Mie-Resonant Nanophotonic-Enhancement of Asymmetry in Sodium Chlorate Chiral Crystallization

Studies on chiral spectroscopy have recently demonstrated strong enhancement of chiral light-matter interaction in the chiral near-field of Mie resonance in high-refractive-index dielectric nanostructures by studies on chiral spectroscopy. This situation has motivated researchers to demonstrate effective chiral photosynthesis under a chiral near-field beyond circularly polarized light (CPL) as a chiral source. However, the effectivity of the chiral near-field of Mie resonance for chiral photosynthesis has not been clearly demonstrated. One major challenge is the experimental difficulty in evaluating enantiomeric excess of a trace amount of chiral products synthesized in the near-field. Here, by adopting sodium chlorate chiral crystallization as a phenomenon that includes both synthesis and the amplification of chiral products, we show that crystallization on a Mie-resonant silicon metasurface excited by CPL yields a statistically significant large crystal enantiomeric excess of ∼18%, which cannot be achieved merely by CPL. This result provides implications for efficient chiral photosynthesis in a chiral near-field.

Chiral Spinodal-like Ordering of Homoimmiscible Water at Interface between Water and Chiral Ice III

Diversity in structures of water endowed by a hydrogen-bonding network plays crucial roles in wide varieties of phenomena in nature. Chiral ordering of water molecules is an intriguing phenomenon from the viewpoint of bimolecular functions. However, experimental reports on chiral ordering have been limited to the water molecules interacting with biomolecules on the molecular scale. It remains unclear whether pure liquid water forms long-range chiral ordering without any interaction with biomolecules. Here, we show that chiral anisotropy can be observed in the macro/mesoscopic network pattern of an unknown water layer formed via spinodal phase separation-like dynamics at the interface between water and ice III with a chiral crystal structure. We named this unknown water homoimmiscible water. Our observations infer that the unknown water is a chiral liquid crystal. This possibility opens new avenues for a wide variety of research fields such as liquid polymorphism, biology, earth and planetary science, and so forth from the perspective of chirality.

Anisotropy in spinodal-like dynamics of unknown water at ice V-water interface

Experimentally demonstrating the existence of waters with local structures unlike that of common water is critical for understanding both the origin of the mysterious properties of water and liquid polymorphism in single component liquids. At the interfaces between water and ices Ih, III, and VI grown/melted under pressure, we previously discovered low- and high-density unknown waters, that are immiscible with the surrounding water. Here, we show, by in-situ optical microscopy, that an unknown water appears at the ice V-water interface via spinodal-like dynamics. The dewetting dynamics of the unknown water indicate that its characteristic velocity is ~ 90 m/s. The time evolution of the characteristic length of the spinodal-like undulation suggests that the dynamics may be described by a common model for spinodal decomposition of an immiscible liquid mixture. Spinodal-like dewetting dynamics of the unknown water transiently showed anisotropy, implying the property of a liquid crystal.

Reproductive characteristics in an understory bamboo and gradual environmental changes after its dieback provide an extended opportunity for overstory tree regeneration in a mixed cool-temperate forest in central Japan

The reproductive characteristics of understory bamboo and the effects of dieback on overstory tree seedlings through temporal changes in the environment at the forest floor have only been examined in a few bamboo species, due to the unpredictable occurrence of flowering events and long intervals between them but provide valuable information on tree regeneration and succession in a forest with dense dwarf bamboo cover. We investigated environmental conditions and assessed seedlings (< 30-cm tall) of the dwarf bamboo Sasa borealis and overstory tree species at 44-50 measurement points during 2016-2021, which included a S. borealis mass flowering event in 2017. We also conducted seed germination tests to determine germination rates and patterns in S. borealis. Environmental factors affecting seedling recruitment of S. borealis and of overstory trees were analysed using spatiotemporal generalized linear mixed models in the Bayesian framework. We observed gradual temporal changes in the environment, including increasing canopy openness and decreasing maximum height of dead S. borealis culms. The seeds germinated slowly and the emergence of current-year S. borealis seedlings peaked in spring-summer in 2019. The tree seedling density after 2019 increased significantly compared to that before the dieback. The model results suggest that tree seedling establishment was enhanced by increased light availability. Continuous field observation beginning before S. borealis dieback revealed gradually enhanced tree recruitment in response to slow decay of the remaining dead culms and slow recovery of S. borealis. The seedling regeneration pattern of understory bamboo partly contributes to a prolonged opportunity for overstory tree regeneration.

Clinical entity of cytomegalovirus disease in patients with malignant lymphoma on bendamustine therapy: a single-institution experience

We investigated the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in patients with B-cell lymphoma treated with a bendamustine-containing regimen. The incidence of CMV disease was analyzed after starting treatment with 139 regimens in 126 patients. Clinically significant CMV disease was observed in seven patients. The median duration between bendamustine initiation and the diagnosis of CMV disease was 69 d (range, 40-233), and the median of cycles completed at onset was 2 (range, 1-6). Furthermore, the incidence of CMV disease was significantly higher in the elderly patients than that in the younger patients. The target organs of CMV disease were the liver, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and retinas. Antiviral therapy was administered to all patients. However, the recurrence of CMV disease was observed in two patients. This study provides information that could contribute to clinicians' decision-making on lymphoma therapy using bendamustine.

Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is an extremely rare condition in oncology practice. Although PVOD is clinically similar to pulmonary arterial hypertension, the conditions differ in terms of pathophysiology, management, and prognosis. This report discusses the case of a 47-year-old woman who developed dyspnea and fatigue after high-dose cyclophosphamide chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for relapsed lymphoma. The patient exhibited tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension, but other findings in the physical examination were unremarkable. The imaging studies showed no evidence of pulmonary embolism, but multiple ground-glass opacities and bilateral pleural effusions were observed on chest high-resolution computed tomography scans. In the right heart catheterization study, the mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were 35 mm Hg and 5.93 Wood units, respectively, with a normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 10 mm Hg. Pulmonary function tests revealed a remarkable reduction in the percentage predicted value of diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide to 31%. Lymphoma progression, collagen diseases, infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus or parasitic infections, portal hypertension, and congenital heart disease were carefully excluded as these are also capable of causing pulmonary arterial hypertension. Thereafter, we reached a final diagnosis of PVOD. The patient was treated with supplemental oxygen and a diuretic during 1 month of hospitalization, which relieved her right heart overload symptoms. Herein, we present the patient's clinical course and diagnostic workup because misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment can lead to unfavorable outcomes in patients with PVOD.

Comparison of the inactivation capacity of various UV wavelengths on SARS-CoV-2

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a worldwide pandemic. Ultraviolet (UV) is regarded as a very powerful tool against SARS-CoV-2. However, the inactivating effects of different UV wavelengths on SARS-CoV-2 under the same conditions have hardly been compared. Here, we showed that SARS-CoV-2 cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and 2% fetal bovine serum was efficiently inactivated by irradiation with 222, 254, and 265 wavelengths UV, but not at 308 nm. In addition, it was revealed that UV absorption by DMEM-2% FBS is very efficient at 222 nm. Our results present potentially important information for selecting the optimum UV wavelength according to the application.

Clinical impact of central nervous system-directed therapies on intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: A single institution's experience

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare subtype of B-cell lymphoma characterized by aggressive disease progression with a high incidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. We retrospectively analyzed 16 patients with de novo IVLBCL treated at our hospital between 2004 and 2018 with either standard therapy plus CNS-directed therapy or standard therapy alone. CNS-directed therapy was associated with a significantly better 2-year CNS-free survival (100% vs. 63%, p = 0.0191), despite no significant effects on progression-free or overall survival. Further studies should assess CNS-focused treatment in patients with IVLBCL with or without primary CNS involvement.

Ideal dose intensity of R-CHOP in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

The standard of care for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). However, its ideal dose intensity varies among cases.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides the latest insights on the dose intensity of R-CHOP for DLBCL patients. Specifically, we discussed the optimal dose intensity for elderly patients, the optimal number of treatment cycles for limited or advanced-stage diseases, and the role of dose-intensified therapies or adding targeted inhibitors.

EXPERT OPINION

Performing a comprehensive or simplified geriatric assessment can distinguish elderly DLBCL patients who will likely benefit from curative R-CHOP. Very elderly or medically unfit patients may need dose reduction in R-CHOP; the Age, Comorbidities, and Albumin index may aid decision-making. Four cycles of R-CHOP followed by two rituximab cycles comprise a new standard for low-risk, limited-stage DLBCL patients. Compared to eight cycles, six cycles of R-CHOP have similar efficacy and fewer toxicities for advanced-stage DLBCL. Dose-intensified therapy is not recommended in most DLBCL cases but may be considered for patients with double (or triple)-hit lymphoma. Applying targeted inhibitors and not merely escalating R-CHOP dose intensity through molecular subtyping will improve the treatment outcome for DLBCL.

Precise Measurement of Differential Cross Sections of the Σ^{-}p→Λn Reaction in Momentum Range 470-650 MeV/c

The differential cross sections of the Σ^{-}p→Λn reaction were measured accurately for the Σ^{-} momentum (p_{Σ}) ranging from 470 to 650  MeV/c at the J-PARC Hadron Experimental Facility. Precise angular information about the Σ^{-}p→Λn reaction was obtained for the first time by detecting approximately 100 reaction events at each angular step of Δcosθ=0.1. The obtained differential cross sections show a slightly forward-peaking structure in the measured momentum regions. The cross sections integrated for -0.7≤cosθ≤1.0 were obtained as 22.5±0.68 [statistical error(stat.)] ±0.65 [systematic error(syst.)] mb and 15.8±0.83(stat)±0.52(syst)  mb for 470<p_{Σ}(MeV/c)<550 and 550<p_{Σ}(MeV/c)<650, respectively. These results show a drastic improvement compared with past measurements of the hyperon-proton scattering experiments. They will play essential roles in updating the theoretical models of the baryon-baryon interactions.

