Features of recurrence and contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia (CMIH) in the patients underwent laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) for pediatric inguinal hernia.

Purpose: Recurrence and contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia (CMIH) are important postoperative complications in patients with inguinal hernia (IH) who undergo laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC). This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and causes of recurrence and CMIH after LPEC.

Methods: Among the included patients, 2484 hernias were included in the analysis of recurrence.

Comparison between carrier transport property and crystal quality of TlBr semiconductors.

Thallium bromide (TlBr) semiconductor detectors are being developed as promising candidates for high-detection-efficiency, high-energy-resolution, and room-temperature gamma-ray spectrometers. This study presents methods for evaluating TlBr crystal quality and carrier transport characteristics using neutron Bragg-dip imaging and the time-of-flight method for pulsed-laser-induced carriers, respectively. Neutron Bragg-dip imaging effectively determines the crystal orientation distribution, revealing crystal imperfections and grain boundaries.

Retraction of "On Improving Water-Based Drilling Mud Swelling Control Using Modified Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)s".

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08317.

Laparoscopic resection for retroperitoneum ganglioneuroma with Supine hypotension syndrome.

Background: Supine hypotension syndrome (SHS) has been reported to occur due to compression by a giant tumor such as ovarian tumor. We herein report a case of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma with SHS treated with laparoscopic resection.

Case Presentation: The patient was an 11-year-old male with right-sided abdominal pain.

End Cap Effect on Solution-Processable Deep Blue Lasing Materials with Low-Amplified Spontaneous Emission Thresholds.

Organic lasers have attracted increasing attention owing to their superior characteristics such as lightweight, low-cost manufacturing, high mechanical flexibility, and high emission-wavelength tunability. Recent breakthroughs include electrically pumped organic laser diodes and an electrically driven organic laser, integrated with an organic light-emitting diode pumping. However, the availability of efficient deep blue organic laser chromophores remains limited.

The time-course augmentation of perivascular space enlargement in the basal ganglia among a community-dwelling elder population.

Purpose: We examined whether time-course augmentation of perivascular space enlargement in the basal ganglia (BG-PVS) reflected cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) severity by considering white matter hyperintensity lesion (WMHL) as an indicator for CSVD.

Materials And Methods: This study population included 416 older participants from a community-based cohort. They participated in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies more than once during the study period.

Evaluation of the extracranial "multifocal arcuate sign," a novel MRI finding for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis, on STIR and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images.

Background: While early diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) based on clinical criteria and contrast-enhanced MRI findings can lead to early treatment and prevention of blindness and cerebrovascular accidents, previously reported diagnostic methods which utilize contrast-enhanced whole head images are cumbersome. Diagnostic delay is common as patients may not be aware of initial symptoms and their significance. To improve current diagnostic capabilities, new MRI-based diagnostic criteria need to be established.

Experimental Study on Enhanced Methane Detection Using an MEMS-Pyroelectric Sensor Integrated with a Wavelet Algorithm.

An optical sensing approach that balances portability with cost efficiency has been designed for the reliable monitoring of fugitive methane (CH) emissions. Employing a LiTaO-based pyroelectric detector integrated with micro-electro-mechanical systems and a broad infrared source, the developed gas sensor adeptly measured CH concentrations with a low limit of detection of about 5.6 ppm and showed rapid response times with consistently under 3 s.

On Improving Water-Based Drilling Mud Swelling Control Using Modified Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)s.

One of the most challenging issues when drilling under high-temperature, high-pressure (HT/HP) conditions is wellbore instability caused by clay swelling and fluid loss of the drilling mud. One of the most difficult issues when drilling under high-temperature, high-pressure (HT/HP) conditions is wellbore instability caused by clay swelling and fluid loss in drilling mud. Two modified PVOHs, nonionic and cationic polymers made from sodium bentonite clay and deionized water at concentrations of 0.

Production, characterization, and application of Pseudoxanthomonas taiwanensis biosurfactant: a green chemical for microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR).

Biosurfactants, as microbial bioproducts, have significant potential in the field of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). Biosurfactants are microbial bioproducts with the potential to reduce the interfacial tension (IFT) between crude oil and water, thus enhancing oil recovery. This study aims to investigate the production and characterization of biosurfactants and evaluate their effectiveness in increasing oil recovery.

Early and late outcomes of congenital biliary dilatation in pediatric patients.

Background: This study aimed to reveal the early and late postoperative complications and outcomes after surgery for congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) by reviewing cases over the past 40 years.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 59 patients with CBD who underwent radical surgery for complications and outcomes, based on medical records. Early complications were defined as those requiring treatment within 5 years of the initial operation.

Draft genome sequences of three rhodopsin possessing sp. strains, isolated from the sea surface microlayer in Japan.

Here, we present the draft genome sequences of three sp. strains containing microbial rhodopsins, isolated from the Japanese coastal sea surface microlayer, which is exposed to intense sunlight. This study will contribute to the understanding of the genus and the diversity of microbial rhodopsins.

Examination of the Factors Inhibiting CO Adsorption on Coal: A Case Study from Shallow-Depth Low-Rank Coal Seams.

Understanding the inhibitory factors affecting the adsorption of CO on low-rank coal from shallow-depth coal seams is essential to identify potential coal seams for CO sequestration. The CO adsorption capacity of shallow-depth coals was measured at a low pressure on raw and dry coals. The samples were also prepared for organic analyses, scanning electron microscopy analyses, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption analyses to evaluate the CO adsorption and identify the inhibitory factors.

