Higher magnetic-field generation by a mass-loaded single-turn coil

Single-turn coil (STC) technique is a convenient way to generate ultrahigh magnetic fields of more than 100 T. During the field generation, the STC explosively destructs outward due to the Maxwell stress and Joule heating. Unfortunately, the STC does not work at its full potential because it has already expanded when the maximum magnetic field is reached. Here, we propose an easy way to delay the expansion and increase the maximum field by using a mass-loaded STC. By loading clay on the STC, the field profile drastically changes, and the maximum field increases by 4%. This method offers access to higher magnetic fields for physical property measurements.

Olfactory function deteriorates in patients with Parkinson's disease complicated with REM sleep behavior disorder

INTRODUCTION

It is not concluded whether the association between olfactory dysfunction and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) were worsen cognitive function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We sought to evaluate the impact of these symptoms in PD.

METHODS

We examined 62 patients with PD using an olfactory test (Odor Stick Identification Test for Japanese: OSIT-J) and polysomnography (PSG). We divided the patients into 3 groups: PD with clinical RBD (n = 32), PD with subclinical RBD (n = 11), and PD with normal REM sleep (n = 19). We compared their clinical backgrounds, results of OSIT-J, autonomic functions, and cognitive functions such as Montreal cognitive assessment Japanese version (MoCA-J). Some factors associated with RBD were analyzed by multiple regression.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the results of OSIT-J, and autonomic and cognitive functions between the 3 groups. There were significant differences in the total OSIT-J score between the 3 groups (PD with clinical RBD: 3.3 ± 2.2, PD with subclinical RBD: 4.0 ± 2.6, PD with normal REM sleep: 6.7 ± 3.0, p < 0.001). Patients in the group with PD with clinical RBD had a significantly lower score than those with normal REM sleep (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that OSIT-J score was significantly associated with RBD. The PD group with clinical RBD had more patients with mild cognitive impairment than the group with normal REM sleep. Multiple regression analysis revealed that olfactory dysfunction was correlated with MoCA-J.

CONCLUSIONS

Olfactory dysfunction is associated with RBD. Especially, it is important to screen olfactory function in RBD complicated patients with PD in view of cognitive impairment.

Comparing serial X-ray crystallography and microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) as methods for routine structure determination from small macromolecular crystals

Innovative new crystallographic methods are facilitating structural studies from ever smaller crystals of biological macromolecules. In particular, serial X-ray crystallography and microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) have emerged as useful methods for obtaining structural information from crystals on the nanometre to micrometre scale. Despite the utility of these methods, their implementation can often be difficult, as they present many challenges that are not encountered in traditional macromolecular crystallography experiments. Here, XFEL serial crystallography experiments and MicroED experiments using batch-grown microcrystals of the enzyme cyclophilin A are described. The results provide a roadmap for researchers hoping to design macromolecular microcrystallography experiments, and they highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the two methods. Specifically, we focus on how the different physical conditions imposed by the sample-preparation and delivery methods required for each type of experiment affect the crystal structure of the enzyme.

Carbonization of cellulose cell wall evaluated with ultraviolet microscopy

This is the first study of cellulose carbonization in the interior of cell walls.

Insights into atopic dermatitis gained from genetically defined mouse models

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by severe pruritus and recurrent eczema with a chronic disease course. Impaired skin barrier function, hyperactivated T_H2 cell-type inflammation, and pruritus-induced scratching contribute to the disease pathogenesis of AD. Skin microbial alterations complicate the pathogenesis of AD further. Mouse models are a powerful tool to analyze such intricate pathophysiology of AD, with a caution that anatomy and immunology of the skin differ between human subjects and mice. Here we review recent understanding of AD etiology obtained using mouse models, which address the epidermal barrier, skin microbiome, T_H2 immune response, and pruritus.

