Measurement of inelastic, single- and double-diffraction cross sections in proton-proton collisions at the LHC with ALICE

Measurements of cross sections of inelastic and diffractive processes in proton-proton collisions at LHC energies were carried out with the ALICE detector. The fractions of diffractive processes in inelastic collisions were determined from a study of gaps in charged particle pseudorapidity distributions: for single diffraction (diffractive mass MX <200 GeV/c2) [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively at centre-of-mass energies [Formula: see text]; for double diffraction (for a pseudorapidity gap Δη>3) σDD/σINEL=0.11±0.03,0.12±0.05, and [Formula: see text], respectively at [Formula: see text]. To measure the inelastic cross section, beam properties were determined with van der Meer scans, and, using a simulation of diffraction adjusted to data, the following values were obtained: [Formula: see text] mb at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. The single- and double-diffractive cross sections were calculated combining relative rates of diffraction with inelastic cross sections. The results are compared to previous measurements at proton-antiproton and proton-proton colliders at lower energies, to measurements by other experiments at the LHC, and to theoretical models.

The adiponectin gene single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1501299 is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma risk

PURPOSE

Increasing lines of evidence have suggested that adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the relationship between genetic variants of the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) and HCC has not been previously explored. Therefore, we performed a case-control study to examine the association of haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADIPOQ with HCC risk.

METHODS

Five haplotype-tagging SNPs of ADIPOQ (rs266729, rs822395, rs822396, rs2241766 and rs1501299) were genotyped in 200 HCC patients and 200 non-HCC controls by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of HCC associated with each individual SNP and we adjusted for multiple testing by the Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

Of the five tested SNPs, rs1501299 showed a strong and significant association with HCC risk even after the Bonferroni correction. After adjusting for the serological status of the hepatitis virus B core antibody and for other SNPs, the odds ratios were 4.33 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.07-9.05; corrected P < 0.005] and 3.71 (95 % CI 1.84-7.48; corrected P < 0.005) for the GG genotype and GG/GT combined genotype, respectively, versus the TT genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report, demonstrating an association of ADIPOQ polymorphisms with HCC risk. Our results implicate the ADIPOQ SNP rs1501299 as a susceptibility locus for HCC.

Fabrication of Ultrafine Soft-Matter Arrays by Selective Contact Thermochemical Reaction

Patterning of functional soft matters at different length scales is important for diverse research fields including cell biology, tissue engineering and medicinal science and the development of optics and electronics. Here we have further improved a simple but very efficient method, selective contact thermochemical reaction (SCTR), for patterning soft matters over large area with a sub-100 nm resolution. By selecting contact between different precursors through a topographically patterned PDMS stamp and subsequently any heating way for thermalchemical reaction, thermal-related soft matters can be patterned to form controllable micro or nano structures, even three-dimensional structures. The fine tunability and controllability of as-prepared micro and nano structures demonstrate this versatile approach a far wide range of uses than the merely academic.

MicroRNA-34b inhibits pancreatic cancer metastasis through repressing Smad3

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by extremely poor prognosis because of early recurrence and metastasis, and increasing evidence supports the critical role of microRNA in cancer progression. Here we identified that microRNA-34b functioned as a tumor-suppressing microRNA by targeting oncogenic Smad3 in pancreatic cancer. As a hypovascular tumor with a potential endoplasmic reticulum stress microenvironment, miR-34b was silenced after ER stress inducer thapsigargin (Tg) treatment and negatively regulated by ER stress chaperone glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in pancreatic cancer cells. In human specimens, we found that miR-34b was down-regulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and low level of miR-34b expression was positively correlated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, lymph-node metastasis and overall survival. Functional assays showed that over-expression of miR-34b inhibited pancreatic cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. In addition, Smad3 was demonstrated as a direct target of miR-34b and negatively regulated by miR- 34b at mRNA and protein levels. Luciferase assays confirmed that miR-34b could directly bind to the 3'untranslated region of Smad3. An inverse correlation between miR-34b and Smad3 was observed in 64 pancreatic cancer tissues. Our findings indicate that miR-34b acts as a tumor metastasis suppressor through negatively modulating Smad3, which may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.

Net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 TeV

We report the first measurement of the net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76  TeV, measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The dynamical fluctuations per unit entropy are observed to decrease when going from peripheral to central collisions. An additional reduction in the amount of fluctuations is seen in comparison to the results from lower energies. We examine the dependence of fluctuations on the pseudorapidity interval, which may account for the dilution of fluctuations during the evolution of the system. We find that the fluctuations at the LHC are smaller compared to the measurements at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and as such, closer to what has been theoretically predicted for the formation of a quark-gluon plasma.

