Preventive treatments for breast cancer: recent developments

Breast cancer is a burden for western societies, and an increasing one in emerging economies, because of its high incidence and enormous psychological, social, sanitary and economic costs. However, breast cancer is a preventable disease in a significant proportion. Recent developments in the armamentarium of effective drugs for breast cancer prevention (namely exemestane and anastrozole), the new recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to use preventative drugs in women at high risk as well as updated Guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force and the American Society of Clinical Oncology should give renewed momentum to the pharmacological prevention of breast cancer. In this article we review recent major developments in the field and examine their ongoing repercussion for breast cancer prevention. As a practical example, the potential impact of preventive measures in Spain is evaluated and a course of practical actions is delineated.

[Comprehensive care program for the mentally ill in Spanish prisons (PAIEM): assessment after four years operation]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the comprehensive care program for the mentally ill in prison (PAIEM), which has been implemented for 3 years in Spanish prisons with the aim of improving processes and results.

METHODS

Descriptive study of the data gathered from an anonymous questionnaire completed by members of the PAIEM team in prisons. Frequency distributions were obtained of all the variables relating to facts, attitudes, opinions, experiences, situations and processes of the PAIEM.

RESULTS

91.2% of the PAIEM teams responded. Psychologists, educators, doctors and social workers were the professionals that collaborated most actively in the PAIEM (73%-84%) and were the ones to act most frequently as tutors. The mentally ill are usually located in ordinary modules (80%). The most commonly used activities for their psycho-social rehabilitation are self care (73%), education for health, preparation for daily life and social skills (more than 60%). Interventions with families are basically by telephone (79%). Bivariate analysis showed that the PAIEMs that operate most effectively are those that coordinate well with other technical teams, that prepare referral more than six months prior to release and ones where the NGOs process the referrals. Over 71% of the professionals observed improvements of disabilities and needs in over half the patients more than half of the professionals involved are satisfied (3.4/5) with their participation, although they acknowledge that there is a greater work load.

CONCLUSIONS

The activities of the PAIEM are adequate, especially in the phases of early detection, stabilisation and rehabilitation and less so in the social incorporation phase, which improves when the third sector intervenes in referrals of patients to the social health care network outside prison.

Inhibition of PKC-dependent extracellular Ca2+ entry contributes to the depression of contractile activity in long-term pressure-overloaded endothelium-denuded rat aortas

We examined the contractile responsiveness of rat thoracic aortas under pressure overload after long-term suprarenal abdominal aortic coarctation (lt-Srac). Endothelium-dependent angiotensin II (ANG II) type 2 receptor (AT₂R)-mediated depression of contractions to ANG II has been reported in short-term (1 week) pressure-overloaded rat aortas. Contractility was evaluated in the aortic rings of rats subjected to lt-Srac or sham surgery (Sham) for 8 weeks. ANG I and II levels and AT₂R protein expression in the aortas of lt-Srac and Sham rats were also evaluated. lt-Srac attenuated the contractions of ANG II and phenylephrine in the aortas in an endothelium-independent manner. However, lt-Srac did not influence the transient contractions induced in endothelium-denuded aortic rings by ANG II, phenylephrine, or caffeine in Ca²⁺-free medium or the subsequent tonic constrictions induced by the addition of Ca²⁺ in the absence of agonists. Thus, the contractions induced by Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores and Ca²⁺ influx through stored-operated channels were not inhibited in the aortas of lt-Srac rats. Potassium-elicited contractions in endothelium-denuded aortic rings of lt-Srac rats remained unaltered compared with control tissues. Consequently, the contractile depression observed in aortic tissues of lt-Srac rats cannot be explained by direct inhibition of voltage-operated Ca²⁺ channels. Interestingly, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced contractions in endothelium-denuded aortic rings of lt-Srac rats were depressed in the presence but not in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. Neither levels of angiotensins nor of AT₂R were modified in the aortas after lt-Srac. The results suggest that, in rat thoracic aortas, lt-Srac selectively inhibited protein kinase C-mediated activation of contraction that is dependent on extracellular Ca²⁺ entry.

