(-6) cm/s, respectively. These Papp were lower than that of the paracellular transport marker mannitol (0.64 +/- 0.04) x 10(-6) cm/s (LG, P < 0.01; LA, P < 0.001). These data suggested excellent absorption of LG and DG through the human intestinal epithelial cell line. On the contrary, poor absorption of LQ and LA was expected due to the little transepithelial flux of these compounds in the human colonic cell line Caco-2.