Explore the vast range of titles available.

Controlled crystalline orientation of the discontinuous phase in a composite enables the production of improved anisotropic properties, e.g., well-aligned Nd 2 Fe 14 B platelets by hot pressing and then soaking in a low-melting Nd-Cu eutectic melt to infiltrate to grain boundary. Alternatively, an anisotropic magnet can be fabricated by sintering Nd 2 Fe 14 B powder pre-aligned with a static magnetic field. In this study, we used a two-step electromagnetic vibration (EMV) technique to solidify the Nd 70 Cu 30 -30wt% Nd 2 Fe 14 B alloy, by which the magnetic Nd 2 Fe 14 B compound could be segmented into short laths and the easy magnetisation axes of these discontinuous platelets could be highly aligned, as revealed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns. Magnetic properties showed that the alloy exhibited strong anisotropy in its magnetism. Our present results opened a new avenue for the simple production of anisotropic Nd 2 Fe 14 B magnets via solidification without the powder metallurgy routine. Moreover, the technique is highly expected to be applied to other systems, e.g., graphene-reinforced metallic and/or polymer composites in which the alignment of graphene can maximise the anisotropy in the thermal or electrical properties of the composites.

In our previous work, we reported on the segmentation and alignment of Nd2Fe14B platelets in a semisolid slurry when two-step electromagnetic vibration (EMV) was imposed (Li and Tamura in Metall Mater Trans A 51A:2939−2956, 2020), in which the breakdown of developed Nd2Fe14B phases was presented qualitatively. In the present study, we quantitatively analyzed the breakdown criteria of the compound in Nd70Cu30–50 wt pct Nd2Fe14B alloys when considering the specimen setting condition and vibration frequencies after realizing the importance of a gap between the specimen and the container. Upon the imposition of EMV, there are two different vibration modes, i.e., the breakdown mode (BDM) and the simple harmonic vibration mode (SHVM) at a characteristic frequency, which depend on the initial phase angle. We analyzed critical vibration frequencies in terms of BDM or SHVM when considering the initial phase angle and the specimen location. More general vibration patterns were presented, and the breakdown energy was given in a wide vibration frequency range. The structures of alloys solidified at diffident vibration frequencies were observed, which could be well elucidated when considering the breakdown energy and movement behavior at the individual frequency. The magnetic properties were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), which showed good agreement with solidification structures. The present analysis can be applicable to mechanical vibrations as well, by which some Nd2Fe14B fine platelets have been observed. Hence, the results may provide a guideline for scaling up in EMV processing and optimizing processing parameters and moreover, determining specifications of a mechanical vibrator to refine the Nd2Fe14B phase.

An anisotropic Nd2Fe14B magnet has been of particular significance in engineering, which is usually produced via powder metallurgy. In this study, we report on the production of an anisotropic magnet by solidifying two alloys, i.e., Nd70Cu30-30, 50 wt pct Nd2Fe14B from the semisolid state using the electromagnetic vibration (EMV) technique. The solidification structures are observed, and the crystalline orientations of the Nd2Fe14B intermetallic compounds are revealed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns. It is found that the two-step EMV processing is effective in segmenting the developed Nd2Fe14B compound into fine laths and then aligning these platelets with their easy magnetization directions parallel to that of the static magnetic field. The magnetic properties measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) indicate that the specimen with the well-aligned Nd2Fe14B platelets exhibits a strong anisotropy in magnetism. The segmentation and alignment mechanisms are discussed when considering the EMV imposition parameters, the difference of electrical resistivity between the Nd2Fe14B compound and the eutectic melt, and the role of the static magnetic field in the present processing condition. The two-step EMV processing technique is promising and expected to provide a new alternative for the simple production of anisotropic Nd2Fe14B magnets via solidification only instead of conventional powder metallurgy.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play important roles in host immunity, as there is increasing evidence of their contribution to the progression of several types of cancers even though their role in colorectal cancers (CRCs) remains unclear. To investigate the clinical relevance of NETs in CRCs, we examined the expression of citrullinated histone H3 using immunohistochemistry and preoperative serum myeloperoxidase–DNA complexes in CRC patients using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High expression of intratumoral or systemic NETs was found to correlate with poor relapse-free survival (RFS), for which it is an independent prognostic factor. In vitro investigations of CRC cells (HCT116, HT29) revealed that NETs did not affect their proliferation but did promote the migration of CRC cells mediated by neutrophil elastase (NE) released during NETosis to increase extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity. In vivo experiments using nude mice (KSN/slc) revealed that NE inhibition suppressed liver metastases in CRC cells, although it did not affect the growth of subcutaneously implanted tumors. Taken together, these results suggest that NET formation correlates with poor prognoses of patients with CRC and that the inhibition of NE could be a potential therapy for CRC metastases.

