On the adsorption and reactivity of element 114, flerovium

Flerovium (Fl, element 114) is the heaviest element chemically studied so far. To date, its interaction with gold was investigated in two gas-solid chromatography experiments, which reported two different types of interaction, however, each based on the level of a few registered atoms only. Whereas noble-gas-like properties were suggested from the first experiment, the second one pointed at a volatile-metal-like character. Here, we present further experimental data on adsorption studies of Fl on silicon oxide and gold surfaces, accounting for the inhomogeneous nature of the surface, as it was used in the experiment and analyzed as part of the reported studies. We confirm that Fl is highly volatile and the least reactive member of group 14. Our experimental observations suggest that Fl exhibits lower reactivity towards Au than the volatile metal Hg, but higher reactivity than the noble gas Rn.

Multifaceted array-based keloidal gene expression profiling reveals specific MDFI upregulation in keloid lesions

BACKGROUND

Keloid lesions are characterized by mesenchymal cell proliferation and excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Previous microarray analyses have been performed to investigate the mechanism of keloid development. However, the molecular pathology that contributes to keloid development remains obscure.

AIM

To explore the underlying essential molecules of keloids using microarrays.

METHODS

We performed microarray analyses of keloid and nonlesional skin tissues both in vivo and in vitro. Gene expression levels were compared between tissues and cells. Quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR and immunohistochemical staining were used to determine the expression levels of molecules of interest in keloid tissues.

RESULTS

Several common molecules were upregulated in both keloid tissues and keloid-lesional fibroblasts. PTPRD and NTM were upregulated both in vivo and in vitro. The genes MDFI and ITGA4 were located at the centre of the gene coexpression network analysis using keloid tissues. qRT-PCR revealed significant expression levels of PTPRD and MDFI in keloid tissues. Immunopathological staining revealed that MDFI-positive cells, which have fibroblast characteristics, were located in the keloid-associated lymphoid tissue (KALT) portion of the keloid tissue.

CONCLUSION

Our gene expression profiles of keloids could distinguish the difference between lesional tissue and cultured lesional fibroblasts, and MDFI was found to be commonly expressed in both tissues and cells. Thus, MDFI-positive cells, which were located in the KALT, may play an important role in keloid pathogenesis and thus might be useful for in vitro keloid studies.

Study of charged particle activation analysis (II): Determination of boron concentration in human blood samples

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a radiotherapy for the treatment of intractable cancer. In BNCT precise determination of ¹⁰B concentration in whole blood sample before neutron irradiation of the patient, as well as accurate neutron dosimetry, is crucial for control of the neutron irradiation time. For this purpose ICP-AES and neutron induced prompt γ-ray analysis are generally used. In Ibaraki Neutron Medical Research Center (iNMRC), an intense proton beam will be accelerated up to 8 MeV, which can also be used for Charged Particle Activation Analysis (CPAA). Thus, in this study, we apply the CPAA utilizing the proton beam to non-destructive and accurate determination of ¹⁰B concentration in whole blood sample. A CPAA experiment is performed by utilizing an 8 MeV proton beam from the tandem accelerator of Nuclear Science Research Institute in Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The 478 keV γ-ray of ⁷Be produced by the ¹⁰B(p, α)⁷Be reaction is used to quantify the ¹⁰B in human blood. The 478 keV γ-ray intensity is normalized by the intensities of the 847 keV and 1238 keV γ-rays of ⁵⁶Co originating from Fe in blood. The normalization methods were found to be linear in the range of 3.27 μg ¹⁰B/g to 322 μg ¹⁰B/g with correlation coefficients of better than 0.9999.

Preliminary results in using Deep Learning to emulate BLOB, a nuclear interaction model

PURPOSE

A reliable model to simulate nuclear interactions is fundamental for Ion-therapy. We already showed how BLOB ("Boltzmann-Langevin One Body"), a model developed to simulate heavy ion interactions up to few hundreds of MeV/u, could simulate also ¹²C reactions in the same energy domain. However, its computation time is too long for any medical application. For this reason we present the possibility of emulating it with a Deep Learning algorithm.

METHODS

The BLOB final state is a Probability Density Function (PDF) of finding a nucleon in a position of the phase space. We discretised this PDF and trained a Variational Auto-Encoder (VAE) to reproduce such a discrete PDF. As a proof of concept, we developed and trained a VAE to emulate BLOB in simulating the interactions of ¹²C with ¹²C at 62 MeV/u. To have more control on the generation, we forced the VAE latent space to be organised with respect to the impact parameter (b) training a classifier of b jointly with the VAE.

RESULTS

The distributions obtained from the VAE are similar to the input ones and the computation time needed to use the VAE as a generator is negligible.

