Development of a rice herbicide, fenquinotrione.

Fenquinotrione is a novel rice herbicide that was discovered and developed by Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. It can control a wide range of broadleaf and sedge weeds with excellent rice selectivity at 30 g a.i./10 a and is as effective as the wild type on acetolactate synthase inhibitor-resistant weeds. Our metabolic and molecular biological studies showed that CYP81A6-mediated demethylation and subsequent glucose conjugation are responsible for the safety of fenquinotrione in rice. Fenquinotrione was registered in Japan in 2018, and various products containing fenquinotrione have been launched. With its high efficacy and excellent rice selectivity, we believe that fenquinotrione will contribute to efficient food production in the future.

Serial computed tomography findings of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia treated with favipiravir and steroid therapy: report of 11 cases.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the time course of computed tomography (CT) findings of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who required mechanical ventilation and were treated with favipiravir and steroid therapy. RESULTS: Eleven patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were included. CT findings assessed at the three time points showed that all patients had ground-glass opacities (GGO) and consolidation and mixed pattern at intubation. Consolidation and mixed pattern disappeared in most of the patients whereas GGO persisted in all patients at 1-month follow-up. In addition to GGO, a subpleural line and bronchus distortion and bronchial dilatation were frequent findings. The degree of resolution of GGO varied depending on each patient. The GGO score correlated significantly with the time from symptoms onset to initiation of steroid therapy (ρ = 0.707, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: At 1-month follow-up after discharge, non-GGO lesions were absorbed almost completely, and GGO were a predominant CT manifestation. Starting steroid therapy earlier after onset of symptoms in severe COVID-19 pneumonia may reduce the extent of GGO at 1-month follow-up.

Clinical validation of an immunochromatographic SARS-Cov-2 IgM/IgG antibody assay with Japanese cohort.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major health threat. To overcome COVID-19, appropriate diagnosis methods are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to clinically evaluate the colloidal gold immunochromatography assay for SARS-Cov-2 IgM/IgG antibody (Ab). METHODS: Patients confirmed COVID-19 (n = 51) were recruited prospectively from the Musashino Red Cross hospital and Tokyo Medical and Dental University Medical Hospital, between March and May 2020. And the analytical specificity was assessed with serum samples of patients without COVID-19 (n = 100) collected between August to September 2019 before SARS-CoV-2 was first reported in China. RESULTS: Among COVID-19 patients, a total of 87 serum samples were tested for SARS-Cov-2 IgM/IgG Ab assay. IgM was detected 71.0 %, 86.9 %, and 83.3 % at day8-14, 15-28, >29 after symptom onset and IgG was detected in 81.6 %, 87.0 %, and 94.4 %, respectively. The sensitivity of IgM and IgG Ab after day8 assay was significantly higher than before day7, respectively (p=0.0016, 0.0003). There were no positive results in 100 serum samples from patients without COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The SARS-Cov-2 IgM/IgG Ab assay had 79.7% / 86.1% sensitivity (the 8 days after from onset) and 100% specificity in this population.

Liver injury with COVID-19 based on gastrointestinal symptoms and pneumonia severity.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had become a big threat worldwide. Liver injury is not uncommon in patients with COVID-19, and clarifying its characteristics is needed. This study aimed to identify factors associated with liver injury and to develop a new classification of predictive severity in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Confirmed patients with COVID-19 (n = 60) were recruited retrospectively from Musashino Red Cross Hospital. The factors of liver injury especially on the elevation of liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) were analyzed. Grading was assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. RESULTS: During a median hospitalization follow-up of 15 (4-41) days, 51 (85.0%) patients had COVID-19 pneumonia. In clinical courses, oxygenation was needed for 25 (41.6%) patients and intubation was needed for 9 (15.0%) patients. A total of 27 (45.0%) patients had gastrointestinal symptoms (GS), such as appetite loss, diarrhea, and nausea. A logistic regression analysis revealed that C-reactive protein (CRP) at baseline, oxygenation, intubation, and GS were significant factors of liver injury. Based on these results, patients were classified into three groups: group 1, no oxygenation pneumonia; group 2, pneumonia with oxygenation or GS; and group 3, intubation. We classified 25 (41.7%), 26 (43.3%), and 9 (15.0%) patients into mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively. The peak of AST and ALT levels was significantly stratified with this criteria (mild [median AST, 28 IU/L; median ALT, 33 IU/L], moderate [median AST, 48 IU/L; median ALT, 47.5 IU/L], and severe [median AST, 109 IU/L; median ALT, 106 IU/L]; P<0.001 and P = 0.0114, respectively). CONCLUSION: COVID-19-related liver injury was significantly stratified based on GS and severity of pneumonia.

