Pembrolizumab-induced asthma exacerbation with hypereosinophilia and elevated interleukin-5 in endometrial cancer: A case report

Pembrolizumab is an anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody used to treat various cancer types. Treatments with such immune checkpoint inhibitors cause immune-related adverse events. However, airway inflammation caused by immune-related adverse events has rarely been reported. A 54-year-old woman with endometrial cancer experienced asthma exacerbation, and increased blood eosinophil counts 3 months after pembrolizumab administration. Although asthma exacerbation improved, the resumption of pembrolizumab caused the recurrence of dry cough and hypereosinophilia. The discontinuation of pembrolizumab improved her symptoms. Serum interleukin-5 levels increased during pembrolizumab treatment but decreased upon discontinuation. The blockade of PD-1 and its ligand may exacerbate asthma through eosinophilic inflammation.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination as an Adjuvant Therapy for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: Additional Case Series

Prevention of the recurrence of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a neoplasm of the respiratory tract, is a challenge. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been expected to suppress the aggressiveness of RRP. However, there has been insufficient data to verify whether HPV vaccination can serve as an adjuvant therapy option for RRP. The aim of this study was to add our data on the efficacy of HPV vaccination for RRP to the academic discipline. Twenty-four RRP patients were treated with a combination therapy of surgery and three sessions of quadrivalent HPV vaccine. The patients' clinical courses, which were HPV infection status changes, intersurgical interval, and disease severity score (Derkay's site score), were statistically analyzed before and after combination therapy. Twelve of the 24 (52.5%) RRP patients who were HPV-DNA positive turned negative after the combination therapy. The mean of intersurgical interval was significantly extended from 6.85 ± 4.49 months to 30.5 ± 27.6 months after the therapy (P <0.01). The median of Derkay's score of the participants also significantly decreased from 7.5 (interquartile range, 5-12) to 1 (interquartile range, 0-4.25) after the therapy (P <0.01). Thus, combination therapy comprising of surgery and HPV vaccination can postpone the recurrence and lessen the severity of RRP.

Correction: The Li + CaF → Ca + LiF chemical reaction under cold conditions

Correction for 'The Li + CaF → Ca + LiF chemical reaction under cold conditions' by Humberto da Silva Jr et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 14193-14205, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CP01464A.

The Li + CaF → Ca + LiF chemical reaction under cold conditions

The calcium monofluoride (CaF) molecule has emerged as a promising candidate for precision measurements, quantum simulation, and ultracold chemistry experiments. Inelastic and reactive collisions of laser cooled CaF molecules in optical tweezers have recently been reported and collisions of cold Li atoms with CaF are of current experimental interest. In this paper, we report ab initio electronic structure and full-dimensional quantum dynamical calculations of the Li + CaF → LiF + Ca chemical reaction. The electronic structure calculations are performed using the internally contracted multi-reference configuration-interaction method with Davidson correction (MRCI + Q). An analytic fit of the interaction energies is obtained using a many-body expansion method. A coupled-channel quantum reactive scattering approach implemented in hyperspherical coordinates is adopted for the scattering calculations under cold conditions. Results show that the Li + CaF reaction populates several low-lying vibrational levels and many rotational levels of the product LiF molecule and that the reaction is inefficient in the 1-100 mK regime allowing sympathetic cooling of CaF by collisions with cold Li atoms.

The Clinical Characteristics of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis Differ Among Pathogenic Fungi

Background

Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) occurs with fungi, other than Aspergillus fumigatus. However, the clinical characteristics of ABPM caused by non-Aspergillus species are unspecified.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with ABPM who visited to our hospital between April 2005 and December 2020. The causative fungi and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Patients were divided into the Aspergillus group and the non-Aspergillus group.

Results

Fourteen patients and five patients were included in the Aspergillus group and the non-Aspergillus group, respectively. Compared to the Aspergillus group, the non-Aspergillus group had a significantly low serum immunoglobulin E level and low forced vital capacity. In addition, the non-Aspergillus group had a lower rate of the requirement for oral corticosteroid treatment and a low frequency of recurrence.

Conclusion

Patients with non-Aspergillus ABPM had lower type 2 inflammation than did patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Signatures of Non-universal Quantum Dynamics of Ultracold Chemical Reactions of Polar Alkali Dimer Molecules with Alkali Metal Atoms: Li(2S) + NaLi(a3Σ+) → Na(2S) + Li2(a3Σu+)

Ultracold chemical reactions of weakly bound triplet-state alkali metal dimer molecules have recently attracted much experimental interest. We perform rigorous quantum scattering calculations with a new ab initio potential energy surface to explore the chemical reaction of spin-polarized NaLi(a³Σ⁺) and Li(²S) to form Li₂(a³Σ_u⁺) and Na(²S). The reaction is exothermic and proceeds readily at ultralow temperatures. Significantly, we observe strong sensitivity of the total reaction rate to small variations of the three-body part of the Li₂Na interaction at short range, which we attribute to a relatively small number of open Li₂(a³Σ_u⁺) product channels populated in the reaction. This provides the first signature of highly non-universal dynamics seen in rigorous quantum reactive scattering calculations of an ultracold exothermic insertion reaction involving a polar alkali dimer molecule, opening up the possibility of probing microscopic interactions in atom+molecule collision complexes via ultracold reactive scattering experiments.

