Magicity versus Superfluidity around

The neutron-rich unbound fluorine isotope ^{30}F_{21} has been observed for the first time by measuring its neutron decay at the SAMURAI spectrometer (RIBF, RIKEN) in the quasifree proton knockout reaction of ^{31}Ne nuclei at 235 MeV/nucleon. The mass and thus one-neutron-separation energy of ^{30}F has been determined to be S_{n}=-472±58(stat)±33(sys) keV from the measurement of its invariant-mass spectrum. The absence of a sharp drop in S_{n}(^{30}F) shows that the "magic" N=20 shell gap is not restored close to ^{28}O, which is in agreement with our shell-model calculations that predict a near degeneracy between the neutron d and fp orbitals, with the 1p_{3/2} and 1p_{1/2} orbitals becoming more bound than the 0f_{7/2} one. This degeneracy and reordering of orbitals has two potential consequences: ^{28}O behaves like a strongly superfluid nucleus with neutron pairs scattering across shells, and both ^{29,31}F appear to be good two-neutron halo-nucleus candidates.

First observation of 28O.

Subjecting a physical system to extreme conditions is one of the means often used to obtain a better understanding and deeper insight into its organization and structure. In the case of the atomic nucleus, one such approach is to investigate isotopes that have very different neutron-to-proton (N/Z) ratios than in stable nuclei. Light, neutron-rich isotopes exhibit the most asymmetric N/Z ratios and those lying beyond the limits of binding, which undergo spontaneous neutron emission and exist only as very short-lived resonances (about 10-21 s), provide the most stringent tests of modern nuclear-structure theories. Here we report on the first observation of 28O and 27O through their decay into 24O and four and three neutrons, respectively. The 28O nucleus is of particular interest as, with the Z = 8 and N = 20 magic numbers1,2, it is expected in the standard shell-model picture of nuclear structure to be one of a relatively small number of so-called 'doubly magic' nuclei. Both 27O and 28O were found to exist as narrow, low-lying resonances and their decay energies are compared here to the results of sophisticated theoretical modelling, including a large-scale shell-model calculation and a newly developed statistical approach. In both cases, the underlying nuclear interactions were derived from effective field theories of quantum chromodynamics. Finally, it is shown that the cross-section for the production of 28O from a 29F beam is consistent with it not exhibiting a closed N = 20 shell structure.

Observation of a correlated free four-neutron system.

A long-standing question in nuclear physics is whether chargeless nuclear systems can exist. To our knowledge, only neutron stars represent near-pure neutron systems, where neutrons are squeezed together by the gravitational force to very high densities. The experimental search for isolated multi-neutron systems has been an ongoing quest for several decades1, with a particular focus on the four-neutron system called the tetraneutron, resulting in only a few indications of its existence so far2-4, leaving the tetraneutron an elusive nuclear system for six decades. Here we report on the observation of a resonance-like structure near threshold in the four-neutron system that is consistent with a quasi-bound tetraneutron state existing for a very short time. The measured energy and width of this state provide a key benchmark for our understanding of the nuclear force. The use of an experimental approach based on a knockout reaction at large momentum transfer with a radioactive high-energy 8He beam was key.

Extending the Southern Shore of the Island of Inversion to

Detailed spectroscopy of the neutron-unbound nucleus ^{28}F has been performed for the first time following proton/neutron removal from ^{29}Ne/^{29}F beams at energies around 230 MeV/nucleon. The invariant-mass spectra were reconstructed for both the ^{27}F^{(*)}+n and ^{26}F^{(*)}+2n coincidences and revealed a series of well-defined resonances. A near-threshold state was observed in both reactions and is identified as the ^{28}F ground state, with S_{n}(^{28}F)=-199(6) keV, while analysis of the 2n decay channel allowed a considerably improved S_{n}(^{27}F)=1620(60) keV to be deduced. Comparison with shell-model predictions and eikonal-model reaction calculations have allowed spin-parity assignments to be proposed for some of the lower-lying levels of ^{28}F. Importantly, in the case of the ground state, the reconstructed ^{27}F+n momentum distribution following neutron removal from ^{29}F indicates that it arises mainly from the 1p_{3/2} neutron intruder configuration. This demonstrates that the island of inversion around N=20 includes ^{28}F, and most probably ^{29}F, and suggests that ^{28}O is not doubly magic.