Evaluation of deep learning-based deliverable VMAT plan generated by prototype software for automated planning for prostate cancer patients.

This study aims to evaluate the dosimetric accuracy of a deep learning (DL)-based deliverable volumetric arc radiation therapy (VMAT) plan generated using DL-based automated planning assistant system (AIVOT, prototype version) for patients with prostate cancer. The VMAT data (cliDose) of 68 patients with prostate cancer treated with VMAT treatment (70-74 Gy/28-37 fr) at our hospital were used (n = 55 for training and n = 13 for testing). First, a HD-U-net-based 3D dose prediction model implemented in AIVOT was customized using the VMAT data.

Identification and Analysis of the Biosynthetic Gene Cluster for the Hydrazide-Containing Aryl Polyene Spinamycin.

Natural products containing nitrogen-nitrogen (N-N) bonds have attracted much attention because of their bioactivities and chemical features. Several recent studies have revealed the nitrous acid-dependent N-N bond-forming machinery. However, the catalytic mechanisms of hydrazide synthesis using nitrous acid remain unknown.

Double Dynamic Structural Change Enabling Tricolor Chromism by the Realization of Apparent Two-Electron Transfer to Skip the Open-Shell State.

Most redox systems generally cannot avoid the involvement of open-shell species upon generating multiply charged species, which often reduces reversibility in multi-color electrochromic systems. In this study, we newly synthesized octakis(aminophenyl)-substituted pentacenebisquinodimethane (BQD) derivatives and their hybrids with alkoxyphenyl analogues. Thanks to apparent two-electron transfer accompanied by double dramatic changes in the structure of the arylated quinodimethane skeleton, the dicationic and tetracationic states were generated and isolated quantitatively because of the negligible steady-state concentration of intermediary open-shell species such as monocation or trication radicals.

Improvement of deep learning prediction model in patient-specific QA for VMAT with MLC leaf position map and patient's dose distribution.

Purpose: Deep learning-based virtual patient-specific quality assurance (QA) is a novel technique that enables patient QA without measurement. However, this method could be improved by further evaluating the optimal data to be used as input. Therefore, a deep learning-based model that uses multileaf collimator (MLC) information per control point and dose distribution in patient's CT as inputs was developed.

A rare case of pyosalpinx in adolescent girl with Hirschsprung's disease who underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided drainage.

Background: Hydrosalpinx and pyosalpinx are rare gynecologic problems during adolescence, especially in girls without a history of sexual activity. They are even rarer in women with Hirschsprung's disease (HD). We herein report a case of pyosalpinx in an adolescent girl with HD treated by transvaginal ultrasound-guided drainage.

Ingestion rate estimated from food concentration and predatory role of copepod nauplii in the microbial food web of temperate embayment waters.

To quantitatively evaluate the role of copepod nauplii as predators in the microbial food web, the ingestion rate (IR) of copepod nauplii and the food requirement (FR) of microzooplankton were estimated monthly for 3 consecutive years in temperate embayment waters. The IR of dominant copepod nauplii ( spp. nauplii) was estimated from water temperature, individual carbon weight and food concentration and peaked (>0.

A retrospective preliminary study of intrapancreatic late enhancement as a noteworthy imaging finding in the early stages of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Objective: To characterize intrapancreatic late enhancement (ILE) observed in the early stages of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC).

Methods: Among 203 patients pathologically diagnosed with PAC between October 2011 and February 2021, 32 patients with pre-diagnostic abdominal contrast-enhanced CT performed from 6 months to 5 years before the diagnosis were enrolled in this study. Indirect findings (IFs) on pre-diagnostic CT, including ILE, were evaluated and examined for various clinical data and time intervals to diagnosis (TIDs).

A rare case of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders with short bowel syndrome after strangulated bowel obstruction.

Background: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare yet costly disease with an incidence rate of 3 per million people. Herein, we report a rare case of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) with SBS after strangulated bowel obstruction.

Case Presentation: A 5-year-old male had a necrotic intestine of 340 cm resected due to strangulated bowel obstruction caused by an intestinal mesenteric hiatal hernia.

Microalgal flocculation and sedimentation: spatiotemporal evaluation of the effects of the pH and calcium concentration.

The high cost of harvesting microalgae is a major hurdle for the microalgae industry, and an efficient pre-concentration method is required. In this study, the effects of using different pH values (between pH 3 and 11) and calcium (Ca) concentrations (between 0 and 5 mM) on Chlorella vulgaris sedimentation were investigated by evaluating the spacio-temporal distributions of microalgae cells. Fast and efficient sedimentation occurred (within 10 min) at a high Ca concentration (5 mM) at pH 9 and 11.

Assessment of a computed tomography-based radiomics approach for assessing lung function in lung cancer patients.

Purpose: We aimed to assess radiomics approaches for estimating three pulmonary function test (PFT) results (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], and the ratio of FEV1 to FVC [FEV/FVC]) using data extracted from chest computed tomography (CT) images.

Methods: This retrospective study included 85 lung cancer patients (mean age, 75 years ±8; 69 men) who underwent stereotactic body radiotherapy between 2012 and 2020. Their pretreatment chest breath-hold CT and PFT data before radiotherapy were obtained.