Pool Boiling of Low-GWP Replacements for R134a on a Reentrant Cavity Surface

This paper quantifies the pool boiling performance of R134a, R1234yf, R513A, and R450A on a flattened, horizontal reentrant cavity surface. The study showed that the boiling performance of R134a on the Turbo-ESP exceeded that of the replacement refrigerants for heat fluxes greater than 20 kWm^-2. On average, the heat flux for R1234yf and R513A was 16 % and 19 % less than that for R134a, respectively, for R134a heat fluxes between 20 kWm^-2 and 110 kWm^-2. The heat flux for R450A was on average 57 % less than that of R134a for heat fluxes between 30 kWm^-2 and 110 kWm^-2. A model was developed to predict both single-component and multi-component pool boiling of the test refrigerants on the Turbo-ESP surface. The model accounts for viscosity effects on bubble population and uses the Fritz (1935) equation to account for increased vapor production with increasing superheat. Both loss of available superheat and mass transfer resistance effects were modeled for the refrigerant mixtures. For most heat fluxes, the model predicted the measured superheat to within ± 0.31 K.

Horizontal convective boiling of R1234yf, R134a, and R450A within a micro-fin tube

This paper presents local convective boiling heat transfer and Fanning friction factor measurements in a micro-fin tube for R134a and two possible low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant replacements for R134a, namely R1234yf and R450A. Test section heating was achieved with water in either counterflow or in parallel flow with the test refrigerant to provide for a range of heat fluxes for each thermodynamic quality. An existing correlation from the literature for single and multi-component mixtures was shown to not satisfactorily predict the convective boiling measurements for flow qualities greater than 40%. Accordingly, a new correlation was developed specifically for the test fluids of this study so that a fair comparison of the heat transfer performance of the low GWP refrigerants to that of R134a could be made. The new correlation was used to compare the heat transfer coefficient of the three test fluids at the same heat flux, saturated refrigerant temperature, and refrigerant mass flux. The resulting example comparison, for the same operating conditions, showed that the heat transfer coefficient of the multi-component R450A and the single-component R1234yf were, on average, 15% less and 5% less, respectively, than that of the single-component R134a. Friction factor measurements were also compared to predictions from an existing correlation. A new correlation for the friction factor was developed to provide a more accurate prediction. The measurements and the new models are important for the evaluation of potential low-GWP refrigerants replacements for R134a.

Tests of the SIBYLL 2.3 high-energy hadronic interaction model using the KASCADE-Grande muon data

The KASCADE-Grande observatory was a ground-based air shower array dedicated to study the energy and composition of cosmic rays in the energy interval E = 1 PeV –1 EeV. The experiment consisted of different detector systems which allowed the simultaneous measurement of distinct components of air showers (EAS), such as the muon content. In this contribution, we study the total muon number and the lateral density distribution of muons in EAS detected by KASCADE-Grande as a function of the zenith angle and the total number of charged particles. The attenuation length of the muon content of EAS is also measured. The results are compared with the predictions of the SIBYLL 2.3 high-energy hadronic interaction model.

Abstract P6-09-50: Impact of young age on recurrence and mortality after surgery in breast cancer: 15 years active surveillance

Introduction:Substantial efforts have been made to find factors associated with breast cancer (BC) recurrence and mortality after BC treatment. So far TNM stage, ER, PR, and HER2 status are considered as the major predictive markers of BC recurrence and used for treatment decision. However, most of these factors were evaluated independent from other important confounders such as age, stage, and various anti-cancer treatments because they were mostly derived from clinical trials. In Korea, up to 50% of BC patients are premenopausal women, it is not clear how age at diagnosis affect the progression and outcomes of the disease considering all known prognostic factors including TNM stage, ER, PR, and HER2 status. We aim to evaluate the impact of young age on recurrence and mortality after surgery among Korean women with BC.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted using the data from BC registry from 2000 to 2016 at Samsung Medical Cancer, Seoul, Korea. Patients who received curative BC surgery and who had histologically-confirmed invasive BC between 2000 to 2011 were included in the study. Patients who second primary cancer or double primary cancer were excluded. Information local, regional, or distant recurrence and death until May 2016 was collected using electronic medical records and National Health Statistics. Cumulative incidence rates of distant recurrence and morality at 3-years, 5-years and 10-years were calculated using a competing-risk model. Cox proportional hazards analysis were conducted with 3 different models to take into account for potential confounding factors including age, body mass index (BMI), stage and subtype at breast cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

Results:There were 7360 BC patients with curative BC surgery between 2000 and 2011, and the average follow up duration was 75.4 months. The mean age at diagnosis was 48.4 years old (Standard deviation (SD)=±10), and 6.2% (n=459) was diagnosed younger than 35. Of total, 13.3% were stage III BC and 73.4% of patients had hormone receptor positive BC. The cumulative incidence (95%CI) of recurrence at 3, 5, and 10 years was 4.4% (3.9-4.9), 7.5% (6.8-8.2), and 14.8% (12.9-16.7) respectively. The incidence of mortality at 3, 5, and 10 years was 1.8% (1.5-2.1), 3.8% (3.3-4.3), and 10.2% (9.1-11.5) respectively. Patients who were diagnosed BC under 35 years of age had 2.14 (95% confidence interval (CI):1.74-3.10) and 1.62 (95% CI:1.02-2.56) times higher risk of distant recurrence and mortality compared to patients whose age at diagnosis were between 50 to 60 after adjusting all well-known prognostic factors including stage, subtype, and BMI at diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

Conclusions: Young age at diagnosis (<35) was the most significant predictor on BC recurrence and mortality independently from BC stage and subtype. Further study is warranted to explain biologic background for the differences in outcomes in young women with BC.