Testing Aβ toxicity on primary CNS cultures using drug-screening microfluidic chips

Open microscale cultures of primary central nervous system (CNS) cells have been implemented in microfluidic chips that can expose the cells to physiological fluidic shear stress conditions. Cells in the chips were exposed to differently aggregated forms of beta-amyloid (Aβ), i.e. conditions mimicking an Alzheimer's Disease environment, and treated with CNS drugs in order to assess the contribution of glial cells during pharmacological treatments. FTY720, a drug approved for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, was found to play a marked neuroprotective role in neuronal cultures as well as in microglia-enriched neuronal cultures, preventing neurodegeneration after cell exposure to neurotoxic oligomers of Aβ.

Measurement of the inclusive leptonic asymmetry in top-quark pairs that decay to two charged leptons at CDF

We measure the inclusive forward-backward asymmetry of the charged-lepton pseudorapidities from top-quark pairs produced in proton-antiproton collisions and decaying to final states that contain two charged leptons (electrons or muons). The data are collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 9.1 fb(-1). We measure the leptonic forward-backward asymmetry, A(FB)(ℓ), to be 0.072 ± 0.060 and the leptonic pair forward-backward asymmetry, A(FB)(ℓℓ), to be 0.076 ± 0.082. The measured values can be compared with the standard model predictions of A(FB)(ℓ) = 0.038 ± 0.003 and A(FB)(ℓℓ) = 0.048 ± 0.004, respectively. Additionally, we combine the A(FB)(ℓ) result with a previous determination from a final state with a single lepton and hadronic jets and obtain A(FB)(ℓ) = 0.090(-0.026)(+0.028).

Evidence for s-channel single-top-quark production in events with one charged lepton and two jets at CDF

We report evidence for s-channel single-top-quark production in proton-antiproton collisions at center-of-mass energy sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV using a data set that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 9.4 fb(-1) collected by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We select events consistent with the s-channel process including two jets and one leptonically decaying W boson. The observed significance is 3.8 standard deviations with respect to the background-only prediction. Assuming a top-quark mass of 172.5 GeV/c(2), we measure the s-channel cross section to be 1.41(-0.42)(+0.44) pb.

Search for s-channel single-top-quark production in events with missing energy plus jets in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV

The first search for single-top-quark production from the exchange of an s-channel virtual W boson using events with an imbalance in the total transverse energy, b-tagged jets, and no identified leptons is presented. Assuming the electroweak production of top quarks of mass 172.5 GeV/c(2) in the s channel, a cross section of 1.12(-0.57)(+0.61) (stat+syst) pb with a significance of 1.9 standard deviations is measured. This measurement is combined with the result obtained from events with an imbalance in total transverse momentum, b-tagged jets, and exactly one identified lepton, yielding a cross section of 1.36(-0.32)(+0.37) (stat+syst) pb, with a significance of 4.2 standard deviations.

Observation of s-channel production of single top quarks at the Tevatron

We report the first observation of single-top-quark production in the s channel through the combination of the CDF and D0 measurements of the cross section in proton-antiproton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. The data correspond to total integrated luminosities of up to 9.7 fb(-1) per experiment. The measured cross section is σ(s) = 1.29(-0.24)(+0.26) pb. The probability of observing a statistical fluctuation of the background to a cross section of the observed size or larger is 1.8 × 10(-10), corresponding to a significance of 6.3 standard deviations for the presence of an s-channel contribution to the production of single-top quarks.

Measurement of B(t→Wb)/B(t→Wq) in top-quark-pair decays using dilepton events and the full CDF Run II data set

We present a measurement of the ratio of the top-quark branching fractions R=B(t→Wb)/B(t→Wq), where q represents any quark flavor, in events with two charged leptons, imbalance in total transverse energy, and at least two jets. The measurement uses proton-antiproton collision data at center-of-mass energy 1.96 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 8.7  fb^{-1} collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab during Run II of the Tevatron. We measure R to be 0.87±0.07, and extract the magnitude of the top-bottom quark coupling to be |V_{tb}|=0.93±0.04, assuming three generations of quarks. Under these assumptions, a lower limit of |V_{tb}|>0.85(0.87) at 95% (90%) credibility level is set.

[Perioperative management of atrial fibrillation]

Atrial fibrillation is a frequent complication in the perioperative period. When it appears there is an increased risk of perioperative morbidity due to stroke, thromboembolism, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, anticoagulation haemorrhage, and hospital readmissions. The current article focuses on the recommendations for the management of perioperative atrial fibrillation based on the latest Clinical Practice Guidelines on atrial fibrillation by the European Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Cardiology. This article pays special attention to the preoperative management, as well as to the acute perioperative episode. For this reason, the latest recommendations for the control of cardiac frequency, antiarrhythmic treatment and anticoagulation are included.