Recent progress and future prospects of hyperon nucleon scattering experiment

A new hyperon-proton scattering experiment, dubbed J-PARC E40, was performed to measure differential cross sections of the Σ+p, Σ−p elastic scatterings and the Σ−p → Λn scattering by identifying a lot of Σ particles in the momentum ranging from 0.4 to 0.8 GeV/c produced by the π±p → K+Σ± reactions. We successfully measured the differential cross sections of these three channels with a drastically improved accuracy with a fine angular step. These new data will become important experimental constraints to improve the theories of the two-body baryon-baryon interactions. Following this success, we proposed a new experiment to measure the differential cross sections and spin observables by using a highly polarized Λ beam for providing quantitative information on the ΛN interaction. The results of three Σp channels and future prospects of the Λp scattering experiment are described.

Relationship between Carnitine Deficiency and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Use in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

BACKGROUND

Some chemotherapeutic agents cause carnitine deficiency, which causes general fatigue. However, there is no study on carnitine deficiency in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) during tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated carnitine concentrations in patients with CML receiving TKI therapy.

METHOD

This study included patients with well-controlled CML. Total carnitine and free carnitine concentrations were evaluated using the enzyme cycling method. The brief fatigue inventory (BFI) and cancer fatigue scale (CFS) were used to assess general fatigue developed during TKI therapy.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients on TKI therapy were included. Of these, 12 (21.8%) patients had low free carnitine concentrations. Free carnitine concentrations were higher in men than in women. Younger age was closely associated with lower free carnitine concentrations. TKI type, TKI dose, treatment response, or therapy duration were not associated with free carnitine concentrations. None of the scores (the global fatigue score with the BFI and CFS score) correlated with carnitine concentrations. Concentrations of free carnitine in patients in the treatment-free remission group were slightly higher than those in the TKI group, with only 9.1% having a low concentration of free carnitine.

CONCLUSION

Carnitine deficiency is probably not a major cause of general fatigue but may occur in patients with CML receiving TKI therapy.

Plastic deformation of synthetic quartz nanopillars by nanoindentation for multi-scale and multi-level security artefact metrics

Individual authentication using artefact metrics has received increasing attention, as greater importance has been placed on the security of individual information. These artefact metrics must satisfy the requirements of individuality, measurement stability, durability, and clone resistance, in addition to possessing unique physical features. In this study, we proposed that nanostructures of synthetic quartz (SQ) deposited on an SQ plate may provide sophisticated artefact metrics if morphological changes could be intentionally introduced into the SQ nanostructures at certain positions. We fabricated SQ nanopillars using a mass-production method (ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography) and investigated their mechanical deformation using nanoindentation with a spheroid diamond tip through a loading and unloading cycle. The SQ nanopillars with an aspect ratio of 1 (i.e., diameters D of 100 and 200 nm with corresponding heights H of 100 and 200 nm, respectively) could be plastically deformed without collapsing within a specified pillar-array format at programmed positions. The plastically deformed SQ nanopillar arrays demonstrated multi-scale (sub-millimetre, micrometre, and nanometre) and multi-level (shape, area, diameter, and height) individuality authentication and clone resistance. Because SQ is physically and chemically stable and durable, individuality authentication can be a highly reliable tool on Earth and in space.

Major hepatectomy with combined vascular resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Hepatectomy with vascular resection (VR) for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) is a challenging procedure. However, only a few reports on this procedure have been published and its clinical significance has not been fully evaluated.

Methods

Patients undergoing surgical resection for PHCC from 2002–2017 were studied. The surgical outcomes of VR and non-VR groups were compared.

Results

Some 238 patients were included. VR was performed in 85 patients. The resected vessels were hepatic artery alone (31 patients), portal vein alone (37 patients) or both (17 patients). The morbidity rates were almost the same in the VR (49.4 per cent) and non-VR (43.8 per cent) groups (P = 0.404). The mortality rates of VR (3.5 per cent) and non-VR (3.3 per cent) were also comparable (P > 0.999). The median survival time (MST) was 45 months in the non-VR group and 36 months in VR group (P = 0.124). Among patients in whom tumour involvement was suspected on preoperative imaging and whose carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) value was 37 U/ml or less, MST in the VR group was significantly longer than that in the non-VR group (50 versus 34 months, P = 0.017). In contrast, when the CA19-9 value was greater than 37 U/ml, MST of the VR and non-VR groups was comparable (28 versus 29 months, P = 0.520).

Conclusion

Hepatectomy with VR for PHCC can be performed in a highly specialized hepatobiliary centre with equivalent short- and long-term outcomes to hepatectomy without VR.

