Effect of Structural Parameters on Superconductivity in Fluorine-Free LnFeAsO1-y (Ln=La,Nd)

The crystal structure of LnFeAsO$_{1-y}$ (Ln = La, Nd) has been studied by the powder neutron diffraction technique. The superconducting phase diagram of NdFeAsO$_{1-y}$ is established as a function of oxygen content which is determined by Rietveld refinement. The small As-Fe bond length suggests that As and Fe atoms are connected covalently. FeAs$_4$-tetrahedrons transform toward a regular shape with increasing oxygen deficiency. Superconducting transition temperatures seem to attain maximum values for regular FeAs$_4$-tetrahedrons

Superconductivity at 43 K in Samarium-arsenide Oxides SmFeAsO1−xFxSmFeAsO_{1-x}F_x

Since the discovery of high-transition temperature ($T_c$) superconductivity in layered copper oxides, extensive efforts have been devoted to explore the higher $T_c$ superconductivity. However, the $T_c$ higher than 40 K can be obtained only in the copper oxide superconductors so far. The highest reported value of $T_c$ for non-copper-oxide bulk superconductivity is 39 K in $MgB_2$.\cite{jun} The $T_c$ of about 40 K is close to or above the theoretical value predicted from BCS theory.\cite{mcmillan} Therefore, it is very significant to search for non-copper oxide superconductor with the transition temperature higher than 40 K to understand the mechanism of high-$T_c$ superconductivity. Here we report the discovery of bulk superconductivity in samarium-arsenide oxides $SmFeAsO_{1-x}F_x$ with ZrCuAiAs type structure. Resistivity and magnetization measurements show strong evidences for transition temperature as high as 43 K. $SmFeAsO_{1-x}F_x$ is the first non-copper oxide superconductor with $T_c$ higher than 40 K. The $T_c$ higher than 40 K may be a strong argument to consider $SmFeAsO_{1-x}F_x$ as an unconventional superconductor.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Structural and superconducting properties in LaFeAs1-xSbxO1-yFy

We report the antimony (Sb) doping effect in a prototype system of iron-based supercon-ductors LaFeAsO1-yFy (y=0, 0.1, 0.15). X-ray powder diffraction indicates that the lattice pa-rameters increase with Sb content within the doping limit. Rietveld structural refinements show that, with the partial substitution of Sb for As, while the thickness of the Fe2As2 layers increases significantly, that of the La2O2 layers shrinks simultaneously. So a negative chemical pressure is indeed "applied" to the superconducting-active Fe2As2 layers, in con-trast to the effect of positive chemical pressure by the phosphorus doping. Electrical resis-tance and magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that, while the Sb doping hardly influences the SDW anomaly in LaFeAsO, it recovers SDW order for the optimally-doped sample of y=0.1. In the meantime, the superconducting transition temperature can be raised up to 30 K in LaFeAs1-xSbxO1-yFy with x=0.1 and y=0.15. The Sb doping effects are discussed in term of both J1-J2 model and Fermi Surface (FS) nesting scenario.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. to be published in Science in China Series

d- and f-orbital correlations in the REFeAsO compounds

We estimate theoretically the strength of the local Coulomb interaction for the Fe 3d and Ce 4f shells in the REFeAsO compunds. In LaFeAsO and CeFeAsO we obtain values of the local Coulomb interaction parameter U for both Fe and Ce which are larger than those of elemental Fe and Ce metals. The Fe 3d bandwidth of REFeAsO is found to increase slightly as one moves along the RE-series. Using a combined local density approximation and dynamical mean-field theory (LDA+DMFT) approach, we study the behaviour of the localized 4f states along the rare-earth oxyarsenides REFeAsO series (RE=Ce,Pr,Nd). In CeFeAsO the occupied Ce 4f band is located just below the Fe 3d band leading possibly to a Kondo screening of the 4f local moment under applied pressure, while the unscreened local moment behaviour is expected for the Pr and Nd compounds.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, 1 tabl

Achieving Pain Control in Rheumatoid Arthritis with Baricitinib or Adalimumab Plus Methotrexate: Results from the RA-BEAM Trial