Novel Functional Peptide for Next-Generation Vital Pulp Therapy

Although vital pulp therapy should be performed by promoting the wound-healing capacity of dental pulp, existing pulp-capping materials were not developed with a focus on the pulpal repair process. In previous investigations of wound healing in dental pulp, we found that organic dentin matrix components (DMCs) were degraded by matrix metalloproteinase-20, and DMC degradation products containing protein S100A7 (S100A7) and protein S100A8 (S100A8) promoted the pulpal wound-healing process. However, the direct use of recombinant proteins as pulp-capping materials may cause clinical problems or lead to high medical costs. Thus, we hypothesized that functional peptides derived from recombinant proteins could solve the problems associated with direct use of such proteins. In this study, we identified functional peptides derived from the protein S100 family and investigated their effects on dental pulp tissue. We first performed amino acid sequence alignments of protein S100 family members from several mammalian sources, then identified candidate peptides. Next, we used a peptide array method that involved human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) to evaluate the mineralization-inducing ability of each peptide. Our results supported the selection of 4 candidate functional peptides derived from proteins S100A8 and S100A9. Direct pulp-capping experiments in a rat model demonstrated that 1 S100A8-derived peptide induced greater tertiary dentin formation compared with the other peptides. To investigate the mechanism underlying this induction effect, we performed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis using hDPSCs and the S100A8-derived peptide; the results suggested that this peptide promotes tertiary dentin formation by inhibiting inflammatory responses. In addition, this peptide was located in a hairpin region on the surface of S100A8 and could function by direct interaction with other molecules. In summary, this study demonstrated that a S100A8-derived functional peptide promoted wound healing in dental pulp; our findings provide insights for the development of next-generation biological vital pulp therapies.

IGF-2 mediated hypoglycemia and the paradox of an apparently benign lesion: a case report & review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Non-islet cell tumour hypoglycemia (NICTH) is rarely encountered in clinical practice. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is the most common cause of NICTH observed in the setting of mesenchymal and epithelial neoplasia. This is a paraneoplastic syndrome caused by IGF2 activation of the insulin receptor.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 80 year old female presented with a short history of recurrent episodes of confusion with laboratory confirmed hypoglycemia with a plasma glucose of 2.7 mmol/L on fasting which fulfilled Whipple's triad. Diagnostic clues to the aetiology at presentation include the fasting pattern of hypoglycemia, hypokalaemia and the absence of weight gain. A 72 hour fast with results showed early hypoglycemia and suppression of serum insulin, c-peptide, and proinsulin. Serum insulin antibody was not detected. Subsequent measurement of the serum IGF2:IGF1 ratio was elevated at 22.3 and consistent with IGF-2 mediated hypoglycemia and imaging studies demonstrated a pelvic mass. Dietary intervention and oral prednisolone abated hypoglycemia prior to surgery. Ultimately, hypoglycemia resolved following operative intervention and steroid therapy was successfully withdrawn. Histopathology was remarkable for dual neoplastic processes with uterine solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) confirmed as the source of IGF2 hypersecretion on IGF-2 immunohistochemistry and a coincidental invasive high grade serous carcinoma involving the fimbria of the right fallopian tube.

CONCLUSION

The paradox in this case is that the benign solitary fibrous tumour accounted for patient morbidity through secretion of IGF2 and without treatment, posed a mortality risk. This is despite the synchronous presence of a highly malignant fallopian tube neoplasm. This case reinforces the need for thorough clinical evaluation of hypoglycemia to allow prompt and definitive management.

Analysis of individual matrix particles in the Allende meteorite by high-resolution FIB-TOF-SIMS

The matrix in the "Allende meteorite" was analyzed by high-spatial-resolution focused ion beam time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (FIB-TOF-SIMS), and consisted of fine grains with sizes of several micrometers. It is difficult to analyze the matrix particles individually. As FIB-TOF-SIMS has a high spatial resolution, it can analyze the matrix individually. In addition, if the sample can be smoothed, no other pretreatment is required. By this method, it was clarified that Al, Cr, etc., which were conventionally detected as trace components in mass spectra, existed as fine particles between the matrix particles, rather than as impurities within them. The Al-rich particles did not match the minerals already found in the Allende meteorite matrix. Although the identity of the aluminum-rich particles has not been clarified, the abundance and localization could be observed correctly. Al-rich particles are likely to be affected by metamorphism and have important information to clarify the metamorphism process.

Role of Low Energy Resonances in the Stereodynamics of Cold He + D2 Collisions

In recent experiments using the Stark-induced adiabatic Raman passage technique, Zhou et al. ( J. Chem. Phys. 2021, 154, 104309; Science 2021, 374, 960-964) measured the product's angular distribution for the collisions between He and aligned D₂ molecules at cold collision energies. The signatures of the angular distributions were attributed to an [Formula: see text] = 2 resonance that governs scattering at low energies. A first-principles quantum mechanical treatment of this problem is presented here using a highly accurate interaction potential for the He-H₂ system. Our results predict a very intense [Formula: see text] = 1 resonance at low energies, leading to angular distributions that differ from those measured in the experiment. A good agreement with the experiment is achieved only when the [Formula: see text] = 1 resonance is artificially removed, for example, by excluding the lowest energies present in the experimental velocity distribution. Our analysis revealed that neither the position nor the intensity of the [Formula: see text] = 1 resonance significantly changes when the interaction potential is modified within its predicted uncertainties. Energy-resolved measurements may help to resolve the discrepancy.

D–π–A-type fluorinated tolanes with a diphenylamino group: crystal polymorphism formation and photophysical behavior

Ph2N-Substituted fluorinated tolanes produced two polymorphisms, which display a distinct photoluminescence behavior; one polymorphism showed green PL and the other exhibited yellow PL.

