Measurements of Elliptic and Triangular Flow in High-Multiplicity 3He+Au Collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV

We present the first measurement of elliptic (v(2)) and triangular (v(3)) flow in high-multiplicity (3)He+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200  GeV. Two-particle correlations, where the particles have a large separation in pseudorapidity, are compared in (3)He+Au and in p+p collisions and indicate that collective effects dominate the second and third Fourier components for the correlations observed in the (3)He+Au system. The collective behavior is quantified in terms of elliptic v(2) and triangular v(3) anisotropy coefficients measured with respect to their corresponding event planes. The v(2) values are comparable to those previously measured in d+Au collisions at the same nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy. Comparisons with various theoretical predictions are made, including to models where the hot spots created by the impact of the three (3)He nucleons on the Au nucleus expand hydrodynamically to generate the triangular flow. The agreement of these models with data may indicate the formation of low-viscosity quark-gluon plasma even in these small collision systems.

Mechanism of Platelet Activation and Hypercoagulability by Antithymocyte Globulins (ATG)

T cell depletion with antithymocyte globulins (ATG) can be complicated by thrombopenia and hypercoagulability. The underlying mechanism is still unclear. We found that binding of ATG to platelets caused platelet aggregation, α-granule release, membrane phosphatidylserine exposure and the rapid release of procoagulant platelet microvesicles (MV). Platelet activation and MV release were complement-dependent and required membrane insertion of C5b-8 but not stable lytic pore formation by C5b-9. ATG also activated platelets via binding to the low-affinity Fc gamma receptor FcγRII. However, only complement inhibition but not blockade of FcγRII prevented MV release and subsequent thrombin activation in plasma. In 19 hematopoietic stem cell and kidney transplant patients, ATG treatment resulted in thrombopenia and increased plasma levels of d-dimer and thrombin-antithrombin complexes. Flow cytometric analysis of complement fragments on platelet MV in patient plasma confirmed dose-dependent complement activation by ATG. However, the rapid rise in MV numbers observed in vitro was not seen during ATG treatment. In vitro experiments suggested that this was due to adherence of C3b-tagged MV to red blood cells via complement receptor CR1. These data suggest a clinically relevant link between complement activation and thrombin generation and offer a potential mechanism underlying ATG-induced hypercoagulability.

Challenges and Opportunities for Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology in Cancer Immunotherapy: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue

Cancer immunotherapy (CIT) initiates or enhances the host immune response against cancer. Following decades of development, patients with previously few therapeutic options may now benefit from CIT. Although the quantitative clinical pharmacology (qCP) of previous classes of anticancer drugs has matured during this time, application to CIT may not be straightforward since CIT acts via the immune system. Here we discuss where qCP approaches might best borrow or start anew for CIT.

The effects of nerve growth factor on endothelial cells seeded on different titanium surfaces

Angiogenesis is critical for peri-implant bone regeneration and osseointegration. Endothelial cells (ECs) play an important role in angiogenesis during the early stage of bone formation. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is also reported to function as an angiogenic growth factor. The effects of NGF on ECs seeded on titanium surfaces are unclear. This study was done to investigate the influence of NGF on peri-implant angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. We used two different titanium surfaces. ECs seeded on these surfaces were treated with indicated concentrations of NGF or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Proliferation, differentiation, morphological features, and amounts attached were assessed. Chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was adopted to evaluate the effect of NGF in vivo. The results showed that NGF could promote EC proliferation on both titanium surfaces (F1d=2.083, P=0.156; F3d=30.857, P=0.0002; F5d=4.440, P=0.041; F7d=11.065, P=0.001). NGF and the SLA surface upregulated mRNA of NGF, TrkA, and p75 expression (FNGF=11.941, P=0.003; FTrkA=28.514, P=0.004; Fp75=7.725, P=0.01). In vivo, the supernatants of the NGF-treated group could promote neovascularization in CAM (F=17.662, P=0.009). This study demonstrated that NGF could enhance EC proliferation, gene expression on different titanium surfaces, and neovascularization in CAM. This provides novel information in relation to the promotion of early dental implant osseointegration.

