Precise Measurement of Differential Cross Sections of the Σ

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

Observation of Coulomb-Assisted Nuclear Bound State of Ξ

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.

Evaluation of vascular anatomy for colon cancer located in the splenic flexure using the preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography with colonography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to reveal the vascular branching variation in SFC (splenic flexure cancer) patients using the preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography with colonography (3D-CTAC). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with SFC who underwent preoperative 3D-CTAC between January 2014 and December 2019. RESULTS: Among 1256 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, 96 (7.6%) manifested SFC. The arterial branching from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was classified into five patterns, as follows: (type 1A) the left branch of middle colic artery (LMCA) diverged from middle colic artery (MCA) (N = 47, 49.0%); (2A) the LMCA diverged from the MCA and the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) (N = 26, 27.1%); (3A) the LMCA independently diverged from the SMA (N = 16, 16.7%); (4A) the LMCA independently diverged from the SMA and AMCA (N = 3, 3.1%); (5A) only the AMCA and the LMCA was absent (N = 4, 4.1%). Venous drainage was classified into four patterns, as follows: (type 1V) the SFV flows into the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) then back to the splenic vein (N = 50, 52.1%); (2V) the SFV flows into the IMV then back to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) (N = 19, 19.8%); (type 3V) the SFV independently flows into the splenic vein (N = 3, 3.1%); (type 4V) the SFV is absent (N = 24, 25.0%). CONCLUSION: 3D-CTAC could reveal accurate preoperative tumor localization and vascular branching. These classifications should be helpful in performing accurate complete mesocolic excision and central vessel ligation for SFC.

A study of the association between seasonal influenza vaccines and the increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome using Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, 2018-2019.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and seasonal influenza vaccines using the United States Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we calculated the adjusted reporting odds ratio (ROR) of GBS cases associated with seasonal influenza vaccines administered from August 2018 to July 2019. Additionally, we analyzed the time-to-onset profile. The total number of adverse events reported following vaccination during this period was 43,235. Most of the GBS patients received a cell culture-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (42.2%), quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (26.6%), or high-dose trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (15.6%). The adjusted ROR of seasonal influenza vaccines for GBS was 3.44 (2.40-4.95). The adjusted ROR of sex (male) (as reference female) and 0.5-59 years (as reference ≥ 60 years) were 1.90 (0.73-4.95) and 1.57 (0.88-2.78). Male sex and advanced age were not risk factors for GBS. The median duration of GBS was 9.5 (4.0-21.5) days. GBS following seasonal influenza vaccination developed mainly within 14 days and 42 days at most. In sex-stratified analyses, the median durations of GBS in females and males were 12.0 (8.3-28.5) and 5.0 (3.0-15.5) days (P = 0.050). Therefore, our findings indicate that the incidence of GBS is associated with seasonal influenza vaccines, and careful monitoring of GBS is required for up to 42 days, especially in the first 14 days. Moreover, GBS may occur slightly earlier in males than in females.

Combined laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic total pelvic exenteration for local recurrence of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Transanal minimally invasive surgery is a combination of single-port surgery and transanal surgery and was initially developed as a treatment for rectal tumors. Recently, this approach has also been used for more advanced or extended pelvic surgery. METHODS: We present a surgical video of combined laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic total pelvic exenteration performed in a male patient with recurrent rectal cancer and discuss the pros and cons of this approach. RESULTS: The operating time was 775 min and the operative blood loss was 485 ml. The pathology was recurrent adenocarcinoma invading the prostate and urethra with negative surgical margins. The postoperative course was uneventful except for a urinary tract infection that was treated with antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: The transanal/perineal endoscopic approach may have some benefits for extended pelvic surgery for recurrent rectal cancer.

Dynamics of immunocyte activation during intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in Kawasaki disease.

Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis of early childhood. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the standard treatment for KD. However, IVIG is not effective in approximately 15% of children with KD, and the mechanisms for this are unclear. We investigated changes in monocyte and T-cell activation from pre- to post-IVIG in IVIG-effective and IVIG-resistant KD.Method: We analysed peripheral CD14+CD16+ cells and human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) expression on CD4+ and CD8+ cells in 46 children with KD who were admitted to Yamaguchi University Hospital between January 2011 and May 2016. We compared the kinetics in the absolute numbers of CD14+CD16+ cells, CD4+HLA-DR+ cells, and CD8+HLA-DR+ cells before and after IVIG treatment between IVIG-effective and IVIG-resistant groups.Results: Among the 46 subjects, 30 had IVIG-effective KD and 16 had IVIG-resistant KD. The absolute number of CD14+CD16+ cells in the IVIG-effective group decreased significantly after IVIG, while that in the IVIG-resistant group showed no change after IVIG. The absolute number of CD4+HLA-DR+ cells increased significantly after IVIG in both groups. The absolute number of CD8+HLA-DR+ cells before IVIG was low and significantly increased after IVIG in the IVIG-resistant group, while that in the IVIG-effective group showed no change after IVIG.Conclusions: Our results suggest that insufficient control of monocyte suppression and T-cell activation, especially in terms of the CD8-related immune system, are associated with IVIG resistance. The restoration of T-cell suppression may be important for KD recovery. These findings provide insight into the mechanism of IVIG resistance.

