Quantum-disordered state of magnetic and electric dipoles in an organic Mott system

Strongly enhanced quantum fluctuations often lead to a rich variety of quantum-disordered states. Developing approaches to enhance quantum fluctuations may open paths to realize even more fascinating quantum states. Here, we demonstrate that a coupling of localized spins with the zero-point motion of hydrogen atoms, that is, proton fluctuations in a hydrogen-bonded organic Mott insulator provides a different class of quantum spin liquids (QSLs). We find that divergent dielectric behavior associated with the approach to hydrogen-bond order is suppressed by the quantum proton fluctuations, resulting in a quantum paraelectric (QPE) state. Furthermore, our thermal-transport measurements reveal that a QSL state with gapless spin excitations rapidly emerges upon entering the QPE state. These findings indicate that the quantum proton fluctuations give rise to a QSL—a quantum-disordered state of magnetic and electric dipoles—through the coupling between the electron and proton degrees of freedom.

The organic material κ-H₃(Cat-EDT-TTF)₂ has been suggested to exhibit a quantum spin liquid phase in which quantum fluctuations prevent the formation of magnetic order. Here, the authors show that this may be a result of fluctuations of hydrogen atoms, rather than more conventional geometric frustration.

Natriuretic peptide receptor A is related to the expression of vascular endothelial growth factors A and C, and is associated with the invasion potential of tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA) is one of the natriuretic peptide receptors. NPRA has been reported to play a role in the carcinogenesis of various tumours, as well as functional roles in renal, cardiovascular, endocrine, and skeletal homeostasis. The clinicopathological significance of NPRA in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) was examined in this study. The overexpression of NPRA was more frequent in TSCC (21/58, 36.2%) than in the normal oral epithelium (0/10, 0%) (P<0.05). It was also more frequently observed in cancers with higher grades according to the pattern of invasion (grades 1-2 vs. grades 3-4, P<0.01). Additionally, there was a tendency towards an association between the N classification and NPRA expression (N0 vs. N1-2, P=0.06). Significant correlations were also observed between the expression of NPRA and that of VEGF-A (P<0.001) and VEGF-C (P<0.001). The high-NPRA expression group had a significantly poorer prognosis, with a 5-year disease-specific survival rate of 39.7%, compared to 97.0% in the low-expression group (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that the overexpression of NPRA may also be an independent prognostic factor (P<0.05). In conclusion, NPRA is associated with VEGF expression levels, invasion, and metastasis, and may be a prognostic factor in TSCC patients.

Disease duration: the key to accurate CSF tap test in iNPH

OBJECTIVES

The cerebrospinal fluid tap test for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is one of the good predictors of the shunt treatment, although this test has a low sensitivity. We aimed to identify key parameters that could be used to improve this sensitivity.

MATERIALS & METHODS

During 2010-2011, we recruited and then followed 93 patients with possible iNPH for 12 months after shunt. Among them, 82 patients were finally enrolled in this study. The modified Rankin Scale, iNPH grading scale, and several quantitative measurements were evaluated at entry, after the tap test, before and after shunt. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUCs), sensitivities, and specificities of the tap test for predicting shunt effectiveness were calculated for each measurement. They were additionally assessed after stratification by disease duration since the initial presentation of iNPH symptoms.

RESULTS

The gait disturbance on the iNPH grading scale had the highest accurate scale at the tap test for predicting effectiveness 12 months after shunt: AUC 0.74, sensitivity 56.5%, specificity 91.7%. This AUC increased to 0.76, 0.91 and 0.94 in the subgroup of disease duration <24, <12, and <6 months, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the gait disturbance on the iNPH grading scale in the subgroup of <12 months' duration were 92.3% and 90.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

The shorter period of clinical symptoms, for example, <12 months, made the tap test sufficiently accurate examination for predicting improvement 12 months after shunt surgery. The findings imply that the tap test should be applied to patients being considered for shunt surgery as soon as possible.

Design protocol of microjet mixers for achieving desirable mixing times with arbitrary flow rate ratios

We extensively examined the performance of microjet mixers.

Hybrid preparation of terbium(iii)-doped mesoporous silica particles with calcium phosphates

Terbium-doped mesoporous silica/calcium phosphate interfacial hybrid particles were prepared to demonstrate characteristic luminescence behavior.

Loss of Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein-1 expression is associated with poor prognosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

AIMS

Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein-1 (SFRP1) is a well-known negative regulator of the wingless type (Wnt)-β-catenin pathway and its inactivation plays an important role in the development and progression of many cancers. In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical significance of SFRP1 expression in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) and to define the relationship to Wnt-β-catenin pathway.

METHODS

Fifty IHCC patients who had liver resection were enrolled in this study. SFRP1 protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues. The patients were divided into two groups: SFRP1 positive (n = 30) and negative (n = 20). Clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTS

SFRP1 significantly correlated with curability (Cur A, B vs. C, p = 0.029); and recurrent pattern (intrahepatic vs. extrahepatic, p = 0.010). The negative SFRP1 group had significantly poorer prognosis, and 5-year survival rates were 8.1% of the negative SFRP1 group and 44.6% of the positive SFRP1 group, respectively. Moreover, the disease-free survival rate in the negative SFRP1 group was significantly poorer (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that loss of SFRP1served as an independent prognostic factor in IHCC for both overall (HR, 2.923; 95% CI, 1.30-6.56; p = 0.009) and disease-free (HR, 2.631; 95% CI, 1.31-5.27; p = 0.006) survival. In addition, SFRP1 expression negatively correlated to β-catenin expression (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Those results suggested that the loss of SFRP1 could be a poor prognostic factor for IHCC, through the Wnt-β-catenin pathway.