Photoreduction of Copper Ions Using Silica–Surfactant Hybrid and Titanium (IV) Oxide under Sulfuric Acid Conditions

Photoreduction of Cu²⁺ ions to Cu metal by titanium(IV) oxide (TiO₂) was conducted in the presence of a silica–surfactant hybrid under sulfuric acid conditions. After irradiation, a dark-red color, reflections due to Cu metal in the X-ray diffraction pattern, and peaks due to Cu 2p_1/2 and 2p_3/2 in the X-ray photoelectron spectrum indicated the precipitation of Cu metal in the product. In addition, an increase in the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area from 36 and 45 m²/g for the silica–surfactant and TiO₂, respectively, to 591 m²/g for the product, and a decrease in the intensity of the C-H stretching band in the Fourier–transform infra-red spectra implied the removal of surfactant during the reaction. These characteristics were never observed when TiO₂ was used solely. Therefore, this study indicated that the photoreduction of Cu²⁺ ions to Cu metal by TiO₂ was facilitated under the sulfuric acid medium, where the surfactants extracted from silica–surfactant hybrids by protons in the acidic condition were successfully photo-oxidized by TiO₂. Thus, this study presents a new application of the conversion of a silica–surfactant hybrid into mesoporous silicas.     

A comparative study of degree of colorectal distention with manual air insufflation or automated CO2 insufflation at CT colonography as a preoperative examination

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of colorectal distention between manual insufflation using room air and automatic insufflation using carbon dioxide for computed tomography colonography performed as a preoperative examination for patients with colon cancer.

Materials and methods

Participants comprised 200 patients who underwent computed tomography colonography immediately after colonoscopy from October 2011–2012. The first 100 patients were examined using manual insufflation, and the remaining 100 patients were examined using automated insufflation. Two radiologists independently assessed colorectal distention using a 4-point scale in six segments: cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum. Mean scores of the two radiologists were used to analyze whether any differences existed between techniques in terms of the degree of distention per segment.

Results

Mean distention values for the colonic lumen were better using the automated technique than with the manual technique in both positions (p < 0.05). In segments, distention was significantly better using the automated technique than using the manual technique in the sigmoid and descending colon for prone patients, and in all segments for supine patients.

Conclusions

Automated carbon dioxide insufflation offered significantly improved colorectal distention scores compared to manual room air insufflation.     

Hit-and-runs more common with pedestrians lying on the road: Analysis of a nationwide database in Japan

Purpose: To determine the trends with fatally or otherwise injured pedestrians lying on the road and the relationship to hit-and-run incidents in Japan. Methods: We extracted data for 2012e2016 from the records of the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis, Japan, a nationwide traffic accident database. All the injured and fatally injured pedestrians were selected. We examined the levels of pedestrian injury, vehicle speed immediately before the collision, whether or not the pedestrian was lying on the road, and hit-and-run incidents. Chi-square test was employed to make a statistical comparison between the two groups. Results: The database contained data on 286,383 pedestrian casualties and 7256 fatalities; 8.3% of fatalities (602 persons) and 0.6% of casualties (1827 persons) involved pedestrians lying on the road. The rates of fatalities and severe injuries were significantly higher for pedestrians who were lying on the road than for those who were not. Hit-and-run incidents were evident in 4.0% of casualties and 7.3% of fatalities. The rate of hit-and-run cases was also significantly higher among pedestrians who were lying on the road. Among fatally injured pedestrians not lying on the road, the rates with speeds of 30 km/h did not differ significantly between hit-and-run and other cases. However, when the pedestrians were lying on the road, the rate was significantly increased in hit-and-run cases. Conclusion: This is the first report to focus on pedestrians lying on the road and being involved in hitand-run incidents. In addition to preventing hit-and-run incidents, prevention of pedestrians lying on the road could also decrease fatalities.     

