Hidden Structural and Superconducting Phase Induced in Antiperovskite Arsenide SrPd3As.

Enriching the material variation often contributes to the progress of materials science. We have discovered for the first time antiperovskite arsenide SrPd3As and revealed a hidden structural and superconducting phase in Sr(Pd1-xPtx)3As. The Pd-rich samples (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) had the same noncentrosymmetric (NCS) tetragonal structure (a space group of I41md) as SrPd3P. For the samples with 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.7, a centrosymmetric (CS) tetragonal structure (P4/nmm) identical to that of SrPt3P was found to appear, accompanied by superconductivity at a transition temperature (Tc) up to 3.7 K. In the samples synthesized with Pt-rich nominal compositions (0.8 ≤ x ≤ 1.0), Sr2(Pd,Pt)8-yAs1+y with an intergrowth structure (CS-orthorhombic with Cmcm) was crystallized. The phase diagram obtained for Sr(Pd,Pt)3As was analogous to that of (Ca,Sr)Pd3P in which superconductivity (Tc ≥ 2 K) occurred in the CS phases induced by substitutions to the NCS phases. This study indicates the potential for further material variation expansion and the importance of elemental substitutions to reveal hidden phases in related antiperovskites.

Antiperovskite Superconductor LaPd3P with Noncentrosymmetric Cubic Structure.

Antiperovskites are a promising candidate structure for the exploration of new materials. We discovered an antiperovskite phosphide, LaPd3P, following our recent synthesis of APd3P (A = Ca, Sr, Ba). While APd3P and (Ca,Sr)Pd3P were found to be tetragonal or orthorhombic systems, LaPd3P is a new prototype cubic system (a = 9.0317(1) Å) with a noncentrosymmetric space group (I4̅3m). LaPd3P exhibited superconductivity with a transition temperature (Tc) of 0.28 K. The upper critical field, Debye temperature, and Sommerfeld constant (γ) were determined to be 0.305(8) kOe, 267(1) K, and 6.06(4) mJ mol-1 K-2 f.u.-1, respectively. We performed first-principles electronic band structure calculations for LaPd3P and compared the theoretical and experimental results. The calculated Sommerfeld constant (2.24 mJ mol-1 K-2 f.u.-1) was much smaller than the experimental value of γ because the Fermi energy (EF) was located slightly below the density of states (DOS) pseudogap. This difference was explained by the increase in the DOS at EF due to the approximately 5 atom % La deficiency (hole doping) in the sample. The observed Tc value was much lower than that estimated using the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer equation. To explain the discrepancy, we examined the possibility of an unconventional superconductivity in LaPd3P arising from the lack of space inversion symmetry.

[Generation of the Pseudo CT Image Based on the Deep Learning Technique Aimed for the Attenuation Correction of the PET Image].

Computed tomography (CT) is used for the attenuation correction (AC) of [F-18] fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (PET) image. However, acquisition of a CT image for this purpose requires increasing the radiation dose of the patient. To generate a pseudo-image, a generative adversarial network (GAN) based on deep learning is adopted. The purpose of this study was to generate a pseudo-CT image, using a GAN, for the AC of the PET image, with the aim of reducing the dose of the patient. A set of approximately 15,000 no-AC PET and CT images was used as the training sample, and the CycleGAN was employed as the image generation model. The training samples were inputted in the CycleGAN, and the hyperparameters, i.e., the learning rate, batch size, and number of epochs were set to 0.0001, 1, and 300, respectively. A pseudo-PET image was obtained using a pseudo-CT image, which was used for the AC of the no-AC PET image. The coefficient of similarity between the real and generated pseudo-images was estimated using the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) , the structural similarity (SSIM), and the dice similarity coefficient (DSC). The average values of PSNR, SSIM, and DSC of the pseudo-CT were 31.0 dB, 0.87, and 0.89, and those of the pseudo-PET were 35.9 dB, 0.90, and 0.95, respectively. The AC for the whole-body PET image could be accomplished using the pseudo-CT image generated via the GAN. The proposed method would be established as the CT-less PET/CT examination.

Experimental and Computational Determination of Optimal Boron Content in Layered Superconductor Sc20C8-xBxC20.

It is generally difficult to quantify the amount of light elements in materials because of their low X-ray-scattering power, as this means that they cannot be easily estimated via X-ray analyses. Meanwhile, the recently reported layered superconductor, Sc20C8-xBxC20, requires a small amount of boron, which is a light element, for its structural stability. In this context, here, we quantitatively evaluate the optimal x value using both experimental and computational approaches. Using the high-pressure synthesis approach, which can maintain the starting composition even after sintering, we obtain the Sc20(C,B)8C20 phase by the reaction of the previously reported Sc15C19 and B (Sc15ByC19). Our experiments demonstrate that an increase in y values promotes the phase formation of the Sc20(C,B)8C20 structure; however, there appears to be an upper limit to the nominal y value to form this phase. The maximum critical temperature (Tc = 7.6 K) is found to correspond with the actual x value of x ≈ 5 under the assumption that the sample with the same Tc as the reported value (7.7 K) possesses the optimal x amount. Moreover, we construct the energy convex hull diagram by calculating the formation enthalpy based on first principles. Our computational results indicate that the composition of Sc20C4B4C20 (x = 4) is the most thermodynamically stable, which is reasonably consistent with the experimentally obtained value.

Structural Phase Transitions and Superconductivity Induced in Antiperovskite Phosphide CaPd3P.

In this study, we succeeded in synthesizing new antiperovskite phosphides MPd3P (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) and discovered the appearance of a superconducting phase (0.17 ≤ x ≤ 0.55) in a solid solution (Ca1-xSrx)Pd3P. Three perovskite-related crystal structures were identified in (Ca1-xSrx)Pd3P, and a phase diagram was built on the basis of experimental results. The first phase transition from centrosymmetric (Pnma) to noncentrosymmetric orthorhombic (Aba2) occurred in CaPd3P near room temperature. The phase transition temperature decreased as Ca2+ was replaced with a larger-sized isovalent Sr2+. Bulk superconductivity at a critical temperature (Tc) of approximately 3.5 K was observed in a range of x = 0.17-0.55; this was associated with the centrosymmetric orthorhombic phase. Thereafter, a noncentrosymmetric tetragonal phase (I41md) remained stable for 0.6 ≤ x ≤ 1.0, and superconductivity was significantly suppressed as samples with x = 0.75 and 1.0 showed Tc values as low as 0.32 K and 57 mK, respectively. For further substitution with a larger-sized isovalent Ba2+, namely, (Sr1-yBay)Pd3P, the tetragonal phase continued throughout the composition range. BaPd3P no longer showed superconductivity down to 20 mK. Since the inversion symmetry of structure and superconductivity can be precisely controlled in (Ca1-xSrx)Pd3P, this material may offer a unique opportunity to study the relationship between inversion symmetry and superconductivity.

Stride-Phase Kinematic Parameters That Predict Peak Elbow Varus Torque.

BACKGROUND: During baseball pitching, a high amount of elbow varus torque in the arm cocking-to-acceleration phase is thought to be a biomechanical risk factor for medial elbow pain and injury. The biomechanics of the stride phase may provide preparation for the arm cocking-to-acceleration phase that follows it. PURPOSE: To determine the kinematic parameters that predict peak elbow varus torque during the stride phase of pitching. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Participants were 107 high school baseball pitchers (age range, 15-18 years) without shoulder or elbow problems. Whole-body kinematics and kinetics during fastball pitching were analyzed using 3-dimensional measurements from 36 retroreflective markers. A total of 26 kinematic parameters of the upper and lower limbs during the stride phase leading up to the stride foot contact were extracted for multiple regression analysis to assess their combined effect on the magnitude of peak elbow varus torque. RESULTS: Increased wrist extension, elbow pronation, knee flexion on the leading leg, knee extension on the trailing leg at stride foot contact, and upward displacement of the body's center of mass in the stride phase were significantly correlated with decreased peak elbow varus torque (all P < .05). Moreover, 38% of the variance in peak elbow varus torque was explained by a combination of these 5 significant kinematic variables (P < .001). CONCLUSION: We found that 5 kinematic parameters during the stride phase and the combination of these parameters were associated with peak elbow varus torque. The stride phase provides biomechanical preparation for pitching and plays a key role in peak elbow varus torque in subsequent pitching phases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present data can be used to screen pitching mechanics with motion capture assessment to reduce peak elbow varus torque. Decreased peak elbow varus torque is expected to reduce the risk of elbow medial pain and injury.

Superconductivity in a Scandium Borocarbide with a Layered Crystal Structure.

The discovery of nearly room-temperature superconductivity in superhydrides has motivated further materials research for conventional superconductors. To realize the moderately high critical temperature (Tc) in materials containing light elements, we explored new superconducting phases in a scandium borocarbide system. Here, we report the observation of superconductivity in a new ternary Sc-B-C compound. The crystal structure, which was determined through a Rietveld analysis, belongs to tetragonal space group P4/ncc. By complementarily using the density functional theory calculations, a chemical formula of the compound was found to be expressed as Sc20C8-xBxC20 (x = 1 or 2). Interestingly, a small amount of B is essential to stabilize the present structure. Our experiments revealed the typical type-II superconductivity at Tc = 7.7 K. Additionally, we calculated the density of states within a first-principles approach and found that the contribution of the Sc-3d orbital was mainly responsible for the superconductivity.

Estimation of Shoulder Behavior From the Viewpoint of Minimized Shoulder Joint Load Among Adolescent Baseball Pitchers.

BACKGROUND: During pitching, an overloaded joint reaction force exerted on the shoulder and excessive shoulder horizontal abduction at ball release are considered risk factors causing anterior shoulder pain for young baseball pitchers. Hypothesis/Purpose: The first aim was to examine the relationship between shoulder horizontal abduction position and force on the shoulder at ball release. The second was to identify the relative rotational position of the shoulder and the range of shoulder motion at ball release that minimize force on the shoulder. It was hypothesized that the amount of force on the shoulder would be exacerbated by excessive shoulder horizontal abduction. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Participants were 183 adolescent baseball pitchers (mean ± SD age, 15.5 ± 1.2 years) without shoulder/elbow problems. Each pitcher threw 5 fastballs to a catcher behind a home plate. The kinematics and kinetics of the throwing shoulder during fastball pitching were calculated with 3-dimensional measurements from 36 reflective markers. In data analysis, the correlations were calculated between the relative rotational positions of the shoulder (abduction, horizontal adduction-abduction) and the forces on the shoulder (anterior-posterior, proximal, and superior-inferior) at ball release. Subsequently, the specific rotational position and range of motion of the shoulder at ball release that minimized forces on the shoulder were determined. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations were identified between the magnitude of superior-inferior force on the shoulder and shoulder abduction position ( R2 = 0.44, P < .001) as well as between the magnitude of anterior-posterior force on the shoulder and shoulder horizontal adduction-abduction position ( R2 = 0.72, P < .001). Minimal anterior-posterior and superior-inferior forces were obtained with a combination of 80.6° of shoulder abduction and 10.7° of shoulder horizontal adduction. Any deviation >5° from this position significantly increased the anterior-posterior and superior-inferior forces on the shoulder. CONCLUSION: Increasing shoulder horizontal abduction position significantly increased the magnitude of anterior force on the shoulder at ball release. The combination of 80.6° of shoulder abduction and 10.7° of horizontal shoulder adduction minimized the shear forces on the shoulder at this point. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present data can be useful for screening pitching technique to prevent shoulder pain and injury with motion capture assessment.

Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes in Overhead Sports Athletes after Rotator Cuff Repair.

Rotator cuff tears in young overhead sports athletes are rare. The pathomechanism causing rotator cuff tears in young overhead athletes is different from that in aged patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate rotator cuff tear characteristics in young overhead sports athletes to reveal the pathomechanism causing these injuries. This study included 25 overhead sports athletes less than 30 years old with atraumatic rotator cuff tears necessitating repair. Rotator cuff tear characteristics were evaluated intraoperatively, including rotator cuff tear shape and injured rotator cuff tendon. Clinical outcome measures were assessed before surgery and at the final follow-up. In this study, 22 patients reported minimal to no shoulder pain and returned to sports without significant complaints at last follow-up. The isolated infraspinatus tendon was most often injured; the incidence rate of the tear at this site was 32% (8 cases). In the deceleration phase of overhead motion, the eccentric contraction force of the ISP (infraspinatus) tendon peaks and the increased load leads to injury at the ISP tendon. The pathomechanism of rotator cuff injuries in young overhead athletes might be not only internal or subacromial impingement, but also these mechanisms.

GENETIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ADRB2 AND PTGER4 ON RESPONSES TO SALMETEROL OR MONTELUKAST IN JAPANESE PATIENTS WITH MILD PERSISTENT ASTHMA.

BACKGROUND: Long-acting ß2-agonists (LABA) and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) are two principal agents that can be added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for patients with asthma that is not adequately controlled by ICS alone. In our previous study, the Gly16Arg genotype of the ß2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene did not influence the differential bronchodilator effect of salmeterol versus montelukast as an add-on therapy to ICS within 16 weeks of follow-up (the J-Blossom study). METHODS: We examined if genes encoding CYSLTR1, CYSLTR2, PTGER2 or PTGER4 could explain differential responses to salmeterol versus montelukast using the participants of the J-Blossom study. This study included 76 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma. The difference in peak expiratory flow (PEF) (ΔPEF, l/min) after 16 weeks of treatment with salmeterol (ΔPEFsal) versus montelukast (ΔPEFmon) was associated with the genotypes at each of 4 genes. In addition, multivariate analyses were used to identify a gene-gene interaction between ADRB2 gene and each of these 4 genes. RESULTS: Although none of 4 genes were associated with ΔPEFsal-ΔPEFmon in the univariate analyses, multivariate analysis showed that PTGER4 gene, interacting with ADRB2 Gly16Arg, was associated with ΔPEFsal-ΔPEFmon (p=0.0032). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that the interactions between two genetic loci at ADRB2 and PTGER4 is important in determining the differential response to salmeterol versus montelukast in patients with chronic adult asthma.

[FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRESENCE OF ALLERGEN-SPECIFIC IgE RESPONSES IN ASTHMA PATIENTS WHO HAD NO IgE RESPONSES DETECTABLE BY MAST-26].

AIM: To elucidate the characteristics of patients with asthma who have specific IgE responses to inhaled allergens detected by ImmunoCAP, which is not detectable by MAST-26. METHODS: A total of 168 patients with adult asthma who reside in the Kanto region were recruited. Levels of total serum IgE and allergen specific IgE antibodies towards 14 common inhaled allergens (MAST-26) were measured. Among these samples, 48 patients with no detectable allergen-specific IgE (group A) and 44 patients with strong sensitization to Dermatophagoides farinae (group B) were selected for further assessment of their sensitization to inhaled allergens such as cockroach and moth using ImmunoCAP. RESULTS: In group A, ImmunoCAP detected specific IgE responses to some inhaled allergens in 27.1% of the patients. The strongest predictive factor for the presence of allergen-specific IgE responses detected by ImmunoCAP was elevated levels of total serum IgE (p=0.0007). In group B, the presence of IgE responses specific to cockroach or moth by ImmunoCAP were found in 27.8% or 52.3% of the patients, respectively. The predictive factor for the presence of these positive IgE responses was also elevated levels of total serum IgE (p=0.0003). CONCLUSION: Asthma patients with no detectable specific IgE responses to any inhaled allergens by MAST-26 may be still sensitized to common inhaled allergens, including cockroach and moth. Thus, the presence of allergen-specific IgE responses may be re-assessed by ImmunoCAP in patients with asthma, especially when patients have higher levels of total serum IgE.

Rotator Interval Lesion and Damaged Subscapularis Tendon Repair in a High School Baseball Player.

In 2013, a 16-year-old baseball pitcher visited Nobuhara Hospital complaining of shoulder pain and limited range of motion in his throwing shoulder. High signal intensity in the rotator interval (RI) area (ball sign), injured subscapularis tendon, and damage to both the superior and middle glenohumeral ligaments were identified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Repair of the RI lesion and partially damaged subscapularis tendon was performed in this pitcher. During surgery, an opened RI and dropping of the subscapularis tendon were observed. The RI was closed in a 90° externally rotated and abducted position. To reconfirm the exact repaired state of the patient, arthroscopic examination was performed from behind. However, suture points were not visible in the >30° externally rotated position, which indicates that the RI could not be correctly repaired with the arthroscopic procedure. One year after surgery, the patient obtained full function of the shoulder and returned to play at a national convention. Surgical repair of the RI lesion should be performed in exactly the correct position of the upper extremity.

Comparison of two commercial ELISAs against an in-house ELISA for measuring soluble CD26 in human serum.

BACKGROUND: CD26 is a T-cell costimulatory molecule with dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) activity in its extracellular region. The relevance of sCD26 levels and disease activity has been reported in rheumatic or infectious disease. For certain metabolic and endocrine conditions, DPPIV inhibitors were recently developed as a new class of antidiabetic drugs that act by inhibiting DPPIV, the enzyme that inactivates incretin hormone. Higher levels of sCD26 in diabetic patients have been shown to be associated with a poor clinical response to DPPIV inhibitors, with sCD26/DPPIV being an adipokine that may impair insulin sensitivity. With the increasing use of serum sCD26 and DPPIV enzyme activity as biomarkers with potential clinical implications, accurate measurements of serum sCD26 levels and DPPIV enzyme activity are needed. METHODS: We compare two commercially widely available and an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for measurement of serum sCD26 in healthy or diabetic human sera. RESULTS: The significant discrepancies among the results obtained from commercially available and the in-house sCD26 assays were found. We also observed that a linear correlation between serum sCD26 level and DPPIV enzyme activity exists with the in-house ELISA, while the commercial ELISAs demonstrate a lack of consistency between serum sCD26 level and DPPIV enzyme activity. CONCLUSION: These data strongly suggest that new commercial assays for sCD26 plasma levels need detailed evaluation and validation with samples from clinically well-characterized patients, and results obtained from these newer assays should be compared to those obtained from well-established in-house assays such as our assay or other validated sCD26 ELISA assays.

The effects of a Gly16Arg ADRB2 polymorphism on responses to salmeterol or montelukast in Japanese patients with mild persistent asthma.

BACKGROUND: Long-acting ß2-agonists and leukotriene receptor antagonists are two principal agents that can be added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for patients with asthma that is not adequately controlled by ICS alone. The Gly16Arg genotype of the ß2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene may influence the bronchodilator effects of ß2-agonists. We hypothesized that differential responses to long-acting ß2-agonists or leukotriene receptor antagonists might be determined partly by the Gly16Arg polymorphism in Japanese asthma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, genotype-stratified, two-period crossover study included 80 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma (35 Arg/Arg and 45 Gly/Gly individuals). The primary study outcome was the difference in peak expiratory flow (ΔPEF) (ΔPEF, l/min) by genotype after 16 weeks of treatment with salmeterol (ΔPEFsal) or montelukast (ΔPEFmon). In addition, multivariate analyses were used to identify independent factors that were predictive of responses to each treatment. RESULTS: The mean ΔPEFsal-ΔPEFmon was 19.3±46.6 among Arg/Arg individuals and 16.8±51.5 among Gly/Gly individuals, indicating that the Gly16Arg genotype did not influence the differential bronchodilator effect of the two agents. Multivariate analysis showed that higher peripheral eosinophil counts were associated with better response to salmeterol (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Gly16Arg genotype did not influence the differential bronchodilator effect of salmeterol or montelukast as an add-on therapy to ICS within 16 weeks of follow-up. Higher peripheral eosinophil counts may be associated with better responses to salmeterol in combination with ICS.

