Decreased interhemispheric functional coordination underlying the cognitive impairment in late-onset depression

Background

The intuitive association between cognitive dysfunction in late onset depression (LOD) and the aberrant functional activity in the brain's default-mode network (DMN) has prompted interest in exploring the role of the DMN in LOD. The altered pattern of resting state voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) in cognitive processes is not yet well understood in LOD.

Methods

The study was designed to examine the implicit coupling between the alteration of interhemispheric functional coordination and cognitive impairment in LOD. Thirty-one LOD patients and 37 matched healthy controls (HC) underwent neuropsychological tests and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in this study.

Results

Compared to HC group, attenuated VMHC in superior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, posterior cerebellar lobe, postcentral and precentral gyrus was observed in LOD. Neuro-behavioral relevancy approach revealed that the imbalanced interhemispheric functional coordination in bilateral cerebellum was positively correlated with the performance of trail making test in LOD (r = 0.367, P = 0.040).

Conclusion

Altered linkage pattern of intrinsic homotopic connectivity and cognition was firstly investigated in LOD, and it would provide a novel clue to reveal the neural substrates underlying the cognitive dysfunction in LOD.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Observation of the Singly Cabibbo-Suppressed Decay D^{+}→ωπ^{+} and Evidence for D^{0}→ωπ^{0}

Based on 2.93  fb^{-1} e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken at center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV by the BESIII detector, we report searches for the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D^{+}→ωπ^{+} and D^{0}→ωπ^{0}. A double tag technique is used to measure the absolute branching fractions B(D^{+}→ωπ^{+})=(2.79±0.57±0.16)×10^{-4} and B(D^{0}→ωπ^{0})=(1.17±0.34±0.07)×10^{-4}, with statistical significances of 5.5σ and 4.1σ, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Abstract P1-10-19: Skin, and nail, infections associated with the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab-based chemotherapy

Objectives: We have maintained a local registry of skin and nail infections in patients receiving pertuzumab and trastuzumab as treatment for HER2 positive breast cancer. Over the past 16 months, we have continued to observe an increase in infectious complications in patients receiving the combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab with or without chemotherapy. We expand a series of prospectively identified patients who developed infections while on these regimens. Methods: We became concerned about an increased incidence of infections shortly after the FDA approval of pertuzumab, and created an IRB approved registry of these patients. Results: Twenty-eight women were identified to have 32 separate infections (often at more than one site); 9 after cycle 1; 6 after cycle 2, 9 after cycle 3 and 8 after 4 or more cycles. The median age was 51 (Range 25-67); 14 received pertuzumab, trastuzumab, carboplatin, and docetaxel (PTCH), 5 pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel, 7 pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and nab-paclitaxel, and 2 pertuzumab and trastuzumab. Folliculitis of the scalp, abdomen, and/or buttocks was observed in 19 patients, abscesses in 8 patients (4 of whom required incision and drainage) and cellulitis in 2. Severe paronychial infections involving one to 16 digits were observed in 4; 2 pt required surgical removal of 2 nails. Quantitative immunoglobulins were found to be low in 8 of 17 women tested; 2 patient had low total protein but did not have an assessment of quantitative immunoglobulins. All patients were initially treated with oral antibiotics, and 6 required hospitalization. Cultures were obtained in 10 patients; Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 4, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 5, Enterococcus faecalis in 1. A 57 year old pt receiving neoadjuvant PTCH died on cycle 2 day 7. Autopsy was consistent with sepsis and gram positive cocci were identified. A 62 year old became septic and developed renal failure. Skin biopsies were performed in 3 patients and are consistent with changes associated with EGFR inhibition.

Conclusions: We believe these infections are a result of combining pertuzumab with trastuzumab as 2 pts received no concurrent chemotherapy. An awareness of this complication is critical as some infections may be life-threatening. We have initiated patient education to ensure awareness of this potential complication.

