GANRA-5 protects both cultured cells and mice from various radiation types by functioning as a free radical scavenger

The radio-protective effects of the oxazolone derivative chemical compound 4-(4-methoxy-3-methoxyphenyl-methyl)-2-phenyl- 5(4H)-oxazolone (GANRA-5) against different types of radiation including X-rays, carbon ion beams, microwaves and ultraviolet light (UV) were studied. Cell proliferation/cytotoxicity assay and colony-forming assay were conducted to evaluate the toxicity of GANRA-5. To test its influence on the induction of double-stranded break (DSB) formation and genomic instability, γH2AX focus-forming assay as well as cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay was utilized. Our results indicate that GANRA-5 exhibits low toxicity, while providing high radio-protective effects for MRC-5 cells against different types of radiation. We also found that GANRA-5 acts as a free radical scavenger. Our animal studies provided evidence that GANRA-5 significantly increases the survival rate of mice after X-ray irradiation. Analyses of hemogram, visceral index and detection of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the viscera indicate both low toxicity of GANRA-5, combined with its ability to shield radiation risk. In conclusion, our results suggest that GANRA-5 has the potential to be used as a safe and efficient radio-protectant.

First search for exotic Z Boson decays into photons and neutral pions in hadron collisions

A search for forbidden and exotic Z boson decays in the diphoton mass spectrum is presented for the first time in hadron collisions, based on data corresponding to 10.0 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity from proton-antiproton collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV collected by the CDF experiment. No evidence of signal is observed, and 95% credibility level Bayesian upper limits are set on the branching ratios of decays of the Z boson to a photon and neutral pion (which is detected as a photon), a pair of photons, and a pair of neutral pions. The observed branching ratio limits are 2.01 × 10(-5) for Z → π(0)γ, 1.46 × 10(-5) for Z → γγ, and 1.52 × 10(-5) for Z → π(0)π(0). The Z → π(0)γ and Z → γγ limits improve the most stringent results from other experiments by factors of 2.6 and 3.6, respectively. The Z → π(0)π(0) branching ratio limit is the first experimental result on this decay.

Clinical and laboratory profiles of rhupus syndrome in a Chinese population: a single-centre study of 51 patients

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to clarify the demographic, clinical and serologic characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome, known as 'rhupus syndrome'.

METHODS

Between 1995 and 2012, 51 patients were classified as having rhupus among 3733 consecutive SLE patients. Rhupus was defined as a condition involving an overlap of RA and SLE features meeting the respective criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. The clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with rhupus syndrome were compared with those of 230 RA patients and 120 unselected SLE patients.

RESULTS

The age at the onset of rhupus was significantly younger than that of RA (p < 0.05), but similar to that of SLE. The initial manifestation was arthritis in 84.3% (43/51) of rhupus patients. Symptoms of SLE manifested after an average of 9.2 years. SLE was the initial diagnosis in 7.8% (four of 51) of patients, whereas both diseases developed simultaneously in 7.8% of the patients. SLE-associated manifestations were mild in rhupus syndrome, particularly neurologic disorders. Haematopoietic involvement was the most prominent systemic manifestation in rhupus patients.

CONCLUSION

Rhupus syndrome constitutes a subgroup of patients with distinct demographic, clinical and immunological characteristics. RA typically presents first, and less-severe SLE-associated damage is apparent.