Fluorinated tolane-based fluorophores bearing a branched flexible unit with aggregation-induced emission enhancement characteristics

Precise molecular design of fluorinated tolane-based fluorophores can control both the electron density and molecular aggregated structures.

Halogen atom effect of fluorinated tolanes on their luminescence characteristics

Modification of the halogen constituent in the fluorinated tolane moiety is an effective method for tailoring the functionality of the material.

Risk factors for thrombocytopenia and analysis of time to platelet transfusion after azacitidine treatment

The use of azacitidine (AZA) has been known to lead to a high incidence of hematotoxic adverse events. The aims of this study were to identify the risk factors for thrombocytopenia after the administration of AZA and to analyze time to the initial platelet transfusion. Sixty-two patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), who were treated with AZA in Gifu Municipal Hospital between March 2012 and June 2020, were included in this study. The risk factors for thrombocytopenia were identified using univariate analysis of patient characteristics, disease type, and laboratory values immediately before the start of treatment. Variables with p<0.2 identified in the univariate analysis were used as independent variables in the multivariate analysis. This analysis identified "creatinine clearance (CCr) <60 mL/min" as a significant factor (odds ratio, 4.790; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.380-16.70; p=0.014). Subsequently, time in days to the initial platelet transfusion after the initial administration of AZA was analyzed using the log-rank test. The overall median time in days to platelet transfusion was 370 days. The log-rank test was used to determine the influence of patient characteristics, disease type, and laboratory values immediately before the start of treatment. The subsequent Cox proportional hazard regression analysis using variables with p<0.2 as independent variables identified "hemoglobin (Hb) <8.0 g/dL" as a significant factor (hazard ratio, 2.143; 95% CI, 1.001-4.573; p=0.048). The results of this study led to the following clinical implications: first, patients with CCr of <60 mL/min at the start of treatment should be treated with caution due to the risk of thrombocytopenia. Second, patients with Hb of <8.0 g/dL at the start of treatment may require platelet transfusion in the early stage of treatment.

Myasthenic crisis appearing after resection of intracardiac ectopic thymoma with superior vena cava syndrome

Background

We describe herein an extremely rare case of intracardiac ectopic thymoma—only two pure cases have been reported to date—associated with myasthenia gravis, an infrequent complication of ectopic thymoma.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old woman with superior vena cava syndrome was found to have a large mass mainly located in the right atrium. Tumor resection under cardiopulmonary bypass was performed. The pathological diagnosis was type AB ectopic thymoma. The postoperative course was complicated by progressive respiratory failure, and she was diagnosed with myasthenic crisis based on clinical signs and the edrophonium test. The patient recovered and was weaned from prolonged mechanical ventilation after receiving intravenous immunoglobulin, and was subsequently discharged uneventfully.

Conclusions

This is the first report of myasthenic crisis due to intracardiac ectopic thymoma. Residual thymoma is a risk factor for the development of post-thymectomy myasthenia gravis, and long-term follow-up is required.

POS0975 CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NONRADIOGRAPHIC AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS IN ASIAN COUNTRIES COMPARED TO OTHER REGIONS: RESULTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CROSS-SECTIONAL ASAS-COMOSPA STUDY

Background:

Clinical characteristics of nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-ax-SpA) are highly variable across patients, and may potentially vary across patient populations, particularly due to differing distributions of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and other genetic factors. The majority of nr-ax-SpA studies have been conducted in Europe, the United States, and small studies are reported from Asia [1].

Objectives:

To delineate clinical characteristics of patients with nr-ax-SpA in Asian countries in comparison to other areas of the world.

Methods:

Utilizing the ASAS-COMOSPA data, an international cross-sectional observational study of SpA patients, we analyzed information on demographics, disease characteristics, comorbidities, and risk factors. Patients were classified by region: Asia (China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan), and non-Asian countries (Europe, Americas, and Africa); patient characteristics, including diagnosis and treatment, were compared.

Results:

Among 3984 SpA patients included in the study, 1094 were from centers in Asian countries, and 2890 from other regions. 112/780 (14.4%) of axial SpA patients in Asian countries were nr-ax-SpA, substantially less than in other countries (486/1997, 24.3%). Nr-ax-SpA patients in Asian countries compared to nr-ax-SpA in other countries were more likely male (75.9 vs 47.1%), have onset (22.8 vs 27.8 years) and diagnosis (27.2 vs 34.5 years) at younger age, and experience less diagnostic delay (1.88 vs 2.92 years) (Table 1). Nr-ax-SpA patients in Asian countries have higher prevalence of positive HLA-B27 (90.6% vs 61.9%) and fewer peripheral signs such as arthritis, enthesitis, or dactylitis (53.6% vs 66.3%) but have similar rate of extra-articular manifestations (psoriasis, IBD, or uveitis) and co-morbidities. Disease activity, functional impairment, and inflammation on MRI were less in nr-ax-SpA patients in Asian countries. NSAIDs response was higher and use of methotrexate and b-DMARDs were lower among nr-ax-SpA in Asian countries.

Conclusion:

Among axial SpA patients, substantially lower frequency of nr-ax-SpA was observed in Asian countries compared to other regions of the world. Nr-ax-SpA patients in Asian countries were predominantly male, and had younger disease onset with higher HLA-B27 positivity rate and less peripheral signs, and better response to NSAIDs. These results offer an opportunity to improve both early diagnosis and treatment of nr-ax-SpA patients in Asian countries.

Table 1.