CONCLUSIONS

We show that it is possible to use a Deep Learning approach to emulate a model developed to simulate nuclear reactions in the energy range of interest for Ion-therapy. We foresee the implementation of the generation part in C++ and to interface it with the most used Monte Carlo toolkit: Geant4.

Preliminary results coupling "Stochastic Mean Field" and "Boltzmann-Langevin One Body" models with Geant4

PURPOSE

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are widely used for medical applications and nuclear reaction models are fundamental for the simulation of the particle interactions with patients in ion therapy. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to have reliable models in MC simulations for such interactions. Geant4 is one of the most used toolkits for MC simulation. However, its models showed severe limitations in reproducing the yields measured in the interaction of ion beams below 100 MeV/u with thin targets. For this reason, we interfaced two models, SMF ("Stochastic Mean Field") and BLOB ("Boltzmann-Langevin One Body"), dedicated to simulate such reactions, with Geant4.

METHODS

Both SMF and BLOB are semi-classical, one-body approaches to solve the Boltzmann-Langevin equation. They include an identical treatment of the mean-field propagation, on the basis of the same effective interaction, but they differ in the way fluctuations are included. Furthermore, we tested a correction to the excitation energy calculated for the light fragments emerging from the simulations and a simple coalescence model.

RESULTS

While both SMF and BLOB have been developed to simulate heavy ion interactions, they show very good results in reproducing the experimental yields of light fragments, up to alpha particles, obtained in the interaction of ¹²C with a thin carbon target at 62 MeV/u.

CONCLUSIONS

BLOB in particular gives promising results and this stresses the importance of integrating it into the Geant4 toolkit.

P4711The prognostic impact of infrapopliteal arterial calcification on wound healing in patients with critical limb ischemia

Background

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most progressed manifestation of peripheral artery disease. Although patients with CLI commonly complicate with severely calcified lesions in infrapopliteal lesions, the prognostic impact of infrapopliteal arterial calcification on wound healing in patients with CLI has not been systematically studied.

Purpose

The aim of current study was to elucidate the prognostic impact of infrapopliteal arterial calcification on wound healing in CLI undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT).

Methods

This study enrolled 639 CLI patients with tissue loss (age 74±10 years, male 62%, diabetes 69%, hemodialysis 57%, Rutherford class 5 77%, class 6 23%) primarily treated with EVT for the infrapopliteal lesions between April 2010 and December 2015. Arterial calcification was assessed by high intensity fluoroscopy and classified into 3 groups as follows; 1) none, 2) unilateral and 3) bilateral calcification. The primary outcome measure was complete wound healing. The predictors of the outcome were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results

During a mean follow-up period of 22±19 months, 1-year wound healing rate were 59.0%. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, 1-year wound healing rate was worse in patients with bilateral calcification than in those with unilateral or none calcification (Figure, 46.2% versus 55.1% versus 67.8%, P<0.001). After multivariate analysis, the predictors of wound healing were non-ambulatory status (hazard ratio (HR) 0.67 [95% confidential interval (CI) 0.53–0.85], P=0.001) and bilateral calcification (HR 0.75 [95% CI 0.47–0.98], versus none or unilateral calcification, P=0.036).

Figure 1

Conclusion

Infrapopliteal Arterial calcification as well as non-ambulatory status was associated with wound healing in patients with CLI.

P6356Comparisons of clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction with and without atrial fibrillation: results from a multicenter PURSUIT-HFpEF registry

Background

The presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated to be associated with poor clinical outcomes in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate the impact of the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the clinical characteristics, therapeutics, and outcomes in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods

PURSUIT-HFpEF is a multicenter prospective observational study including patients hospitalized for acute heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction of >50%. Patients with acute coronary syndrome or severe valvular disease were excluded.

Results

Of 486 HFpEF patients (age, 80.8±9.0 years old; male, 47%) from 24 cardiovascular centers, 199 (41%) had AF on admission. Patients with AF had lower systolic blood pressures (142±27 vs. 155±35mmHg, p<0.0001) and higher heart rates (91±29 vs. 82±26bpm, p<0.0001) than those without. There was no difference in the usage of inotropes or mechanical ventilation between the 2 groups. A higher quality of life score (EQ5D, 0.72±0.27 vs. 0.63±0.30, p=0.002) was observed at discharge in patients with than without AF. In addition, AF patients tended to demonstrate lower in-hospital mortality rates (0.5% vs. 2.4%, p=0.09) and shorter hospital stays (20.3±12.1 vs. 22.6±18.4 days, p=0.09) than those without. During a mean follow up of 360±111 days, mortality (14.1% vs. 15.3) and heart failure re-hospitalization rates (13.1% vs. 13.9%) were comparable between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

In contrast to heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction, AF on admission was not associated with poor long-term clinical outcomes among HFpEF patients. Several in-hospital outcomes were better in patients with AF than in those without.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

P3386Angioscopic comparison between polymer-free biolimus A9-coated stent and durable polymer drug-eluting stent 10 months after the implantation

Background

Polymer-free biolimus A9-coated stent (DCS) has currently emerged as expected better arterial healing compared to durable polymer drug-eluting stent (DP-DES). However, superiority of DCS on arterial healing over DP-DES has not been well elucidated using intracoronary images.