UVC disinfects SARS-CoV-2 by induction of viral genome damage without apparent effects on viral morphology and proteins

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been a pandemic threat worldwide and causes severe health and economic burdens. Contaminated environments, such as personal items and room surfaces, are considered to have virus transmission potential. Ultraviolet C (UVC) light has demonstrated germicidal ability and removes environmental contamination. UVC has inactivated SARS-CoV-2; however, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. It was confirmed here that UVC 253.7 nm, with a dose of 500 μW/cm2, completely inactivated SARS-CoV-2 in a time-dependent manner and reduced virus infectivity by 10-4.9-fold within 30 s. Immunoblotting analysis for viral spike and nucleocapsid proteins showed that UVC treatment did not damage viral proteins. The viral particle morphology remained intact even when the virus completely lost infectivity after UVC irradiation, as observed by transmission electronic microscopy. In contrast, UVC irradiation-induced genome damage was identified using the newly developed long reverse-transcription quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay, but not conventional RT-qPCR. The six developed long RT-PCR assays that covered the full-length viral genome clearly indicated a negative correlation between virus infectivity and UVC irradiation-induced genome damage (R2 ranging from 0.75 to 0.96). Altogether, these results provide evidence that UVC inactivates SARS-CoV-2 through the induction of viral genome damage.

Absolute Lymphocyte Counts After Lenalidomide Initiation may Predict the Prognosis of Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

BACKGROUND/AIM

We assessed the prognosis of patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma (RRMM) by focusing on the change in absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) after lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Ld) initiation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 72 patients with RRMM were treated with Ld. ALCs were evaluated before treatment and at 1, 2, and 3 months after Ld initiation. The median ALCs in the entire cohort before and at 1, 2, 3 months after Ld initiation were 1,131, 1,059, 1,222, and 1,162/μl, respectively.

RESULTS

ALCs before Ld initiation did not affect time to next treatment (TNT) or overall survival (OS). However, the patients with ALCs equal to or greater than the median at 3 months showed relatively better TNT than those with lower lymphocyte counts, with a significant difference. OS was also significantly longer in patients with higher ALCs.

CONCLUSION

Immunomodulation by lenalidomide may improve prognosis in patients with RRMM.

SARS-CoV-2 Disinfection of Air and Surface Contamination by TiO2 Photocatalyst-Mediated Damage to Viral Morphology, RNA, and Protein

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19, which is a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted rapidly via contaminated surfaces and aerosols, emphasizing the importance of environmental disinfection to block the spread of virus. Ultraviolet C radiation and chemical compounds are effective for SARS-CoV-2 disinfection, but can only be applied in the absence of humans due to their toxicities. Therefore, development of disinfectants that can be applied in working spaces without evacuating people is needed. Here we showed that TiO2-mediated photocatalytic reaction inactivates SARS-CoV-2 in a time-dependent manner and decreases its infectivity by 99.9% after 20 min and 120 min of treatment in aerosol and liquid, respectively. The mechanistic effects of TiO2 photocatalyst on SARS-CoV-2 virion included decreased total observed virion count, increased virion size, and reduced particle surface spike structure, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. Damage to viral proteins and genome was further confirmed by western blotting and RT-qPCR, respectively. The multi-antiviral effects of TiO2-mediated photocatalytic reaction implies universal disinfection potential for different infectious agents. Notably, TiO2 has no adverse effects on human health, and therefore, TiO2-induced photocatalytic reaction is suitable for disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging infectious disease-causing agents in human habitation.

Maintenance Therapy With Bortezomib and Dexamethasone for Transplant-ineligible Patients With Multiple Myeloma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Here, we investigated whether bortezomib as a maintenance therapy affected outcomes in transplant-ineligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Following induction therapy with bortezomib, maintenance therapy with bortezomib (1.3 mg/m ² ) and dexamethasone (20 mg) was administered once or twice every 4 weeks until disease progression. The endpoints of this study were time to next treatment and overall survival.

RESULTS

Seventy-six newly diagnosed, transplant-ineligible patients were treated with a bortezomib-based regimen; 28 discontinued induction therapy, 27 did not receive maintenance therapy after induction therapy (the non-maintenance group), and 21 did (the maintenance group). In the three groups, the median times to the next required treatment were 3, 14, and 37 months, respectively. The 3-year overall survival rates were 55%, 69%, and 85%, respectively. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the non-maintenance and maintenance groups, except for poorer estimated glomerular filtration rates in the maintenance group.

CONCLUSION

Bortezomib maintenance therapy may be a useful option for transplant-ineligible patients with MM.

Transient Hyperintensity of the Infant Thyroid Gland on T1-Weighted MR Imaging: Correlation with Postnatal Age, Gestational Age, and Signal Intensity of the Pituitary Gland

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The signal intensity of the thyroid in neonates is high on T1WI. It is affected by gestational and postnatal ages. However, the extent of the influence of these ages is unknown. This study investigated the relationship of signal intensities of the infant thyroid with postnatal and gestational ages and anterior pituitary using 3D gradient-echo T1WI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 183 T1-weighted images from 181 infants. Using a multiple linear regression analysis, we evaluated the effects of postnatal and gestational ages on the thyroid-muscle signal intensity ratio. The relationship between the thyroid and anterior pituitary signal intensities on T1WI and the age of the infants was evaluated.

