The SπRIT time projection chamber.

The Superconducting Analyzer for MUlti-particles from RAdioIsotope (SAMURAI) Pion-Reconstruction and Ion-Tracker Time Projection Chamber (SπRIT TPC) was designed to enable measurements of heavy ion collisions with the SAMURAI spectrometer at the RIKEN radioactive isotope beam factory and provides constraints on the equation of state of neutron-rich nuclear matter. The SπRIT TPC has a 50.5 cm drift length and an 86.4 × 134.4 cm2 pad plane with 12 096 pads that are equipped with the generic electronics for TPCs. The SπRIT TPC allows for an excellent reconstruction of particles and provides isotopic resolution for pions and other light charged particles across a wide range of energy losses and momenta. The details of the SπRIT TPC are presented, along with discussion of the TPC performance based on cosmic rays and charged particles emitted in heavy ion collisions.

Probing the Symmetry Energy with the Spectral Pion Ratio.

Many neutron star properties, such as the proton fraction, reflect the symmetry energy contributions to the equation of state that dominate when neutron and proton densities differ strongly. To constrain these contributions at suprasaturation densities, we measure the spectra of charged pions produced by colliding rare isotope tin (Sn) beams with isotopically enriched Sn targets. Using ratios of the charged pion spectra measured at high transverse momenta, we deduce the slope of the symmetry energy to be 42

Utility of computed tomography and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose with positron emission tomography/computed tomography for distinguishing appendiceal mucocele caused by mucinous adenocarcinoma from other pathologies.

AIM: Differentiating appendiceal mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma from other pathologies before surgery is difficult. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of CT and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for differentiating mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendiceal mucocele from other pathologies. METHOD: The study included 25 patients who underwent surgery for clinically diagnosed appendiceal mucoceles detected on CT at the University of Tokyo Hospital. Among these patients, 19 underwent FDG-PET/CT preoperatively. We compared features of the CT imaging findings and maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax ) detected by FDG-PET/CT between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies. RESULTS: A total of 13 men (52%) and 12 women (48%) were included in this study, with a median age of 65 years (range 34-83). There were six patients (24%) with pathologically confirmed mucinous adenocarcinoma, 15 patients (60%) with appendiceal mucinous neoplasm and four patients (16%) with simple mucocele caused by chronic inflammation. On the CT findings, wall irregularity was the only significant feature for the two groups in this study (83.3% vs 0.0%, P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in the SUVmax levels on PET/CT between the two groups (100.0% vs 20.0%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Distinguishing between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies using imaging modalities is challenging. Our results suggest that wall irregularity on CT and elevated SUVmax on PET/CT are useful factors that can be employed for such discrimination.

Effects of preceding endoscopic treatment on laparoscopic surgery for early rectal cancer.

AIM: Endoscopic treatment for rectal cancer, such as endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection, causes inflammation, oedema and fibrosis in the surrounding tissue. However, little is known about the effect of these endoscopic therapies on salvage laparoscopic rectal surgery. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to analyse the effect of preceding endoscopic treatment on the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. METHOD: We analysed 53 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer with clinical Tis or T1 at our department between May 2011 and June 2019. Data from 30 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery after preceding endoscopic treatment (Group E + S) were compared with those of 23 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery alone (Group S). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to preoperative details. The mean operative time tended to be longer in Group E + S, and the volume of intra-operative blood loss was greater in Group E + S than in Group S (median 63 ml vs 10 ml, P = 0.049). There were no significant differences between the groups in other surgical parameters or oncological outcomes. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery after endoscopic treatment for rectal cancer may be difficult due to an increased risk of intra-operative bleeding. Long-term prognosis after surgery was not affected by preceding endoscopic treatment in rectal cancer.

Association of treatment-achieved HbA1c with incidence of coronary artery disease and severe eye disease in diabetes patients.

