Air Oxidation of Aqueous Ferrous Sulfate Solution in the Alkaline Region

publisherThe air oxidation of an aqueous FeSO4 solution was Studied in an alkaline region by blowing air from a horizontal nozzle into the solution. The pH value of the solution was maintained at ca. 10 by adding Na2CO3 in the solution. No catalytic action of Cu2+ ion was observed. The rate of oxidation was not virtually affected by the temperature, but increased with the rise of the flow rate of air. A zero order rate equation was found. From the presumption that the reaction is composed of the sequential steps of dissolution of gaseous oxygen at the surface of rising air bubbles and the oxidation of Fe2+ ion and Fe(OH)2 precipitate by the dissolved oxygen, it was revealed that the rate determining step of the overall reaction is the step of oxygen dissolution. From the rate constant of the rate equation, the liquid-film mass transfer coefficient of dissolved oxygen in the liquid boundary layer at the bubble surface was estimated, and it was fairly well coincident with the directly measured values. The rise of the rate of oxidation with the flow rate of air stream was interpreted in terms of the increase in the surface area of rising air bubbles.departmental bulletin pape

Impact of functional studies on exome sequence variant interpretation in early-onset cardiac conduction system diseases

Aims The genetic cause of cardiac conduction system disease (CCSD) has not been fully elucidated. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) can detect various genetic variants; however, the identification of pathogenic variants remains a challenge. We aimed to identify pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in CCSD patients by using WES and 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) standards and guidelines as well as evaluating the usefulness of functional studies for determining them. Methods and Results We performed WES of 23 probands diagnosed with early-onset (<65 years) CCSD and analyzed 117 genes linked to arrhythmogenic diseases or cardiomyopathies. We focused on rare variants (minor allele frequency < 0.1%) that were absent from population databases. Five probands had protein truncating variants in EMD and LMNA which were classified as “pathogenic” by 2015 ACMG standards and guidelines. To evaluate the functional changes brought about by these variants, we generated a knock-out zebrafish with CRISPR-mediated insertions or deletions of the EMD or LMNA homologs in zebrafish. The mean heart rate and conduction velocities in the CRISPR/Cas9-injected embryos and F2 generation embryos with homozygous deletions were significantly decreased. Twenty-one variants of uncertain significance were identified in 11 probands. Cellular electrophysiological study and in vivo zebrafish cardiac assay showed that 2 variants in KCNH2 and SCN5A, 4 variants in SCN10A, and 1 variant in MYH6 damaged each gene, which resulted in the change of the clinical significance of them from “Uncertain significance” to “Likely pathogenic” in 6 probands. Conclusions Of 23 CCSD probands, we successfully identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 11 probands (48%). Functional analyses of a cellular electrophysiological study and in vivo zebrafish cardiac assay might be useful for determining the pathogenicity of rare variants in patients with CCSD. SCN10A may be one of the major genes responsible for CCSD. Translational Perspective Whole-exome sequencing (WES) may be helpful in determining the causes of cardiac conduction system disease (CCSD), however, the identification of pathogenic variants remains a challenge. We performed WES of 23 probands diagnosed with early-onset CCSD, and identified 12 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 11 of these probands (48%) according to the 2015 ACMG standards and guidelines. In this context, functional analyses of a cellular electrophysiological study and in vivo zebrafish cardiac assay might be useful for determining the pathogenicity of rare variants, and SCN10A may be one of the major development factors in CCSD

Factors associated with mortality among patients with culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in the urban poor population of Osaka City, Japan

Objective: To determine the characteristics associated with mortality in patients with culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Airin, Osaka City, Japan. Methods: The characteristics of patients with culture-positive PTB registered between 2015 and 2018 in Airin, Osaka City, Japan, were compared between those who died of all causes before or during treatment and those who completed treatment. Results: Of the 241 culture-positive PTB patients eligible for this study, 170 completed treatment, with negative sputum culture tests, and 62 died. The all-cause case fatality rate was 26.7% (62/232). Multivariate analysis showed that mortality was associated with age >70 years, having a positive sputum smear, a body mass index of <18.5 and serious comorbidities such as cancer and heart and renal disease. Detection of tuberculosis (TB) by screening or in an outpatient department (OPD) for other diseases was inversely associated with mortality. Discussion: Detection of PTB by chest X-ray screening and during regular visits to OPDs for other diseases was associated with non-fatal TB and might contribute to early case finding. Therefore, current active TB case finding and health education on regular visits to physicians for other diseases should be strengthened further for the urban poor population of Osaka City, Japan

