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C4 plants assimilate CO2 more efficiently than C3 plants because of their C4 cycle that concentrates CO2. However, the C4 cycle requires additional ATP molecules, which may be supplied by cyclic electron flow (CEF) around photosystem I. One CEF route, which depends on a chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase-like (NDH) complex, is suggested to be crucial for C4 plants despite the low activity in C3 plants. The other route depends on proton gradient regulation 5 (PGR5) and PGR5-like photosynthetic phenotype 1 (PGRL1) and is considered a major CEF route to generate the proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane in C3 plants. However, its contribution to C4 photosynthesis is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the contribution of the two CEF routes to the NADP-malic enzyme subtype of C4 photosynthesis in Flaveria bidentis. We observed that suppressing the NDH-dependent route drastically delayed growth and decreased the CO2 assimilation rate to approximately 30% of the wild-type rate. On the other hand, suppressing the PGR5/PGRL1-dependent route did not affect plant growth and resulted in a CO2 assimilation rate that was approximately 80% of the wild-type rate. Our data indicate that the NDH-dependent CEF substantially contributes to the NADP-malic enzyme subtype of C4 photosynthesis and that the PGR5/PGRL1-dependent route cannot complement the NDH-dependent route in F. bidentis. These findings support the fact that during C4 evolution, photosynthetic electron flow may have been optimized to provide the energy required for C4 photosynthesis.

Momentum-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (qEELS) in the optical and x-ray region, 1 to 10 eV, yields dispersion relations (ω-q) of the observed excitations. The ω-q relations assists identification of spectral features qEELS spectra. Accurate calibration of energy dispersion in eV/pixel can be routinely obtained by several methods. However, reliable calibration of the momentum (q) dispersion at a camera length L = 10 to 100 m, that is used for valence qEELS, can be challenging. We report a method for in-situ calibration of q dispersion using the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) in a known material.

During de novo plant organ regeneration, auxin induction mediates the formation of a pluripotent cell mass called callus, which regenerates shoots upon cytokinin induction. However, molecular mechanisms underlying transdifferentiation remain unknown. Here, we showed that the loss of HDA19, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) family gene, suppresses shoot regeneration. Treatment with an HDAC inhibitor revealed that the activity of this gene is essential for shoot regeneration. Further, we identified target genes whose expression was regulated through HDA19-mediated histone deacetylation during shoot induction and found that ENHANCER OF SHOOT REGENERATION 1 and CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 2 play important roles in shoot apical meristem formation. Histones at the loci of these genes were hyperacetylated and markedly upregulated in hda19. Transient ESR1 or CUC2 overexpression impaired shoot regeneration, as observed in hda19. Therefore, HDA19 mediates direct histone deacetylation of CUC2 and ESR1 loci to prevent their overexpression at the early stages of shoot regeneration.

We have applied an absorbing boundary condition (ABC) method to calculations of the level density (LD) and the continuum level density (CLD). The results of LD and CLD in the ABC calculation are compared with those calculated by the complex scaling method (CSM). The energy dependences of LD in ABC show similar behavior to those in CSM around the resonance energy but they are prominently different, especially at the lower-energy region, due to the different sequence of the energy eigenvalues in the complex plane. The phase shift for two-body scattering problems is also derived from CLD. The phase shift obtained by ABC is almost the same as that calculated from CSM although the ABC method seems to be slightly inferior to the CSM calculation in the numerical precision. The improvement of the numerical precision in ABC is also discussed.

C4 plants assimilate CO2 more efficiently than C3 plants because of their C4 cycle that concentrates CO2. However, the C4 cycle requires additional ATP molecules, which may be supplied by the cyclic electron flow around photosystem I. One cyclic electron flow route, which depends on a chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase-like (NDH) complex, is suggested to be crucial for C4 plants despite the low activity in C3 plants. The other route depends on proton gradient regulation 5 (PGR5) and PGR5-like photosynthetic phenotype 1 (PGRL1), which is considered a major cyclic electron flow route to generate the proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane in C3 plants. However, its contribution to C4 photosynthesis is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the contribution of the two cyclic electron flow routes to the NADP-malic enzyme subtype of C4 photosynthesis in Flaveria bidentis. We observed that the suppression of the NDH-dependent route drastically delayed growth and decreased the CO2 assimilation rate to approximately 30% of the wild-type rate. On the other hand, the suppression of the PGR5/PGRL1-dependent route did not affect plant growth and resulted in a CO2 assimilation rate that was approximately 80% of the wild-type rate. Our data indicate that the NDH-dependent cyclic electron flow substantially contributes to the NADP-malic enzyme subtype of C4 photosynthesis and that the PGR5/PGRL1-dependent route cannot complement the NDH-dependent route in F. bidentis. These findings support the fact that during the C4 evolution, the photosynthetic electron flow may be optimized to provide the energy required for C4 photosynthesis.