Centripetal Propagation of Vasoconstriction at the Time of Headache Resolution in Patients with Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is characterized by thunderclap headache and diffuse segmental vasoconstriction that resolves spontaneously within 3 months. Previous reports have proposed that vasoconstriction first involves small distal arteries and then progresses toward major vessels at the time of thunderclap headache remission. The purpose of this study was to confirm centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction on MRA at the time of thunderclap headache remission compared with MRA at the time of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome onset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 39 patients diagnosed with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome at our hospital during the study period, participants comprised the 16 patients who underwent MR imaging, including MRA, within 72 hours of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome onset (initial MRA) and within 48 hours of thunderclap headache remission. RESULTS: In 14 of the 16 patients (87.5%), centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction occurred from the initial MRA to remission of thunderclap headache, with typical segmental vasoconstriction of major vessels. These mainly involved the M1 portion of the MCA (10 cases), P1 portion of the posterior cerebral artery (10 cases), and A1 portion of the anterior cerebral artery (5 cases). CONCLUSIONS: This study found evidence of centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction on MRA obtained at the time of thunderclap headache remission, compared with MRA obtained at the time of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome onset. If clinicians remain unsure of the diagnosis during early-stage reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, this time point represents the best opportunity to diagnose reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome with confidence.

Differences between Mitiglinide/Voglibose Fixed-dose Combination and Glimepiride in Modifying Low-density Lipoprotein Heterogeneity in Japanese Type-2 Diabetic Patients: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of mitiglinide/voglibose fixed-dose combination and glimepiride on low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-heterogeneity in type-2 diabetic patients with unstable glycemic control after treatment with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. METHODS: This was an open-label pilot study in which type-2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to the mitiglinide/voglibose (fixed-dose combination of mitiglinide 10 mg and voglibose 0.2 mg, n=14) or glimepiride (0.5 mg, n=16). RESULTS: In the glimepiride group, serum LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and small-dense (sd) LDL levels decreased significantly (-8.5% and -9.0%), while sd-LDL/LDL-C and an indicator of LDL-particle size, LDL-C/apoB, did not change significantly. In the mitiglinide/voglibose group, serum LDL-C levels did not change, while sd-LDL levels and sd-LDL/LDL-C decreased significantly (-8.6% and -7.9%) and LDL-C/apoB increased significantly (5.8%). Fasting blood glucose levels tended to be reduced to a greater extent in the glimepiride group than in the mitiglinide/voglibose group (-13.9% vs. -8.4%, p=0.08), while the rate of reduction of HbA1c levels tended to be higher in the mitiglinide/voglibose group than in the glimepiride group (-6.9% vs. -3.4%, p=0.09), suggesting differences in fluctuating blood glucose levels between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: There were differences in the effects of mitiglinide/voglibose fixed-dose combination and glimepiride in addition to DPP-4 inhibitors on LDL-metabolism, and this may be related to fluctuations in blood glucose levels after treatment with these agents.

Neuroradiologic Diagnosis of Minor Leak prior to Major SAH: Diagnosis by T1-FLAIR Mismatch.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In major SAH, the only method to diagnose a preceding minor leak is to ascertain the presence of a warning headache by interview; however, poor clinical condition and recall bias can cause inaccuracy. We devised a neuroradiologic method to diagnose previous minor leak in patients with SAH and attempted to determine whether warning (sentinel) headaches were associated with minor leaks before major SAH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 127 patients who were admitted with SAH within 48 hours of ictus. Previous minor leak before major SAH was defined as T1WI-detected clearly bright hyperintense subarachnoid blood accompanied by SAH blood on FLAIR images that was distributed over a larger area than bright hyperintense subarachnoid blood on T1WI (T1-FLAIR mismatch). RESULTS: The incidence of warning headache before SAH was 11.0% (14 of 127 patients, determined by interview). The incidence of T1-FLAIR mismatch (neuroradiologic diagnosis of minor leak before major SAH) was 33.9% (43 of 127 patients). Of the 14 patients with warning headache, 13 had a minor leak diagnosed by T1-FLAIR mismatch at the time of admission. Variables identified by multivariate analysis as significantly associated with minor leak diagnosed by T1-FLAIR mismatch included 80 years of age or older, rebleeding after admission, intracerebral hemorrhage on CT, and mRS scores of 3-6. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that warning headaches diagnosed by interview are not a product of recall bias but are the result of actual leaks from aneurysms.

Cryptococcal necrotizing fasciitis in a patient after renal transplantation--a case report.

