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Abstract This paper introduces a new approach to measure the muon magnetic moment anomaly $a_{\\mu} = (g-2)/2$ and the muon electric dipole moment (EDM) $d_{\\mu}$ at the J-PARC muon facility. The goal of our experiment is to measure $a_{\\mu}$ and $d_{\\mu}$ using an independent method with a factor of 10 lower muon momentum, and a factor of 20 smaller diameter storage-ring solenoid compared with previous and ongoing muon $g-2$ experiments with unprecedented quality of the storage magnetic field. Additional significant differences from the present experimental method include a factor of 1000 smaller transverse emittance of the muon beam (reaccelerated thermal muon beam), its efficient vertical injection into the solenoid, and tracking each decay positron from muon decay to obtain its momentum vector. The precision goal for $a_{\\mu}$ is a statistical uncertainty of 450 parts per billion (ppb), similar to the present experimental uncertainty, and a systematic uncertainty less than 70 ppb. The goal for EDM is a sensitivity of $1.5\\times 10^{-21}~e\\cdot\\mbox{cm}$.

Background:In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lung involvement includes interstitial lung disease (ILD) and airway disease (AD). While these have been reported to be associated with mortality, the impact of AD deterioration on prognosis remains unclear.Objectives:To investigate the relationship between radiographic deterioration of AD in RA and mortality.Methods:We retrospectively examined 720 RA patients who visited our department between 2011 and 2021. Among these, we enrolled patients who underwent chest computed tomography (CT) scans at least twice. The baseline was defined as the time of the initial chest CT scan, and the final observation as the final visit or death. CT findings were evaluated by two experienced radiologists. Patients whose RA-related lung involvement could not be fully evaluated from chest CT scans due to other causes were excluded. Radiographic definitions of AD and ILD followed the previous report (Ref. 1). The severity of AD was evaluated semi-quantitatively using radiographic grades ranging from 0 to 4. AD deterioration was defined as an increase in radiographic grade in grade 0–3 or an expansion of lesion areas in grade 4. Among patients complicated AD, we compared patients in the AD deterioration group with those in the non-AD deterioration group. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, we identified factors associated with mortality by adjusting for age, sex, RA treatment, comorbidities including diabetes, deterioration of AD, and the presence of ILD and AD.Results:Among the 353 patients with repeated scans (mean age, 60.9 years.; female, 73.7%; mean observation period, 186.6 months), 126 had AD (35.7%), 102 had ILD (28.9%) at the baseline.In the subset of RA patients with complicated AD (126 cases), baseline characteristics (age, sex, RA disease activity, RF/ACPA positivity, RA treatment, presence of ILD, AD grade, comorbidities including diabetes, and observation period) were similar between the AD deterioration group (25 cases, 19.8%) and the non-AD deterioration group. However, mortality was significantly higher in the AD deterioration group (16.0% vs. 4.0%, p=0.049). Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank tests confirmed significantly higher mortality in the AD deterioration group (p=0.005). Cox regression analysis revealed that AD deterioration was a significant independent risk factor for mortality (HR 6.029, 95% CI 1.400–25.970).Moreover, in all cases with repeated CT scans (353 cases), Cox regression analysis also revealed that AD deterioration was an independent risk factor for mortality (HR 3.596, 95% CI 1.166–11.097).Figure 1.Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank tests. It revealed significantly higher mortality in the AD deterioration group (p=0.005).Conclusion:In RA patients, the deterioration of AD is an independent risk factor for mortality. Consequently, longitudinal pulmonary radiographic examinations are essential for those with RA complicated by AD.REFERENCES:[1] Radiology 2004;232:81–91.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

Hypofunction of N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been proposed to have an important role in the cognitive impairments observed in schizophrenia. Although glutamate modulators may be effective in reversing such difficult-to-treat conditions, the results of individual studies thus far have been inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether glutamate positive modulators have beneficial effects on cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia. A literature search was conducted to identify double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials in schizophrenia or related disorders, using Embase, Medline, and PsycINFO (last search: February 2015). The effects of glutamate positive modulators on cognitive deficits were evaluated for overall cognitive function and eight cognitive domains by calculating standardized mean differences (SMDs) between active drugs and placebo added to antipsychotics. Seventeen studies ( N =1391) were included. Glutamate positive modulators were not superior to placebo in terms of overall cognitive function (SMD=0.08, 95% confidence interval=−0.06 to 0.23) (11 studies, n =858) nor each of eight cognitive domains (SMDs=−0.03 to 0.11) ( n =367–940) in this population. Subgroup analyses by diagnosis (schizophrenia only studies), concomitant antipsychotics, or pathway of drugs to enhance the glutamatergic neurotransmission (glycine allosteric site of NMDA receptors or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors) suggested no procognitive effect of glutamate positive modulators. Further, no effect was found in individual compounds on cognition. In conclusion, glutamate positive modulators may not be effective in reversing overall cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia as adjunctive therapies.

To observe supernova relic neutrino events, 13 tons of gadolinium sulfate octahydrate (Gd2(SO4)3·8H2O), corresponding to 0.01% Gd solution, was dissolved in the Super-Kamiokande water Cherenkov detector in 2020. The aim is to improve the detection efficiency of neutrons from inverse β decay involving electron antineutrinos. However, Gd3+ ions can be excited by the Cherenkov light from cosmic muons, and the subsequent emission at 312 nm is a possible background (BG) source for Cherenkov signal detection. In this work, we constructed an experimental setup based on time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy to investigate the emission characteristics of Gd3+ ions in water. The excitation laser wavelength was tuned in the range of 245–255 nm, and large resonant peaks were observed at 246.2 nm and 252.3 nm with measured emission lifetimes of around 3 ms. Good linearity was observed between Gd concentration and emission intensity for these two wavelengths, indicating that our setup is useful for remote monitoring of Gd concentration. According to the simulation results using our spectroscopic data and reference values, the Gd3+ emission BG rate from cosmic muons is expected to be 10−1 counts/μs or less, which seems small but not negligible.

The nuclear matrix element (NME) of neutrinoless double- β ( 0 ν β β ) decay is an essential input for determining the neutrino effective mass, if the half-life of this decay is measured. Reliable calculation of this NME has been a long-standing problem because of the diversity of the predicted values of the NME, which depends on the calculation method. In this study, we focus on the shell model and the QRPA. The shell model has a rich amount of the many-particle many-hole correlations, and the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) can obtain the convergence of the calculation results with respect to the extension of the single-particle space. It is difficult for the shell model to obtain the convergence of the 0 ν β β NME with respect to the valence single-particle space. The many-body correlations of the QRPA may be insufficient, depending on the nuclei. We propose a new method to phenomenologically modify the results of the shell model and the QRPA compensating for the insufficiencies of each method using the information of other methods in a complementary manner. Extrapolations of the components of the 0 ν β β NME of the shell model are made toward a very large valence single-particle space. We introduce a modification factor to the components of the 0 ν β β NME of the QRPA. Our modification method yields similar values of the 0 ν β β NME for the two methods with respect to 48 Ca. The NME of the two-neutrino double- β decay is also modified in a similar but simpler manner, and the consistency of the two methods is improved.

A terpolymer, poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide-co-allyl glycidyl ether) (P(EO/PO/AGE)), was reacted with linear mono-functional hydride-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-SiH) to obtain PDMS-grafted-polyether (PDMS-g-P(EO/PO/AGE)) by hydrosilylation. Three polyelectrolytes were prepared based on PDMS-g-P(EO/PO/AGE). Best result was obtained when 8wt% of PDMS was introduced onto polyether. Cyclic voltammetry measurement of the PDMS-g-P(EO/PO/AGE polyelectrolytes showed improvement of oxidative stability.

