Search for Electron Antineutrino Appearance in a Long-Baseline Muon Antineutrino Beam

Electron antineutrino appearance is measured by the T2K experiment in an accelerator-produced antineutrino beam, using additional neutrino beam operation to constrain parameters of the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata (PMNS) mixing matrix. T2K observes 15 candidate electron antineutrino events with a background expectation of 9.3 events. Including information from the kinematic distribution of observed events, the hypothesis of no electron antineutrino appearance is disfavored with a significance of 2.40σ and no discrepancy between data and PMNS predictions is found. A complementary analysis that introduces an additional free parameter which allows non-PMNS values of electron neutrino and antineutrino appearance also finds no discrepancy between data and PMNS predictions.

Impact of technically qualified surgeons on laparoscopic colorectal resection outcomes: results of a propensity score-matching analysis

Background

The Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) was introduced in Japan to improve the quality of laparoscopic surgery. This cohort study investigated the short‐ and long‐term postoperative outcomes of colorectal cancer laparoscopic procedures performed by or with qualified surgeons compared with outcomes for unqualified surgeons.

Methods

All laparoscopic colorectal resections performed from 2010 to 2013 in 11 Japanese hospitals were reviewed retrospectively. The procedures were categorized as performed by surgeons with or without the ESSQS qualification and patients' clinical, pathological and surgical features were used to match subgroups using propensity scoring. Outcome measures included postoperative and long‐term results.

Results

Overall, 1428 procedures were analysed; 586 procedures were performed with ESSQS‐qualified surgeons and 842 were done by ESSQS‐unqualified surgeons. Upon matching, two cohorts of 426 patients were selected for comparison of short‐term results. A prevalence of rectal resection (50·3 versus 40·5 per cent; P < 0·001) and shorter duration of surgery (230 versus 238 min; P = 0·045) was reported for the ESSQS group. Intraoperative and postoperative complication and reoperation rates were significantly lower in the ESSQS group than in the non‐ESSQS group (1·2 versus 3·6 per cent, P = 0·014; 4·6 versus 7·5 per cent, P = 0·025; 1·9 versus 3·9 per cent, P = 0·023, respectively). These findings were confirmed after propensity score matching. Cox regression analysis found that non‐attendance of ESSQS‐qualified surgeons (hazard ratio 12·30, 95 per cent c.i. 1·28 to 119·10; P = 0·038) was independently associated with local recurrence in patients with stage II disease.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic colorectal procedures performed with ESSQS‐qualified surgeons showed improved postoperative results. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of the qualification on long‐term oncological outcomes.

A GM1b/asialo-GM1 oligosaccharide-binding R-type lectin from purplish bifurcate mussels Mytilisepta virgata and its effect on MAP kinases

A 15‐kDa lectin, termed SeviL, was isolated from Mytilisepta virgata (purplish bifurcate mussel). SeviL forms a noncovalent dimer that binds strongly to ganglio‐series GM1b oligosaccharide (Neu5Acɑ2‐3Galβ1‐3GalNAcβ1‐4Galβ1‐4Glc) and its precursor, asialo‐GM1 (Galβ1‐3GalNAcβ1‐4Galβ1‐4Glc). SeviL also interacts weakly with the glycan moiety of SSEA‐4 hexaose (Neu5Acα2‐3Galβ1‐3GalNAcβ1‐3Galα1‐4Galβ1‐4Glc). A partial protein sequence of the lectin was determined by mass spectrometry, and the complete sequence was identified from transcriptomic analysis. SeviL, consisting of 129 amino acids, was classified as an R(icin B)‐type lectin, based on the presence of the QxW motif characteristic of this fold. SeviL mRNA is highly expressed in gills and, in particular, mantle rim tissues. Orthologue sequences were identified in other species of the family Mytilidae, including Mytilus galloprovincialis, from which lectin MytiLec‐1 was isolated and characterized in our previous studies. Thus, mytilid species contain lectins belonging to at least two distinct families (R‐type lectins and mytilectins) that have a common β‐trefoil fold structure but differing glycan‐binding specificities. SeviL displayed notable cytotoxic (apoptotic) effects against various cultured cell lines (human breast, ovarian, and colonic cancer; dog kidney) that possess asialo‐GM1 oligosaccharide at the cell surface. This cytotoxic effect was inhibited by the presence of anti‐asialo‐GM1 oligosaccharide antibodies. With HeLa ovarian cancer cells, SeviL showed dose‐ and time‐dependent activation of kinase MKK3/6, p38 MAPK, and caspase‐3/9. The transduction pathways activated by SeviL via the glycosphingolipid oligosaccharide were triggered apoptosis.

Database

Nucleotide sequence data have been deposited in the GenBank database under accession numbers MK434191, MK434192, MK434193, MK434194, MK434195, MK434196, MK434197, MK434198, MK434199, MK434200, and MK434201.

