Mineralization of Poly(vinyl alcohol) by Ozone Microbubbles under a Wide Range of pH Conditions.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a well-known recalcitrant pollutant that threatens ecological systems and human health. In this study, ozone-microbubble treatment was evaluated as a physicochemical method to mineralize PVA in solution for wastewater treatment. Microbubbles are very small bubbles (<50 µm in diameter) and shrink in water because of the rapid dissolution of the interior gas. Ozone microbubbles were generated by a hybrid microbubble generator in PVA solutions with pH conditions of 2, 7, and 10. Ordinary ozone bubbling was also performed as control tests. The change in the total-organic-carbon content was measured to evaluate the efficiency of the system for wastewater treatment. Ordinary ozone bubbling was not able to mineralize aqueous PVA solutions under nonalkaline conditions, and approximately 30% of the total organic carbon remained at pH 2 and 7. Conversely, ozone microbubbles effectively mineralized PVA in aqueous solution to almost 0% in total organic carbon regardless of the pH condition. Effective mineralization of PVA, a recalcitrant organic chemical, demonstrates the potential of ozone-microbubble systems for physicochemical wastewater treatment.

Oxygen nanobubble water affects wound healing of fibroblast WI-38 cells.

This study investigated the usefulness of oxygen nanobubble water (O2NBW) for wound repair by analyzing its effect on the wound-healing process in human lung fibroblasts (WI-38 cells). The WI-38 cells were treated with 0%, 50%, and 100% O2NBW. The cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and wound healing following treatment were determined to elucidate the effects of O2NBW. Our findings revealed that O2NBW had no cytotoxic effects on WI-38 cells, but instead increased cell numbers. The production of ROS was inhibited in the presence of O2NBW. Further, O2NBW induced migration and wound closure in WI-38 cells. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzymes and wound-healing-related genes were evaluated. The results demonstrated that O2NBW enhanced the expression levels of all representative genes. In conclusion, our findings suggest that O2NBW could affect ROS production and wound healing in WI-38 cells and genes associated with the antioxidant system and wound healing.

Association between COVID-19 emergency declarations and physical activity among community-dwelling older adults enrolled in a physical activity measurement program: Evidence from a retrospective observational study using the regression discontinuity design.

BACKGROUND: The current study examines the negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency declarations on physical activity among the community-dwelling older adults, the participants of a physical activity measurement program, in Japan. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 1,773 community-dwelling older adults (aged 74.6 ± 6.3 years, 53.9% women) who had participated in the physical activity measurement project from February 2020 to July 2021. We measured physical activity using a tri-axial accelerometer during 547 consecutive days. Three emergency declarations, requesting people to avoid going outside, occurred during the observational period. We multiply-imputed missing values for daily physical activity, such as steps, light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for several patterns of datasets according to the maximum missing rates on a person level. We mainly report the results based on less than 50% of the maximum missing rate (n = 1,056). Other results are reported in the supplemental file. Changes in physical activity before and after the start of each emergency declaration were examined by the regression discontinuity design (RDD) within 14-, 28-, and 56-day bandwidths. RESULTS: For all the participants in the multiply-imputed data with the 14-day bandwidth, steps (coefficients [[Formula: see text]][Formula: see text] 964.3 steps), LPA ([Formula: see text] 5.5 min), and MVPA ([Formula: see text] 4.9 min) increased after the first emergency declaration. However, the effects were attenuated as the RDD bandwidths were widened. No consistent negative impact was observed after the second and third declarations. After the second declaration, steps ([Formula: see text]-609.7 steps), LPA ([Formula: see text]-4.6 min), and MVPA ([Formula: see text]-2.8 min) decreased with the 14-day bandwidth. On the other hand, steps ([Formula: see text] 143.8 steps) and MVPA ([Formula: see text] 1.3 min) increased with the 56-day bandwidth. For the third declaration, LPA consistently decreased with all the bandwidths ([Formula: see text]-2.1, -3.0, -0.8 min for the 14, 28, 56-day bandwidth), whereas steps ([Formula: see text]-529 steps) and MVPA ([Formula: see text]-2.6 min) decreased only with the 28-day bandwidth. CONCLUSIONS: For the community-dwelling older adults who regularly self-monitor their physical activity, the current study concludes that there is no evidence of consistently negative impacts of the emergency declarations by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Free-Radical Generation from Bulk Nanobubbles in Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions: ESR Spin-Trap Observation of Microbubble-Treated Water.