AIM: To examine the association between treatment-achieved HbA1c values and incidence of both coronary artery disease (CAD) and severe eye disease with different diabetes treatments. METHODS: Associations of treatment-achieved HbA1c were investigated in various treatment groups [diet only; insulin; sulphonylurea (SU) alone; SU with glinides; and antihyperglycaemic agents other than glinides, SU or insulin] taken from a nationwide claims database of 14,633 Japanese diabetes patients. Cox's regression analysis examined risks over a 5.1-year follow-up. RESULTS: A significant linear trend was associated with HbA1c levels and CAD events in the diet-only group, and CAD risks were significantly higher in insulin and SU groups with HbA1c ≤ 7.0% and > 8.0% than in the diet-only group with HbA1c ≤ 7.0%. In contrast to CAD, a linear association was observed regardless of treatment modality between achieved HbA1c levels and risk of severe diabetic eye disease, but with no significant difference in eye disease risk between groups with HbA1c ≤ 7.0% and 7.1-8.0% in those treated with either SU alone, SU with glinides, or insulin. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the relationship between treatment-achieved HbA1c and incidence of both CAD and severe diabetic eye disease differed according to treatment, based on a large-scale real-life database. More research is now needed to confirm these findings and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Incidence of and risk factors for lymphocele formation after lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for rectal cancer: a retrospective study.

AIM: Pelvic lymphocele is a common complication that develops after pelvic lymph node dissection. The incidence of pelvic lymphocele formation has been reported to be 10.5-51% after gynaecological or urological procedures. However, no evidence has been reported thus far with regard to the development of pelvic lymphocele following lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPND) for low rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for lymphocele formation after LPND for low rectal cancer and to examine its clinical management. METHOD: We retrospectively analysed the incidence of and risk factors for pelvic lymphocele formation after LPND for rectal cancer in our hospital between January 2012 and December 2017. We also compared the size of the lymphocele between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients by using CT volumetry and examined its clinical management. RESULTS: A total of 30 out of 98 patients (30.8%) developed pelvic lymphocele after rectal LPND. The number of resected nodes was significantly higher in patients with a pelvic lymphocele (P < 0.01). The median volume was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic pelvic lymphocele (P = 0.011). Among the nine symptomatic patients, two underwent CT-guided drainage, one underwent transurethral ureteral stent placement and one underwent laparoscopic marsupialization. CONCLUSION: It is essential to keep in mind the possibility of pelvic lymphocele formation during follow-up of patients who undergo LPND, and to consider an appropriate treatment when these patients are symptomatic.

Vascular anatomy of the splenic flexure, focusing on the accessory middle colic artery and vein.

AIM: Recently, the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) has been recognized as the vessel that supplies blood to the splenic flexure. However, the positional relationship between the AMCA and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) has not been evaluated. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the anatomy of the AMCA and the splenic flexure vein (SFV). METHOD: Two hundred and five patients with colorectal cancer who underwent enhanced CT preoperatively were enrolled in the present study. The locations of the AMCA and IMV were evaluated, focusing on the positional relationship between the vessels and pancreas - below the pancreas or to the dorsal side of the pancreas. RESULTS: The AMCA was observed in 74 (36.1%) patients whereas the SFV was found in 177 (86.3%) patients. The left colic artery (LCA) was the major artery accompanying the SFV in 87 (42.4%) of patients. The AMCA accompanied the SFV in 65 (32.7%) patients. In 15 (7.8%) patients, no artery accompanied the SFV. The origin of the AMCA was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 15 (20.3%) of these 74 patients. Similarly, the destination of the IMV was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 65 (31.7%) of patients. CONCLUSION: The SFV was observed in most patients, and the LCA or AMCA was the common accompanying artery. In some patients these vessels were located on the dorsal side of the pancreas and not below it. Preoperative evaluation of this anatomy may be beneficial for lymph node dissection during left-sided hemicolectomy.