Effect of Surface Modification for Carbon Cathode Materials on Charge–Discharge Performance of Li-Air Batteries

Li-air batteries have attracted considerable attention as rechargeable secondary batteries with a high theoretical energy density of 11,400 kWh/g. However, the commercial application of Li-air batteries is hindered by issues such as low energy efficiency and a short lifetime (cycle numbers). To overcome these issues, it is important to select appropriate cathode materials that facilitate high battery performance. Carbon materials are expected to be ideal materials for cathodes due to their high electrical conductivity and porosity. The physicochemical properties of carbon materials are known to affect the performance of Li-air batteries because the redox reaction of oxygen, which is an important reaction for determining the performance of Li-air batteries, occurs on the carbon materials. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the surface modification of carbon cathode materials on the charge–discharge performance of Li-air batteries using commercial Ketjenblack (KB) and KB subjected to vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation as cathodes. The surface wettability of KB changed from hydrophobic to hydrophilic as a result of the VUV irradiation. The ratio of COOH and OH groups on the KB surface increased after VUV irradiation. Raman spectra demonstrated that no structural change in the KB before and after VUV irradiation was observed. The charge and discharge capacities of a Li-air battery using VUV-irradiated KB as the cathode decreased compared to original KB, whereas the cycling performance of the Li-air battery improved considerably. The sizes and shapes of the discharge products formed on the cathodes changed considerably due to the VUV irradiation. The difference in the cycling performance of the Li-air battery was discussed from the viewpoint of the chemical properties of KB and VUV-irradiated KB.     

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with minilaparotomy

Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is evolving rapidly; however, the surgical treatment of periampullary tumors is still fraught with challenges, such as technical difficulty and the appropriateness of oncologic treatment for these patients. We describe how we performed laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) combined with minilaparotomy successfully in six consecutive patients. This procedure consisted of two surgical phases: safe laparoscopic surgery, including the Kocher maneuver, tunneling behind the pancreatic neck, and dissecting along the uncinate process with magnified vision; and a secure open approach with complete skeletonization of the hepatoduodenal ligament and alimentary tract reconstruction, performed similarly to conventional pancreaticoduodenectomy, under direct visualization through the minilaparotomy. By performing this procedure, we combined a safe and secure minilaparotomy approach under direct vision with a less invasive laparoscopic approach providing a magnified image. Our experience demonstrates that LPD combined with minilaparotomy is technically feasible for selected patients with periampullary tumors.     

Perioperative Oral Administration of Cystine and Theanine Enhances Recovery After Distal Gastrectomy

Background: It has been reported that cystine and theanine, amino acids related to glutathione synthesis, have immunomodulatory effects, such as suppressing inflammation after strenuous exercise. In this study, we examined the effects of oral administration of cystine and theanine during the perioperative period as a pilot study. Methods: Forty‐three cases of distal gastrectomy for cancer conducted in our department were assigned to the cystine and theanine group (CT group) or to the placebo control group (P group), and a randomized, single‐blind, parallel‐group study was then performed. Cystine (700 mg) and theanine (280 mg) or a placebo was administered to participants for 10 continuous days (4 days before to 5 days after surgery). Changes in pre‐ and postoperative interleukin (IL)–6, C‐reactive protein (CRP), albumin, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, total lymphocyte count, resting energy expenditure (REE), and body temperature were compared and examined. Results: Ten patients were excluded, leaving 33 patients in the study. The CT group had significantly lower IL‐6 values (postoperative day [POD] 4), CRP levels (POD 7), neutrophil counts (POD 4), and body temperatures (POD 5) than the P group (P < .05). In addition, REE in the P group peaked on day 1 (1.14 ± 0.16 [pre‐ and postoperative ratio]), whereas the CT group did not show any increase on POD 1 (0.99 ± 0.21, P < .05 vs P group). Conclusions: This study suggests that oral administration of cystine and theanine during the perioperative period may alleviate postgastrectomy inflammation and promote recovery after surgery.     

Imbalance of coagulation and fibrinolysis can predict vascular access failure in patients on hemodialysis after vascular access intervention

Objective

For patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, the durability of vascular access (VA) is still far from optimal, and access survival after intervention for access failure is an important aspect. Procoagulant status is a leading cause of access failure. Coagulation-fibrinolysis imbalance can occur in hemodialyzed patients, but the influence of the imbalance has not been fully elucidated.

