37 research outputs found
Higher-order modulations in the skyrmion-lattice phase of CuOSeO
Using small angle neutron scattering, we have investigated higher-order peaks
in the skyrmion-lattice phase of CuOSeO, in which two different
skyrmion lattices, SkX1 and SkX2, are known to form. For each skyrmion-lattice
phase, we observed two sets of symmetrically inequivalent peaks at the
higher-order-reflection positions with the indices and . Under
the condition where the SkX1 and SkX2 coexist, we confirmed the absence of the
scattering at positions combining reflections from the two phases,
indicating a significantly weak double-scattering component. Detailed analysis
of the peak profile, as well as the temperature and magnetic-field dependence
of the peak intensity, also supports the intrinsic higher-order modulation
rather than the parasitic double scattering. The two higher-order modulations
show contrasting magnetic-field dependence; the former increases as the
field is increased, whereas the latter decreases. This indicates that,
in CuOSeO, skyrmions are weakly distorted, and the distortion is
field-dependent in a way that the dominant higher-order modulation switches
from to under field. Monte Carlo simulations under sweeping
external magnetic field qualitatively reproduce the observed magnetic-field
dependence, and suggests that the higher-order modulations correspond to the
superlattices of weak swirlings appearing in the middle of the original
triangular-latticed skyrmions.Comment: 13 pages, 14 figure
Randomized trial of an intensified, multifactorial intervention in patients with advancedâstage diabetic kidney disease: Diabetic Nephropathy Remission and Regression Team Trial in Japan (DNETTâJapan)
Aims/Introduction
We evaluated the efficacy of multifactorial intensive treatment (IT) on renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and advancedâstage diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
Materials and Methods
The Diabetic Nephropathy Remission and Regression Team Trial in Japan (DNETTâJapan) is a multicenter, openâlabel, randomized controlled trial with a 5âyear followâup period. We randomly assigned 164 patients with advancedâstage diabetic kidney disease (urinary albuminâtoâcreatinine ratio â„300 mg/g creatinine, serum creatinine level 1.2â2.5 mg/dL in men and 1.0â2.5 mg/dL in women) to receive either IT or conventional treatment. The primary composite outcome was endâstage kidney failure, doubling of serum creatinine or death from any cause, which was assessed in the intentionâtoâtreat population.
Results
The IT tended to reduce the risk of primary endâpoints as compared with conventional treatment, but the difference between treatment groups did not reach the statistically significant level (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.43â1.11; P = 0.13). Meanwhile, the decrease in serum lowâdensity lipoprotein cholesterol level and the use of statin were significantly associated with the decrease in primary outcome (hazard ratio 1.14; 95% confidence interval 1.05â1.23, P
Conclusions
The risk of kidney events tended to decrease by IT, although it was not statistically significant. Lipid control using statin was associated with a lower risk of adverse kidney events. Further followâup study might show the effect of IT in patients with advanced diabetic kidney disease
Critical Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Complicated by Ventricular Septal Perforation
An 81-year-old woman was admitted with chest pain. An electrocardiogram demonstrated ST segment elevation in leads II, III and aVF, and echocardiography revealed left ventricular apical asynergy with a left-to-right ventricular shunt. Meanwhile, emergent coronary angiography showed no significant coronary artery stenosis, whereas left ventriculography indicated apical ballooning and a left-to-right ventricular shunt. We therefore diagnosed the patient with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by ventricular septal perforation and cardiogenic shock. An electrocardiogram disclosed a prolonged QT interval over time, and the patient became hemodynamically stable under treatment with inotropes; however, she suddenly developed fatal ventricular fibrillation three days after hospitalization. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by ventricular septal perforation is a critical condition that requires careful monitoring
Multicolor Flow Cytometric Analyses of CD4+ T Cell Responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Related Latent Antigens
Although IFN-Îł release assays (IÎłRAs) provide increased specificity over tuberculin skin tests, the early and sensitive detection of reactivation of latently infected Mycobacterium tuberculosis is required to control tuberculosis (TB). Recently, a multicolor flow cytometry has been developed to study CD4+ T cell cytokine responses (IFN-Îł/IL-2/TNF-a) to purified protein derivatives (PPD) and M. tuberculosis-specific antigens (ESAT-6/CFP-10) and provided useful information regarding anti-TB immunity. However, the diagnostic relevancy remains uncertain. Here, we analyzed three additional CD4+ T cell cytokine responses (IL-10/IL-13/IL-17) to latent mycobacterial antigens (a-crystallin, methylated heparin-binding hemagglutinin [HBHA], and mycobacterial DNA-binding protein 1 [MDP-1]) as well as PPD and ESAT-6/CFP-10 in 12 IGRA+ TB cases and 8 healthy controls. No significant difference in IFN-Îł response was observed between TB cases and controls, which was likely due to the high variation among the individuals. However, we found a significant increase over healthy controls in (i) the IL-2 response to HBHA in recovery stage TB cases, (ii) the number of M. tuberculosisspecific polyfunctional CD4+ T cells in on-treatment and recovery stage cases, and (iii) the IL-17 response to HBHA and MDP-1 in on-treatment and recovery stage cases. These results suggest that a combination of these T cell cytokine parameters could aid in accurate diagnosis of latent TB infection