Bone strength of the proximal femur in healthy subjects with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

We compared the bone strength measured via quantitative computed tomography-based finite element method (QCT/FEM) between healthy adults with and without ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). No statistically significant difference was observed in the bone strength between healthy adults with and without OPLL. Hyperostosis of the posterior longitudinal ligament in OPLL may not be associated with the systemic bone strength. INTRODUCTION: Although patients with OPLL have been reportedly associated with increased level of bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), little is known about the bone strength in OPLL subjects. The aim of this study is to investigate the bone strength measured via QCT/FEM in healthy subjects with OPLL using the medical check-up data, including whole-body CT scans. METHODS: We examined 796 participants (529 men and 267 women) who underwent CT scans in a single health center between January 2008 and May 2009. We identified OPLL in whole spine and divided the subjects into two groups: non-OPLL and OPLL groups. We calculated the predicted bone strength (PBS) of the proximal femur using QCT/FEM and examined the bone mineral status of the calcaneus using quantitative ultrasound (QUS). We compared the PBS and the QUS parameters between the non-OPLL and OPLL groups. RESULTS: Seventy-four subjects (9.3%; 57 men and 17 women) were diagnosed with OPLL in the whole spine. The OPLL group was significantly older than the non-OPLL group. No statistically significant difference was observed in the PBS and the QUS parameters between the non-OPLL and OPLL groups in both sexes. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was noted in the PBS and the QUS parameters between two groups in age- and gender-matched analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hyperostosis of the posterior longitudinal ligament in OPLL may not be associated with bone strength and bone mineral status at the extremities.

Obstruction is associated with perineural invasion in T3/T4 colon cancer.

AIM: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a risk factor for recurrence and metastasis and consequently leads to decreased survival in patients with various malignancies. Recent studies showed that stent placement in obstructive colon cancer increases the frequency of PNI. We hypothesized that mechanical stress including obstruction itself may be associated with PNI. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed 496 patients with pathological T3 or T4 colon cancer who did not receive preoperative treatment. Data were collected from medical charts and pathological findings. The relationships between PNI and other clinicopathological factors were analysed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: PNI was observed in 239 (48%) patients. Obstruction was markedly more frequent in PNI-positive cancer (39%) than in PNI-negative cancer (24%, P = 0.0003). Multivariate analyses identified obstruction as one of the significant factors associated with PNI (OR 1.68, P = 0.028). Moreover, in 414 patients without distant metastasis who underwent complete resection, PNI was an independent factor associated with poor recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio 2.35, P = 0.003). The coexistence of PNI and obstruction resulted in greater decreases in recurrence-free survival than PNI-negative and/or non-obstructive cases. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that obstruction is associated with PNI and consequently contributes to an increased postoperative recurrence in colon cancer.

Extraction of the Landau-Migdal Parameter from the Gamow-Teller Giant Resonance in

The key parameter to discuss the possibility of the pion condensation in nuclear matter, i.e., the so-called Landau-Migdal parameter g^{'}, was extracted by measuring the double-differential cross sections for the (p,n) reaction at 216 MeV/u on a neutron-rich doubly magic unstable nucleus, ^{132}Sn with the quality comparable to data taken with stable nuclei. The extracted strengths for Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions from ^{132}Sn leading to ^{132}Sb exhibit the GT giant resonance (GTR) at the excitation energy of 16.3±0.4(stat)±0.4(syst) MeV with the width of Γ=4.7±0.8 MeV. The integrated GT strength up to E_{x}=25 MeV is S_{GT}^{-}=53±5(stat)_{-10}^{+11}(syst), corresponding to 56% of Ikeda's sum rule of 3(N-Z)=96. The present result accurately constrains the Landau-Migdal parameter as g^{'}=0.68±0.07, thanks to the high sensitivity of the GTR energy to g^{'}. In combination with previous studies on the GTR for ^{90}Zr and ^{208}Pb, the result of this work shows the constancy of this parameter in the nuclear chart region with (N-Z)/A=0.11 to 0.24 and A=90 to 208.