Molecular interaction of imino sugars with human α-galactosidase: Insight into the mechanism of complex formation and pharmacological chaperone action in Fabry disease

Enzyme enhancement therapy (EET) for Fabry disease involving imino sugars has been developed and attracted interest. It is thought that imino sugars act as pharmacological chaperones for wild-type and mutant α-galactosidases (GLAs) in cells, but the mechanisms underlying the molecular interactions between the imino sugars and the enzyme have not been clarified yet. We examined various kinds of imino sugars and found that galactostatin bisulfite (GBS) inhibited GLA in vitro and increased the enzyme activity in cultured Fabry fibroblasts as in the case of 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin (DGJ). Then, we analyzed the molecular interactions between the imino sugars and recombinant human GLA by means of isothermal titration calorimetry and surface plasmon resonance biosensor assays, and first determined the thermodynamic and binding-kinetics parameters of imino sugar and GLA complex formation. The results revealed that DGJ bound to the enzyme more strongly than GBS, the binding of DGJ to the enzyme protein being enthalpy-driven. In the case of GBS, the reaction was mainly enthalpy-driven, but there was a possibility that entropy-driven factors were involved in the binding. Structural analysis in silico revealed that both the chemicals fit into the active-site pocket and undergo hydrogen bonding with residues comprising the active-site pocket including the catalytic ones. The side chain of GBS was oriented towards the entrance of the active-site pocket, and thus it could be in contact with residues comprising the wall of the active-site pocket. Thermodynamic, kinetic and structural studies should provide us with a lot of information for improving EET for Fabry disease.     

Small follicular lymphoma arising near the ampulla of vater: a distinct subtype of duodenal lymphoma?

A 49-yr-old Japanese woman underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because of nonspecific dyspepsia. Endoscopy revealed a flat elevated lesion about 15 mm in diameter adjacent to the duodenal papilla, the surface of which was uneven and covered with whitish granules. Based on the results of histological examination with immunohistochemistry (positive for CD10, CD20, CD79a, and bcl-2 protein, negative for CD5 and cyclin D1), a diagnosis of grade 1/3 follicular lymphoma was established. Systemic staging examinations suggested the lymphoma was restricted to the mucosa and superficial portion of the submucosa in the duodenal wall. The patient was treated with a combination of CHOP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) and monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab), in addition to radiotherapy. After six courses of this combination chemotherapy, complete regression of the lymphoma was observed. Although reports of small duodenal lymphoma (<20 mm or localized to the mucosa or submucosa) are extremely rare, the features of this case are characteristic of small duodenal lymphoma in terms of evolution around the ampulla of Vater, low-grade follicular type, occurrence in a women, occurrence in the fourth decade of life, and favorable outcome, and this type of tumor may need to be distinguished by pathogenesis and clinical behavior from various other gastrointestinal lymphomas.     

Recent decline in hospital mortality among patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with acute myocardial infarction will still die after admission. Recent trends in hospital mortality were analyzed to identify aspects that need improvement. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1,247 patients admitted to Kinki University School of Medicine within 24 h of the onset of infarction were analyzed between 1975 and 2001. The percentage of patients discharged with 100% occlusion decreased gradually from 31.3% during 1975-1982 to 2.1% during 1998-2001, while those with 50% stenosis or less gradually increased from 12.5% to 82.5% during the same period (trends: p < 0.01). The cardiac death rate was 17.1% in 1975-1982, and 7.7% in 1998-2001, showing a significant decrease with time (p < 0.01). This decrease was particularly marked among those admitted within 6 h of the onset of infarction. Death due to cardiac rupture decreased significantly with time (p < 0.001). In contrast, the non-cardiac death rate, amounting to 2.2% on average, did not decline. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac deaths due to acute myocardial infarction have decreased markedly of late. However, patients must be admitted within 6 h of the onset of infarction to benefit from this improvement. More effort should be made to improve the general care of patients in order to reduce the incidence of non-cardiac death.