Generation of vector polarization in a Nd:YAG laser.

We demonstrated the generation of an azimuthally and radially polarized laser beam in a Nd:YAG laser in which a birefringent yttrium vanadate (c-cut YVO4) crystal was used as the intra-cavity polarization discriminator. AP and RP with respective output 2.4W (o-o efficiency of 35.4%, M2 = 2.3) and 2.52W (o-o efficiency of 37.2%, M2 = 2.4) were generated at absorbed pump power 6.78W. We discuss a simple method for converting between azimuthal and radial polarizations by only regulating input pump power and mechanism of mode selection in the laser. This vector laser will facilitate many applications.

Interstate Migration and Employer-to-Employer Transitions in the United States: New Evidence From Administrative Records Data.

Declines in migration across labor markets have prompted concerns that the U.S. economy is becoming less dynamic. In this study, we examine the relationship between residential migration and employer-to-employer transitions in the United States, using both survey and administrative records data. We first note strong disagreement between the Current Population Survey (CPS) and other migration statistics on the timing and severity of any decline in U.S. interstate migration. Despite these divergent patterns for overall residential migration, we find consistent evidence of a substantial decline in economic migration between 2000 and 2010. We find that composition and the returns to migration have limited ability to explain recent changes in interstate migration.

Thin-rod Yb:YAG amplifiers for high average and peak power lasers.

The concept of a high-power thin-rod Yb:YAG laser amplifier with high-brightness diode pumping was proposed. The principle of the amplifier parameter variation aimed at achieving an efficient signal gain at different power levels was developed. Three versions of thin-rod gain modules were implemented, where small and strong signal gains were studied experimentally. The ultrafast laser system with high average power (28 W) and high pulse energy (2.5 mJ) was created on the basis of the unique thin-rod gain modules.

Yb3+-doped CaF2-LaF3 ceramics laser.

Highly transparent ceramic is an attractive gain medium for high-power lasers due to its high fracture toughness, homogeneity, and size scalability. Here we report the first Yb3+-doped CaF2-LaF3 ceramics laser. Codoping of La3+ ion can reduce the formation of Yb2+ ions and enhance the laser efficiency. In the laser experiment, the maximum output power of 4.36 W and the maximum slope efficiency of 69.5% were obtained with a 3% La, 2% Yb sample and a 2% La, 1% Yb sample, respectively. Due to the combined properties of Yb:CaF2 and a ceramic laser gain medium, Yb:CaF2-LaF3 ceramic is a promising gain medium for a high-power ultrashort pulse laser and amplifier.

Classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias using anti-myxovirus resistance-protein 1 autoantibody.

Chronic fibrosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) can be divided into two main types: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a steroid-resistant and progressive disease with a median survival of 2-3 years, and idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (INSIP), a steroid-sensitive and non-progressive autoimmune disease. Although the clinical courses of these two diseases differ, they may be difficult to distinguish at diagnosis. We performed a comprehensive analysis of serum autoantibodies from patients definitively diagnosed with IPF, INSIP, autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and sarcoidosis. We identified disease-specific autoantibodies and enriched KEGG pathways unique to each disease, and demonstrated that IPF and INSIP are serologically distinct. Furthermore, we discovered a new INSIP-specific autoantibody, anti-myxovirus resistance-1 (MX1) autoantibody. Patients positive for anti-MX1 autoantibody constituted 17.5% of all cases of chronic fibrosing IIPs. Notably, patients rarely simultaneously carried the anti-MX1 autoantibody and the anti-aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetase autoantibody, which is common in chronic fibrosing IIPs. Because MX1 is one of the most important interferon-inducible anti-viral genes, we have not only identified a new diagnostic autoantibody of INSIP but also obtained new insight into the pathology of INSIP, which may be associated with viral infection and autoimmunity.

Thin-tapered-rod Yb:YAG laser amplifier.

The concept of the thin-tapered-rod Yb:YAG amplifier with waveguide pumping is proposed and implemented. It is shown that such an amplifier demonstrates considerably higher small signal gain and is less affected by thermal effects than the thin-rod ("single-crystal fiber") amplifier. In the developed amplifier, a small signal gain as high as 23 per pass is achieved.