Background:Diagnosing IgG4-related periaortitis/retroperitoneal fibrosis (IgG4-PA/RPF) without biopsy of PA/RPF lesions is often challenging owing to various secondary causes of PA/RPF.Objectives:This study was aimed at exploring clinical findings other than those of PA/RPF biopsy that may be useful for differentiating IgG4-PA/RPF from mimickers.Methods:In this multicenter cross-sectional study, we analyzed 75 Japanese patients diagnosed with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) having cardiovascular and/or retroperitoneal manifestations, along with 20 mimickers identified by experts. We performed an intergroup comparison of clinical characteristics other than biopsy findings of PA/RPF lesions between IgG4-RD and mimickers. In addition, factors related to the final diagnosis of IgG4-RD by experts were assessed by age-, sex-, and serum IgG4 level-adjusted logistic regression analyses.Results:The final diagnoses of mimickers mainly consisted of Takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis, infectious aortic aneurysm, lymphoma, plasmacytoma, and urinary tract carcinoma. Compared with mimickers, IgG4-PA/RPF was associated with higher levels of serum IgG4 and IgE; higher eosinophil counts; lower levels of serum C3, C4, CH50, and C-reactive protein; male predominance; allergic predisposition; fewer cases with physical pain and/or fever; fewer instances of thoracic aorta involvement; more iliac artery involvement; prevalence of major extra-PA/RPF lesions of IgG4-RD; and higher inclusion scores of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria [1]. Age-, sex-, and serum IgG4 level-adjusted logistic regression analysis indicated that iliac artery involvement [odds ratio (OR) 8.701, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.006-75.243], presence pf extra-PA/RPF lesions (OR 9.097, 95% CI 1.055-78.419), and inclusion scores of the ACR/EULAR classification criteria for IgG4-RD (OR 1.155, 95% CI 1.025-1.301) were positively related to a final diagnosis of IgG4-RD. However, two cases of follicular lymphoma with periaortic lesions, paravertebral lesions in the thorax, renal pelvic lesions, and/or focal pancreatic lesions could be differentiated only based on biopsy.Conclusion:The present study suggests that in the absence of PA/RPF biopsy findings, iliac artery involvement, presence pf extra-PA/RPF lesions, and high inclusion scores of the ACR/EULAR classification criteria for IgG4-RD are useful for differentiating IgG4-PA/RPF from mimickers. Nevertheless, biopsy is still necessary to differentiate some cases of low-grade lymphoma from IgG4-RD.REFERENCES:[1] Wallace ZS, et al. The 2019 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for IgG4-related disease. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;79:77-87.Acknowledgements:We sincerely thank all the members of Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Kanazawa University Hospital.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

Background:The long-term prognosis of IgG4-related periaortitis/periarteritis and retroperitoneal fibrosis (IgG4-PA/RPF) has not been clarified.Objectives:To elucidate the prognosis of IgG4-PA/RPF, specifically focused on renal dysfunction due to hydronephrosis, and aneurysm formation that may lead to rupture, surgical intervention, or dilatation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 61 patients diagnosed with IgG4-PA/RPF at our hospital between January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2023. All cases were diagnosed by experts, based on serological and imaging findings, clinical course, and exclusion of other diseases. The change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from the best eGFR within 3 months of treatment intervention to that at 36 months was defined as the renal outcome. Rupture, surgical intervention, or ≥5mm aneurysm dilatation caused by IgG4-related PA/RPF were defined as aneurysmal outcomes.Results:Among the patients, 53 (86.8%) were men, and the average age at onset was 76.3 ± 9.65 years. The median observation period was 4.93 years(interquartile range [IQR]: 3.35–9.72). The abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries were affected in 48 patients (78.6%), which were the most common sites of involvement. Fifty cases (81.9%) were treated with prednisolone (PSL) monotherapy at a median dose of 25.0 mg/day (IQR: 20.0–30.0), and the remaining cases were observed without intervention. No deaths were recorded during the observation period. Fifteen cases (24.5%) showed hydronephrosis, with bilateral involvement in two. In six cases (40.0%), ureteral stents were placed at a median 13 days (IQR: 1.75–35.5) after identification. All stents were removable, and the median duration until removal was 232 days (IQR: 174–316). The median change in eGFR at 36 months was -5.38 ml/min/1.73m2 (IQR: -15.85–5.08) and the median rate of change was -10.5 % (IQR: -24.1–8.18). In cases without hydronephrosis, the changes in eGFR were -10.84 ml/min/1.73m2 (IQR: -20.25–[-3.54]) and -12.67% (-24.4–[-6.21]) respectively, and there was no significant difference compared to cases with hydronephrosis. One patient with hydronephrosis progressed to end-stage kidney disease, which was complicated by the IgG4-related kidney disease. Seventeen aneurysms were detected in 10 cases (16.3%), with multiple formations observed in five cases. Twelve aneurysms (70.5%) were already formed at the time of IgG4-PA/RPF diagnosis, while two new aneurysms appeared more than 5 years after IgG4-PA/RPF diagnosis. Aneurysmal outcomes were observed in seven cases, including one case of aneurysm rupture, two cases of surgical intervention, and four cases of aneurysm dilatation. The incidence rate in all cases was 2.14 per 100 patients-years (/100PY), while it was 19.0/100PY among cases with aneurysms. These outcomes were observed after a median of 53.0 months (IQR: 26.6–76.6). The presence of an aneurysm at the time of diagnosis was the risk factor of these outcomes (HR=39.1; 95% CI: 4.51–338.6), whereas the administration or dosage of PSL was not.Conclusion:Patients with IgG4-PA/RPF may have a relatively high risk of aneurysm rupture, surgical intervention, and dilatation, and these events may occur more than 5 years after the onset. Patients with aneurysm formation at the time of diagnosis require particular attention. The impact on renal function due to hydronephrosis may be manageable with appropriate interventions among these patients.REFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