Citation Format: Mortimer JE, Yuan Y, Jung J, Kruper L, Stewart D, Chung S, Yu WK, Mendelsohn M, D'Apuzzo M, Tegtmeier B, Dadwal S. Skin, and nail, infections associated with the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab-based chemotherapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-19.

Abstract P6-03-18: Outcome of FoundationOne testing in metastatic breast cancer therapy: A single center experience

Background: Next generation sequencing (NGS) has made genomic, mutation-driven, cancer medicine feasible. However, few studies have reported the importance of NGS in identifying mutation-driven treatment or whether such therapies are effective in women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We reviewed the impact of NGS in women with MBC at our institution.

Methods: Among the medical oncologists who treat metastatic breast cancers at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, we identified 21 patients with HER2 negative cancers, whose tumors were submitted for FoundationOne genomic profiling. We report the individual mutation profile, potential therapeutic options, and treatment outcome.

Result: Of the 21 patients (pts), 13 had triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and 12 of 13 (92%) had actionable mutation(s). Mutation profiles have been heterogeneous. Loss or mutations of TP53 were the most common genomic alteration in TNBC (12 of 13). Four pts received targeted therapies (everolimus in 3, pazopanib in 1) and all experienced at least partial clinical response. An additional 3 pts were treated with directed therapy but are too early to evaluate, 4 pts were not treated because of disease progression or clinical deterioration, and 1 pt was lost to follow-up. All 8 pts with ER+ disease had actionable mutations identified and 7 (88%) received targeted therapy (pazopanib in1, everolimus in 3, palbociclib in 3). All experienced at least partial clinical response; 1 was too ill for treatment. The most common genomic alterations are: PIK3CA mutation, PTEN loss, P53 mutation, FGFR mutation, and ZNF mutation.

Conclusion: Targeted genomic sequencing through FoundationOne can identify mutations that are amenable to treatment with agents that are not generally approved for use in breast cancer. In order to test the benefit of target-directed therapy, tumor should be submitted for NGS while patients have a good performance status.

Citation Format: Yuan Y, Mortimer JE. Outcome of FoundationOne testing in metastatic breast cancer therapy: A single center experience. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-03-18.

Abstract P1-14-10: Phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel in patients with triple negative locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer

Background: Pathologic complete response (pCR) and residual cancer burden (RCB scores of 0 [pCR] or 1[near CR]) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) may predict for improved survival (Symmans et al. J Clin Oncol 25:4414-22, 2007). We set out to test the pCR rate with an anthracycline-free regimen of carboplatin (carb) and nab-paclitaxel (nab) in patients (pts) with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Materials and Methods: Forty-nine pts with stages II-III BC were to receive carb (AUC 6) on day 1 of a 28 day cycle, and nab 80 mg/m2 weekly, for a total of 4 cycles. Core biopsies were performed prior to NCT. Blood procurement for circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis using the CellSearch platform was carried out pre-treatment, mid-treatment, and at surgery. We set out to assess the predictive value of Mammaprint (poor vs. good), BluePrint (basal, vs. luminal, vs. HER2) molecular subtype as well as microarray RNA and miRNA profiling, for pCR. Responses were also dichotomized as complete or near complete response (Symmans RCB scores of 0-1) vs. suboptimal response (RCB score > 1).

Results: The median age was 53 (28-75). Pts presented with clinical stages II (63%) and III (37%). So far, 38 of the 49 pts accrued between 2/2012 and 6/2015, have undergone surgery, 68% of whom underwent modified radical mastectomy. The pCR rate (breast and lymph nodes in CR) was 53%, and RCB 0 and 1 were seen in 68% of pts. Toxicites included grade ¾ anemia (45%), thrombocytopenia (13%) and neutropenia (53%,1 pt with neutropenic fever). Dose adjustments were needed in over 80% of pts. Grades 2 or 3 peripheral neuropathy were seen in 8% each, and grades 3-4 fatigue (13%), hypokalemia (3%), and hyponatremia (3%) were observed. The median number of CTCs (pre-NCT) observed in 7 CTC positive pts of the first 27 pts who completed surgery was 1 (0-7), and 2 of the 7 pts continued to have CTCs at the time of surgery (1 CTC each), while 2 pts without CTCs pre-NCT had CTCs (1 each) detected at surgery. The final pt enrolled is expected to complete surgery by 10/2015. Results of sequential CTC assessments, MammaPrint/Blueprint and RNA/miRNA analysis of pre- and post-treatment specimens and their correlation with pCR will be presented.

Conclusion: The non-anthracycline-containing regimen of carb and nab-paclitaxel induced a high pCR rate in TNBC, in preliminary analysis. Ongoing profiling may allow for future subset-specific modification of this regimen to increase pCR across all molecular subtypes of TNBC.

Citation Format: Somlo G, Chung S, Frankel P, Hurria A, Koehler S, Kruper L, Mortimer JE, Paz B, Robinson K, Taylor L, Vito C, Waisman J, Yeon C, Yim J, Yuan Y, Tong T. Phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel in patients with triple negative locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-14-10.

Abstract P6-13-17: The combination of eribulin and everolimus results in enhanced suppression of tumors in mouse models of triple negative breast cancer

INTRODUCTION. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer with poor overall and relapse free survival. TNBC does not have targeted or matched therapies. Patients have worse outcomes after chemotherapy than with other subtypes of breast cancer. TNBC accounts for 12-17% of all breast cancers, leaving an unmet need for targeted therapy. Efforts to profile these tumors have revealed several potential targets.

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is a signal transduction pathway that links growth related hormone receptor interaction to downstream targets such as AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). This pathway targets affect cell proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. Patients with TNBC have high levels of AKT expression and activation of this pathway.

Microtubule-targeting agents have been used in TNBC. Eribulin mesylate is a microtubule-targeting agent with benefits in treating taxane and anthracycline refractory breast cancer via a microtubule targeting anti-mitotic mechanism. It has been approved for the treatment of TNBC in heavily pretreated patients.

Despite targeted therapy, breast cancer cells can grow resistant. Targeting multiple cancer growth pathways has been used in patients that progress on therapy or fail to respond. We hypothesized that targeting both mitotic blockade and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway may provide enhanced suppression of TNBC growth in both syngeneic and xenogeneic mouse models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. MDA-MB-468 is a human TNBC cell line. 4T1 is a highly metastatic mouse TNBC cell line derived from a spontaneously arising Balb/c mammary tumor. 4T1 and MDA-MB-468 tumor cells were injected into the mammary fat pad of female Balb/c and NOD/SCID/IL2Rgamma null (NSG) mice (with matrigel) respectively. After tumors were formed Balb/c mice were treated three times per week with vehicle, eribulin (0.75 mg/kg i.v.), RAD001 (5 mg/kg via oral gavage) or a combination of both. NSG mice were treated three times per week with vehicle, eribulin (0.5 mg/kg i.v.), RAD001 (5 mg/kg by oral gavage), or a combination of both. Tumor volumes and body weights were measured. Student t-test was used to compare the means of two groups and determine the p value (p<0.05 is significant). N=3-8 per group.

Table I. 4T1 mouse breast cancer modelTreatmentTumor Volume (mm3)+/-SEMVehicle511.6+/-56.82Eribulin445.6+/-92.17Everolimus324.9+/-24.55Combination171.4+/-16.07 p valueCombination vs. Vehicle0.0001Combination vs. Eribulin0.01Combination vs. Everolimus0.001

Table II. MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells in immune deficient mice.TreatmentTumor Volume (mm3)+/-SEMVehicle966.8+/-69.2Eribulin67.81+/-11.79Everolimus830.6+/-156.3Combination31.37+/-3.37 p valueCombination vs. Eribulin0.041Combination vs. Everolimus0.0076

RESULTS. In the 4T1 syngeneic breast cancer mouse model, the combination of Eribulin and Everolimus resulted in marked suppression of tumor growth which was statistically significant versus vehicle treatment alone, or Eribulin or Everolimus alone (Table I). In the MDA-MB-468 model, the combination of Eribulin and Everolimus demonstrated marked suppression of tumor growth which was statistically significant compared to either agent alone (Table II).

Citation Format: Marcinkowski E, Luu T, Yuan Y, Mortimer J, Leong L, Portnow J, Xing Q, Wen W, Yim J. The combination of eribulin and everolimus results in enhanced suppression of tumors in mouse models of triple negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-13-17.

Abstract P3-03-02: Identification of molecular pathways to define the intake rate of patient-derived hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer xenografts (PDXs) in NOD/SCID/interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain null (NSG) mice

Background and Purpose: Despite recent progress in our endocrine therapy of hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancers, a significant number of patients with primary breast cancer continue to relapse, and those with stage IV disease face a median overall survival of ∼ 3.5 years. Primary or acquired resistance to anti-estrogen-based therapies is an overarching challenge. To guide our treatment selection, there is an essential need to improve our understanding of the biology of HR+ breast tumors responsive to and those resist to anti-estrogens or aromatase inhibitors (AIs). The application of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) in preclinical studies has begun to open the door to mimicking human disease on the research bench. However, HR+ breast cancer PDXs are difficult to establish. Although preclinical data from DeRose et al [Nat. Med. 2011: 17:1514-1520] indicate that the rate of engraftment serves as an independent predictor for poor outcome, the question which has not yet been adequately addressed is: "why some tumors can grow in mice, and some don't, even when their clinical, pathological stage and subtype (i.e. ER positivity) are same?" Here, we hypothesize that the molecular characteristics of patient HR+ tumors are key determinants to the tumor intake rate in NOD/SCID/interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain null (NSG) mice. Hence, reverse phase protein array (RPPA) analysis has be performed using human patient tumors to identify driver-pathways that impact tumor intake in NSG mice.

Results and Discussion: We compared the protein expression profile of six HR+ patient tumors (four HR+ and two HR+ HER2+), which were successfully engrafted into NSG mice and established as PDX models, with the patient tumors which we were unable to establish as PDX. Of 90 patient HR+ tumors which failed to transplant, 21 tumors were picked to match the tumor type (all of them were invasive ductal carcinoma or its metastases), clinical stage and pathological grade of engrafted tumors [Table 1]. In addition to patient tumors, six established HR+ PDXs were also submitted for analysis. Quantified expressions of 272 cancer-related proteins and phospho-proteins by RPPA have been performed on these specimens. Pathways identified as predictors of intake rate of PDXs in NSG mice, and tissues from paired PDX from mice with different passages, will be evaluated for the protein expression changes to elucidate the passage effects and generate therapeutic models based on protein expression and tumor growth.

Table 1. Characteristics of the patient tumors which were successfully established as PDX modelsERPgRHER2AgePatient ethnicityClinical stageNottingham histologic scoreSource++-63Hispanic3IIIBreast tumor+--71Hispanic2IIIBreast tumor+--52African-american4N/ABrain mets+--63Caucasian4N/AChest wall mets+-+34Caucasian2IIBreast tumor+++72Caucasian4IIIChest wall metsmets: metastases

Citation Format: Kanaya N, Somlo G, Wu J, Frankel P, Wu SV, Nguyen D, Kai M, Chan N, Meng-Yin H, Kirschenbaum M, Kruper L, Vito C, Yuan Y, Hurria A, Mortimer J, Chen S. Identification of molecular pathways to define the intake rate of patient-derived hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer xenografts (PDXs) in NOD/SCID/interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain null (NSG) mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-03-02.

Effect of daily sildenafil on patients with absent nocturnal erections due to pelvic fracture urethral disruption: a single-centre experience

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sequel of pelvic fracture urethral disruption. Those patients with nocturnal erections may respond favourably to sildenafil; however, little is known about the response to sildenafil in patients with absent nocturnal erections. The aim was to evaluate the response to the treatment of sildenafil 50 mg taken once daily in the patients with absent nocturnal erections. From January 2008 to December 2011, a total of 28 patients with absent nocturnal erections were evaluated. We recorded nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity with an erectometer. If nocturnal erections were absent for three nights, patients were administrated sildenafil 100 mg at bedtime and tested again at the fourth night. Penile duplex ultrasound with intracavernous injection was performed to define the cause of ED. All patients received a daily dose of sildenafil 50 mg for 12 weeks. Response to sildenafil treatment was defined as sustained erections allowing vaginal penetration and intercourse. Twenty-three (78%) patients completed the daily sildenafil treatment, and follow-up was available. The nocturnal erections at the fourth night in 13 patients (46.4%) were improved. About 61.5% (8/13) reported effective response to daily sildenafil. The improvement of nocturnal erections induced by sildenafil taken at bedtime might predict the response to sildenafil taken daily.

Measurements of Absolute Hadronic Branching Fractions of the Λ_{c}^{+} Baryon

We report the first measurement of absolute hadronic branching fractions of Λ_{c}^{+} baryon at the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} production threshold, in the 30 years since the Λ_{c}^{+} discovery. In total, 12 Cabibbo-favored Λ_{c}^{+} hadronic decay modes are analyzed with a double-tag technique, based on a sample of 567  pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collisions at sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV recorded with the BESIII detector. A global least-squares fitter is utilized to improve the measured precision. Among the measurements for twelve Λ_{c}^{+} decay modes, the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+} is determined to be (5.84±0.27±0.23)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. In addition, the measurements of the branching fractions of the other 11 Cabibbo-favored hadronic decay modes are significantly improved.

Measurement of Azimuthal Asymmetries in Inclusive Charged Dipion Production in e^{+}e^{-} Annihilations at sqrt[s]=3.65 GeV

We present a measurement of the azimuthal asymmetries of two charged pions in the inclusive process e^{+}e^{-}→ππX, based on a data set of 62  pb^{-1} at the center-of-mass energy of 3.65 GeV collected with the BESIII detector. These asymmetries can be attributed to the Collins fragmentation function. We observe a nonzero asymmetry, which increases with increasing pion momentum. As our energy scale is close to that of the existing semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering experimental data, the measured asymmetries are important inputs for the global analysis of extracting the quark transversity distribution inside the nucleon and are valuable to explore the energy evolution of the spin-dependent fragmentation function.

[Clinical characteristics analysis of 120 cases of pediatric spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality]

OBJECTIVE

To study the epidemiologic characteristics of pediatric spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed and 120 cases of children with spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality were admitted in China Rehabilitation Research Center from January 2005 to December 2014.The gender, age, causes of injury, injury condition and complication were analyzed. All cases were divided into two groups (0-7 years old and 8-13 years old) according to age.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty cases included 31 boys (25.8%) and 89 girls (74.2%). Most of the children were 0-7 years old (96 cases, 80.0%). The top 3 causes of spinal cord injury were sports activities (60 cases, 50.0%), traffic accident (25 cases, 29.2%) and other trauma (11 cases, 12.5%). Seventy-one cases were low-energy injury (59.2%) and 49 cases were high-energy trauma (40.8%), most of low-energy injury were completely injured (56 cases, 78.9%). The complication rate was 59.2% and the top 3 complications were urinary infection (35 cases, 29.2%), hydronephrosis (12 cases, 10.0%) and pressure ulcers (10 cases, 8.3%).

CONCLUSION

It is needed to pay more attention to pediatric spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality caused by low-energy injury, especially children aged 0-7 years old with history of slight injury, and be careful about spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality result from high-energy damage.

Exploring Northwest China's agricultural water-saving strategy: analysis of water use efficiency based on an SE-DEA model conducted in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province

Worldwide, water scarcity threatens delivery of water to urban centers. Increasing water use efficiency (WUE) is often recommended to reduce water demand, especially in water-scarce areas. In this paper, agricultural water use efficiency (AWUE) is examined using the super-efficient data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach in Xi'an in Northwest China at a temporal and spatial level. The grey systems analysis technique was then adopted to identify the factors that influenced the efficiency differentials under the shortage of water resources. From the perspective of temporal scales, the AWUE increased year by year during 2004-2012, and the highest (2.05) was obtained in 2009. Additionally, the AWUE was the best in the urban area at the spatial scale. Moreover, the key influencing factors of the AWUE are the financial situations and agricultural water-saving technology. Finally, we identified several knowledge gaps and proposed water-saving strategies for increasing AWUE and reducing its water demand by: (1) improving irrigation practices (timing and amounts) based on compatible water-saving techniques; (2) maximizing regional WUE by managing water resources and allocation at regional scales as well as enhancing coordination among Chinese water governance institutes.

Effects of dietary quercetin on performance and cytochrome P450 expression of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera

Quercetin is ubiquitous in terrestrial plants. The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera as a highly polyphagous insect has caused severe crop losses. Until now, interactions between this pest and quercetin are poorly understood at the biochemical and molecular levels. In this study, we investigated the in vivo effects of quercetin on performance of cotton bollworm and on cytochrome P450 (P450) expression. Deleterious effects of quercetin on the performance of the cotton bollworm, including growth, survival, pupation and adult emergence were observed after oral administration of 3 and 10 mg g(-1) quercetin to larvae since the third instar, whereas no significant toxic effect was found at 0.1 mg g(-1) quercetin treatment. Piperonyl butoxide treatment enhanced the toxicity of quercetin. In vitro metabolism studies showed that quercetin was rapidly transformed by gut enzymes of fifth instar larvae of the cotton bollworm. qRT-PCR results revealed that the effect of quercetin on P450 expression was tissue- and dose-specific. Quercetin regulated P450 expression in a mild manner, and it could serve as P450 inducer (CYP337B1, CYP6B6) or repressor (CYP337B1, CYP6B7, CYP6B27, CYP9A14, CYP6AE11, and CYP4M7). These findings are important for advancing our understanding of the biochemical and molecular response of insects to plant toxins and have implications for a smart pest control.

Isolation and characterization of new microsatellite markers in red tail prawn, Fenneropenaeus penicillatus, an endangered species in China

Until recently, Fenneropenaeus penicillatus was considered a commercial shrimp species. However, in 2005, it was included on the Red List as an endangered species by the Chinese government. In this study, 19 new microsatellite markers in F. penicillatus were developed and tested in samples of 32 wild individuals from Nanao, China. Twelve loci were polymorphic and 7 were monomorphic. Of the 12 polymorphic loci, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 6, with an average of 4.42 alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.302 to 0.670, with a mean of 0.4817. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.2250 to 0.8889 and from 0.1111 to 0.7750, respectively. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE, adjusted P < 0.0042) after a Bonferroni correction were observed in 3 loci (NA-9, NA-57, and NA-64), whereas the other 9 loci were in HWE. These new microsatellite markers will be useful in further research on the population genetic structure of F. penicillatus.

Observation of a Neutral Structure near the DD[over ¯]^{*} Mass Threshold in e^{+}e^{-}→(DD[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} at sqrt[s]=4.226 and 4.257 GeV

A neutral structure in the DD[over ¯]^{*} system around the DD[over ¯]^{*} mass threshold is observed with a statistical significance greater than 10σ in the processes e^{+}e^{-}→D^{+}D^{*-}π^{0}+c.c. and e^{+}e^{-}→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{*0}π^{0}+c.c. at sqrt[s]=4.226 and 4.257 GeV in the BESIII experiment. The structure is denoted as Z_{c}(3885)^{0}. Assuming the presence of a resonance, its pole mass and width are determined to be [3885.7_{-5.7}^{+4.3}(stat)±8.4(syst)]  MeV/c^{2} and [35_{-12}^{+11}(stat)±15(syst)]  MeV, respectively. The Born cross sections are measured to be σ[e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(3885)^{0}π^{0},Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→DD[over ¯]^{*}]=[77±13(stat)±17(syst)]  pb at 4.226 GeV and [47±9(stat)±10(syst)]  pb at 4.257 GeV. The ratio of decay rates B[Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→D^{+}D^{*-}+c.c.]/B[Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{*0}+c.c.] is determined to be 0.96±0.18(stat)±0.12(syst), consistent with no isospin violation in the process, Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→DD[over ¯]^{*}.