An oxyl/oxo mechanism for oxygen-oxygen coupling in PSII revealed by an x-ray free-electron laser

Photosynthetic water oxidation is catalyzed by the Mn4CaO5 cluster of photosystem II (PSII) with linear progression through five S-state intermediates (S0 to S4). To reveal the mechanism of water oxidation, we analyzed structures of PSII in the S1, S2, and S3 states by x-ray free-electron laser serial crystallography. No insertion of water was found in S2, but flipping of D1 Glu189 upon transition to S3 leads to the opening of a water channel and provides a space for incorporation of an additional oxygen ligand, resulting in an open cubane Mn4CaO6 cluster with an oxyl/oxo bridge. Structural changes of PSII between the different S states reveal cooperative action of substrate water access, proton release, and dioxygen formation in photosynthetic water oxidation.

Recurrence risk evaluation in T1N1M0/T2N0M0/T3N0M0 gastric cancer with TP53 codon 72 polymorphisms

BACKGROUND

Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is not indicated for T1N1M0/T2N0M0/T3N0M0 gastric cancer. However, approximately 10% to 30% of these patients experience recurrence and metastasis.

METHODS

Among 658 patients with gastric cancer who received gastrectomy with curative intent, 130 T1N1M0/T2N0M0 and 73 T3N0M0 patients were enrolled. Overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were analyzed based on TP53 codon 72 polymorphisms Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro, and Pro/Pro. The hazard ratio (HR) for each subgroup was compared by TP53 codon 72 polymorphisms.

RESULTS

Of the 189 patients for whom polymorphism analysis results were available, the 5- and 10-year OS was 84.9% and 65.1%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year RFS was 81.8% and 65.4%, respectively. When the study cohort was divided into two groups according to polymorphism status (ie, "Arg/Arg and Arg/Pro" vs Pro/Pro), both the OS (HR, 2.799; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.071-7.315; P = .036) and RFS (HR, 2.639; 95% CI, 1.025-6.794; P = .044) of the Pro/Pro group were significantly lower than those for the Arg/Arg and Arg/Pro groups across the entire observation period.

CONCLUSIONS

The TP53 codon 72 Pro/Pro polymorphism may isolate a relatively high-risk patient group in T1N1M0/T2N0M0/T3N0M0 gastric cancer.

Prognostic Factors in HER2-Positive Primary Breast Cancer Patients Treated Using Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Plus Trastuzumab

BACKGROUND

It is unclear for whom new anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (anti-HER2) agents, such as pertuzumab and T-DM1, should be considered. We investigated prognostic factors before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) among HER2-positive invasive breast cancer patients and those after NAC among patients who did not achieve pathological complete response (pCR) using conventional adjuvant trastuzumab.

METHODS

HER2-positive primary breast cancer patients treated using NAC containing trastuzumab were enrolled between September 2006 and June 2017 at the Osaka Breast Clinic. Patients with distant metastasis or using NAC containing pertuzumab were excluded. The main outcome was disease-free survival (DFS). We investigated pre- and post-NAC prognostic factors using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

In total, 157 patients were included. Among the pre-NAC prognostic factors, younger age (under 40 years old) and positive clinical nodal status were significantly poorer prognostic factors (hazard ratio [HR] 3.47, 95% CI 1.06-10.12, p = 0.041 and HR 3.32, 95% CI 1.03-14.78, p = 0.045) by multivariate analysis. Among the post-NAC prognostic factors, patients with non-pCR (3-year DFS; 85 vs. 96%, p = 0.022) had a poorer DFS than patients with pCR. DFS was assessed for non-pCR patients (n = 64). High post-NAC Ki-67 status (≥20%; HR 6.73, 95% CI 1.82-31.93, p = 0.004) was a significant and large post-NAC tumor size (≥2 cm; HR 3.65, 95% CI 0.97-14.71, p = 0.056) was a marginally significant prognostic factor by multivariate analysis. After having combined them, high post-NAC Ki-67 status or large post-NAC tumor size was also a significant prognostic factor (HR 5.75, 95% CI 1.32-16.12, p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Positive clinical nodal status and young age were found to be prognostic factors before NAC in HER2-postive invasive breast cancer patients. A high post-NAC Ki-67 status and large post-NAC tumor size were significant and marginally significant prognostic factors, respectively, after NAC in patients who did not achieve pCR. New anti-HER2 agents, such as pertuzumab and T-DM1, should be considered for the patients with those prognostic factors.