To report on the effects of a smartphone application, among the medical staff and medical students, for learning English as a foreign language. We conducted an exploratory quasi-experimental study among eight medical staff and 10 medical students in Japan. The participants used an application called ABC Talking (created by ABC Talking Laboratories Inc, currently unavailable due to application renewal), loaded onto their smartphones, to talk with native English speakers from overseas. The participants used the application for five minutes twice a day over five consecutive days as per their convenience. The study collected quantitative and qualitative data using assessments on the participants' listening and speaking skills and questionnaire. The assessment scores of the first five sessions were compared to those of the last five. Average self-assessment scores and teacher assessment scores were compared using a -test. A paired -test was performed on quantitative data of the questionnaire, and content analysis was performed on qualitative data. More than 80% of the calls were made from home and 70% occurred between 9PM and 1AM. The participants' self-assessment scores on their listening and speaking skills increased significantly from the first five sessions to the last five sessions (14.8-26.1%). However, there was no significant change in the assessments by the teachers (-4.5-2.1%). The self-assessment scores of those with low English proficiency were lower than the teachers' assessment scores. Improvement of communicative self-confidence and communicative competence, two factors that affect willingness to communicate, were seen from the questionnaire. Using smartphone applications allows on-demand English training, which may be especially useful to medical staff and students who have unpredictable work schedules. Teachers should be aware that learners tend to assess themselves lower than their actual ability so that they can give appropriate feedback to the learners.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be immunosuppressive in humans and mice, and CLL cells share multiple phenotypic markers with regulatory B cells that are competent to produce interleukin (IL)-10 (B10 cells). To identify functional links between CLL cells and regulatory B10 cells, the phenotypes and abilities of leukemia cells from 93 patients with overt CLL to express IL-10 were assessed. CD5 + CLL cells purified from 90% of the patients were IL-10-competent and secreted IL-10 following appropriate ex vivo stimulation. Serum IL-10 levels were also significantly elevated in CLL patients. IL-10-competent cell frequencies were higher among CLLs with IgV H mutations, and correlated positively with TCL1 expression. In the TCL1-transgenic (TCL1-Tg) mouse model of CLL, IL-10-competent B cells with the cell surface phenotype of B10 cells expanded significantly with age, preceding the development of overt, CLL-like leukemia. Malignant CLL cells in TCL1-Tg mice also shared immunoregulatory functions with mouse and human B10 cells. Serum IL-10 levels varied in TCL1-Tg mice, but in vivo low-dose lipopolysaccharide treatment induced IL-10 expression in CLL cells and high levels of serum IL-10. Thus, malignant IL-10-competent CLL cells exhibit regulatory functions comparable to normal B10 cells that may contribute to the immunosuppression observed in patients and TCL1-Tg mice.