Two-Neutron Halo is Unveiled in ^{29}F

We report the measurement of reaction cross sections (σ_{R}^{ex}) of ^{27,29}F with a carbon target at RIKEN. The unexpectedly large σ_{R}^{ex} and derived matter radius identify ^{29}F as the heaviest two-neutron Borromean halo to date. The halo is attributed to neutrons occupying the 2p_{3/2} orbital, thereby vanishing the shell closure associated with the neutron number N=20. The results are explained by state-of-the-art shell model calculations. Coupled-cluster computations based on effective field theories of the strong nuclear force describe the matter radius of ^{27}F but are challenged for ^{29}F.

SAT0570 CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF FINGER EXTENSOR PARATENONITIS DETECTED BY MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASOUND

Background:

The extensor tendons over fingers are devoid of a tendon sheath, so that the term paratenonitis is used to describe extra-articular hyperemia or anechoic fluid collections along the extensor tendons of the fingers. Although the grading of paratenonitis is found in one sonographic scoring system of RA known as German US7, the clinical significance of paratenonitis is not fully understood.

Objectives:

To determine the clinical significance of finger extensor paratenonitis detected by ultrasound (US), especially in the patients with RA.

Methods:

We reviewed 1200 reports of the US examination underwent in our division since April 2015. The items necessary for scoring US5 scores (the ‘hand-limited version’ of the German US7) have been routinely recorded. The cases with finger extensor paratenonitis over the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) were determined. The severity of articular synovitis in the perilesional MCPJ were subjectively graded for grey-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) on a four-step scale (0-3) and scored using EULAR-OMERACT combined scoring system. In RA patients, US5 scores were determined for the involved hands.

Results:

Paratenonitis was found in 44 fingers in the 38 hands of the 36 patients with rheumatic diseases/disorders including 25 patients with RA (11 early RA and 14 established RA). Non-RA diseases/disorders included 4 cases of undifferentiated arthritis, 2 cases of PsA, 1 case each of SLE, Sjogren syndrome, reactive arthritis and other disorders.

The 44 fingers were classified according to the absence or presence of articular synovitis in the perilesional MCPJ into “isolated paratenonitis” or “paratenonitis accompanied by synovitis”. The distribution of paratenonitis over the 1st-5thfingers of the dominant or non-dominant hands is shown in Figure 1. Paratenonitis was relatively frequently found in the 3rdand 2ndfingers of the dominant hands. Interestingly, articular synovitis in the perilesional MCPJ were found significantly more frequent in the cases of MCP2 in the dominant hands (73%) than in the cases of MCP3 in the dominant hands (25%) (p=0.039).

Among the 27 hands with paratenonitis of 25 RA patients, US5 scores were compared based on the absence or presence of moderate to severe articular synovitis in the perilesional MCPJ (the combined score >1) (Figure 2). GS synovitis score, PD synovitis score and PD tenosynovitis score were significantly higher in those with moderate to severe perilesional MCP synovitis than in those without it (p=0.007, 0.0092 and 0.0458, respectively).

Conclusion:

Finger extensor paratenonitis over the dorsal MCPJ tends to occur in the 3rdand 2ndfingers of the dominant hand. In RA patients, paratenonitis accompanied by active perilesional MCPJ synovitis are presumably due to active disease, while isolated paratenonitis can also be caused possibly by degenerative changes due to overuse or deformity. Isolated paratenonitis may be more frequently found in the 3rdfinger than in the 2ndfinger of the dominant hand.

