Direct Observation of Proton-Neutron Short-Range Correlation Dominance in Heavy Nuclei

We measured the triple coincidence A(e,e^{'}np) and A(e,e^{'}pp) reactions on carbon, aluminum, iron, and lead targets at Q^{2}>1.5  (GeV/c)^{2}, x_{B}>1.1 and missing momentum >400  MeV/c. This was the first direct measurement of both proton-proton (pp) and neutron-proton (np) short-range correlated (SRC) pair knockout from heavy asymmetric nuclei. For all measured nuclei, the average proton-proton (pp) to neutron-proton (np) reduced cross-section ratio is about 6%, in agreement with previous indirect measurements. Correcting for single-charge exchange effects decreased the SRC pairs ratio to ∼3%, which is lower than previous results. Comparisons to theoretical generalized contact formalism (GCF) cross-section calculations show good agreement using both phenomenological and chiral nucleon-nucleon potentials, favoring a lower pp to np pair ratio. The ability of the GCF calculation to describe the experimental data using either phenomenological or chiral potentials suggests possible reduction of scale and scheme dependence in cross-section ratios. Our results also support the high-resolution description of high-momentum states being predominantly due to nucleons in SRC pairs.

First Measurements of the Double-Polarization Observables F, P, and H in ω Photoproduction off Transversely Polarized Protons in the N^{*} Resonance Region

First measurements of double-polarization observables in ω photoproduction off the proton are presented using transverse target polarization and data from the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) FROST experiment at Jefferson Lab. The beam-target asymmetry F has been measured using circularly polarized, tagged photons in the energy range 1200-2700 MeV, and the beam-target asymmetries H and P have been measured using linearly polarized, tagged photons in the energy range 1200-2000 MeV. These measurements significantly increase the database on polarization observables. The results are included in two partial-wave analyses and reveal significant contributions from several nucleon (N^{*}) resonances. In particular, contributions from new N^{*} resonances listed in the Review of Particle Properties are observed, which aid in reaching the goal of mapping out the nucleon resonance spectrum.

Usefulness of automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) for monitoring tumor response to neoadjuvant treatment in breast cancer patients: preliminary results

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the accuracy of Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS) compared to handheld ultrasound (HHUS) for monitoring tumor response to neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) in breast cancer (BC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All the patients submitted to biopsy in our Institution, from January 2017 to May 2017, proven invasive BC and eligible for NAT, were enrolled in this prospective study. The participants underwent ABVS, HHUS, dynamic contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) and mammography at the beginning of NAT and ABVS, HHUS and DCE-MRI at the halfway point of therapy and before the surgery. DCE-MRI was considered the standard of reference. Two breast radiologists (R1, R2), with fifteen and five years of experience in breast imaging, independently assigned a visibility score (ordinal 5-point scale) to ABVS, HHUS, and DCE-MRI. Diagnostic performance of ABVS and HHUS as measured by sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) was calculated. Correlations between ABVS and MRI, and between HHUS and MRI were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients were enrolled. 189 examinations were performed. The comparison between ABVS and DCE-MRI was similar for the both readers: ABVS had a sensitivity of 63,16%, specificity of 83,58%, PPV of 76,60%, NPV of 72,73%, accuracy of 74,19% (R1) and a sensitivity of 54.54%, specificity of 85.51%, PPV of 75%, NPV of 70,24%, accuracy of 71.77% (R2). The comparison between HHUS and DCE-MRI showed that HHUS had a sensitivity of 63,16 %, specificity of 83,58%, PPV of 76,60%, NPV of 72,73%, accuracy of 74,19% (R1) and a sensitivity of 36.84%, specificity of 85.07%, PPV of 67.74%, NPV of 61.29%, accuracy of 62.90% (R2). The calculated Pearson's correlation coefficient r values were 7.8 for HHUS vs. DCE-MRI and 28.5 for ABVS vs. DCE-MRI (R1) and 7.8 for HHUS vs. DCE-MRI and 22.4 for ABVS vs. DCE-MRI (R2). Statistical significance of ABVS and HHUS was p < 0.0001 and 0.005 < p < 0.01, respectively (R1, R2).