Measurement of the Absolute Branching Fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}

We report the first measurement of the absolute branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}. This measurement is based on 567  pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data produced at sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV, which is just above the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} threshold. The data were collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage rings. The branching fraction is determined to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e})=[3.63±0.38(stat)±0.20(syst)]%, representing a significant improvement in precision over the current indirect determination. As the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e} is the benchmark for those of other Λ_{c}^{+} semileptonic channels, our result provides a unique test of different theoretical models, which is the most stringent to date.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in hybrid giant tiger grouper

The hybrid giant tiger grouper is a fish that has considerable commercial value and has become increasingly important for aquaculture in South East Asia since 2008. In order to prevent any reduction in genetic diversity in hybrid grouper as a result of aquaculture, we have identified 21 microsatellite markers that can be used to estimate genetic variation in the fish population. The number of alleles at polymorphic microsatellite loci ranged from 2 to 7, and observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.0323 to 0.9643 and 0.0921 to 0.7174, respectively. Polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.088 to 0.737. Nineteen of the 21 loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.005) after application of the Bonferroni correction (k = 10), the exceptions being ZZLD35 (P < 0.005) and ZZLD36 (P < 0.001). No linkage disequilibrium was detected. These 21 microsatellite markers are potentially of great value for analyzing genetic diversity to provide essential information for sustainable management of these fish.

Observation of a Neutral Charmoniumlike State Z_{c}(4025)^{0} in e^{+}e^{-}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0}

We report a study of the process e^{+}e^{-}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} using e^{+}e^{-} collision data samples with integrated luminosities of 1092 pb^{-1} at sqrt[s]=4.23 GeV and 826 pb^{-1} at sqrt[s]=4.26 GeV collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. We observe a new neutral structure near the (D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0} mass threshold in the π^{0} recoil mass spectrum, which we denote as Z_{c}(4025)^{0}. Assuming a Breit-Wigner line shape, its pole mass and pole width are determined to be (4025.5_{-4.7}^{+2.0}±3.1) MeV/c^{2} and (23.0±6.0±1.0) MeV, respectively. The Born cross sections of e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(4025)^{0}π^{0}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} are measured to be (61.6±8.2±9.0) pb at sqrt[s]=4.23 GeV and (43.4±8.0±5.4) pb at sqrt[s]=4.26 GeV. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

Identification and characterization of microsatellite markers from the tropical sea cucumber, Stichopus horrens (Selenka)

Tropical commercial sea cucumber Stichopus horrens is extensively distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region, and wild stocks have been severely depleted over the past decade. In this study, we used the microsatellite enrichment library of S. horrens to identify and characterize 13 microsatellite loci, including 11 polymorphic loci and 2 monomorphic loci. Among the 11 polymorphic loci, the number of alleles was 3-8. The observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.1364 to 0.8966 and from 0.1653 to 0.7551, respectively. Additionally, all 11 polymorphic loci showed moderate and high polymorphism with the polymorphism information content (0.271-0.7311). A total of 9 polymorphic loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, except for 2 loci (adjusted P = 0.004545). Linkage disequilibrium was not detected in any pairs of polymorphic loci. The present study will be useful for studying genetic structure, population conservation, and breeding of wild S. horrens; moreover, our results contribute to the phylogeny and evolutionary research of Holothuroidea.

Modelling the natural history of Huntington's disease progression

BACKGROUND

The lack of reliable biomarkers to track disease progression is a major problem in clinical research of chronic neurological disorders. Using Huntington's disease (HD) as an example, we describe a novel approach to model HD and show that the progression of a neurological disorder can be predicted for individual patients.

