Novel Measurement of the Neutron Magnetic Form Factor from A=3 Mirror Nuclei.

The electromagnetic form factors of the proton and neutron encode information on the spatial structure of their charge and magnetization distributions. While measurements of the proton are relatively straightforward, the lack of a free neutron target makes measurements of the neutron's electromagnetic structure more challenging and more sensitive to experimental or model-dependent uncertainties. Various experiments have attempted to extract the neutron form factors from scattering from the neutron in deuterium, with different techniques providing different, and sometimes large, systematic uncertainties. We present results from a novel measurement of the neutron magnetic form factor using quasielastic scattering from the mirror nuclei ^{3}H and ^{3}He, where the nuclear effects are larger than for deuterium but expected to largely cancel in the cross-section ratios. We extracted values of the neutron magnetic form factor for low-to-modest momentum transfer, 0.6

The diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution endoscopy, autofluorescence imaging and narrow-band imaging for differentially diagnosing colon adenoma.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Conventional colonoscopy can result in unnecessary biopsy or endoscopic resection due to its inability to distinguish adenomas from hyperplastic polyps. This study therefore evaluated the efficacy of high-resolution endoscopy (HRE), autofluorescence imaging (AFI), and narrow-band imaging (NBI) in discriminating colon adenoma from hyperplastic polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter study in patients undergoing AFI and NBI examinations. HRE, AFI, and NBI images were classified into two groups based on morphological characteristics, the predominant color intensities, and the visibility of meshed capillary vessels, respectively. Each of the endoscopic photographs were independently evaluated by a single endoscopist. The images were then assessed by three specialists and three residents, the latter having performed < 500 colonoscopies and < 30 NBI and AFI examinations. Diagnostic test statistics were calculated to compare the accuracy in differentiating colon adenoma from hyperplastic polyps for each method. RESULTS: A total of 183 patients were enrolled in the study and 339 adenomas and 85 hyperplastic polyps were identified. AFI and NBI could distinguish adenoma from hyperplastic polyps with an accuracy of 84.9 % and 88.4 %, respectively, whereas HRE exhibited an accuracy of 75.9 %. In the 358 lesions in which the AFI diagnosis was consistent with that of NBI, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were high, at 91.9 %, 92.7 %, and 92.9 %, respectively. During the study comparing specialists and residents, AFI and NBI dramatically improved the diagnostic accuracy of residents from 69.1 % to 86.1 % and 84.7 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both AFI and NBI are considered to be feasible tools that can discriminate colon adenoma from hyperplastic polyps, and their use may be particularly beneficial for less-experienced endoscopists.

Hydrogen sensing properties of protective-layer-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes with palladium nanoparticle decoration.

Protective-layer-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with palladium nanoparticle decoration (Pd-SiO(2)-SWNTs) were fabricated and their sensing properties for hydrogen (H(2)) were investigated. SWNTs were coated with a 3-4 nm thick SiO(2) layer by pulsed laser deposition and subsequently decorated with Pd nanoparticles by electron beam evaporation. Even though the SWNTs were completely surrounded by a protective layer, Pd-SiO(2)-SWNTs responded to H(2) down to a concentration of 1 part per million. Compared with the Pd nanoparticle-decorated SWNTs without a protective layer (Pd-SWNTs), Pd-SiO(2)-SWNTs exhibited highly stable sensor responses with variations of less than 20%; Pd-SWNTs showed a variation of 80%. The density of the Pd-SWNTs significantly decreased after the sensing test, while that of the Pd-SiO(2)-SWNTs with the netlike structure remained unchanged. The hydrogen sensing mechanism of the Pd-SiO(2)-SWNTs was attributed to the chemical gating effect on the SWNTs due to dipole layer formation by hydrogen atoms trapped at the Pd-SiO(2) interface. Moreover, the relationship between H(2) concentration and sensor response can be described by the Langmuir isotherm for dissociative adsorption.

Maturational changes in the feeding behaviour of infants - a comparison between breast-feeding and bottle-feeding.

AIM: To obtain a better understanding of the changes in feeding behaviour from 1 to 6 months of age. By comparing breast- and bottle-feeding, we intended to clarify the difference in longitudinal sucking performance. METHODS: Sucking variables were consecutively measured for 16 breast-fed and eight bottle-fed infants at 1, 3 and 6 months of age. RESULTS: For breast-feeding, number of sucks per burst (17.8 +/- 8.8, 23.8 +/- 8.3 and 32.4 +/- 15.3 times), sucking burst duration (11.2 +/- 6.1, 14.7 +/- 8.0 and 17.9 +/- 8.8 sec) and number of sucking bursts per feed (33.9 +/- 13.9, 28.0 +/- 18.2 and 18.6 +/- 12.8 times) at 1, 3 and 6 months of age respectively showed significant differences between 1 and 6 months of age (p < 0.05). The sucking pressure and total number of sucks per feed did not differ among different ages. Bottle-feeding resulted in longer sucking bursts and more sucks per burst compared with breast-feeding in each month (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The increase in the amount of ingested milk with maturation resulted from an increase in bolus volume per minute as well as the higher number of sucks continuously for both breast- and bottle-fed infants.

