The β-decay of the even-even nucleus 70Kr with Z=N+2, has been investigated at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) of the RIKEN Nishina Center using the BigRIPS fragment separator, the ZeroDegree ...Spectrometer, the WAS3ABI implantation station and the EURICA HPGe cluster array. Fifteen γ-rays associated with the β-decay of 70Kr into 70Br have been identified for the first time, defining ten populated states below Eexc=3300 keV. The half-life of 70Kr was derived with increased precision and found to be t1/2=45.19±0.14 ms. The β-delayed proton emission probability has also been determined as εp=0.545(23)%. An increase in the β-strength to the yrast 1+ state in comparison with the heaviest Z=N+2 system studied so far (62Ge decay) is observed that may indicate increased np correlations in the T=0 channel. The β-decay strength deduced from the results is interpreted in terms of the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA) and also with a schematic model that includes isoscalar and isovector pairing in addition to quadrupole deformation. The application of this last model indicates an approximate realization of pseudo-SU(4) symmetry in this system.
Several studies have demonstrated that localized heating of tree stems induces localized cambial reactivation. We analyzed by light microscopy the effects of early spring increases in ambient ...temperature in 2005 and 2007 on the timing of cambial reactivation and xylem differentiation in stems of two trees of a cloned deciduous hardwood hybrid poplar (Populus sieboldii Miquel. x P. grandidentata Michx.) growing under natural conditions. Meteorological data at the study site showed that temperatures in late winter and early spring differed markedly between 2005 and 2007, with trends toward higher temperatures starting around April 3 in 2005 and around March 20 in 2007. Cambial reactivation occurred about 17 days earlier in 2007 than in 2005. The cumulative daily maximum temperature in excess of 15 °C (maximum daily temperatures minus 15 °C) in late winter and early spring before cambial reactivation was defined as the cambial reactivation index (CRI15). Cambial reactivation, which began when the minimum temperature rose above 0 °C, occurred when the CRI15 was 93 and 96 °C in 2005 and 2007, respectively. The differentiation of secondary xylem started earlier in 2007 than in 2005. On May 27, we found a wider current-year band of xylem and a higher frequency of small-diameter vessel elements in 2007 than in 2005. We propose that the timing of cambial reactivation is controlled by air temperature and that earlier cambial reactivation induces earlier differentiation of xylem in hybrid poplar under natural conditions. Our results indicate that the CRI might be a useful indicator of the timing of cambial reactivation.
Desensitization for ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation mainly comprises removal of antibodies with the use of apheresis and suppression of antibody (Ab) production with the use of ...rituximab. This study aimed to estimate the outcomes of ABOi kidney transplantation with the use of an Ab removal–free protocol to avoid complications associated with apheresis.
A total of 32 de novo consecutive adults who underwent ABOi living-donor kidney transplantation were retrospectively evaluated. Our protocol for ABOi recipients was stratified and fixed according to the anti-A/B Ab titer at baseline before desensitization. Desensitization was performed before transplantation with 0–4 sessions of plasmapheresis or double-filtration plasmapheresis and 1–2 administrations of rituximab at 100 mg/body. Graft outcomes, anti-A/B Ab titer, and plasma fibrinogen level were compared between the Ab removal (n = 21) and Ab removal–free (n = 11) groups.
Between the Ab removal and Ab removal–free groups, the graft loss rate (4.8% vs 0.0%; P = 1.0), acute rejection rate (19.0% vs 0.0%; P = .14), and serum creatinine level (1.74 vs 1.40 mg/dL, P = .53) were similar. The anti-A/B Ab titer was maintained at a low level until postoperative month 12 in both groups. The plasma fibrinogen level on the operation day was significantly lower in the Ab removal group than in the Ab removal–free group (163.4 vs 250.2 mg/dL; P < .001).
Desensitization with the use of an antibody removal–free protocol for ABOi kidney transplant recipients with a low anti-A/B Ab titer can maintain excellent graft outcomes and avoid postoperative bleeding risk.
•We estimated outcomes of ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation without apheresis.•ABO-incompatible recipients with low titer received an antibody removal–free protocol.•Antibody removal–free protocol can achieve excellent graft outcomes.•Antibody removal–free protocol can help to avoid postoperative bleeding risk.•Antibody removal–free protocol can reduce the use of blood products.