The purpose of the study was to assess the proportion of patients who achieve pain relief thresholds, the time needed to reach the thresholds, and the relationship between pain and inflammation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an inadequate response to methotrexate in RA-BEAM (NCT0170358). A randomized, double-blind trial was conducted, comparing baricitinib (N = 487), adalimumab (N = 330), and placebo (N = 488) plus methotrexate. Pain was evaluated by patient’s assessment on a 0–100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). The following were assessed through a 24-week placebo-controlled period: the proportion of patients who achieved ≥30%, ≥50%, and ≥70% pain relief, the time to achieve these pain relief thresholds, remaining pain (VAS ≤ 10 mm, ≤20 mm, or ≤40 mm), and the relationship between inflammation markers and pain relief. Baricitinib-treated patients were more likely (p < 0.05) to achieve ≥30%, ≥50%, and ≥70% pain relief than placebo- and adalimumab-treated patients, as early as Week 1 vs. placebo and at Week 4 vs. adalimumab. A greater proportion of baricitinib-treated patients achieved ≤20 mm or ≤40 mm remaining pain vs. placebo- and adalimumab-treated patients. Baricitinib-treated patients tended to demonstrate consistent pain relief independent of levels of inflammation control. In RA patients with an inadequate response to methotrexate, baricitinib provided greater and more rapid pain relief than adalimumab and placebo. Analyses suggest the relationship between inflammation and pain may be different for baricitinib and adalimumab treatments

Call for action: incorporating wellness practices into a holistic management plan for rheumatoid arthritis – going beyond treat-to-target

This expert opinion article explores the strategy of adopting a holistic approach to the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by incorporating the wellness practices of exercise, optimised sleep, optimised nutrition, mindfulness, social connectedness and positive emotions into the management plan. The aim is to attain optimal health for each patient beyond that achievable by limiting disease management to pharmacological treatment to attain the lowest achievable composite scores of disease activity, as recommended with the current treat-to-target approach, and addressing the recent recognition of pain control as a key patient-reported outcome. Incorporating wellness practices into a busy clinical setting requires creativity and customisation based on the individual practice setting and the individual needs of each patient. Such practices can help people living with RA to achieve optimum wellness through the introduction of measures—according to individual need—designed to improve the aspects of life most impacted for that person, thereby complementing treat-to-target and pain control strategies with pharmacological agents. Clinicians must consider wellness practices in addition to treat-to-target pharmacological agents for the holistic management of people with RA

Achieving pain control in early rheumatoid arthritis with baricitinib monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate versus methotrexate monotherapy

Objectives This post hoc analysis assessed speed, magnitude and maintenance of pain improvement in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving baricitinib, baricitinib and methotrexate (MTX), or MTX over 1 year. Cumulative pain and quality of life benefits were also assessed. Methods Randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study RA-BEGIN (NCT01711359) compared baricitinib 4 mg (N=159), baricitinib 4 mg +MTX (N=215) and MTX (N=210) in patients with RA who had no or limited prior disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment. Pain was assessed on a 0–100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Proportion of patients with ≥30%, ≥50% and ≥70% pain improvement from baseline; ≤20 mm and ≤10 mm on the pain VAS; and time to achieve pain improvement thresholds were assessed over 52 weeks, as were Patient Global Assessment (PtGA) and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Score (SF-36 PCS) outcomes. Results Baricitinib monotherapy or combination with MTX provides greater (least square mean changes (LSM) from baseline −40 mm and −43 mm, respectively) and more rapid (median 12 and 8 weeks to ≥70% improvement, respectively) pain relief than MTX alone (LSM −31 mm, median 20 weeks to ≥70% improvement) over 52 weeks. Baricitinib, alone or combination, provides 9–10 additional weeks of limited to no pain, similar gain in achievable wellness measured through PtGA, and 5–7 additional weeks with change in SF-36 PCS ≥5 vs MTX over 1 year. Conclusions Patients treated with baricitinib reported significantly greater and more rapid pain relief, more weeks with limited to no pain, and clinically meaningful improvements in physical health than patients treated with MTX alone over 1 year