Citation Format: Kim J-Y, Cho J, Kim H, Kang D, Jung HA, Lee S-H, Bae S, Yu JH, Lee SK, Kim SW, Lee JE, Nam SJ, Ahn JS, Im Y-H, Guallar E, Park YH. Impact of young age on recurrence and mortality after surgery in breast cancer: 15 years active surveillance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-09-50.

Description and evaluation of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system version 5.1

The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model is a comprehensive multipollutant air quality modeling system developed and maintained by the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD). Recently, version 5.1 of the CMAQ model (v5.1) was released to the public, incorporating a large number of science updates and extended capabilities over the previous release version of the model (v5.0.2). These updates include the following: improvements in the meteorological calculations in both CMAQ and the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model used to provide meteorological fields to CMAQ, updates to the gas and aerosol chemistry, revisions to the calculations of clouds and photolysis, and improvements to the dry and wet deposition in the model. Sensitivity simulations isolating several of the major updates to the modeling system show that changes to the meteorological calculations result in enhanced afternoon and early evening mixing in the model, periods when the model historically underestimates mixing. This enhanced mixing results in higher ozone (O₃) mixing ratios on average due to reduced NO titration, and lower fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations due to greater dilution of primary pollutants (e.g., elemental and organic carbon). Updates to the clouds and photolysis calculations greatly improve consistency between the WRF and CMAQ models and result in generally higher O₃ mixing ratios, primarily due to reduced cloudiness and attenuation of photolysis in the model. Updates to the aerosol chemistry result in higher secondary organic aerosol (SOA) concentrations in the summer, thereby reducing summertime PM_2.5 bias (PM_2.5 is typically underestimated by CMAQ in the summer), while updates to the gas chemistry result in slightly higher O₃ and PM_2.5 on average in January and July. Overall, the seasonal variation in simulated PM_2.5 generally improves in CMAQv5.1 (when considering all model updates), as simulated PM_2.5 concentrations decrease in the winter (when PM_2.5 is generally overestimated by CMAQ) and increase in the summer (when PM_2.5 is generally underestimated by CMAQ). Ozone mixing ratios are higher on average with v5.1 vs. v5.0.2, resulting in higher O₃ mean bias, as O₃ tends to be overestimated by CMAQ throughout most of the year (especially at locations where the observed O₃ is low); however, O₃ correlation is largely improved with v5.1. Sensitivity simulations for several hypothetical emission reduction scenarios show that v5.1 tends to be slightly more responsive to reductions in NO _x (NO + NO₂), VOC and SO _x (SO₂ + SO₄) emissions than v5.0.2, representing an improvement as previous studies have shown CMAQ to underestimate the observed reduction in O₃ due to large, widespread reductions in observed emissions.

Description and evaluation of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system version 5.1

The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model is a comprehensive multipollutant air quality modeling system developed and maintained by the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD). Recently, version 5.1 of the CMAQ model (v5.1) was released to the public, incorporating a large number of science updates and extended capabilities over the previous release version of the model (v5.0.2). These updates include the following: improvements in the meteorological calculations in both CMAQ and the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model used to provide meteorological fields to CMAQ, updates to the gas and aerosol chemistry, revisions to the calculations of clouds and photolysis, and improvements to the dry and wet deposition in the model. Sensitivity simulations isolating several of the major updates to the modeling system show that changes to the meteorological calculations result in enhanced afternoon and early evening mixing in the model, periods when the model historically underestimates mixing. This enhanced mixing results in higher ozone (O₃) mixing ratios on average due to reduced NO titration, and lower fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations due to greater dilution of primary pollutants (e.g., elemental and organic carbon). Updates to the clouds and photolysis calculations greatly improve consistency between the WRF and CMAQ models and result in generally higher O₃ mixing ratios, primarily due to reduced cloudiness and attenuation of photolysis in the model. Updates to the aerosol chemistry result in higher secondary organic aerosol (SOA) concentrations in the summer, thereby reducing summertime PM_2.5 bias (PM_2.5 is typically underestimated by CMAQ in the summer), while updates to the gas chemistry result in slightly higher O₃ and PM_2.5 on average in January and July. Overall, the seasonal variation in simulated PM_2.5 generally improves in CMAQv5.1 (when considering all model updates), as simulated PM_2.5 concentrations decrease in the winter (when PM_2.5 is generally overestimated by CMAQ) and increase in the summer (when PM_2.5 is generally underestimated by CMAQ). Ozone mixing ratios are higher on average with v5.1 vs. v5.0.2, resulting in higher O₃ mean bias, as O₃ tends to be overestimated by CMAQ throughout most of the year (especially at locations where the observed O₃ is low); however, O₃ correlation is largely improved with v5.1. Sensitivity simulations for several hypothetical emission reduction scenarios show that v5.1 tends to be slightly more responsive to reductions in NO _x (NO + NO₂), VOC and SO _x (SO₂ + SO₄) emissions than v5.0.2, representing an improvement as previous studies have shown CMAQ to underestimate the observed reduction in O₃ due to large, widespread reductions in observed emissions.