Evaluation of bamboo genetic diversity using morphological and SRAP analyses

Bamboo is an important member of the giant grass subfamily Bambusoideae of Poaceae. In this study, 13 bamboo accessions belonging to 5 different genera were subjected to morphological evaluation and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) analysis. Unweighted pair-group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis was used to construct a dendrogram and to estimate the genetic distances among accessions. On the basis of morphological characteristics, the 13 accessions were distinctly classified into 2 major clusters; 3 varieties, PPYX, PGNK, and PLYY were grouped as cluster A, and 10 accessions were categorized under cluster B. Similarity coefficients ranging from 0.23 to 0.96 indicated abundant genetic variation among bamboo varieties. Approximately 38 SRAP primer combinations generated 186 bands, with 150 bands (80.65%) showing polymorphisms among the 13 accessions. Based on SRAP analysis, 13 bamboo accessions were grouped into 3 major clusters. Five species comprised Cluster I (PASL, PLYY, PTSC, SCNK, and BMAK), which belongs to genus Phyllostachys. Cluster II consisted of 5 varieties, PASL, PLYY, PTSC, SCNK, and BMAK; Cluster III included 3 varieties, PGNK, PLSY, and BMRS. Comparison of the results generated by morphological and SRAP analyses showed that the classification based on SRAP markers was more concordant to the taxonomic results of Gamble than that performed using morphological characters, thus suggesting that SRAP analysis is more efficient in evaluating genetic diversity in bamboos compared to morphological analysis. The SRAP technique serves as an alternative method in assessing genetic diversity within bamboo collections.

[The new aging society: demographic transition and its effects on old-age insurance and care of the elderly in China]

In China, fundamental changes in population development have occurred during the past 50 years. The demographic transition in China required only a few years, while in most European countries this process took several decades. The fertility and mortality rates have declined very quickly, like in Japan and South Korea. China is one of the countries that has passed through the transition process the quickest. In the following article, this development is considered in more detail. Even if the fertility and mortality rates should stabilize at a new low level, which today certainly cannot be conclusively stated, the age effects will persist for the next few decades. The demographic aging during recent years will increase enormously in the coming decades. This development leads to far-reaching social and political challenges. The demographic aging in China is associated with a loss of function of the family. Both developments have a strong impact on the old-age insurance and on old-age care. Only a few years ago did politics and society start to respond with comprehensive reforms. For example, a modern pension system was introduced, but only in urban areas of China. Rural populations are still waiting for such reforms even today. Currently, there is a pilot project to gain experience with a pension system for the entire population. In contrast to the old-age insurance, in China there is very little public interest in old-age care because the elderly have until now been only a matter for the family. In the near future, the changing role of family and demographic aging will require a greater discussion about the care of older people in China.

Attitudinal barriers to participation in oncology clinical trials: factor analysis and correlates of barriers

Patient participation in cancer clinical trials is low. Little is known about attitudinal barriers to participation, particularly among patients who may be offered a trial during an imminent initial oncology consult. The aims of the present study were to confirm the presence of proposed subscales of a recently developed cancer clinical trial attitudinal barriers measure, describe the most common cancer clinical trials attitudinal barriers, and evaluate socio-demographic, medical and financial factors associated with attitudinal barriers. A total of 1256 patients completed a survey assessing demographic factors, perceived financial burden, prior trial participation and attitudinal barriers to clinical trials participation. Results of a factor analysis did not confirm the presence of the proposed four attitudinal barriers subscale/factors. Rather, a single factor represented the best fit to the data. The most highly-rated barriers were fear of side-effects, worry about health insurance and efficacy concerns. Results suggested that less educated patients, patients with non-metastatic disease, patients with no previous oncology clinical trial participation, and patients reporting greater perceived financial burden from cancer care were associated with higher barriers. These patients may need extra attention in terms of decisional support. Overall, patients with fewer personal resources (education, financial issues) report more attitudinal barriers and should be targeted for additional decisional support.

A case of adult-onset Still's disease presenting with multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology with no specific histological features. In this study, we reported a 43-year-old woman who developed AOSD with multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Up to now, the patient is still on close follow-up. Besides, we reviewed the literature emphasized on the ophthalmological features of AOSD.

96 EFFECT OF TWO DIFFERENT EMBRYO TRANSPORTERS ON DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE PARTHENOGENETIC EMBRYOS

