Myositis in primary Sjögren's syndrome: clinical and pathological report

Abstract To clarify the clinical features of myositis complicated with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), we studied 89 patients with Sjögren's syndrome (one male and 88 females; mean age 56.0 ± 15.31 years). Myositis was diagnosed from clinical findings, muscle enzymes, electromyographic findings, and muscle biopsy findings. Myositis was diagnosed in 5 of 89 SS patients (5.6%). One patient developed myositis 7 months after the onset of SS. The other four patients were diagnosed with myositis and SS simultaneously. Muscular weakness was mild and slowly progressive over 4-14 months (mean 8.4 months). All patients were able to walk without any assistance at the start of prednisolone therapy. Muscular enzymes were slightly elevated (from 1.5- to 12-fold). All patients tested negative for anti-Jo1 antibody and tested positive for antinuclear antibody. Anti-Ro(SSA) antibody was positive in 4/5 (90%); anti-La(SSB) was positive in 2/5 (40%). Although the clinical features of all patients met the criteria for polymyositis of Bohan, they responded well to small or moderate doses of prednisolone, which could be decreased without a recurrence of muscular weakness in all patients. Myositis with Sjögren's syndrome showed relatively moderate symptoms and responded well to prednisolone. A prospective follow-up of patients may provide further information.

Antegrade approach to stumpless chronic total occlusion of ostial left anterior descending artery: first using a side branch cutting technique

The approach to a chronic total occlusion (CTO) still remains one of the most technical challenges in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). CTO lesions with a blunt entry point, calcification, and failure of a previous approach, are the independent predictors of CTO-PCI failure. Here we report a successful antegrade approach for reattempted CTO-PCI of a left anterior descending artery (LAD) with unknown, calcified ostium. We used a novel side branch cutting technique, combined with intravascular ultrasound-guided wiring and parallel wire techniques. Considering the ramus artery as a side branch and dilating it with a cutting balloon was a crucial part of the strategy for achieving overall procedural success using this approach. This is the first report describing a side branch cutting technique in CTO-PCI. The combined application of multiple antegrade techniques, using the latest devices, might provide an effective and safe approach for complex CTO-PCI.

Energy dependence of the transverse momentum distributions of charged particles in pp collisions measured by ALICE

Differential cross sections of charged particles in inelastic pp collisions as a function of p_T have been measured at [Formula: see text] at the LHC. The p_T spectra are compared to NLO-pQCD calculations. Though the differential cross section for an individual [Formula: see text] cannot be described by NLO-pQCD, the relative increase of cross section with [Formula: see text] is in agreement with NLO-pQCD. Based on these measurements and observations, procedures are discussed to construct pp reference spectra at [Formula: see text] up to p_T=50 GeV/c as required for the calculation of the nuclear modification factor in nucleus-nucleus and proton-nucleus collisions.

Directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity relative to the spectator plane in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

The directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV relative to the collision symmetry plane defined by the spectator nucleons. A negative slope of the rapidity-odd directed flow component with approximately 3 times smaller magnitude than found at the highest RHIC energy is observed. This suggests a smaller longitudinal tilt of the initial system and disfavors the strong fireball rotation predicted for the LHC energies. The rapidity-even directed flow component is measured for the first time with spectators and found to be independent of pseudorapidity with a sign change at transverse momenta p(T) between 1.2 and 1.7  GeV/c. Combined with the observation of a vanishing rapidity-even p(T) shift along the spectator deflection this is strong evidence for dipolelike initial density fluctuations in the overlap zone of the nuclei. Similar trends in the rapidity-even directed flow and the estimate from two-particle correlations at midrapidity, which is larger by about a factor of 40, indicate a weak correlation between fluctuating participant and spectator symmetry planes. These observations open new possibilities for investigation of the initial conditions in heavy-ion collisions with spectator nucleons.

