Arctangent normalization and principal-component analyses merge method to classify characteristics utilizing time-dependent material data.

We propose a technique for classifying paints with time-dependent properties using a new method of merging principal-component analyses (the "PCA-merge" method) that utilizes shifting of the barycenter of the PCA score plot. To understand the molecular structure, elemental concentrations, and the concentrations in the evolved gaseous component of various paints, we performed comprehensive characterizations using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and head-space-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry while drying the paint films for 1-48 h. As various detected intensity- and time-axis variables have different dimensions that cannot be handled equally, we normalized those data as an angle parameter (θ) using arctangent to reduce the influence of high/low intensity data and the various analytical instrument.

Quantitative imaging of trace elements in solid samples by online isotope dilution laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

For quantitative visualization of trace elements, an online isotope dilution (ID) laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) method capable of accurately correcting the detection amount of targets is presented. Two aerosols from an ablated sample and a nebulized isotopically enriched spike solution were mixed online using a dual-port spray chamber. In this paper, transmission efficiency (TE) of each of the two gas streams to the ICP-MS detector is revealed, and the quantification values were corrected by including the ratio of TEs in the calculation of the online ID method.

Analysis of groundwater flow line of the Goshiki-numa pond community using elevation-considered principal component analysis.

To reveal the dynamics of underground water flows, measuring many factors and chemical components are usually required. However, it is difficult for the human sense to find the right answers using the many chemo-data in different factors. Although principal component analysis is one of the useful means in a multivariate analysis (chemometrics) that can reduce the multivariable to only 2-D or 3-D and can successfully categorize quantitative multidata into several groups based on the similarity of water quality, underground water flows are difficult to elucidate owing to the lack of continuous information.

Sensitivity enhancement in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using nebulization methods via nitrogen mixed gas effect.

We demonstrate the sensitivity enhancement in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) by combining ultrasonic nebulization via the nitrogen mixed gas effect. We showed the effect of nitrogen gas concentration (0-5%) in the nebulizer gas on the signal sensitivity for 63 elements using commercially available (concentric and ultrasonic) nebulizers. In addition, the limit of detection (ng L) was calculated in each case.

Online solid-phase extraction-inductively coupled plasma-quadrupole mass spectrometric quantification of Sr using Sr/Sr isotope dilution method.

Due to the lack of a correlation with the natural Strontium (Sr) isotopes, it is difficult to apply the isotope dilution (ID) method to an artificial radioactive mononuclide Strontium-90 (Sr), in inductively coupled plasma-quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS). Meanwhile, online solid-phase extraction (SPE)-ICP-QMS (SPE-ICP-QMS) serves as an automatic sequential analytical technique for measuring the ultra-trace amounts of radionuclides; however, apparent assay values obtained using this method are often negatively affected by differences in the sample matrix composition between standard and actual samples. In this study, the pg L level of Sr was successfully measured by combining online SPE-ICP-QMS and the ID method with Sr/Sr ratios in one sample injection, without the radioactive standard.

Development of Online Dilution System for Quantification of Sr Using Automatic Solid-phase Extraction Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

In this paper, we propose an online dilution system for the rapid quantification of radioactive strontium-90 (Sr) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry coupled solid-phase extraction and O dynamic reaction (cascade ICP-MS). The proposed system automatically provides a higher dilution ratio, which is at most 3.3 ± 0.

Efficient Degradation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) with Thermobifida fusca Cutinase Exhibiting Improved Catalytic Activity Generated using Mutagenesis and Additive-based Approaches.

Cutinases are promising agents for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bio-recycling because of their ability to produce the PET monomer terephthalic acid with high efficiency under mild reaction conditions. In this study, we found that the low-crystallinity PET (lcPET) hydrolysis activity of thermostable cutinase from Thermobifida fusca (TfCut2), was increased by the addition of cationic surfactant that attracts enzymes near the lcPET film surface via electrostatic interactions. This approach was applicable to the mutant TfCut2 G62A/F209A, which was designed based on a sequence comparison with PETase from Ideonella sakaiensis.

