Turbulence Transition in Magnetically Confined Hydrogen and Deuterium Plasmas.

In this study, we discovered a turbulence transition in a large helical device. The turbulence level and turbulence-driven energy transport decrease to a specific transition density and increase above it. The ruling turbulences below and above the transition density were ion-temperature gradient (ITG) and resistive-interchange (RI) turbulences, consistent with the predictions of gyrokinetic theory and two-fluid MHD model, respectively. Isotope experiments on hydrogen (H) and deuterium (D) clarified the role of transitions. In the ITG regime, turbulence levels and energy transport were comparable in the H and D plasmas. In contrast, in the RI regime, they were clearly suppressed in the D plasma. The results provide crucial knowledge for understanding isotope effects and future optimization of stellarator and heliotron devices.

Turbulence Spreading into an Edge Stochastic Magnetic Layer Induced by Magnetic Fluctuation and Its Impact on Divertor Heat Load.

Turbulence spreading into the edge stochastic magnetic layer induced by magnetic fluctuation is observed at the sharp boundary region in the large helical device. The density fluctuation excited at the sharp boundary region with a large pressure gradient does not propagate into the boundary region due to the blocking of turbulence spreading by the large second derivative of the pressure gradient. Once the magnetic fluctuation appears at the boundary, the density fluctuation begins to penetrate the edge stochastic layer and the second derivative of the pressure gradient also decreases. The increase of density fluctuation in this layer results in the broadening and reduction of the peak divertor heat load. It is demonstrated that magnetic fluctuation plays a key role in controlling the turbulence spreading at the boundary of plasma which contributes to the reduction of divertor heat load.

Building a setup capable of characterizing large and low-loss optics: "STAR".

We have built a setup called STAR that is capable of characterizing large and very low-loss optics. STAR stands for scattering, transmittance, absorption, and reflectance of the setup's measurement items using 1064 nm laser light, a wavelength in which we are currently interested. Thanks to the design concept in which most of the optical components are shared by each measurement, the system is reasonably compact and can be quickly switched from one measurement setting to another with only minor modification and without offloading the piece to be measured from the setup. The instrument is capable of scanning large areas of 500 mm diameter or larger and can be used for both coated and uncoated optics. It is described here in detail, and the results of some measurements are presented.

Gastrectomy with or without omentectomy for cT3-4 gastric cancer: a multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Omentectomy is performed widely for locally advanced gastric cancer to prevent disease recurrence. However, its clinical benefit is unknown. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compared the outcome of gastrectomy with preservation of the omentum (GPO) and gastrectomy with resection of the omentum (GRO) among patients with cT3-T4 gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy between 2006 and 2012 in one of five participating institutions. A consensus conference identified 28 variables potentially associated with outcome after gastrectomy for the estimation of propensity scores, and propensity score matching (PSM) was undertaken to control for possible confounders. Postoperative surgical outcomes, overall survival and disease recurrence were compared between GPO and GRO. RESULTS: A total of 1758 patients were identified, of whom 526 remained after PSM, 263 in each group. Median follow-up was 4·9 (i.q.r. 3·1-5·9) years in the GRO group and 5·0 (2·5-6·8) years in the GPO group. The incidence of postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade III or more was significantly higher in the GRO group (17·5 versus 10·3 per cent; P = 0·016). Five-year overall survival rates were 77·1 per cent in the GRO group and 79·4 per cent in the GPO group (P = 0·749). There were no significant differences in recurrence rate or pattern of recurrence between the groups. CONCLUSION: Overall survival and disease recurrence were comparable in patients with cT3-4 gastric cancer who underwent GPO or GRO.