K(S)0 and Λ production in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

The ALICE measurement of K(S)(0) and Λ production at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV is presented. The transverse momentum (p(T)) spectra are shown for several collision centrality intervals and in the p(T) range from 0.4 GeV/c (0.6 GeV/c for Λ) to 12 GeV/c. The p(T) dependence of the Λ/K(S)(0) ratios exhibits maxima in the vicinity of 3 GeV/c, and the positions of the maxima shift towards higher p(T) with increasing collision centrality. The magnitude of these maxima increases by almost a factor of three between most peripheral and most central Pb-Pb collisions. This baryon excess at intermediate p(T) is not observed in pp interactions at √s=0.9 TeV and at √s=7 TeV. Qualitatively, the baryon enhancement in heavy-ion collisions is expected from radial flow. However, the measured p(T) spectra above 2 GeV/c progressively decouple from hydrodynamical-model calculations. For higher values of p(T), models that incorporate the influence of the medium on the fragmentation and hadronization processes describe qualitatively the p(T) dependence of the Λ/K(S)(0) ratio.

Charmonium and e+e- pair photoproduction at mid-rapidity in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at [Formula: see text]

The ALICE Collaboration at the LHC has measured the J/ψ and ψ' photoproduction at mid-rapidity in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at [Formula: see text]. The charmonium is identified via its leptonic decay for events where the hadronic activity is required to be minimal. The analysis is based on an event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 23 μb-1. The cross section for coherent and incoherent J/ψ production in the rapidity interval -0.9 Collapse

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J/ψ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

We report on the first measurement of inclusive J/ψ elliptic flow v2 in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV in the rapidity range 2.5<y<4.0. The dependence of the J/ψ v2 on the collision centrality and on the J/ψ transverse momentum is studied in the range 0≤p(T)<10 GeV/c. For semicentral Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV, an indication of nonzero v2 is observed with a largest measured value of v2=0.116±0.046(stat)±0.029(syst) for J/ψ in the transverse momentum range 2≤p(T)<4 GeV/c. The elliptic flow measurement complements the previously reported ALICE results on the inclusive J/ψ nuclear modification factor and favors the scenario of a significant fraction of J/ψ production from charm quarks in a deconfined partonic phase.

Development of a new measurement system to detect selectively volatile organic compounds derived from the human body

A new concept expired gas measurement system used double cold-trap method was developed. The system could detect selectively volatile organic compound (VOC) derived from the human body. The gas chromatography (GC) profiles of healthy volunteer's expired gas collected by our system were analyzed. As a result, 60 VOCs were detected from the healthy volunteer's expired gas. We examined 14 VOCs among them further, which could be converted to the concentration from the GC profiles. The concentration of almost VOCs decreased when the subjects inspired purified air compared with the atmosphere. On the other hand, isoprene was almost the same. It was strongly suggested that these VOCs were derived from the human body because the concentration of these VOCs in the atmosphere were nearly zero. Expired gas of two sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) patients were analyzed as preliminary study. As a result of the study, the concentration of some VOCs contained in the expired gas of the SAS patients showed higher value than a healthy controls.

Impact on clinical outcomes of predilatation using the kissing-balloon technique for crossover stenting in true coronary bifurcation lesions

BACKGROUND

Provisional crossover stenting has the potential risk of side-branch (SB) compromise, which may result in periprocedural myocardial infarction. Predilatation is a useful technique to prevent SB compromise.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of predilatation using the kissing-balloon technique (preKBT) during provisional crossover stenting compared with sequential predilatation on clinical outcomes in true coronary bifurcation lesions.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 204 consecutive non-left main true bifurcation lesions (182 patients) in whom provisional crossover stenting was performed with preKBT (preKBT group, n = 144) or sequential predilatation (sequential group, n = 60) from March 2006 to February 2012.

RESULTS

There were 30 lesions (20.8%) in the preKBT group that developed SB ostial dissection compared with 8 lesions (13.3%) in the sequential group (P=.241). There was no SB flow impairment or SB access failure due to SB ostial dissection. SB compromise (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction <3) immediately after crossover stenting occurred in 5 lesions (3.5%) in the preKBT group versus 7 lesions (11.7%) in the sequential group (P=.043). Major adverse cardiac events at 6-8 months of follow-up were observed in 5 lesions (3.5%) in the preKBT group versus 8 lesions (13.3%) in the sequential group (P=.022).