References:

None

Disclosure of Interests:

Takeshi Suzuki Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Asahi-kasei, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Novartis, UCB, Harumi Shirai: None declared

Design of a multiplex quantitative reverse transcription-PCR system to simultaneously detect 16 pathogens associated with bovine respiratory and enteric diseases

AIM

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and bovine enteric disease (BED) are two major diseases in cattle, resulting in severe economic losses in the dairy and beef industries. The two major diseases are associated with several factors such as viruses, bacteria, the health condition of the host and environmental factors. We aimed to design a new efficient diagnostic method, which rapidly detect causative pathogens, minimizing economic loss due to BRD and BED.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We designed a multiplex quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) system for the simultaneous diagnosis of 16 pathogens, including 12 viruses and 4 bacteria related to BRD and BED, based on single qRT-PCR assays in previous studies. The designed multiplex qRT-PCR was highly sensitive and has minimal detection levels which will be no different from those of single qRT-PCR. Moreover, the multiplex qRT-PCR could more efficiently detect the causative pathogens than conventional RT-PCR in test using a part of BRD and BED clinical samples. Furthermore, our data revealed that the multiplex qRT-PCR had high performance in its specificity and reproducibility tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Our system can effectively detect multiple BRD or BED related pathogens from each animal while testing several clinical samples via the multiplex qRT-PCR. It is more time-, cost- and labour-efficient than other diagnostic methods.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Rapid detection of infected animals from the herd using our system will greatly contribute to infection control and prompt treatment in field.

Swelling of Doubly Magic ^{48}Ca Core in Ca Isotopes beyond N=28

Interaction cross sections for ^{42-51}Ca on a carbon target at 280  MeV/nucleon have been measured for the first time. The neutron number dependence of derived root-mean-square matter radii shows a significant increase beyond the neutron magic number N=28. Furthermore, this enhancement of matter radii is much larger than that of the previously measured charge radii, indicating a novel growth in neutron skin thickness. A simple examination based on the Fermi-type distribution, and mean field calculations point out that this anomalous enhancement of the nuclear size beyond N=28 results from an enlargement of the core by a sudden increase in the surface diffuseness of the neutron density distribution, which implies the swelling of the bare ^{48}Ca core in Ca isotopes beyond N=28.

Formal preparation of regioregular and alternating thiophene-thiophene copolymers bearing different substituents

Differently substituted thiophene–thiophene-alternating copolymers were formally synthesized employing a halo-bithiophene as a monomer. Nickel-catalyzed polymerization of bithiophene with substituents at the 3-position, including alkyl-, fluoroalkyl-, or oligosiloxane-containing groups, afforded the corresponding copolymers in good to excellent yield. The solubility test in organic solvents was performed to reveal that several copolymers showed a superior solubility. X-ray diffraction analysis of the thin film of the alternating copolymers composed of methyl and branched oligosiloxane substituents was also performed, and the results suggested the formation of a dual-layered film structure.

Intracellular Localization of Mycoplasma bovis in the Bronchiolar Epithelium of Experimentally Infected Calves

Lung tissues from calves infected experimentally with Mycoplasma bovis were examined by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. All inoculated calves had dark red areas of consolidation affecting both left and right lungs, which were characterized microscopically by subacute purulent bronchiolitis with hyperplasia of the surrounding lymphoid tissue. Immunohistochemically, M. bovis antigen was detected on the surface and inside the cytoplasm of bronchiolar epithelial cells in the pneumonic foci. The antigen was also found in the cytoplasm of phagocytes at the margin of bronchiolar exudates. Electron microscopically, numerous organisms were demonstrated in the immunohistochemically-positive sites. These findings suggest that M. bovis organisms adhere to the bronchiolar epithelium and at least some of them invade the epithelium.

Preparation of Cellulose/Silver Composite Particles Having a Recyclable Catalytic Property

We reported the preparation of porous cellulose particles by the solvent-releasing method, in which a solution of cellulose, dissolved in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and N,N'-dimethylformamide, was dropped into a large amount of 1-butanol using a syringe. The obtained particles had a high specific area because of their porous structure. Herein, to functionalize the cellulose particles, carboxylate groups are introduced into their porous structure by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-mediated oxidation and ion exchange of carboxylate groups to Ag cations is conducted. Composite cellulose/Ag particles were synthesized by the reduction reaction using the carboxylate groups as a scaffold without free silver nanoparticles in the medium. The obtained composite particles exhibited a high catalytic ability, which was evaluated by examining the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. Moreover, we determined that the catalytic efficiency was maintained for at least three cycles by immobilizing Ag on cellulose particles.