Description and evaluation of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system version 5.1

The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model is a comprehensive multipollutant air quality modeling system developed and maintained by the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD). Recently, version 5.1 of the CMAQ model (v5.1) was released to the public, incorporating a large number of science updates and extended capabilities over the previous release version of the model (v5.0.2). These updates include the following: improvements in the meteorological calculations in both CMAQ and the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model used to provide meteorological fields to CMAQ, updates to the gas and aerosol chemistry, revisions to the calculations of clouds and photolysis, and improvements to the dry and wet deposition in the model. Sensitivity simulations isolating several of the major updates to the modeling system show that changes to the meteorological calculations result in enhanced afternoon and early evening mixing in the model, periods when the model historically underestimates mixing. This enhanced mixing results in higher ozone (O₃) mixing ratios on average due to reduced NO titration, and lower fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations due to greater dilution of primary pollutants (e.g., elemental and organic carbon). Updates to the clouds and photolysis calculations greatly improve consistency between the WRF and CMAQ models and result in generally higher O₃ mixing ratios, primarily due to reduced cloudiness and attenuation of photolysis in the model. Updates to the aerosol chemistry result in higher secondary organic aerosol (SOA) concentrations in the summer, thereby reducing summertime PM_2.5 bias (PM_2.5 is typically underestimated by CMAQ in the summer), while updates to the gas chemistry result in slightly higher O₃ and PM_2.5 on average in January and July. Overall, the seasonal variation in simulated PM_2.5 generally improves in CMAQv5.1 (when considering all model updates), as simulated PM_2.5 concentrations decrease in the winter (when PM_2.5 is generally overestimated by CMAQ) and increase in the summer (when PM_2.5 is generally underestimated by CMAQ). Ozone mixing ratios are higher on average with v5.1 vs. v5.0.2, resulting in higher O₃ mean bias, as O₃ tends to be overestimated by CMAQ throughout most of the year (especially at locations where the observed O₃ is low); however, O₃ correlation is largely improved with v5.1. Sensitivity simulations for several hypothetical emission reduction scenarios show that v5.1 tends to be slightly more responsive to reductions in NO _x (NO + NO₂), VOC and SO _x (SO₂ + SO₄) emissions than v5.0.2, representing an improvement as previous studies have shown CMAQ to underestimate the observed reduction in O₃ due to large, widespread reductions in observed emissions.

Description and evaluation of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system version 5.1

The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model is a comprehensive multipollutant air quality modeling system developed and maintained by the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD). Recently, version 5.1 of the CMAQ model (v5.1) was released to the public, incorporating a large number of science updates and extended capabilities over the previous release version of the model (v5.0.2). These updates include the following: improvements in the meteorological calculations in both CMAQ and the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model used to provide meteorological fields to CMAQ, updates to the gas and aerosol chemistry, revisions to the calculations of clouds and photolysis, and improvements to the dry and wet deposition in the model. Sensitivity simulations isolating several of the major updates to the modeling system show that changes to the meteorological calculations result in enhanced afternoon and early evening mixing in the model, periods when the model historically underestimates mixing. This enhanced mixing results in higher ozone (O3) mixing ratios on average due to reduced NO titration, and lower fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations due to greater dilution of primary pollutants (e.g., elemental and organic carbon). Updates to the clouds and photolysis calculations greatly improve consistency between the WRF and CMAQ models and result in generally higher O3 mixing ratios, primarily due to reduced cloudiness and attenuation of photolysis in the model. Updates to the aerosol chemistry result in higher secondary organic aerosol (SOA) concentrations in the summer, thereby reducing summertime PM2.5 bias (PM2.5 is typically underestimated by CMAQ in the summer), while updates to the gas chemistry result in slightly higher O3 and PM2.5 on average in January and July. Overall, the seasonal variation in simulated PM2.5 generally improves in CMAQv5.1 (when considering all model updates), as simulated PM2.5 concentrations decrease in the winter (when PM2.5 is generally overestimated by CMAQ) and increase in the summer (when PM2.5 is generally underestimated by CMAQ). Ozone mixing ratios are higher on average with v5.1 vs. v5.0.2, resulting in higher O3 mean bias, as O3 tends to be overestimated by CMAQ throughout most of the year (especially at locations where the observed O3 is low); however, O3 correlation is largely improved with v5.1. Sensitivity simulations for several hypothetical emission reduction scenarios show that v5.1 tends to be slightly more responsive to reductions in NO x (NO + NO2), VOC and SO x (SO2 + SO4) emissions than v5.0.2, representing an improvement as previous studies have shown CMAQ to underestimate the observed reduction in O3 due to large, widespread reductions in observed emissions.

A simple lightning assimilation technique for improving retrospective WRF simulations

Convective rainfall is often a large source of error in retrospective modeling applications. In particular, positive rainfall biases commonly exist during summer months due to overactive convective parameterizations. In this study, lightning assimilation was applied in the Kain-Fritsch (KF) convective scheme to improve retrospective simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The assimilation method has a straightforward approach: force KF deep convection where lightning is observed and, optionally, suppress deep convection where lightning is absent. WRF simulations were made with and without lightning assimilation over the continental United States for July 2012, July 2013, and January 2013. The simulations were evaluated against NCEP stage-IV precipitation data and MADIS near-surface meteorological observations. In general, the use of lightning assimilation considerably improves the simulation of summertime rainfall. For example, the July 2012 monthly averaged bias of 6 h accumulated rainfall is reduced from 0.54 to 0.07 mm and the spatial correlation is increased from 0.21 to 0.43 when lightning assimilation is used. Statistical measures of near-surface meteorological variables also are improved. Consistent improvements also are seen for the July 2013 case. These results suggest that this lightning assimilation technique has the potential to substantially improve simulation of warm-season rainfall in retrospective WRF applications.

Serum CXCR3 ligands as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of tuberculosis

SETTING

Tertiary care academic medical centre.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical utility of CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) ligands in the diagnosis and monitoring of tuberculosis (TB).

DESIGN

Presumptive TB patients (active TB, 256; non-TB disease, 52) and 201 healthy controls were enrolled. The serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and CXCR3 ligands (CXCL9, a monokine induced by IFN-γ [MIG] and CXCL11, an IFN-inducible T-cell α chemoattractant [I-TAC]) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An IFN-γ release assay (IGRA) was also performed. Serial samplings were performed in 19 TB patients at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment initiation.

RESULTS

All marker levels were higher in TB patients than in controls and non-TB patients. The area under the curve (AUC) for differentiating between all TB patients and controls was 0.96 (95%CI 0.94-0.98) for CXCL9, 0.84 (95%CI 0.80-0.87) for CXCL11 and 0.61 (95%CI 0.57-0.66) for IFN-γ. CXCL9 levels afforded particularly high discriminatory power between TB patients and IGRA-positive controls (AUC = 0.95, 95%CI 0.92-0.97). The levels of CXCR3 ligands decreased significantly during follow-up, and these changes were correlated with treatment response.

CONCLUSION

CXCR3 ligands CXCL9 and CXCL11 may be useful surrogate markers for the diagnosis and follow-up of TB.

Chronic periodontitis can affect the levels of potential oral cancer salivary mRNA biomarkers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

More than 100 salivary constituents have been found to show levels significantly different in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) from those found in healthy controls, and therefore have been suggested to be potential salivary biomarkers for OSCC detection. However, many of these potential OSCC salivary biomarkers are also involved in chronic inflammation, and whether the levels of these biomarkers could be affected by the presence of chronic periodontitis was not known. The objective of this pilot study was therefore to measure the levels of seven previously reported potential OSCC salivary mRNA biomarkers in patients with chronic periodontitis and compare them to levels found in patients with OSCC and healthy controls. The seven salivary mRNAs were interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, dual specificity phosphatase 1, H3 histone family 3A, ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1, S100 calcium-binding protein P (S100P) and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from a total of 105 human subjects from the following four study groups: OSCC; CPNS (chronic periodontitis, moderate to severe degree, non-smokers); CPS (chronic periodontitis, moderate to severe degree, smokers); and healthy controls. Levels of each mRNA in patient groups (OSCC or chronic periodontitis) relative to the healthy controls were determined by a pre-amplification reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction approach with nested gene-specific primers. Results were recorded and analyzed by the Bio-Rad CFX96 Real-Time System. Mean fold changes between each pair of patient vs. control groups were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U-test with Bonferroni corrections.

RESULTS

Only S100P showed significantly higher levels in patients with OSCC compared to both patients with CPNS (p = 0.003) and CPS (p = 0.007). The difference in S100P levels between patients with OSCC and healthy controls was also marginally significant (p = 0.009). There was no significant difference in the levels of salivary IL-8, IL-1β and dual specificity phosphatase 1 mRNAs between patients with OSCC and patients with CPNS (p = 0.510, 0.058 and 0.078, respectively); no significant difference in levels of salivary ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1 and spermine N1-acetyltransferase mRNAs between patients with OSCC and patients with CPS (p = 0.318 and 0.764, respectively); and no significant difference in levels of the H3 histone family 3A mRNA between patients with OSCC and either CPS (p = 0.449) or healthy controls (p = 0.107).

CONCLUSIONS

Salivary S100P mRNA could be a reliable biomarker for OSCC detection, regardless of the presence of chronic periodontitis. The presence of chronic periodontitis could significantly affect the levels of the other six mRNAs, and negatively influence reliability for using them as biomarkers for oral cancer detection.

Abstract P1-10-31: Impact of increased physical activities after diagnosis on fatigue and overall pain during cancer treatment: A prospective cohort study

Background

Existing evidence strongly suggests that exercise is not only safe but also feasible during cancer treatment. Physical activity is recommended for improving multiple post-treatment adverse effects on bone health, muscle strength, and other quality-of-life measures. Yet, limited evidence exists regarding effect of increased physical activity after diagnosis on symptoms management of breast cancer patients.

Methods

A total of 422 patients were recruited from July 2010 to July 2011 at two cancer hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Physical activity in sports (PAS) was assessed using Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire before and 2 weeks, 3-, 6-, 12-, 24- and 36-months after diagnosis. Physical symptoms including fatigue, pain, arm symptom, and insomnia were measured using EORTC-C30 and BR23. Growth mixture models were used to identify trajectory classes of physical activity patterns. Multivariate analysis was used to find impact of PAS on symptom management using SAS.

Results

Three distinct PAS groups were identified according to 3-year change patterns: moderate to moderate (MM): 40.8%, none to moderate (NM): 31.1% and moderate to high (MH): 28.1%. The LM and MH group increased PAS from diagnosis but it began to decrease from 1 year after diagnosis. Compared to the MM, the NM and MH reported significantly lower level of fatigue (MM:40.7, NM:32.2, MH:33.7), pain(MM:28.0, NM:25.6, MH:20.6), systemic therapy side effects (MM:26.9, NM:22.6, MH:21.8), and breast symptoms (MM:25.4, NM:21.7, MH:20.2) during active treatment (6 months after diagnosis).

Change patterns of quality of life according to trajectory groups At diagnosis2 weeks3 months6 months12 months24 months36 monthsFatigueMM31.3±1.930.2±1.935.3±2.0140.7±2.1137.8±2.1138.5±2.1141.0±2.21NM30.2±1.928.2±1.931.9±2.132.2±2.2233.6±2.135.6±2.2137.8±2.31MH28.8±2.327.4±2.233.0±2.433.7±2.51233.9±2.4136.2±2.5137.1±2.51PainMM15.1±1.531.3±1.9123.2±2.0128.0±2.0123.5±2.0122.0±2.0121.2±1.91NM15.4±1.532.4±2.023.3±2.0125.6±2.122.7±2.021.1±2.123.8±2.01MH17.2±1.828.4±2.3121.2±2.320.6±2.4219.7±2.321.1±2.318.6±2.2Systemic therapy side effectsMM16.8±1.114.3±1.2133.2±1.7126.9±1.5125.4±1.5126.2±1.6128.6±1.71NM15.0±1.114.5±1.235.2±1.7122.6±1.61222.0±1.6124.5±1.7127.7±1.81MH15.6±1.412.9±1.4134.4±2.0121.8±1.81221.8±1.7122.1±1.9124.7±2.01Breast symptomsMM13.8±1.226.4±1.6120.8±1.5125.4±1.6123.6±1.6119.2±1.7119.6±1.71NM13.0±1.224.7±1.6119.6±1.5121.7±1.61222.3±1.7119.9±1.8119.1±1.81MH16.0±1.424.1±1.8119.4±1.820.2±1.81217.8±1.8217.4±2.014.0±1.92*adjusted with age, stage, and radiotherapy 1 p<0.05 (differences from baseline within group), 2 p<0.05 (differences from MM group within time)

Conclusion

The results of the study confirmed that increased physical activity after diagnosis, even with patients who did not exercise at all before diagnosis, helps to control fatigue, pain, systemic side effects, and breast symptoms during treatment. It is necessary to find ways to promote physical activity after diagnosis and help patients to stay active during treatment.

Citation Format: Lee JK, Kang D, Choi E-K, Kong S, Lee S-K, Lee JE, Han W, Park YH, Ahn JS, Im YH, Noh D-Y, Nam S-J, Cho J. Impact of increased physical activities after diagnosis on fatigue and overall pain during cancer treatment: A prospective cohort study. [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 P1-10-31.

Theta-rhythmic drive between medial septum and hippocampus in slow-wave sleep and microarousal: a Granger causality analysis

Medial septum (MS) plays a critical role in controlling the electrical activity of the hippocampus (HIPP). In particular, theta-rhythmic burst firing of MS neurons is thought to drive lasting HIPP theta oscillations in rats during waking motor activity and REM sleep. Less is known about MS-HIPP interactions in nontheta states such as non-REM sleep, in which HIPP theta oscillations are absent but theta-rhythmic burst firing in subsets of MS neurons is preserved. The present study used Granger causality (GC) to examine the interaction patterns between MS and HIPP in slow-wave sleep (SWS, a nontheta state) and during its short interruptions called microarousals (a transient theta state). We found that during SWS, while GC revealed a unidirectional MS→HIPP influence over a wide frequency band (2-12 Hz, maximum: ∼8 Hz), there was no theta peak in the hippocampal power spectra, indicating a lack of theta activity in HIPP. In contrast, during microarousals, theta peaks were seen in both MS and HIPP power spectra and were accompanied by bidirectional GC with MS→HIPP and HIPP→MS theta drives being of equal magnitude. Thus GC in a nontheta state (SWS) vs. a theta state (microarousal) primarily differed in the level of HIPP→MS. The present findings suggest a modification of our understanding of the role of MS as the theta generator in two regards. First, a MS→HIPP theta drive does not necessarily induce theta field oscillations in the hippocampus, as found in SWS. Second, HIPP theta oscillations entail bidirectional theta-rhythmic interactions between MS and HIPP.