Band-dependent superconducting gap in SrFe2(As0.65P0.35)2 studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

The isovalent-substituted iron pnictide compound SrFe₂(As_1−xP_x)₂ exhibits multiple evidence for nodal superconductivity via various experimental probes, such as the penetration depth, nuclear magnetic resonance and specific heat measurements. The direct identification of the nodal superconducting (SC) gap structure is challenging, partly because the presence of nodes is not protected by symmetry but instead caused by an accidental sign change of the order parameter, and also because of the three-dimensionality of the electronic structure. We have studied the SC gaps of SrFe₂(As_0.65P_0.35)₂ in three-dimensional momentum space by synchrotron and laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The three hole Fermi surfaces (FSs) at the zone center have SC gaps with different magnitudes, whereas the SC gaps of the electron FSs at the zone corner are almost isotropic and k_z-independent. As a possible nodal SC gap structure, we propose that the SC gap of the outer hole FS changes sign around the Z-X [(0, 0, 2π) − (π, π, 2π)] direction.

In vitro activity of some essential oils alone and in combination against the fish pathogen Nocardia seriolae

Microplate resazurin assay was applied to investigate the in vitro activity of four essential oils (EOs); cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oils against 80 clinical isolates of the fish pathogen Nocardia seriolae. The checkerboard test was then used to determine the possible synergistic effect of EOs combination against reference type strains of fish nocardiosis. All tested EOs had antibacterial activity against N. seriolae isolates. Among the tested EOs, cinnamon and thyme oils both exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) with 5-160 and 10-160 μg/ml, respectively. The activities of lemongrass and tea tree EOs were noted to be less effective with MICs of 20-640 and 160->5120 μg/ml, respectively. The checkerboard panel of cinnamon-thyme EOs combination against N. seriolae ATCC43993 demonstrated a synergistic effect with a fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index of 0.75. For N. salmonicida ATCC27463, the combination panel showed an additive effect with an FIC index of 1.0. For N. asteroides ATCC19247, the combination panel demonstrated an indifference effect with an FIC index of 1.125. These results indicate that thyme and cinnamon oils alone or the combination of them at a given ratio has a promising potent clinical significance in the treatment of fish nocardiosis. Despite the promising results given by our in vitro studies, the clinical benefits of these EOs combinations can only be determined through carefully designed in vivo experimental studies.

Risk factors for decreased teicoplanin trough concentrations during initial dosing in critically ill patients

Aim of the study: Here, we investigated the risk factors for decreased teicoplanin plasma trough concentrations relative to the initial dosing in critically ill patients. Patients and methods: Data obtained from 80 eligible critically ill patients who received intravenous teicoplanin were retrospectively analyzed. Risk factors for decreases in teicoplanin trough concentrations 72 h after administration of teicoplanin of more than 30% relative to predicted concentrations based on initial dosing setting were identified by logistic regression analysis. Results: Although prediction trough concentration and total dose of two days no significant differences were seen between the variation group and the non-variation group, actual trough concentration was significantly different between two groups (19.9±5.6 μg/ml vs 10.3±2.2 μg/ml, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, serum albumin ≤ 2.2 mg/dl (odds ratio [OR] = 3.003, 95% CI 1.072-8.408; p = 0.036) and SOFA score ≥ 9 (OR = 3.498, 95% CI 1.171-10.450; p = 0.025) were significant risk factors for decreased teicoplanin plasma trough concentrations. Conclusion: In critically ill patients, high SOFA score and low serum albumin were risk factors for decreased teicoplanin plasma trough concentration during initial dosing.

Impact of Smoking Cessation in Donor Candidates for Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

The relationship between smoking cessation and weight gain is well recognized. Examining the link between smoking cessation and weight gain in donor candidates for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an important topic because of the influence of weight gain on the liver. This study assessed body weight (BW) changes after smoking cessation in donor candidates for LDLT.

METHODS

The 27 donor candidates were retrospectively analyzed. The smoking status was determined based on questionnaires administered at the initial presentation, and the candidates were divided into 2 groups: recent quitters and nonsmokers. The changes in BW were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The recent quitters group included 10 (37.0%) candidates, and the nonsmokers group included 17 (63.0%). In the nonsmokers group, 1 candidate had gained weight since the initial presentation. In contrast, in the recent quitters group, 70.0% of candidates had gained weight since the initial presentation (P < .01). The change in BW from the initial presentation was greater in recent quitters than in nonsmokers (+1.6 kg [+2.4%] vs -0.5 kg [-0.9%]; P < .01). Two candidates in the recent quitters group gained ≥ 5 kg [8%] of weight. One of these 2 candidates was judged to be in a donor-inadequate status because of the appearance of fatty liver.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight gain due to smoking cessation was observed in donor candidates for LDLT. The amount of weight gain after smoking cessation is highly individualized, so everyone concerned with LDLT must be alert to its potential development.

Search for CP Violation in Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations by the T2K Experiment with 2.2×10^{21} Protons on Target

The T2K experiment measures muon neutrino disappearance and electron neutrino appearance in accelerator-produced neutrino and antineutrino beams. With an exposure of 14.7(7.6)×10^{20} protons on target in the neutrino (antineutrino) mode, 89 ν_{e} candidates and seven anti-ν_{e} candidates are observed, while 67.5 and 9.0 are expected for δ_{CP}=0 and normal mass ordering. The obtained 2σ confidence interval for the CP-violating phase, δ_{CP}, does not include the CP-conserving cases (δ_{CP}=0, π). The best-fit values of other parameters are sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.526_{-0.036}^{+0.032} and Δm_{32}^{2}=2.463_{-0.070}^{+0.071}×10^{-3}  eV^{2}/c^{4}.