CONCLUSIONS

DCE-MRI is recommended for the tumor response assessment. ABVS, a product of the biotechnology development, providing reproducible images, in addition to DCE-MRI, can be a potentially useful tool for the monitoring of response to NAT.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Treatments and Formulations

This article analyzes the current literature on the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) to evaluate the available evidence regarding their therapeutic potential in the treatment of cartilage pathology. Seventeen articles were included and analyzed, showing that there is overall a lack of high-quality evidence concerning the use of ASCs. Most trials are case series with short-term evaluation. The most adopted approach consists of an intra-articular injection of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) rather than the expanded cells. Based on the available data, no specific preparation method or formulation could be considered as the preferred choice in clinical practice.

Center of Mass Motion of Short-Range Correlated Nucleon Pairs studied via the A(e,e^{'}pp) Reaction

Short-range correlated (SRC) nucleon pairs are a vital part of the nucleus, accounting for almost all nucleons with momentum greater than the Fermi momentum (k_{F}). A fundamental characteristic of SRC pairs is having large relative momenta as compared to k_{F}, and smaller center of mass (c.m.) which indicates a small separation distance between the nucleons in the pair. Determining the c.m. momentum distribution of SRC pairs is essential for understanding their formation process. We report here on the extraction of the c.m. motion of proton-proton (pp) SRC pairs in carbon and, for the first time in heavier and ansymetric nuclei: aluminum, iron, and lead, from measurements of the A(e,e^{'}pp) reaction. We find that the pair c.m. motion for these nuclei can be described by a three-dimensional Gaussian with a narrow width ranging from 140 to 170  MeV/c, approximately consistent with the sum of two mean-field nucleon momenta. Comparison with calculations appears to show that the SRC pairs are formed from mean-field nucleons in specific quantum states.

Multicenter Comparison of Five Functional and Two Immunological Assays for Protein C

Five functional assays and two immunoassays for protein C (PC) were evaluated in parallel for the same plasma samples collected from healthy subjects, patients with congenital and acquired PC deficiencies or patients with conditions associated with high PC levels. For 7 patients starting warfarin therapy and for 15 patients during stabilized warfarin therapy, there were significant between-assay differences. For these groups immunoassays gave higher values than most functional assays and the latter also gave varied results, probably depending on their respective capacity for recognizing acarboxylated PC. On the other hand, there were no significant between-assay differences nor discrepancies between PC activity and antigen levels for healthy subjects (n = 39), patients with congenital PC deficiency (n = 10), myocardial infarction (n = 25), chronic liver disease (n = 19), disseminated intravascular coagulation (n = 35), in the post-operative period (n = 20) or in women taking oral contraceptives (n = 20). This comparison of PC assays indicates that PC levels measured by different functional or immunological assays are very close in the majority of clinical conditions, but not for patients on oral anticoagulants.

Comparison of Functional Assays for Protein S: European Collaborative Study of Patients with Congenital and Acquired Deficiency

Four functional assays for protein S were evaluated by 4 different laboratories, each center using its own method. The aim of this study was to compare these different assays and to establish a relationship with results of immunological assays of total and free protein S antigen and C4bBP. The same plasma samples were distributed to each center and tested in blind. In 47 normal subjects, there was no significant difference between the 4 functional assays, with mean values ranging from 93 to 100%. These values were in good agreement with those of free and total protein S antigen. In 34 patients with a quantitative congenital deficiency of protein S the mean values of protein S activity were decreased with the 4 assays, ranging from 25 to 40%. Free protein S antigen was reduced to a similar extent, whereas total antigen was either normal or decreased. The correlation of protein S activity with free protein S antigen was satisfactory for 3 methods, with coefficients of correlation varying from 0.84 to 0.92 whereas it was only 0.70 in one lab. When total protein S antigen was reduced, protein S activity was decreased in all the patients with the 4 assays. In contrast when total protein S antigen was normal an important overlap of protein S activity between normals and patients was observed in one lab with 12 patients misclassified. In 8 patients with a functional defect, results of protein S activity differed substantially according to the assay used and about half of these patients were misclassified. In patients with inflammatory disease, protein S activity was normal with the 4 assays, in good correlation with free antigen, despite high levels of both C4bBP and total protein S antigen. In patients with oral anticoagulants, protein S activity was low with all assays. Only with one assay, protein S activity was significantly lower than free antigen, suggesting that this assay is sensitive to the hypo-carboxylated protein. Variable values of protein S activity were observed in patients with liver cirrhosis, with relatively little agreement between methods. As discordant results were obtained in some patients with dysfunctional protein S deficiency and acquired disorders, these methods do not necessarily measure the same cofactor of activated protein C. However this study indicates that all 4 functional protein S assays give similar results in normals, and almost all patients with a quantitative congenital deficiency.

Measurement of the Q^{2} Dependence of the Deuteron Spin Structure Function g_{1} and its Moments at Low Q^{2} with CLAS

We measured the g_{1} spin structure function of the deuteron at low Q^{2}, where QCD can be approximated with chiral perturbation theory (χPT). The data cover the resonance region, up to an invariant mass of W≈1.9  GeV. The generalized Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum, the moment Γ_{1}^{d} and the spin polarizability γ_{0}^{d} are precisely determined down to a minimum Q^{2} of 0.02  GeV^{2} for the first time, about 2.5 times lower than that of previous data. We compare them to several χPT calculations and models. These results are the first in a program of benchmark measurements of polarization observables in the χPT domain.

The use of hyaluronic acid as an adjuvant in the management of mucositis

In recent years, with an increase in the number of implants, there has been a related increase in cases of pathologies related to infections around the implant site and on the implant surface i.e. mucositis and peri-implantitis. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the potential efficacy of nebulized hyaluronic acid in the management of mucositis. The results of the statistical analysis demonstrate that there was no difference between the pocket depth as measured in the treated sites at time 0 (pre-treatment) and time 1 (15 days weeks post-treatment). However, the difference between bleeding on probing as measured at time 0 and time 1 indicated an improvement on both sides, with a slightly greater improvement on the side treated with HA.

The use of hyaluronic acid as an adjuvant in the management of gingivitis

Recently, a specifically designed device was proposed that is able to nebulize particles with a diameter of approximately 16 micrometres to be used mainly in the management of diseases of the upper airway respiratory tract. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the potential efficacy of nebulized hyaluronic acid in the management of gingivitis. The results of the statistical analysis demonstrate that there was no difference between the pocket depth as measured in the treated sites at time 0 (pre-treatment) and time 1 (15 days post-treatment). However, the difference between bleeding on probing as measured at time 0 and time 1 indicated an improvement on both sides, with a slightly greater improvement on the side treated with HA.

The use of hyaluronic acid as an adjuvant in the management of periodontitis

The emollient and restructuring action exerted on the mucous membranes by hyaluronic acid is of particular significance. This is thanks to its reparative (it stimulates angiogenesis) and soothing properties (hyaluronic acid is used in wound care to improve the processes of wound healing), which are effective in treating the symptoms of local inflammation and irritation. The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the potential efficacy of nebulized hyaluronic acid in the management of chronic periodontitis in adults. The results of the statistical analysis demonstrate that there was a slight improvement in the measurement of pocket depth in the side treated with HA at time 0 (pre-treatment) and time 1 (15 days post-treatment). Furthermore, the difference between bleeding on probing as measured at time 0 and time 1 indicated an improvement on both sides, with a slightly greater improvement on the side treated with HA.

The use of hyaluronic acid as an adjuvant in the management of peri-implantitis

It is well known in dentistry that there are numerous chronic conditions that require ongoing and constant management over time, the most noteworthy being periodontal disease, gingivitis and periodontitis. Yet, in recent years, with the increase in the number of implants being placed, mucositis and peri-implantitis have become more and more prevalent pathologies. The results of the statistical analysis demonstrate that there was a slight difference between the pocket depth as measured in the treated sites at time 0 (pre-treatment) and time 1 (15 days post-treatment), although the difference was so small as to render it statistically irrelevant. Bleeding on probing as measured at time 0 and time 1 indicated an improvement on both sides, but with no greater improvement noted on the side treated with HA.