Background Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) would be promising treatment option for non-operable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, BPA for CTEPH with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might exacerbate ventilation perfusion mismatch. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BPA for CTEPH with moderate or severe COPD. Method Data from 149 CTEPH patients were collected retrospectively who underwent BPA from March 2011 to June 2021. Patients were divided according to the comorbidity of COPD: a COPD group (defined as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0) / forced vital capacity (FVC) Results Hemodynamics improved similarly in both group (percent decrease of pulmonary vascular resistance; −61.1±12.3% in a COPD group, −65.8±11.1% in a non-COPD group, p=N.S). Patients in a COPD group showed improved respiratory function and oxygenation with FEV1.0% from 61.8±7.0% to 66.5±10.2% (p=0.02), and partial pressure of arterial oxygen from 60.9±10.6mmHg to 69.3±13.6mmHg (p Conclusion The efficacy and safety of BPA for non-operable CTEPH with COPD were equivalent to those of patients without COPD. Oxygenation and FEV1.0% also improved in COPD patients. BPA might be considered even though patients comorbid COPD. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Measurements of the cross sections are conducted for coherent photoproduction of the neutral pion and eta meson on the d, gamma deutron to pi0 eta deutron, at the incident energy in the range of the reaction threshold to 1.15 GeV. A rapidly increasing trend below 1 GeV is observed in the total cross section. The data are effectively reproduced by theoretical calculations incorporating the meson-deutron final-state interactions. However, the measured deutron angular distribution d sigma/d Omegad in the center-of-mass frame (gamma d) is rather flat, and it differs significantly from the strong backward-peaking behavior expected in the kinematics of d formation after pi0 eta photoproduction on an initial bound nucleon. In addition, the d sigma/dMeta d differential cross section exhibits a prominent enhancement near the eta d threshold, while d sigma/dMpi d exhibits an enhancement near the known pi d resonance with I=1 and JP=2+. From these observations, we have concluded that two reaction sequences occur; gamma d to pi0 D01 to pi0 eta d and eta D12 to pi0 eta d, where DIJ denotes a state with a baryon number of 2, an isospin of I, and a spin of J. The enhancement corresponding to D01 is expected to be a theoretically predicted eta NN bound state with I=0 and JP=1- or a virtual state of eta d. It is found that attraction between eta d is certainly very strong.

A 92-year-old man was referred to our hospital with decompensated heart failure. He was treated with diuretics and inotropic agents, but the clinical response was unsatisfactory. Echocardiography incidentally revealed an atrial septal defect (ASD) with a significant left-to-right shunt and pulmonary-to-systemic-blood-flow ratio of 2.36. Because the ASD was considered to be the primary cause of his treatment-resistant heart failure, the patient underwent transcatheter ASD closure. Shortly after shunt closure, his hemodynamics significantly improved, and he was discharged nine days later. This is an extremely rare case of a nonagenarian who showed an excellent clinical course after transcatheter ASD closure.