Effect of adjustable gastric banding on quality of life and weight loss in the Helping Evaluate Reduction in Obesity (HERO) registry study: 2 year analysis

OBJECTIVE

This report from the Helping Evaluate Reduction in Obesity (HERO) Study investigated weight loss, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and factors predictive of HRQOL improvement during a 2 year period following Lap-Band AP implantation (post-LBAP).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This prospective, observational study included patients with 1 and 2 year follow-up data post-LBAP (N = 585). Changes in body mass index (BMI), percentage of weight loss (%WL), excess weight loss (%EWL) and HRQOL (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life [IWQOL]-Lite measure), and differences between <30% EWL and ≥30% EWL subgroups were assessed at 1 and 2 years post-LBAP. Multiple linear regression examined association of %EWL groups with IWQOL-Lite scores controlling for age, gender, region (US vs outside US), household income, employment status, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Most patients were female (80.2%) and from the US (64.8%); overall mean (SD) age was 43.6 (11.28) years and 65.8% of patients had ≥30% EWL at year 2. At 2 years post-LBAP, mean %EWL was 43.5%; %EWL was 12.4% in the <30% EWL group and 59.6% in ≥30% EWL group (P ≤ 0.0001). Changes in IWQOL total and subscores were significantly greater in ≥30% EWL versus <30% EWL patients (all P < 0.0005) at years 1 and 2; Self-Esteem and Physical subscores had the largest changes. Multiple regression analysis showed that patients with ≥30% EWL had clinically meaningful improvements in HRQOL compared with patients having <30% EWL (P ≤ 0.001). Similarly, US patients and females had a clinically significant change in IWQOL score versus their counterparts (P ≤ 0.001). Conversely, income, comorbidities and employment status were not significant predictors of change in IWQOL scores at year 2.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support and extend findings regarding the effectiveness of LBAP for weight loss and illustrate the importance of ≥30% EWL as a significant factor in predicting clinically significant improvement in HRQOL 1 and 2 years post-LBAP.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT00953173.

Measurement of Long-Range Angular Correlation and Quadrupole Anisotropy of Pions and (Anti)Protons in Central d+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We present azimuthal angular correlations between charged hadrons and energy deposited in calorimeter towers in central d+Au and minimum bias p+p collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV. The charged hadron is measured at midrapidity |η|<0.35, and the energy is measured at large rapidity (-3.7<η<-3.1, Au-going direction). An enhanced near-side angular correlation across |Δη|>2.75 is observed in d+Au collisions. Using the event plane method applied to the Au-going energy distribution, we extract the anisotropy strength v_{2} for inclusive charged hadrons at midrapidity up to p_{T}=4.5 GeV/c. We also present the measurement of v_{2} for identified π^{±} and (anti)protons in central d+Au collisions, and observe a mass-ordering pattern similar to that seen in heavy-ion collisions. These results are compared with viscous hydrodynamic calculations and measurements from p+Pb at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV. The magnitude of the mass ordering in d+Au is found to be smaller than that in p+Pb collisions, which may indicate smaller radial flow in lower energy d+Au collisions.

miR-145 regulates chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma via epithelial mesenchymal transition

Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is a major obstacle in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. MicroRNA&mdash;145 (miR&mdash;145) has been shown to be down&mdash;regulated in several cancers and may be involved in the process of carcinogenesis. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of miR&mdash;145 in adriamycin (ADM)&mdash;resistant human HCC cells. We found that miR&mdash;145 was significantly reduced in HepG2/ADM and HuH7/ADM cells compared with the chemosensitive parental cells. Up&mdash;regulation of miR&mdash;145 increased the ADM cytotoxicity in chemoresistant tumor cells. In addition, Smad3 was identi&#64257;ed as the target of miR&mdash;145 and miR&mdash;145 overexpression inhibited Smad3 expression both at the mRNA and protein levels. The luciferase reporter assay confirmed that Smad3 was a direct target of miR&mdash;145. Moreover, up&mdash;regulation of miR&mdash;145 suppressed Smad3 related EMT features as shown by increased expression of E&mdash;cadherin and reduced vimentin level in HepG2/ADM and HuH7/ADM cells. Our study demonstrated that miR&mdash;145 modulated both chemoresistance and EMT in HCC cells, and up&mdash;regulation of miR&mdash;145 might be a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment of chemoresistant HCC.

