Can Gravitational Waves Prevent Inflation?

To investigate the cosmic no hair conjecture, we analyze numerically 1-dimensional plane symmetrical inhomogeneities due to gravitational waves in vacuum spacetimes with a positive cosmological constant. Assuming periodic gravitational pulse waves initially, we study the time evolution of those waves and the nature of their collisions. As measures of inhomogeneity on each hypersurface, we use the 3-dimensional Riemann invariant ${\cal I}\equiv {}~^{(3)\!}R_{ijkl}~^{(3)\!}R^{ijkl}$ and the electric and magnetic parts of the Weyl tensor. We find a temporal growth of the curvature in the waves' collision region, but the overall expansion of the universe later overcomes this effect. No singularity appears and the result is a ``no hair" de Sitter spacetime. The waves we study have amplitudes between $0.020\Lambda \leq {\cal I}^{1/2} \leq 125.0\Lambda$ and widths between $0.080l_H \leq l \leq 2.5l_H$, where $l_H=(\Lambda/3)^{-1/2}$, the horizon scale of de Sitter spacetime. This supports the cosmic no hair conjecture.Comment: LaTeX, 11 pages, 3 figures are available on request <To [email protected] (Hisa-aki SHINKAI)>, WU-AP/29/9

Novel protein extraction approach using micro-sized chamber for evaluation of proteins eluted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections

We describe a novel antigen-retrieval method using a micro-sized chamber for mass spectrometry (MS) analysis to identify proteins that are preferentially eluted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. This approach revealed that heat-induced antigen retrieval (HIAR) from an FFPE sample fixed on a glass slide not only improves protein identification, but also facilitates preferential elution of protein subsets corresponding to the properties of antigen-retrieval buffers. Our approach may contribute to an understanding of the mechanism of HIAR

Cut-Off Value of Total Adiponectin

Aim To determine the optimal cut-off value of serum total adiponectin for managing the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) in male Japanese workers. Methods A total of 365 subjects without MetS aged 20–60 years were followed up prospectively for a mean of 3.1 years. The accelerated failure-time model was used to estimate time ratio (TR) and cut-off value for developing MetS. Results During follow-up, 45 subjects developed MetS. Age-adjusted TR significantly declined with decreasing total adiponectin level (≤ 4.9, 5.0–6.6, 6.7–8.8 and ≥ 8.9 μg/ml, P for trend = 0.003). In multivariate analyses, TR of MetS was 0.12 (95% CI 0.02–0.78; P = 0.03) in subjects with total adiponectin level of 5.0–6.6 μg/ml, and 0.15 (95% CI 0.02–0.97; P = 0.047) in subjects with total adiponectin level ≤ 4.9 μg/ml compared with those with total adiponectin level ≥ 8.9 μg/ml. The accelerated failure-time model showed that the optimal cut-off value of total adiponectin for managing the risk of developing MetS was 6.2 μg/ml. In the multivariate-adjusted model, the mean time to the development of MetS was 78% shorter for total adiponectin level ≤ 6.2 μg/ml compared with > 6.2 μg/ml (TR 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08–0.64, P = 0.005). Conclusion Our findings suggest that the cut-off value for managing the risk of developing MetS is 6.2 μg/ml in male Japanese workers. Subjects with total adiponectin level ≤ 6.2 μg/ml developed MetS more rapidly than did those with total adiponectin level > 6.2 μg/ml

Diagnostic Value of DCE-MRI for Differentiating Malignant Adnexal Masses Compared with Contrast-enhanced-T1WI