In the present study, we investigated two embryo transport methods, including a commercial cell transporter and a self-made, simple embryo transporter, for the pre-implantation development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos. The cleaved embryos were randomly distributed between the two types of embryo transport methods and were conserved in vitro for 2, 3, and 4 h. Embryo development efficiency testing and blastocyst differential staining were utilized to assess embryo developmental quality. There were no significant differences in embryo early development efficiency between the commercial cell transporter group, self-made embryo transporter group, and control group. The blastocyst hatch rate (7.75 ± 2.96%) in the self-made simple embryo transport method maintained for 3 h was significantly higher compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). The results (Table 1) showed that blastocyst differential staining showed that the ratio of inner cell mass (ICM) to total cells in both the 2-h-transport group and 3-h-transport group from the self-made simple embryo transport method and the 4-h-transport group from the commercial cell transporter were significantly higher than other groups (P < 0.05).The self-made simple embryo transporter and commercial cell transporter are both effective for transport and conservation of embryos for 3 h. Table 1.Effect of different modes of transport and transit time on embryo development1

Identification of differentially accumulating pistil proteins associated with self-incompatibility of non-heading Chinese cabbage

Non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino), an important vegetable crop in China, exhibits a typical sporophytic self-incompatibility (SI) system. To better understand the mechanism of SI response and identify potential candidate proteins involved in the SI system of this vegetable crop, the proteomic approach was taken to identify differential accumulating pistil proteins. Pistils were collected at 0 h and 2 h after self-pollination at anthesis in self-incompatible and compatible lines of non-heading Chinese cabbage, and total proteins were extracted and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). A total of 25 protein spots that displayed differential abundance were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) and peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF). Among them, 22 protein spots were confidently established. The mRNA levels of the corresponding genes were detected by quantitative RT-PCR. The 22 identified protein spots are involved in energy metabolism (four), protein biosynthesis (three), photosynthesis (six), stress response and defence (five), and protein degradation (four). Among these potential candidate proteins, UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase could be involved in sucrose degradation to influence pollen germination and growth. Glutathione S-transferases could be involved in pollen maturation, and affect pollen fertility. Senescence-associated cysteine protease, which is related to programmed cell death, could be mainly related to self pollen recognition of non-heading Chinese cabbage. The study will contribute to further investigations of molecular mechanism of sporophytic SI in Brassicaceae.

Management and prevention of chylous leakage after laparoscopic lymphadenectomy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the development and management of chylous leakage after laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From July 2006 to September 2013, 13 cases of chylous leakage after the laparoscopic lymphadenectomy (6 cases of renal cell carcinoma, 4 cases of gastric cancer, 2 cases of ovarian cancer, 1 case of endometrial cancer) were studied to analyze the occurrence, development and management of chylous leakage.

RESULTS

In 3 cases (2 cases of renal cell carcinoma, 1 case of gastric cancer) massive amount of milky fluid drainage was be seen after the first two days post operation. Dietary intervention, TPN (total parenteral nutrition), somatostatin therapy, maintenance of continuous drainage helped to successfully manage the condition in about 1 month duration. In the remaining 10 cases, chylous leakage appeared after restoring normal diet. Managed with changes in diet and maintenance of unobstructed drainage, they were cured in about 2 weeks after treatment. There was significant reduction in drain output, ultrasonography did not reveal presence of free fluid collection in abdomen, and the patients were in good condition without signs and symptoms of infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Chylous leakage is a rare complication of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Surgeons should be familiar with laparoscopic techniques, relevant anatomy and be aware of the fact that the effect of CO2 pressure and use of ultrasonic knife to occlude the lymphatic vessel can transiently block the leakage making the surgeon overlook them. Routine placement of indwelling drainage tube, immediate diagnosis, dietary modification, TPN, somatostatin and drainage are the modalities of conservative management.

The +252A/G polymorphism in the Lymphotoxin-α gene and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Many studies have shown that the +252A/G polymorphism in the lymphotoxin-α gene is implicated in susceptibility to non-Hodgkin lymphoma but with considerable variance of results. This study aimed to clarify the overall association between the +252A/G polymorphism in the lymphotoxin-α gene and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk by performing a meta-analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for all studies relating to lymphotoxin-α +252A/G gene polymorphism and NHL risk. Data were retrieved and statistical analyses were performed using the Revman 5.1 and STATA 12.0 software.