META-ANALYSIS OF HIGH RISK FACTORS OF RESIDUE OR RELAPSE OF CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA AFTER CONIZATION

This study assesses the high risk factors of residue or relapse after conization of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Literature on high risk factors of residue or relapse after conization of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia from January 2006 to June 2011 were selected from the Pubmed Database, Elsevier Database, Chinese Biomedicine Database and Chinese Journal Full-text Database of China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI). Software RevMan 4. 2 provided by Cochrane collaboration network was used in the statistical analysis of the data. According to the inclusion criteria, 10 essays were retrieved, including 348 cases in case groups and 1,608 cases in control groups. Information about residue or relapse after conization, incisal edge, HIV infection after six months of surgery, age, menopause status was obtained through the above method. Meta-analysis showed that positive surgical margin groups had a higher residual or recurrence rate than negative surgical margin groups after conization; groups where glands were involved had a higher residual or recurrence rate than non-involved glands groups after conization; positive HR-HPV infection after six months of conization groups had higher residual or recurrence rates than negative HR-HPV infection groups; 50 years or older groups had higher residual or recurrence rate than under 50 year-old groups after conization; postmenopausal groups had higher residual or recurrence rate than premenopausal groups. Menopause, 50 years old or older, gland involvement, positive surgical margin and HR-HPV infection after six months are high risk factors of residue or relapse after α - β conization of CIN.

Norepinephrine attenuates CXCR4 expression and the corresponding invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells via β2-adrenergic receptors

OBJECTIVE

The growing evidence from laboratory and clinical studies has shown that the stress hormone, norepinephrine, and chronic stress promote tumor progression in a variety of tumor types. Chemokines and chemokine receptors have been shown to play a pivotal role in tumor progression. Recently, norepinephrine was reported to have a significant effect on macrophage migration by altering the expression of the chemokine receptor CCR2.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated whether chemokines and their receptors are involved in the effects of norepinephrine on breast cancer. First, we used microarray analyses to detect the alteration of 128 chemotactically relevant genes after MDA-MB-231 cells were treated for 12 h with 100 μM norepinephrine. The CXCR4 gene demonstrated the greatest response to norepinephrine treatment, with a reduction of transcription of 95.7%, and was the focus of subsequent investigations. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR was used to determine the level of CXCR4 transcription after treatment with norepinephrine at various concentrations and for different durations.

RESULTS

The results revealed that norepinephrine reduced CXCR4 transcription in a dose-dependent manner. Norepinephrine was also found to exert a negative effect on CXCR4 translational expression, as evidenced by a 44 ± 1.7% reduction in expression after a 12-h treatment with 10 µM norepinephrine. A Matrigel assay demonstrated a 51.3 ± 9.1% reduction in the number of MDA-MB-231 cells driven to migrate by CXCR4. Finally, we found the specific β2-adrenergic antagonist, ICI 118,551, eliminated the impact of norepinephrine on CXCR4 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Norepinephrine attenuates CXCR4 expression and the corresponding invasion of MDA-MB-231 tumor cells via the β2-adrenergic receptor. The complexity of the β2-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway might contribute to these unexpected observations in our research, and this justifies further investigation into the intricate mechanisms involved.

Canine urothelial carcinoma: genomically aberrant and comparatively relevant

Urothelial carcinoma (UC), also referred to as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), is the most common bladder malignancy in both human and canine populations. In human UC, numerous studies have demonstrated the prevalence of chromosomal imbalances. Although the histopathology of the disease is similar in both species, studies evaluating the genomic profile of canine UC are lacking, limiting the discovery of key comparative molecular markers associated with driving UC pathogenesis. In the present study, we evaluated 31 primary canine UC biopsies by oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization (oaCGH). Results highlighted the presence of three highly recurrent numerical aberrations: gain of dog chromosome (CFA) 13 and 36 and loss of CFA 19. Regional gains of CFA 13 and 36 were present in 97 % and 84 % of cases, respectively, and losses on CFA 19 were present in 77 % of cases. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using targeted bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones and custom Agilent SureFISH probes, was performed to detect and quantify these regions in paraffin-embedded biopsy sections and urine-derived urothelial cells. The data indicate that these three aberrations are potentially diagnostic of UC. Comparison of our canine oaCGH data with that of 285 human cases identified a series of shared copy number aberrations. Using an informatics approach to interrogate the frequency of copy number aberrations across both species, we identified those that had the highest joint probability of association with UC. The most significant joint region contained the gene PABPC1, which should be considered further for its role in UC progression. In addition, cross-species filtering of genome-wide copy number data highlighted several genes as high-profile candidates for further analysis, including CDKN2A, S100A8/9, and LRP1B. We propose that these common aberrations are indicative of an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of pathogenesis and harbor genes key to urothelial neoplasia, warranting investigation for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications.

Quantification of subconcussive impact forces to the head using a forensic model

Concussive and subconcussive head injury is a global phenomenon that affects millions of people each year. Concussive injury has been extensively studied in sport, which has led to a greater understanding of the biomechanical forces involved and guidelines aimed at preventing athletes from playing while concussed. Subconcussive forces by definition do not meet the threshold for concussion but nonetheless may have significant long term consequences due to the repetitive pattern of injury to the head. Quantifying these impact forces using a forensic head model provides the groundwork for future studies by establishing a range or threshold of subconcussive impact forces that could be correlated with clinical assessments. The use of a forensic head model has distinct advantages in terms of ethics and safety.