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.

Follow-up of loci from the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Disease Project identifies TRIP4 as a novel susceptibility gene

To follow-up loci discovered by the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Disease Project, we attempted independent replication of 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a large Spanish sample (Fundació ACE data set; 1808 patients and 2564 controls). Our results corroborate association with four SNPs located in the genes INPP5D, MEF2C, ZCWPW1 and FERMT2, respectively. Of these, ZCWPW1 was the only SNP to withstand correction for multiple testing (P=0.000655). Furthermore, we identify TRIP4 (rs74615166) as a novel genome-wide significant locus for Alzheimer's disease risk (odds ratio=1.31; confidence interval 95% (1.19-1.44); P=9.74 × 10(-)(9)).

Incidence of intraneural needle insertion in ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block: a comparison between the out-of-plane versus the in-plane approaches

BACKGROUND

The optimal method of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block (in-plane vs. out-of-plane) has not been established. We tested the hypothesis that the incidence of needle-nerve contact may be higher with out-of-plane than with in-plane needle insertion.

METHODS

Forty-four patients with hip fracture (American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I-III) were randomized to receive the femoral block with an out-of-plane approach (needle inserted at a 45-60° angle 1cm caudal to the midpoint of the ultrasound probe just above the femoral nerve) or with an in-plane technique (needle inserted 0.2-0.4 cm from the side of the probe lateral to the femoral nerve). Data collected included depth of needle insertion, response to nerve electric stimulation, and distribution of the injected volume in relation to the nerve (anterior vs. posterior, the latter assuming needle-nerve contact). The sensory block onset was tested at 20 min and block recovery and any neurologic symptoms were evaluated at 24h.

RESULTS

The incidence of needle-nerve contact was significantly higher with the out-of-plane approach (14/22 patients [64%]) than with the in-plane approach (2/22 patients [9%]) (p<0.001) (OR=17.5, 95% CI: 4-79). The rate of paraesthesia on crossing the fascia iliaca was similar in the two groups. All blocks uneventfully regressed; and no patient developed neurologic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the conditions of our study, needle-nerve contact during femoral nerve block occurs frequently with the out-of-plane approach. An in-plane approach results in an equally effective femoral block and less incidence of needle-nerve contact.

143 COMPARISON OF COMMERCIAL IN VITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION AND PREGNANCY RATES OF BRAHMAN DONORS IN PANAMA VERSUS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

It has been previously demonstrated (IETS 2011) that Panama is applying the biotechnology of in vitro embryo production (IVP) to their bovine reproduction management systems. The present work demonstrates the ability to apply the IVP technology across 2 distant country borders. Herein, we demonstrate that a country (Dominican Republic; DR) that does not have a bovine IVP laboratory can take advantage of fresh bovine IVP embryos for transfer using distant IVP facilities in another country (Panama; ~1500 km away). The objective of this study was to demonstrate that a model system for large-scale commercial in vitro bovine embryo production for beef and dairy producers, that do not have IVP technology in their home country, could be developed producing comparable results. As the same laboratory provides IVP services to the both countries, a special sanitary protocol was developed in order to legalize the exchange of biological materials (oocytes or embryos). The data obtained in DR was compared to Panamanian client data because identical conditions were utilised for IVP. Cattle production systems were similar, as Brahman (a Zebu type of cattle) is the most popular breed in both countries. Oocytes were collected from 10 different herds in Panama and 4 different herds in DR. The oocytes were transported in an oocyte transporter in both instances. However, oocytes from DR were transported in InVitro Brasil™ maturation medium from 12 to 18 h and in Panama from 6 to 12 h before they were placed in a standard CO2 incubator. In both cases, the oocytes were matured for 24 h before fertilization with conventionally frozen Brahman semen in InVitro Brasil™ fertilization medium, followed by culture for up to 7 days in InVitro Brasil™ embryo culture medium. The embryos were transferred on Day 7, either in Panama or DR. They were transported by car in Panama and via airplane back to DR. A comparison of oocyte number and quality, cleavage, embryo production, and pregnancy rate, was made using the same in vitro production system for Brahman donors from September 2012 until May 2013. The difference between sites in the relative number of viable oocytes, relative number of cleaved oocytes among viable oocytes, relative number of embryos produced among cleaved oocytes, and relative number of embryos produced among viable oocytes was tested using Fisher's exact test. Pregnancy rate was analysed with chi-squared. We realise these results represent field data; however, we believe the present work is a significant step in demonstrating the potential for wide commercial-scale dissemination of IVP technology between distant countries. The number of embryos produced in Panama was slightly, but significantly, higher than those produced in DR; this is likely due to the larger number of donors and oocytes from the Panamanian herds. However, the pregnancy rate was higher in DR, likely due to the health status of DR recipients. These data illustrate that IVP using Brahman donors could be used as a tool to improve and spread superior genetics. Furthermore, this technique can serve as a model for other Central American and Caribbean countries under similar management systems. Table 1.Panama and the Dominican Republic in vitro Brahman embryo production and pregnancy (September 2012 through May 2013)

48 EFFECTS OF LIPID METABOLIC REGULATORS DURING BOVINE EMBRYO CULTURE ON BLASTOCYST DEVELOPMENT AND CRYOSURVIVAL

The overall objective was to determine the effects of addition of lipid metabolic regulators during embryo culture on blastocyst development and survival following cryopreservation. For Experiment 1, embryos produced in vitro were cultured in 5% (vol/vol) oxygen in SOF-bovine embryo 1 (SOF-BE1) medium supplemented with or without 100 μM trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and 0.3 μM phenazine ethosulfate (PES). Treatment with CLA began at the initiation of culture, whereas treatment with PES began at Day 3 after insemination. At Day 7 after insemination, the proportion of oocytes that developed to the blastocyst and advanced blastocyst (expanded, hatching, or hatched) stages was recorded. Blastocysts and expanded blastocyst-stage embryos were harvested and slow frozen in 1.5 M ethylene glycol. Embryos were thawed and then cultured for 72 h in SOF-BE1 medium containing 10% (vol/vol) fetal bovine serum and 50 μM dithiothreitol. Re-expansion and hatching rates were recorded at 24, 48, and 72 h. Addition of CLA had no effect on embryo development, whereas PES reduced (P < 0.01) development to the blastocyst (26.0 ± 0.8 v. 22.1 ± 0.8%) and advanced blastocyst (19.2 ± 0.9 v. 14.4 ± 0.9%) stages. Blastocysts cultured in the presence of CLA had higher (P < 0.05) re-expansion rates at 24, 48, and 72 h (50.8 ± 3.7 v. 65.7 ± 3.7%, 57.2 ± 4.0 v. 72.0 ± 4.05%, and 57.2 ± 4.0 v. 72.0 ± 4.0%, respectively). Addition of CLA tended (P < 0.07) to increase the hatching rate at 24 h and did increase (P < 0.05) the hatching rate at 48 h (12.4 ± 1.3 v. 16.2 ± 1.3% and 39.0 ± 3.2 v. 50.0 ± 3.2%, respectively). Treatment with PES had no effect on re-expansion rates but reduced (P < 0.05) hatching rates at 24 and 48 h (18.2 ± 1.3 v. 10.3 ± 1.3 and 50.2 ± 3.2 v. 38.8 ± 3.2%, respectively). There was no interaction between CLA and PES affecting embryo development or cryosurvival. For Experiment 2, embryos were produced in vitro as in Experiment 1 and cultured in SOF-BE1 medium with or without 3.03 mM L-carnitine (LC) and 10 μM forskolin (FK). Treatment with LC began at the initiation of culture and treatment with FK began at Day 6. All other methods were as described for Experiment 1. Addition of LC did not affect development to the blastocyst stage but reduced (P < 0.05) development to the advanced blastocyst stage (21.0 ± 1.2 v. 17.1 ± 1.2%). Treatment with FK had no effect on embryo development to the blastocyst or advanced blastocyst stages. Blastocysts cultured in the presence of LC had increased (P < 0.05) re-expansion rates at 24, 48, and 72 h (60.2 ± 2.0 v. 78.0 ± 2.0%, 62.9 ± 1.2 v. 83.3 ± 1.2%, and 63.0 ± 2.4 v. 82.8 ± 2.4%, respectively) and hatching rates at 48 and 72 h (48.6 ± 4.3 v. 64.1 ± 4.3% and 59.6 ± 3.0 v. 78.5 ± 3.0%, respectively). There was no effect of FK on cryosurvival and no interaction between LC and FK affecting embryo development or cryosurvival. In conclusion, blastocyst yield was not improved by any of the lipid metabolic regulators tested. Cryosurvival was enhanced by addition of CLA and LC but FK reduced survival following freezing. There were no additive effects of either CLA and PES or LC and FK for blastocyst yield or cryosurvival.Support was provided by USDA AFRI Grant 2010-85122-20623.