Comparison of the Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) in Diabetic Patients, Non-Diabetic Patients and Living Kidney Donors

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background/Aims: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;We have reported that the eGFR overestimates renal function when glycemic control is poor. It has been reported that eGFR calculated by serum creatinine underestimates GFR in living kidney donors. We compared the utility of the eGFR in diabetic patients, non-diabetic patients and living kidney donors. Forty diabetic patients, 40 non-diabetic patients, and 40 living kidney donors were enrolled. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;GFR was measured by inulin clearance (C&lt;sub&gt;in&lt;/sub&gt;). eGFR was calculated based on serum creatinine (eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cr&lt;/sub&gt;) or serum cystatin C (eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cys&lt;/sub&gt;). We compared the agreements between each of the eGFR and C&lt;sub&gt;in&lt;/sub&gt; in each group. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;There were significant and positive correlations between each eGFR and C&lt;sub&gt;in&lt;/sub&gt; in diabetic patients and non-diabetic patients. However, the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between each eGFR and C&lt;sub&gt;in&lt;/sub&gt; in diabetic patients (ICC: eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cr&lt;/sub&gt; 0.699, eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cys&lt;/sub&gt; 0.604) were weaker than those in non-diabetic patients (ICC: eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cr&lt;/sub&gt; 0.865, eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cys&lt;/sub&gt; 0.803). The correlation coefficients between each eGFR and C&lt;sub&gt;in&lt;/sub&gt; (eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cr&lt;/sub&gt;; r = 0.422, p = 0.0067 and eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cys&lt;/sub&gt;; r = 0.358, p = 0.0522) in living kidney donors were significantly weaker than those in non-diabetic patients. The ICCs between each eGFR and C&lt;sub&gt;in&lt;/sub&gt; (ICC: eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cr&lt;/sub&gt; 0.340, eGFR&lt;sub&gt;cys&lt;/sub&gt; 0.345) in living kidney donors were significantly weaker than those in non-diabetic patients. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Based on C&lt;sub&gt;in&lt;/sub&gt;, eGFR was accurate in non-diabetic patients. However, eGFR was inaccurate in living kidney donors and relatively inaccurate in diabetic patients.</jats:p

Clinical and histopathological features related to time to complete remission in adult-onset minimal change nephrotic syndrome patients with corticosteroid treatment

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology. 2022, 26, P.955-962journal articl

Development of Skin Flaps for Reconstructive Surgery : Random Pattern Flap to Perforator Flap

Flap transplantation has been an important procedure in plastic and reconstructive surgery to cover and fill various defects. Flap necrosis due to blood circulation failure leads to severe complications, especially in a patient undergoing reconstruction concerning the body cavity after tumor ablation. Surgical procedures for flap transplantation have been further improved and developed. We have reviewed from the random pattern flap to the newest procedure, the perforator flap. Perforator vessels were investigated in the process of development of the fasciocutaneous flap and have become important for blood supply of the skin flap. Blood circulation of the flap has become more stable and reliable than ever with the development and findings of the perforator vessels. Further development of a skin flap will be based on the perforasome concept, which involves the study of the territory and linking of perforator vessels

