Photoemission spectroscopy and microscopy for Ta@Si superatoms and their assembled layers.

Superatoms (SAs) with specific compositions have the potential to significantly advance the field of nanomaterials science, leading to next-generation nanoscale functionalities. In this study, we fabricated assembled layers with tantalum metal-atom encapsulating silicon cage (Ta@Si) SAs on an organic C substrate through deposition, and we characterized their electronic and optical properties by photoelectron spectroscopy and microscopy. The alkaline nature of Ta@Si SAs reveals their electronic behaviors, such as charge transfer and electromagnetic near-field sensing, through two-photon photoemission (2PPE) spectroscopy and microscopy with a femtosecond laser.

Phase I/IIa trial of 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) 1007 PET/CT in healthy volunteers and prostate cancer patients.

Objective: 18F-PSMA 1007 is a promising PET tracer for prostate cancer. We aimed to examine the safety, biodistribution, radiation dosimetry, and clinical effectiveness in Japanese healthy volunteers and patients with prostate cancer.

Methods: Part A evaluated the pharmacokinetics and exposure doses in three healthy volunteers.

Prognostic value of various nutritional risk markers in patients hospitalized for the treatment of genitourinary cancer: A retrospective study.

Background & Aims: Because malnutrition adversely affects the prognosis of patients with cancer, accurate nutritional status assessment is important. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the prognostic value of various nutritional assessment tools and compare their predictability.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 200 patients hospitalized for genitourinary cancer between April 2018 and December 2021.

Deep Learning-Based Image Quality Improvement in Digital Positron Emission Tomography for Breast Cancer.

We investigated whether F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography images restored via deep learning (DL) improved image quality and affected axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis diagnosis in patients with breast cancer. Using a five-point scale, two readers compared the image quality of DL-PET and conventional PET (cPET) in 53 consecutive patients from September 2020 to October 2021. Visually analyzed ipsilateral ALNs were rated on a three-point scale.

A new perspective on the evolution of "Kawara" roof tiles in Ryukyu: A multidisciplinary non-destructive analysis of roof tile transition at Shuri Castle, Ryukyu Islands, Japan.

A unique historical architecture was created at Shuri Castle (Shuri-jo) in the Ryukyu Islands by its "Kawara" roof tiles. After the 13th and 14th centuries, Kawara tiles were introduced to the Ryukyu Islands from several regions, including China, Korea, and mainland Japan, and evolved shapes and patterns that are unique to this island region. However, the transition of some internal features, such as the chemical components and microstructure, had not been analyzed.

Enhancement of F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET Image Quality by Deep-Learning-Based Image Reconstruction Using Advanced Intelligent Clear-IQ Engine in Semiconductor-Based PET/CT Scanners.

Deep learning (DL) image quality improvement has been studied for application to F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT). It is unclear, however, whether DL can increase the quality of images obtained with semiconductor-based PET/CT scanners. This study aimed to compare the quality of semiconductor-based PET/CT scanner images obtained by DL-based technology and conventional OSEM image with Gaussian postfilter.

Inconsistent Control Status of Office, Home, and Ambulatory Blood Pressure All Taken Using the Same Device: The HI-JAMP Study Baseline Data.

Background: Inconsistencies between the office and out-of-office blood pressure (BP) values (described as white-coat hypertension or masked hypertension) may be attributable in part to differences in the BP monitoring devices used.

Methods: We studied consistency in the classification of BP control (well-controlled BP vs. uncontrolled BP) among office, home, and ambulatory BPs by using a validated "all-in-one" BP monitoring device.

Prognostic Value of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score in Patients at Dialysis Initiation.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and affects their prognosis. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a nutritional screening tool calculated using only blood test data. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CONUT score in patients just initiating dialysis.

Deep learning-based image quality improvement of F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Deep learning (DL)-based image quality improvement is a novel technique based on convolutional neural networks. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical value of F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-FDG PET) images obtained with the DL method with those obtained using a Gaussian filter.

Methods: Fifty patients with a mean age of 64.

Optimal phase analysis of electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography angiography in patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection.

Objective: To determine the phase that facilitates flap observation of the ascending aorta in Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with perfused false lumen.

Methods: We reconstructed retrospective Electrocardiogram-gated Computed Tomography Angiography images of the ascending aorta of all 20 patients to 20 phases of curved-multiplanar reconstruction in 5% increment. One radiologist created and randomized 10 cross-sectional images of each phase for every patient and two radiologists scored these images on a 5-point scale depending on the degree of flap stoppage.

Effects of luseogliflozin on arterial properties in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The multicenter, exploratory LUSCAR study.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular and renal complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and represent guideline-recommended therapy in this indication. However, precise mechanisms underlying the beneficial cardiovascular effects of SGLT2 inhibitors are not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor, luseogliflozin, on arterial properties and home blood pressure (BP) in patients with T2DM.

Age-related difference of the association of cardiovascular risk factors with the cardio-ankle vascular index in the Cardiovascular Prognostic Coupling Study in Japan (the Coupling Registry).

The value of the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) increases with age. All large-scale studies of the CAVI have investigated patients <80 years old. Thus, the clinical characteristics of high CAVI in patients aged 80 or more remain unclear.

Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics of the Cardiovascular Prognostic COUPLING Study in Japan (the COUPLING Registry).

Vascular biomarkers, including the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), are increasingly being recognized as important indicators of cardiovascular risk. CAVI has been shown to have good discriminative ability for detecting new-onset hypertension, but results of studies investigating cardiovascular risk prediction are inconsistent. Furthermore, there is a lack of data on the prognostic value of changes in CAVI over time.

