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This study proposes a methodology for analyzing the precipitation process in mixed‐phase clouds using multisensor satellite data, including radar, lidar, and imager. By leveraging a specific multivariate statistic, we elucidate the vertical microphysical structures of mixed‐phase clouds and their transitions associated with cloud particle growth and phase change. Expanding upon previous warm rain process diagnostics, we integrate cloud thermodynamic phase information from lidar and imager, representing the phase near the cloud top and column, respectively, to classify the vertical microphysical structures obtained from radar. Our global composite analysis reveals a systematic transition from non‐precipitating to precipitating characteristics with increasing ice phase fraction of the cloud column, rather than near the cloud top, and increasing cloud‐top particle size. These findings offer valuable observational references for evaluating numerical models in precipitation physics. Plain Language Summary To ensure a robust assessment of precipitation physics within global climate and numerical weather prediction models, it is imperative to diagnose the precipitation process using satellite observations on a global scale. Here, we propose a new methodology to address this requirement using multisensor satellite measurements to extend our previously developed method for warm liquid‐phase rain into more general ice‐containing mixed‐phase precipitation. For this purpose, satellite‐based information on the cloud thermodynamic phase obtained from the lidar and imager was exploited to statistically classify the vertical profile characteristics of precipitation observed by radar. The results showed that precipitation tended to occur more efficiently with an increasing ice‐phase fraction of the cloud‐column and the cloud‐top particle size. The statistics derived from observations provide a benchmark for evaluating model precipitation physics, facilitating process‐oriented assessments of numerical models. Key Points The mixed‐phase precipitation was diagnosed using a combination of multisensor satellite measurements by radar, lidar, and imager Multivariate statistics were constructed to display the radar reflectivity classified by cloud thermodynamic phase and cloud particle size The statistics show more precipitating character with higher ice‐phase fraction of the cloud optical thickness and cloud‐top particle size

Objectives This retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationships between the Keros classification, the Gera classification, the vertical height of the posterior ethmoid roof (ER), and anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) types in Japanese patients. Methods We investigated the computed tomography (CT) slices of paranasal sinuses (120 sides) of 60 patients; measured the cribriform plate (CP) depth, lateral lamella CP angle (LLCPA), and vertical height of the lateral ER from the hard palate (LERHP) at the coronal plane of the posterior ethmoidal artery (PEA); and reviewed the AEA types, whether floating or non-floating. Results CP depth was positively correlated with LLCPA (r=0.63; p<0.01) and the height of LERHP (r=0.19; p<0.05). The height of the LERHP in females was significantly lower than that in males. With increased CP depth, floating AEAs became prevalent (p<0.001). Conclusion In females, low height of the posterior ethmoid sinus roof, where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks occurred while penetrating the basal lamella, often existed; the heights positively correlated with the Keros classification in Japanese patients. The Keros and Gera classifications, AEA type, and posterior ER height do not individually constitute a complete risk assessment but may correlate, preventing major complications, such as CSF leak and orbital hemorrhage.

A previously reported autopsy case of eosinophilic coronary periarteritis (ECPA, or isolated eosinophilic coronary periarteritis, IECPA), and an additional six autopsy cases of ECPA are reported. In addition, another four autopsy cases of ECPA reported in the literature are discussed. Fifteen cases of ECPA with spontaneous coronary dissection (hematoma), which appeared in the literature from 1987 to 2011, are also reviewed. The characteristic clinico-pathological findings of ECPA are: (a) variant angina (Prinzmetal’s vasospastic angina) appeared mainly from evening to early in the morning; (b) allergy or allergic history could be identified in only three of a total of 11 cases; (c) sudden unexpected death (sudden cardiac death) usually occurred early in the morning; (d) eosinophilic inflammation limited to the adventitia and periadventitial soft issue appeared in the epicardial large coronary arteries, chiefly in the left coronary anterior descending artery; (e) fibrinoid necrosis or granuloma could not be found in or around the inflammatory area; (f) no type of vasculitis could be found in any other tissues or organs (i.e., localized and non-systemic periarteritis); (g) ECPA was frequently accompanied by spontaneous coronary arterial dissection (SCAD) in the affected wall; and (h) ECPA without SCAD appeared mainly in men (male/female ratio was 8:3), while EPCA with SCAD appeared in almost all female cases (male/female ratio was 1:14). Although the etiology and pathogenesis are still unknown, we believe that ECPA (with or without SCAD) might be a distinct new type of coronary arteritis.

Introduction Small cell carcinoma of the prostate has a poor prognosis even with standard systemic chemotherapy. We report a case, in which combination therapy with radiation and hyperthermia‐induced clinical complete response. Case presentation An 87‐year‐old man complaining of dysuria was referred to our hospital. Based on magnetic resonance imaging findings and a history of prostate cancer, a prostate biopsy was performed, and small cell carcinoma of the prostate was diagnosed. Whole‐pelvis radiation therapy was administered with an additional dose to the prostate; eight cycles of hyperthermia treatment (8 MHz radiofrequency capacitive regional hyperthermia) were administered concurrently. Normalized neuron‐specific enolase levels and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a complete response. A few cancer cells were seen in the post‐treatment biopsy specimen, which demonstrated positive immunostaining for heat shock protein 70 and HIKESHI. Conclusion In this case, small cell carcinoma of the prostate was effectively treated with combined radiation and hyperthermia therapy.