A 50-year-old man, who had received an ABO-incompatible living related preemptive renal transplantation 1 year before, presented with painful lesions on both lower extremities and fever. At first, bacterial cellulitis was suspected and antibiotic therapy was initiated, but it was not effective. The serum cryptococcal antigen titer was 1:4,098, and pathologic examination of debrided tissue and wound pus culture revealed cryptococcal necrotizing fasciitis. Liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole were started, and repeated debridement and skin grafting were performed. Because his graft function deteriorated because of antibody-mediated rejection and polyoma viral nephropathy, hemodialysis was induced on day 9 of hospitalization. During the treatment, he suffered repeated urinary tract infections, which were treated with antibiotics, and cytomegalovirus retinopathy, which was treated with ganciclovir. His cryptococcal necrotizing fasciitis was successfully cured by the combination of antimicrobial treatment and surgical procedures. He could walk with a cane and was discharged on day 298 of hospitalization. Cryptococcal necrotizing fasciitis in renal transplant recipients is so rare that only 14 cases have been reported. The mortality is not very high, but the prognosis of the patient is complicated by worsening of the cryptococcal infection of the central nervous system (CNS). Early detection and treatment to prevent spreading to other sites, especially the CNS or disseminated disease, is very important in cases of cryptococcal necrotizing fasciitis.

Rebamipide attenuates nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) induced lipid peroxidation by the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) overexpression in gastrointestinal epithelial cells.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) often cause gastrointestinal complications such as gastric ulcers and erosions. Recent studies on the pathogenesis have revealed that NSAIDs induce lipid peroxidation in gastric epithelial cells by generating superoxide anion in mitochondria, independently with cyclooxygenase-inhibition and the subsequent prostaglandin deficiency. Although not clearly elucidated, the impairment of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, or uncoupling, by NSAIDs is associated with the generation of superoxide anion. Physiologically, superoxide is immediately transformed into hydrogen peroxide and diatomic oxygen with manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Rebamipide is an antiulcer agent that showed protective effects against NSAID-induced lipid peroxidation in gastrointestinal tracts. We hypothesized that rebamipide may attenuate lipid peroxidation by increasing the expression of MnSOD protein in mitochondria and decreasing the leakage of superoxide anion in NSAID-treated gastric and small intestinal epithelial cells. Firstly, to examine rebamipide increases the expression of MnSOD proteins in mitochondria of gastrointestinal epithelial cells, we underwent Western blotting analysis against anti-MnSOD antibody in gastric RGM1 cells and small intestinal IEC6 cells. Secondly, to examine whether the pretreatment of rebamipide decreases NSAID-induced mitochondrial impairment and lipid peroxidation, we treated these cells with NSAIDs with or without rebamipide pretreatment, and examined with specific fluorescent indicators. Finally, to examine whether pretreatment of rebamipide attenuates NSAID-induced superoxide anion leakage from mitochondria, we examined the mitochondria from indomethacin-treated RGM1 cells with electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy using a specific spin-trapping reagent, CYPMPO. Rebamipide increased the expression of MnSOD protein, and attenuated NSAID-induced mitochondrial impairment and lipid peroxidation in RGM1 and IEC6 cells. The pretreatment of rebamipide significantly decreased the signal intensity of superoxide anion from the mitochondria. We conclude that rebamipide attenuates lipid peroxidation by increasing the expression of MnSOD protein and decreasing superoxide anion leakage from mitochondria in both gastric and small intestinal epithelial cells.

Promotion of beta-cell differentiation by the alkaloid conophylline in porcine pancreatic endocrine cells.

We previously found that conophylline, an alkaloid isolated from the leaves of Ervatamia microphylla, induced beta-cell differentiation in rat pancreatic acinar carcinoma cells and in cultured fetal rat pancreatic tissue and that it also decreased the blood glucose level in streptozotocin-treated fetal rats. In the present research, we looked into the effect of conophylline on the differentiation of newborn pig pancreatic endocrine cells into insulin-secreting cells. Conophylline potentiated the differentiation of monolayer cells into insulin-producing cells in the presence of nicotinamide in 3 weeks. Next we prepared islet-like cell clusters (ICC). Cononophylline together with nicotinamide also increased the number of insulin-producing cells and the insulin content in ICC in 3-6 weeks. The ICC thus prepared were sensitive to the glucose concentration for the insulin secretion. Conophylline increased the mRNA expression of PDX-1, neurogenin3, neuroD/Beta2, and insulin in ICC. Thus, the vinca alkaloid conophylline potentiated beta-cell differentiation in porcine pancreatic endocrine-rich cells in cluster cultures. Pig pancreatic cells are practical candidate for use in transplantation therapy. Conophylline may thus be useful for the large-scale preparation of porcine insulin-producing cells for the regeneration therapy of type-1 diabetes mellitus.