Coherent photoproduction of the neutral pion and eta meson on the deuteron, $\gamma{d}${$\to$}$\pi^0\eta{d}$, has been experimentally studied at incident photon energies ranging from the reaction threshold to 1.15 GeV. The total cross section demonstrates a rapid rise below 1 GeV. The data are underestimated by the existing theoretical calculations based on quasi-free $\pi^0 \eta$ photoproduction on the nucleon followed by deuteron coalescence. At the same time, the data are rather well reproduced by the calculations taking into account the final-state interaction. We have also measured for the first time the differential cross sections: the $\pi^0 \eta$ invariant-mass distribution $d\sigma/dM_{\pi \eta}$, the $\pi^0 d$ invariant-mass distribution $d\sigma/dM_{\pi d}$, the $\eta d$ invariant-mass distribution $d\sigma/dM_{\eta d}$, and the distribution over the deuteron emission angle $d\sigma/d\Omega_d$ in the overall center-of-mass frame. The measured cross section $d\sigma/d\Omega_d$ does not exhibit strongly backward-peaking behavior predicted by the calculations. At all incident energies, an increase in $d\sigma/dM_{\eta d}$ near the $\eta d$ threshold is observed, which indicates a bound or virtual $\eta d$ state resulting from a strong attraction between $\eta$ and a deuteron. The possibilities of using coherent $\pi^0\eta$ photoproduction on a nucleus to study the $\eta$-nuclear interaction are also discussed., Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures

Background: The isospin mixing is an interesting feature of atomic nuclei. It plays a crucial role in astrophysical nuclear reactions. However, it is not straightforward for variational nuclear structure models to describe it. Purpose: We propose a tractable method to describe the isospin mixing within a framework of the generator coordinate method and demonstrate its usability. Method: We generate the basis wave functions by applying the Fermi transition operator to the wave functions of isobars. The superposition of these basis wave functions and variationally obtained wave functions quantitatively describes the isospin mixing. Results: Using 14N as an example, we demonstrate that our method reasonably describes both T = 0 and 1 states and their mixing. Energy spectrum and E1 transition strengths are compared with the experimental data to confirm isospin mixing. Conclusion: The proposed method is effective enough to describe isospin mixing and is useful, for example, when we discuss {\alpha} capture reactions of N = Z nuclei., Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures

The Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS) has become a cornerstone of extragalactic astronomy. Since the last public catalog in 2015, a wealth of new imaging and spectroscopic data has been collected in the COSMOS field. This paper describes the collection, processing, and analysis of this new imaging data to produce a new reference photometric redshift catalog. Source detection and multi-wavelength photometry is performed for 1.7 million sources across the $2\,\mathrm{deg}^{2}$ of the COSMOS field, $\sim$966,000 of which are measured with all available broad-band data using both traditional aperture photometric methods and a new profile-fitting photometric extraction tool, The Farmer, which we have developed. A detailed comparison of the two resulting photometric catalogs is presented. Photometric redshifts are computed for all sources in each catalog utilizing two independent photometric redshift codes. Finally, a comparison is made between the performance of the photometric methodologies and of the redshift codes to demonstrate an exceptional degree of self-consistency in the resulting photometric redshifts. The $i, Comment: 39 pages, 21 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. Production of IRAC mosaics are presented in Moneti et al. "Euclid Preparation: XVIII. Cosmic Dawn Survey. Spitzer observations of the Euclid deep fields and calibration fields" which has been posted simultaneously. Catalogs can be accessed online now at https://cosmos2020.calet.org

A comparative analysis of the genus Flaveria showed a C

C4 plants are believed to have evolved from C3 plants through various C3 -C4 intermediate stages in which a photorespiration-dependent CO2 concentration system known as C2 photosynthesis operates. Genes involved in the C4 cycle were thought to be recruited from orthologs present in C3 species and developed cell-specific expression during C4 evolution. To understand the process of establishing C4 photosynthesis, we performed whole-genome sequencing and investigated expression and mesophyll- or bundle-sheath-cell-specific localization of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME), pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) in C3 , C3 -C4 intermediate, C4 -like, and C4 Flaveria species. While genome sizes vary greatly, the number of predicted protein-coding genes was similar among C3 , C3 -C4 intermediate, C4 -like, and C4 Flaveria species. Cell-specific localization of the PEPC, NADP-ME, and PPDK transcripts was insignificant or weak in C3 -C4 intermediate species, whereas these transcripts were expressed cell-type specific in C4 -like species. These results showed that elevation of gene expression and cell-specific control of pre-existing C4 cycle genes in C3 species was involved in C4 evolution. Gene expression was gradually enhanced during C4 evolution, whereas cell-specific control was gained independently of quantitative transcriptional activation during evolution from C3 -C4 intermediate to C4 photosynthesis in genus Flaveria.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides (NAD(H)) and NAD phosphates (NADP(H)) are electron carriers involved in redox reactions and metabolic processes in all organisms. NAD kinase (NADK) is the only enzyme that phosphorylates NAD+ into NADP+, using ATP as a phosphate donor. In NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME)-type C4 photosynthesis, NADP(H) are required for dehydrogenation by NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH) in mesophyll cells, and decarboxylation by NADP-ME in bundle sheath cells. In this study, we identified five NADK genes (FbNADK1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 3) from the C4 model species Flaveria bidentis. RNA-Seq database analysis revealed higher transcript abundance in one of the chloroplast-type NADK2 genes of C4F. bidentis (FbNADK2a). Comparative analysis of NADK activity in leaves of C3, C3-C4, and C4Flaveria showed that C4Flaveria (F. bidentis and F. trinervia) had higher NADK activity than the other photosynthetic-types of Flaveria. Taken together, our results suggest that chloroplastic NAD kinase appeared to increase in importance as C3 plants evolved into C4 plants in the genus Flaveria.

Coherent double neutral-pion photoproduction on the deuteron, γ d → π 0 π 0 d , has been experimentally studied at incident photon energies ranging from 0.75 to 1.15 GeV. The total cross section as a function of the γd center-of-mass energy shows resonance-like behavior, which peaks at approximately 2.47 and 2.63 GeV. The measured angular distribution of deuteron emission is rather flat, which cannot be reproduced by the kinematics of quasi-free π 0 π 0 production with deuteron coalescence. In π 0 d invariant-mass distributions, a clear peak is observed at 2.14 ± 0.01 GeV / c 2 with a width of 0.09 ± 0.01 GeV / c 2 . The spin-parity of this state is restricted to 1 + , 2 + or 3 − from the angular distributions of the two π 0 s. The present work shows strong evidence for the existence of an isovector dibaryon resonance with a mass of 2.14 GeV / c 2 . The 2 + assignment is consistent with the theoretically predicted D 12 state, and also with the energy dependence of the πd partial-wave amplitude P 2 3 for the π ± d → π ± d and π + d → p p reactions.

BackgroundIn immunoglobulin G4-related kidney disease (IgG4-RKD), persistent renal insufficiency may be observed despite the good initial response to glucocorticoids[1, 2]. However, its long-term prognosis in relation to renal function as well as malignancy and mortality has not been well clarified.ObjectivesTo clarify the long-term renal prognosis, complications of malignancy, mortality, and factors related to those outcomes in IgG4-RKD.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with IgG4-RKD diagnosed by the expert members of the IgG4-RKD working group in the Japanese Society of Nephrology. We investigated clinical, radiological, and histopathological features at baseline and course of renal function, complications of malignancy, and mortality during the long-term observation periods (median 71 months) in 75 patients. Using collected data, we calculated the crude incidence rates (IR) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) status, malignancy, and death. Cox regression analyses were performed to assess CKD-related factors. Additionally, we calculated the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of malignancy and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) using national Japan statistics.ResultsFifty-nine patients were male, and 16 were female (median age 70 years). At diagnosis, their median eGFR was 45.1 mL/min/1.73m2 (interquartile range [IQR] 28.6-69.9). Seventy-two patients (96%) were treated with prednisolone at a median initial dose of 30 (IQR 30-39) mg/day, leading to a reasonable initial improvement of renal function. The IR of CKD was 30.2/100 person-years, and 66.7% (50/75) of the patients showed CKD at the last visit. Age- and sex-adjusted Cox regression analyses indicated that lower eGFR (per 10 mL/min/1.73m2, hazard ratio [HR] 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-0.80), pre-existing hypertension (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.32-4.34), and wider areas with inflammation (>50% vs. 50% vs. ConclusionThis study suggests that pre-treated renal insufficiency and extensive renal inflammatory and fibrotic lesions are related to CKD under glucocorticoid therapy in IgG4-RKD. Similarly with the whole IgG4-related disease, IgG4-RKD may have an increased incidence of malignancy but a mortality rate equivalent to the age- and sex-matched Japanese population.References[1]Saeki T et al. The clinical course of patients with IgG4-related kidney disease. Kidney Int. 2013 Oct;84(4):826-33.[2]Mizushima I et al. Factors related to renal cortical atrophy development after glucocorticoid therapy in IgG4-related kidney disease: a retrospective multicenter study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2016 Nov 25;18(1):273.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

Background It has been reported that balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) could dramatically improve hemodynamics in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, some patients have shown poor response in oxygenation and lung function even after BPA. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of BPA using clinical indicators and to investigate lung function and residual hypoxemia. Method Consecutive 103 patients who underwent BPA from September 2011 to August 2018 were enrolled. We evaluated hemodynamics with right heart catheterization, respiratory function test, arterial blood gas examination, and exercise capacity with 6 minute-walk-distance (6MWD). Result At the median 12-month follow-up after the final BPA session, following examination findings were significantly improved. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (39.0±8.2mmHg, 23.2±8.4mmHg, p Conclusion BPA could dramatically improve hemodynamics and exercise tolerance. However, arterial oxygenation was not normalized after BPA. Moreover, oxygen desaturation in exercise, and %DLCO were almost unchanged. These observations might suggest the remaining arteriopathy in capillary level of pulmonary artery, but further research is needed. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background The existence of microvasculopathy in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) had been suggested. However, the impact of microvasculopathy for pathophysiology had been unknown. Recently dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) can produce a sensitive iodine distribution map in lung fields to quantify lung perfusion, which may indicate the existence of microvasculopathy according to poor subpleural perfusion. This study aimed to examine the therapeutic efficacy of interventional treatment (pulmonary endarterectomy or/and balloon pulmonary angioplasty) in CTEPH with microvasculopathy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed poor subpleural perfusion (defined as subpleural spaces either not or minimally perfused in all segments) and hemodynamics of 70 consecutive CTEPH patients who underwent DECT before and after interventional therapy from January 2014 to January 2020. Patients were divided according to poor subpleural perfusion in DECT images before treatment: a microvasculopathy group (MV group, n=37) or a non-microvasculopathy group (Non-MV group, n=33). We evaluated clinical parameters as WHO functional class (WHO-Fc), 6-min walk distance, respiratory function test, cardiopulmonary exercise test, hemodynamic parameters, and DECT parameters at baseline and after the treatments. DECT parameters as quantitative evaluation of pulmonary blood volume (PBV) calculated as the average of entire lung iodine density. Results After interventional treatments, WHO-Fc improved in 33 patients in MV group, and 27 patients in Non-MV group (p=0.50). In MV group, baseline mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and VE/VCO2 slope were higher (38.3±9.3 vs. 33.2±10.8 mmHg p=0.04, 818±394 vs. 539±289 dyne*sec/cm5 p Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (%DLCO/VA) did not improve after treatment in both groups (MV group: 59.5±13.1 to 58.8±11.9% p=0.43. Non-MV group: 77.8±13.4% to 70.5±10.8% P Conclusion Hemodynamics, pulmonary perfusion, exercise capacities significantly improved after the treatments in spite of the existence or absence of microvasculopathy. However, DLCO which might indicate the existence of microvasculopathy did not improve. Interventional treatments could not improve microvasculopathy because of their limit of accessibilities. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background It has been previously reported that poor subpleural perfusion (PSP) in dual-energy computed tomography (DE-CT) might suggest the microvasculopathy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, it remains unclear whether pathological findings of microvasculopathy in CTEPH and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are equivalent. The aim is to evaluate the microvasculopathy in CTEPH and PAH by using clinical parameters and DE-CT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed PSP (defined as subpleural spaces either not or minimally perfused in all segments) of consecutive treatment-naïve 89 CTEPH patients and 20 PAH patients who underwent DECT from Feb. 2015 to Dec. 2019. We also evaluated hemodynamic parameters and DE-CT parameters including quantitative evaluation of pulmonary blood volume (PBV) which was calculated as the average of entire lung iodine density. Results PSP was observed in 49.4% of patients in CTEPH group versus 5.0% in PAH group (p There were no significant differences in hemodynamics and lung PBV between CTEPH group and PAH group (mean pulmonary arterial pressure; 36.4±10.4mmHg vs 38.3±8.5mmHg p=0.464, pulmonary vascular resistance; 700±388dyne*sec/cm5 vs 805±440 dyne*sec/cm5 p=0.288, lung PBV; 24.9±6.4 Hounsfield Unit vs 22.0±6.6 Hounsfield Unit p=0.06, respectively), however diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (%DLCO/VA) was significantly lower (69.5±16.8% vs 45.7±23.7% p Conclusion PSP in DE-CT, which was observed more frequently in patients with CTEPH, might suggest the different mechanism of microvasculopathy from PAH in patients with CTEPH. Microvasculopathy in CTEPH would be diffuse very distal thrombosis. DE-CT is effective modality to detect microvasculopathy of diffuse distal thrombosis in patients with CTEPH. DECT, Poor subpleural perfusion Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background The management of non-operable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has recently evolved with the availability of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and pulmonary vasodilators. We launched BPA program since 2011. The aim was to analyze survival and treatment efficacy in the modern management era. Method and result We retrospectively reviewed data from 143 consecutive CTEPH patients diagnosed in our university from January 2011 (i.e. after the availability of BPA) to December 2019. Forty-one patients underwent PEA, in these 25 patients underwent additional BPA (Hybrid group) and other patients were treated with only PEA (PEA group). Ninety patients underwent BPA (BPA group), remaining 12 patients had not undergone any interventional treatments. The 1- and 5-year survival rates of operated patients (n=41) were 97.4% and 90.0%, compared to96.9% and 86.9% in not-operated patients (n=102), respectively (p=0.579) (Figure). There was no death in Hybrid group. Percent decrease of pulmonary vascular resistance in PEA group, Hybrid group, BPA group were −75.4±9.9%, −74.3±11.8%, −56.3±22.2%, respectively (p Conclusion There was no longer significant difference of long-term survival between operated and not-operated CTEPH. Moreover, Hybrid approach might have the potential to lead notable improvement in the prognosis of CTEPH. BPA and PEA would be mutually complementary therapies in the modern management era. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

C

Photoproduction of the $\omega$ meson on the proton has been experimentally studied near the threshold. The total cross sections are determined at incident energies ranging from 1.09 to 1.15 GeV. The 1/2 and 3/2 spin-averaged scattering length $a_{\omega p}$ and effective range $r_{\omega p}$ between the $\omega$ meson and proton are estimated from the shape of the total cross section as a function of the incident photon energy: $a_{\omega p} = \left(-0.97^{+0.16_{\rm stat}}_{-0.16_{\rm stat}}{}^{+0.03_{\rm syst}}_{-0.00_{\rm syst}}\right)+i \left(0.07^{+0.15_{\rm stat}}_{-0.14_{\rm stat}}{}^{+0.17_{\rm syst}}_{-0.09_{\rm syst}}\right)$ fm and $r_{\omega p}=\left(+2.78^{+0.68_{\rm stat}}_{-0.54_{\rm stat}}{}^{+0.11_{\rm syst}}_{-0.13_{\rm syst}}\right)+i\left(-0.01^{+0.46_{\rm stat}}_{-0.50_{\rm stat}}{}^{+0.07_{\rm syst}}_{-0.00_{\rm syst}}\right)$ fm, resulting in a repulsive force. The real and imaginary parts for $a_{\omega p}$ and $r_{\omega p}$ are determined separately for the first time. A small $P$-wave contribution does not affect the obtained values.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of nivolumab treatment beyond progressive disease (PD) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Medical records of consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC who received nivolumab between December 2015 and December 2018 were reviewed. Clinical outcomes of three groups of eligible patients who received nivolumab as a second-line treatment after PD were compared based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1. We conducted subgroup analyses in patients with and without new lesions at first PD. Twenty-eight patients continued nivolumab treatment beyond PD (TBP). Post PD, 46 patients switched to other anti-cancer treatment (OAT), and 21 received no further anti-cancer treatment (NAT). There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) or survival post progression (SPP) between TBP and OAT groups (OS: 15.6 vs. 13.4 months, P = .40, SPP: 12.2 vs. 9.3 months, P = .42). Subgroup analyses indicated that among patients without new lesions at first PD, SPP was longer in the TBP than in the OAT groups (12.6 vs. 9.3 months, P = .22, HR: 0.64; 95% CI 0.31‒1.31). The frequency of immune-related adverse events leading to discontinuation during nivolumab beyond PD was equivalent to that for pre-PD (10.7 vs. 12.6%). No significant benefits were associated with continuation of nivolumab for advanced NSCLC patients. Continuation of nivolumab beyond PD could be a more useful option in patients without new lesions at first PD. Treatment-related toxicities require attention during nivolumab treatment not only before PD but also beyond PD.