Correction to: Sepsis patients with complication of hypoglycemia and hypoalbuminemia are an early and easy identification of high mortality risk.

In the original article, there were errors in Unit of serum albumin level and the Cases numbers in Table 4.

Rapid Quantification of Radioactive Strontium-90 in Fresh Foods via Online Solid-Phase Extraction-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Dynamic Reaction Cell-Mass Spectrometry and Its Comparative Evaluation with Conventional Radiometry.

This paper describes a rapid quantification method for radioactive strontium (Sr) in fresh foods (perishable foods) and has been comparatively evaluated with the common classical radiometric quantification method. Inductively coupled plasma-dynamic reaction cell-mass spectrometry with online solid-phase extraction (cascade-ICP-MS) rapidly determines Sr in a pure water-based sample. Despite its advantages, its application to fresh foods (perishable foods) has not yet been reported; however, the analytical potential of this method for fresh foods must be evaluated.

Sepsis patients with complication of hypoglycemia and hypoalbuminemia are an early and easy identification of high mortality risk.

Either hypoglycemia or hypoalbuminemia alone is an independent condition associated with increased risk of mortality in critical illness. This study evaluates whether the mortality risk increases in septic patients if these conditions are combined. Patients admitted to our hospital from 2008 to 2015 who satisfied the definition of sepsis were targeted (n = 336).

Thromboembolic Complications Following Tissue Plasminogen Activator Therapy in Patients of Acute Ischemic Stroke - Case Report and Possibility for Detection of Cardiac Thrombi.

Many reports focus on the probability of intracranial hemorrhage as a complication after recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) therapy. However, thromboembolic complications are not well discussed. We experienced a case in which severe thromboembolic complications occurred in the right radial and right ulnar artery.

Acceleration of Enzymatic Degradation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) by Surface Coating with Anionic Surfactants.

Enzymatic degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is promising because this process is safer than conventional industrial approaches. Recently, a cationic PET hydrolase (PETase) was identified from Ideonella sakaiensis. Pre-incubation of a low-crystallinity PET film with anionic surfactants prior to initiating the reaction was found to improve PETase activity 120-fold.

Delayed increase in serum acetaminophen concentration after ingestion of a combination medications: a case report.

Acetaminophen is absorbed rapidly after oral intake, and serum concentration peaks within 4 hours. The Rumack-Matthew (RM) nomogram is widely used to identify the potential risk of liver dysfunction. However, the RM nomogram was intended for use only when a single agent was ingested.

Ultrasonic Mist Generation Assist Argon-Nitrogen Mix Gas Effect on Radioactive Strontium Quantification by Online Solid-Phase Extraction with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

The Ar-N mix gas effect can easily improve the sensitivity of ICPMS; however, this effect discriminates against Sr. In this study, it was found that Ar-N mixed gases introduced into nebulizing gas enhanced the sensitivity of online solid-phase extraction (SPE) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for radioactive strontium quantification. An ultrasonic nebulizer (USN) improved the Ar-N mixture gases effect of Sr and the mix gases (with USN) enhanced 3.

The Clinical Significance of Low Serum Arachidonic Acid in Sepsis Patients with Hypoalbuminemia.

Objectives Fatty acids (FAs) have various roles in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions. Hypoalbuminemia is often observed in sepsis patients. An imbalance among these compounds formed from FAs caused by hypoalbuminemia may be related to increased mortality in sepsis patients.

Split Flow Online Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry System for One-Shot Data Acquisition of Quantification and Recovery Efficiency.

Online solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) is a useful tool in automatic sequential analysis. However, it cannot simultaneously quantify the analytical targets and their recovery percentages (R%) in one-shot samples. We propose a system that simultaneously acquires both data in a single sample injection.

Impact of a porcine epidemic diarrhea outbreak on swine productivity in Japan: a retrospective cohort study.