Methods

This study examined 288 stents in 224 patients with de novo coronary artery lesions. We angioscopically compared 55 DCS from 35 patients with 233 DP-DES from 189 patients 10±2 months after the implantation. We assessed thrombus adhesion, which is a marker of incomplete re-endothelialization. Dominant neointimal coverage (NIC) grade, heterogeneity of NIC and maximum yellow color of plaque underneath the stent were also evaluated. Neointimal coverage was graded as follows: grade 0, stent struts exposed; grade 1, struts bulged into the lumen, although covered; grade 2, struts embedded by the neointima, but translucent; grade 3, struts fully embedded and invisible. NIC was judged as heterogeneous when differences in the NIC grade became apparent. Yellow plaque was graded as follows: grade 0, white; grade 1, light yellow; grade 2, yellow; grade 3, intensive yellow.

Results

Thrombus adhesion was similar between DCS and DP-DES (29% versus 23%, P=0.32). Dominant NIC was greater in DCS than in BP-DES (P<0.001), while NIC was more heterogeneous in DCS than in BP-DES (P=0.001, Figure). Maximum yellow color of stented segment was similar between DCS and DP-DES (P=0.09).

Conclusion

DCS provided similar thrombus adhesion to DP-DES, which suggested similar re-endothelialization 10 months after implantation. However, DCS showed thick and heterogeneous NIC compared to DP-DES. The specific feature of polymer-free and Biolimus A9 would cause the difference, and further investigation is necessary to evaluate the longer-term safety and efficacy.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

P1035Factors associated with quality-of-life improvement after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: insights from the Kansai Plus Atrial Fibrillation (KPAF) registry

Background

Improving the quality of life (QoL) is one of the main purposes of catheter ablation (CA) of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Factors associated with QoL improvement after CA of AF patients have not been clarified. The Kansai Plus Atrial Fibrillation (KPAF) Registry is a multi-center registry enrolling more than 5,000 consecutive patients undergoing the first radiofrequency catheter ablation of AF.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the QoL change after AF ablation and its associated factors.

Methods

A total of 2030 patients in whom the QoL score was assessed before and one year after the ablation were enrolled from the KPAF registry (age 64±10 years, 75% male, paroxysmal 66%, CHADS2 score 1.1±1.1). The QoL was evaluated using the AF specific QoL evaluation method (AFQLQ), which scores the patient QoL within a range of 0–98 points.

Results

Overall, catheter ablation showed a significant increase in the AFQLQ score (68±19 vs. 86±13 points, P<0.01). AF recurrence was observed in 372 cases (18%) during a 1-year follow-up period. A multivariate analysis showed that AF recurrence, symptomatic AF, long AF duration, high preprocedural heart rate (>110 bpm) and small left atrial diameter were independent predictors of a QoL improvement defined as a >10% score increase.

Multivariate analysis

Conclusions

CA of AF significantly improved the QoL. AF recurrence was one of the strong factors associated with QoL improvement. Symptomatic AF, long AF duration, high preprocedural heart rate and small left atrial diameter were independent predictors of QoL improvement.

P1916A novel echo-guided approach of cryoballoon ablation without using contrast medium

Background

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using cryoballoon requires contrast medium injection for the confirmation of appropriate venous occlusion. However, some patients have contra-indications against contrast use such as allergy for contrast medium, bronchial asthma or renal dysfunction. We hypothesized that intra-cardiac echocardiographic observation of microbubble leakage after saline injection from the cryoballoon lumen can be used as a maker of incomplete venous occlusion.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of echo-guided approach using saline injection on the acute clinical outcomes as well as the amount of contrast medium.

Methods

Twenty consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) were studied. They had any reason to avoid using contrast medium. Plain CT scan was performed in all cases to understand the anatomical features. Intra-cardiac echocardiography was used in all cases to guide transseptal puncture and to confirm pulmonary-vein occlusion. Procedural results and clinical outcomes were compared with patients who were performed by the conventional method (n=279).

Results

In all study patients, we could perform PVI without using contrast medium. A total of 2 patients required touch-up ablation using radiofrequency ablation catheter. The procedure time (85±23 vs 86±27 min, P=0.84), the dose of radiation exposure (108±78 vs. 140±133 mmGy/m2, P=0.29), and ratio of requiring touch-up ablation (5% vs 4%, P=0.81) were similar between the study group and the reference group. There was no significant difference in the AF-free survival rate (73% vs. 76%, P=0.79) during a follow-up period of 14±6 months.