Characteristics of nonradiographic axial SpA in Asia versus non-Asian regions

VariablesAsianon-Asian regionsp valueN112486Age at disease diagnosis, yrs27.2 [21.1, 39.6]34.5 [27.7, 41.7]<0.001Diagnostic delay, yrs1.88 [0.27, 5.56]2.92 [0.59, 9.58]0.011Male (%)85 (75.9)229 (47.1)<0.001Sacroiliitis on MRI among tested (%)49 (67.1)341 (82.2)0.005HLA B27 positivity among measured (%)96 (90.6)273 (61.9)<0.001Inflammatory Back Pain (%)107 (95.5)478 (98.4)0.076Arthritis, enthesitis, or dactylitis (%)60 (53.6)322 (66.3)0.016Psoriasis (%)12 (10.7)82 (16.9)0.142Uveitis (%)20 (17.9)81 (16.7)0.870Inflammatory bowel disease (%)5 (4.5)27 (5.6)0.817Elevated CRP (%)37 (33.0)213 (43.8)0.048Physician global assessment (0-10)2.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 4.0]0.741Patient global assessment (0-10)3.0 [1.0, 6.0]4.0 [2.0, 6.0]0.012ASDAS-CRP1.40 [0.95, 2.08]1.97 [1.21, 2.78]<0.001BASFI0.8 [0.05, 2.65]2.9 [0.8, 5.6]<0.001Good response to NSAIDs (%)80 (71.4)272 (56.0)0.004Methotrexate use (%)18 (16.1)134 (27.6)0.016Biological DMARDs use (%)27 (24.1)191 (39.3)0.004

References:

[1]López-Medina C, Ramiro S, van der Heijde D, et al. Characteristics and burden of disease in patients with radiographic and non-radiographic axial Spondyloarthritis: a comparison by systematic literature review and meta-analysis. RMD Open. 2019 Nov 21;5(2): e001108.

Acknowledgements:

This study was conducted under the umbrella of the International Society for Spondyloarthritis Assessment (ASAS) and COMOSPA study was supported by unrestricted grants from Pfizer, AbbVie and UCB.

Disclosure of Interests:

Keisuke Ono: None declared, Mitsumasa Kishimoto Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen-Astellas BioPharma, Asahi-Kasei Pharma, Astellas, Ayumi Pharma, BMS, Chugai, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin, Novartis, Ono Pharma, Pfizer, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, Teijin Pharma, and UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen-Astellas BioPharma, Asahi-Kasei Pharma, Astellas, Ayumi Pharma, BMS, Chugai, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin, Novartis, Ono Pharma, Pfizer, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, Teijin Pharma, and UCB Pharma, Sho Fukui: None declared, Satoshi Kawaai: None declared, Gautam A. Deshpande: None declared, Kazuki Yoshida Consultant of: OM1, Inc., Grant/research support from: Corrona, LLC, Naomi Ichikawa: None declared, Yuko Kaneko Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Astellas, Ayumi, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Hisamitsu, Jansen, Kissei, Pfizer, Sanofi, Takeda, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, and UCB, Taku Kawasaki: None declared, Kazuo Matsui: None declared, Mitsuhiro Morita: None declared, Kurisu Tada: None declared, Naoho Takizawa: None declared, Naoto Tamura: None declared, Atsuo Taniguchi: None declared, Yoshinori Taniguchi: None declared, Shigeyoshi Tsuji: None declared, Shigeto Kobayashi: None declared, Masato Okada: None declared, Clementina López-Medina: None declared, Anna Moltó Consultant of: AbbVie, Pfizer, MSD, Novartis, Gilead, Lilly and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Pfizer, MSD, Novartis, Gilead, Lilly and UCB, Désirée van der Heijde Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Cyxone, Daiichi, Eisai, Eli-Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, UCB Pharma, Employee of: Imaging Rheumatology bv. (Director), Maxime Dougados: None declared, Yoshinori Komagata: None declared, Tetsuya Tomita: None declared, Shinya Kaname: None declared.

Evaluation of Internal Distribution and Extracellular Action of the Cell via TOF-SIMS

Cisplatin is one of the most popular and traditional platinum-based anti-cancer drugs. Additionally, it is known for its effect on different types of cancers. To clarify the reaction mechanism of anti-cancer drugs in a cell, the visualization of drugs in a single cell is required. In this study, we investigated a secondary ion species obtained from cisplatin, which was bounded to the nucleus in a cell and its intensity. PtCl₂^- was mainly detected via SIMS during an analysis of pure cisplatin reagent. In contrast, a high-intensity signal for PtCN^- was detected from cultured cells that were administered cisplatin. However, this signal was not detected from cisplatin in the reagent state. Chlorine in the cisplatin structure is replaced with water when it is combined with the cell nucleus. Therefore, PtCN^- was mainly detected from the intracellular region because the structure was changed by cisplatin binding to the nucleus and which exhibits anti-cancer activity. The results showed that the cisplatin selectively combined with the nucleus. Through TOF-SIMS, we achieved a visual distribution of the cisplatin intracellular nucleus.

Rainbow scattering in rotationally inelastic collisions of HCl and H2

We examine rotational transitions of HCl in collisions with H₂ by carrying out quantum mechanical close-coupling and quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculations on a recently developed globally accurate full-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface for the H₃Cl system. Signatures of rainbow scattering in rotationally inelastic collisions are found in the state resolved integral and differential cross sections as functions of the impact parameter (initial orbital angular momentum) and final rotational quantum number. We show the coexistence of distinct dynamical regimes for the HCl rotational transition driven by the short-range repulsive and long-range attractive forces whose relative importance depends on the collision energy and final rotational state, suggesting that the classification of rainbow scattering into rotational and l-type rainbows is effective for H₂ + HCl collisions. While the QCT method satisfactorily predicts the overall behavior of the rotationally inelastic cross sections, its capability to accurately describe signatures of rainbow scattering appears to be limited for the present system.