Microbubbles are very fine bubbles that shrink and collapse underwater within several minutes, leading to the generation of free radicals. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) confirmed the generation of hydroxyl radicals under strongly acidic conditions. The drastic environmental change caused by the collapse of the microbubbles may trigger radical generation via the dispersion of the elevated chemical potential that had accumulated around the gas-water interface. The present study also confirmed the generation of ESR signals from the microbubble-treated waters even after several months had elapsed following the dispersion of the microbubbles. Bulk nanobubbles were expected to be the source of the spin-adducts of hydroxyl radicals. Such microbubble stabilization and conversion might be caused by the formation of solid microbubble shells generated by iron ions in the condensed ionic cloud around the microbubble. Therefore, the addition of a strong acid might cause drastic changes in the environment and destroy the stabilized condition. This would restart the collapsing process, leading to hydroxyl radical generation.

SARS-CoV-2 detection by fluorescence loop-mediated isothermal amplification with and without RNA extraction.

Rapid and simple point-of-care detection of SARS-CoV-2 is an urgent need to prevent pandemic. Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) can detect SARS-CoV-2 more rapidly than RT-PCR. Saliva is non-invasive specimen suitable for mass-screening, but data comparing utility of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) and saliva in RT-LAMP test are lacking and it remains unclear whether SARS-CoV-2 could be detected by direct processing of samples without the need for prior RNA extraction saliva. In this study, we compared utility of saliva and NPS samples for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by a novel RT-fluorescence LAMP (RT-fLAMP). The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-fLAMP with RNA extraction were 97% and 100%, respectively, with equivalent utility of NPS and saliva. However, sensitivity was decreased to 71% and 47% in NPS and saliva samples without RNA extraction, respectively, suggesting that RNA extraction process may be critical for the virus detection by RT-fLAMP.

Long-term safety and efficacy of nalmefene in Japanese patients with alcohol dependence.

AIM: The safety and efficacy of nalmefene in Japanese patients with high or very high World Health Organization drinking risk level of alcohol dependence were assessed in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 (lead-in) study. Here, the long-term safety and efficacy of nalmefene in an open-label extension of the lead-in study are presented. METHODS: Patients who completed the 24-week lead-in study were eligible for the extension study, where they were treated with nalmefene 20 mg as needed for 24 weeks. The long-term safety and efficacy of nalmefene 20 mg during the total 48-week period were evaluated. Treatment-emergent adverse events during the study period were recorded and change from baseline in the number of heavy drinking days and total alcohol consumption were calculated. RESULTS: Overall, long-term nalmefene 20 mg was well tolerated; the main treatment-emergent adverse events reported in ≥5% of patients included nasopharyngitis (37.2%), nausea (36.5%), somnolence (21.2%), dizziness (16.8%), malaise (14.6%), and vomiting (12.4%). The number of heavy drinking days and total alcohol consumption decreased from baseline to 48 weeks (mixed model for repeated measures, least squares mean ± standard error, -15.09 ± 0.77 days/month and -53.20 ± 2.29 g/day, respectively) during the study. CONCLUSION: This long-term evaluation in Japanese patients with high or very high drinking risk levels of alcohol dependence indicated that nalmefene was safe, well tolerated, and efficacious.