RESULTS

Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the thyroid signal intensity was affected negatively by postnatal age at examination and positively by gestational age at birth (P < .01 and P = .04, respectively). According to the standardized partial regression coefficients, the influence of postnatal age at examination was stronger than that of gestational age at birth (-0.72 and 0.13, respectively). The thyroid and anterior pituitary signal intensities reached constant values at 12 weeks' postnatal age, and the mean thyroid-anterior pituitary signal intensity ratios were almost 1 throughout the entire period.

CONCLUSIONS

The signal intensity of the infant thyroid on T1WI was more strongly influenced by the postnatal age at examination than the gestational age at birth, and it was almost equal to that of the anterior pituitary.

Observation of Coulomb-Assisted Nuclear Bound State of Ξ^{-}-^{14}N System

In an emulsion-counter hybrid experiment performed at J-PARC, a Ξ^{-} absorption event was observed which decayed into twin single-Λ hypernuclei. Kinematic calculations enabled a unique identification of the reaction process as Ξ^{-}+^{14}N→_{Λ}^{10}Be+_{Λ}^{5}He. For the binding energy of the Ξ^{-} hyperon in the Ξ^{-}-^{14}N system a value of 1.27±0.21  MeV was deduced. The energy level of Ξ^{-} is likely a nuclear 1p state which indicates a weak ΞN-ΛΛ coupling.

[Transformation of CD5-positive nodal marginal zone lymphoma to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]

Nodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) is a form of nodal B-cell lymphoma exhibiting proliferation of abnormal lymphocytes at the circumference of the mantle zone in the lymph nodes. Although the outcome of patients with this disease is often favorable, we recently encountered a patient with a CD5-positive NMZL who was resistant to chemotherapy. A 67-year-old woman complaining of systemic lymph node swelling was referred to our hospital. After biopsy of the neck lymph node, she was diagnosed with CD5-positive NMZL. Disease progression was revealed after 16 months, and she was initially treated with chemotherapy consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CVP). However, this therapy was ineffective. Subsequent therapy with rituximab and bendamustine also failed to induce remission. A rebiopsy revealed that the NMZL had transformed into a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This patient died after 2 years from the initial diagnosis due to lymphoma progression. Cases of CD5-positive NMZL are rare; thus, it is difficult to study the clinical implications of CD5 expression in this disease. Here we describe the current understanding of CD5 expression in NMZL.

Porous nanosheet wrapping for live imaging of suspension cells

In the field of cell imaging, it is still a practical challenge to obtain the high quality live imaging of suspension cells, mainly due to undesirable cell movement in the imaging field during observation. This study describes a porous nanosheet wrapping method to noninvasively immobilize suspension cells for their live imaging. Perforated nanopores are fabricated on a nanosheet to enable the addition of external chemicals to cells, ranging from small molecules to macromolecules. Through several case studies, such as the live imaging of membrane staining of liposomes, transferrin endocytosis of B cells, and activation of platelets, it is verified that the confined space made by the nanosheet could provide a hydrodynamically stable environment for suspension cells, even if an aqueous stimulus is added through the nanopores in a static or a flowing condition. With this method, the live imaging of the whole activation process on a specific suspension cell in the imaging field is achieved, which is not feasible with the existing cell immobilization methods. This study suggests that the method of porous nanosheet wrapping will facilitate the visualization of the dynamic functions of suspension cells.

Author Correction: Forearc carbon sink reduces long-term volatile recycling into the mantle

An Amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Photoinduced Reorientation in Thin Films of a Nematic Liquid Crystalline Polymer Anchored to Interfaces and Enhancement Using Small Liquid Crystalline Molecules

The photoinduced reorientation of the side-chain mesogens in nematic liquid crystalline (LC) polymer thin films triggered by the axis-selective photo-Fries rearrangements of side-chain phenyl benzoate moieties is studied to understand the regulation of the anisotropic nanostructures supported by LC polymers. The influence of the substrate surface in anchoring the side-chain mesogens near the interfaces is examined by comparing the reorientation of 30- and 120-nm-thick films. Irradiation with linearly polarized ultraviolet (UV) light and subsequent annealing causes the side-chain mesogen reorientation to align perpendicular to the electric field of the incident UV light. The inplane order in the 30-nm-thick films is lower than that in the 120-nm ones. On the other hand, the annealing period required for mesogen alignment is independent of the film thickness. It is suggested that the substrate surfaces anchor the LC mesogens to fix their orientation, rather than slowing down the reorientational motion. In addition, it is demonstrated that small LC molecules miscible with the nematic LC polymer enhance photoinduced reorientation through cooperative molecular interaction with the side-chain mesogens, remarkably accelerating the orientation and improving the inplane order of the unidirectionally aligned mesogens.