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic performance of dynamic contrast-enhanced-MR (DCE-MR) and delayed contrast-enhanced (CE)-MRI added to unenhanced MRI, including diffusion weighted image (DWI) for differentiating malignant adnexal tumors, conducting a retrospective blinded image interpretation study. Methods: Data of 80 patients suspected of having adnexal tumors by ultrasonography between April 2008 and August 2018 were used for the study. All patients had undergone preoperative MRI and surgical resection at our institution. Four radiologists (two specialized in gynecological radiology and two non-specialized) were enrolled for blinded review of the MR images. A 3-point scale was used: 0 = benign, 1 = indeterminate, and 2 = malignant. Three imaging sets were reviewed: Set A, unenhanced MRI including DWI; Set B, Set A and delayed CE-T1WI; and Set C, Set A and DCE-MRI. Imaging criteria for benign and malignant tumors were given in earlier reports. The diagnostic performance of the three imaging sets of the four readers was calculated. Their areas under the curve (AUCs) were compared using the DeLong method. Results: Accuracies of Set B were 81%–88%. Those of Set C were 81%–85%. The AUCs of Set B were 0.83 and 0.89. Those of Set C were 0.81–0.86. For two readers, Set A showed lower accuracy and AUC than Set B/Set C (less than 0.80), although those were equivalent in other readers. No significant difference in AUCs was found among the three sequence sets. Intrareader agreement was moderate to almost perfect in Sets A and B, and substantial to almost perfect in Set C. Conclusion: DCE-MR showed no superiority for differentiating malignant adnexal tumors from benign tumors compared to delayed CE-T1WI with conventional MR and DWI

Distinct effects of anterior pyriform cortex and the lateral hypothalamus lesions on protein intake in rats

Several specific locations in brain, including pyriform cortex and hypothalamus, are associated with regulation of food intake. Although lesions of these locations significantly alter food intake, their involvement in the selection of macronutrients is not well characterized. In this study, we examined distinct effects of anterior pyriform cortex (APC) and lateral hypothalamus (LH) lesions on protein intake in rats. The APC or LH of male adult rats were lesioned by treatment with kainic acid, and the rats were then given free access to two kinds of casein diets containing high (60%) and low (5%) protein. Total energy content of these diets was kept constant by changing the carbohydrate content. Following the APC lesions, body weight and food intake decreased, but returned to control levels on day 13 and day 4, respectively. APC lesions did not change the ratio of protein intake. In contrast, LH lesions disturbed body weight gain and the selection of a high protein diet for at least two weeks, although food intake returned to control levels by day 2. Our results suggest that LH, but not APC, may play an important role in the selection of protein intake in rats

Prevalence and predictors of direct discharge home following hospitalization of patients with serious adverse events managed by the rapid response system in Japan: a multicenter, retrospective, observational study

Aim: The rapid response system (RRS) is an in-hospital medical safety system. To date, not much is known about patient disposition after RRS activation, especially discharge home. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of patients with adverse events who required RRS activation. Methods: Retrospective data from the In-Hospital Emergency Registry in Japan collected from April 2016 to November 2020 were eligible for our analysis. We divided patients into Home Discharge, Transfer, and Death groups. The primary outcome was the prevalence of direct discharge home, and independently associated factors were determined using multivariable logistic regression. Results: We enrolled 2,043 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of discharge home was 45.7%; 934 patients were included in the Home Discharge group. Age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-0.97), malignancy (AOR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48-0.99), oxygen administration before RRS (AOR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.36-0.66), cerebral performance category score on admission (AOR 0.38; 95% CI, 0.26-0.56), do not attempt resuscitation order before RRS (AOR 0.17; 95% CI, 0.10-0.29), RRS call for respiratory failure (AOR 0.50; 95% CI, 0.34-0.72), RRS call for stroke (AOR 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03-0.37), and intubation (AOR 0.20; 95% CI, 0.12-0.34) were independently negative, and RRS call for anaphylaxis (AOR 15.3; 95% CI, 2.72-86.3) was positively associated with discharge home. Conclusion: Less than half of the in-hospital patients under RRS activation could discharge home. Patients' conditions before RRS activation, disorders requiring RRS activation, and intubation were factors that affected direct discharge home

Characterisation of Ppy-lineage cells clarifies the functional heterogeneity of pancreatic beta cells in mice