The goal was to summarize studies comparing the accuracy of web-based dietary assessments with those of conventional face-to-face or paper-based assessments using 24-h dietary recall or dietary record methods in the general population. Using two databases, mean differences and correlation coefficients (CCs) for intakes of energy, macronutrients, sodium, vegetables, and fruits were extracted from each study independently by the authors. We also collected information regarding usability from articles reporting this. From 17 articles included in this review, the mean dietary intake differences in the web-based dietary assessment compared to conventional methods, were −11.5–16.1% for energy, −12.1–14.9% for protein, −16.7–17.6% for fat, −10.8–8.0% for carbohydrates, −11.2–9.6% for sodium, −27.4–3.9% for vegetables, and −5.1–47.6% for fruits. The CC was 0.17–0.88 for energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium, and 0.23–0.85 for vegetables and fruits. In three out of four studies reporting usability, more than half of the participants preferred the web-based dietary assessment. In conclusion, % difference and CC of dietary intake were acceptable in both web-based dietary records and 24-h dietary recalls. The findings from this review highlight the possibility of wide-spread application of the web-based dietary assessment in the future.

In Kampo medicine, blood stasis (BS) syndrome is strongly associated with microangiopathy and can lead to atherosclerosis. Vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED), evaluated through flow-mediated dilation (FMD), plays an important role in the early stages of atherosclerosis. However, the association of BS syndrome with VED, as determined using FMD, has not been reported. This study investigated the association between BS syndrome and VED using FMD. Forty-one patients with normal glucose tolerance or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and without macrovascular complications were evaluated using FMD from May 2017 to August 2017. Based on the BS score, the patients were divided into the non-BS (n = 19) and BS syndrome (n = 22) groups. Physical and background characteristics, physiological function test results, and laboratory data were compared. Univariate analysis revealed that FMD and a history of dyslipidemia/IGT were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that BS syndrome was significantly associated with FMD (odds ratio: 6.26; p=0.03) after adjusting for the history of dyslipidemia/IGT. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve for BS syndrome (0.74; p<0.001) and history of IGT (p<0.007) provided good diagnostic accuracy for FMD. The area under the curve for “BS syndrome + IGT” showed very good accuracy (0.80; p<0.0001) and was higher than that for BS syndrome or IGT alone. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the BS score in Kampo medicine could be a useful tool for detecting the early pathogenic stages of atherosclerosis.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces apoptosis in many types of cancer cells and acts as a tumor suppressor. We performed a functional analysis of TGF-β signaling to identify a molecular mechanism that regulated survival in small cell lung cancer cells. Here, we found low expression of TGF-β type II receptor (TβRII) in most small cell lung cancer cells and tissues compared to normal lung epithelial cells and normal lung tissues, respectively. When wild-type TβRII was overexpressed in small cell lung cancer cells, TGF-β suppressed cell growth in vitro and tumor formation in vivo through induction of apoptosis. Components of polycomb repressive complex 2, including enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2), were highly expressed in small cell lung cancer cells; this led to epigenetic silencing of TβRII expression and suppression of TGF-β-mediated apoptosis. Achaete-scute family bHLH transcription factor 1 (ASCL1; also known as ASH1), a Smad-dependent target of TGF-β, was found to induce survival in small cell lung cancer cells. Thus, EZH2 promoted small cell lung cancer progression by suppressing the TGF-β-Smad-ASCL1 pathway.

PurposeTo evaluate alteration of the optic radiation (OR) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) using fractional anisotropy (FA) measured by diffusion tensor MRI.MethodsWe performed MRI and evaluated alteration of the ORs in 17 patients with RP and 27 healthy controls. Regions of interest were placed over the bilateral anterior and posterior areas of the ORs, and we measured the FA value of each region. Visual field (VF) tests were examined in all subjects, and we corrected the residual VF area according to the projection area to the striate cortex. Differences between the FA values of patients and healthy controls were tested. We performed regression analyses between the sum of the corrected VF areas and FA values in the anterior or posterior contralateral ORs in patients with RP. Moreover, we performed regression analyses between the average of FA values of ORs and the average of both eyes of visual acuity in patients with RP.ResultsFA values of the bilateral anterior and posterior ORs were lower in patients with RP (anterior right, p=0.012; posterior right, p=0.0004; anterior left, p=0.0008; and posterior left, p=0.0004) compared with those of healthy controls. In patients with RP, significant correlations were observed between average FA values of anterior ORs and average visual acuity (correlation coefficient (r)=−0.54; p=0.025).ConclusionsIn patients with RP, alterations may occur not only in the retina but also in the brain.

Purpose We evaluated optic radiation (OR) damage in patients with glaucoma by using fractional anisotropy (FA) of diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging. Methods We studied 29 patients with glaucoma and 19 healthy controls. Regions of interest were placed over the bilateral anterior and posterior ORs on the FA maps, and the FA value of each region was measured. Results FA values of the bilateral anterior and posterior ORs were significantly lower in patients with glaucoma (anterior right, P  = 0.0002; anterior left, P  = 0.00028; posterior right, P  = 0.0004; and posterior left, P  = 0.0001) than in the healthy controls. In glaucoma patients, significant correlations were observed between the FA values and the average of the total deviation of the contralateral hemifields of both eyes (left hemifield and anterior right OR, correlation coefficient [ r ] = 0.46 [ P  = 0.013]; right hemifield and anterior left OR, r  = 0.43 [ P  = 0.021]; left hemifield and posterior right OR, r  = 0.54 [ P  = 0.0027]; and right hemifield and posterior left OR, r  = 0.46 [ P  = 0.012]). Conclusions FA values of the entire OR were decreased in glaucoma patients and correlated with the degree of visual field defect.