ANTECEDENTES: La omentectomía se realiza ampliamente en el cáncer gástrico localmente avanzado para prevenir la recidiva de la enfermedad. Sin embargo, se desconoce su beneficio clínico. MÉTODOS: Este estudio retrospectivo comparó el resultado de la gastrectomía con preservación del omento (gastrectomy with preservation of the omentum, GPO) con la gastrectomía con resección del omento (gastrectomy with resection of the omentum, GRO) para el cáncer gástrico con estadio clínico T3/T4. Se incluyeron pacientes sometidos a gastrectomía por cáncer gástrico clínico T3/T4 (2006-2012) y se recogieron datos relevantes de 5 hospitales participantes. A través de una conferencia de consenso se identificaron 28 variables potencialmente asociadas con el resultado tras la gastrectomía, mediante las cuales se estimaron las puntuaciones de propensión, utilizándose el emparejamiento por puntuación de propensión (propensity score matching, PSM) para el control de posibles factores de confusión. Los resultados quirúrgicos postoperatorios, la supervivencia global y la recidiva de la enfermedad se compararon entre las gastrectomías con GPO y GRO. RESULTADOS: En total, se identificaron 1.758 pacientes, seleccionándose 526 (263 GRO y 263 GPO) tras el PSM. La mediana (rango intercuartílico) de seguimiento fue de 4,9 años (3,1-5,9) en el grupo GRO y de 5,0 años (2,5-6,8) en el grupo GPO. La incidencia de complicaciones postoperatorias de Clavien-Dindo grado III o más alto fue significativamente más elevada en el grupo GRO que en el grupo GPO (17,1% versus 9,1%; P = 0,010). La supervivencia global a los 5 años fue del 77,1% para el grupo GRO y del 79,4% para el grupo GPO (P = 0,749). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la tasa de recidiva o patrón de recidiva entre ambos grupos. CONCLUSIÓN: La supervivencia global y la recidiva de la enfermedad son comparables en pacientes con cáncer gástrico estadio clínico T3-4 sometidos a GPO o GRO.

Asymmetric Phosphorus Incorporation in Homoepitaxial P-Doped (111) Diamond Revealed by Photoelectron Holography.

Diamond has two crystallographically inequivalent sites in the unit cell. In doped diamond, dopant occupation in the two sites is expected to be equal. Nevertheless, preferential dopant occupation during growth under nonequilibrium conditions is of fundamental importance, for example, to enhance the properties of nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) centers; therefore, this is a promising candidate for a qubit. However, the lack of suitable experimental techniques has made it difficult to study the crystal- and chemical-site-resolved local structures of dopants. Here, we confirm the identity of two chemical sites with asymmetric dopant incorporation in the diamond structure, via the photoelectron holography (PEH) of heavily phosphorus (P)-doped diamond prepared by chemical vapor deposition. One is substitutionally incorporated P with preferential site occupations and the other can be attributed to a PV split vacancy complex with preferential orientation. The present study shows that PEH is a valuable technique to study the local structures around dopants with a resolution of crystallographically inequivalent but energetically equivalent sites/orientations. Such information provides strategies to improve the properties of dopant related-complexes in which alignment is crucial for sensing of magnetic field or quantum spin register using N-V centers in diamond.

Two Cases of Equine Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis in Japan.

Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) is a recently described form of interstitial pneumonia associated with equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV-5). This disease has been reported in North and South America, Europe and Oceania but not, to our knowledge, in horses in Japan. We diagnosed EMPF in two Thoroughbred horses in Japan on the basis of gross and histopathological findings. In both cases, significant gross lesions, restricted to the lungs, consisted of numerous firm and coalescing nodules widely distributed throughout the lung. The nodules were <3 cm in diameter and pale white to tan in colour. Microscopically, they showed severe interstitial fibrosis and infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes and a few eosinophils. The residual alveoli were lined by cuboidal epithelial cells (type II pneumocytes) and filled with many macrophages, which rarely displayed oval eosinophilic to amphophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analyses identified the glycoprotein H gene of EHV-5, and in-situ hybridization detected EHV-5 in the alveolar macrophages in the lesions. In one case, electron microscopy revealed herpesvirus-like particles and EHV-5 was isolated from pulmonary lesions.