Background Chemokine signaling within the tumor microenvironment can promote tumor progression. Although CCR1 and CXCR2 on myeloid cells could be involved in tumor progression, it remains elusive what effect would be observed if both of those are blocked. Methods We employed two syngeneic colorectal cancer mouse models: a transplanted tumor model and a liver metastasis model. We generated double-knockout mice for CCR1 and CXCR2, and performed bone marrow (BM) transfer experiments in which sub-lethally irradiated wild-type mice were reconstituted with BM from either wild-type, Ccr1 −/− , Cxcr2 −/− or Ccr1 −/− Cxcr2 −/− mice. Results Myeloid cells that express MMP2, MMP9 and VEGF were accumulated around both types of tumors through CCR1- and CXCR2-mediated pathways. Mice reconstituted with Ccr1 −/− Cxcr2 −/− BM exhibited the strongest suppression of tumor growth and liver metastasis compared with other three groups. Depletion of CCR1 + CXCR2 + myeloid cells led to a higher frequency of CD8 + T cells, whereas the numbers of Ly6G + neutrophils, FOXP3 + Treg cells and CD31 + endothelial cells were significantly decreased. Furthermore, treatment with a neutralizing anti-CCR1 mAb to mice reconstituted with Cxcr2 −/− BM significantly suppressed tumor growth and liver metastasis. Conclusion Dual blockade of CCR1 and CXCR2 pathways in myeloid cells could be an effective therapy against colorectal cancer.

Purpose With the advent of a new program for postgraduate medical students in 2004, the number of applicants choosing surgical careers in Japan has been declining. We conducted this study to evaluate the impact of preclinical clerkship and how it affects students’ attitudes toward a surgical career. Methods The subjects of our study were fifth-year medical students who participated in a clinical clerkship in general surgery in our department between April 2021 and March 2022. We conducted pre- and post-preclinical clerkship surveys to assess the perceived image of surgeons and the impact of clerkship on surgical career interest. Results Among 132 medical students (77 men and 55 women) who rotated through preclinical clerkship in our department, 125 participated in the survey and 66% expressed interest in a surgical career. In the post-clerkship survey, an increased interest in a surgical career was expressed by 79% of the students; notably, including those who initially expressed interest. Approximately 77% of students were satisfied with the practical skill training they received. Conclusion Engaging medical students early in surgical experience through a preclinical clerkship for general surgery appears to promote their interest in a surgical career.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to clarify the usefulness of the ‘hot cross bun’ sign (HCBS) as a diagnostic imaging marker in a large cohort of patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA).MethodsThis multicentre study included 97 patients with neuropathologically confirmed MSA, and 105 patients with genetically confirmed SCA. Neuroimaging features, including HCBS and middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) hyperintensities, were assessed. HCBS was graded from 0 to 2: 0, none; 1, only a vertical hyperintense line; and 2, a cruciform hyperintense line. The neuropathological correlates of HCBS were evaluated in 15 patients with MSA with ≤3 months between MRI and autopsy.ResultsIn patients with a disease duration <3 years, grade 1 or 2 HCBS was detected in 100% patients with MSA with predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C) and 39.0% with SCA; whereas grade 2 HCBS was observed in 50% with MSA-C and 2.4% with SCA. Moreover, the coexistence of grade 2 HCBS and MCP hyperintensities exhibited a specificity of 100%. A neuropathological assessment revealed myelin loss, alpha-synuclein aggregates and astrocytic reaction in the MCP, transverse fibres, central zone between longitudinal fasciculi and raphe nucleus, with relative preservation in the longitudinal fasciculi and medial lemniscus in patients with MSA and grade 2 HCBS.ConclusionsGrade 1 or 2 HCBS is a highly sensitive finding in patients with MSA-C, and the observation of grade 2 HCBS within 3 years of motor symptom onset has excellent specificity for discriminating MSA-C from SCA, especially when accompanied by MCP hyperintensities.