Multi-wavelength Yb:YAG/Nd3+:YVO4 continuous-wave microchip Raman laser.

Multi-wavelength continuous-wave (CW) Raman lasers in a laser diode pumped Yb:YAG/Nd3+:YVO4 microchip Raman laser have been demonstrated for the first time to our best knowledge. The multi-wavelength laser of the first Stokes radiation around 1.08 µm has been achieved with a Raman shift of 261 cm-1 for a-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal corresponding to the fundamental wavelength at 1.05 µm. Multi-wavelength laser operation simultaneously around 1.05 and 1.08 µm has been achieved under the incident pump power between 1.5 and 1.7 W. Multi-wavelength Raman laser with frequency separation of 1 THz around 1.08 µm has been obtained when the incident pump power is higher than 1.7 W. The maximum Raman laser output power of 260 mW at 1.08 µm is obtained and the corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is 4.2%. Elliptically polarized fundamental laser and linearly polarized Raman laser were observed in an Yb:YAG/Nd:YVO4 CW microchip Raman laser. The experimental results of linearly polarized, multi-wavelength Yb:YAG/Nd:YVO4 CW microchip Raman laser with adjustable frequency separation provide a novel approach for developing potential compact laser sources for Terahertz generation.

Dual-energy dynamic CT of lung adenocarcinoma: correlation of iodine uptake with tumor gene expression.

OBJECTIVES: To compare iodine content (IC) of solitary lung cancer using dynamic measurements of CT attenuation (Hounsfield Units, HU) and to correlate their quantitative CT data with expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) using immunostaining methods. METHODS: This study included 18 patients with adenocarcinoma, who undergone dual energy dynamic multiphase CT to examine solitary lung nodules (6 part-solid and 12 solid nodules). Tumor size was 21.1 mm±8.1 (9-39mm) [Mean±SD (range)]. Contrast volume was determined by weight (2ml/kg). Contrast volume and injection rate were 110.5 ml±17.2 (80-144ml) and 1.84ml/s±0.30 (1.3-2.4ml/s), respectively. Enhancement values ([CT value at each delayed scan-CT value at unenhanced scan]) and net enhancement values ([peak CT value-CT value at unenhanced scan]) were calculated in HU from 65keV monochromatic image. IC at each delayed scan was measured in mg/cm(3) from the iodine-water material decomposition pair on the advantage workstation VolumeShare4. Immunostaining using VEGF, EGFR, and HIF-1α was performed by two pathologists, who evaluated the expression level of them subjectively. Statistical analyses were performed with rank correlation tests and regression analysis. RESULTS: IC at 2- and 3-minute delayed scan (x) and immunostaining score of HIF-1α (y) showed a significantly positive correlation (r=0.64 and 0.52, p=0.004 and 0.03): regression equation, y=1.34+0.58x and y=1.51+0.55x, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dual-energy dynamic multiphase CT can measure iodine content in lung adenocarcinoma. Iodine content at 2- and 3-minute delayed scan might correlate with the expression level of HIF-1α.

Submillisievert CT using model-based iterative reconstruction with lung-specific setting: An initial phantom study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess image quality of filtered back-projection (FBP) and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) with a conventional setting and a new lung-specific setting on submillisievert CT. METHODS: A lung phantom with artificial nodules was scanned with 10 mA at 120 kVp and 80 kVp (0.14 mSv and 0.05 mSv, respectively); images were reconstructed using FBP and MBIR with conventional setting (MBIRStnd) and lung-specific settings (MBIRRP20/Tx and MBIRRP20). Three observers subjectively scored overall image quality and image findings on a 5-point scale (1 = worst, 5 = best) compared with reference standard images (50 mA-FBP at 120, 100, 80 kVp). Image noise was measured objectively. RESULTS: MBIRRP20/Tx performed significantly better than MBIRStnd for overall image quality in 80-kVp images (p < 0.01), blurring of the border between lung and chest wall in 120p-kVp images (p < 0.05) and the ventral area of 80-kVp images (p < 0.001), and clarity of small vessels in the ventral area of 80-kVp images (p = 0.037). At 120 kVp, 10 mA-MBIRRP20 and 10 mA-MBIRRP20/Tx showed similar performance to 50 mA-FBP. MBIRStnd was better for noise reduction. Except for blurring in 120 kVp-MBIRStnd, MBIRs performed better than FBP. CONCLUSION: Although a conventional setting was advantageous in noise reduction, a lung-specific setting can provide more appropriate image quality, even on submillisievert CT. KEY POINTS: • Lung-specific submillisievert 10 mA-MBIR CT setting has similar performance to 50 mA-FBP • The new lung-specific settings improve vessel clarity and blurring of borders • The new settings may provide more appropriate images than conventional settings.

