Revealing Color Forces with Transverse Polarized Electron Scattering

The Spin Asymmetries of the Nucleon Experiment measured two double spin asymmetries using a polarized proton target and polarized electron beam at two beam energies, 4.7 and 5.9 GeV. A large-acceptance open-configuration detector package identified scattered electrons at 40° and covered a wide range in Bjorken x (0.3<x<0.8). Proportional to an average color Lorentz force, the twist-3 matrix element, d[over ˜]_{2}^{p}, was extracted from the measured asymmetries at Q^{2} values ranging from 2.0 to 6.0  GeV^{2}. The data display the opposite sign compared to most quark models, including the lattice QCD result, and an unexpected scale dependence. Furthermore, when combined with the neutron data in the same Q^{2} range the results suggest a flavor independent average color Lorentz force.

41 Delineating the molecular connections between mitotic aneuploidy, micronucleation, and cellular fragmentation in pre-implantation bovine embryos

Whole chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidy) that arise during early embryo development are a major contributor to in vitro fertilization failure. It is estimated that ~50 to 80% of human embryos contain aneuploid cells, which contribute to high levels of chromosomal mosaicism detected by pre-implantation genetic screening. Previous studies estimate that 32 to 88% of bovine embryos are aneuploid at the 2-cell stage, advocating cattle as a physiologically relevant model to study the mechanisms mediating meiotic and/or mitotic errors. In cleavage-stage human embryos, a process called cellular fragmentation is associated with aneuploidy, and when used in conjunction with assessment of early mitotic timing, can largely distinguish chromosomally normal and abnormal embryos. We recently demonstrated that some cellular fragments contain chromosomal material that likely began as mis-segregated chromosomes that were encapsulated into micronuclei. Given that bovine embryos exhibit cellular fragmentation, albeit to a lesser extent than human embryos, we hypothesise that cellular fragmentation is a response to micronucleation and represents a conserved mechanism to eliminate mis-segregated chromosomes from the pre-implantation embryo. Using a combination of live-cell imaging, single-cell DNA-sequencing, whole-embryo RNA-sequencing, quantitative RT-PCR, and multicolour confocal microscopy, we aim to further investigate the correlation between these phenomena using in vitro-produced bovine embryos. Similar to humans, the first three mitotic divisions are able to successfully predict progression to the blastocyst stage (N=84). Bovine embryos frequently contained multi-/micro-nuclei, and DNA-sequencing of individual bovine blastomeres up to 12 cells confirmed that ~58 to 87% of cleavage-stage bovine embryos are aneuploidy (N=38) and often detectable by abnormal cell divisions. Transcriptional profiling of fragmented versus non-fragmented bovine embryos via RNA-sequencing identified a small subset of differentially abundant genes at the 4-cell stage. Pathway analysis showed reduced abundance of genes associated with the cytoskeleton, microtubules, and spindle in 4-cell embryos with cellular fragmentation as well as enrichment of membrane targeting and vesicle fusion pathways. The potential role of these cellular components in micronucleation and cellular fragmentation is being assessed by microinjecting bovine zygotes with fluorescently labelled mRNA mCherry-H2B (chromatin marker) and mCitrine-LaminB1 (nuclear envelope marker), followed by overnight live-cell multicolour confocal imaging (Zeiss LSM 880 with AiryScan; Zeiss, Thornwood, NY, USA). Results from these studies contribute to our knowledge of early embryogenesis with translational application to help ameliorate embryonic loss in women and cattle.

Toxicological assessment of Xanthigen® nutraceutical extract combination: Mutagenicity, genotoxicity and oral toxicity

Xanthigen® is a nutraceutical combination for weight management capable of increasing energy expenditure via uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) in white adipose tissue. It consists of brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida extract, rich in the carotenoid fucoxanthin (FX) and pomegranate seed oil (PSO), rich in punicic acid. Xanthigen was screened to determine its genotoxicity and 90-days repeated oral toxicity. Genotoxicity was assessed with the Ames test (TA89, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, WP2), chromosomal aberration assay (Chinese hamster ovary cells) and mammalian micronucleus test (in mice). Xanthigen did not exhibit genotoxicity in any tested strain. Sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated with daily oral administration of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day doses of Xanthigen® to Sprague-Dawley rats over 90 days. No deaths and no deleterious effects were observed during the 90-day treatment, indicating an absence of sub-chronic toxicity and a no observed adverse effect level greater than 1000 mg/kg/day. A statistically significant decrease in bodyweight and food intake in Xanthigen® treated groups was attributed to the weight loss property of Xanthigen®. Overall, Xanthigen® shows no significant mutagenic or toxic effects.