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

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.

Effects of competition and herbivory over woody seedling growth in a temperate woodland trump the effects of elevated CO2.

A trend of increasing woody plant density, or woody thickening, has been observed across grassland and woodland ecosystems globally. It has been proposed that increasing atmospheric [CO2] is a major driver of broad scale woody thickening, though few field-based experiments have tested this hypothesis. Our study utilises a Free Air CO2 Enrichment experiment to examine the effect of elevated [CO2] (eCO2) on three mechanisms that can cause woody thickening, namely (i) woody plant recruitment, (ii) seedling growth, and (iii) post-disturbance resprouting. The study took place in a eucalypt-dominated temperate grassy woodland. Annual assessments show that juvenile woody plant recruitment occurred over the first 3 years of CO2 fumigation, though eCO2 did not affect rates of recruitment. Manipulative experiments were established to examine the effect of eCO2 on above-ground seedling growth using transplanted Eucalyptus tereticornis (Myrtaceae) and Hakea sericea (Proteaceae) seedlings. There was no positive effect of eCO2 on biomass of either species following 12 months of exposure to treatments. Lignotubers (i.e., resprouting organs) of harvested E. tereticornis seedlings that were retained in situ for an additional year were used to examine resprouting response. The likelihood of resprouting and biomass of resprouts increased with lignotuber volume, which was not itself affected by eCO2. The presence of herbaceous competitors and defoliation by invertebrates and pathogens were found to greatly reduce growth and/or resprouting response of seedlings. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that future increases in atmospheric [CO2] will, by itself, promote woody plant recruitment in eucalypt-dominated temperate grassy woodlands.

Interference Effect between ϕ and Λ(1520) Production Channels in the γp→K

The ϕ-Λ(1520) interference effect in the γp→K^{+}K^{-}p reaction has been measured for the first time in the energy range from 1.673 to 2.173 GeV. The relative phases between ϕ and Λ(1520) production amplitudes were obtained in the kinematic region where the two resonances overlap. The measurement results support strong constructive interference when K^{+}K^{-} pairs are observed at forward angles but destructive interference for proton emission at forward angles. Furthermore, the observed interference effect does not account for the sqrt[s]=2.1 GeV bump structure in forward differential cross sections for ϕ photoproduction. This fact suggests possible exotic structures such as a hidden-strangeness pentaquark state, a new Pomeron exchange, or rescattering processes via other hyperon states.

Role of Quantum and Surface-State Effects in the Bulk Fermi-Level Position of Ultrathin Bi Films.

We performed high-resolution photon-energy and polarization-dependent ARPES measurements on ultrathin Bi(111) films [6-180 bilayers (BL), 2.5-70 nm thick] formed on Si(111). In addition to the extensively studied surface states (SSs), the edge of the bulk valence band was clearly measured by using S-polarized light. We found direct evidence that this valence band edge, which forms a hole pocket in the bulk Bi crystal, does not cross the Fermi level for the 180 BL thick film. This is consistent with the predicted semimetal-to-semiconductor transition due to the quantum-size effect [V.B. Sandomirskii, Sov. Phys. JETP 25, 101 (1967)]. However, it became metallic again when the film thickness was decreased (below 30 BL). A plausible explanation for this phenomenon is the modification of the charge neutrality condition due to the size effect of the SSs.

Two-Dimensional Superconductor with a Giant Rashba Effect: One-Atom-Layer Tl-Pb Compound on Si(111).