Pretreatment Gastric Lavage Reduces Postoperative Bleeding after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Neoplasms.

AIM: For patients receiving endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), there is urgent need pertaining to the prevention of postoperative bleeding. We conducted a retrospective propensity score-matched study that evaluated whether pre-ESD gastric lavage prevents postoperative bleeding after ESD for gastric neoplasms. METHODS: From September 2002 to October 2015, the 760 consecutive patients receiving ESD for gastric neoplasm were enrolled and data regarding them were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received conventional preventive treatment against delayed bleeding after ESD, including the administration of proton pump inhibitor and preventive coagulation of visible vessels, at the end of the ESD procedure. RESULTS: Pre-ESD risk factors for postoperative bleeding included tumor size and no gastric lavage. Using multivariate analysis tumor size >2.0 cm (HR 2.90, 95% CI 1.65-5.10, p = 0.0002) and no gastric lavage (HR 3.20, 95% CI 1.13-9.11, p = 0.029) were found to be independent risk factors. Next, we evaluated the effect of gastric lavage on the prevention of post-ESD bleeding using a propensity score-matching method. A total of 284 subjects (142 per group) were selected. Adjusted odds ratio of gastric lavage for post-ESD bleeding was 0.25 (95% CI 0.071-0.886, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment gastric lavage reduced postoperative bleeding in patients receiving ESD for gastric neoplasm.

Thermal effects in Yb:YAG single-crystal thin-rod amplifier.

This work presents a new design for the laser gain module based on a ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Yb:YAG) single-crystal thin rod. Thermal effects (temperature, phase, and polarization distortion of laser radiation) and small signal gain are investigated both experimentally and theoretically. We then analyzed the influence of thermal effects and amplified spontaneous emission on the power scaling of the laser based on the gain module. A small signal gain as high as 3.3 per pass was experimentally achieved.

Computed tomography (CT) findings in 88 neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) patients: Prevalence rates and correlations of thoracic findings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence rates and the correlations of thoracic computed tomography (CT) findings of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) in 88 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chest CT images of 88 NF1 patients were independently reviewed by three observers, and the CT findings were evaluated. If abnormal findings were present, their number, size, and distribution were recorded. The prevalence rate of each CT finding was calculated, and the correlations between CT findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 88 cases, 13 were positive for cysts, 16 for emphysema, 8 for nodules, 8 for GGNs (ground glass nodules), 13 for mediastinal masses, 20 for scoliosis, 44 for subcutaneous nodules, and 34 for skin nodules. Cysts showed upper and peripheral dominant distributions. Regarding 13 mediastinal masses, 2 were diagnosed as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), 1 was diagnosed as primary lung cancer, 2 were diagnosed as lateral meningocele, 3 were diagnosed as neurofibromas, and the remaining 7 were considered neurofibromas. There was a significant correlation between the prevalence of subcutaneous nodules and that of skin nodules. Significant positive correlations were also seen between size and number, size and rate of central distribution, and number and rate of central distribution of cysts. CONCLUSION: Various CT findings were found in NF-1 patients, and the prevalence rates of subcutaneous and skin nodules were higher than other findings. Though the prevalence rates of subcutaneous nodules and skin nodules were significantly correlated, the other CT findings in NF-1 occurred independently. The number, size, and distribution of the cysts showed significant positive correlations with each other.

Demonstration of a Yb3+-doped Lu3Al5O12 ceramic thin-disk laser.

Yb:LuAG ceramic is very promising for thin-disk laser and amplifier architectures since it exhibits a higher thermal conductivity at high doping concentrations and a larger emission cross section than Yb:YAG. In this Letter, we present what we believe to be the first demonstration of a thin-disk laser based on Yb:LuAG ceramic. A maximum output power of 101 W with an optical efficiency of 56% and a slope efficiency of 64% was obtained with a multimode laser resonator. Fundamental-mode laser operation with near diffraction limited beam quality (M2≈1.22) was also achieved. The fundamental-mode laser resonator showed the output power of 49 W, an optical efficiency of 31%, and a slope efficiency of 44%. A linearly polarized output beam was demonstrated in multimode operation using an intracavity Brewster window. The depolarization loss was measured to be as low as 0.15% per round trip.