The objective was to investigate porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) outbreak that occurred in 2014 in Japan and its effects on herd-level productivity using a data recording system (PigINFO). The study herds were selected from farrow-to-finish herds (n=99) that entered in the PigINFO system between July 2013 and March 2015. From 1 April to 30 June 2014 (PED epidemic), any herds with clinical signs of PED and feces positive for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) on polymerase chain reaction analysis and/or immunohistochemical staining were defined as PED-positive (n=38).

DNase γ is the effector endonuclease for internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in necrosis.

Apoptosis and necrosis, two major forms of cell death, can be distinguished morphologically and biochemically. Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation (INDF) is a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis, and caspase-activated DNase (CAD), also known as DNA fragmentation factor 40 kDa (DFF40), is one of the major effector endonucleases. DNase γ, a Mg(2+)/Ca(2+)-dependent endonuclease, is also known to generate INDF but its role among other apoptosis-associated endonucleases in cell death is unclear.

A case of traumatic hematoma in the basal ganglia that showed deterioration after arrival at the hospital.

A case of traumatic hematoma in the basal ganglia that showed deterioration after arrival at the hospital was reported. A 65-year-old man crashed into the wall while riding a motorcycle. His Glasgow coma scale was E3V4M6 and showed retrograde amnesia and slight right motor weakness.

Implication for long-term hypothermia on degradation of interleukin-8 mRNA in endothelial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharides.

This experimental study investigated the effects of long-term hypothermia on the production of interleukin (IL)-8 protein and its mRNA expression in endothelial cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were separated into a non-cooling group (N group: 37°C) and a cooling group (C group: 30°C). These groups were incubated with LPS (1 μg/mL) for 0, 2, 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours.

Cross-reactivity of the anti-human D-dimer monoclonal antibody 1C9-6F10 to canine fibrin degradation products.

The cross-reactivity of the anti-human D-dimer antibody 1C9-6F10 to the canine D-dimer was evaluated by western blotting using purified canine fibrinogen, fibrin degradation products (XDPs) and plasma from a dog with suspected disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The antibody cross-reacted with canine XDPs and plasma from the dog with suspected DIC. A latex agglutination assay using 1C9-6F10 measured the canine XDPs in dogs.

Effects of bag-mask versus advanced airway ventilation for patients undergoing prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation in pre-hospital setting.

Background: There is no evidence that the advanced airway ventilation (AAV) method improves patient outcome in the pre-hospital cardiac arrest setting.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of AAV vs. bag-mask ventilation (BMV) for cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) patients, when administered by a licensed emergency medical technician in the pre-hospital setting.

Change in brain glucose after enteral nutrition in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: The alteration of brain extracellular glucose after enteral nutrition (EN) remains unclear. In this study, we used brain microdialysis methods to estimate whether the physiologic elevation of plasma glucose following EN affects brain glucose metabolism of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients.

Methods: Brain extracellular glucose, lactate, glycerol, glutamate, and pyruvate were measured with a brain microdialysis probe in 12 patients (mean age: 60.

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide stimulated interleukin-1beta production after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Purpose: To identify the characteristics of cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods: Blood samples were collected on the first day and 3 days after SAH (n = 12) to measure plasma concentrations of catecholamines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-10. PBMCs from SAH patients or healthy volunteers were incubated with LPS (1 microg) for 24 hours.

Reduced effectiveness of hypothermia in patients lacking the wave V in auditory brainstem responses immediately following resuscitation from cardiac arrest.

Aims: Therapeutic hypothermia appears to improve the outcome of pre-hospital cardio-pulmonary arrest (CPA) in patients with an initial cardiac rhythm of ventricular fibrillation or nonperfusing ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT). Notwithstanding, the outcome of this procedure is certainly difficult to predict based solely on the initial rhythm. The aim of the present study was to predict the outcome using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) in CPA patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia.