Search for the Majorana Nature of Neutrinos in the Inverted Mass Ordering Region with KamLAND-Zen

The KamLAND-Zen experiment has provided stringent constraints on the neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay half-life in ^{136}Xe using a xenon-loaded liquid scintillator. We report an improved search using an upgraded detector with almost double the amount of xenon and an ultralow radioactivity container, corresponding to an exposure of 970 kg yr of ^{136}Xe. These new data provide valuable insight into backgrounds, especially from cosmic muon spallation of xenon, and have required the use of novel background rejection techniques. We obtain a lower limit for the 0νββ decay half-life of T_{1/2}^{0ν}>2.3×10^{26}  yr at 90% C.L., corresponding to upper limits on the effective Majorana neutrino mass of 36-156 meV using commonly adopted nuclear matrix element calculations.

Endoscopic Treatment of Colo-Colonic Intussusception in a Patient with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

A 19-year-old man with a history of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) and two previous partial small bowel resections because of intussusception presented with lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed concentric multilayer and cord-like structures in the transverse colon. Colo-colonic intussusception was suspected and he was hospitalized. After two therapeutic enemas were unsuccessful, a colonoscopy was performed. The intussusception was reduced and a 40-mm transverse colon polyp with a thick stalk was resected. After the procedure, his abdominal pain was relieved and he was discharged on the sixth hospital day. This case and several previous reports suggest that PJS polyps with tumor diameter exceeding 30 mm and location in the transverse or sigmoid colon can cause intussusception. Endoscopic treatment should be considered for these lesions.

Linked color imaging versus white light imaging colonoscopy for colorectal adenoma detection: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The adenoma detection rate is an important indicator of colonoscopy quality and colorectal cancer incidence. We compared the adenoma detection rates between white light imaging (WLI) and linked color imaging (LCI) colonoscopy.

METHODS

Patients undergoing colonoscopy for positive fecal immunochemical tests, follow-up of colon polyps, and abdominal symptoms at three institutions were randomly assigned to the LCI or WLI groups. Mean adenoma number per patient (including based on endoscopists' experience), adenoma detection rate, cecal intubation time, withdrawal time, mean adenoma number per location, and adenoma size were compared.

RESULTS

The LCI and WLI groups comprised 494 and 501 patients, respectively. No significant differences in the cecal intubation rate (LCI vs WLI: 99.5% vs 99.4%), cecal intubation time, and withdrawal time were noted between groups. The mean adenoma number per patient was significantly higher in the LCI group than in the WLI group (1.07 vs 0.88, P = 0.04), particularly in the descending [0.12 (58/494) vs 0.07 (35/501), P = 0.01] and sigmoid colon [0.41 (201/494) vs 0.30 (149/501), P ≤ 0.001]. However, the adenoma detection rate was 47.1% in the LCI group and 46.9% in the WLI group, with no significant difference (P = 0.93). The total number of sessile-type adenomas was significantly higher in the LCI group than in the WLI group (346/494 vs 278/501, P = 0.04). As for polyp size, small polyps (≤ 5 mm) were detected at a significantly higher rate in the LCI group (271/494 vs 336/501, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Linked color imaging is significantly superior to WLI in terms of mean adenoma number per patient.

Clinical response of vedolizumab at week 6 predicted endoscopic remission at week 24 in ulcerative colitis

Background and Aim

Vedolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits the migration of gut‐homing memory T cells into the intestinal submucosa by antagonizing the interaction of α₄β₇ integrin with MAdCAM‐1. Vedolizumab is employed for ulcerative colitis with moderate to severe activity; however, predictors of its clinical efficacy have not been established in real‐world clinical practice. We investigated the clinical characteristics predicting vedolizumab efficacy.