RESULTS

Fourteen case-control studies with 25,098 subjects were included. There was no significant association between lymphotoxin-α +252A/G gene polymorphism and the risk of NHL in the all-combined analysis (OR = 1.08, 95%CI: 0.98-1.19 for GG+GA vs. AA; OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.95-1.25 for GG vs. GA+AA). In a subgroup analysis by ethnicity, increased NHL risk was found in North Americans (OR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.05-1.39 for GG+GA vs. AA), no significant association with NHL risk was identified in Asians or Europeans; In a subgroup analysis by NHL subtype, a significantly increased risk was identified in diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients (OR = 1.20 95%CI: 1.11-1.29 for GG+GA vs. AA), but not for follicular lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggested that the lymphotoxin-α +252A/G gene polymorphism is a risk factor for NHL in North Americans, and this polymorphism may contribute to diffuse large B cell lymphoma susceptibility. Future studies that include different types of NHL and ethnicities are needed to support and extend these observations.

Abstract P3-15-07: Cutaneous toxicity and recovery: Is there a difference between breast cancer patients treated with daily radiotherapy in the morning versus the afternoon?

Background: The human body is most immunologically primed to respond to injury one hour after awakening when peak cortisol levels are achieved. Previous studies have shown that acute stressors like surgery induce a redistribution of immune cells within the body and immediate leukocyte trafficking to the skin in response to cutaneous injury. When surgery is performed during peak cortisol levels (AM), recovery is significantly shorter due to the rapid immunologic response. However, no study has assessed whether the timing of daily radiotherapy (RT) treatment (AM vs. PM) impacts cutaneous healing in breast cancer patients undergoing whole breast RT. The purpose of this study is to compare cutaneous toxicity and recovery in breast cancer patients treated in the morning vs. those treated in the afternoon with standard breast RT.

Methods: Forty post-lumpectomy breast cancer patients were enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal ultrasound imaging study to objectively quantify RT-induced cutaneous toxicity and recovery. Twenty-two women received treatment before 9am and eighteen were treated after 3pm for the duration of their treatment course. All subjects received standard whole breast RT (50 Gy plus a 10 Gy boost in 30 total fractions). Patients were assessed 1 week prior to RT (baseline, T1), week 6 of RT (T2), and 6 weeks (T3), 3 months (T4), 6 months (T5) and 1 year (T6) post-RT. All four quadrants of the affected and unaffected breast were imaged with a 10-MHz ultrasound. Epidermal thickness was measured as a proxy for cutaneous toxicity. A skin thickness ratio (STRA) was generated by normalizing the epidermal thickness measurements to the corresponding contralateral breast measurements. RT-induced skin toxicity was assessed by measuring the change in STRA from baseline to T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6. The recovery time point was determined by identifying the STRA ratio measured after RT most closely approximating that of baseline. Differences in STRA for each patient was assessed at each time point and subsequently compared between patients treated daily before 9am vs. those treated after 3pm.

Results: A total of 138 ultrasound scans were examined. Regardless of treatment time (AM vs. PM), the STRA returned to near normal levels at T6 as indicated by non-significant STRA differences when compared to baseline. Skin thickness change maximized at T5 for the pre-9am group (0.380, 95%CI 0.118-0.641) and at T4 for the post-3pm group (0.487, 95%CI 0.162-0.813). Comparison of STRA changes between subjects treated before 9am and after 3pm showed significantly better recovery at T4 for the morning group (p = 0.049), but were not conclusively different at all other time points.

Conclusions: This study is the first of its kind to objectively document the development of skin toxicity in breast cancer patients treated with daily RT in the AM vs. PM using quantitative ultrasound. Our findings suggest that morning treatment with RT may result in less skin toxicity 3 months post-RT but timing of daily RT did not impact cutaneous toxicity during RT or recovery by 6 months and 1 year post-RT. Further investigation is warranted with a larger cohort and consistent follow up to better ascertain the effect size.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-15-07.

Observation of D⁰-D¯⁰ mixing using the CDF II detector

We measure the time dependence of the ratio of decay rates for D0→K(+)π(-) to the Cabibbo-favored decay D(0)→K(-)π(+). The charge conjugate decays are included. A signal of 3.3×10(4) D(*+)→π(+)D(0), D(0)→K(+)π(-) decays is obtained with D0 proper decay times between 0.75 and 10 mean D0 lifetimes. The data were recorded with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 9.6  fb(-1) for pp¯ collisions at √s=1.96  TeV. Assuming CP conservation, we search for D0-D¯0 mixing and measure the mixing parameters to be R(D)=(3.51±0.35)×10(-3), y'=(4.3±4.3)×10(-3), and x'2=(0.08±0.18)×10(-3). We report Bayesian probability intervals in the x'2-y' plane and find that the significance of excluding the no-mixing hypothesis is equivalent to 6.1 Gaussian standard deviations, providing the second observation of D0-D¯0 mixing from a single experiment.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms and the risk of psoriasis: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The gene coding for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been reported to be associated with the development of psoriasis.

AIM

To evaluate the association of psoriasis risk and ACE polymorphisms.

METHODS

We carried out a retrieval of studies that explored associations between ACE polymorphism and psoriasis, and analysed the genotype frequencies.

RESULTS

In total, 8 studies with 1242 patients and 1646 controls were included. The genotype frequencies in all studies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. After pooling all studies, the results indicated that the I/I genotype was associated with risk of psoriasis (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.11-1.80, P = 0.005), whereas the I/D genotype may decrease the risk of psoriasis (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.56-0.90, P = 0.005) in Asian, but not in white populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that ACE polymorphism are associated with the risk of psoriasis in Asians, especially the I/I genotype and I allele. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Direct measurement of the total decay width of the top quark

We present a measurement of the total decay width of the top quark using events with top-antitop quark pair candidates reconstructed in the final state with one charged lepton and four or more hadronic jets. We use the full Tevatron run II data set of sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV proton-antiproton collisions recorded by the CDF II detector. The top quark mass and the mass of the hadronically decaying W boson are reconstructed for each event and compared with distributions derived from simulated signal and background samples to extract the top quark width (Γtop) and the energy scale of the calorimeter jets with in situ calibration. For a top quark mass Mtop=172.5  GeV/c2, we find 1.10<Γtop<4.05  GeV at 68% confidence level, which is in agreement with the standard model expectation of 1.3 GeV and is the most precise direct measurement of the top quark width to date.

Cognitive trio: relationship with major depression and clinical predictors in Han Chinese women

BACKGROUND

Previous studies support Beck's cognitive model of vulnerability to depression. However, the relationship between his cognitive triad and other clinical features and risk factors among those with major depression (MD) has rarely been systematically studied.

METHOD

The three key cognitive symptoms of worthlessness, hopelessness and helplessness were assessed during their lifetime worst episode in 1970 Han Chinese women with recurrent MD. Diagnostic and other risk factor information was assessed at personal interview. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Compared to patients who did not endorse the cognitive trio, those who did had a greater number of DSM-IV A criteria, more individual depressive symptoms, an earlier age at onset, a greater number of episodes, and were more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for melancholia, postnatal depression, dysthymia and anxiety disorders. Hopelessness was highly related to all the suicidal symptomatology, with ORs ranging from 5.92 to 6.51. Neuroticism, stressful life events (SLEs) and a protective parental rearing style were associated with these cognitive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

During the worst episode of MD in Han Chinese women, the endorsement of the cognitive trio was associated with a worse course of depression and an increased risk of suicide. Individuals with high levels of neuroticism, many SLEs and high parental protectiveness were at increased risk for these cognitive depressive symptoms. As in Western populations, symptoms of the cognitive trio appear to play a central role in the psychopathology of MD in Chinese women.

Measurement of the differential cross section dσ/d(cosθ(t)) for Top-Quark Pair Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV

We report a measurement of the differential cross section dσ/d(cosθ(t)) for top-quark pair production as a function of the top-quark production angle in proton-antiproton collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV. This measurement is performed using data collected with the CDF II detector at the Tevatron, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.4 fb(-1). We employ the Legendre polynomials to characterize the shape of the differential cross section at the parton level. The observed Legendre coefficients are in good agreement with the prediction of the next-to-leading-order standard-model calculation, with the exception of an excess linear-term coefficient a(1) = 0.40 ± 0.12, compared to the standard-model prediction of a(1)=0.15(-0.03)(+0.07).