P5639Risk stratification for mortality using electrocardiographic markers based on 24-hour holter recordings: the JANIES-SHD study

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 SCD risk stratification do not adequately cover this general population pool. Several noninvasive electrocardiographic (ECG) risk stratifiers that reflect depolarization abnormality, repolarization abnormality, and autonomic imbalance have been evaluated so far. With current therapeutic advances using new medicines or devices, an LVEF is often preserved in patients with structural heart disease (SHD). However, the usefulness of noninvasive ECG markers for risk stratification in such a patient population has not yet been elucidated.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess clinical indices and ECG markers based on 24-hour Holter ECG recordings for predicting cardiac mortality in patients with SHD who have left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) but relatively preserved LVEF.

Methods

In total, 1,829 patients were enrolled into the Japanese Multicenter Observational Prospective Study (JANIES study). In this study, we analyzed data of 719 patients (569 men, age 64±13 years) with SHD including mainly ischemic heart disease (65.8%). As ECG markers based on 24-hour Holter recordings, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), ventricular late potentials, and heart rate turbulence (HRT) were assessed. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint was fatal arrhythmic events.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 21±11 months, all-cause mortality was eventually observed in 39 patients (5.4%). Among those patients, 32 patients (82%) suffered from cardiac causes such as heart failure and arrhythmia. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that after adjustment for age and LVEF, documented NSVT (hazard ratio=2.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–5.76, P=0.005) and abnormal HRT (hazard ratio=2.31, 95% CI: 1.15–4.65, P=0.02) were significantly associated with the primary endpoint. These two ECG markers also had significant predictive values with the secondary endpoint. The combined assessment documented NSVT and abnormal HRT improved predictive accuracy.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that combined assessment of documented NSVT and abnormal HRT based on 24-hour Holter ECG recordings are recommended for predicting future serious events in SHD patients who have relatively preserved LVEF.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Grants-in-Aid (21590909, 24591074, and 15K09103 to T.I.) for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technol

4090Maximum standardized uptake value of pericardial fat for prediction of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis

Background

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a cause of epicarditis and sustained life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. These arrhythmias occasionally arise from epicardial. Positron emission tomogramphy-comututed tomography (PET-CT) is useful for diagnosis with sarcoidosis. However, the usefulness for prediction of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis is unknown.

Objective

We hypothesized that the evaluation of pericardial fat inflammation could identify high-risk sarcoidosis patients for ventricular arrhythmias.

Methods

We enrolled 20 consecutive patients with cardiac sarcoidosis performed PET-CT between August 2016 and December 2018. In each case, we measured the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of pericardial fat around the left atrium, both ventricules, atrioventricular groove, and left main coronary.

Results

Seven patients experienced ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). VT/VF patients had significantly more complete right bundle branch block (P=0.035), larger left atrial dimension (P=0.021), larger left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (P=0.005), lower ejection fraction (P=0.007), and higher E/e' (P=0.004). SUVmax of pericardial fat in the roof of left atrium (LA) and left ventricular (LV) with VT/VF patients were significantly higher than non-VT/VF patients (LA: 1.63 vs 1.32, P=0.0311; LV: 1.84 vs 1.26, P=0.045). The cut-off values of SUVmax derived from the ROC curve in the roof of LA and LV are 1.47 and 1.59 respectively. The Kaplan Meire estimator showed that high SUVmax patients in the roof of LA had significantly more detection of NSVT.

Conclusions

Our results suggest the relationship between SUVmax and VT/VF occurrence in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. The evaluateon of SUVmax may be useful for VT/VF risk stratification.

P1628Angiopoietin-like protein (Angptl) 2 secreted from epicardial adipose tissue induces atrial myocardial fibrosis

Background

Using excised human left atrial appendage samples, we previously demonstrated that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are highly associated with atrial myocardial fibrosis as a substrate of atrial fibrillation (AF). We also reported the relationship between Angptl2 in EAT and atrial fibrosis. However, the mechanism is not clear. The purpose is to clarify the mechanisms underlying the effect of EAT on the atrial myocardium.

Methods

Human peri-left atrial EAT and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) samples were obtained from 6 cases (2 females, 70.2±13.2 years). 50 mg of EAT and SAT were quickly washed with PBS and centrifuged 1min at 1200rpm. After 3 times this procedures, adipose tissues were cultured in DMEM F12 medium with Fetal bovine Serum (FBS) overnight.

After pre-incubation, EAT and SAT tissues were washed and centrifuge d three times and cultured in medium without FBS for 24hours. Finally, we collected oozed medium (conditioned medium) and used for experiments.

Concentrations of Angptl2 in conditioned medium were measured by ELISA.

To study the effects of conditioned medium, we used “organo-culture” system. Isolated atrium from 8week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were placed on the porous membrane with the endothelial face toward the membrane. After that, loading medium (conditioned medium:culture medium = 1:4), culture medium (control), or recombinant Angptl2 were dropped onto the epicardial face of the atrium once a day and incubated for 7 days (37°C, 5% CO2).

Then, histological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed. We also performed quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) analysis.