Images of ICE

Conclusion

Echo-guided approach using saline infusion was effective and less invasive in terms of reduction of contrast use.

P6241Two-year clinical outcomes of biodegradable polymer versus durable polymer drug-eluting stent implantation in hemodialysis patients after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

Biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stent (BP-DES) has been developed to improve clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients presenting coronary artery disease (CAD). Although BP-DES showed non-inferior safety and efficacy to durable polymer DES (DP-DES) in several randomized clinical trials, hemodialysis (HD) patients, who have been well known as high risk population for adverse events, were excluded in the most of trials. Therefore, there are limited data comparing the clinical outcomes between BP-DES and DP-DES in HD patients with CAD after PCI.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes in HD patients after BP-DES implantation compared with those after DP-DES implantation.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 234 HD patients (male 74%, mean age 71±10 years) undergoing PCI for 404 lesions with 472 DESs (71 patients for 138 lesions with 170 BP-DESs [91 Ultimaster and 79 Synergy] and 163 HD patients for 266 lesions with 302 DP-DESs [219 Xience, 53 Promus and 30 Resolute]) from 2011 to 2017. Two-year clinical outcomes were compared between BP-DES group and DP-DES group. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of target lesion revascularization (TLR), while the secondary outcome measures were the occurrence of cardiac death (CD), stent thrombosis (ST), myocardial infraction (MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR), non-TVR and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) defined as a composite of CD, MI, and TVR. Outcome measures were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the differences between BP-DES group and DP-DES group were assessed by the log-rank test. We also conducted Cox's proportional hazard model to identify predictors for TLR occurrence.

Results

Baseline patient and lesion characteristics were similar between the two groups. The two-year incidence of TLR was not significantly different between BP-DES group and DP-DES group (14.1% vs. 22.2%, p=0.391). The two-year incidences of CD (17.3% vs. 17.5%, p=0.381), ST (0% vs. 3.9%, p=0.133), MI (4.2% vs. 5.8%, p=0.965), TVR (21.3% vs. 27.5%, p=0.586), non-TVR (26.1% vs. 31.3%, p=0.439) and MACE (41.1% vs. 42.6%, p=0.526) were also not different between the two groups. After multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio 1.97; 95% confidence interval 1.03–3.78, p=0.004) was independently associated with TLR occurrence in HD patients.

Two-year clinical outcomes of HD patient

Conclusions

At two-year follow-up after PCI, BP-DES had comparable safety and efficacy profiles to DP-DES in HD patients presenting CAD.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

Study of the contribution of the 7Be(d, p) reaction to the 7Li problem in the Big-Bang Nucleosynthesis

Our research goal is to measure the 7Be(d, p) reaction to shed light on the 7Li problem in the Big-Bang Nucleosynthesis. We are developing an unstable 7Be target for a high-resolution measurement of the 7Be(d, p)8Be reaction. We plan to compare two methods to producethe 7Be target: (1) Activation method, and (2) Implantation method. We performed an activation methodexperiment at the Van de Graaff at Osaka University, and obtained the cross-section data. A second experiment to obtain more accurate data will take place at the Tandem Electrostatic Accelerator, Kobe University. We have also made a 7Be target with implantation method at CRIB, Center for Nuclear Study, Univer-sity of Tokyo. An experiment to measure the (d, p) reaction with the implanted target is scheduled for 2018 at Japan Atomic Energy Agency, tandem facility.

New Results from the Search for Low-Mass Weakly Interacting Massive Particles with the CDMS Low Ionization Threshold Experiment

The CDMS low ionization threshold experiment (CDMSlite) uses cryogenic germanium detectors operated at a relatively high bias voltage to amplify the phonon signal in the search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). Results are presented from the second CDMSlite run with an exposure of 70 kg day, which reached an energy threshold for electron recoils as low as 56 eV. A fiducialization cut reduces backgrounds below those previously reported by CDMSlite. New parameter space for the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section is excluded for WIMP masses between 1.6 and 5.5  GeV/c^{2}.

Fission barrier of superheavy nuclei and persistence of shell effects at high spin: cases of 254No and 220Th

We report on the first measurement of the fission barrier height in a heavy shell-stabilized nucleus. The fission barrier height of 254No is measured to be Bf=6.0±0.5  MeV at spin 15ℏ and, by extrapolation, Bf=6.6±0.9  MeV at spin 0ℏ. This information is deduced from the measured distribution of entry points in the excitation energy versus spin plane. The same measurement is performed for 220Th and only a lower limit of the fission barrier height can be determined: Bf(I)>8  MeV. Comparisons with theoretical fission barriers test theories that predict properties of superheavy elements.