Visualization of Surface Plasmons Propagating at the Buried Organic/Metal Interface with Silver Nanocluster Sensitizers.

Visualization of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) propagation at dielectric/metal interfaces is indispensable in providing opportunities for the precise designing and controlling of the functionalities of future plasmonic nanodevices. Here, we report the visualization of SPPs propagating along the buried organic/metal interface of fullerene (C)/Au(111), through dual-colored two-photon photoemission electron microscopy (2P-PEEM) which precisely visualizes the SPP propagation of plasmonic metal nanostructures. Although SPPs excited by near-infrared photons at the few monolayer C/Au(111) interface are clearly visualized as interference beat patterns between the SPPs and incident light, faithfully reflecting SPP properties modulated by the overlayer, photoemission signals are suppressed for thicker C films, due to less valence electrons participating in 2P-photoemission processes.

Continuous regional arterial infusion versus intravenous administration of the protease inhibitor nafamostat mesilate for predicted severe acute pancreatitis: a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 2 trial.

Background: Continuous regional arterial infusion (CRAI) of protease inhibitor nafamostat mesilate (NM) is used in the context of predicted severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) to prevent the development of pancreatic necrosis. Although this therapy is well known in Japan, its efficacy and safety remain unclear.

Methods: This investigator-initiated and -driven, multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled trial (UMIN000020868) enrolled 39 patients with predicted SAP and low enhancement of the pancreatic parenchyma on computed tomography (CT).

Two-photon photoelectron emission microscopy for surface plasmon polaritons at the Au(111) surface decorated with alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers.

In this study, we have employed dual-color photoelectron emission microscopy (2P-PEEM) to visualize surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) propagating along a chemically modified organic/metal interface of alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers (Cn-SAMs; n is the number of alkyl carbon atoms) formed on Au(111). In dual-color 2P-PEEM, near-infrared photons around 900 nm generate SPPs at the Cn-SAMs/Au(111) interface, which interfere with the remaining light field. The resulting surface polarization beats are imaged as local distributions of 2P-photoelectrons probed by ultraviolet photons.

Comparative Effects of an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)/Diuretic vs. ARB/Calcium-Channel Blocker Combination on Uncontrolled Nocturnal Hypertension Evaluated by Information and Communication Technology-Based Nocturnal Home Blood Pressure Monitoring - The NOCTURNE Study.

Background: Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular events. The NOCTURNE study, a multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) using our recently developed information and communication technology (ICT) nocturnal home BP monitoring (HBPM) device, was performed to compare the nocturnal HBP-lowering effects of differential ARB-based combination therapies in 411 Japanese patients with nocturnal hypertension (HT).

Methods and results: Patients with nocturnal BP ≥120/70 mmHg at baseline even under ARB therapy (100 mg irbesartan daily) were enrolled.

[Molecular analysis of sporadic colon cancer].

Background: In Chile, colorectal cancer (CRC) is often diagnosed in late stages. Thus, surgical treatment must be complemented with chemotherapy. KRAS mutations and microsatellite instability have been detected in these tumors.

Sleep Blood Pressure Self-Measured at Home as a Novel Determinant of Organ Damage: Japan Morning Surge Home Blood Pressure (J-HOP) Study.

To study whether sleep blood pressure (BP) self-measured at home is associated with organ damage, the authors analyzed the data of 2562 participants in the J-HOP study who self-measured sleep BP using a home BP monitoring (HBPM) device, three times during sleep (2 am, 3 am, 4 am), as well as the home morning and evening BPs. The mean sleep home systolic BPs (SBPs) were all correlated with urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), maximum carotid intima-media thickness, and plasma N-terminal pro-hormone pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) (all P<.001).

Electrochemical lithiation performance and characterization of silicon-graphite composites with lithium, sodium, potassium, and ammonium polyacrylate binders.

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAH), which is a water soluble polycarboxylic acid, is neutralized by adding different amounts of LiOH, NaOH, KOH, and ammonia (NH4OH) aqueous solutions to fix neutralization degrees. The differently neutralized polyacid, alkali and ammonium polyacrylates are examined as polymeric binders for the preparation of Si-graphite composite electrodes as negative electrodes for Li-ion batteries. The electrode performance of the Si-graphite composite depends on the alkali chemicals and neutralization degree.

Fabrication of carbon-felt-based multi-enzyme immobilized anodes to oxidize sucrose for biofuel cells.

A carbon-felt-based multi-enzyme immobilized bioanode for biofuel cells has been successfully developed. The combination of four enzymes, namely, invertase, mutarotase, glucose oxidase, and fructose dehydrogenase, makes it possible to use sucrose--a disaccharide--as fuel for the bioanode. The new electrode exhibits a high oxidation current density of about 12 mA cm(-2) (0.

[Assessment of hand-foot syndrome in cancer patients treated with capecitabine-containing chemotherapy].

Capecitabine is one of the most effective oral chemotherapeutic drugs for advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer and gastric cancer. Capecitabine-containing chemotherapy is recommended as a first-line option for gastrointestinal tract cancer. The incidence of hand-foot syndrome (HFS), an adverse event of chemotherapy with capecitabine, is high.

Malignant pheochromocytoma: Hepatectomy for liver metastases.

Malignant pheochromocytoma accounts for approximately 10% of pheochromocytoma cases. The main site of distant metastasis is the liver. Hypertensive crisis due to catecholamine oversecretion is potentially fatal.