Evidence for a new resonance and search for the Y(4140) in the gammagamma-->phiJ/psi process

The process gammagamma-->phiJ/psi is measured using a data sample of 825 fb{-1} collected with the Belle detector. A narrow peak of 8.8{-3.2}{+4.2} events, with a significance of 3.2 standard deviations including systematic uncertainty, is observed. The mass and natural width of the structure [named X(4350)] are measured to be [4350.6{-5.1}{+4.6}(stat)+/-0.7(syst)] MeV/c{2} and [13{-9}{+18}(stat)+/-4(syst)] MeV, respectively. The product of its two-photon decay width and branching fraction to phiJ/psi is [6.7{-2.4}{+3.2}(stat)+/-1.1(syst)] eV for J{P}=0{+}, or [1.5{-0.6}{+0.7}(stat)+/-0.3(syst)] eV for J{P}=2{+}. No signal for the Y(4140)-->phiJ/psi structure reported by the CDF Collaboration in B-->K{+}phiJ/psi decays is observed, and limits of Gamma_{gammagamma}(Y(4140))B(Y(4140)-->phiJ/psi)<41 eV for J{P}=0;{+} or <6.0 eV for J{P}=2{+} are determined at the 90% C.L. This disfavors the scenario in which the Y(4140) is a D{s}{*+}D{s}{*-} molecule.

Observation of a charmoniumlike enhancement in the gammagamma-->omega(J)/psi process

We report the results of a search for a charmoniumlike state produced in the process gammagamma-->omegaJ/psi in the 3.9-4.2 GeV/c{2} mass region. We observe a significant enhancement, which is well described by a resonant shape with mass M=(3915+/-3+/-2) MeV/c{2} and total width Gamma=(17+/-10+/-3) MeV. This enhancement may be related to one or more of the three charmoniumlike states so far reported in the 3.90-3.95 GeV/c{2} mass region.

Interleukin-4 receptor polymorphisms in asthma and allergy: relation to different disease phenotypes

AIM

Inheritance and genetic factors are supposed to influence susceptibility to asthma and allergy. We tested if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL4R gene were associated with susceptibility to such diseases, or if they were related to the phenotypic presentation of asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC).

METHODS

Three hundred and nine 12- to 13-year-old children were included. Six SNPs in the IL4R were analysed in response to current allergic disease, and to presentation of specific asthma and ARC phenotypes. Questionnaires were used to determine allergic disease status, and skin prick tests to evaluate sensitization to common airborne allergens.

RESULTS

Less eczema was seen in individuals with the AA-genotype of rs2057768, and less ARC among those with the AA-genotype of rs2107356, especially ARC associated with sensitization to pollen. The AA-genotype of rs2057768 and the TT genotype of rs3024632 were associated with a specific asthma phenotype.

CONCLUSION

Variations within the IL4R gene are associated with allergic diseases in children, preferably with eczema and disease phenotypes of ARC and asthma.

Expression of Androgen Receptor in Breast Cancer

Background: Androgen receptor (AR) is one of biomarkers and its role in breast cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between AR expression and clinicopathological factors in breast cancer patients.Patients and Methods: AR was consecutively evaluated in 413 primary breast cancers from whole sections of surgically resected specimens using immunohistochemical staining from January 2008 to March 2009. The associations between AR expression and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. Tumors with 10% or more nuclear stained cells were considered as positive for AR expression. The differences between variables were calculated by chi-square test and Fisher's exact test was used when appropriate.Results: The median age at diagnosis was 49 years (range, 26-84). AR was found in 72.7% (48/66) of in-situ carcinoma and in 72.9% (253/347) of invasive carcinoma. Overall expression rates of AR were 72.9%, which were higher than those of ER and PR expression, 68.5% and 62.0%, respectively. AR was significantly expressed in patients with no elevated preoperative serum cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) levels (p = .042), smaller tumor size (p = .035), lower histologic grade (p &lt; .001), ER-positive (p &lt; .001), progesterone receptor-positive (p &lt; .001), and non-triple-negative breast cancer (p &lt; .001). Metaplastic, medullary, and mucinous types carcinomas showed less AR expression (p = .030). Although it was statistically not significant, patients with younger age (≤ 35 years), axillary lymph node involvements, and higher stage showed higher rates of AR negativity. In ER-negative tumors, AR expression was significantly correlated with HER-2 over-expression (p &lt; .001). In ER-positive tumors, however, there was no relationship between AR expression and HER-2 over-expression (p &gt; .05).Conclusions: AR is expressed in a significant number of breast cancers and is associated with favorable tumor differentiation and smaller tumor size. These results might suggest that AR may be an independent prognostic factor in breast cancer. AR may also be associated with growth factor signaling and be useful therapeutic target in ER-negative tumors.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4156.