First Exclusive Measurement of Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering off ^{4}He: Toward the 3D Tomography of Nuclei

We report on the first measurement of the beam-spin asymmetry in the exclusive process of coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering off a nucleus. The experiment uses the 6 GeV electron beam from the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) accelerator at Jefferson Lab incident on a pressurized ^{4}He gaseous target placed in front of the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). The scattered electron is detected by CLAS and the photon by a dedicated electromagnetic calorimeter at forward angles. To ensure the exclusivity of the process, a specially designed radial time projection chamber is used to detect the recoiling ^{4}He nuclei. We measure beam-spin asymmetries larger than those observed on the free proton in the same kinematic domain. From these, we are able to extract, in a model-independent way, the real and imaginary parts of the only ^{4}He Compton form factor, H_{A}. This first measurement of coherent deeply virtual Compton scattering on the ^{4}He nucleus, with a fully exclusive final state via nuclear recoil tagging, leads the way toward 3D imaging of the partonic structure of nuclei.

Beam-Target Helicity Asymmetry for γ[over →]n[over →]→π^{-}p in the N^{*} Resonance Region

We report the first beam-target double-polarization asymmetries in the γ+n(p)→π^{-}+p(p) reaction spanning the nucleon resonance region from invariant mass W=1500 to 2300 MeV. Circularly polarized photons and longitudinally polarized deuterons in solid hydrogen deuteride (HD) have been used with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at Jefferson Lab. The exclusive final state has been extracted using three very different analyses that show excellent agreement, and these have been used to deduce the E polarization observable for an effective neutron target. These results have been incorporated into new partial wave analyses and have led to significant revisions for several γnN^{*} resonance photocouplings.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) pts receiving a new agent (NA)- based third line treatment: Final results from a multicenter Italian study

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Background: High NLR has been reported to be a poor prognostic indicator in both first and second mCRPC lines, while no information is available concerning this issue in pts treated in third line therapy. The present study is aimed to assess the possible relationship between third line clinical outcomes and NLR in a series of mCRPC pts treated with a NA [abiraterone acetate (AA), cabazitaxel (CABA), or enzalutamide (ENZ)] after the failure of docetaxel (DOC) and another NA. Methods: We collected data of pts who received sequentially two NAs after DOC in 38 Italian hospitals. For each pt we recorded the clinical outcome of all treatments received after DOC. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the independent prognostic value of a series of pretreatment covariates, in terms of overall survival (OS), comprising NLR. Results: A consecutive series of 476 mCRPC pts with bone (86%), nodal (56%) or visceral (15%) mets, was collected. All pts received a NA-based third line: 135 received AA, 221 CABA and 120 ENZ. Data on NLR were available for 398 pts (84%). In the univariate analyses, the NLR as a discrete variable dichotomized according to the Maximally Selected Log-Rank statistics (optimal cut-off: 3.66), was significantly associated with both OS and progression free survival (PFS), calculated from the third line start (p < 0.0001). At the multivariate analysis, NLR, performance status, pain, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, treatment with AA and with CABA were independent prognostic factors for PFS, while NLR, performance status, hemoglobin, PSA, and lactate dehydrogenase were independent prognostic factors for OS. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the median OS from the start of third-line was higher (14.2 vs 9.3 mos) in pts with NLR ≤ 3.1 compared to those with NLR > 3.1 (log-rank; P < 0.0001). Similarly, the median PFS was 5.5 and 3.8 (log-rank; P < 0.0001) in pts with NLR ≤ 3.66 and > 3.66, respectively. Conclusions: Our results, observed in the largest cohort of mCRCP pts treated with NA-based third line after DOC and another NA, confirms that NLR is an independent factor for PFS and OS also in this population.

Patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are primary resistant (PR) to the new agent (NA)-based second line: Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of subsequent treatment with another NA

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Background: Several NA [abiraterone acetate (AA), cabazitaxel (CABA), or enzalutamide (ENZ)] changed the prognosis of mCRPC pts being able to significantly prolong their overall survival (OS) after docetaxel failure. Unfortunately, a quote of pts experiences an early progression (within 3 mos) during the second line treatment and it is unclear if a clinical benefit may result from a subsequent treatment with another NA. The present study is aimed to assess the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of subsequent NA treatment in those pts PR to the second line NA. Methods: We collected data of pts who received sequentially two NAs after DOC in 38 Italian hospitals. For each pt we recorded the clinical outcome of all treatments received after DOC. For the purpose of the present analysis we consider as PR pts who progressed within 3 months from the start of the NA second line. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the independent prognostic value of a series of third-line baseline covariates, in terms of progression free survival (PFS) and OS. Results: A consecutive series of 476 mCRPC pts with bone (86%), nodal (56%) or visceral (15%) mets, was collected. The NA-based second line consisted of AA (261 pts), CABA (151), and ENZ (64): we identified 55 PR pts (AA 24 – CABA 24 – ENZ 7). All pts received a subsequent NA-based third line: 22 received AA, 25 CABA, and 8 ENZ. Compared to no-PR pts, PR pts showed a lower biochemical response rate (12.2% vs 31.6%; p = 0.005), but no significant differences in terms of objective response rate (17.1% vs 15.2%), PFS (median 3.5 vs 4.7 mos), and OS (median 9.4 vs 12.9 mos). Considering the PR population, at the multivariate analysis , lactate dehydrogenase and PSA were independent prognostic factors for PFS in third line, while hemoglobin, PSA, administration of one NA in fourth line and lactate dehydrogenase were independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions: In our experience, NA-based third line is active also in mCRPC PR population and some factors may help in selecting patients with higher probability of achieving a disease control.

Clinical outcomes in octogenarians treated with docetaxel as first-line chemotherapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer

AIM

To assess clinical outcomes in octogenarians treated with docetaxel (DOC) for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

PATIENTS & METHODS

The multicenter retrospective study was based on a review of the pre- and post-DOC clinical history, DOC treatment and outcomes.

RESULTS

We reviewed the records of 123 patients (median age: 82 years) who received DOC every 3 weeks or weekly, without significant grade 3-4 toxicities. Median progression-free survival was 7 months; median overall survival from the start of DOC was 20 months, but post-progression treatments significantly prolonged overall survival.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that toxicity is acceptable, survival is independent of patient's age and survival can be significantly prolonged by the use of new agents.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) pts receiving a new agent (NA)-based third line treatment: Preliminary results from a multicenter Italian study

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Background: The NLR is a marker of systemic inflammatory response: several studies investigated its prognostic relevance in mCRPC but to date no information is available concerning this issue in pts treated in third line therapy. The present study is aimed to assess the possible relationship between third line clinical outcome and NLR in a large series of mCRPC pts treated with a NA [abiraterone acetate (AA), cabazitaxel (CABA), or enzalutamide (ENZ)] after the failure of docetaxel (DOC) and another NA. Methods: We collected data of pts who received sequentially two NAs after DOC in 38 Italian hospitals. For each pt we recorded the clinical outcome of all treatments received after DOC. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the independent prognostic value of a series of pretreatment covariates, in terms of overall survival (OS), comprising NLR. Results: A consecutive series of 291 mCRPC pts with bone (88%), nodal (53%) or visceral (18%) mets, was collected. All pts received a NA-based third line: 90 received AA, 123 CABA and 78 ENZ. At the time of this analysis, data on NLR were available for 198 pts (68%): AA 68 (75%) – CABA 80 (65%) – ENZ 50 (64%): the median value was 3.1 (IQR 2.2-4.7). In the univariate analyses, the NLR as a discrete variable using the median value of 3.1 as threshold, was significantly associated with both OS and progression free survival (PFS), calculated from the third line start (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.001, respectively). No association was observed with either biochemical or objective response. These results were confirmed at the multivariate analysis. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the median OS from the start of third-line was higher (18.2 vs 8.1 mos) in pts with NLR ≤ 3.1 compared to those with NLR > 3.1 (log-rank; P < 0.0001). Similarly, the median PFS was 6.3 and 3.5 in pts with NLR ≤ 3.1 and > 3.1, respectively. Conclusions: At the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the NLR value in mCRPC third line treatment. From our preliminary data, it appears that NLR may be a prognostic and predictive factor in mCRPC pts, treated with NA-based third line.