Innate and adaptive immune gene expression profiles as biomarkers in human type 1 diabetes

The mRNA levels of a set of immune-related genes were analysed with peripheral blood samples from at-risk, new-onset and long-term type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients, in comparison to those from healthy controls. The selected set includes T lymphocyte genes [CD3G and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4)], B lymphocyte genes (CD19 and CD20) and myeloid cell-related genes [CD11b, Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9, arginase (ARG1)]. Also included is a subset of the S100 family members that has been documented recently as regulatory elements of innate immunity. Samples from patients with long-term T1D had a reduced level of mRNA for most of selected innate and adaptive immune genes. No such reduction was detected in samples collected from at-risk or new-onset T1D patients. Analyses of regulatory gene expression ratios revealed a dynamic disproportion of CTLA4 versus CD3G expression in samples from at-risk, new-onset and long-term T1D patients. These changes could serve as immunological biomarkers for the status of the immune system during T1D progression and therapeutic interventions.

Profilin 1 potentiates apoptosis induced by staurosporine in cancer cells

The correlation between the loss of Profilin 1 (Pfn1) with tumor progression indicated that Pfn1 is a tumor suppressor in human carcinoma. The molecular mechanisms underlying Pfn1 tumor suppression has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we showed that Pfn1 overexpression sensitizes cancer cells to apoptosis through the typical intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Mechanistically, the increased Pfn1 expression mediated the upregulation of p53R273H, one of the most common tumor-associated hotspot mutations of p53, with transactivation deletion in tumorigenesis and increased localization of p53R273H in cytoplasm. Further studies showed that mutant p53R273H was involved in apoptosis induced by Staurosporine (STS) via transcription-independent mitochondrial functions. We observed (i) the increased cytosolic localization of p53R273H, (ii) the activation of phosphorylation at Ser15, (iii) its mitochondrial localization; Pfn1 acted as a positive regulator of these processes. We also found that Pfn1 interacted with p53R273H and thus facilitated its exertion over the transcription-independent activity in the cytoplasm during drug action. Our results define a new function and mechanism of Pfn1 demonstrating that the combined effect with apoptotic agents led to a synergistic increase in apoptosis. In addition, p53R273H abrogating DNA binding was found to play a major role in the Pfn1- sensitized apoptosis through a transactivation-independent and cytosolic activity.

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of imipenem after intravenous and intrathecal administration in rabbits

BACKGROUND

Intrathecal administration of antibiotics has potentially high effectiveness for the treatment for severe intracranial infections, particularly nosocomial meningitis. The use of intrathecal injection of antibiotics has been reported mostly in case reports. However, there is sparse data regarding the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics after intrathecal administration.

AIM

This study investigated whether intrathecal injection is an effective method for the administration of imipenem.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The pharmacokinetics of imipenem after intrathecal and intravenous administration of 1:1 imipenem: cilastatin (IMI/CIL) to rabbits were compared.

RESULTS

The AUC0-t in the cerebrospinal fluid for intrathecal administration was approximately twice that of an equal dose of intravenous administration at doses of 0.35, 0.7, and 1.4 mg/kg. Brain concentrations of imipenem after intrathecal injection were three times greater than observed after intravenous injection and remained high for at least 8 hours post-injection. Elimination of imipenem after administration by either route was primarily via urine, but a transient surge of imipenem in bile and intestinal tissue was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that there is a clinical potential for intrathecally administered IMI/CIL. Further studies are warranted to investigate the potential for seizure and to assess the translatability of the rabbit model to human treatment.

Transverse momentum distribution and nuclear modification factor of charged particles in p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 5.02 TeV

The transverse momentum (p(T)) distribution of primary charged particles is measured in minimum bias (non-single-diffractive) p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The p(T) spectra measured near central rapidity in the range 0.5<p(T) <20 GeV/c exhibit a weak pseudorapidity dependence. The nuclear modification factor R(pPb) is consistent with unity for p(T) above 2 GeV/c. This measurement indicates that the strong suppression of hadron production at high p(T) observed in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC is not due to an initial-state effect. The measurement is compared to theoretical calculations.

Insulin promotes T cell recovery in a murine model of autoimmune myocarditis

Glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) is a useful adjunct to myocarditis. Besides its essential action in energy metabolism, insulin also exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. This study investigated the effect of insulin on myocardial inflammation in experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in mice and its potential role in T cell regulation. Mice were divided randomly into a normal control group, a saline-treated EAM group and an insulin-treated EAM group. The histopathological changes of myocardium, α-myosin heavy chain (MyHCα)(614-629) antigen-specific autoantibody titre, the serum level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members' activity and content were measured. Furthermore, the phenotype of T lymphocyte subsets in splenocytes was analysed to evaluate the immune status of mice. Insulin reduced serum cTnI of EAM mice on days 14 and 21 (P < 0·05) after immunization, with no changes in blood glucose and autoantibody production. Western blot revealed that extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) may be a determining factor in this process. Total ERK1/2 and phospho-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were both up-regulated in insulin-treated mice after immunization. We also found that insulin treatment promoted T cell recovery without changing the naive-to-memory T-cell ratio; in particular, CD3(+) T cells in insulin-treated mice proliferated more vigorously than in control mice (P < 0·05). We report here for the first time that insulin alleviates myocarditis in the EAM model. These data show that insulin has a direct effect on T cell proliferation in EAM. It is possible that GIK or insulin may assist T cell recovery towards normal in myocarditis, especially for diabetic or hyperglycaemic patients.

Pseudorapidity density of charged particles in p+Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV

The charged-particle pseudorapidity density measured over four units of pseudorapidity in nonsingle-diffractive p+Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV is presented. The average value at midrapidity is measured to be 16.81±0.71 (syst), which corresponds to 2.14±0.17 (syst) per participating nucleon, calculated with the Glauber model. This is 16% lower than in nonsingle-diffractive pp collisions interpolated to the same collision energy and 84% higher than in d+Au collisions at s√(s(NN))=0.2 TeV. The measured pseudorapidity density in p+Pb collisions is compared to model predictions and provides new constraints on the description of particle production in high-energy nuclear collisions.

Observation of two new N* resonances in the decay ψ(3686)→ppπ0

Based on 106×10(6)ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII facility, a partial wave analysis of ψ(3686)→ppπ0 is performed. The branching fraction of this channel has been determined to be B(ψ(3686)→ppπ0)=(1.65±0.03±0.15)×10(-4). In this decay, 7 N* intermediate resonances are observed. Among these, two new resonances, N(2300) and N(2570) are significant, one 1/2+ resonance with a mass of 2300(-30-0)(+40+109)  MeV/c2 and width of 340(-30-58)(+30+110)  MeV/c2, and one 5/2- resonance with a mass of 2570(-10-10)(+19+34)  MeV/c2 and width of 250(-24-21)(+14+69)  MeV/c2. For the remaining 5 N* intermediate resonances [N(1440), N(1520), N(1535), N(1650) and N(1720)], the analysis yields mass and width values that are consistent with those from established resonances.

Charge separation relative to the reaction plane in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV

Measurements of charge-dependent azimuthal correlations with the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported for Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV. Two- and three-particle charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in the pseudorapidity range |η| < 0.8 are presented as a function of the collision centrality, particle separation in pseudorapidity, and transverse momentum. A clear signal compatible with a charge-dependent separation relative to the reaction plane is observed, which shows little or no collision energy dependence when compared to measurements at RHIC energies. This provides a new insight for understanding the nature of the charge-dependent azimuthal correlations observed at RHIC and LHC energies.

A novel strategy for plant breeding based on simulations of gene network models

This paper describes a new computational method to make predictions on the outcome of pair-wise crosses of plant lines limiting expensive laboratory breeding experiments to carry out crosses of the most promising pairs of lines. Compared to the well-known marker assisted breeding, the proposed approach approximates plant gene regulatory networks to estimate outcomes of all possible crossovers, thereby taking into account epistatic relationships between alleles. The proposed method is tested and compare with various breeding approaches on artificial NK landscape models and an extensive synthetic model of Arabidopsis plant's flowering time system. The results show our method outperforms other breeding strategies.

Pion, kaon, and proton production in central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV

In this Letter we report the first results on π(±), K(±), p, and p production at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV, measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The p(T) distributions and yields are compared to previous results at sqrt[s(NN)] = 200 GeV and expectations from hydrodynamic and thermal models. The spectral shapes indicate a strong increase of the radial flow velocity with sqrt[s(NN)], which in hydrodynamic models is expected as a consequence of the increasing particle density. While the K/π ratio is in line with predictions from the thermal model, the p/π ratio is found to be lower by a factor of about 1.5. This deviation from thermal model expectations is still to be understood.

Measurement of the cross section for electromagnetic dissociation with neutron emission in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV

The first measurement of neutron emission in electromagnetic dissociation of ^{208}Pb nuclei at the LHC is presented. The measurement is performed using the neutron zero degree calorimeters of the ALICE experiment, which detect neutral particles close to beam rapidity. The measured cross sections of single and mutual electromagnetic dissociation of Pb nuclei at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76 TeV with neutron emission are σ(singleEMD)=187.4 ± 0.2(stat)(-11.2)(+13.2) (syst) b and σ(mutualEMD) = 5.7 ± 0.1(stat) ± 0.4(syst) b, respectively. The experimental results are compared to the predictions from a relativistic electromagnetic dissociation model.

Abstract P1-05-21: The role of epsin in promoting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and metastasis by activating NF-kB signaling in breast cancer

Background: Breast Cancer progression and metastasis are multi-step processes that involve local tumor growth and invasion followed by tumor dissemination to and re-establishment at distant sites. The ability of a tumor to metastasize is the major determinant of the mortality of cancer patients. Thus, elucidating the molecular pathways essential for tumor metastasis is of high priority in cancer biology. We have previously demonstrated that deficiency of epsins, a family of endocytic clathrin adaptor proteins, decreases tumor growth by enhancing VEGF signaling in vascular endothelial cells and subsequently promoting dysfunctional tumor angiogenesis.

Research Objective: Our immediate aim in the current research is to determine the role of epsin in regulating breast cancer growth and metastasis by activating NF-κB signaling. Our ultimate goal is to seek better treatment for breast cancer patients.

Rationale: Our preliminary data demonstrate that epsins are overexpressed in human cancers, including breast cancer. Knockdown of epsins in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 inhibits in vitro cell proliferation and migration. Xenograft or tail-vein injection of epsin-deficient breast cancer cells reveals marked reduction in in vivo tumorigenesis and lung metastasis. Moreover, E-cadherin is increased and vimentin decreased in epsin-deficient MDA-MB-231 and in tumors derived from epsin-deficient MDA-MB-231 tumor models. Conversely, overexpression of epsin in breast epithelial cell line MCF10A and MDA-MB-231 results in decreased E-cadherin and increased vimentin expression.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that epsin regulates EMT through modulating NF-κB signaling.

Methods: we use combined techniques of western blot, confocal immunofluorescence and RT-PCR to examine NF-κB activation.

Results: NF-κB phosphorylation, nuclear translocation and NF-κB target gene snail/slug expression is downregulated in epsin-deficient MDA-MB-231. Epsin overexpression in MDA-MB-231 increases NF-κB phosphorylation. Mechanistically, we show that epsin co-immunoprecipitates with components of TNF Receptor Signaling Complex (TNFR-SC) including TNFR1, TRADD, RIP, TRAF2 and NEMO in MDA-MB-231, which can be enhanced by TNFα stimulation. Conversely, recruitment of NEMO and TRAF2 to TNFR1 is impaired in epsin-deficient MDA-MB-231 compared to control upon TNFα treatment. Given that ubiquitin-interacting motifs (UIM) of epsin is important for its interaction with ubiquitinated proteins, we show that wild type (WT) but not a UIM-deficient mutant epsin (epsin ΔUIM) coprecipitates with TNFR1 in 293T cells. Overexpression of epsin ΔUIM inhibits NF-κB activation in MDA-MB-231 and 293T cells compared to WT. In addition, UIM of epsin and polyubquitination of RIP are required for the interaction of epsin with RIP in 293T cells response to TNFα.

Conclusion: epsin promotes breast cancer growth and metastasis by upregulating NF-kB signaling and EMT. Epsin serves as scaffolding protein through UIM-polyubiquitin chain interaction to stabilize TNFR1 signaling complex (TNFR-SC) and subsequently enhance NF-kB signaling in breast cancer cells. Our study provides a basis for novel therapeutic targets for the development of anti-metastatic cancer treatments.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-05-21.

Severity of portal hypertension and prediction of postoperative liver failure after liver resection in patients with Child–Pugh grade A cirrhosis

Background

Patients with Child–Pugh grade A cirrhosis and clinical evidence of portal hypertension are likely to develop posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). Whether such patients are suitable candidates for partial hepatectomy is controversial. This study explored the impact of portal venous pressure (PVP) on PHLF and the possibility of stratifying patients with Child–Pugh grade A cirrhosis for risk of PHLF using clinical data alone.

Methods

Between April 2009 and May 2011, consecutive patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma and intraoperative measurement of PVP were included in this prospective study. Using signs of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH), patients with Child–Pugh grade A cirrhosis were subclassified into three groups: no, mild and severe CSPH. Risk factors for PHLF were subjected to univariable and multivariable analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Sixty-seven (35·3 per cent) of 190 patients developed PHLF, which was persistent in 12 patients (6·3 per cent). Four patients (2·1 per cent) died from PHLF within 3 months of surgery. Multivariable analysis showed both PVP and CSPH to be independent predictors of PHLF (P &lt; 0·001). PVP values, incidence of PHLF and persistent PHLF were significantly higher in the severe CSPH group than in the other two groups (P &lt; 0·001). Severe CSPH (odds ratio 27·68, P = 0·005) and a preoperative neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of 2·8 or above (odds ratio 49·75, P = 0·002) were independent factors affecting the incidence of persistent PHLF.

Conclusion

The severity of CSPH, corresponding to different PVP levels, could be used to stratify patients with Child-Pugh grade A cirrhosis and to predict the incidence of PHLF. Patients with severe CSPH or a NLR of 2·8 or above were more likely to develop persistent PHLF after partial hepatectomy.

Evidence for the direct two-photon transition from ψ(3686) to J/ψ

The two-photon transition ψ(3686)→γγJ/ψ is studied in a sample of 1.06×10(8) ψ(3686) decays collected by the BESIII detector. The branching fraction is measured to be (3.1±0.6(stat)(-1.0)(+0.8)(syst))×10(-4) using J/ψ→e(+)e(-) and J/ψ→μ(+)μ(-) decays, and its upper limit is estimated to be 4.5×10(-4) at the 90% confidence level. This work represents the first measurement of a two-photon transition among charmonium states. The orientation of the ψ(3686) decay plane and the J/ψ polarization in this decay are also studied. In addition, the product branching fractions of sequential E1 transitions ψ(3686)→γχ(cJ) and χ(cJ)→γJ/ψ(J=0,1,2) are reported.

Jagged-1-mediated activation of notch signalling induces adipogenesis of adipose-derived stem cells

OBJECTIVES

Notch signalling plays an important role in many cell activities, involving proliferation, migration, differentiation and cell death. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of such signalling on adipogenesis of mouse adipose-derived stem cells (mASCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Jagged1 (50 and 100 ng/ml) was added to mASCs to activate Notch signalling, 2 days before adipogenic induction. At 5 and 7 days after induction, oil red-O staining was performed to evaluate lipid accumulation. Then real-time PCR was performed to examine expression of Notch downstream genes (Notch-1, -2, Hes-1 and Hey-1) and adipogenic transcription factor (PPAR-γ). Expressions of Hes-1 and PPAR-γ at protein level were confirmed by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

Our data indicated that Jagged1 promoted adipogenic differentiation of mASCs. Moreover, Jagged1 also increased expression of Notch downstream genes and PPAR-γ. Expressions of Hes-1 and PPAR-γ were found to be enhanced in Jagged1 pre-treated mASCs when compared to controls.

DISCUSSION

The results led to the conclusion that activation of Notch signalling had stimulated adipogenesis of mASCs in the presence of adipogenic medium by promoting expression of PPAR-γ.

Characterization of an Agropyron elongatum chromosome conferring resistance to cephalosporium stripe in common wheat

Related wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding lines, PI 561033, REA 9232, REA 9257, and CI 13113 were analyzed cytogenetically to characterize the association of resistance to cephalosporium stripe (caused by Cephalosporium gramineum Nis. & Ika.) with Agropyron elongatum chromatin. One pair of A. elongatum chromosomes was detected in PI 561033, REA 9232, and CI 13113 by genomic in situ hybridization. The sib line of PI 561033 and REA 9232, REA 9257, which is not resistant to this disease, lacked this pair of A. elongatum chromosomes. PI 561033 was characterized as a disomic T. aestivum - A. elongatum 6Ae#2(6A) chromosome substitution line using test crosses and C-banding. In situ hybridization and test crosses showed that the donor parent, CI 13113, also had chromosome 6A substituted by A. elongatum chromosome 6Ae#2. The C-banding pattern of 6Ae#2 showed two subterminal bands on the long arm and one small band proximal to the centromere on the short arm. Based on chromosome pairing and compensation, chromosome 6Ae#2 shows a close homoeologous relationship with wheat chromosome 6A. Key words : Cephalosporium gramineum, Agropyron elongatum, in situ hybridization, C-banding, chromosome substitution.