Precision Analysis of the

We present a precision analysis of the ^{136}Xe two-neutrino ßß electron spectrum above 0.8 MeV, based on high-statistics data obtained with the KamLAND-Zen experiment. An improved formalism for the two-neutrino ßß rate allows us to measure the ratio of the leading and subleading 2νßß nuclear matrix elements (NMEs), ξ_{31}^{2ν}=-0.26_{-0.25}^{+0.31}. Theoretical predictions from the nuclear shell model and the majority of the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) calculations are consistent with the experimental limit. However, part of the ξ_{31}^{2ν} range allowed by the QRPA is excluded by the present measurement at the 90% confidence level. Our analysis reveals that predicted ξ_{31}^{2ν} values are sensitive to the quenching of NMEs and the competing contributions from low- and high-energy states in the intermediate nucleus. Because these aspects are also at play in neutrinoless ßß decay, ξ_{31}^{2ν} provides new insights toward reliable neutrinoless ßß NMEs.

Association between blood omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the gut microbiota among breast cancer survivors.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients demonstrated to have health benefits, such as decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease, improving parameters associated with metabolic syndrome, and decreasing anxiety symptoms and depression risk. Previous intervention studies indicated the association between blood or tissue PUFA levels and the gut microbiota; however, the details remain incompletely elucidated. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the association between PUFAs and the gut microbiota among breast cancer survivors. Adults who had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer more than one year ago and were not currently undergoing chemotherapy were enrolled. Capillary blood and faecal samples were obtained to assess the blood PUFA levels and gut microbiota compositions. The mean age (n=124) was 58.7 years, and 46% of the participants had a history of chemotherapy. Multiple regression analysis controlling for possible confounders indicated that an increased relative abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly associated with increased levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, beta=0.304, q<0.01). At the genus level, the abundance of Bifidobacterium was positively associated with the level of DHA (beta=0.307, q<0.01). No significant association between omega-6 PUFAs and the relative abundances of gut microbiota members was observed. In addition, analyses stratified by the history of chemotherapy indicated significant associations of PUFA levels with the abundance of some bacterial taxa, including the phylum Actinobacteria (DHA, beta=0.365, q<0.01) and Bacteroidetes (EPA, beta=-0.339, q<0.01) and the genus Bifidobacterium (DHA, beta=0.368, q<0.01) only among participants without a history of chemotherapy. These findings provide the first evidence of positive associations between the abundances of Bifidobacterium among the gut microbiota and the levels of omega-3 PUFAs in the blood. Further studies are required to gain additional insight into these associations in healthy subjects as well as into the causality of the relationship.

Bifidobacterium Breve A1 Supplementation Improved Cognitive Decline in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Open-Label, Single-Arm Study.

OBJECTIVES: We previously reported the therapeutic potential of Bifidobacterium breve A1 (B. breve A1) for preventing cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease model mice, which suggested that supplementation of the probiotics could be an effective therapeutic strategy for managing cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). DESIGN AND SETTINGS: We conducted an open-label, single-arm study to examine the effects of 24-week supplementation of B. breve A1 on elderly with MCI in Aki Orthopedics Rehabilitation Clinic in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: 27 participants were screened by their Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive function was assessed using MMSE and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) at baseline and every 8 weeks. Mental condition and quality of life for gastrointestinal symptoms were measured using the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS2), and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). RESULTS: Of the 27 participants enrolled, 19 completed the study. MMSE scores were significantly increased during the intervention by mixed model Dunnett's test and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (+1.7, P < 0.01). POMS2 and GSRS scores were significantly improved during intervention when analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that oral supplementation of B. breve A1 in participants with MCI improved cognitive function, thus suggesting the potential of B. breve A1 for improving cognitive function and maintaining quality of life of the elderly. Further randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled studies are worth conducting to examine the beneficial effect of B. breve A1.