Nalmefene in alcohol-dependent patients with a high drinking risk: Randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: Reducing alcohol consumption is one treatment approach for alcohol-dependent patients. This study compared nalmefene 20 mg and 10 mg with placebo, combined with psychosocial support, in alcohol-dependent Japanese patients with a high or very high drinking risk level (DRL). METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study conducted in alcohol-dependent patients with a high or very high DRL. Patients were randomized to 24 weeks of treatment with as-needed nalmefene 20 mg, 10 mg, or placebo with psychosocial support. The primary endpoint was change in heavy drinking days (HDD) from baseline to week 12. A key secondary endpoint was the change in total alcohol consumption (TAC) from baseline to week 12. RESULTS: At week 12, 234, 206, and 154 patients who received placebo, nalmefene 20 mg, and 10 mg were included in the primary endpoint analysis. Compared with placebo, nalmefene was associated with significant reductions in HDD at week 12 (difference in 20 mg group, -4.34 days/month; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -6.05 to -2.62; P < 0.0001; difference in 10 mg group, -4.18 days/month; 95%CI: -6.05 to -2.32; P < 0.0001), as well as a significant reduction in TAC at week 12 (P < 0.0001). The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was 87.9%, 84.8%, and 79.2% in the groups receiving nalmefene 20 mg, 10 mg, and placebo, respectively. These events were mostly of mild or moderate severity. CONCLUSIONS: Nalmefene 20 mg or 10 mg effectively reduced alcohol consumption and was well tolerated in alcohol-dependent patients with a high or very high DRL.

Effects of ozone nano-bubble water on periodontopathic bacteria and oral cells - in vitro studies.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the bactericidal activity of a new antiseptic agent, ozone nano-bubble water (NBW3), against periodontopathogenic bacteria and to assess the cytotoxicity of NBW3 against human oral cells. The bactericidal activities of NBW3 against representative periodontopathogenic bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) were evaluated using in vitro time-kill assays. The cytotoxicity of NBW3 was evaluated using three-dimensional human buccal and gingival tissue models. The numbers of colony forming units (CFUs)/mL of P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans exposed to NBW3 dropped to below the lower limit of detection (<10 CFUs mL-1) after only 0.5 min of exposure. There were only minor decreases in the viability of oral tissue cells after 24 h of exposure to NBW3. These results suggest that NBW3 possesses potent bactericidal activity against representative periodontopathogenic bacteria and is not cytotoxic to cells of human oral tissues. The use of NBW3 as an adjunct to periodontal therapy would be promising.

Photodynamic therapy for multiple central type lung cancer - a case report.

In case of central type lung cancer, it happens that tumors tend to grow at many foci of bronchial tree, sometimes simultaneously and sometimes not. And these patients with such abnormalities often suffer from pulmonary emphysema or chronic bronchitis because of heavy smoking habits. So it is important to choose the treatment which preserve the pulmonary function in these cases. Today among several kinds of treatments, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the definite method to maintain lung function. We report here a case of multiple central type lung cancer treated successfully by PDT.

Nanoshell Formation at the Electrically Charged Gas-Water Interface of Collapsing Microbubbles: Insights from Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging.

AFM imaging has revealed intriguing features when bulk nanobubbles were deposited on a positively charged substrate. Numerous spherical objects, each less than 20 nm in diameter, were observed on the substrate. These objects were adorned with noticeable, tiny protrusions, each measuring a few nanometers. These findings suggest the presence of solid shells contributing to the stability of the gas bodies. Furthermore, electrically charged microbubbles appear to play a critical role in the formation of these solid shells. The collapse of microbubbles in an electrolyte aqueous solution containing iron ions leads to a condensing ionic cloud, creating conditions necessary for solid nucleation at the interface. At the end of the collapsing process, concurrent multinucleation may result in the deposition of solid material on the interface, forming solid shells with specific structures on the surfaces. This study illuminates the phenomenon of electrically charged gas-water interfaces during microbubble collapse and highlights the generation of stabilized nanoshells in aqueous solutions without the need for chemical stabilizers.

[Trial of fluoroscopy-guided transbronchial lung biopsy for the diagnosis of lung tumors].

As computed tomography( CT) technology has improved, chest CT has been adopted as a means to survey masses. We now see many cases of pulmonary small nodules or ground-glass opacities( GGO). Herein, we report our investigation of a new procedure, fluoroscopy-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), for the diagnosis of such lesions. From 2009 through 2010, we examined 25 patients with pulmonary small nodules or GGO. Of these, 76% were successfully examined by conventional methods versus 62% by TBLB.

Accelerated germination of aged recalcitrant seeds by K+-rich bulk oxygen nanobubbles.