Spinal anesthesia for muscle biopsy in an infant with a suspected neuromuscular disorder: a case report

Background

Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) occur in different forms and are generally diagnosed using muscle biopsy. Among the available anesthetic management options for infants with a suspected NMD are general anesthesia (GA) and regional anesthesia (RA), including spinal anesthesia (SA). Anesthesia selection is often challenging from the point of potential airway risks and anesthetic drug-related complications.

Case presentation

A 6-month-old male infant repeatedly underwent endotracheal intubation and extubation after birth because of respiratory muscle weakness and copious secretions. He was suspected of having NMD and was scheduled for muscle biopsy. His generalized hypotonia and decreased respiratory function presented a potentially difficult airway and complicated the selection of an appropriate anesthetic method. We selected SA and dexmedetomidine, which are safe for infants.

Conclusion

We report the successful and effective anesthetic management of SA and dexmedetomidine in an infant with a suspected NMD.

Stereodynamics of ultracold rotationally inelastic collisions

Recent experiments on rotational quenching of HD in the v = 1, j = 2 rovibrational state in collisions with H₂, D₂, and He near 1 K have revealed strong stereodynamic preference stemming from isolated shape resonances. So far, the experiments and subsequent theoretical analyses have considered the initial HD rotational state in an orientation specified by the projection quantum number m or a coherent superposition of different m states. However, it is known that such stereodynamic control is generally not effective in the ultracold energy regime due to the dominance of the incoming s-wave (l = 0, partial wave). Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the stereodynamics of rotational quenching of HD by He with both m and m' resolution, where m' refers to the inelastically scattered HD. We show the existence of a significant m dependence in the m'-resolved differential and integral cross sections even in the ultracold s-wave regime with a factor greater than 60 for j = 2 → j' = 1 and a factor greater than 1300 for j = 3 → j' = 2 transitions. In the helicity frame, however, the integral cross section has no initial orientation (k) dependence in the ultracold energy regime, even resolving with respect to the final orientation (k'). The distribution of final rotational state orientations (k') is found to be statistical (uniform), regardless of the initial orientation.

Stereodynamics of rotationally inelastic scattering in cold He + HD collisions

Stereodynamics of cold collisions has become a fertile ground for sensitive probe of molecular collisions and control of the collision outcome. A benchmark system for stereodynamic control of rotational transition is He + HD. This system was recently probed experimentally by Perreault et al. by examining quenching from j = 2 to j' = 0 state in the v = 1 vibrational manifold of HD. Here, through explicit quantum scattering calculations on a highly accurate ab initio interaction potential for He + H₂, we reveal how a combination of two shape resonances arising from l = 1 and l = 2 partial waves controls the stereodynamic outcome rather than a single l = 2 partial wave attributed in the experiment. Furthermore, for collision energies below 0.5 cm^-1, it is shown that stereodynamic preference for the integral cross section follows a simple universal trend.

Development of fluorinated benzils and bisbenzils as room-temperature phosphorescent molecules

Pure organic phosphorescent molecules are attractive alternatives to transition-metal-complex-based phosphores for biomedical and technological applications owing to their abundance and nontoxicity. This article discloses the design, synthesis, and photophysical properties of fluorinated benzil and bisbenzil derivatives as potential pure organic room-temperature phosphorescent molecules. These compounds were separately converted from the corresponding fluorinated bistolanes via PdCl₂-catalyzed oxidation by dimethyl sulfoxide, while nonfluorinated bistolane provided the corresponding bisbenzil derivatives exclusively in a similar manner. Intensive investigations of the photophysical properties of the benzil and bisbenzil derivatives in toluene at 25 °C showed both fluorescence with a photoluminescence (PL) band at a maximum wavelength (λ_PL) of around 400 nm and phosphorescence with a PL band at a λ_PL of around 560 nm. Interestingly, intersystem crossing effectively caused fluorinated benzils to emit phosphorescence, which may arise from immediate spin-orbit coupling involving the ¹(n, π)→³(π, π) transition, unlike the case of fluorinated or nonfluorinated bisbenzil analogues. These findings offer a useful guide for developing novel pure organic room-temperature phosphorescent materials.

THU0236 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF NON-MITOGENIC ANTICD3 ANTIBODY ADMINISTRATION IN THE TREATMENT OF LUPUS-PRONE MICE

Background:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibody and systemic tissue damages including glomerulonephritis. Immune responses mediated by autoreactive T-cells, as well as by autoantibody, is involved in the development and progression of end-organ damages1. Biologic agents which manipulate T-cell function such as CTLA4-Ig and anti-CD40L have been revisited and tried to treat human SLE, however, both of them failed to demonstrate efficacy.

A mouse specific anti-CD3ε mAb, clone 145-2C11 (2C11) is known to be immunosuppressive by down-modulation of TCR and depletion of T-cells2. Administration of Fc-deleted 145-2C11 F(ab’)2to lupus-prone mice was reported to reduce lymphadenopathy and prolong survival, but had no significant effect on anti-DNA antibody titer3. The mechanisms by which 2C11 ameliorates lupus are still unclear.