Prognostic importance of volumetric measurements in stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: To perform volumetric analysis of stage I lung adenocarcinomas by using an automated computer program and to determine value of volumetric computed tomographic (CT) measurements associated with prognostic factors and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 145) with stage I lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery after preoperative chest CT were enrolled. By using volumetric automated computer-assisted analytic program, nodules were classified into three subgroups: pure ground glass, part solid, or solid. Total tumor volume, solid tumor volume, and percentage of solid volume of each cancer were calculated after eliminating vessel components. One radiologist measured the longest diameter of the solid tumor component and of total tumor with their ratio, which was defined as solid proportion. The value of these quantitative data by examining associations with pathologic prognostic factors and outcome measures (disease-free survival and overall survival) were analyzed with logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models, respectively. Significant parameters identified at univariate analysis were included in the multiple analyses. RESULTS: All 22 recurrences occurred in patients with nodules classified as part solid or solid. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that percentage of solid volume of 63% or greater was an independent indicator associated with pleural invasion (P = .01). Multiple Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that percentage of solid volume of 63% or greater was a significant indicator of lower disease-free survival (hazard ratio, 18.45 [95% confidence interval: 4.34, 78.49]; P < .001). Both solid tumor volume of 1.5 cm(3) or greater and percentage of solid volume of 63% or greater were significant indicators of decreased overall survival (hazard ratio, 5.92 and 9.60, respectively [95% confidence interval: 1.17, 30.33 and 1.17, 78.91, respectively]; P = .034 and .036, respectively). CONCLUSION: Two volumetric measurements (solid volume, ≥1.5 cm(3); percentage of solid volume, ≥63%) were found to be independent indicators associated with increased likelihood of recurrence and/or death in patients with stage I adenocarcinoma.

1 W single-frequency Tm-doped ZBLAN fiber MOPA around 810 nm.

We demonstrate a tunable narrow-linewidth fiber MOPA system around 810 nm for the light source of the Sr optical lattice clock. The coherent cw light source with a wavelength of 813.42 nm was generated by a combination of a narrow linewidth external-cavity laser diode and a Tm-doped ZBLAN fiber amplifier, which was upconversion-pumped by an Yb-doped fiber laser at 1064 nm. The maximum output power of 1.1 W was obtained with the launched power of 17 W, which is the highest power obtained from a Tm-doped fiber amplifier ever reported.

Risk factors for exceeding the Milan criteria after successful radiofrequency ablation in patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective and safe noninvasive treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and may be useful as a bridging therapy in liver transplantation. The prognosis after liver transplantation for patients within the Milan criteria is excellent. This study was aimed at identifying risk factors associated with exceeding the Milan criteria after initial locally curative RFA therapy. Among 554 primary HCC patients, 323 with early-stage HCC after RFA were analyzed (mean age = 66 years). Two hundred forty-eight patients had hepatitis C virus, 33 patients had hepatitis B virus, and 41 patients had neither hepatitis B nor hepatitis C; 256, 67, and 0 patients were classified as Child-Pugh A, B, and C, respectively. The rates of cumulative overall survival and recurrence exceeding the Milan criteria were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier analysis, and factors associated with overall survival were determined with Cox proportional hazards analysis. The cumulative overall survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 96.2%, 84.4%, 69.9%, and 40.6% respectively, without liver transplantation. The cumulative rates of recurrence exceeding the Milan criteria at 1, 3, and 5 years were 15.1%, 46.0%, and 61.1% respectively. An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level > 100 ng/mL and recurrence within 1 year after initial ablation were independently associated with earlier recurrence exceeding the Milan criteria and overall survival. The 3- and 5-year survival rates for patients with both risk factors were 33.5% and 22.6%, respectively, despite an early stage at initial ablation. In conclusion, a higher AFP level and HCC recurrence within 1 year of RFA are risk factors for exceeding the Milan criteria and for overall survival. Early liver transplantation or adjuvant therapy should be considered for patients with both risk factors.