Plasma Xanthine Oxidoreductase Activity Associated with Glycemic Control in Patients with Pre-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) activity plays an important role as a pivotal source of reactive oxygen species, which is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Patients with CKD have increased risk of CVD events. In the present study, factors associated with plasma XOR activity in pre-dialysis CKD patients were investigated. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, plasma XOR activity in 118 pre-dialysis CKD patients (age 68 [57–75] years; 64 males, 26 with diabetes mellitus [DM]) was determined using a newly established highly sensitive assay based on (13C2,15N2) xanthine and liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Results: Plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) were significantly and positively correlated with plasma logarithmically transformed XOR (ln-XOR) activity. In multiple regression analyses, eGFR and hemoglobin A1c or plasma glucose were significantly, independently, and positively associated with plasma ln-XOR activity after adjusting for several confounders. Plasma XOR activity was significantly higher in CKD patients with (n = 26) than in those without (n = 92) DM (62.7 [32.3–122] vs. 25.7 [13.4–45.8] pmol/h/mL, p &#x3c; 0.001). A total of 38 patients were taking uric acid-lowering drugs. Multiple regression analysis of CKD patients not administered uric acid-lowering drugs (n = 80) showed no significant association between eGFR and plasma ln-XOR activity. In contrast, association between glycemic control and plasma ln-XOR activity was significant even in CKD patients without uric acid-lowering drug treatment. Conclusions: These results indicate the importance of glycemic control in CKD patients in regard to decreased XOR, possibly leading to a decrease in CVD events

Variation in Dehydration Tolerance, ABA Sensitivity and Related Gene Expression Patterns in D-Genome Progenitor and Synthetic Hexaploid Wheat Lines

The wild wheat Aegilops tauschii Coss. has extensive natural variation available for breeding of common wheat. Drought stress tolerance is closely related to abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity. In this study, 17 synthetic hexaploid wheat lines, produced by crossing the tetraploid wheat cultivar Langdon with 17 accessions of Ae. tauschii, were used for comparative analysis of natural variation in drought tolerance and ABA sensitivity. Ae. tauschii showed wide natural variation, with weak association between the traits. Drought-sensitive accessions of Ae. tauschii exhibited significantly less ABA sensitivity. D-genome variations observed at the diploid genome level were not necessarily reflected in synthetic wheats. However, synthetic wheats derived from the parental Ae. tauschii accessions with high drought tolerance were significantly more tolerant to drought stress than those from drought-sensitive accessions. Moreover, synthetic wheats with high drought tolerance showed significantly higher ABA sensitivity than drought-sensitive synthetic lines. In the hexaploid genetic background, therefore, weak association of ABA sensitivity with drought tolerance was observed. To study differences in gene expression patterns between stress-tolerant and -sensitive lines, levels of two Cor/Lea and three transcription factor gene transcripts were compared. The more tolerant accession of Ae. tauschii tended to accumulate more abundant transcripts of the examined genes than the sensitive accession under stress conditions. The expression patterns in the synthetic wheats seemed to be additive for parental lines exposed to drought and ABA treatments. However, the transcript levels of transcription factor genes in the synthetic wheats did not necessarily correspond to the postulated levels based on expression in parental lines. Allopolyploidization altered the expression levels of the stress-responsive genes in synthetic wheats

Immunohistochemical Profile for Unknown Primary Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Development of tailored treatment based on immunohistochemical profiles (IPs) of tumors for cancers of unknown primary is needed. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We developed an algorithm based on primary known adenocarcinoma for testing sensitivity and specificity. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 71 patients of unfavorable subsets of unknown primary adenocarcinoma were obtained. We examined 15 molecular markers using the algorithm incorporating these IPs and classified the tumours into 9 subsets based on the primary tumour site. The sensitivity and specificity of this algorithm were 80.3% and 97.6%, respectively. Apparent primary sites were lung in 17 patients, digestive organs in 13, gynecological organs in 9, prostate in 7, liver or kidney in 6, breast in 4, urothelial organ in 2, biliary tract and pancreatic profile in none, and unclassified in 13. The response rate to chemotherapy was highest for the gynecological IPs. Patients with gynecological or lung cancer IPs had longer median progression-free survival than those with others: 11.2 months for gynecological IPs (p<0.001) and 6.8 months for lung IPs (p = 0.05). Lung, digestive, prostate, and gynecological profiles were associated with significantly longer median survival time than the other profiles. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the IPs were independent prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The IPs identified in this study can be used to further stratify patient prognosis for unfavorable subsets of unknown primary adenocarcinoma