Next, we isolated and cultured neonatal rat fibroblast and loaded Angptl2 for 24 hours.After collected these cells, we performed western blotting analysis.

Results

Atria organo-culture incubated for 7 days with conditioned medium showed global fibrosis. At epicardial side, fibrotic area of EAT group was significantly greater compared to that of SAT and control group (P<0.05).

mRNA of Col1a1, col3a1 and TGFβ1 were significantly increased in EAT group compared with the SAT and control group.

And, the concentration of conditioned medium created from EAT was significant higher than that from SAT (P<0.05).

Then, we dropped 500 ng/ml of recombinant Angptl2 onto the rat atria. Fibrotic area of Angptl22 group significantly greater than that of control with increasing number of α-SMA positive cells, and mRNA of col3a1 and TGFβ1 were significantly increased in Angptl2 group compared with control group.

In cultured fibroblasts, α-SMA and p-ERK expression were increased in Angptl2 group measured by western blotting analysis.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that EAT rather than SAT induces atrial myocardial fibrosis. There is a possibility that Angptl2 effused from EAT plays a part in atrial fibrosis thought EAT paracrine effect.

Acknowledgement/Funding

ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO

A novel fusion gene involving PDGFRB and GCC2 in a chronic eosinophilic leukemia patient harboring t(2;5)(q37;q31)

Background

Platelet‐derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) rearrangement has been reported in a number of patients with chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), B‐acute lymphoblastic leukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. Here, we report a case of CEL carrying a novel fusion gene involving PDGFRB and GRIP and coiled‐coil domain containing 2 (GCC2).

Patient and methods

A 54‐year‐old man presenting with a cough and dyspnea was diagnosed with acute eosinophilic pneumonia. Cytogenetic analysis of the bone marrow revealed the presence of t(2;5)(q37;q31). Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis in the peripheral blood leukocytes revealed the presence of a split signal at PDGFRB gene. Imatinib treatment was effective, and disappearance of t(2;5)(q37;q31) in the bone marrow was confirmed after three months of imatinib therapy. Whole‐genome sequencing was performed in peripheral blood leukocytes collected before imatinib therapy.

Results

A novel fusion gene between exon 22 of GCC2 and exon 12 of PDGFRB was detected and the presence of GCC2‐PDGFRB was confirmed by PCR.

Conclusion

This is the first case report demonstrating the GCC2 gene as a partner of PDGFRB in the pathogenesis of CEL.

Thrombopoietin Levels During Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Although it is well known that platelet depletion is one of the major adverse events related to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy, the effect of TKIs on thrombopoietin (TPO), a stimulating factor for thrombopoiesis, has not been examined to date. In this study, we investigated the effect of TKIs on the levels of plasma TPO concentration in patients with well-controlled chronic myeloid leukemia receiving imatinib or dasatinib and those in treatment-free remission (TFR).

METHODS

Blood samples for blood cell counts and plasma TPO levels were obtained from 23 dasatinib-treated patients before and 1 h after intake, 11 patients treated with imatinib before and 2 h after intake, and nine TFR patients. Levels of plasma TPO were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

Levels of TPO were significantly inversely correlated with platelet counts in the entire cohort (r = - 0.568, p < 0.0001). Dasatinib intake, but not imatinib, significantly reduced platelet counts after intake (p = 0.0009 in dasatinib and p = 0.5431 in imatinib). However, imatinib and dasatinib intake increased the levels of TPO in these patients (p = 0.0024, dasatinib; p = 0.0098, imatinib).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study results suggest that neither dasatinib nor imatinib therapy inhibits TPO production. Rather, transient increases in TPO levels seen with these two treatments might be a result of the decrease in TPO clearance these TKIs confer. However, further investigations are required to clarify the effect of TKIs on thrombopoiesis.

A multiparametric MRI-based machine learning to distinguish between uterine sarcoma and benign leiomyoma: comparison with 18F-FDG PET/CT

AIM

To compare the performance of machine learning using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) and positron-emission tomography (PET) to distinguish between uterine sarcoma and leiomyoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was waived. Sixty-seven consecutive patients with uterine sarcoma or leiomyoma who underwent pelvic 3 T MRI and PET were included. Of 67 patients, 11 had uterine sarcomas and 56 had leiomyomas. Seven different parameters were measured in the tumours, from T2-weighted, T1-weighted, contrast-enhanced, and diffusion-weighted MRI, and PET. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) with a leave-one-out cross-validation were used to compare the diagnostic performances of the univariate and multivariate logistic regression (LR) model with those of two board-certified radiologists.

RESULTS

The AUCs of the univariate models using MRI parameters (0.68-0.8) were inferior to that of the maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) of PET (0.85); however, the AUC of the multivariate LR model (0.92) was superior to that of SUVmax, and comparable to that of the board-certified radiologists (0.97 and 0.89).

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic performance of the machine learning using mp-MRI was superior to PET and comparable to that of experienced radiologists.