A one-atom-layer compound made of one monolayer of Tl and one-third monolayer of Pb on a Si(111) surface having √3×√3 periodicity was found to exhibit a giant Rashba-type spin splitting of metallic surface-state bands together with two-dimensional superconducting transport properties. Temperature-dependent angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy revealed an enhanced electron-phonon coupling for one of the spin-split bands. In situ micro-four-point-probe conductivity measurements with and without magnetic field demonstrated that the (Tl, Pb)/Si(111) system transformed into the superconducting state at 2.25 K, followed by the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless mechanism. The 2D Tl-Pb compound on Si(111) is believed to be the prototypical object for prospective studies of intriguing properties of the superconducting 2D system with lifted spin degeneracy, bearing in mind that its composition, atomic and electron band structures, and spin texture are already well established.

Observation of Spin-Dependent Charge Symmetry Breaking in ΛN Interaction: Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy of _{Λ}

The energy spacing between the spin-doublet bound state of _{Λ}^{4}He(1^{+},0^{+}) was determined to be 1406±2±2 keV, by measuring γ rays for the 1^{+}→0^{+} transition with a high efficiency germanium detector array in coincidence with the ^{4}He(K^{-},π^{-})_{Λ}^{4}He reaction at J-PARC. In comparison to the corresponding energy spacing in the mirror hypernucleus _{Λ}^{4}H, the present result clearly indicates the existence of charge symmetry breaking (CSB) in ΛN interaction. By combining the energy spacings with the known ground-state binding energies, it is also found that the CSB effect is large in the 0^{+} ground state but is vanishingly small in the 1^{+} excited state, demonstrating that the ΛN CSB interaction has spin dependence.

Acute pericardial effusion representing the TNF-α-mediated severe inflammation but not the coronary artery outcome of Kawasaki disease.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the optimal inflammation control of Kawasaki disease (KD), we investigated the clinical and pathophysiological basis of pericardial effusion (PE) during the acute phase of KD. METHOD: Clinical and laboratory features of Japanese KD children with PE (PE group: n = 9) and without PE (non-PE group: n = 89) were studied retrospectively by using the medical records. Serum levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFR1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). RESULTS: PE group patients had coronary artery lesions (CALs) more frequently than non-PE group patients during the acute phase of KD (33% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.024). PE patients also showed lower levels of haemoglobin (p < 0.01) and serum albumin (p < 0.01) and higher platelet counts (p = 0.013) than non-PE patients. The proportion of neurological symptoms, but not other manifestations, in the PE group was higher than in the non-PE group (p = 0.022). All patients survived free from coronary artery aneurisms. Serum levels of sTNFR1, but not the other cytokines, in the PE group were higher than those in the non-PE group (p < 0.001). The sTNFR1 levels correlated positively with C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.30, p = 0.019) or total bilirubin (r = 0.40, p < 0.01) levels. CONCLUSIONS: Acute PE in KD patients indicated the severity of TNF-mediated vascular inflammation and concurrent CALs. According to the progression, these patients might need more targeted therapy of anti-inflammation for a better coronary outcome.

Reconstruction of an acoustic pressure field in a resonance tube by particle image velocimetry.

A technique for estimating an acoustic field in a resonance tube is suggested. The estimation of an acoustic field in a resonance tube is important for the development of the thermoacoustic engine, and can be conducted employing two sensors to measure pressure. While this measurement technique is known as the two-sensor method, care needs to be taken with the location of pressure sensors when conducting pressure measurements. In the present study, particle image velocimetry (PIV) is employed instead of a pressure measurement by a sensor, and two-dimensional velocity vector images are extracted as sequential data from only a one- time recording made by a video camera of PIV. The spatial velocity amplitude is obtained from those images, and a pressure distribution is calculated from velocity amplitudes at two points by extending the equations derived for the two-sensor method. By means of this method, problems relating to the locations and calibrations of multiple pressure sensors are avoided. Furthermore, to verify the accuracy of the present method, the experiments are conducted employing the conventional two-sensor method and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). Then, results by the proposed method are compared with those obtained with the two-sensor method and LDV.

MicroRNA-1246 expression associated with CCNG2-mediated chemoresistance and stemness in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis because of its high refractoriness to chemotherapy and tumour recurrence, and these properties have been attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs). MicroRNA (miRNA) regulates various molecular mechanisms of cancer progression associated with CSCs. This study aimed to identify the candidate miRNA and to characterise the clinical significance. METHODS: We established gemcitabine-resistant Panc1 cells, and induced CSC-like properties through sphere formation. Candidate miRNAs were selected through microarray analysis. The overexpression and knockdown experiments were performed by evaluating the in vitro cell growth and in vivo tumourigenicity. The expression was studied in 24 pancreatic cancer samples after laser captured microdissection and by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The in vitro drug sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells was altered according to the miR-1246 expression via CCNG2. In vivo, we found that miR-1246 could increase tumour-initiating potential and induced drug resistance. A high expression level of miR-1246 was correlated with a worse prognosis and CCNG2 expression was significantly lower in those patients. CONCLUSIONS: miR-1246 expression was associated with chemoresistance and CSC-like properties via CCNG2, and could predict worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients.