Methods

This was a single‐center, retrospective, observational study that enrolled patients with ulcerative colitis at Kyorin University Hospital. Fifty‐two consecutive patients who started vedolizumab induction therapy and were tracked for minimum 14 weeks between August 2018 and February 2021 were included. Clinical and endoscopic disease activities were scored at baseline and at weeks 2, 6, and 14 with the Lichtiger index and at baseline and week 24 with the Mayo endoscopic subscore, respectively. Clinical remission, clinical response, and endoscopic remission were defined as Lichtiger index of ≤3, Lichtiger index of ≤10 with a reduction of minimum 3 points from baseline, and Mayo endoscopic subscore of ≤1, respectively.

Results

In these cases, clinical response/remission rates at weeks 2, 6, and 14 were 26.9%/15.3%, 50.0%/46.3%, and 57.6%/50.0%, respectively. The endoscopic remission rate at week 24 was 60%. The clinical response at week 6 was significantly associated with endoscopic remission at week 24 after starting vedolizumab.

Conclusions

In vedolizumab treatment for ulcerative colitis, the clinical response at week 6 can be a predictor for endoscopic remission at week 24.

MEFV Gene-Related Enterocolitis Account for Some Cases Diagnosed as Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unclassified

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Familial mediterranean fever (FMF), an autoinflammatory disease, is characterized by periodic fever and serositis. An MEFV gene mutation has been identified as the cause of FMF. Recently, patients with MEFV gene mutations and chronic gastrointestinal mucosal inflammation mimicking inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients with IBD unclassified (IBDU) with MEFV gene mutations.

METHODS

MEFV gene analysis was performed on 8 patients with IBDU among 710 patients with IBD who had been treated at Kyorin University Hospital from April 2016 to December 2018. Clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings, and serological markers were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The average of the 8 patients with IBDU (3 men, 5 women) was 32.7 ± 6.4 years (range 26-76 years). Their symptoms comprised diarrhea (n = 8, 100%), hematochezia (n = 3, 37.5%), abdominal pain (n = 3, 37.5%), high fever (n = 2, 16.5%), and other periodic symptoms (n = 2, 16.5%). MEFV gene mutation was confirmed in 4/8 of these patients. Colonoscopy showed various mucosal lesions, rectal sparing, right side dominant colitis, pseudopolyposis, and granular protrusions. Colchicine was administered to 5 of the 8 patients (4 with and 1 without MEFV mutation) who were resistant to conventional treatment for ulcerative colitis. Clinical and endoscopic improvement was observed in all of 5 patients treated with colchicine.

CONCLUSIONS

Some patients diagnosed as having IBDU have enterocolitis related to MEFV gene mutation and respond to colchicine therapy.

Extent of disease affects the usefulness of fecal biomarkers in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Fecal biomarkers are considered to be useful surrogate markers for endoscopic activity. Given the mechanisms of fecal biomarkers, we hypothesized that the extent of ulcerative colitis (UC; pancolitis, left-sided colitis, and proctitis) could affect the usefulness of fecal biomarkers for assessing endoscopic and clinical disease activity; however, few studies have evaluated the utility of fecal biomarkers in the disease extent of UC.

METHODS

Fecal calprotectin, a fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin, and fecal lactoferrin were used as fecal biomarkers. UC patients, who underwent colonoscopy within 30 days of the fecal biomarker test, participated in this observational study. Clinical and endoscopic disease activity was assessed using the Lichtiger Index and Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES), respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 162 colonoscopies were performed on 133 UC patients. A correlation analysis between each biomarker and the MES for each disease-extent subgroup showed a decreased correlation in the proctitis compared with the other groups. With the exception of proctitis, it was possible to distinguish between MES 0 and MES ≥ 1 with high area-under-the-curve values for fecal calprotectin and fecal lactoferrin. The fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin was superior at discriminating MES 0 for proctitis.

CONCLUSIONS

For the practical application of fecal biomarkers for UC patients, it is necessary to consider disease extent before use. In particular, patients with proctitis exhibit a low correlation between stool biomarkers and endoscopic findings. The usefulness of these biomarkers for endoscopic remission is reduced, except for the fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin.

Magnetic Friedel Oscillation at the Fe(001) Surface: Direct Observation by Atomic-Layer-Resolved Synchrotron Radiation ^{57}Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy

The surface magnetism of Fe(001) was studied in an atomic layer-by-layer fashion by using the in situ iron-57 probe layer method with a synchrotron Mössbauer source. The observed internal hyperfine field H_{int} exhibits a marked decrease at the surface and an oscillatory behavior with increasing depth in the individual upper four layers below the surface. The calculated layer-depth dependencies of the effective hyperfine field |H_{eff}|, isomer shift δ, and quadrupole shift 2ϵ agree well with the observed experimental parameters. These results provide the first experimental evidence for the magnetic Friedel oscillations, which penetrate several layers from the Fe(001) surface.

Elevated fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin associated with small intestinal lesions in patients with Behçet disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Small intestinal lesions in patients with Behçet disease (BD) have a risk of perforation and hemorrhage requiring surgery. However, no screening strategy for such lesions has been established. We investigated small intestinal lesions in BD patients with video capsule endoscopy (VCE) and analyzed clinical characteristics to identify noninvasive biomarkers of such lesions.

METHODS

This study included 33 BD patients who underwent VCE (PillCam® SB3) at our institution from June 2016 to January 2019. Clinical characteristics, including age, sex, disease duration, body mass index, gastrointestinal symptoms, eye involvement, and blood examinations, were obtained from the medical records of 27 of the 33 patients. Fecal immunochemical tests for hemoglobin, fecal calprotectin (FC), and fecal lactoferrin (FL) were measured. VCE findings of 145 healthy Japanese individuals from a previous report were used as controls.

RESULTS

Two intestinal BD patients were included in the 27 patients. We observed that BD patients exhibit more small intestinal lesions compared with healthy individuals, including erosions, ulcers, and total lesions (erosions or ulcers). FC and FL levels were significantly higher in patients with versus without small intestinal lesions (P = 0.034 and P = 0.046, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analyses demonstrated that FC (cutoff value = 119 μg/g) and FL (cutoff value = 17 μg/g) were biomarkers for small intestinal lesions in patients with BD.

CONCLUSION

The present study using VCE showed that patients with BD had more small intestinal lesions than healthy individuals. FC and FL could be useful for screening BD patients who may have small intestinal lesions.

Precision Analysis of the ^{136}Xe Two-Neutrino ββ Spectrum in KamLAND-Zen and Its Impact on the Quenching of Nuclear Matrix Elements

We present a precision analysis of the ^{136}Xe two-neutrino ββ electron spectrum above 0.8 MeV, based on high-statistics data obtained with the KamLAND-Zen experiment. An improved formalism for the two-neutrino ββ rate allows us to measure the ratio of the leading and subleading 2νββ nuclear matrix elements (NMEs), ξ_{31}^{2ν}=-0.26_{-0.25}^{+0.31}. Theoretical predictions from the nuclear shell model and the majority of the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) calculations are consistent with the experimental limit. However, part of the ξ_{31}^{2ν} range allowed by the QRPA is excluded by the present measurement at the 90% confidence level. Our analysis reveals that predicted ξ_{31}^{2ν} values are sensitive to the quenching of NMEs and the competing contributions from low- and high-energy states in the intermediate nucleus. Because these aspects are also at play in neutrinoless ββ decay, ξ_{31}^{2ν} provides new insights toward reliable neutrinoless ββ NMEs.

Erratum: Structural and Valence Changes of Europium Hydride Induced by Application of High-Pressure H_{2} [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 025501 (2011)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.025501.

Community-acquired fulminant colitis caused by binary toxin-producing Clostridium difficile in Japan

We report a case of community-acquired fulminant colitis caused by Clostridium difficile in Japan. A 46-year-old woman was diagnosed with severe infectious enterocolitis and was admitted at another hospital. The stool culture was positive for toxigenic C. difficile. Since the patient presented with fulminant C. difficile infection (CDI) with toxic megacolon, respiratory insufficiency, and circulatory failure, she was transferred to Kyorin University Hospital for intensive care. Intubation and antibiotic therapy were performed. The general condition improved with conservative treatment, and she was discharged without sequelae. While the recovered isolate was toxin A and B-positive and binary toxin-positive, it was identified as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotype ts0592 and slpA sequence type ts0592. The isolate was different from PCR ribotype 027 epidemic in Europe and North America. In Japan, binary toxin-producing strains are rare and have not caused an epidemic to date. Furthermore, there are few data on community-acquired CDI in Japan. In this case, a non-elderly woman with no major risk factors such as antibiotic use, administration of proton pump inhibitor and history of gastrointestinal surgery developed community-acquired fulminant CDI caused by the binary toxin-positive strain, and ICU treatment was required. Further studies focusing on the role of binary toxin-positive C. difficile in the severity of community-acquired CDI are necessary.

An HIV-infected Patient with Confirmed Overlapping Complications of Severe Amebic Colitis and CMV Enteritis

We herein report a case of simultaneous amebic colitis and cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis in an HIV-infected patient. The patient was a 40-year-old man who developed bloody stool and diarrhea. We diagnosed him with severe amebic colitis associated with HIV infection and administered metronidazole. While his symptoms began to improve, the patient then developed CMV enteritis. We administered ganciclovir, and his symptoms improved. However, despite control of the infection, stenosis of the descending colon caused intestinal obstruction, and colostomy was performed. This case shows the importance of considering the possibility of simultaneous infection when gastrointestinal symptoms appear in people infected with HIV.

Evaluation of the drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test for diagnosing mesalazine allergy

Background/Aims

Mesalazine is an effective drug for treating ulcerative colitis (UC), but causes allergic symptoms in a few cases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) for the diagnosis of mesalazine allergy.

Methods

Patients with UC treated with mesalazine with or without a history of associated adverse events (AEs) were enrolled at Kyorin University Hospital from July 2016 to April 2017.

Results

The DLST was performed in 104 patients with UC, of which 24 had a history of AEs due to mesalazine treatment. The control value of DLST was 337.4±296.3 counts per minute (cpm) in the AE⁺ group and 408.0±371.9 cpm in the AE⁻ group. The measured value of DLST was 578.8±424.7 cpm in the AE⁺ group and 476.5±471.8 cpm in the AE⁻ group. The stimulation index (SI) was 243.9%±291.1% in the AE⁺ group and 119.8%±53.0% in the AE⁻ group. The SI value and DLST positivity were significantly higher in the AE⁺ group than in the AE⁻ group (P=0.030 and P=0.029, respectively). The test sensitivity and specificity were 0.240 and 0.805, respectively, and the false-positive and false-negative rate was 0.195 and 0.760, respectively.

Conclusions

The DLST for mesalazine showed low sensitivity and high specificity, suggesting that it may be useful for the definitive diagnosis of allergy to mesalazine.

A Caucasian American patient with celiac disease diagnosed in Japan and successfully treated with a gluten-free diet

We report the case of a 33-year-old Caucasian American man diagnosed with celiac disease in Japan. He presented to a community hospital because of chronic watery diarrhea and weight loss for 6 months. The laboratory data showed low serum albumin and serum cholesterol. A colonoscopy was normal. He was referred to our hospital for further work-up. Serum tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A (IgA) and endomysial antibody were positive. The HLA type was DQ2. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed nodular and mosaic-patterned mucosa from the bulb to the second part of the duodenum. The histopathological findings were consistent with Marsh type 3c of the modified Marsh classification for celiac disease. The patient was instructed to follow a gluten-free diet (GFD). Six months after the initiation of the GFD, his symptom and the levels of serum albumin and cholesterol were improved, and the serum tissue transglutaminase IgA and endomysial antibody became negative. However, EGD showed little improvement. Capsule endoscopy also revealed mosaic-patterned mucosa, nodular mucosa, and scalloping of the folds of the duodenum and proximal small intestine. There was no definite improvement in histopathological findings. Collectively, the GFD was effective in this patient with celiac disease, but it should be maintained to achieve endoscopic and histopathologic healing.

Does the Age of Donor Kidneys Affect Nocturnal Polyuria in Patients With Successful Real Transplantation?

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether the age of donor kidneys influences the incidence of nocturnal polyuria in patients with successful renal transplantation (RTX).

METHODS

Eighty-five patients (45 men and 40 women) undergoing RTX (median age, 47 years) were included in this study. Twenty-four-hour bladder diaries were kept for 3 days, and nocturnal polyuria was defined as a nocturnal polyuria index (nocturnal urine volume/24-hour urine volume) of >0.33. Risk factors for nocturnal polyuria were analyzed in patients with RTX by means of the Mann-Whitney U test, χ² test, and a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) developed from diabetes mellitus in 16 patients (19%). Sixty-five patients (76%) received pre-transplant dialysis, with a median duration of 5 years. The median serum creatinine level and body mass index at the most recent visit were 1.2 mg/dL and 21.2 kg/m², respectively. On the basis of the 24-hour bladder diaries, nocturnal polyuria was identified in 48 patients (56%). A logistic regression analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus as the original disease for ESRD was the only risk factor for nocturnal polyuria (odds ratio, 8.95; 95% confidence interval, 2.01-65.3; P = .0028). The age of donor kidneys at examination did not affect the incidence of nocturnal polyuria (P = .9402).

CONCLUSIONS

Nocturnal polyuria was not uncommon in patients with successful RTX. Diabetes mellitus as the original disease for ESRD was the only risk factor for nocturnal polyuria, whereas the age of donor kidneys at examination did not affect the incidence of nocturnal polyuria. Thus, nocturnal polyuria is caused by recipient factors but not donor factors.

Publisher's Note: Search for Majorana Neutrinos Near the Inverted Mass Hierarchy Region with KamLAND-Zen [Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 082503 (2016)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.082503.

Search for Majorana Neutrinos Near the Inverted Mass Hierarchy Region with KamLAND-Zen

We present an improved search for neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay of ^{136}Xe in the KamLAND-Zen experiment. Owing to purification of the xenon-loaded liquid scintillator, we achieved a significant reduction of the ^{110m}Ag contaminant identified in previous searches. Combining the results from the first and second phase, we obtain a lower limit for the 0νββ decay half-life of T_{1/2}^{0ν}>1.07×10^{26}  yr at 90% C.L., an almost sixfold improvement over previous limits. Using commonly adopted nuclear matrix element calculations, the corresponding upper limits on the effective Majorana neutrino mass are in the range 61-165 meV. For the most optimistic nuclear matrix elements, this limit reaches the bottom of the quasidegenerate neutrino mass region.

Combined Effects of Neurotrophin Secreting Transplants, Exercise, and Serotonergic Drug Challenge Improve Function in Spinal Rats

Objectives. To determine the effects of neurotrophin-secreting transplants combined with exercise and serotonergic drug challenges on recovery of hindlimb function in rats with midthoracic spinal cord transection injuries. Methods. Spinalized animals received transplants of fibroblasts genetically modified to express brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 and daily cycling exercise. Hindlimb movement in an open-field test (BBB) was scored weekly. Serotonin agonists were used monthly to further stimulate motor function. Axonal growth was quantified in the transplant and at L5 using immunocytochemical markers. Weights of hindlimb muscles were used to assess muscle atrophy. Results. Neurotrophin-secreting transplants stimulated axonal growth, and cycling prevented muscle atrophy, but individual treatments did not improve motor scores. Combined treatments resulted in improvements in motor function. Serotonergic agonists further improved function in all groups, and transplant groups with exercise achieved weight-supporting levels following drug treatment. Conclusion. Combined treatments, but not individual treatments, improved hindlimb function.

Traumatic pediatric spinal cord injury: long-term outcomes of lower urinary tract function

Long-term urodynamic and urological outcomes were evaluated in pediatric patients following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The medical charts of three pediatric patients following traumatic SCI were retrospectively reviewed. The level of the injury was cervical in two patients and thoracic in one. Two patients, whose initial urodynamics demonstrated voluntary or reflex detrusor contraction with synergic sphincter relaxation, managed to void; however, urinary management was switched in one of these patients from voiding to clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) with anti-cholinergic agents because of a treatment for urinary incontinence. There were also no episodes of hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) or renal dysfunction in these two patients. Although one patient with hyperreflexic bladder was initially managed with CIC and anti-cholinergic agents, detrusor myectomy was ultimately performed because of severe VUR associated with the progressive worsening of lower urinary tract (LUT) function. Careful follow-ups including urodynamics are mandatory for children with progressively deteriorated LUT function or problematic urinary incontinence.

Nuclear resonant scattering measurements on (57)Fe by multichannel scaling with a 64-pixel silicon avalanche photodiode linear-array detector

We developed a silicon avalanche photodiode (Si-APD) linear-array detector for use in nuclear resonant scattering experiments using synchrotron X-rays. The Si-APD linear array consists of 64 pixels (pixel size: 100 × 200 μm(2)) with a pixel pitch of 150 μm and depletion depth of 10 μm. An ultrafast frontend circuit allows the X-ray detector to obtain a high output rate of >10(7) cps per pixel. High-performance integrated circuits achieve multichannel scaling over 1024 continuous time bins with a 1 ns resolution for each pixel without dead time. The multichannel scaling method enabled us to record a time spectrum of the 14.4 keV nuclear radiation at each pixel with a time resolution of 1.4 ns (FWHM). This method was successfully applied to nuclear forward scattering and nuclear small-angle scattering on (57)Fe.

Impact of laparoscopy for diagnosis and treatment in patients with disorders of sex development

OBJECTIVE

To review laparoscopy in patients with disorders of sex development (DSD) in order to clarify its usefulness in diagnosis, devising subsequent therapeutic strategies and managing patients with various conditions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between April 1992 and December 2012, 29 laparoscopic surgeries were performed in 25 DSD patients. Among them, ten were diagnostic laparoscopy including gonadal biopsy, and 19 were therapeutic laparoscopy. Surgical procedures and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

For diagnostic laparoscopy, laparoscopic gonadal biopsy was performed in three patients. Inspection, with or without open gonadal biopsy, was performed on four out of seven patients with 46XY DSD or mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD). Additional surgery was planned and performed based on diagnostic laparoscopic findings in six out of seven patients. In the three patients with ovotesticular DSD, the gonadal pathology was diagnosed as: testis/ovary in one, testis/ovotestis in one and ovary/ovotestis in one--this was from the laparoscopic inspection and/or gonadal biopsy. However, the final diagnoses were bilateral ovotestis in two patients and ovary/ovotestis in one patient. For therapeutic laparoscopy, surgical procedures were: gonadectomy in 17 patients (bilateral in 13, unilateral in three, partial in two); hysterectomy in two patients; orchiopexy in one; and sigmoid vaginoplasty in one patient (included multiple procedures). There were no severe perioperative complications. In the four patients with a history of diagnostic laparoscopy, no severe intra-abdominal adhesions that would disturb therapeutic laparoscopic surgery were observed.

CONCLUSION

While diagnostic laparoscopy was helpful in devising a therapeutic surgical strategy in most of the patients with DSD who were suspected as having complex gonadal status or Müllerian duct derivatives, attention must be paid to precisely diagnosing the gonadal status in ovotesticular DSD. On the other hand, therapeutic laparoscopic surgeries were valuable procedures in treating DSD patients, even with a history of previous diagnostic laparoscopy.

Configuration change of NO on Cu(110) as a function of temperature

The bonding structure of nitric oxide (NO) on Cu(110) is studied by means of scanning tunneling microscopy, reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy at 6-160 K. At low temperatures, the NO molecule adsorbs at the short bridge site via the N end in an upright configuration. At around 50 K, this turns into a flat configuration, in which both the N and O atoms interact with the surface. The flat configuration is characterized by the low-frequency N-O stretching mode at 855 cm(-1). The flat-lying NO flips back and forth when the temperature increases to ~80 K, and eventually dissociates at ~160 K. We propose a potential energy diagram for the conversion of NO on the surface.