The non-strange \(B=2\) system (dibaryon) has been studied using coherent neutral-meson photoproduction from the deuteron, \(\gamma d\rightarrow \pi ^0\pi ^0d\) and \(\gamma d\rightarrow \pi ^0\eta d\), measured with the FOREST detector at the ELPH facility. A rather flat angular distribution of deuteron emission and a peak in the \(\pi ^0d\) invariant-mass distribution give evidence for the 2.15-GeV isovector dibaryon. The excitation function of the total cross section as a function of the \(\gamma d\) center-of-mass energy for the former reaction shows the evidence for the existence of 2.47- and 2.63-GeV isoscalar dibaryons.

Six types of matrices of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers were prepared from different epoxies, amines, and thermoplastics at different curing conditions. Dynamic mechanical analysis measurements were performed to investigate the dynamic mechanical properties of storage modulus E′, loss modulus E″, damping factor tan δ, and complex viscosity |η*|. Positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy was carried out to evaluate each size and fraction of free-volume holes in the sample. The correlations between the dynamic mechanical properties and relative free-volume fraction were studied by using the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation. With increasing relative free-volume fraction, regular changes of dynamic mechanical properties are revealed: log[E′(T)] and log[|η*|(T)] decrease linearly in the temperature range of Tg(PAL) < T < Trub(E′) (Tg(PAL) is the glass transition temperature determined by PAL measurements; Trub(E′) is the lowest temperature where E′(T) curve coincides with its fitting line in the rubber...

Background Chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) is characterised by thromboembolic stenosis and obstruction of pulmonary arteries without pulmonary hypertension. The treatment approach for symptomatic patients with CTED is still controversial. It has been reported the efficacy of surgical endarterectomy for patients with CTED, however that of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) for non-operable CTED has not been well established. Method We started aggressive BPA protocol for non-operable CTED patients who suffered from symptom with NYHA class II, III, and IV or limitation of exercise in spite of mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) Results Twenty-three patients with CTED (68.7±10.5 years-old, 7 male) had undergone BPA. In these, 7 patients had received pulmonary vasodilators previously. After 2.9±1.3 sessions of BPA, Further improvement was observed in hemodynamics such as mPAP (21.6±2.3 to 17.1±2.6 mmHg, p Table 1 Variables Baseline After BPA (3 month) P value NYHA class (I / II / III / IV) 0 / 10 / 12 / 1 9 / 12 / 2 / 0 Conclusion BPA may have the potential to achieve further improvement of exercise capacity and symptoms in CTED patients with acceptable risk, therefore BPA should be considered as a treatment option for symptomatic patients with non-operable CTED.

Background The existence of microvasculopathy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) had been suggested. However, the impact of microvasculopathy for pathophysiology had been unknown. Recently dual-energy CT (DECT) can produce a sensitive iodine distribution map as blood perfusion in lung fields to quantify lung perfusion, also can suggest the existence of microvasculopathy according to poor subpleural perfusion which was published previously. Methods We retrospectively reviewed poor subpleural perfusion (defined as subpleural spaces either not or minimally perfused in all segments) and hemodynamics of 83 treatment-naïve CTEPH patients who underwent DECT from February 2014 to Jan 2019. Patients were divided according to poor subpleural perfusion: a microvasculopathy group (n=44) or a non-microvasculopathy group (n=39). We assessed cardiopulmonary exercise test, right heart catheterization and DECT parameters as quantitative evaluation of pulmonary blood volume (PBV). PBV was calculated as the average of entire lung iodine density. Results PBV value in non-microvasculopathy group showed significant inverse correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (y = 14236 x-1.028 r=−0.530, p PBV, SvO2, and %DLCO/VA were significantly lower (22.0 vs. 26.4, p Multivariate analysis revealed that %DLCO/VA was the only predictor of microvasculopathy (OR,0.895 [95% CI, 0.835 - 0.960]; P Conclusion Pulmonary blood flow of patients in non-micorvasculopathy group showed inverse correlation with PVR. DECT was effective to assess the microvasculopathy in CTEPH. In our experience, less than 60% of non-operable CTEPH patients have microvasculopathy.