CD10 as a novel marker of therapeutic resistance and cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for treatment failure. However, their identification and roles in resistance are not well established in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: Three HNSCC cell lines (FaDu, Detroit562 and BICR6) were treated with cisplatin or radiation. Cell surface antigens were analysed by LyoPlate, a novel cell surface antigen array. The expression levels of antigens highly expressed after treatments were further compared between cisplatin-resistant Detroit562 cells and its parental line. Association of the candidate antigen with CSCs properties, namely sphere formation and in vivo tumourigenicity, was also examined. RESULTS: CD10, CD15s, CD146 and CD282 were upregulated across the treated cell lines, while the increased expression of CD10 was prominent in the cisplatin-resistant cell line. Isolation mediated by FACS revealed that the CD10-positive subpopulation was more refractory to cisplatin, fluorouracil and radiation than the CD10-negative subpopulation. It also showed an increased ability to form spheres in vitro and tumours in vivo. Moreover, the CD10-positive subpopulation expressed the CSC marker OCT3/4 at a higher level than that in the CD10-negative subpopulation. CONCLUSIONS: CD10 is associated with therapeutic resistance and CSC-like properties of HNSCC. CD10 may serve as a target molecule in the treatment of refractory HNSCC.

Diagnostic value of computed tomography for staging of clinical T1 gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: T1 gastric cancer can be diagnosed only by endoscopy and is almost curable by local treatment. It has been unclear how a multidetector-row computed tomography (CT) evaluation is valuable for clinical T1 patients. METHODS: Patients with clinical T1 disease, as diagnosed by endoscopy and treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or surgery between October 2000 and October 2007, were examined. The efficacy of CT was evaluated by the reversal rate of endoscopic T1 by CT, the incidence of clinical M1 disease, and the accuracy of diagnosing pathological N+ disease in patients who received surgery. To confirm metachronous distant and nodal metastases, the disease-free survival (DFS) also was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 761 patients, 236 treated by ESD and 525 treated with surgery, were examined. None of the patients had an endoscopic diagnosis of clinical T1 reversed by CT. No clinical M1 disease was found. Among the 525 patients who underwent surgery, 8 showed clinical N+ disease (1.5 %), while 47 demonstrated pathological N+ disease (8.9 %). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values were 90.3, 4.3, 98.7, 25, and 91.3 %, respectively. The 5-year DFS rate was 93.6 % (95 % confidence interval 91.4-95.8 %). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that diagnostic value of CT is limited for staging of clinical T1 gastric cancer patients, because the reversal rate of endoscopic T1 by CT was very low, clinical M1 disease was rare, the diagnosis of N+ status was unreliable, and metachronous M1 and N+ findings were rare.

Incorporation of apical lymph node status into the seventh edition of the TNM classification improves prediction of prognosis in stage III colonic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The node classification outlined in the seventh edition of the TNM classification is based solely on the number of metastasized lymph nodes. This study examined the prognostic value of apical lymph node (ALN) metastasis and the additional value of incorporating ALN status into a risk model based on the seventh edition. METHODS: This was a cohort study of patients with stage III colonic cancer who underwent tumour resection with dissection of regional (including apical) lymph nodes at 71 hospitals across Japan between 2000 and 2002. The main exposure was pathologically confirmed ALN metastasis, and the primary endpoint was cancer-specific death. RESULTS: ALN metastasis was present in 113 (8·3 per cent) of 1355 patients. During 5356 patient-years of follow-up (median 5·0 years), 221 instances (16·3 per cent) of cancer-specific death were observed. After adjustment for tumour and node classification (as described in the seventh edition of the TNM classification) and other prognostic factors, ALN metastasis was found to be independently associated with cancer-specific death (hazard ratio 2·29, 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1·49 to 3·52). Incorporation of ALN metastasis into the prognostic model based on the seventh edition of the TNM classification significantly improved discriminative performance for cancer-specific death (difference in concordance index 0·0146, 95 per cent c.i. 0·0030 to 0·0262) and risk reclassification for cancer-specific death at 5 years (category-free net reclassification improvement 19·4 (95 per cent c.i. 5·0 to 33·4) per cent). CONCLUSION: Assessment of ALN metastasis provided independent prognostic information beyond that achievable with the seventh edition of the TNM classification in patients with stage III colonic cancer.