Retrospective study of changes in the sensitivity of the oral mucosa: sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) versus intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO)

We investigated changes in the sensitivity of cutaneous points and the oral mucosa after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and assessed the differences between SSRO and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO). The subjects included in this study were 46 patients with mandibular prognathism who underwent IVRO (88 rami) and 30 patients who underwent SSRO (59 rami). An objective evaluation of the neurosensory status of each patient was completed preoperatively and at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively. Other variables studied for each patient included sex, age, magnitude of mandibular setback, and amount of blood loss during surgery. We found that a neurosensory recovery occurred earlier in the oral mucosa than at cutaneous points. The number of oral mucosa points showing reduced neurosensory function and neurosensory disturbance after SSRO was significantly higher than after IVRO at 1, 4, and 8 weeks (P<0.05). The nerve recovery observed after SSRO was delayed for a longer period than that noted in our previous study of IVRO. In conclusion, we found changes in sensitivity at cutaneous points and the oral mucosa after SSRO and assessed the differences between SSRO and IVRO.

Nuclear chemistry. Synthesis and detection of a seaborgium carbonyl complex

Experimental investigations of transactinoide elements provide benchmark results for chemical theory and probe the predictive power of trends in the periodic table. So far, in gas-phase chemical reactions, simple inorganic compounds with the transactinoide in its highest oxidation state have been synthesized. Single-atom production rates, short half-lives, and harsh experimental conditions limited the number of experimentally accessible compounds. We applied a gas-phase carbonylation technique previously tested on short-lived molybdenum (Mo) and tungsten (W) isotopes to the preparation of a carbonyl complex of seaborgium, the 106th element. The volatile seaborgium complex showed the same volatility and reactivity with a silicon dioxide surface as those of the hexacarbonyl complexes of the lighter homologs Mo and W. Comparison of the product's adsorption enthalpy with theoretical predictions and data for the lighter congeners supported a Sg(CO)6 formulation.

Search for low-mass weakly interacting massive particles with SuperCDMS

We report a first search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) using the background rejection capabilities of SuperCDMS. An exposure of 577 kg days was analyzed for WIMPs with mass <30  GeV/c(2), with the signal region blinded. Eleven events were observed after unblinding. We set an upper limit on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section of 1.2×10(-42)  cm(2) at 8  GeV/c(2). This result is in tension with WIMP interpretations of recent experiments and probes new parameter space for WIMP-nucleon scattering for WIMP masses <6  GeV/c(2).

48Ca+249Bk fusion reaction leading to element Z = 117: long-lived α-decaying 270Db and discovery of 266Lr

The superheavy element with atomic number Z=117 was produced as an evaporation residue in the (48)Ca+(249)Bk fusion reaction at the gas-filled recoil separator TASCA at GSI Darmstadt, Germany. The radioactive decay of evaporation residues and their α-decay products was studied using a detection setup that allowed measuring decays of single atomic nuclei with half-lives between sub-μs and a few days. Two decay chains comprising seven α decays and a spontaneous fission each were identified and are assigned to the isotope (294)117 and its decay products. A hitherto unknown α-decay branch in (270)Db (Z = 105) was observed, which populated the new isotope (266)Lr (Z = 103). The identification of the long-lived (T(1/2) = 1.0(-0.4)(+1.9) h) α-emitter (270)Db marks an important step towards the observation of even more long-lived nuclei of superheavy elements located on an "island of stability."

Search for low-mass weakly interacting massive particles using voltage-assisted calorimetric ionization detection in the SuperCDMS experiment

SuperCDMS is an experiment designed to directly detect weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), a favored candidate for dark matter ubiquitous in the Universe. In this Letter, we present WIMP-search results using a calorimetric technique we call CDMSlite, which relies on voltage-assisted Luke-Neganov amplification of the ionization energy deposited by particle interactions. The data were collected with a single 0.6 kg germanium detector running for ten live days at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. A low energy threshold of 170  eVee (electron equivalent) was obtained, which allows us to constrain new WIMP-nucleon spin-independent parameter space for WIMP masses below 6  GeV/c2.