The effectiveness of everolimus (EVR) for ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation is unknown. We evaluated outcomes of conversion from steroid to EVR in ABOi kidney transplant recipients.
We ...performed a retrospective observational cohort study of 33 de novo consecutive adult ABOi living donor kidney transplant recipients. Desensitization was performed using 0 to 4 sessions of plasmapheresis and 1 to 2 doses of 100 mg rituximab according to the anti-A/B antibody titer. ABOi recipients were administered a combination of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and methylprednisolone. Diabetic patients were converted from methylprednisolone to EVR at 1 to 15 months post-transplantation to prevent diabetes progression. Graft outcomes, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, and cytomegalovirus infection rates were compared between the EVR (n = 11) and steroid (n = 22) groups.
Mean postoperative duration was 814 and 727 days in the EVR and steroid groups, respectively (P = .65). Between the 2 groups, graft survival rate (100% vs 95.5%, P > .99), acute rejection rate (9.1% vs 18.2%, P = .64), and serum creatinine levels (1.46 mg/dL vs 1.68 mg/dL, P = .66) were comparable. Although HbA1c levels were elevated in the steroid group (5.47%, 5.87%; P = .003), no significant deterioration was observed in the EVR group without additional insulin administration (6.10%, 6.47%; P = .21). Cytomegalovirus infection rate was significantly lower in the EVR group than in the steroid group (18.2% vs 63.6%, P = .026).
Conversion from steroid to EVR in ABOi kidney transplant recipients maintained excellent graft outcomes and avoided diabetes progression and cytomegalovirus infection.
•We aimed to improve complications in ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients.•We evaluated outcomes of a new protocol using conversion from steroid to everolimus.•Steroid withdrawal using everolimus could avoid diabetes progression.•Steroid withdrawal using everolimus could suppress CMV infection.•Everolimus administration may contribute to improved patient and graft outcomes.
Structure of the neutron-rich N=86 isotope 140Xe, located northeast of a doubly-magic nucleus 132Sn, is investigated by β−γ spectroscopy. Two β-decay isomers in 140I are newly found in the study of ...two different β decays of 140I which were produced by two reactions (i) direct in-flight fission at a primary target and (ii) β decay of 140Te at an active stopper. Half-lives of the β decays of the ground state, the low-spin isomer, and the high-spin isomer are determined to be 0.38(2), 0.91(5), and 0.47(4) s, respectively. Decay schemes of the β decay of the high-spin isomer and of the mixed β decays of the ground state and the low-spin isomer in 140I to 140Xe are constructed using the information on γ-ray coincidence relation and γ-ray intensity. Nuclear structures of the low-lying states in 140Xe and 140I are discussed by comparing the experimental results to two theoretical calculations based on a large-scale shell model and the deformed Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov plus deformed quasiparticle-random-phase approximation. Possible candidates for (quasi-)γ-band members of 2+ and 4+ states and the octupole collective 1− state are proposed in 140Xe. Increase of quadrupole, triaxial, and octupole collectivities is discussed with the increase of neutron and proton numbers.
The β-decay scheme of 138Te and the level structure of 138I is reported for the first time. The experiment was performed at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory of RIKEN, as one of the EUROBALL-RIKEN ...Cluster Array campaigns. Secondary radioactive ions, including 138Te and 138Sb, were produced by the in-flight fission of a 238U beam with the energy of 345 MeV per nucleon. From the β decay of 138Te, the level scheme of 138I was supplemented with new spin and parity assignments, such as the low-lying negative-parity states and a positive-parity 1+ state. This 1+ state can be interpreted as being associated with the π0h11/2⊗ν0h9/2 partner orbital configuration populated by the Gamow-Teller transition between a neutron in the 0h9/2 orbital and a proton in the 0h11/2 orbital. Details of the structure of 138I are discussed in terms of the proton-neutron interactions and Gamow-Teller transition strength within the theoretical context of shell-model calculations.
To investigate the therapeutic potential of administration of gelatin hydrogel microspheres containing platelet-rich plasma (PRP), by examining its effects on progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in a ...rabbit model.
PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were prepared from rabbit blood. Adult rabbit chondrocytes were cultured in the alginate beads with the presence of 3% PRP or 3% PPP. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis was quantified using dimethylmethylene blue assay. To confirm the anabolic effect of PRP in vivo, cartilage matrix gene expression was examined after intraarticular administration of PRP contained in gelatin hydrogel microspheres. The PRP contained in gelatin hydrogel microspheres was administered into the rabbit knee joint twice with an interval of 3 weeks, beginning 4 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Ten weeks after ACLT, gross morphological and histological examinations were performed.
PRP significantly stimulated chondrocyte GAG synthesis in vitro. In the knee joint, expression of proteoglycan core protein mRNA in the articular cartilage increased after administration of PRP contained in microspheres. Intraarticular injections of PRP in gelatin hydrogel microspheres significantly suppressed progression of OA in the ACLT rabbit model morphologically and histologically.
The present findings indicate that sustained release of growth factors contained in PRP has preventive effects against OA progression. These preventive effects appear to be due to stimulation of cartilage matrix metabolism, caused by the growth factors contained in PRP.
Newly observed decay schemes of the nuclei 137Sb and 138Sb are reported. The neutron-rich Sb isotopes were produced by the in-flight fragmentation of a 238U primary beam with an energy of 345 ...MeV/nucleon. Several new excited states of 137Te with tentatively assigned spin-parities of (5/2−), (9/2−), and (7/2) have been established which play an important role in the evolution of neutron levels beyond N=82. The study of the β decay of 138Sb led to a considerable extension of the level scheme of 138Te including the identification of several nonyrast states. The structure of 137Te and 138Te is discussed on the basis of large-scale shell-model calculations performed using two different effective interactions.
Abstract Background and aims It remains unclear whether glycemic fluctuation can affect plaque rupture in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Here we investigate the impact of glucose fluctuation on ...plaque rupture, as observed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and monocyte subsets in patients with AMI. Methods and results We studied 37 consecutive patients with AMI. All patients underwent OCT examination, which revealed 24 patients with plaque rupture and 13 patients without plaque rupture at the culprit site. Peripheral blood sampling was performed on admission. Three monocyte subsets (CD14+ CD16− , CD14bright CD16+ , and CD14dim CD16+ ) were assessed by flow cytometry. Glycemic variability, expressed as the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE), was determined by a continuous glucose monitoring system 7 days after the onset of AMI. MAGE was significantly higher in the rupture patients than in the non-rupture patients ( P =0.036). Levels of CD14bright CD16+ monocytes from the rupture patients were significantly higher than those from the non-rupture patients ( P =0.042). Of interest, levels of CD14bright CD16+ monocytes correlated positively and significantly with MAGE ( r =0.39, P =0.02). Conclusion Dynamic glucose fluctuation may be associated with coronary plaque rupture, possibly through the preferential increase in CD14bright CD16+ monocyte levels.
Neutron-rich Pm (Z=61) isotopes were studied by delayed γ-ray spectroscopy at RIBF, RIKEN Nishina Center using the in-flight fission of a 345 MeV/nucleon 238U beam. A cluster-type Ge detector array, ...EURICA, was used to measure the delayed γ rays from stopped ions. Isomeric γ decays were observed in 159Pm and 161Pm with half-lives of 4.97(12) μs and 0.79(4) μs, respectively. Level schemes for 159Pm and 161Pm were constructed in this study. The isomeric states of 159Pm and 161Pm could be interpreted as two quasiparticle excitations of neutrons with the configurations of ν(7/2633⊗5/2523) and ν(7/2633⊗1/2521), respectively. They are analogous to the isomers that have been observed systematically in other even-mass N=98 and N=100 isotones in this region. A projected shell model calculation was performed and it reproduced the order of three-quasiparticle states only if new Nilsson parameters with an N-dependent spin-orbit interaction were used. This work demonstrates that the strength of spin-orbit interactions in standard Nilsson parameters needs to be modified to study the properties of neutron-rich rare-earth nuclei around A=165, and provides new evidence supporting the existence of the deformed N=98 subshell gap in odd-mass nuclei for the first time.
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