Isoflavone supplements stimulated the production of serum equol and decreased the serum dihydrotestosterone levels in healthy male volunteers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing healthy men with soy isoflavones on the serum levels of sex hormones implicated in prostate cancer development. A total of 28 Japanese healthy volunteers (18 equol producers and 10 equol non-producers) between 30 and 59 years of age were given soy isoflavones (60 mg daily) supplements for 3 months, and the changes in their sex hormone levels were investigated at the baseline and after administration. The serum and urine concentrations of daidzein, genistein, and the levels of equol in the fasting blood samples and 24-h stored urine samples were also measured. All 28 volunteers completed the 3-month supplementation with isoflavone. No changes in the serum levels of estradiol and total testosterone were detected after 3-month supplementation. The serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin significantly increased, and the serum levels of free testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) decreased significantly after 3-month supplementation. Among the 10 equol non-producers, equol became detectable in the serum of two healthy volunteers after 3-month supplementation. This study revealed that short-term administration of soy isoflavones stimulated the production of serum equol and decreased the serum DHT level in Japanese healthy volunteers. These results suggest the possibility of converting equol non-producers to producers by prolonged and consistent soy isoflavones consumption.

Efficacy and safety of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (ART-123) in disseminated intravascular coagulation: results of a phase III, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Soluble thrombomodulin is a promising therapeutic natural anticoagulant that is comparable to antithrombin, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and activated protein C. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group trial to compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (ART-123) to those of low-dose heparin for the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with hematologic malignancy or infection. METHODS: DIC patients (n = 234) were assigned to receive ART-123 (0.06 mg kg(-1) for 30 min, once daily) or heparin sodium (8 U kg(-1) h(-1) for 24 h) for 6 days, using a double-dummy method. The primary efficacy endpoint was DIC resolution rate. The secondary endpoints included clinical course of bleeding symptoms and mortality rate at 28 days. RESULTS: DIC was resolved in 66.1% of the ART-123 group, as compared with 49.9% of the heparin group [difference 16.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3-29.1]. Patients in the ART-123 group also showed more marked improvement in clinical course of bleeding symptoms (P = 0.0271). The incidence of bleeding-related adverse events up to 7 days after the start of infusion was lower in the ART-123 group than in the heparin group (43.1% vs. 56.5%, P = 0.0487). CONCLUSIONS: When compared with heparin therapy, ART-123 therapy more significantly improves DIC and alleviates bleeding symptoms in DIC patients.

Effect of spontaneous exercise on antioxidant capacity in rat muscles determined by electron spin resonance.

AIMS: The effect of physical activity on antioxidant capacity in muscle remains unknown. This study investigated the effect of spontaneous exercise on antioxidant capacity in rat muscles determined by electron spin resonance (ESR), which is a technique for the direct detection of free radicals. METHODS: Ten-week-old male Wistar rats were housed individually in cages with a running wheel. Rats were classified as high activity (HA), middle activity (MA) or low activity group (LA), based on an assessment of running distance covered over a 23-week period. After 23 weeks of housing, soleus (Sol), plantaris (Pl), gastrocnemius [deep/surface portions (GasD/GasS)] and heart (Hrt) muscles were isolated, and scavenging activity against superoxide anions (O(2)(*-)) and hydroxyl radicals (HO(*)) was determined by ESR using a spin-trap chemical. The citrate synthase (CS) activity was used as a marker of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity. RESULTS: Among the parameters measured, only O(2)(*-) scavenging activity in GasD significantly correlated with the running distance. The highest scavenging activity was observed in Hrt of HA rats. The O(2)(*-) scavenging activity in Pl of MA rats was significantly higher than that of LA rats. The O(2)(*-) scavenging activity of Sol and GasS was not significantly different between the three groups. Furthermore, the HO(*) scavenging activity of any muscle specimens was similar among the three groups and did not correlate with running distance at all. CS activity did not significantly differ between the three groups. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that O(2)(*-) scavenging activity in specific types of muscle tissues would increase especially in spontaneously active animals. However, HO(*) scavenging activity would not.

Stimulation of primary motor cortex for intractable deafferentation pain.

To treat intractable deafferentation pains, we prefer stimulation of the primary motor cortex (M1). The methods of stimulation we utilize are electrical stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). In our department, we first attempt rTMS, and if this rTMS is effective, we recommend the patient to undergo procedures for motor cortex stimulation (MCS). A 90% intensity of resting motor threshold setting is used for rTMS treatment. In this study ten trains of 5 Hz rTMS for 10 seconds (50 seconds resting interval) were applied to the M1, S1, pre-motor and supplementary motor areas. Only M1 stimulation was effective for pain reduction in 10 of 20 patients (50%). Twenty-nine MCS procedures were performed by subdural implantation of electrodes, and in the case of hand or face pain, electrodes were implanted within the central sulcus (11 cases), because the main part of M1 is located in the central sulcus in humans. The success rate of MCS was around 63%, and seemed to be higher in cases of pain with spinal cord and peripheral origins, while it was lower in cases of post-stroke pain.