Network meta-analysis of the relative efficacy of bariatric surgeries for diabetes remission.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery leads to a higher remission rate for type 2 diabetes mellitus than non-surgical treatment. However, it remains unsolved which surgical procedure is the most efficacious. This network meta-analysis aimed to rank surgical procedures in terms of diabetes remission. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We electronically searched for randomized controlled trials in which at least one surgical treatment was included among multiple arms and the diabetes remission rate was included in study outcomes. A random-effects network meta-analysis was performed within a frequentist framework. The hierarchy of treatments was expressed as the surface under the cumulative ranking curve value. Results of the analysis of 25 eligible randomized controlled trials that covered non-surgical treatments and eight surgical procedures (biliopancreatic diversion [BPD], BPD with duodenal switch, Roux-en Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass [mini-GBP], laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, greater curvature plication and duodenal-jejunal bypass) showed that BPD and mini-GBP had the highest surface under the cumulative ranking curve values among the eight surgical treatments. CONCLUSION: Current network meta-analysis indicated that BPD or mini-GBP achieved higher diabetes remission rates than the other procedures. However, the result needs to be interpreted with caution considering that these procedures were in the minority of bariatric surgeries.

Can radiological technologists serve as primary screeners of low-dose computed tomography for the diagnosis of lung cancer?

BACKGROUND: The Accreditation Council for Lung Cancer CT Screening of Japan established guidelines for the certification of Radiological Technologists in 2009. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trends in examination pass rates of the Radiological Technologists and discuss the reasons. METHODS: The cohort comprised 1593 Radiological Technologists (as examinees) based on 10-year of data (with a total of 17 examination runs). First, the examinees' written test results were analyzed. Second, an abnormal finding detection test was conducted using >100 client PCs connected to a dedicated server containing low-dose lung cancer CT screening images of 60 cases. The passing scores were correct answer rate >60% and sensitivity (TP) of >90%, respectively. RESULTS: Overall, 1243 examinees passed with an overall rate of 78%. The average pass rate for the written test was 91%, whereas that for the abnormal findings detection test was 85%. There was a moderate correlation between the test pass rate and average years of clinical experience of the examinees for the abnormal findings detection test (R = 0.558), whereas no such correlation existed for the written test (R = 0.105). CONCLUSIONS: In order for accredited Radiological Technologists to serve as primary screeners of low-dose computed tomography, it is important to revise the educational system according to current standard practices.

Evaluation of the vascular anatomy of the left-sided colon focused on the accessory middle colic artery: a single-centre study of 734 patients.

AIM: Surgery for colorectal cancer located in the splenic flexure is difficult to perform because of the complex anatomy. Recently, in addition to the middle colic artery and left colic artery (LCA), the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) has been recognized as a feeding artery for the left-sided colon. This study aimed to evaluate the vascular anatomy of the splenic flexure focusing on the AMCA in a large number of patients. METHOD: A total of 734 patients who underwent CT before surgery for colorectal cancer were enrolled. We retrospectively evaluated the vascular anatomy using both two- and three-dimensional CT angiography. RESULTS: The AMCA existed in 36.4% of the cases (n = 267). In many cases, it originated from the superior mesenteric artery (n = 228, 85.4%). The AMCA had a common trunk with the transverse pancreatic artery in 54 patients (20.2%). The frequency of the presence of the AMCA was associated with the branching pattern of the LCA, and was more frequent when the LCA was absent (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The presence of the AMCA is not rare and the AMCA has some branching patterns; therefore, recognizing it preoperatively and intra-operatively is important, being especially careful when the LCA is absent.

Occlusal Support, Dysphagia, Malnutrition, and Activities of Daily Living in Aged Individuals Needing Long-Term Care: A Path Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the interrelationships among occlusal support, dysphagia, malnutrition, and activities of daily living in aged individuals needing long-term care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study and path analysis. SETTING: Long-term health care facilities, acute care hospitals, and the community. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and fifty-four individuals aged ≥ 65 years with dysphagia or potential dysphagia in need of long-term care. MEASUREMENTS: The modified Eichner Index, Dysphagia Severity Scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form, and Barthel index. RESULTS: The participants included 118 males and 236 females with a mean (standard deviation) age of 83 (8) years. A total of 216 participants had functional occlusal support with or without dentures. Of the total participants, 73 were within normal limits regarding the severity of dysphagia, 119 exhibited dysphagia without aspiration, and 162 exhibited dysphagia with aspiration. Only 34 had a normal nutritional status, while 166 participants were malnourished, and 154 were at risk of malnutrition. The median Barthel index score was 30. Path analysis indicated two important findings: occlusal support had a direct effect on dysphagia (standard coefficient = 0.33), and dysphagia was associated directly with malnutrition (standard coefficient = 0.50). Dysphagia and malnutrition were associated directly with impaired activities of daily living (standard coefficient = 0.57, 0.22). CONCLUSION: In aged individuals needing long-term care, occlusal support is associated directly with dysphagia and indirectly with malnutrition and activities of daily living via dysphagia.

Lack of ethnic differences of moxifloxacin and metabolite pharmacokinetics in East Asian men.

This study was designed to investigate ethnic differences in the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of moxifloxacin and its metabolites, M1 (sulfo conjugate) and M2 (acyl-glucuronate), among Japanese, Chinese, and Korean populations, following oral administration. We used a population PK modeling approach using data from a clinical study involving 79 healthy male volunteers. A comprehensive population PK model considering the PK mechanism of moxifloxacin and its metabolites was newly built. The structures of the final model were two-compartment for moxifloxacin and one-compartment for M1 and M2, with first-order absorption with lag time for all three compounds. The formation of M1 and M2 from moxifloxacin via a first-pass effect and subsequent metabolic clearance in the system were also modeled. Lean body mass on the central volume of distribution (V c ) and estimated glomerular filtration rate on renal clearance (CL r ) were identified as covariates of PKs of moxifloxacin. Additionally, bioavailability was slightly higher in Koreans, whereas CL r , non-renal clearance (CL nr ), and V c were slightly lower. Regarding M1 and M2, body surface area on CL r of M2 and UGT1A1*6 on F of M2 were modeled. Korean ethnicity was observed to influence CL nr of M2, F of M2, and the metabolic clearance of moxifloxacin to M2. However, the exposure levels of moxifloxacin, M1, and M2 in Koreans were comparable to those in Japanese and Chinese because the effects of Korean ethnicity on some PK parameters were counterbalanced. These results suggest that PKs for moxifloxacin and its metabolites among East Asian populations are essentially similar.

Impact of body mass index and metabolic phenotypes on coronary artery disease according to glucose tolerance status.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the impact of obesity, as defined by body mass index (BMI), and a metabolically unhealthy phenotype on the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) according to glucose tolerance status. METHODS: This population-based retrospective cohort study included 123,746 Japanese men aged 18-72years (normal glucose tolerance: 72,047; prediabetes: 39,633; diabetes: 12,066). Obesity was defined as a BMI≥25kg/m2. Metabolically unhealthy individuals were defined as those with one or more of the following conditions: hypertension, hypertriglyceridaemia and/or low HDL cholesterol. A Cox proportional hazards regression model identified variables related to CAD incidence. RESULTS: The prevalences of obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance, prediabetes and diabetes were 21%, 34% and 53%, whereas those for metabolically unhealthy people were 43%, 60% and 79%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that a metabolically unhealthy phenotype increases hazard ratios (HRs) for CAD compared with a metabolically healthy phenotype, regardless of glucose tolerance status (normal glucose tolerance: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.32-2.95; prediabetes: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.85-4.55; diabetes: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.18-3.06). HRs for CAD among metabolically unhealthy non-obese diabetes patients and obese diabetes patients with a metabolically unhealthy status were 6.14 (95% CI: 3.94-9.56) and 7.86 (95% CI: 5.21-11.9), respectively, compared with non-obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance and without a metabolically unhealthy status. CONCLUSION: A metabolically unhealthy state can associate with CAD independently of obesity across all glucose tolerance stages. Clinicians may need to consider those with at least one or more conditions indicating a metabolically unhealthy state as being at high risk for CAD regardless of glucose tolerance status.