In this study, we used non-mitogenic Fc-modified silent 145-2c11 (2C11S), which disables interaction between target cells and Fc receptor-bearing cells, abolishes antibody directed cytotoxicity, and has longer half-life than F(ab’)2. 2C11S is expected to exert its effect in safe and stable as compared with functional parent-2C11 (2C11P) antibody.

Objectives:

The purpose of our study is to clarify the difference between 2C11S and 2C11P and to examine their therapeutic effects against murine lupus-prone (NZB/W F1) mice.

Methods:

20 μg of 2C11P (absolute antibody), 2C11S (absolute antibody), or isotype control immunoglobulin G1 κ (IC)(BioLegend) were administered intraperitoneally to C57BL6 mice. The difference of their action on T-cells were evaluated in a time series from peripheral blood. Plasma cytokine levels were measured within 24 hours after antibody administration.

In NZB/W F1 mice from weeks 10 or 20, 2C11P, 2C11S, and IC were administered (100 μg / week, 4 times, intraperitoneally). Plasma anti-dsDNA antibody titer, spleen and kidney blood cell subpopulation, and histology of renal tissue were evaluated before and/or after treatment.

Results:

Duration of reduced TCR expression in 2C11S group was approximately twice as long as that in 2C11P group, and the levels of plasma TNF-α was not increased in 2C11S group while significant increase was observed in 2C11P group (IC; mean 48.3 ± SD 16.7 pg/ml, 2C11S; 57.9 ± 6.12, 2C11P; 168 ± 50.6, IC VS 2C11S; p>0.99, IC VS 2C11P; p=0.03, ANOVA).

In NZB/W F1 mice, the number of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in spleen significantly decreased in 2C11S group (IC; median 9.0*104[interquartile range 8.5*104], 2C11S; 1.8*104[1.0*104], 2C11P; 1.0*105[9.4*104], IC VS 2C11S; p=0.03, IC VS 2C11P; p>0.99, Kruskal-Wallis). The number of germinal center B (GCB) cells in spleen also decreased in 2C11S group (IC; 1.2*105[1.7*105], 2C11S; 9.0*103[2.3*104], 2C11P; 8.0*104[2.3*105], IC VS 2C11S; p=0.03, IC VS 2C11P; p>0.99). The number of infiltrating CD4+T-cells in kidney significantly reduced in 2C11S group (IC; 3.4*103[1.0*104], 2C11S; 6.4*102[8.8*102], 2C11P; 1.2*103[4.4*103], IC VS 2C11S; p=0.048, IC VS 2C11P; p=0.23). In addition, the rate of increase in anti-dsDNA IgG titers significantly decreased in 2C11S group (IC; 2.3 [1.3], 2C11S; 0.9 [1.0], 2C11P; 1.3 [1.4], IC VS 2C11S; p=0.03, IC VS 2C11P; p=0.24). Finally, glomerular hypercellularity was markedly alleviated only in 2C11S group (IC; 4.4*10 [8.4], 2C11S; 3.8*10 [1.1], 2C11P; 3.9*10 [8.2], IC VS 2C11S; p=0.02, IC VS 2C11P; p=0.57).

Conclusion:

2C11S did not induce cytokine release with maintaining longer effect on TCR down-modulation. 2C11S reduced autoantibody production by suppressing GCB differentiation, possibly through down-regulation of Tfh cell number. Consequently, 2C11S ameliorated lupus nephritis. On the other hand, 2C11P did not show therapeutic effect.

References:

[1]George C Tsokos. et al. Nat. Rev. Rheum (2016) 12: 716-730.

[2]Kuhn C. et al. Immunotherapy (2016) 8: 889-906.

[3]Henrickson M. et al. Arthritis Rheum (1994) 37: 587-589.

Disclosure of Interests: :

None declared

0590 Reliability of Simple Sleep Evaluation Device at Split-Night Polysomnography

Introduction

Watch-PAT is a sleep evaluation device that measures the peripheral blood volume continuously with a probe attached to a fingertip and does not use an electroencephalogram or a nasal cannula. There has been no report on the usefulness of watch-PAT to determine the apnea diagnosis and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use effects in split-night sleep study.

Methods

The consent of the study was obtained. Watch-PAT was simultaneously worn on a patient admitted for split-night polysomnography. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) obtained from PSG and the pAHI gained from the watch-PAT were measured when not using CPAP and when using CPAP respectively. And also we examined whether the reduction rates of AHI and pAHI could be correlated.

Results

38 subjects (32 men, age 55 ± 13 years old). BMI 28.3 ± 5.7 kg / m2. When CPAP was not used, AHI was 57.2 ± 23.3 / h and pAHI was 50.8 ± 20.3 / h (r = 0.93, p &lt; 0.0001), when CPAP was used, AHI was 5.2 ± 4.5 /h and pAHI was 6.2 ± 4.5 h (r = 0.82, p &lt; 0.0001), AHI reduction rate was 90.4 ± 8.0% and pAHI reduction rate was 85.4 ± 14.6% (r = 0.76, p &lt; 0.0001).

Conclusion

It was suggested that Watch-PAT had a good correlation with AHI at split night-sleep study.

Support

None

New physician specialty training system impact on distribution of trainees in Japan

OBJECTIVES

The problem of uneven distribution of medical services and inequitable distribution of physicians is drawing much attention worldwide. Revealing how changes in the specialty training system in Japan have affected the distribution of doctors could help us understand this problem. In 2018, a new and standardized specialty training system was implemented by the Japanese Medical Specialty Board, which is recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The purpose of this study was to investigate how this new system has affected the geographical distribution of doctors commencing specialty training (trainees) and choice of specialty in Japan.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

METHODS

The change in the number of trainees between the control period (2012-2014) and 2018 was investigated, taking into account the prefecture and specialty selected. Population, the proportion of residents aged 65 years or older (aging rate), and the total number of overall doctors in each prefecture were considered as the background characteristics of each prefecture. We created a Lorenz curve and calculated the Gini coefficient for the distribution of trainees.

RESULTS

In 2018, the number of trainees per 100,000 population increased to 6.6 nationwide compared with 5.5 during the control period. The number of trainees per 100,000 population in 2018 increased in prefectures with a large population of ≧ 2,000,000, a low aging rate (<27%), and a high doctor density (≧ 250 doctors per 100,000 population). The Gini coefficient showed an increase to 0.226 in 2018 compared with only 0.160 during the control period.

CONCLUSIONS

After the implementation of the new training system, there was an increase in the number of doctors enrolling in specialty programs, and the specialties other than internal medicine and surgery have attracted more trainees. Inequality in the distribution of doctors between urban and rural prefectures worsened. This indicates the need to explore new ways of balancing distribution while maintaining optimal opportunities for specialist training.

Fluorine-induced emission enhancement of tolanes via formation of tight molecular aggregates

Incorporation of fluorine atoms into the tolane backbone constructed tight crystal packing structures to suppress molecular motions, which provided dramatic enhancement of photoluminescence efficiency in crystalline state.

A Time-of-Flight Range Sensor Using Four-Tap Lock-In Pixels with High near Infrared Sensitivity for LiDAR Applications

In this paper, a back-illuminated (BSI) time-of-flight (TOF) sensor using 0.2 µm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology is developed for long-range laser imaging detection and ranging (LiDAR) application. A 200 µm-thick bulk silicon in the SOI substrate is fully depleted by applying high negative voltage at the backside for higher quantum efficiency (QE) in a near-infrared (NIR) region. The proposed SOI-based four-tap charge modulator achieves a high-speed charge modulation and high modulation contrast of 71% in a NIR region. In addition, in-pixel drain function is used for short-pulse TOF measurements. A distance measurement up to 27 m is carried out with +1.8~−3.0% linearity error and range resolution of 4.5 cm in outdoor conditions. The measured QE of 55% is attained at 940 nm which is suitable for outdoor use due to the reduced spectral components of solar radiation.

Ultralow-Noise Organic Transistors Based on Polymeric Gate Dielectrics with Self-Assembled Modifiers

In this study, ultralow 1/f noise organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) based on parylene gate dielectrics modified with triptycene (Trip) modifiers were fabricated. The fabricated OTFTs showed the lowest 1/f noise level among those of previously reported OTFTs. It is well known that 1/f noise causes degradation of signal integrity in analog and digital circuits. However, conventional OTFTs still possess high 1/f noise levels, and the factors that strongly affect 1/f noise are still ambiguous. In this work, the effect of gate dielectric surface on 1/f noise was investigated. First, by comparing OTFTs composed of various channel lengths, we revealed that contact resistance did not affect 1/f noise. Second, we compared parylene OTFTs with and without a self-assembled Trip modifier layer in terms of 1/f noise and trap density of states (Trap DOS). The experiments revealed that a specific Trip modifier layer suppresses the shallow Trap DOS in the OTFTs, leading to a low 1/f noise. Moreover, the 1/f noise level and Trap DOS of various kinds of OTFTs were comprehensively compared, which highlighted that the 1/f noise of OTFTs strongly depends on the gate dielectric surface. Finally, detailed analysis of the gate dielectric interface led us to conclude that the disorder of gate dielectrics and the crystalline quality of semiconductor films are related to shallow Trap DOS, which correlates with 1/f noise.

Composite NASICON (Na3Zr2Si2PO12) Solid-State Electrolyte with Enhanced Na+ Ionic Conductivity: Effect of Liquid Phase Sintering

NASICON-type of solid-state electrolyte, Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ (NZSP), is one of the potential solid-state electrolytes for all-solid-state Na battery and Na-air battery. However, in solid-state synthesis, high sintering temperature above 1200 °C and long duration are required, which led to loss of volatile materials and formation of impurities at the grain boundaries. This hampers the total ionic conductivity of NZSP to be in the range of 10^-4 S cm^-1. Herein, we have reduced both the sintering temperature and time of the NZSP electrolyte by sintering the NZSP powders with different amounts of Na₂SiO₃ additive, which provides the liquid phase for the sintering process. The addition of 5 wt % Na₂SiO₃ has shown the highest total ionic conductivity of 1.45 mS cm^-1 at room temperature. A systematic study of the effect of Na₂SiO₃ on the microstructure and electrical properties of the NZSP electrolyte is conducted by the structural study with the help of morphological and chemical observations using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and using focused ion-beam-time of flight-secondary ion mass spectroscopy. The XRD results revealed that cations from Na₂SiO₃ diffused into the bulk change the stoichiometry of NZSP, leading to an enlarged bottleneck area and hence lowering activation energy in the bulk, which contributes to the increment of the bulk ion conductivity, as indicated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy result. In addition, higher density and better microstructure contribute to improved grain boundary conductivity. More importantly, this study has achieved a highly ionic conductive NZSP only by facile addition of Na₂SiO₃ into the NZSP powder prior to the sintering stage.