METHODS

Starting with an initial cohort of 343 patients with HD that we have followed since 1995, we used data from 68 patients that satisfied our filtering criteria to model disease progression, based on the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS), a measure that is routinely used in HD clinics worldwide.

RESULTS

Our model was validated by: (A) extrapolating our equation to model the age of disease onset, (B) testing it on a second patient data set by loosening our filtering criteria, (C) cross-validating with a repeated random subsampling approach and (D) holdout validating with the latest clinical assessment data from the same cohort of patients. With UHDRS scores from the past four clinical visits (over a minimum span of 2 years), our model predicts disease progression of individual patients over the next 2 years with an accuracy of 89-91%. We have also provided evidence that patients with similar baseline clinical profiles can exhibit very different trajectories of disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

This new model therefore has important implications for HD research, most obviously in the development of potential disease-modifying therapies. We believe that a similar approach can also be adapted to model disease progression in other chronic neurological disorders.

Randomised clinical trial: the clinical efficacy and safety of an alginate-antacid (Gaviscon Double Action) versus placebo, for decreasing upper gastrointestinal symptoms in symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in China

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of large-scale studies evaluating the clinical benefit of the Gaviscon Double Action (DA) alginate-antacid formulation for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms.

AIM

Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group study to evaluate efficacy and safety of Gaviscon DA in reducing heartburn, regurgitation and dyspepsia symptoms in individuals with mild-to-moderate GERD in China.

METHODS

Participants with symptomatic GERD (n = 1107) were randomised to receive Gaviscon DA or placebo (two tablets four times daily) for seven consecutive days. The primary endpoint compared the change in Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) score for the GERD (heartburn + regurgitation) dimension between Gaviscon DA and placebo. Secondary endpoints compared the change in RDQ scores for individual heartburn, regurgitation and dyspepsia dimensions, overall treatment evaluation (OTE) scores and incidence of adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

Mean RDQ GERD scores: 2.51 for Gaviscon DA and 2.50 for placebo at baseline; 1.25 for Gaviscon DA and 1.46 for placebo post treatment. Gaviscon DA was statistically superior to placebo in reducing GERD and dyspepsia RDQ scores [least-squares mean (LSM) difference: GERD -0.21, P < 0.0001; dyspepsia -0.18, P = 0.0004], despite a substantial placebo response. The Gaviscon DA group reported more favourable overall treatment responses than the placebo group across all OTE categories (P < 0.0001). Superior relief of GERD symptoms was observed both in those with non-erosive and those with erosive reflux disease (LSM difference -0.14 [P = 0.038] and -0.29 [P < 0.0001] respectively). Incidence of AEs was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Gaviscon DA tablets provide effective and safe reduction in acid reflux and dyspepsia symptoms in Chinese individuals with mild-to-moderate GERD. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01869491.

Screening adherence and cancer risk perceptions in colorectal cancer survivors with Lynch-like syndrome

Cancer screening recommendations for patients with Lynch-like syndrome (LLS) are not well defined. We evaluated adherence to Lynch syndrome (LS) screening recommendations, cancer risk perceptions, and communication within the families among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors with LLS. Thirty-four participants with LLS completed a questionnaire about risk perception, adherence to LS screening recommendations, and communication with relatives. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. Most participants (76%) believed they should undergo colonoscopy every 1-2 years. Only 41% correctly interpreted their genetic tests as uninformative negative or as variant of unknown significance for LS. Less than half had had an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for screening purpose. Among female participants, 86% had been screened for endometrial cancer (EC) and 71% for ovarian cancer. Most participants had informed relatives about the CRC diagnosis and advised them to undergo CRC screening, but only 50% advised female relatives to be screened for EC and only one-third advised relatives to have genetic counseling. Most CRC survivors with LLS follow the same cancer screening recommended for LS patients but do not understand the meaning of LLS. Greater care must be devoted to communicating the implications of nondiagnostic germline mutation testing among patients with LLS.