Despite the growing importance of oxygen-delivery devices worldwide, there are only a few reports of physiological data on various oxygen masks in children. The possibility of carbon dioxide (CO2) rebreathing has been a prevalent concern with the use of oxygen-delivery devices. OxyMask KidTM (Southmedic Inc. Canada; hereafter OxyMask) is expected to reduce CO2 rebreathing even at low oxygen flow rates because of its structural features. Biological data using OxyMask in children have not been well investigated. Measured respiratory parameters of OxyMask with those of a simple oxygen mask in healthy children were compared. Ten subjects were enrolled, with a median age of 5.4 years. All subjects used both OxyMask and a simple oxygen mask. The fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FIO2), partial pressure of inspiratory CO2 (PICO2), and partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 were measured using a sidestream gas-sampling monitor in all subjects. The oxygen flow rate was set at 1, 3, 5, and 10 L/min. FIO2 levels were higher with OxyMask than those with the simple oxygen mask at 3 L/min of oxygen. PICO2 levels were significantly lower with OxyMask than those with the simple oxygen mask (1.5 mmHg vs. 3.7 mmHg at 1 L/min, P = 0.005; 1.0 mmHg vs. 2.7 mmHg at 3 L/min, P = 0.005, respectively), whereas PICO2 levels were higher at low oxygen flow rates with both masks.Conclusion: Our results showed that higher FIO2 and less CO2 rebreathing were achieved with OxyMask than those with a simple oxygen mask at low flow rates of oxygen in healthy children. What is Known:• OxyMask is expected to reduce carbon dioxide rebreathing even at low oxygen flow rates because of its structural features.• Efficacy has been demonstrated in experimental models and adult data, but clinical data on the use of the OxyMask in children are limited.What is New:• Higher fraction of inspiratory oxygen and lesser carbon dioxide rebreathing were achieved with OxyMask than with a simple oxygen mask at low flow rates of oxygen in healthy children

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secreted cytokine that functions as a decoy receptor for receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK) ligand (RANKL). Anti-RANKL treatment for bone metastasis has been widely accepted for solid tumors. However, the mechanism of OPG-RANKL-RANK signaling in systemic colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the relevance and function of OPG expression in CRC liver metastasis. First, we performed in silico analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas public database and found that lower OPG expression in CRC was associated with poor overall survival. Immunohistochemistry analyses using resected specimen from patients with CRC in our institute confirmed the result. Patient-matched primary CRC and liver metastases showed a significant downregulation of OPG expression in metastatic lesions. In CRC cell lines, OPG expression did not suppress cell proliferation and migration. However, OPG expression inhibited macrophage migration by suppressing the RANKL-RANK pathway. Moreover, in vivo mouse liver metastasis models showed that OPG expression in CRC cells suppressed liver metastases. In addition, treatment with an anti-RANKL neutralizing antibody also suppressed liver metastases. These results showed that downregulation of OPG expression in CRC cells promotes liver metastasis by activating tumor-associated macrophage, which can become a candidate for targeted therapy with anti-RANKL neutralizing antibody for CRC liver metastasis.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorder with metabolic abnormalities. Prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is predicted to result in death and poor neurological outcomes. This report describes the case of a patient with AN who had an unexpectedly favorable outcome after prolonged CPR. A 12-year-old female with AN presented to the emergency department, requiring intubation due to worsening consciousness and respiratory distress. Refractory hypotension led to cardiac arrest. After 135 minutes of CPR, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (EMCO) was started, and the patient was treated for post-resuscitation management, refeeding syndrome, and sepsis. The cardiac function gradually improved, the patient was weaned from EMCO eight days after admission, and the patient was extubated 30 days after admission. The patient maintained a good central nervous system function. AN patients tend to be youngsters and have a lower metabolism, which may be associated with a favorable neurological prognosis after prolonged CPR.