Evolution of giant monopole resonance with triaxial deformation

Background: The isoscalar giant monopole resonance (ISGMR) splits into two peaks in prolately deformed nuclei. When a nucleus is triaxially deformed, a peak appears in the middle between the two peaks. Purpose: We investigate the mechanism of the appearance of the middle peak in the ISGMR in triaxial nuclei. Method: We perform the constrained Skyrme-Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (CHFB) calculation for arbitrary triaxial shapes in $^{100}$Mo. We calculate the strength functions of the isoscalar monopole (ISM) and IS quadrupole modes on the CHFB states. Furthermore, we investigate vibrations of matter distributions in $x$, $y$, and $z$ directions induced by the external ISM field, with the $z$ axis being the longest axis of the triaxial shape. Results: The middle peak in the ISM strength evolves from the triaxial degree $\gamma=0^\circ$ to $60^\circ$. This is because the difference between the vibration in $x$ direction and that in $y$ direction is evident with an increase in $\gamma$ and the quadrupole $K=2$ component of the induced density of the ISM at the middle peak increases as $\gamma$ increases, where $K$ denotes the $z$ component of the angular momentum. This property is also obtained in the unperturbed ISM strength without the residual fields. Conclusions: The mixing between the monopole and quadrupole modes is primarily determined by the ground-state deformation. Therefore, the ISM strength of the middle peak becomes strong as the triaxial degree in the ground state increases.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

Usefulness of peripherally inserted central catheters

Introduction : Central venous catheter (CVC) use is essential for treating esophageal cancer. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are commonly used recently for improved patient comfort and safety. We compared centrally inserted central catheters (CICC) and PICC insertions and examined their safety. Methods : We retrospectively investigated complications at the catheter insertion and post-insertion for 199 patients’ esophageal cancer treatment (CICC : 45, PICC : 154) from 2013 to 2018. In addition, we summarized the results of catheter tip culture. Results : No serious complications occurred at the catheter insertion in either group. The rate of complications at catheter insertion was 5.8% for PICC and 6.7% for CICC patients. Post-insertion complications were observed in 6.5% and 11.1% of patients with PICC and CICC, respectively, and this difference was not significant. The incidence of catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) was significantly lower in PICC than CICC patients (0.3 vs. 1.8 / 1,000 catheter-days ; p = 0.029). Catheter-related thrombosis was observed in PICC : 0.5 and CICC : 0.6, and occlusion due to blood flow reversal was observed in PICC : 0.5 and CICC : 0.6. Conclusion : PICCs are safer and more effective than CICCs for the treatment of esophageal cancer, and reduce the incidence of CRBSI. We hope to standardize the insertion procedures, conventionalize techniques, and establish training systems

Functional Fv fragment of an antibody specific for CD28: Fv-mediated co-stimulation of T cells

AbstractThe most predominant co-stimulation pathway, which is critical for T cell activation and proliferation, is the CD28-B7 pathway. The anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody (mAb) also provides a co-stimulatory signal to T cells. In order to construct a functional Fv fragment (complex of VH and VL domains) of anti-CD28 antibody using a bacterial expression system, cDNA encoding the variable regions of immunoglobulin from 15E8 hybridoma cells was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The Fv fragment was obtained as a soluble protein from the periplasmic fraction and showed a binding pattern similar to parental IgG. The Fv fragment induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of anti-CD3 or anti-CD2 mAb and enhanced anti-tumor activity of anti-MUC1×anti-CD3 bispecific antibody when tested with lymphokine-activated killer cells with T cell phenotype. Thus, the anti-CD28 Fv fragment will be promising not only for the study of co-stimulation, but also for cancer immunotherapy

Morphology of F8T2/PC71BM Blend Film as Investigated by Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (STXM)

Clarification of the morphology of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) is indispensable for true comprehension of the organic solar cells. Here, we performed scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) for a poly-(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-bithiophene) (F8T2)/[6,6]-phenyl C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) blend film annealed at various temperatures (Tan). We found that the fullerene concentration within the polymer-rich domain decreases with Tan while the domain size (∼230 nm) is essentially unchanged. We will discuss the interrelation between the film morphology and the photovoltaic performance

Insulinoma with symptoms of suspected transient ischemic attack : A case report

We report the case of a６７-year-old woman who had symptoms suggestive of a transient ischemic attack（TIA）, such as lightheadedness and transient visual changes before meals for ４ months. She experienced altered consciousness before lunch and was taken to the emergency room２weeks ago. She had repeated hypoglycemia with a blood glucose level of ３１ mg/dL. Insulin secretion was not suppressed, with an immunoreactive insulin level of １４．０ μU/mL and connecting peptide immunoreactivity of １．８３ ng/mL for occasional blood glucose levels of ４９ mg/dL. Dynamic CT revealed a １７‐mm mass enhanced during the arterial phase in the pancreatic uncinate process, suggestive of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. A selective arterial secretagogue（calcium）injection test revealed the localization of insulinoma in the head of the pancreas. Therefore, pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Hyperglycemia occurred after the surgery, and it was judged that the insulinoma was resected. This case showed TIA-like symptoms without signs of sympathetic overdrive associated with hypoglycemia. Thus, the diagnosis was delayed. Insulinoma may present with symptoms of neuroglycopenia but not autonomic activity due to hypoglycemia. Insulinoma should be distinguished in patients with unknown neurological symptoms since neuroglycopenia caused by insulinoma is diverse

SP7 Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation at a Late Stage in Mice

RUNX2 and SP7 are essential transcription factors for osteoblast differentiation at an early stage. Although RUNX2 inhibits osteoblast differentiation at a late stage, the function of SP7 at the late stage of osteoblast differentiation is not fully elucidated. Thus, we pursued the function of SP7 in osteoblast differentiation. RUNX2 induced Sp7 expression in Runx2−/− calvarial cells. Adenoviral transfer of sh-Sp7 into primary osteoblasts reduced the expression of Alpl, Col1a1, and Bglap2 and mineralization, whereas that of Sp7 reduced Bglap2 expression and mineralization at a late stage of osteoblast differentiation. Sp7 transgenic mice under the control of 2.3 kb Col1a1 promoter showed osteopenia and woven-bone like structure in the cortical bone, which was thin and less mineralized, in a dose-dependent manner. Further, the number of processes in the osteoblasts and osteocytes was reduced. Although the osteoblast density was increased, the bone formation was reduced. The frequency of BrdU incorporation was increased in the osteoblastic cells, while the expression of Col1a1, Spp1, Ibsp, and Bglap2 was reduced. Further, the osteopenia in Sp7 or Runx2 transgenic mice was worsened in Sp7/Runx2 double transgenic mice and the expression of Col1a1 and Bglap2 was reduced. The expression of Sp7 and Runx2 was not increased in Runx2 and Sp7 transgenic mice, respectively. The expression of endogenous Sp7 was increased in Sp7 transgenic mice and Sp7-transduced cells; the introduction of Sp7 activated and sh-Sp7 inhibited Sp7 promoter; and ChIP assay showed the binding of endogenous SP7 in the proximal region of Sp7 promoter. These findings suggest that SP7 and RUNX2 inhibit osteoblast differentiation at a late stage in a manner independent of RUNX2 and SP7, respectively, and SP7 positively regulates its own promoter