Globally Accurate Full-Dimensional Potential Energy Surface for H2 + HCl Inelastic Scattering

A globally accurate full-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) for the inelastic scattering between H₂ and HCl is developed on the basis of a large number of points calculated at the coupled-cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples level of theory. The machine-learned PES is trained with 42 417 ab initio points using the permutation invariant polynomial-neural network method, resulting in a root-mean-square fitting error of 5.6 cm^-1. Both full- and reduced-dimensional quantum calculations for rotationally inelastic scattering are performed on this new PES and good agreement is obtained with previous quantum dynamical results on a reduced-dimensional model. Furthermore, strong resonances are identified at collision energies below 100 K, including cold conditions. This new PES provides a reliable platform for future studies of scattering dynamics with vibrationally excited collision partners in a wide range of collision energies extending to cold and ultracold conditions.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use is a risk factor for early Type II endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic repair

Objectives

Type II endoleak is a problem after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair. Preoperative risk factors for Type II endoleak include anatomical factors in the lumbar artery and inferior mesenteric artery; however, preventable postoperative risk factors are unknown. Postimplantation syndrome is associated with lower incidence of Type II endoleak. Therefore, we focused on inflammation, and our aim was to investigate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a postoperative risk factor for Type II endoleak.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of patients with aortic aneurysm who underwent endovascular aneurism repair at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Beppu Medical Center, Oita, Japan, from January 2011 to August 2018. Clinical characteristics were retrieved from patients’ medical records and included age, sex, body mass index, smoking history, comorbidities, treatment devices, medications, and perioperative information, including postimplantation syndrome. Postimplantation syndrome was defined as body temperature >38.5°C with 12,000/dL white blood cells or >10.0 mg/dL C-reactive protein. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of Type II endoleak assessed on the first postoperative enhanced computed tomography scan. Risk factors for Type II endoleak were assessed. Results and conclusions: Of the eligible 84 patients, 20 (24%) had Type II endoleak identified in the first enhanced computed tomographic scans after endovascular aneurism repair. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (odds ratio (OR): 21.2; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.5–308.4; P = 0.026), cerebrovascular disease (OR: 7.27; 95% CI: 1.06–49.99; P = 0.044), and body mass index <22 kg/m2 (OR: 17.3; 95% CI: 2.1–141.8; P = 0.008) were independent risk factors for Type II endoleak after endovascular aneurism repair. Comparing the rate of Type II endoleak among patients who did not receive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within 24 h after endovascular aneurism repair, patients who first used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 12–24 h after endovascular aneurism repair, and those who received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within 12 h after endovascular aneurism repair, we found a significant difference among the groups (4%, 18%, 45%, respectively; P = 0.001). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use within 24 h after endovascular aneurism repair is a risk factor for Type II endoleak. We should know nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs within 24 h after endovascular aneurism repair can be a risk of Type II endoleak.

Synthesis and characterization of bent fluorine-containing donor-π-acceptor molecules as intense luminophores with large Stokes shifts

Herein, we prepared novel bent fluorine-containing donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) molecules from commercially available octafluorocyclopentene using a facile two-step procedure, revealing that the above molecules absorb UV-light and exhibit yellow photoluminescence (PL) with high PL efficiencies (ΦPL) in solution. The corresponding Stokes shifts exceeded 10 000 cm-1, and the maximum PL wavelength (λPL) strongly depended on solvent polarity or intermolecular interactions in the solid state. On the basis of a Lippert-Mataga plot, PL was confidently assigned to radiative relaxation from an intramolecular charge-transfer excited state. Moreover, the synthesized luminophores showed intense PL even in the crystalline state and exhibited alkoxy chain length-dependent PL behavior (e.g., high ΦPL, λPL = 486-540 nm).

Universal Probability Distributions of Scattering Observables in Ultracold Molecular Collisions

Currently, quantum dynamics theory cannot be used for quantitative predictions of molecular scattering observables at low temperatures because of two problems. The first problem is the extreme sensitivity of the low-temperature observables to details of potential energy surfaces (PESs) parametrizing the nuclear Schrödinger equation. The second problem is the large size of the basis sets required for the numerical integration of the Schrödinger equation for strongly interacting molecules in the presence of fields, which precludes the application of rigorous quantum theory to all but a few atom-molecule systems. Here, we show that, if the scattering problem is formulated as a probabilistic prediction, quantum theory can provide reliable results with exponentially reduced numerical effort. Specifically, we show that the probability distributions that an observable is in a certain range of values can be obtained by averaging the results of scattering calculations with much smaller basis sets than required for calculations of individual scattering cross sections. Moreover, we show that such distributions do not rely on the precise knowledge of the PES. This opens the possibility of making probabilistic predictions of experimentally relevant observables for a wide variety of molecular systems, currently considered out of reach of quantum dynamics theory. We demonstrate the approach by computing the probability for elastic scattering of CaH and SrOH molecules by Li atoms and SrF molecules by Rb atoms.

Loss of Phosphate Determines the Versatility of a Spider Orb-web Glue Ball

Spiders capture their prey by weaving an "invisible" orb-web that has both adhesive and fixed properties. Different types of silk in the orb-web have different functions, wherein the key to capturing a prey is the ball-like glue (glue ball), which coats the silk strands. This glue ball has highly versatile properties, but the mechanisms leading to its versatility remain unclear. The salts found in the web have been previously suggested to play an important role in terms of viscosity, not water. However, the distribution of salt and water in the glue ball has not yet been directly observed. Here, we mapped the salts in different states using a homemade time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (TOF-SIMS) with a high lateral resolution. To our surprise, the glue ball was found to contain little water. The functional transformation of the glue ball from a viscous glycoprotein (capturing prey) to a hardened protein (retaining prey) relies solely on the stimulation of mechanical forces. The phosphate is a key factor for its versatility.