Abstract P3-08-17: Objectively measured physical activity in breast cancer survivors

Background: Obesity and physical inactivity are poor prognostic indicators for breast cancer (BC). Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) is a good predictor of survival. Despite preserved LVEF, cardiorespiratory function is impaired in women with breast cancer after the completion of adjuvant therapy. International organizations recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Some studies show that a minority of cancer survivors are meeting the PA recommendations. A limitation of physical activity (PA) research has been the use of self-reported measures.

Eligibility criteria: 1) Age 18-79, 2) Able to walk a mile, 3) More than one year from diagnosis, 4) More than 3 months since the last therapy, 5) No evidence of disease.

Aims: Objective assessment of physical activity in breast cancer survivors. Adherence to international recommendations.

Material and methods: PA was evaluated through accelerometry (600 minutes per day, 5 days per week, 2 week-end days were required to consider as valid accelerometry values). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed through the “one-mile test”.

Results: 92 women (W) with BC history were included. 86 W were evaluable for accelerometry. 85 W were evaluable for VO2max. Age: 54.02 years (33-77), BMI: 27.89 (SD 8.89), waist perimeter: 89.74 cm (SD 17.37), median time from diagnosis 3.94 years, treatment with anthracyclines 55 W (63.9%), radiotherapy 69 W (80.23%). Accelerometry (86W): Average weekly time MVPA 351.14 min/wk (SD: 168.98). 76 (88%) met international recommendations of PA. Women previously treated with anthracyclines (47 W; 340.25 min/wk), radiotherapy (59 w; 343 min/wk) and both (48 W; 331 min/wk) exercised less than women who did not receive these therapies (8 W; 386 min/wk). This association was not statistically significant.

Average VO2max was 24.8 ml/kg/min (SD: 7.6).There was a significant effect of anthracyclines for VO2 max. Women not treated with anthracyclines had a VO2max: 26.41 whereas treated W had VO2max 22.08 ml/kg/min.

Discussion: A cohort of Spanish women met international recommendations of PA when it was objectively assessed. This cohort exhibited a poor cardiometabolic and cardiorespiratory profile. Previous exposure to anthracyclines predicted a poorer cardiorespiratory fitness. Specific research to investigate the role of exercise to mitigate that dysfunction in breast cancer survivors is warranted.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-08-17.

Microglia convert aggregated amyloid-β into neurotoxic forms through the shedding of microvesicles

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, which activates microglia, induces neuroinflammation and drives neurodegeneration. Recent evidence indicates that soluble pre-fibrillar Aβ species, rather than insoluble fibrils, are the most toxic forms of Aβ. Preventing soluble Aβ formation represents, therefore, a major goal in AD. We investigated whether microvesicles (MVs) released extracellularly by reactive microglia may contribute to AD degeneration. We found that production of myeloid MVs, likely of microglial origin, is strikingly high in AD patients and in subjects with mild cognitive impairment and that AD MVs are toxic for cultured neurons. The mechanism responsible for MV neurotoxicity was defined in vitro using MVs produced by primary microglia. We demonstrated that neurotoxicity of MVs results from (i) the capability of MV lipids to promote formation of soluble Aβ species from extracellular insoluble aggregates and (ii) from the presence of neurotoxic Aβ forms trafficked to MVs after Aβ internalization into microglia. MV neurotoxicity was neutralized by the Aβ-interacting protein PrP and anti-Aβ antibodies, which prevented binding to neurons of neurotoxic soluble Aβ species. This study identifies microglia-derived MVs as a novel mechanism by which microglia participate in AD degeneration, and suggest new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of the disease.

Biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of uniform magnetite nanoparticles chemically modified with polyethylene glycol

The influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafting on the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and elimination of iron oxide nanoparticles is studied in this work. Magnetite nanoparticles (12 nm) were obtained via thermal decomposition of an iron coordination complex as a precursor. Particles were coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and conjugated to PEG-derived molecules by 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide (EDC) chemistry. Using a rat model, we explored the nanoparticle biodistribution pattern in blood and in different organs (liver, spleen and lungs) after intravenous administration of the product. The time of residence in blood was measured from the evolution of water proton relaxivities with time and Fe analysis in blood samples. The results showed that the residence time was doubled for PEG coated nanoparticles and consequently particle accumulation in liver and spleen was reduced. Post-mortem histological analyses showed no alterations in the liver and confirm heterogeneous distribution of NPs in the organ, in agreement with magnetic measurements and iron analysis. Finally, by successive magnetic resonance images we studied the evolution of contrast in the liver and measured the absorption, time of residence and excretion of nanoparticles in the liver during a one month period. On the basis of these results we propose different metabolic routes that determine the fate of magnetic nanoparticles.

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.

Meta-analysis of 74,046 individuals identifies 11 new susceptibility loci for Alzheimer's disease

Eleven susceptibility loci for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) were identified by previous studies; however, a large portion of the genetic risk for this disease remains unexplained. We conducted a large, two-stage meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in individuals of European ancestry. In stage 1, we used genotyped and imputed data (7,055,881 SNPs) to perform meta-analysis on 4 previously published GWAS data sets consisting of 17,008 Alzheimer's disease cases and 37,154 controls. In stage 2, 11,632 SNPs were genotyped and tested for association in an independent set of 8,572 Alzheimer's disease cases and 11,312 controls. In addition to the APOE locus (encoding apolipoprotein E), 19 loci reached genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10(-8)) in the combined stage 1 and stage 2 analysis, of which 11 are newly associated with Alzheimer's disease.

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.

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).

Vagus nerve stimulation during rehabilitative training improves forelimb strength following ischemic stroke

Upper limb impairment is a common debilitating consequence of ischemic stroke. Physical rehabilitation after stroke enhances neuroplasticity and improves limb function, but does not typically restore normal movement. We have recently developed a novel method that uses vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with forelimb movements to drive specific, long-lasting map plasticity in rat primary motor cortex. Here we report that VNS paired with rehabilitative training can enhance recovery of forelimb force generation following infarction of primary motor cortex in rats. Quantitative measures of forelimb function returned to pre-lesion levels when VNS was delivered during rehab training. Intensive rehab training without VNS failed to restore function back to pre-lesion levels. Animals that received VNS during rehab improved twice as much as rats that received the same rehabilitation without VNS. VNS delivered during physical rehabilitation represents a novel method that may provide long-lasting benefits towards stroke recovery.

Measurement of the cross section for direct-photon production in association with a heavy quark in pp[over ¯] collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

We report on a measurement of the cross section for direct-photon production in association with a heavy quark using the full data set of sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV proton-antiproton collisions corresponding to 9.1  fb-1 of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The measurements are performed as a function of the photon transverse momentum, covering a photon transverse momentum between 30 and 300 GeV, photon rapidities |yγ|<1.0, a heavy-quark-jet transverse momentum pTjet>20  GeV, and jet rapidities |yjet|<1.5. The results are compared with several theoretical predictions.

Search for pair production of strongly interacting particles decaying to pairs of jets in pp collisions at √s=1.96 TeV

We present a search for the pair production of a narrow nonstandard-model strongly interacting particle that decays to a pair of quarks or gluons, leading to a final state with four hadronic jets. We consider both nonresonant production via an intermediate gluon as well as resonant production via a distinct nonstandard-model intermediate strongly interacting particle. We use data collected by the CDF experiment in proton-antiproton collisions at √[s]=1.96 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6.6 fb(-1). We find the data to be consistent with nonresonant production. We report limits on σ(pp[over ¯]→jjjj) as a function of the masses of the hypothetical intermediate particles. Upper limits on the production cross sections for nonstandard-model particles in several resonant and nonresonant processes are also derived.

Multiplex real-time PCR for prompt diagnosis of an outbreak of human parainfluenza 3 virus in children with acute leukemia

Introduction

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) causes significant morbimortality in immunocompromised patients. Outbreaks of severe pneumonitis have been previously described in this setting.

Materials and methods

Retrospective observational study in children diagnosed with acute leukemia and a documented HPIV-3 infection in the context of a nosocomial outbreak occurred in a single center.

Result

During summer 2012, an HPIV-3 infection was detected in six hospitalized children with acute leukemia. All the patients had respiratory symptoms and one of them suffered from parotitis.

Conclusion

Early diagnoses using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) let us control this outbreak. A phylogenetic analysis confirmed person-to-person transmission of a single HPIV-3 variant.