Bulk nanobubbles, measuring less than 200 nm in water, have shown their salient properties in promoting growth in various species of plants and orthodox seeds, and as potential drug-delivery carriers in medicine. Studies of recalcitrant seeds have reported markedly increased germination rates with gibberellin treatment; however, neither the mechanism promoting germination nor the implication for food safety is well elucidated. In our study, recalcitrant wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) seeds treated with bulk oxygen nanobubbles (BONB) containing K+, Na+, and Cl- (BONB-KNaCl) showed significantly accelerated germination. As germination progressed, 99% of K+ ions in the BONB-KNaCl medium were absorbed by the seeds, whereas Ca2+ ions were released. These results suggest that the germination mechanism involves the action of K+ channels for migration of K+ ions down their concentration gradient and Ca2+ pumps for the movement of Ca2+ ions, the first potential discovery in germination promotion in recalcitrant seeds using nutrient solutions with BONB-KNaCl.

[Palliative radiation treatment for superior mediastinal lymph nodes of a patient with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy-a case report of advanced lung cancer].

The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve. On the right side, it branches anteriorly to the subclavian artery in the neck. In cases of malignant diseases, lymph node metastasis can lead to recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Patients with this condition often suffer from aspiration pneumonia, which requires tube feeding. In this case of an advanced lung cancer, we treated the involved lymph node in the neck with palliative radiotherapy, which restored normal nerve function.

Diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma by parametric imaging using sonazoid-enhanced US.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Comparison of Parametric Imaging (PI) using Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography (US) and microflow imaging (MFI) to determine the possibility of hepatic hemangioma diagnosis using PI. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-two hepatic hemangioma nodules (mean±SD diameter: 31.6±19.1mm) undergoing Sonazoid-enhanced US between February 2008 and March 2009. After Sonazoid-enhanced US, COMMUNE ultrasonographic image analysis software was used for analysis of tumor imaging dynamics in the vascular phase using PI and MFI. In PI, 0s was set as the time contrast agent reached the tumor. Imaging within the tumor after 0s was color-coded according to time, and the images were displayed in color. In MFI, 0s was set as the time contrast agent reached the tumor. The path of microbubbles as it flowed through blood vessels was superimposed on the original B-mode images. Three trained physicians used these methods to analyze tumor imaging dynamics. RESULTS: All physicians concluded all cases were hepatic hemangioma regardless of method used. However, compared to MFI, PI allowed determination of more detailed blood flow dynamics in high-flow hepatic hemangioma, where blood flow speed was faster than in normal hepatic hemangioma. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to diagnose hepatic hemangioma using PI using sonazoid-enhanced US.

[A response to erlotinib hydrochloride in the case of post-operative recurrent thymoma].

A 43-year-old female was diagnosed with a recurrence of thymoma 6 years after the operation. Eight kinds of systemic chemotherapy were undergone for over 6 years. As the 9th chemotherapy, erlotinib hydrochloride was prescribed and the tumor decreased in size about 8 weeks later.

Recurrence incidence of small HCC in cirrhosis patients by ablation versus injection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence of local recurrence of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (15 mm or less) was compared retrospectively between a group treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using cool-tip (Radionics, USA) 10-mm electrodes and a group treated with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). METHODOLOGY: There were 23 patients who were treated for a total of 25 tumors during a 3-year period at our hospital. Ten of the tumors (11.1 +/- 2.7mm) were treated with RFA using cool-tip 10-mm electrodes and 15 tumors (10.6 +/- 2.7 mm) were treated with PEI. After treatment, progression was evaluated in enhanced CT scans every 3-6 months to confirm presence or absence of local recurrence. RESULTS: The number of recurrences, mean observation period, and mean recurrence period in the RFA group were 2 (20%), 6.6 months, and 6 months. The number of recurrences, mean observation period, and mean recurrence period in the PEI group were 2 (13.3%), 19.1 months, and 18 months. The period between treatment and recurrence tended to be longer in the PEI group than in the RFA group to be significant p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that PEI treatment is more effective in local treatment of hypervascular HCC with tumor diameters of 15 mm or less.