Oral administration of an HSP90 inhibitor, 17-DMAG, intervenes tumor-cell infiltration into multiple organs and improves survival period for ATL model mice

In the peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) from the carriers of the human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) or the patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB)-mediated antiapoptotic signals are constitutively activated primarily by the HTLV-1-encoded oncoprotein Tax. Tax interacts with the I κB kinase regulatory subunit NEMO (NF-κB essential modulator) to activate NF-κB, and this interaction is maintained in part by a molecular chaperone, heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90), and its co-chaperone cell division cycle 37 (CDC37). The antibiotic geldanamycin (GA) inhibits HSP90's ATP binding for its proper interaction with client proteins. Administration of a novel water-soluble and less toxic GA derivative, 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin hydrochloride (17-DMAG), to Tax-expressing ATL-transformed cell lines, C8166 and MT4, induced significant degradation of Tax. 17-DMAG also facilitated growth arrest and cellular apoptosis to C8166 and MT4 and other ATL cell lines, although this treatment has no apparent effects on normal PBLs. 17-DMAG also downregulated Tax-mediated intracellular signals including the activation of NF-κB, activator protein 1 or HTLV-1 long terminal repeat in Tax-transfected HEK293 cells. Oral administration of 17-DMAG to ATL model mice xenografted with lymphomatous transgenic Lck-Tax (Lck proximal promoter-driven Tax transgene) cells or HTLV-1-producing tumor cells dramatically attenuated aggressive infiltration into multiple organs, inhibited de novo viral production and improved survival period. These observations identified 17-DMAG as a promising candidate for the prevention of ATL progression.

The physico-chemical properties and protein denaturation potential of surfactant mixtures

Synopsis Protein denaturation was investigated to establish an in vitro evaluation method of surfactants in connection with their in vivo irritation potency to human skin. Eventually a new method with simplicity and high reproducibility was established by using quantitative analysis with gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). The protein denaturing potency of the commercially available surfactants was measured by using the developed method. Synergistic reduction in protein denaturation was observed in the mixed systems of anionic and amphoteric surfactants. The synergistic reduction was explained in terms of the physico-chemical properties of the mixed surfactants. A possible mechanism is the remarkable lowering of the total monomer concentration by the formation of hydrophobic complexes between the anionic and amphoteric surfactants.

Limit on neutrinoless ββ decay of 136Xe from the first phase of KamLAND-Zen and comparison with the positive claim in 76Ge

We present results from the first phase of the KamLAND-Zen double-beta decay experiment, corresponding to an exposure of 89.5 kg yr of (136)Xe. We obtain a lower limit for the neutrinoless double-beta decay half-life of T(1/2)(0ν)>1.9×10(25) yr at 90% C.L. The combined results from KamLAND-Zen and EXO-200 give T(1/2)(0ν)>3.4×10(25) yr at 90% C.L., which corresponds to a Majorana neutrino mass limit of <m(ββ)> <(120-250) meV based on a representative range of available matrix element calculations. Using those calculations, this result excludes the Majorana neutrino mass range expected from the neutrinoless double-beta decay detection claim in (76)Ge, reported by a part of the Heidelberg-Moscow Collaboration, at more than 97.5% C.L.

Particle-like and fluid-like settling of a stratified suspension

The gravitational settling of inhomogeneously suspended particles in a fluid has been investigated. Of particular interest is whether collective or individual motion of particles is dominant during their settlings, i.e., whether the particles settle as a continuous suspension or they settle individually relative to the surrounding fluid. We observed the settling of a stratified suspension which has the lower and upper concentration interfaces in a quasi-two-dimensional vessel. In some cases, the suspension behaves perfectly as a continuous fluid and the motion of the constituent particle is subject to bulk flow caused by the interfacial instability. In other cases, the particle behaves individually relative to the surrounding fluid. The existence of a concentration interface plays a significant role in these extreme behaviors of suspension. The transition from the collective to individual behaviors can be predicted quantitatively by a parameter which expresses the border resolution of the concentration interface.