Prognostic Factors for Breast Cancer with 10 or More Lymph Nodes Metastasis

Background: Although the proportion of early breast cancer has been increased, advanced breast cancers of N3 stage still compose about 10% of all breast cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with prognosis of breast cancers with extensive nodal metastasis.Patients and method: Of 3912 invasive breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between April 1986 and May 2006 at Severance Hospital, patients who had 10 or more metastatic lymph nodes without distant metastasis were 304 (7.8%). With 55 months of median follow-up period, their clinicopathologic characteristics, follow-up of survival and the factors associated with disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.Result: Median age was 46.5 years and median number of positive lymph node was 16 with metastases to supraclavicular lymph nodes in 14 patients (4.6%). Median 5-year DFS rate were 42.4% and OS rate was 47.5%. In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, age less than 35 years (19.4% vs. 45.9%; p=0.001), the history of NAC (13.1% vs. 48.8%; p&lt;0.001), T4 stage (15.8% vs. 45.8%, excluding T4d; p&lt;0.001), 20 or more positive lymph nodes (27.0% vs. 50.2%; p&lt;0.001), lymphovascular invasion (20.2% vs. 48.4%; p=0.003), and negative progesterone receptor (32.8% vs. 49.3%; p=0.003) were significantly associated to poor 5-year DFS. For 5-year OS, age less than 35 years (43.8% vs. 59.7%; p=0.033), the history of NAC (28.0% VS. 63.8%; p&lt;0.001), T4 stage (21.1% vs. 61.0%, excluding T4d; p=0.001), 20 or more positive lymph nodes (48.9% vs. 63.8%; p&lt;0.001), and negative progesterone receptor (49.0% vs. 64.2%; p=0.013) were statistically significant. On the multivariate analysis, significant factors associated with poor DFS and OS were 20 or more metastatic lymph nodes (relative risk [RR] =1.598 and p=0.024 for DFS; RR=1.956 and p&lt;0.001 for OS), the history of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (RR=3.163 and p&lt;0.001 for DFS; RR=2.900 and p&lt;0.001 for OS). The contribution of lymphovascular invasion was significant only to DFS on the multivariate analysis.Conclusion: The patients with the same N3 stage show various prognosis. Clinical trial using new therapeutic agents should be applied in advanced breast cancers with high risk, which are predicted to be refractory to conventional adjuvant therapy.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4064.

VARS2 V552V Variant as a Prognostic Marker in Patients with Early Breast Cancer

Purpose: The present study analyzed the polymorphisms of DNA repair genes and their impact on survival of patients with early breast cancer.Patients and methods: A total of 240 patients with surgically resected early invasive ductal breast cancer were enrolled in the present study, where patients who underwent neoadjuvant treatment were excluded. The genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tumor-free tissue or blood, and thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms of 12 DNA repair genes were determined using the Sequenom Mass array system.Results: Among the target SNPs, VARS2 rs2074511 and POLE rs5744857 were found to correlate with relapse-free survival (RFS) after curative surgery in the log-rank test. There was no difference in the clinical and tumor characteristics according to the genotypes of these two coding variants except for the higher incidence of positive ER in patients with the GG genotype of POLE rs5744857 (p = 0.025). Multivariate analysis showed that the GG genotype of VARS2 V552V (rs2301717) was marginally associated with a better RFS than the combined AA and AG genotype (HR = 0.298; 95% CI = 0.089-0.995; p = 0.049). However, there was no significant association with overall survival.Conclusion: VARS2 V552V may be considered as a prognostic factor of survival in patients with early breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6055.

Expression of Ca2+ -activated K+ channels in human dermal fibroblasts and their roles in apoptosis

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS

Cell proliferation and apoptosis are responsible for maintaining normal tissue homeostasis, and K(+) currents play important roles in regulating the physiological balance between them. This function of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (K(Ca)) channels has been demonstrated in many types of tissues, but not in dermal fibroblasts. We investigated the expression of K(Ca) channels and their effects on proliferation and apoptosis in human dermal fibroblasts.