Polyarthropathy in type 2 diabetes patients treated with DPP4 inhibitors.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4Is) inhibit the inactivation of incretin hormones while also affecting the immune system, since CD26/DPP-4 is involved in immune regulation. The current study shows that the use of DPP-4Is as therapy for type 2 diabetes patients may induce joint symptoms with decrease in plasma SDF-1α level.

[A case of lung adenocarcinoma with postoperative recurrence maintaining complete remission by treatment with gefitinib].

A 78-year-old woman without a smoking history was admitted to our hospital because of a tumor 4 cm in diameter found in her right lung at a cataract preoperative inspection check in May 2005. Her serum CEA level was 72. 4 ng/mL. Then, with the diagnosis of pT2N1M0, she was thus administered 2 courses of CBDCA(AUC=4)/GEM(1, 000 mg/m²)as adjuvant chemotherapy. Thereafter, a progressive increase in serum CEA was noted, and the chest CT obtained in March 2006 revealed two left lung metastases of 12 mm and 6mm in diameter. The patient was started on gefitinib. One month later her serum CEA level was within the normal range, and the lung metastatic nodules were not detected on the chest CT. In August 2007, the gefitinib was discontinued because of severe pain due to paronychia. Afterwards, and until May 2010, no recurrence has been detected, and her serum CEA has remained at a normal level. DNA analysis revealed a mutation of EGFR gene in exon 19 in the resected tumor.

[A case of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer successfully treated with S-1 plus CBDCA after multiple chemotherapy].

A 51-year-old man consulted our hospital with complaints of a headache and spasm of the left upper limbs in January 2007. He was diagnosed as left lung adenocarcinoma (c-T2N0M1, stage IV). His serum CEA level was 104.1 ng/mL. After the brain tumor extraction, CDDP (80 mg/m2) + GEM (1,000 mg/m2) were administered as first-line treatment, and the tumor response was PR (33.3% reduction rate), impaired liver function served to interrupt this regimen. Other chemotherapy was then conducted in the order of GEM (1,000 mg/m2) + VNR (25 mg/m2), and CBDCA (AUC=5) + DOC(60 mg/m2), and the tumor response was NC. As fourth-line treatment, S-1 (75 mg/m2, day 1-28, every 6 weeks) + CBDCA (AUC=5, day 8, every 6 weeks) was chosen. After 3 courses of the treatment, the serum CEA level normalized, a chest CT detected the left lung tumor size reduction (66.7% reduction rate), and an abdominal CT detected disappearance of the left adrenal gland tumor. In January 2008, left upper lobectomy and lymph node resection (ND2a) were performed. Histopathological examination of the lung tumor showed viable adenocarcinoma cells. Postoperatively, S-1+CBDCA also was administered in a 3-course treatment. This patient is currently continuing treatment with S-1 monotherapy with no recurrence. This case suggests that S-1+CBDCA may be an effective treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer even after multiple chemotherapy.

Mycotic pulmonary artery aneurysm as a late complication of infective endocarditis after pacemaker implantation.

A 49-year-old-woman who had had a pacemaker implanted 15 years earlier became acutely ill with a continuous high fever and general fatigue. A pulmonary artery aneurysm had been rapidly developing and had arrived at the acute phase within 2 weeks. After removal of the pacemaker and with antibiotic therapy the aneurysm gradually decreased in size and has been without rupture for 3 years. Conservative treatment seemed to be sufficient for the management of a mycotic aneurysm in this case.

Systemic arterial supply to the normal basal segments of the left lower lobe treated by coil embolization, with long-term follow-up.

We report a case of a 41-year-old woman who underwent therapeutic embolization of an aberrant systemic artery of the lung. Except for chest pains immediately after embolization, she recovered well and has not experienced hemoptysis in the past 6 years. In such patients, coil embolization could be an alternative choice of treatment, with the expectation of an excellent long-term result despite ischemia of the corresponding lung parenchyma.