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of more complex bifurcation lesions in the preKBT group, preKBT successfully prevented SB compromise due to crossover stenting without unfavorable complications and improved the mid-term clinical outcome compared with sequential PTCA in patients with non-left main, true coronary bifurcation lesions.

D meson elliptic flow in noncentral Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 Tev

Azimuthally anisotropic distributions of D0, D+, and D*+ mesons were studied in the central rapidity region (|y|<0.8) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[sNN]=2.76  TeV per nucleon-nucleon collision, with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The second Fourier coefficient v2 (commonly denoted elliptic flow) was measured in the centrality class 30%-50% as a function of the D meson transverse momentum pT, in the range 2-16  GeV/c. The measured v2 of D mesons is comparable in magnitude to that of light-flavor hadrons. It is positive in the range 2<pT<6  GeV/c with 5.7σ significance, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties.

Medium modification of jet fragmentation in Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV measured in direct photon-hadron correlations

The jet fragmentation function is measured with direct photon-hadron correlations in p+p and Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The p(T) of the photon is an excellent approximation to the initial p(T) of the jet and the ratio z(T)=p(T)(h)/p(T)(γ) is used as a proxy for the jet fragmentation function. A statistical subtraction is used to extract the direct photon-hadron yields in Au+Au collisions while a photon isolation cut is applied in p+p. I(AA), the ratio of hadron yield opposite the photon in Au+Au to that in p+p, indicates modification of the jet fragmentation function. Suppression, most likely due to energy loss in the medium, is seen at high z(T). The associated hadron yield at low z(T) is enhanced at large angles. Such a trend is expected from redistribution of the lost energy into increased production of low-momentum particles.

Measurement of inelastic, single- and double-diffraction cross sections in proton-proton collisions at the LHC with ALICE

Measurements of cross sections of inelastic and diffractive processes in proton-proton collisions at LHC energies were carried out with the ALICE detector. The fractions of diffractive processes in inelastic collisions were determined from a study of gaps in charged particle pseudorapidity distributions: for single diffraction (diffractive mass MX <200 GeV/c2) [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively at centre-of-mass energies [Formula: see text]; for double diffraction (for a pseudorapidity gap Δη>3) σDD/σINEL=0.11±0.03,0.12±0.05, and [Formula: see text], respectively at [Formula: see text]. To measure the inelastic cross section, beam properties were determined with van der Meer scans, and, using a simulation of diffraction adjusted to data, the following values were obtained: [Formula: see text] mb at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. The single- and double-diffractive cross sections were calculated combining relative rates of diffraction with inelastic cross sections. The results are compared to previous measurements at proton-antiproton and proton-proton colliders at lower energies, to measurements by other experiments at the LHC, and to theoretical models.

Simulation of Blown-Film Process Taking Account of Cooling-air Effect

Numerical simulation of blown-film process of plastics provides a tool for air ring designs and suitable polymer properties. Although cooling-air plays a key role in the process ability and film properties, there have been few research works taking correct account of the cooling-air effect. Numerical analyses of heat transfer from the surface of molten polymer to cooling-air were conducted using precise turbulence models and then simulations of bubble shape of blown-film process were performed under the air pressure and the thermal boundary conditions estimated from the numerical analyses of cooling-air. The film bubble shape predicted has coincided well with experimental data and it is confirmed that the bubble stability is strongly dominated by characteristics of cooling-air flow and heat transfer near the bubble surface.

Net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 TeV

We report the first measurement of the net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76  TeV, measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The dynamical fluctuations per unit entropy are observed to decrease when going from peripheral to central collisions. An additional reduction in the amount of fluctuations is seen in comparison to the results from lower energies. We examine the dependence of fluctuations on the pseudorapidity interval, which may account for the dilution of fluctuations during the evolution of the system. We find that the fluctuations at the LHC are smaller compared to the measurements at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and as such, closer to what has been theoretically predicted for the formation of a quark-gluon plasma.