Potentiation of tonic GABAergic inhibition by activation of postsynaptic kainate receptors

Presynaptic kainate-type glutamate ionotropic receptors (KARs) that mediate either the depression or the facilitation of GABA release have been intensively studied. Little attention has been given to the modulation of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) by postsynaptic KARs. Recent studies suggest that two GABAAR populations, synaptic (sGABAAR) and extrasynaptic (eGABAAR) GABAARs, mediate phasic and tonic forms of inhibition, respectively. Tonic inhibition plays an important role in the excitability of neuronal circuits and the occurrence of epileptic seizures. For this study, we are the first to report that the activation of postsynaptic KARs by the KAR agonist, Kainic acid (KA, 5 μM), enhanced tonic inhibition by potentiating eGABAARs. KA enhanced THIP-induced eGABAAR currents and prolonged the rise and decay time of muscimol-induced sGABAAR/eGABAAR currents, but also depressed the amplitude of evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), unitary IPSCs (uIPSCs), and muscimol-induced sGABAAR/eGABAAR currents. The PKC inhibitor, staurosporine (1 μM), in the patch pipette solution fully blocked the KA-induced potentiation of tonic inhibition, suggesting the involvement of an intracellular PKC pathway. Our study suggests that the activation of postsynaptic KARs potentiates eGABAARs but depresses sGABAARs. By activating postsynaptic KARs, synaptically released glutamate depresses phasic inhibition to facilitate neuronal plasticity, but potentiates tonic inhibition to protect neurons from over-excitation.

First Experimental Characterization of Microwave Emission from Cosmic Ray Air Showers

We report the first direct measurement of the overall characteristics of microwave radio emission from extensive air showers. Using a trigger provided by the KASCADE-Grande air shower array, the signals of the microwave antennas of the Cosmic-Ray Observation via Microwave Emission experiment have been read out and searched for signatures of radio emission by high-energy air showers in the GHz frequency range. Microwave signals have been detected for more than 30 showers with energies above 3×10^{16}  eV. The observations presented in this Letter are consistent with a mainly forward-directed and polarized emission process in the GHz frequency range. The measurements show that microwave radiation offers a new means of studying air showers at E≥10^{17}  eV.

Metabolic syndrome and sex-specific socio-economic disparities in childhood and adulthood: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

AIMS

To examine whether adulthood and/or childhood sex-specific socio-economic disparities are associated with metabolic syndrome and its components in a developed non-Western setting.

METHODS

Based on the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 14 888 people aged ≥ 20 years were analysed to evaluate the effect of adult and childhood socio-economic status on metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to calculate the odds ratios for metabolic syndrome and each component of metabolic syndrome in later life.

RESULTS

The age-standardized prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 26.6% for men and 21.3% for women. Compared with the highest level of education, men with the lowest education level were significantly less likely to have metabolic syndrome (odds ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.60-0.96), whereas the opposite association was found in women (odds ratio 3.29, 95% CI 2.45-4.42). Men who were manual labourers and economically inactive had a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared with those with non-manual jobs (odds ratio 0.82, 95% CI 0.69-0.98 and odds ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.99, respectively), but the reverse association was observed in women (odds ratio 1.34, 95% CI 1.04-1.73 and odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.09-1.81, respectively). A significant interaction between combined adulthood and childhood socio-economic status on the presence of metabolic syndrome was observed (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that sex-specific socio-economic disparities in childhood and adulthood have differential effects on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components in Korea.

Effect of dietary patterns on serum C-reactive protein level

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation which has been shown in multiple prospective epidemiological studies to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Dietary patterns may influence the risk of diseases through the effects of CRP on inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of dietary patterns with CRP in blood, taking into consideration gender and blood pressure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The present cross-sectional analysis included 7574 participants from a large, population-based study of middle-aged Koreans. Four dietary patterns, including 'fruit', 'vegetable', 'meat' and 'coffee', were derived using factor analysis. Multiple linear regressions were used to evaluate the association between dietary patterns and CRP after adjusting for age, sex, education, waist circumference, smoke status and alcohol consumption. We found that the 'vegetable' pattern was inversely associated with CRP (Ptrend = 0.01). The adjusted mean CRP was 0.04 mg/dl lower (95% CI -0.07, -0.01) for subjects in the highest quartile of the 'vegetable' pattern compared with those in the lowest quartile. This inverse association was more pronounced in men with hypertensive blood; CRP concentrations across increasing quartile categories of the 'vegetable' pattern score were 0.1, 0.14, and 0.15 mg/dl reduction compared to the 1st quartile (the lowest quartile) (Ptrend = 0.04, Plinearity = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The inverse association of the 'vegetable' pattern with CRP was assessed, and the association appeared to be more predominant in men with hypertensive blood pressure.