Class II HLA Eplet Mismatch Is a Risk Factor for De Novo Donor-Specific Antibody Development and Antibody-mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplantation Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the correlation between class II HLA epitope mismatch and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) episodes in kidney transplant recipients. In patients with AMR, epitope mismatch was also examined for each class II HLA mismatch to determine development of de novo donor-specific antibodies (DSAs). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 167 kidney recipients. The numbers of eplet mismatches were compared between those with (n = 12) and without (n = 155) AMR, and the numbers of eplet mismatches for each type of mismatch in class II HLA among the AMR patients was also compared. RESULTS: Twelve AMR episodes were diagnosed. The total number of eplet mismatches in AMR patients with either HLA-DR or HLA-DQ was greater than those in non-AMR patients (P = .0085 and P = .0041, respectively), though the incidence of HLA class II (DRB1 + DQB) mismatch was not significantly different between the groups (P = .095). The rate of non-AMR status in patients with ≥15 was lower than those with <15 HLA class II (DR or DQ) eplet mismatches (P = .0299 and P = .0128, respectively). Twelve AMR patients had 30 HLA-DRB1/3/4/5 and 32 HLA-DQA/B mismatches. In both HLA-DR and -DQ, de novo DSAs developed against HLAs in association with a greater number of eplet mismatches (P = .0046 and P = .0044, respectively). CONCLUSION: Class II HLA eplet mismatch is a risk factor for de novo DSA and AMR in kidney transplantation recipients. Furthermore, the number of HLA class II eplet mismatches has greater significance as a risk factor than the number of conventional HLA class II mismatches.

Swallowing disorders and 1-year functional decline in community-dwelling older adults receiving home care.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of swallowing disorders on functional decline in community-dwelling older adults receiving home care. This was a 1-year follow-up survey of 176 individuals ≥60 years living at home and receiving homecare services, without total dependence in basic daily living activities, in two mid-sized municipalities in Fukuoka, Japan. Functional decline was measured using the Barthel index (BI), and the primary outcome was total dependence in basic daily living activities (BI ≤ 20 points). Swallowing function was assessed using cervical auscultation, and the primary predictor was swallowing disorders. Logistic regression models were used to assess univariate and multivariate associations between baseline swallowing function and functional decline during follow-up. During follow-up 16 (9.1%), the participants became totally dependent in basic daily living activities. The participants with swallowing disorders had 6.41 times higher odds of total dependence in basic daily living activities compared to participants with normal swallowing function. After adjusting for potential confounders, swallowing disorders were significantly associated with higher odds of total dependence in basic daily living activities (odds ratio = 5.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.33-20.44). Regarding swallowing disorders, the corresponding population attributable fraction (%) of the incidence of total dependence in basic daily living activities was 50.4%. The current findings demonstrated that swallowing disorders were associated with greater risk of functional decline in basic daily living activities among older adults living at home and receiving home nursing care. Maintenance and improvement of swallowing function may prevent late-life functional decline.

International trends in clozapine use: a study in 17 countries.

OBJECTIVE: There is some evidence that clozapine is significantly underutilised. Also, clozapine use is thought to vary by country, but so far no international study has assessed trends in clozapine prescribing. Therefore, this study aimed to assess clozapine use trends on an international scale, using standardised criteria for data analysis. METHOD: A repeated cross-sectional design was applied to data extracts (2005-2014) from 17 countries worldwide. RESULTS: In 2014, overall clozapine use prevalence was greatest in Finland (189.2/100 000 persons) and in New Zealand (116.3/100 000), and lowest in the Japanese cohort (0.6/100 000), and in the privately insured US cohort (14.0/100 000). From 2005 to 2014, clozapine use increased in almost all studied countries (relative increase: 7.8-197.2%). In most countries, clozapine use was highest in 40-59-year-olds (range: 0.6/100 000 (Japan) to 344.8/100 000 (Finland)). In youths (10-19 years), clozapine use was highest in Finland (24.7/100 000) and in the publicly insured US cohort (15.5/100 000). CONCLUSION: While clozapine use has increased in most studied countries over recent years, clozapine is still underutilised in many countries, with clozapine utilisation patterns differing significantly between countries. Future research should address the implementation of interventions designed to facilitate increased clozapine utilisation.