Overexpression of melanoma-associated antigen D4 is an independent prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

To pursue an urgently needed treatment target for esophageal cancer (EC), we investigated the function of the recently discovered melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE)-D4 in squamous cell EC. MAGE-D4 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was analyzed in nine EC cell lines using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In 65 surgical specimens of squamous cell EC with no prior neoadjuvant therapy, MAGE-D4 mRNA expression in EC tissues and corresponding normal tissues was analyzed and compared, and evaluated in terms of clinicopathological factors. In representative cases, MAGE-D4 protein distribution was analyzed immunohistochemically. The heterogeneity of MAGE-D4 mRNA expression was confirmed in EC cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In surgical specimens, MAGE-D4 mRNA expression was significantly higher in EC tissues than in corresponding normal tissues (P < 0.001). Patients with the highest MAGE-D4 mRNA expression in EC tissues (top quartile, n = 17) had significantly shorter overall survival than patients with low expression (2-year survival: 44% and 73%, respectively, P = 0.006). Univariate analysis identified age (≥65 years), lymphatic involvement, and high MAGE-D4 mRNA expression as significant prognostic factors; high MAGE-D4 mRNA expression was also an independent prognostic factor in multivariable analysis (hazard ratio: 2.194; P = 0.039) and was significantly associated with Brinkman index (P = 0.008) and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level (P = 0.002). Immunohistochemical MAGE-D4b expression was consistent with MAGE-D4 mRNA profiling. Our results suggest that MAGE-D4 overexpression influences tumor progression, and MADE-D4 can be a prognostic marker and a potential molecular target in squamous cell EC.

Shell-structure and pairing interaction in superheavy nuclei: rotational properties of the z=104 nucleus (256)rf

The rotational band structure of the Z=104 nucleus (256)Rf has been observed up to a tentative spin of 20ℏ using state-of-the-art γ-ray spectroscopic techniques. This represents the first such measurement in a superheavy nucleus whose stability is entirely derived from the shell-correction energy. The observed rotational properties are compared to those of neighboring nuclei and it is shown that the kinematic and dynamic moments of inertia are sensitive to the underlying single-particle shell structure and the specific location of high-j orbitals. The moments of inertia therefore provide a sensitive test of shell structure and pairing in superheavy nuclei which is essential to ensure the validity of contemporary nuclear models in this mass region. The data obtained show that there is no deformed shell gap at Z=104, which is predicted in a number of current self-consistent mean-field models.

Search for lepton flavour violation in the eμ continuum with the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the LHC

This paper presents a search for the t-channel exchange of an R-parity violating scalar top quark ([Formula: see text]) in the e±μ∓ continuum using 2.1 fb-1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Data are found to be consistent with the expectation from the Standard Model backgrounds. Limits on R-parity-violating couplings at 95 % C.L. are calculated as a function of the scalar top mass ([Formula: see text]). The upper limits on the production cross section for pp→eμX, through the t-channel exchange of a scalar top quark, ranges from 170 fb for [Formula: see text] to 30 fb for [Formula: see text].

Solvent extraction of trivalent actinides with di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid

We carried out solvent extraction on the trivalent actinides of Am, Cm, Cf, and Fm and the lanthanides (except Pm) using di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) in benzene by a batch method. The extraction constants of the HDEHP complexes for these elements were determined systematically under identical conditions. The tetrad effect was clearly observed in the variation of the extraction constants of the lanthanide series. We found that the extraction constant for Fm(III) is much smaller than that for Dy(III), which have similar ionic radii. The extraction constants for Am(III), Cm(III), and Cf(III) are similar to those for corresponding Ln(III) having similar ionic radii. Two possibilities that account for the lower extraction constant of Fm(III) is suggested.

Sulfate complexation of element 104, Rf, in H2SO4/HNO3 mixed solution

The cation-exchange behavior of 261Rf (T 1/2= 78 s) produced in the 248Cm(18O, 5n) reaction was studied on a “one-atom-at-a-time” scale in 0.15–0.69 M H2SO4/HNO3 mixed solutions ([H+]=1.0 M) using an automated ion-exchange separation apparatus coupled with the detection system for alpha-spectroscopy (AIDA). It was found that adsorption probabilities ( decrease with an increase of [HSO4 −], showing a successive formation of Rf sulfate complexes. Rf exhibits a weaker complex formation tendency compared to the lighter homologues Zr and Hf. This is in good agreement with theoretical predictions including relativistic effects.

Characteristics of two fission modes

Characteristics of nuclear deformation properties at scission of two fission modes, symmetric and asymmetric, are reviewed. Existence of two kinds of scission configurations associated with the symmetric and asymmetric fission modes is pointed out: elongated and compact configurations. Each symmetric and asymmetric scission property is discussed in terms of shape elongation evaluated from fragment total kinetic energy (TKE). Fragment deformation at scission is also discussed based on neutron multiplicity data. From the systematic study of the scission properties in a wide range of actinide fission, the bimodal fission observed in spontaneous fission (SF) of the heavy actinides is interpreted as the result of the presence of the two fission paths of the ordinary asymmetric mode and a strongly shell-influenced symmetric one. The correlation between the fragment shell structures and the asymmetric mass-yield curves is described.

Extraction behavior of rutherfordium into tributylphosphate from hydrochloric acid

The extraction behavior of rutherfordium (Rf) into tributylphosphate (TBP) from hydrochloric acid (HCl) has been studied together with those of the lighter group-4 elements Zr and Hf. The extractability of261Rf,169Hf, and85Zr into TBP was investigated under identical conditions in 7.2–8.0 M HCl by on-line reversed-phase extraction chromatography. The percent extractions of Rf, Hf, and Zr into the TBP resin increase steeply with increasing HCl concentration, and the order of extraction is Zr > Hf ≈ Rf. By considering the order of chloride complexation among these elements, it is suggested that the stability of the TBP complex of Rf tetrachloride is lower than those of Zr and Hf.

Startup of transactinide chemistry in JAERI

The transactinide nuclides261Rf and262Db have been successfully produced in the248Cm(18O,5n) reaction at 99 MeV and in the248Cm(19F,5n) reaction at 100, 103, and 106 MeV, respectively, at the JAERI tandem accelerator. The on-line ion exchange experiments with an automated fast and repetitive liquid chromatography separation system were performed in the HNO3/HF system using Rf homologues89mZr and167,165Hf produced in the89Y(p,n) and152Gd(18O,xn) reactions, respectively. The radiotracers88Zr,175Hf, and234Th were also prepared and the distribution coefficients on ion exchange resins were measured systematically in 1-11 M HCl and 1-14 M HNO3with the batch method. It was found that anion exchange experiments of Rf in 8 M HNO3and 9 M HCl provided information useful to extract the ionic radius of Rf and to verify the influence of relativistic effects.

Chemical studies on rutherfordium (Rf) at JAERI

Chemical studies on element 104, rutherfordium (Rf), at JAERI (Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute) are reviewed. The transactinide nuclide261Rf has been produced in the reaction248Cm(18O, 5n) at the JAERI tandem accelerator with the production cross section of about 13 nb. On-line anion-exchange experiments on Rf together with the lighter homologues, group-4 elements Zr and Hf, in acidic solutions have been conducted with a rapid ion-exchange separation apparatus. From the systematic study of the anion-exchange behavior of Rf, it has been found that the properties of Rf in HCl and HNO3solutions are quite similar to those of Zr and Hf, definitely confirming that Rf is a member of the group-4 elements. However, we have observed an unexpected chemical behavior of Rf in HF solutions; the fluoride complex formation of Rf is significantly different from those of the homologues. Prospects of extending chemical studies on transactinide elements in the near future at JAERI are briefly considered.

The relevance of an elevation in the plasma vasopressin levels to the pathogenesis of Meniere's attack

An elevation of plasma vasopressin levels has been frequently observed in Meniere's disease patients. However, little is known regarding the mechanism behind this elevation. The plasma vasopressin levels and plasma osmolality were therefore determined in 18 diagnosed Meniere's disease patients and 20 patients with other types of vertigo, who required admission for severe vertigo attacks. All participants were given questionnaires regarding their clinical and psychological status, including their stress levels and depression status, to evaluate environmental stress events. The plasma vasopressin levels of Meniere's disease patients in the acute phase (4.1 +/- 1.37 pg/ml) were significantly higher compared with with those of other vertigo patients in the acute phase (2.1 +/- 0.41 pg/ml) (P < 0.01). The average plasma osmolality of the Meniere's disease group was higher than that of the other vertigo patients group (P < 0.05). No significant difference in reported stress levels, depression status and prevalence of primary headache between the groups was observed. The plasma vasopressin showed no significant correlation with the patients' clinical data (occurrence of emesis or nausea, prevalence of primary headache, depression status and stress). No correlation between the plasma vasopressin and the plasma osmolarity was observed in the Meniere's disease group. These results suggest that the elevation of plasma vasopressin in the acute phase of Meniere's disease is therefore related to the pathogenesis of Meniere's attacks, and the results obtained may provide helpful information for distinguishing between Meniere's disease and other various inner ear diseases.

Impaired parathyroid hormone response to hypocalcemic stimuli in a patient with hypomagnesemic hypocalcemia

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency sometimes causes hypocalcemia with impaired PTH secretion although the precise mechanism remains unclear. We examined the PTH secretion in response to physiological hypocalcemic stimuli in a patient with hypomagnesemic hypocalcemia. We adopted sodium bicarbonate infusion test, which we recently developed, to evaluate the PTH response to acute decrease in plasma ionized Ca. The results showed that, before Mg replacement and when the patient was mildly hypocalcemic, absolutely no PTH release to hypocalcemic stimuli was observed. In contrast, the plasma Ca was promptly normalized following the start of Mg replacement, and brisk PTH response to hypocalcemic stimuli was obtained during the same test carried out a week after the Mg replacement. The data in this case thus suggest that: a) the acute regulation of PTH release by plasma ionized Ca is lost in the patient with hypomagnesemic hypocalcemia, and b) Mg deficiency itself is likely to be a primary cause of this disorder because the hormone response was clearly restored after shortterm Mg replacement alone.

[A case of pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma that remitted after cessation of smoking]

A 43-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of productive cough and an abnormal chest radiograph. He had smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for 23 years. Chest radiograph on admission showed diffuse reticulo-linear infiltrates, most prominent in both upper lung fields. Chest HRCT scan showed multiple micronodules, cavitated nodules, and thick-walled cysts with ground-glass attenuation. These radiographic findings suggested pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma (PEG). Histological findings of the biopsy specimen obtained from video-assisted thoracoscopy demonstrated granulomatous lesions consisting of S-100 protein-positive Langerhans cells with infiltration of eosinophils and fibrous lesions (starfish-like fibrosis). A definitive diagnosis of PEG was made, and he immediately ceased smoking. The symptoms and radiographic findings markedly improved within 3 months after cessation of smoking. Chest HRCT on the final scan revealed that nodules and almost all cystic lesions vanished. He resumed smoking without any sign of recurrence.

Microarray analysis of a reversible model and an irreversible model of anti-Thy-1 nephritis

A single intravenous injection of anti-Thy-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1-22-3 is known to cause reversible mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. However, mAb 1-22-3 injection followed by unilateral nephrectomy leads to progressive glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial change with an irreversible course. To identify genes that play an important role in the irreversible progression of renal injury, we used microarray technology to identify differences in gene expression between these models. Rats were intravenously injected with mAb 1-22-3 1 week after unilateral nephrectomy (irreversible model) or a sham operation (reversible model), and rats were killed on days 4, 7, 14, 42, and 56 after the injection. complementary DNA probes prepared from kidney messenger RNAs were hybridized with oligonucleotide microarrays containing 4854 rat genes. The microarray identified 189 differentially expressed genes, having at least a two-fold difference in expression level between the two models, and they were classified into five clusters. One of the clusters consisted of genes whose expression was markedly upregulated in the irreversible model. This cluster included the genes encoding osteopontin, kidney injury molecule-1, and thymosin beta10. Increased expression of thymosin beta10 was localized mainly in macrophages in the fibrotic interstitium, and upregulation of thymosin beta10 expression was also observed in a unilateral ureteral obstruction model. The microarray analysis yielded information on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the difference in disease progression between the reversible and irreversible model of anti-Thy-1 nephritis. Thymosin beta10 may play an important role in the progression of kidney disease.

Experimental identification of spin-parities and single-particle configurations in 257No and its alpha-decay daughter 253Fm

alpha-gamma and alpha-electron coincidence spectroscopy for a short-lived heavy actinide nucleus (257)No (T(1/2) = 24.5 s) has been performed using a gas-jet transport system and an on-line isotope separator. Spin-parities of excited states in (253)Fm fed by the alpha decay of (257)No have been identified on the basis of the measured internal conversion coefficients. The nu3/2(+)[622] configuration has been assigned to the ground state of (257)No as well as to the 124.1 keV level in (253)Fm. It was found that the ground-state configuration of (257)No is different from that of lighter N = 155 isotones.

Calcium/calmodulin kinase IV pathway is involved in the transcriptional regulation of the corticotropin-releasing hormone gene promoter in neuronal cells

Although corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, the mechanism of CRH gene expression in the neuronal cell is not completely understood. In this study, we examined the transcriptional regulation of human CRH gene 5'-promoter, using a human BE(2)C neuroblastoma cell line expressing intrinsic CRH. In particular, we focused on the involvement of calmodulin kinases (CaMKs), which are known to play an important role in excitation-induced gene expression through the rise in intracellular calcium in the central nervous system. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the expression of CaMK as well as CRH mRNA in BE(2)C cells. When we introduced approximately 1.1 kb of the 5'-promoter region of the human CRH fused with luciferase reporter gene into the cells, a substantial transcriptional activity was observed, and this was further increased by the activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway. We then examined the effect of activation of CaMKs by introducing the expression vectors of each kinase, revealing a potent stimulatory effect of CaMKIV, but no effect of CaMKII. Depolarization of the cells caused an increase in CRH promoter activity, which was completely abolished by the treatment with the CaMK antagonist K252a. Interestingly, KCREB, a dominant negative form of CREB, antagonized the effect of the CaMKIV-mediated effect. Altogether, we conclude that not only the cAMP/PKA but also the calcium/CaMKIV signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of CRH gene expression. Furthermore, CREB is thought to be involved in CaMK- as well as cAMP/PKA-mediated CRH gene expression. Since the CRH gene is expressed in the neuronal cells of the hypothalamus, the calcium/CaMKIV signaling pathway may play an important role in the excitation-mediated regulation of CRH synthesis.