Evaluation of the effect of 4 months of risedronate therapy on femoral strength using femoral strength analysis tools.

The effect of risedronate (2.5 mg once daily) on femoral strength was evaluated using Advanced Hip Assessment (AHA) for the first time in Japan. In total, 104 patients with primary osteoporosis and available data on bone mineral density (BMD; lumbar spine/proximal femur), urinary NTx (cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen) and AHA-based parameters collected before and after 4 months of risedronate therapy were included in the analyses. Change and percentage change from baseline in these parameters were determined. Percentage change in femur strength index was 7.9 +/- 21.1% and 5.5 +/- 18.0% for the right and left femurs, respectively; both increases were statistically significant. Cross-sectional moment of inertia, cross-sectional area and mean neck width in the femoral neck region of interest also increased significantly in both femurs. Percentage change in lumbar spine BMD (L2 - L4) was 3.0 +/- 3.7%, and proximal femoral BMD was 1.1 +/- 3.1% and 0.7 +/- 3.2% in the right and left femurs, respectively, all showing a significant increase from baseline. Percentage change in urinary NTx was -41.5 +/- 30.5%, which was a significant decrease. Using AHA, this study showed that, in patients with primary osteoporosis, risedronate improved BMD and bone quality, thereby enhancing femoral strength as early as 4 months after treatment initiation.

Nutrient balance, metabolic response, and bone growth in VLBW infants fed fortified human milk.

The effects of fortification of preterm human milk were evaluated by comparing two groups of very low birth weight infants (birth weight < or = 1300 g, gestational age < or = 30 weeks): six fed preterm human milk fortified with a commercially available protein-mineral supplement (protein 0.7 g/dl, calcium 90 mg/dl, phosphorus 45 mg/dl) and seven fed unfortified preterm human milk. Nitrogen and energy balance studies were performed at an average age of 56 postnatal days. Nitrogen retention in the fortified group (348.2 +/- 70.5 mg/kg/day) was significantly greater than that in the unfortified group (196.0 +/- 50.0 mg/kg/day) and similar to that of fetuses of comparable gestational age. Energy stored by the two groups did not differ. At age 8 weeks, the infants in the fortified group had higher serum protein, higher serum albumin, and better mineral status (higher serum calcium and phosphorus and lower alkaline phosphatase and renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate). The bone density and width of the distal third radius, as measured by X-ray microdensitometry, were greater in the fortified group than in the unfortified group 12 weeks after birth. These results suggest that the supplement corrects any nutritional inadequacies of preterm human milk for very low birth weight infants.

Fortified preterm human milk for very low birth weight infants.

We studied the nutritional effects of two types of human milk fortifiers for very low birth weight infants. These studies suggest that fortified human milk provides nutritional advantages for very low birth weight infants. However, providing calcium and phosphorus with supplementation is necessary for the improvement of bone density.

Postnatal reference growth curves for very low birth weight infants.

To construct standard growth curves for Japanese infants of very low birth weight (VLBW) with birth weights of 500-1499 g, we reviewed longitudinal data provided by 54 neonatal intensive care units in Japan. A total of 382 surviving singleton infants, appropriate for gestational age infants, and who were free of neurological sequelae at more than 2.5 years of age, were enrolled. Growth curves, including body weight, head circumference and body length were generated for four ranges of birth weight: 500-749 g, 750-999 g, 1000-1249 g, and 1250-1499 g. When compared with previously published growth data from western countries, Japanese infants of VLBW showed greater weight loss, regained birth weight more slowly, and exhibited smaller average gains in weight, head circumference, and body length. The growth curves reported in western countries may not be useful as reference standards of early postnatal growth in Japan. The new growth curves are a more accurate reflection of current in-hospital growth trends in Japan.

Leukemoid reaction and chronic lung disease in infants with very low birth weight.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between the leukemoid reaction and chronic lung disease in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: Neonates born weighing less than 1500 g without evidence of congenital anomalies and admitted to our hospital from October 1985 to December 1999 comprised our study. Leukemoid reaction was defined as a peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count of > or = 50 x 10(3)/microl. The infants who demonstrated a leukemoid reaction formed the study group, while the remainder formed the control group. The relationship between neonatal variables and WBC counts was studied. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 486 infants demonstrated WBC counts of > or = 50 x 10(3)/microl, with an incidence of 2.9%. Univariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between a leukemoid reaction and chronic lung disease following intrauterine infection. CONCLUSION: A leukemoid reaction was observed in 2.9% of VLBW infants in our neonatal intensive care unit. A significant association was demonstrated between the leukemoid reaction and chronic lung disease following intrauterine infection.