Timing of initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer: A case-matched comparison study of laparoscopic vs. open surgery.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) is reported to be associated with faster recovery than open gastrectomy (OG); however, the influence of the surgical approach on initiation timing of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) remains unclear. METHODS: This was a single-institutional retrospective observational study. Patients with pathological stage II/III gastric cancer undergoing LG with D2 lymphadenectomy (LG group: n = 74) were matched 1:1 with patients selected from 214 similar patients undergoing OG (OG group: n = 74), identically matching gender, age, pathological stage, and type of gastrectomy, and comparing AC initiation timing between the two groups. Factors associated with delayed initiation of AC were investigated in a multivariable analysis. RESULTS: AC was performed in 86.5% (LG) and 83.8% (OG) of patients (p = 0.64). The median time interval before AC was significantly shorter in the LG vs. OG group (5.7 vs. 6.6 weeks, respectively, p < 0.001), and significantly more patients received AC within 6 weeks (60.8% vs. 27.0%, p < 0.001). Independent factors associated with delayed initiation of AC (>6 weeks) were: morbidity (≥grade 3a; odds ratio (OR): 16.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.86-143), open surgery (OR: 5.17, 95% CI: 2.50-13.1), and postoperative weight loss ≥ 8% (OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.07-5.71). CONCLUSIONS: LG may be associated with shorter intervals before AC. Postoperative morbidity should be reduced as much as possible.

Prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes differs depending on histological type and smoking habit in completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: T-cell infiltration in tumors has been used as a prognostic tool in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the influence of smoking habit and histological type on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in NSCLC remains unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the prognostic significance of TILs (CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, and FOXP3+) according to histological type and smoking habit using automatic immunohistochemical staining and cell counting in 218 patients with NSCLC. RESULTS: In multivariate survival analyses of clinical, pathological, and immunological factors, a high ratio of FOXP3+ to CD4+ T cells (FOXP3/CD4) [hazard ratio (HR): 4.46, P < 0.01 for overall survival (OS); HR: 1.96, P < 0.05 for recurrence-free survival (RFS)] and a low accumulation of CD20+ B cells (HR: 2.45, P = 0.09 for OS; HR: 2.86, P < 0.01 for RFS) were identified as worse prognostic factors in patients with adenocarcinoma (AD). In non-AD, a low number of CD8+ T cells were correlated with an unfavorable outcome (HR: 7.69, P < 0.01 for OS; HR: 3.57, P < 0.02 for RFS). Regarding smoking habit in AD, a high FOXP3/CD4 ratio was poorly prognostic with a smoking history (HR: 5.21, P < 0.01 for OS; HR: 2.38, P < 0.03 for RFS), whereas a low accumulation of CD20+ B cells (HR: 4.54, P = 0.03 for OS; HR: 2.94, P < 0.01 for RFS) was confirmed as an unfavorable factor in non-smokers with AD. CONCLUSIONS: A low number of CD8+ T cells in non-AD, a high FOXP3/CD4 ratio in smokers with AD, and a low number of CD20+ B cells in non-smokers with AD were identified as independent unfavorable prognostic factors in resected NSCLC. Evaluating the influence of histological type and smoking habit on the immunological environment may lead to the establishment of immunological diagnosis and appropriate individualized immunotherapy for NSCLC.

Swallowing Function and Nutritional Status in Japanese Elderly People Receiving Home-care Services: A 1-year Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition is a serious health concern for frail elderly people. Poor oral function leading to insufficient food intake can contribute to the development of malnutrition. In the present study, we explored the longitudinal association of malnutrition with oral function, including oral health status and swallowing function, in elderly people receiving home nursing care. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study with 1-year follow-up. SETTING: Two mid-sized cities in Fukuoka, Japan from November 2010 to March 2012. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and ninety-seven individuals, aged ≥ 60 years, living at home and receiving home-care services because of physical disabilities, without malnutrition. MEASUREMENTS: Oral health status, swallowing function, taking modified-texture diets such as minced or pureed foods, nutritional status, cognitive function, and activities of daily living were assessed at baseline. The associations between malnutrition at 1-year follow-up and these related factors were analyzed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Swallowing disorders [risk ratio (RR): 5.21, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.65-16.43] were associated with malnutrition. On the other hand, oral health status did not have a direct association with malnutrition. CONCLUSION: Swallowing disorders may be associated with the incidence of malnutrition in elderly people receiving home-care. The findings indicate that maintaining swallowing function may contribute to the prevention of malnutrition in frail elderly people.