Over-the-counter analgesic powder use in patients presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage: A case series

INTRODUCTION

Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics including aspirin-containing powder formulations (BC Powder, Goody's Powder) (ACPFs) are commonly utilized in the United States. While the ACPFs have been associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, we describe a case series of patients presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) within 24 hours of ingestion.

METHODS

We reviewed all ICH patients presenting to a comprehensive stroke center from September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2016 to identify patients who reported taking BC Powder or Goody's Powder within 7 days of their stroke. Baseline characteristics, medication use, stroke risk factors, clinical imaging, and laboratory testing were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of 334 patients admitted with ICH during the study period, 6 (2%) reported use of OTC analgesic powders within 1 week of their index stroke. All had consumed at least 1 packet within 24 hours of their ICH. All patients were African American and all except 1 patient were females. Three patients had no identified traditional stroke risk factors and 3 other patients had evidence of mild hypertension history.

CONCLUSIONS

Over-the-counter analgesic powders containing high doses of aspirin including BC Powder and Goody's Powder may contribute to ICH in patients with no or minimal risk factors. Providers should inquire about the use of these powders in ICH patients particularly among African Americans.

The development of an abbreviated version of the Cornell scale for depression in dementia (CSDD) for the assessment of depression in palliative care inpatients

Introduction

In the palliative care setting, accurate identification of depression is important to allow delivery of appropriate treatments.

Aims:

– 1. To assess rates of depression in palliative care inpatients using the CSDD, comparing with formal clinical diagnosis based on diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) criteria;

– 2. To identify items of the CSDD that most distinguish depressive illness in a palliative care setting.

Methods

We measured rates of depression in patients admitted into a palliative care inpatient unit with the CSDD. DSM-IV clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) was achieved using all available clinical information by an experienced independent rater. We calculated Cohen's Kappa to measure concordance between the CSDD and DSM-IV diagnosis.

Results

We assessed 142 patients (56.3% male; mean age: 69.6 years), the majority of which had a cancer diagnosis (93.7%). 18.3% (n = 26) met DSM-IV criteria for MDD, while 12% scored ≥6 on the CSDD with 15 cases of depression common to these two methods (K = 0.65). Discriminant analysis identified five CSDD items that were especially distinguishing of MDD; sadness, loss of interest, pessimism, lack of reactivity to pleasant events and appetite loss. An abbreviated version of the CSDD, based on these 5 items, proved highly accurate in identifying DSM-IV MDD (AUC = 0.94), with sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 84% at a cut-off score ≥2.

Conclusions

There was good level of concordance between the CSDD and DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD. We identified five depressive symptoms that are especially discriminating for depression in palliative care patients.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Validation of a Multiplexed Gene Signature Assay for Diagnosis of Canine Cancers from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissues

Background

Use of molecular‐based diagnostics for companion animals is impeded by availability of technology platforms, tissue acquisition requirements, and species‐specific reagents.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To validate a quantitative nuclease protection assay (qNPA) to simultaneously measure RNA expression of multiple genes in archived formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tumors from dogs.

Animals

All tumor biopsy samples were collected retrospectively from surgical biopsies and in the care of veterinarians.

Methods

Retrospective case series. A qNPA 96‐well ArrayPlate was built using 30 canine‐specific genes, 5 housekeeping genes, positive and negative controls with qualified gene‐specific oligonucleotides. Pearson's correlation, coefficient of variation (CV), and multivariate analysis were used to determine analytical performance using 40 FFPE dog tumors. Once validated, 70 FFPE dog tumors were analyzed for differences in gene expression using hierarchical clustering and analysis of variance of log transformed data. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to correlate gene expression and protein expression in a subset of tumors.

Results

The assay was linear with decreasing sample input (R² = 0.978), reproducible within and between 96‐well plates (r = 0.988 and 0.95, respectively) and between different laboratories (CV = 0.96). Hierarchical cluster analysis showed grouping of tumors by histogenesis and oncogenes. Significant differences were found between BCl2, E2F transcription factor 1, MDM2, COX‐2, MET proto‐oncogene receptor kinase, and other biologically relevant gene expression in tumor subtypes. Immunohistochemistry confirmed protein expression.

Conclusions and Clinical Implications

Because this technology works reliably on FFPE specimens, it can help expedite the broad introduction of multiplexed genomic information for improved diagnostics and discovery of new targets for therapies in veterinary oncology.

Abstract TP414: Are Periodic Limb Movements and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Associated with Atrial Fibrillation or Resistant Hypertension in Stroke and TIA Patients?

Introduction: Periodic limb movements (PLMs) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. There are limited data on the frequency of PLMs and OSA among a diverse cohort of stroke patients and their association with resistant hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Hypothesis: Stroke and TIA patients with PLMs or moderate-severe OSA are more likely to have resistant hypertension and AF than patients without these findings on diagnostic polysomnography (PSG).

Methods: Consecutive stroke and TIA patients referred by a vascular neurologist for PSG from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2015 were included in this analysis. Baseline clinical characteristics and PSG results were collected retrospectively. The frequency of PLMs (mild ≥5/hour, severe ≥15/hour), arousals due to PLMs (≥5/hour), and moderate-severe OSA (Apnea-Hypopnea Index≥15) was evaluated by PSG to determine their association with AF and resistant hypertension, defined as patients whose blood pressure was not at goal with 3 antihypertensive agents of different classes or controlled with 4 or more medications.

Results: Of 103 patients (mean age 60±15 years, 50% female, 61% non-white, 76% ischemic stroke, 23% resistant hypertension) who underwent PSG (median time from cerebrovascular event to PSG 5 months), 48% had mild PLMs, 28% had severe PLMs, 14% had frequent PLM arousals and 22% had moderate-severe OSA. In multivariable analyses, non-white race was associated with lower likelihood of mild (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.80) and severe PLMs (OR 0.29, 95% 0.10 to 0.79) and female sex was associated with lower likelihood of frequent PLM arousals (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.14 to 1.00). Factors associated with moderate-severe OSA included older age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.016 to 1.106) and the presence of AF (OR 4.26, 95% CI 1.17 to 15.44). There was no significant association between PLMs, PLM arousals or moderate-severe OSA with resistant hypertension.

Conclusions: A significant number of stroke and TIA patients have PLMs and moderate-severe OSA. Stroke and TIA patients with AF are more likely to have moderate-severe OSA and should be referred for PSG. The presence of resistant hypertension was not associated with PLMs or moderate-severe OSA in our study.

Association of Lumbar Synovial Cysts with Facet Effusion

To show the frequent association of synovial cysts and facet effusion.

MR studies of 26 patients with lumbar synovial cysts were reviewed for sex/age incidence, anatomic location, multiplicity of cysts and associated pathologies. All studies were reviewed for presence of facet effusion.

26 patients had 39 MRI documented synovial (17 females, 9 males). Age distribution: 41 – 79 years. Location of cysts: L4/5 = 29, L3/4 = 6, L5/S1 = 3, L1/2= −;1. 36 synovial cysts showed facet effusion. 19 patients also had facet effusions at adjoining motion segments or at contralateral joints. Synovial cysts were found in anterior (n=20), posterior (n=13), anterior-posterior (n=3) positions. 18 patients had cysts localized to one single facet joint, 8 patients showed synovial cysts at multiple facet joints.

The frequent coexistence of synovial cysts and facet effusion in our material suggests a causal relationship. External herniation of synovium from a fluid expanded joint space appears to be the most plausible pathologic mechanism.

Depleted interstitial cells of Cajal and fibrosis in the pylorus: Novel features of gastroparesis

BACKGROUND

Depletion and ultrastructural changes of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the gastric body and antrum have been observed in gastroparesis. This research was performed to investigate the ICC population in the muscularis propria and fibrosis of the muscular layer of the pylorus in gastroparesis.

METHODS

Full thickness pyloric and antral biopsies were obtained from 17 gastroparetic and 6 non-gastroparetic controls. Biopsies were stained with C-Kit for ICC and Trichrome for collagen fibrosis. Interstitial cells of Cajal depletion in the antrum was defined as mean ICC count <10 per 20 high power fields (HPF) based on established data.

KEY RESULTS

The average pyloric ICC count was ≥10/HPF in the control patients. Twelve (70.5%) gastroparetic patients had pyloric ICC loss. Only five patients (29.4%) had ICC loss in the antrum. Gastric emptying (GE) was not significantly different in patients with depleted vs normal pyloric ICC. However, GE at 2 h was slower in patients with antral ICC <10/HPF compared to those with normal antral ICC populations. Collagen fibrosis was observed in the pylorus of 14 (82.3%) patients. Inclusion bodies in the muscularis propria of the pylorus were identified in four patients, all with diabetic gastroparesis.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

In gastroparetic patients, ICC loss in the pylorus is twice as common as in the antrum and fibrosis in the pyloric smooth muscle is nearly three times more common than the antrum. These findings can provide one explanation for pyloric dysfunction which is a contributing factor to the pathophysiology of gastroparesis.