[Membranous septal aneurysm with aortic regurgitation: a case report].

A case of membranous septal aneurysm with aortic regurgitation (AR) in a 13-year-old male was reported. As AR was progressed rapidly in this case, aneurysmorrhaphy of membranous septal aneurysm and aortic valve plication were performed. The postoperative coarse was uneventful. It was considered that the course of AR was prolapse of aortic valve related with membranous septal aneurysm.

[A case report of mycotic false aortic aneurysm associated with aortic regurgitation].

The patient was 63-year-old man, who underwent patch closure of VSP 37 days after onset. LVAD was required for weaning from CPB. Mediastinitis occurred after LVAD was removed. The mediastinum was irrigated using diluted antibiotics through the retrosternal drain. He discharged on 79th day postoperatively. False aortic aneurysm and marked AR was pointed out by cineangiography and enhanced CT scan two years after operation. AVR was performed through right thoracotomy, because false aortic aneurysm invaded the sternum. The aneurysmal wall was repaired with patch. Postoperatively, peritoneal dialysis was performed for two days. Flail chest made difficult weaning from the respirator. He died 11 days postoperatively due to respiratory failure. There remains the possibility that mediastinitis resulted in false aortic aneurysm and AR. It was esseutial to remove the foreign materials placed on the aorta for eradication of infection.

[A case of coronary artery bypass grafting with right gastroepiploic artery for right coronary artery obstruction associated with aortitis syndrome].

A case of a 66 year-old female with aortitis syndrome with right coronary arterial obstruction, was reported. The coronary arteriogram showed total occlusion of the right coronary artery (segment 2). On the aortogram, stenosis of the left common carotid artery, kinking and aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta were revealed. Because she developed frequent attacks of effort angina and the descending thoracic aneurysm was small in diameter 38 mm, coronary bypass grafting to the right coronary artery was performed using the in situ right gastroepiploic artery. Postoperative course was not eventful and chest pain disappeared. In such cases, the right gastroepiploic artery is useful for coronary artery bypass grafting.

[A case report of A-C bypass surgery in coronary atherosclerosis with anomalous origin of left coronary artery].

Anomalous coronary artery originating from the aorta without complicated congenital cardiac anomaly is rare. We describe a case with the left coronary artery originating from the right sinus of Valsalva. Cardiac catheterization revealed a left coronary artery transverse between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Severe atherosclerotic stenosis was present at segment 3 of the right coronary artery. Electrocardiogram and myocardial scintigraphy revealed that the angina occurred due to stenosis of the right coronary artery. We tried PTCA, but could not pass the catheter through the stenosis. After PTCA, he complained of anterior chest pain frequently, so we performed an aortocoronary bypass operation to the right coronary artery with saphenous vein graft. Postoperative course was not eventful and angina disappeared.

[MR imaging of splenic masses].

It has been reported that MR imaging of the spleen is unsuccessful in detecting focal lesions because there is not a significant difference in relaxation times between most tumors and surrounding normal spleen. We reviewed the MR imaging of 15 patients (5 cysts, 2 abscesses, 1 hemangioma, 5 malignant lymphomas, 2 metastatic tumors). In all cases, the difference in signal intensities between splenic tissue and mass lesions permitted detection of splenic lesions on MR images. But, malignant lesions were less visible than benign lesions.

Perioral movements and sucking pattern during bottle feeding with a novel, experimental teat are similar to breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVE: To measure intraoral pressure and perioral movement in infants during breastfeeding (BF) and feeding with experimental teat (ET). The teat has a wide base, firm shaft and a valve at the base, such that milk flows only when the baby provides a hold pressure. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty healthy term infants, between 1 and 8 months old, were enrolled in the study. Feeding sessions (BF and ET) were recorded using a digital video camera. During both BF and ET feeding sessions, recordings during feeding were taken of jaw and throat movements (n=20) as well as intraoral pressure (n=18). The efficiency of milk transfer and the angle of the mouth were also measured. RESULT: There was no significant difference in either the jaw or throat movements between BF and ET. The sucking burst pattern, the efficiency (ml min(-1)), and the angle of the mouth did not differ between both feeding methods. The intraoral negative pressure observed during ET was significantly smaller than that observed during BF. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in perioral movements. Although the value was smaller, a hold pressure was observed during ET. From these results, the novel, ET may decrease BF problems related to bottle use.