Clinical application of three-dimensional reconstruction and rapid prototyping technology of multislice spiral computed tomography angiography for the repair of ventricular septal defect of tetralogy of Fallot

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and rapid prototyping technology (RPT) of multislice spiral computed tomography angiography (CTA) was applied to prepare physical models of the heart and ventricular septal defects of tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) patients in order to explore their applications in the diagnosis and treatment of this complex heart disease. CTA data of 35 ToF patients were collected to prepare l:l 3D solid models using digital 3D reconstruction and RPT, and the resultant models were used intraoperatively as reference. The operations of all 35 patients were completed under the guidance of the 3D solid model, without difficulty. Intraoperative findings of the patients were consistent with the morphological and size changes of the 3D solid model, and no significant differences were found between the patches obtained from the 3D solid model and the actual intraoperative measurements (t = 0.83, P = 0.412). 3D reconstruction and RPT of multislice spiral CTA can accurately and intuitively reflect the anatomy of ventricular septal defects in ToF patients, providing the foundation for a solid model of the complex congenital heart.

Effect of nitric oxide inhalation combined with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation on the prognosis of neonatal severe hypoxemia

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to analyze the short-term and long-term curative effects of nitric oxide (NO) inhalation combined with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) on neonatal severe hypoxemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 98 neonates meeting the inclusion criteria were retrospectively analyzed. The control group comprised of 48 neonates and the NO inhalation group consisted of 50 neonates. In the control group, conventional mechanical ventilation was replaced by HFOV. In the experimental group, NO inhalation combined with HFOV was performed. The death rates within 28 days, mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy time, and complications in both groups were observed. The survivors in both groups were followed up for 18 months for neural development evaluation.

RESULTS

The treatment group showed a significantly lower death rate and noticeably shorter mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy time than the control group (8% vs. 22.9% with t = 4.20 andp < 0.05; 5.84 ± 3.36 days vs. 8.05 ± 5.48 days with t = 2.42 and p < 0.05; and 8.02 ± 4.31 days vs. 12.45 ± 5.14 days with t = 4.63 and p < 0.001). They did not show significant differences with regards to the complications and the incidences of cerebral palsy, hearing and visual impairments, and severe nervous damage (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

NO inhalation combined with HFOV significantly decreases the death rate of neonates with severe hypoxemia and reduces their mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy time. It does not increase early adverse effects or affect long-term neurodevelopment.

Importance of fluorescence lifetimes for efficient indoline dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells

To make a molecular design of efficient indoline dyes, fluorescence lifetimes should be longer than ca. 0.8 ns in chloroform, in addition to suitable HOMO and LUMO levels and bathochromic UV-vis absorption bands.

Involvement of the sodium-calcium exchanger 3 (NCX3) in ziram-induced calcium dysregulation and toxicity

Ziram is a dimethyldithiocarbamate fungicide which can cause intraneuronal calcium (Ca(2+)) dysregulation and subsequently neuronal death. The signaling mechanisms underlying ziram-induced Ca(2+) dyshomeostasis and neurotoxicity are not fully understood. NCX3 is the third isoform of the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) family and plays an important role in regulating Ca(2+) homeostasis in excitable cells. We previously generated a mouse model deficient for the sodium-calcium exchanger 3 and showed that NCX3 is protective against ischemic damage. In the present study, we aim to examine whether NCX3 exerts a similar role against toxicological injury caused by the pesticide ziram. Our data show baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells stably transfected with NCX3 (BHK-NCX3) are more susceptible to ziram toxicity than cells transfected with the empty vector (BHK-WT). Increased toxicity in BHK-NCX3 was associated with a rapid rise in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration [Ca(2+)]i induced by ziram. Profound mitochondrial dysfunction and ATP depletion were also observed in BHK-NCX3 cells following treatment with ziram. Lastly, primary dopaminergic neurons lacking NCX3 (NCX3(-/-)) were less sensitive to ziram neurotoxicity than wildtype control dopaminergic neurons. These results demonstrate that NCX3 genetic deletion protects against ziram-induced neurotoxicity and suggest NCX3 and its downstream molecular pathways as key factors involved in ziram toxicity. Our study identifies new molecular events through which pesticides (e.g. ziram) can lead to pathological features of degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and indicates new targets to slow down neuronal degeneration.