Evaluation of local recurrence after treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using Sonazoid: comparison with dynamic computed tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Sonazoid for the diagnosis of the local recurrence after treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by comparing it with dynamic CT. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with 87 HCC lesions (mean +/- SD; 19.5 +/- 9.6 mm) underwent CEUS using Sonazoid and dynamic CT after radiofrequency ablation (n = 55), transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (n = 22), or radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (n = 10). Two hepatologists (observer 1; 10 years of experience, and 2; 20 years of experience) reviewed the CEUS and dynamic CT images independently and evaluated presence or absence of the local recurrence. Diagnostic performance for the local recurrence was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: The Az value for dynamic CT was significantly lower in observer 1 than 2 (p < 0.05). The sensitivity of CEUS was 79% in observer 1 and 83.9% in observer 2, and that of dynamic CT was 83.9% and 90.3%, respectively. The specificity of CEUS was 96%, and that of dynamic CT was 92%, in both observers. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CEUS using Sonazoid is less affected by the observer's experience and is more accurate in the diagnosis of local recurrence after treatment for HCC than dynamic CT.

Parametric imaging using contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid for hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To clarify the usefulness of parametric imaging using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CE-US) with Sonazoid by comparing parametric images of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with histopathological findings. METHODS: Two patients with HCCs underwent CE-US with Sonazoid before surgical resection. A single focus point was set at the lower margin of the tumor, and a bolus intravenous injection of Sonazoid (0.5 ml) was administered. Images of the ideal scanning plane were displayed in real-time mode for the early vascular phase. We analyzed these images using prototype PC software. The software watches, pixel by pixel, the increase in the intensity due to the inflow of the microbubbles, and displays colors if the intensity becomes larger than a certain threshold. Parametric images were compared with histopathological findings. RESULTS: The level of blood flow in the tumor could be visually evaluated using a single image by expressing the detailed hemodynamics of the tumor in terms of differences in color using a time axis appropriate for each case. CONCLUSIONS: Parametric imaging is a very useful way of facilitating straightforward visualization of the level of blood flow within HCC and the distribution of histopathological findings in single static images.

Analysis of patients with rapid aggressive tumor progression of hepatocellular carcinoma after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Rapid aggressive tumor progression of hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the major complications after radiofrequency ablation. We statistically analyzed hepatocellular carcinoma patients with rapid aggressive tumor progression after radiofrequency ablation regarding patient characteristics, computed tomography findings, radiofrequency ablation methods, and the course of clinical and imaging changes and outcomes. METHODOLOGY: We defined the tumor not detected by previous CT and US rapidly increased more than double in compared with the ablated area as rapid aggressive tumor progression. Ten hundred seventy three lesions of 538 patients underwent ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation in our hospital between April 1999 and March 2008. Of these patients, the risk factors for rapid aggressive tumor progression of 7 with 7 lesions were analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of rapid aggressive tumor progression was 0.65%. Subcapsular lesions, a pretreatment Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence-II level > or = 40mAU/ml, and initial treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma were significantly identified as risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: There is possibility that portal vein invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma is an important factor involved in rapid aggressive tumor progression after radiofrequency ablation from the results of this study. In our opinion, these hepatocellular carcinomas need to be sufficiently ablated.

Cool-tip 10-mm electrode useful for radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Whether a cool-tip 10mm electrode is useful for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been established. Accordingly, the present study goal was to determine this electrode is indicated for RFA of HCC. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted with 30 HCC patients who were treated with a cool-tip 10-mm electrode over a period of about 3 years. Ten had hypervascular HCC nodules and 20 had hypovascular HCC nodules; mean tumor diameter was 10.5 +/- 1.8mm. Patients underwent follow-up CT scans every 3 to 6 months to detect local progression. RESULTS: Of the 30 lesions, 4 (13.3%) showed local progression. Enhanced CT imaging of the four cases with local progression revealed that two had hypervascular HCC. The remaining two cases had hypovascular HCC. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results suggest that, RFA with a cool-tip 10-mm electrode is indicated in cases of hypovascular HCC nodules if the lesion diameter is no more than 10mm. In addition, in order to avoid skin burns, only lesions at a depth of at least 16mm below the liver surface are suitable for this treatment. Because of its lesser invasiveness, the cool-tip 10-mm electrode appears to be more useful than other, more powerful, devices in patients with hepatic carcinoma.