Aims/hypothesis Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells, which secrete PP (encoded by the Ppy gene), are a minor population of pancreatic endocrine cells. Although it has been reported that the loss of beta cell identity might be associated with beta-to-PP cell-fate conversion, at present, little is known regarding the characteristics of Ppy-lineage cells. Methods We used Ppy-Cre driver mice and a PP-specific monoclonal antibody to investigate the association between Ppy-lineage cells and beta cells. The molecular profiles of endocrine cells were investigated by single-cell transcriptome analysis and the glucose responsiveness of beta cells was assessed by Ca2+ imaging. Diabetic conditions were experimentally induced in mice by either streptozotocin or diphtheria toxin. Results Ppy-lineage cells were found to contribute to the four major types of endocrine cells, including beta cells. Ppy-lineage beta cells are a minor subpopulation, accounting for 12–15% of total beta cells, and are mostly (81.2%) localised at the islet periphery. Unbiased single-cell analysis with a Ppy-lineage tracer demonstrated that beta cells are composed of seven clusters, which are categorised into two groups (i.e. Ppy-lineage and non-Ppy-lineage beta cells). These subpopulations of beta cells demonstrated distinct characteristics regarding their functionality and gene expression profiles. Ppy-lineage beta cells had a reduced glucose-stimulated Ca2+ signalling response and were increased in number in experimental diabetes models. Conclusions/interpretation Our results indicate that an unexpected degree of beta cell heterogeneity is defined by Ppy gene activation, providing valuable insight into the homeostatic regulation of pancreatic islets and future therapeutic strategies against diabetes

Reproductive performance of repeat breeders in dairy herds

The objectives were to characterize repeat breeding in dairy cows, including reproductive performance and risk factors. Data\ud from 613 Holstein Friesian cows in nine dairy herds across Japan were enrolled. A repeat breeder was defined as a cow that did not\ud become pregnant after three inseminations, despite no clinically detectable reproductive disorders. In contrast, cows that became\ud pregnant within three inseminations were considered to have normal fertility. Of the 613 cows, 87.3% eventually became pregnant\ud after repeated AI (maximum calving to conception interval was 435 d). Mean ( SEM) first AI conception rate, days in milk at first\ud AI, calving to conception interval and service per conception were 38.3%, 82 2 d, 125 3 d, and 2.0 0.1 times, respectively.\ud Normal fertility cows (n = 479) required only 114 3 d to conceive and 1.7 0.1 inseminations per pregnancy, whereas repeat\ud breeders (n = 86) required significantly more days to conceive (211 10) and more inseminations per pregnancy (4.7 0.2). Based\ud on survival analysis, it took 94 d after calving for 50% of normal fertility cows to become pregnant, compared to 155 d for repeat\ud breeders. For repeat breeders, 31.4, 50.0, and 58.1% became pregnant within 210, 300, and 435 d after calving, respectively. The\ud risk factors for repeat breeding were parity (relative risk [RR] = 0.809; P = 0.058), resumption of postpartum ovarian cycles\ud (RR = 1.928; P = 0.009), and days in milk at first AI (RR = 0.991; P = 0.039). In conclusion, repeat breeder dairy cows had very\ud poor reproductive performance. Lower parity, abnormal resumption of postpartum ovarian cycles, and shorter days in milk at first\ud AI were risk factors for repeat breeding

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

Meeting abstrac

Subcortical brain volume, regional cortical thickness, and cortical surface area across disorders: findings from the ENIGMA ADHD, ASD, and OCD Working Groups

Objective Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders that frequently co-occur. We aimed to directly compare all three disorders. The ENIGMA consortium is ideally positioned to investigate structural brain alterations across these disorders. Methods Structural T1-weighted whole-brain MRI of controls (n=5,827) and patients with ADHD (n=2,271), ASD (n=1,777), and OCD (n=2,323) from 151 cohorts worldwide were analyzed using standardized processing protocols. We examined subcortical volume, cortical thickness and surface area differences within a mega-analytical framework, pooling measures extracted from each cohort. Analyses were performed separately for children, adolescents, and adults using linear mixed-effects models adjusting for age, sex and site (and ICV for subcortical and surface area measures). Results We found no shared alterations among all three disorders, while shared alterations between any two disorders did not survive multiple comparisons correction. Children with ADHD compared to those with OCD had smaller hippocampal volumes, possibly influenced by IQ. Children and adolescents with ADHD also had smaller ICV than controls and those with OCD or ASD. Adults with ASD showed thicker frontal cortices compared to adult controls and other clinical groups. No OCD-specific alterations across different age-groups and surface area alterations among all disorders in childhood and adulthood were observed. Conclusion Our findings suggest robust but subtle alterations across different age-groups among ADHD, ASD, and OCD. ADHD-specific ICV and hippocampal alterations in children and adolescents, and ASD-specific cortical thickness alterations in the frontal cortex in adults support previous work emphasizing neurodevelopmental alterations in these disorders