We consider physical properties of a superconductor with a recently proposed type of odd-frequency pairing that exhibits diamagnetic Meissner response ("odd-dia state"). Such a state was suggested in ...order to address stability issues arising in an odd-frequency superconducting state with paramagnetic Meissner response ("odd-para state"). Assuming the existence of an odd-dia state (due to a proper retarded interaction), we study its coexistence with an odd-para state. The latter is known to be generated as an induced superconducting component in, e.g., singlet superconductor/ferromagnet proximity structures or triplet superconductor/normal metal systems. Calculating the superfluid density of the mixed odd-para/odd-dia state and the Josephson current between the odd-para and odd-dia states, we find that the expressions for the currents in both cases have nonvanishing imaginary contributions and are therefore unphysical. We show that a realization of the odd-dia state implies the absence of a Hamiltonian description of the system, and suggest that there exists no physically realizable perturbation that could give rise to the spontaneous symmetry breaking necessary for an actual realization of the odd-dia superconducting state.
Detection of shallow slow earthquakes offers insight into the near-trench part of the subduction interface, an important region in the development of great earthquake ruptures and tsunami generation. ...Ocean-bottom monitoring of offshore seismicity off southern Kyushu, Japan, recorded a complete episode of low-frequency tremor, lasting for 1 month, that was associated with very-low-frequency earthquake (VLFE) activity in the shallow plate interface. The shallow tremor episode exhibited two migration modes reminiscent of deep tremor down-dip of the seismogenic zone in some other subduction zones: a large-scale slower propagation mode and a rapid reversal mode. These similarities in migration properties and the association with VLFEs strongly suggest that both the shallow and deep tremor and VLFE may be triggered by the migration of episodic slow slip events.
Background
Tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can be used to monitor the immune response, and are important in predicting treatment responses and outcomes for various types of cancer. Recently, ...specific TIL subsets have been reported to be clinically useful in predicting treatment responses. The CD8+/FOXP3+ TIL ratio (CFR) may be a more sensitive indicator for monitoring immune function. This study investigated the clinical significance and value of CFR as a biomarker to predict treatment responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Methods
Patients with resectable early‐stage breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Osaka City University Hospital, Japan, between 2007 and 2013 were included. Oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2, Ki‐67, CD8 and FOXP3 status were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and correlated with pathological complete response (pCR).
Results
A total of 177 patients were included, of whom 90 had a high CFR and 87 a low CFR. Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) was more common in the high‐CFR group than in the low‐CFR group (46 versus 23 per cent; P = 0·002), as was HER2‐enriched breast cancer (HER2BC) (27 versus 14 per cent; P = 0·033). Among these patients, the pCR rate was significantly higher in the high‐CFR group than in the low‐CFR group (TNBC: P = 0·022; HER2BC: P < 0·001). In multivariable analysis high‐CFR status was an independent predictor of a favourable prognosis: hazard ratio 0·24 (95 per cent c.i. 0·05 to 0·72; P = 0·015) for TNBC and 0·10 (0·10 to 0·90; P = 0·041) for HER2BC.
Conclusion
The CFR may be a useful biomarker to predict treatment response to neoadjuvant therapy in aggressive breast cancer subtypes, such as TNBC and HER2BC.
Tumour immunity key
The relationship between white matter disruption and cognitive dysfunction of patients with mTBI in the chronic stage remains unclear. The aim of this study was to identify white matter integrity by ...using DTI in patients with mTBI without morphologic traumatic abnormalities seen with conventional imaging and to evaluate the association of such regions with cognitive function.
Diffusion tensor images from 51 consecutive patients with mTBI without morphologic traumatic abnormalities on conventional MRI were processed, and FA maps were generated as a measure of white matter integrity. All subjects underwent cognitive examinations (MMSE and WAIS-R FIQ). Correlations between the skeletonized FA values in the white matter and the cognitive function were analyzed by using regression analysis.
In patients with mTBI, significantly decreased FA value clusters in the white matter compared with the healthy controls were found in the superior longitudinal fasciculus, superior frontal gyrus, insula, and fornix. Cognitive examination scores positively correlated with FA values in a number of regions in deep brain structures, which were anatomically close or physiologically intimate to the regions with significant FA value reduction, in patients with mTBI.
The present study shows that patients with mTBI in the chronic stage have certain regions with abnormally reduced white matter integrity in the brain. Although the clinical and pathologic-anatomic correlation of these findings remains to be elucidated, these brain regions are strongly suggested to be related to chronic persistent cognitive impairments in these patients.
Most atypical fractures associated with the long-term treatment with bisphosphonates (BP) commonly develop in the femoral shaft or subtrochanteric region. We report a rare case of bilateral atypical ...ulnar fractures in an 86-year-old woman with osteoporosis who finished the treatment with teriparatide for 2 years after long-term treatment with BP. She slid down from an approximately 30-cm-tall seat and slightly contused her left elbow. Plain radiography revealed that both ulnae had a noncomminuted short oblique fracture with cortical thickening and sclerosis at the fracture site. Based on the clinical and radiological findings, she was diagnosed with bilateral atypical ulnar fractures. The fracture of the left ulna was completely displaced and treated surgically. On the other hand, since the right ulna was an incomplete fracture, it was treated conservatively. During surgery, drilling with Kirschner wire and curettage were performed in the osteosclerotic lesion, and an autologous cancellous bone graft was inserted from the ipsilateral olecranon. Bone union was achieved in both fractures at 1 year after surgery. There have been no reports regarding the development of atypical ulnar fractures occurring after the long-term treatment with BP and 2-year use of teriparatide, and the treatment strategies of such fractures have not been established. If teriparatide cannot be used after occurring atypical fractures, the use of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and subsequent treatment for osteoporosis are recommended for the bone union. In addition, the treatment of the osteosclerotic lesion and rigid internal fixation are required in surgery.
To guide experimental work on the search for Majorana zero-energy modes, we calculate the superconducting pairing symmetry of a three-dimensional topological insulator in combination with an s-wave ...superconductor. We show how the pairing symmetry changes across different topological regimes. We demonstrate that a dominant p-wave pairing relation is not sufficient to realise a Majorana zero-energy mode useful for quantum computation. Our main result is the relation between odd-frequency pairing and Majorana zero energy modes by using Green functions techniques in three-dimensional topological insulators in the so-called Majorana regime. We discuss thereafter how the pairing relations in the different regimes can be observed in the tunneling conductance of an s-wave proximised three-dimensional topological insulator. We discuss the necessity to incorporate a ferromagnetic insulator to localise the zero-energy bound state to the interface as a Majorana mode.
For better risk management, detailed and quantitative measurement of channel and stream‐bed structure is required to understand and predict water and sediment flow in mountain channels. Our previous ...research demonstrated good performance of green‐wavelength Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) for measurement of submerged stream‐bed in a steep mountain channel. This paper examines how the acquisition protocol of TLS affects the accuracy of data collected in the mountain channel. First, it was tested whether varying the scanner height, i.e., incident angle affects the data acquisition in terms of point density and accuracy in the pool unit of step‐pool channel. Then, the effect of varying the minimum point spacing on the derived Digital terrain model (DTM) was examined. It was also analyzed whether a combination of multiple TLS data acquired from different directions would improve the accuracy of data compared to data acquired by a single measurement. Furthermore, TLS data were acquired over a cascade unit of the channel and examined whether TLS is capable of capturing reliable underwater data. All the acquired underwater data by TLS were corrected for water refraction and validated using manual surveyed data. The results showed that the accuracy of derived DTM was improved when the scanner height was increased or data was acquired from multiple directions, however, acquiring denser point cloud with a minimum point spacing of 1 mm did not improve the accuracy of the data. Accuracy of TLS measurement in the cascade unit was considerably lower. Special consideration is required for this area.
Summary
Background
Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), expressed predominantly on endothelial cells, plays a critical role in the regulation of the coagulation system and also mediates various ...cytoprotective effects by binding and activating protein C. So far, the role of EPCR has not been studied in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Objectives
To investigate the potential contribution of EPCR to the development of SSc.
Methods
EPCR expression was examined in skin samples and cultivated dermal microvascular endothelial cells by immunostaining, immunoblotting and/or quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. Fli1, binding to the PROCR promoter, was assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Serum EPCR levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 65 patients with SSc and 20 healthy subjects.
Results
EPCR expression was decreased in dermal small vessels of SSc lesional skin compared with those of healthy control skin. Transcription factor Fli1, deficiency of which is implicated in SSc vasculopathy, occupied the PROCR promoter, and EPCR expression was suppressed in Fli1 small interfering RNA‐treated endothelial cells and dermal small vessels of Fli1+/− mice. In patients with SSc, decreased serum EPCR levels were associated with diffuse skin involvement, interstitial lung disease and digital ulcers. Furthermore, serum EPCR levels inversely correlated with plasma levels of plasmin–α2‐plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC). Importantly, bosentan significantly reversed circulating EPCR and PIC levels in patients with SSc, and the expression of Fli1 and EPCR in dermal small vessels was elevated in patients treated with bosentan compared with untreated patients.
Conclusions
Endothelial EPCR downregulation due to Fli1 deficiency may contribute to hypercoagulation status leading to tissue fibrosis and impaired peripheral circulation in SSc.
What's already known about this topic?
Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays a critical role in the coagulation system and mediates various cytoprotective effects by binding and activating protein C.
The role of EPCR has not been studied in the impaired coagulation/fibrinolysis system of systemic sclerosis.
What does this study add?
EPCR downregulation potentially contributes to the development of digital ulcers and tissue fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.
This further supports the critical role of an impaired coagulation/fibrinolysis system in this disease.
Linked Comment: Jinnin, Br J Dermatol 2016; 174: 263.
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