Living Kidney Donor With Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma at the Time of Donation: A Case Report

Living kidney donor guidelines recommend that donors in whom a malignancy is diagnosed should be excluded. Although preoperative screening for malignancies was performed, we experienced a case of living donor with small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) at the time of donation. A 53-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for a kidney donation to her son. She had no past medical history of malignancy. We screened the patient using medical examinations, but there was no obvious presence of malignancy. Although preoperative computed tomography showed a small lymph node swelling at the left renal hilum, we diagnosed it as an insignificant lymph node. When a laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was performed, however, we recognized the small lymph node during the surgery and performed a lymphadenectomy. Postoperatively, pathologic examination showed that the small node was lymphocytic lymphoma, known as a low malignant potential disease. Currently, there is no presence of malignancy transmission with the recipient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of living kidney donor with SLL. Although SLL is considered a low-grade malignancy, it is crucial to follow it carefully in both the donor and the recipient.

Selection of Diacrylate Monomers for Sub-15 nm Ultraviolet Nanoimprinting by Resonance Shear Measurement

In UV nanoimprinting, the selection of monomers suitable for sub-15 nm patterning is difficult because the filling behavior of resin at this scale still remains scientifically unclear. We demonstrate sub-15 nm patterning by UV nanoimprinting using silica molds with 20, 15, and 7 nm diameter holes; however, the 7 nm diameter pillar patterns were not fabricated using hydroxy-containing monomers. The filling behavior into silica holes of around 10 nm depended on the chemical structure of the monomers. Resonance shear measurements revealed the following: (1) The viscosities of hydroxy-containing monomers confined between chlorodimethyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)silane (FAS3-Cl)-modified surfaces began to increase at distances shorter than those of the monomers between unmodified surfaces. (2) The monomers confined between tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyltrimethoxysilane-modified surfaces were squeezed out when the surface-surface distance decreased at less than 7 nm. The measured viscosities between the FAS3-Cl-modified silica surfaces were correlated with the insufficient filling behavior into the silica holes of around 10 nm in UV nanoimprinting. Contact angle measurements provided an additional insight that a higher wettability of the monomers onto the antisticking chemisorbed monolayers resulted in imprinted patterns with higher aspect ratios. Considering the increase in the monomer viscosity in the nanospace and the wettability of monomers onto chemisorbed monolayers, we concluded that the monomer showing low viscosity under confinement and high wettability onto the mold surface was suitable for single-digit nanometer UV nanoimprinting.

Combined treatment with benzo[a]pyrene and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in monocyte/macrophage-derived cells

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is an environmental pollutant found in cigarette smoke and is implicated as a causative agent of tobacco-related diseases, such as arteriosclerosis. In contrast, vitamin D signaling, which is principally mediated by conversion of vitamin D to the active form, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃], decreases cardiovascular disease risk. However, combined treatment with BaP and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ enhances BaP toxicity, including BaP-DNA adduct formation. We further investigated the cross-talk between BaP and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ signaling pathways, and found that combined treatment with these compounds induces mRNA and protein expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) in monocyte/macrophage-derived THP-1 and U937 cells. Protein synthesis inhibitor treatment did not inhibit induction of the PAI-1 gene (SERPINE1) in these cells. BaP plus 1,25(OH)₂D₃ induced differentiation markers, inhibited cellular proliferation, and induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in these cells. Reactive oxygen species scavenger treatment suppressed apoptosis but not SERPINE1 induction in cells treated with BaP plus 1,25(OH)₂D₃. Thus, combined treatment with BaP and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ induced SERPINE1 mRNA expression in these cells through a mechanism that does not require de novo protein synthesis or reactive oxygen species production. These findings suggest that induction of the proinflammatory factor PAI-1 plays a role in BaP toxicity. Interestingly, PAI-1 knockdown decreased expression of the cell surface antigen CD14, a monocytic differentiation marker, in THP-1 cells treated with BaP plus 1,25(OH)₂D₃. PAI-1 induction may also be related to a function of monocytes/macrophages in response to xenobiotic and vitamin D signaling.

First Determination of the Level Structure of an sd-Shell Hypernucleus, _{Λ}^{19}F

We report on the first observation of γ rays emitted from an sd-shell hypernucleus, _{Λ}^{19}F. The energy spacing between the ground state doublet, 1/2^{+} and 3/2^{+} states, of _{Λ}^{19}F is determined to be 315.5±0.4(stat)_{-0.5}^{+0.6}(syst)  keV by measuring the γ-ray energy of the M1(3/2^{+}→1/2^{+}) transition. In addition, three γ-ray peaks are observed and assigned as E2(5/2^{+}→1/2^{+}), E1(1/2^{-}→1/2^{+}), and E1(1/2^{-}→3/2^{+}) transitions. The excitation energies of the 5/2^{+} and 1/2^{-} states are determined to be 895.2±0.3(stat)±0.5(syst) and 1265.6±1.2(stat)_{-0.5}^{+0.7}(syst)  keV, respectively. It is found that the ground state doublet spacing is well described by theoretical models based on existing s- and p-shell hypernuclear data.