METHODS

We used discoidin domain receptor 2 immunostaining to identify human dermal fibroblasts, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis and electrophysiological patch clamp recordings to evaluate the expression and characteristics of 3 members of the K(Ca) channel family, large-conductance K(Ca) (BK), intermediate-conductance K(Ca) (IK) and small-conductance K(Ca) channels. We also used the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 staining and Depsipher staining to investigate the effects of K(Ca) channels on cell proliferation and the mechanisms involved.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

All 3 members of the K(Ca) channel family were found in fibroblasts. 1,3-Dihydro-1-[2-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (NS1619, a BK channel activator) or 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (EBIO, an IK channel activator) decreased the proliferation of fibroblasts and induced apoptotic changes by mitochondrial membrane potential disruption. However, a pan-caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-fmk) failed to prevent the apoptotic changes. Our findings indicate that 3 types of functional K(Ca) channels are expressed in human dermal fibroblasts and are involved in apoptosis of the cells through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, but seemingly in a caspase-independent manner.

Measurement of inclusive radiative B-meson decays with a photon energy threshold of 1.7 GeV

Using 605 fb(-1) of data collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance we present a measurement of the inclusive radiative B-meson decay channel, B-->X(s)gamma. For the lower photon energy thresholds of 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, and 2.0 GeV, as defined in the rest frame of the B meson, we measure the partial branching fraction and the mean and variance of the photon energy spectrum. At the 1.7 GeV threshold we obtain the partial branching fraction BF(B-->X(s)}gamma)=(3.45+/-0.15+/-0.40)x10(-4), where the errors are statistical and systematic.

Identification and characterization of a novel mouse and human MOPT gene containing MORN-motif protein in testis

A novel testis-derived membrane occupation and recognition nexus (MORN)-motif protein was identified in mouse testis (MOPT) by subtraction screening methods and found to be localized on chromosome 17E3, spanning approximately 7kb. Sequence analysis showed that MOPT contains 669 base pair nucleotides of open reading frame and the corresponding 79 amino acids. The protein is predicted to have theoretical molecular mass of 9000 Da and an expected isoelectric point of 5.8 and seems to have unique sequences except for MORN-motif domain. The transcript of MOPT is highly and specifically expressed in adult testis as well as skeletal muscle. Moreover, MOPT transcript and protein are confined mainly to round and elongated spermatids, except for a few individual dispersed spermatocytes, and increase in abundance at subsequent stages. MOPT first appeared in the proacrosomic vesicles of the early Golgi phase spermatids and was translocated from the head cap of elongated spermatid to the nucleus of mature spermatozoa at the final stage of spermiogenesis. Our study suggests that MOPT may play an important role in dynamic regulation of acrosome biogenesis during late spermiogenesis.

Three-body nonmesonic weak decay of the (Lambda)12C hypernucleus

We have measured the branching ratio of the three-body process in the nonmesonic weak decay of Lambda12C to be 0.29+/-0.13. This result was obtained by reproducing the nucleon and the nucleon pair yields introducing a measured final state interaction. At the same time, we have determined the absolute decay widths, Gamma(n) and Gamma(p), along with Gamma2N, whose relative ratio has been a long-standing puzzle. Including the three-body process, we have successfully reproduced the nucleon energy distribution, the coincidence two-nucleon angular correlation, and the momentum sum distribution simultaneously.

Measurement of the differential branching fraction and forward-backward asymmetry for B --> K(*)l+l-

We study B --> K(*)l+l- decays (l = e, mu) based on a data sample of 657 x 10(6) BB pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- collider. We report the differential branching fraction, isospin asymmetry, K* polarization, and the forward-backward asymmetry (A(FB)) as functions of q2 = M(ll)(2)c2. The fitted A(FB) spectrum exceeds the standard model expectation by 2.7 standard deviations. The measured branching fractions are B(B --> K*l+l-) = (10.7(-1.0)(+1.1) +/- 0.9) x 10(-7) and B(B --> Kl+l-) = (4.8(-0.4)(+0.5) +/- 0.3) x 10(-7), where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic, with the muon to electron ratios R(K*) = 0.83 +/- 0.17 +/- 0.08 and R(K) = 1.03 +/- 0.19 +/- 0.06.

Discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms in <i>FABP3</i> and <i>leptin</i> gene in pig (Brief Report)

Abstract. Knowledge about structural variations in genes and proteins relevant for fat traits is very important information to improve selection of breeding lines and preserve genetic variability in pig industry. The classical proteomics is a useful tool to separate and measure differentially expressed proteins in fat tissue of phenotypic different individual pigs. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the swine adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) and leptin gene (LEP) were related to adipocyte accumulation and associated with meat quality in pigs (NECHTELBERGER et al. 2001, KULIG et al. 2001, KMIEC et al. 2003).