Subcalcaneal bursitis as the initial manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis: ultrasonographic observation of two cases

In early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), proliferative synovitis sometimes occurs earlier in the tenosynovium or bursal synovium than in the articular synovium. Here we report two patients who presented with subcalcaneal bursitis while progressing from undifferentiated arthritis with high-titer anti-CCP antibodies (ACPA) to a diagnosis of RA. They had initially presented with palindromic transient pain in the hands and the feet. They were strongly positive for ACPA and negative for rheumatoid factor (RF) at the onset of symptoms. A few years later, they developed persistent plantar heel pain and underwent musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS). MSUS revealed subcalcaneal bursitis with synovial proliferation. At that time, they became positive for RF and they were clinically diagnosed and began receiving treatment for RA. They developed overt synovitis in their wrists and fingers several months later. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on MSUS-detection of subcalcaneal bursitis with synovial proliferation in patients in the very early phase of RA, although there have been many reports of forefoot bursitis. These cases suggest that MSUS scanning of the plantar surface of the heel may be useful for patients with plantar heel pain who are suspected of having a very early phase of RA, because proliferative synovitis can be detected as subcalcaneal bursitis.

Morphology control of silicone/poly(methyl methacrylate) (elastic/glassy) composite particles

Composite particles consisting of elastic silicone and glassy poly(methyl methacrylate) were prepared. The morphology of the particles could be alternated between sea-island and core–shell structures by controlling the annealing temperature.

P93 The usefulness of dual cardiac autonomic nervous modulation assessment for prediction of mortality in patients with relatively preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

Background

Recent guidelines have stated that reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the gold standard marker for identifying patients at risk for cardiac mortality. Although reduced LVEF identifies patients at an increased risk of cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) occur considerably more often in patients with relatively preserved LVEF. Current guidelines on SCDs risk stratification do not adequately cover this general population pool. Heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT) are non-invasive electrocardiography (ECG)-based techniques capable of providing relevant information on the cardiac autonomic nervous modulation. Although a large body of evidence about autonomic nervous modulation markers has been reported, the usefulness of HRV and HRT parameters for risk stratification in such patients with relatively preserved LVEF has not yet been elucidated.

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate HRV and HRT parameters for predicting cardiac mortality in patients with structural heart disease (SHD), including ischemic heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease, who have mid-range left ventricular dysfunction (LVD).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 229 patients (187 men, age 63 ± 13 years) with SHD who have mid-range LVD (LVEF > 40%). HRV and HRT parameters based on 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings (Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) were evaluated as follows; SDNN, triangular index, high and low frequency HRV, turbulence onset and slope. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to assess the association between these cardiac autonomic nervous modulation and mortality.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 21 ± 11 months, all-cause mortality was seen in 11 (4.8%) patients. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that reduced SDNN (<50ms), reduced triangular index (<20ms) and HRT category 2 were significantly associated with the primary endpoint (P < 0.05). When HRT category 2 combined with reduced SDNN, Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that this combination more strongly associates with the primary endpoint (hazard ratio =7.91, 95%CI, 1.82-34.2; P = 0.006).

Conclusion

Dual cardiac autonomic nervous modulation assessment which combined HRT and HRV could be a superior technique to predict mortality in patients with relatively preserved LVEF.

Surface structural phase transition induced by the formation of metal-organic networks on the Si(111)--In surface

We studied the adsorption of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) on the Si(111)- -In surface, a known surface superconductor. Scanning tunneling microscopy shows the development of a surface-confined metal-organic network (SMON) where TCNQ molecules coordinate with indium atoms from the underlying reconstruction. The formation of the SMON causes a surface structural phase transition from the reconstruction to a previously unknown 5 × 5 reconstruction of the Si(111)-In surface. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements indicate that the 5 × 5 reconstruction has a stronger insulating character than the reconstruction. Density-functional-theory calculations are used to evaluate the atomic arrangement and stability of the 5 × 5 and reconstructions as a function of In coverage, and suggest that the structural phase transition is driven by a slight reduction of the In coverage, caused by the incorporation of indium atoms into the SMON.