Relationship of body composition with bone mineral density in northern Chinese men by body mass index levels

Osteoporosis and obesity are severe public health problems in an aging society, and as we all know, bone mineral density (BMD) is closely related to fat mass (FM) and fat distribution. However, studies have long focused on pre- or post-menopausal women, and its presence in men has been underestimated. To investigate the differential impact of fat on BMD, we characterized body composition of northern Chinese men and examined the relationship with BMD according to body mass index (BMI) levels.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 502 healthy northern Chinese men aged 20-89 screened from the participants in a community-based osteoporosis prevention study conducted by the Research Center of Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong University from 2009 to 2010. The qualified subjects were stratified according to BMI levels as normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m(2), n = 137), overweight (24 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m(2), n = 225), and obesity (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m(2), n = 140). Total body, left femur, lumbar spine BMD and lean mass (LM), FM, percent body fat (%BF) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pearson correlation and age-adjusted partial correlation analyses between body composition-related parameters and BMD were performed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship of BMD with LM, FM and %BF.

RESULTS

Height and weight had positive associations with BMD at all sites, although age had negative associations. Of all subjects, LM and FM were positively correlated with BMD at almost sites (P < 0.01). However, when the subjects were divided into normal weight, overweight and obesity, no relations were reflected between FM and BMD. %BF showed negative correlations with BMD at arm and leg (P < 0.01) in overweight, and with BMD at total body, arm, leg, hip (P < 0.01) in obesity. In regression models, both FM and LM showed statistically positively significant relations with total body and regional BMD in all subjects (all P < 0.05). LM was positively correlated with BMD at almost site (all P < 0.05) in groups, while FM had no association. Interestingly, percent body fat (%BF) had negative associations with BMD at total body, arm, leg and total femur in overweight and obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between LM and BMD was certain in northern Chinese men while fat-bone relationship was complicated. %BF had a significantly negative association with total body and regional BMD in overweight and obese men.

FGF receptor genes and breast cancer susceptibility: results from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. Genome-wide association studies have identified FGFR2 as a breast cancer susceptibility gene. Common variation in other fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors might also modify risk. We tested this hypothesis by studying genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and imputed SNPs in FGFR1, FGFR3, FGFR4 and FGFRL1 in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium.

METHODS

Data were combined from 49 studies, including 53 835 cases and 50 156 controls, of which 89 050 (46 450 cases and 42 600 controls) were of European ancestry, 12 893 (6269 cases and 6624 controls) of Asian and 2048 (1116 cases and 932 controls) of African ancestry. Associations with risk of breast cancer, overall and by disease sub-type, were assessed using unconditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Little evidence of association with breast cancer risk was observed for SNPs in the FGF receptor genes. The strongest evidence in European women was for rs743682 in FGFR3; the estimated per-allele odds ratio was 1.05 (95% confidence interval=1.02-1.09, P=0.0020), which is substantially lower than that observed for SNPs in FGFR2.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that common variants in the other FGF receptors are not associated with risk of breast cancer to the degree observed for FGFR2.

Enhanced gene transfer to pancreatic islets using glucagon-like peptide-1

OBJECTIVE

The efficient transfer of genes into intact islets is difficult since islets exist as clusters of differentiated cells with little replication potential. Cell proliferation in response to growth factors is known to be accompanied by loosening of cell-to-cell contacts and increasing paracellular permeability. In this study, we investigated whether gene delivery into intact islet cells was facilitated by modulating β-cell proliferation.

METHODS

Isolated rat islets were pretreated with glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 or human growth hormone for 24 hours, or with 300 mg/dL of glucose for 48 hours before transduction with a suboptimal dose of recombinant adenoviral vector expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and β-galactosidase (multiplicity of infection of 25). Transduction efficiency was assessed by measuring β-galactosidase activity and GFP expression using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy. The numbers of 7-aminoactinomycin D-positive dead cells and 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU)-positive proliferating cells were also monitored using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

The transduction efficiency of rat islet cells by a suboptimal dose of viral vector was significantly improved by GLP-1 pretreatment, accompanied by enhanced cell viability and cell proliferation. An increased GFP expression in islet cells after GLP-1 pretreatment was observed among the increased numbers of EdU-positive proliferating cells.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment of rat islets with GLP-1 enhanced the transduction efficiency of an adenoviral vector, reducing viral dose burden while improving islet cell viability. From a therapeutic standpoint, genetic modification of pancreatic islets combined with GLP-1 pretreatment may be a promising option for ex vivo gene therapy prior to islet transplantation.

Genetic variants of AICDA/CASP14 associated with childhood brain tumor

We conducted a hospital-based case-control study in Korea to investigate whether apoptosis- and cell cycle control-related genes are associated with childhood brain tumor. Incident brain tumor cases (N = 70) and non-cancer controls (N = 140), frequency-matched by age and gender, were selected from 3 teaching hospitals in Seoul between 2003 and 2006. Tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (N = 297) in 30 genes related to apoptosis and cell cycle control were selected using a pairwise linkage-disequilibrium-based algorithm. Five tag SNPs in 2 genes (AICDA and CASP14) remained significant after adjusted multiple tests. The most significant association with childhood brain tumor risk was for IVS1-401G>C in the AICDA gene [odds ratio (OR) = 2.8; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.25-6.46]; the polymorphism *9276A>C of CASP14 was associated with decreased brain tumor risk (OR = 0.4; 95%CI = 0.19-0.95). We concluded that genetic polymorphisms in AICDA and CASP14 are associated with risk for brain tumor in Korean children.

Generation of polarization-entangled photon pairs in a Bragg reflection waveguide

We demonstrate experimentally that spontaneous parametric down-conversion in an AlxGa(1-x)As semiconductor Bragg reflection waveguide can make for paired photons highly entangled in the polarization degree of freedom at the telecommunication wavelength of 1550 nm. The pairs of photons show visibility higher than 90% in several polarization bases and violate a Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt Bell-like inequality by more than 3 standard deviations. This represents a significant step toward the realization of efficient and versatile self pumped sources of entangled photon pairs on-chip.

A salicylic acid-induced rice (Oryza sativa L.) transcription factor OsWRKY77 is involved in disease resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant WRKY transcription factors act as either positive or negative regulators of plant basal disease resistance. To comprehensively characterise the complicated functional network, we isolated OsWRKY77 from rice seedlings treated with salicylic acid. OsWRKY77 is a typical WRKY transcription factor, based on in its protein structure analysis, nuclear localisation of the fused OsWRKY77-GFP protein and gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay binding, which demonstrated that OsWRKY77 was able to bind a W-box. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing OsWRKY77 repressed growth of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PstDC300), and the reduced susceptibility was associated with enhanced expression of defence-related PR1, PR2 and PR5 genes. These results show that OsWRKY77 is a positive regulator of PR gene expression and basal resistance to the bacterial pathogen PstDC3000.

Lamotrigine increases intracellular Ca(2+) levels and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II activation in mouse dorsal root ganglion neurones

AIM

Lamotrigine is a neuroprotective agent that is used clinically for the treatment of seizures and neuropathic pain. A significant volume of literature has reported that lamotrigine exerts analgesic effect by blocking Ca(2+) channels. However, little is known regarding the effect of lamotrigine on the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). The aim of this study was to determine whether lamotrigine modulates [Ca(2+)](i) in sensory neurones.

METHODS

Lamotrigine-induced changes in [Ca(2+)](i) were measured in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fluo 3-AM and a confocal laser scanning microscope. Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) activation was assessed by the fluorescence intensity using immunocytochemical procedures.

RESULTS

Treatment with 1, 10, 30 or 100 μM lamotrigine transiently increased [Ca(2+)](i) in DRG neurones in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 100 μM lamotrigine induced a significant (threefold) increase in the Ca(2+) peak in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca(2+). The lamotrigine-induced Ca(2+) increase was abolished or decreased by the treatment with a specific PLC inhibitor (U73122), IP3R antagonist (xestospongin C) or RyR antagonist (dantrolene). In some cells, treatment with 100 μM lamotrigine caused a transient Ca(2+) increase, and the Ca(2+) levels quickly fell to below the basal Ca(2+) level observed prior to lamotrigine application. The decrease in basal Ca(2+) levels was blocked by the treatment with a CaMKII inhibitor (KN93). Immunocytochemical analysis indicated that lamotrigine treatment increased the expression of phosphorylated CaMKII in DRG neurones.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with lamotrigine increased [Ca(2+)](i) apparently as a result of Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores and CaMKII activity.

Transforming growth factor-β gene silencing using adenovirus expressing TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 shRNA

Tumor cells secrete a variety of cytokines to outgrow and evade host immune surveillance. In this context, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is an extremely interesting cytokine because it has biphasic effects in cancer cells and normal cells. TGF-β1 acts as a growth inhibitor in normal cells, whereas it promotes tumor growth and progression in tumor cells. Overexpression of TGF-β1 in tumor cells also provides additional oncogenic activities by circumventing the host immune surveillance. Therefore, this study ultimately aimed to test the hypothesis that suppression of TGF-β1 in tumor cells by RNA interference can have antitumorigenic effects. However, we demonstrated here that the interrelation between TGF-β isotypes should be carefully considered for the antitumor effect in addition to the selection of target sequences with highest efficacy. The target sequences were proven to be highly specific and effective for suppressing both TGF-β1 mRNA and protein expression in cells after infection with an adenovirus expressing TGF-β1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA). A single base pair change in the shRNA sequence completely abrogated the suppressive effect on TGF-β1. Surprisingly, the suppression of TGF-β1 induced TGF-β3 upregulation, and the suppression of TGF-β2 induced another unexpected downregulation of both TGF-β1 and TGF-β3. Taken together, this information may prove useful when considering the design for a novel cancer immunogene therapy.