Three-dimensional characterization of BaHfO3 precipitates in GdBa2Cu3O7-y flim using STEM tomography

IntroductionSince the discovery of REBa2Cu3O7-y (RE: Rare Earth element, REBCO) superconductors, they have been expected as the best candidates for the power cable application due to its high critical temperature (Tc) and critical current density (Jc). Among those REBCO superconductors, GdBa2Cu3O7-y (GdBCO) have been receiving great interest because they have higher Tc and Jc than YBa2Cu3O7-y [1].GdBCO with various types of precipitates as artificial pinning centers (APCs) have been proposed to minimize the anisotropy of Jc characteristics under the magnetic field. Among those precipitates, BaHfO3 (BHO) was found most effective precipitates as APCs in GdBCO film prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method [2]. It is therefore necessary to investigate not only the morphologies but also the dispersion of BHO precipitates within the GdBCO, to understand the role of BHO for the superconducting characteristics. In this study, morphologies and dispersions of BHO precipitates were characterized three-dimensional by scanning transmission electron tomography ExperimentalBHO dispersed GdBCO films were fabricated on Hastelloy C-276TM substrates with buffer layers of CeO2/LaMnO3/MgO/ Gd2ZrO7 by PLD method.To observe microstructure of GdBCO film with BHO precipitates, cross-section TEM specimens were prepared by FIB method using Quanta 3D-200 (FEI, USA) with acceleration voltage from 2 to 30 kV. Three-dimensional information such as morphology and dispersion, of BHO precipitates were characterized by electron tomography using STEM-HAADF. Result and discussionFigure 1 shows three-dimensional reconstructed volume of BHO precipitates in GdBCO, which revealed that fine BHO precipitates have rod- and plate-like morphologies with homogeneous dispersion in GdBCO. In addition, growth directions of these precipitates were found with wide angular distributions from growth direction of GdBCO. Anisotropy of Jc in the magnetic fields was probably enhanced by various growth directions and homogeneous dispersion of nanosized BHO within GdBCO.jmicro;63/suppl_1/i26/DFU080F1F1DFU080F1Fig. 1.Three-dimensional reconstructed volume of BHO.

Spin-chirality-driven ferroelectricity on a perfect triangular lattice antiferromagnet

Magnetic field (B) variation of the electrical polarization P(c) (∥c) of the perfect triangular lattice antiferromagnet RbFe(MoO(4))(2) is examined up to the saturation point of the magnetization for B⊥c. P(c) is observed only in phases for which chirality is predicted in the in-plane magnetic structures. No strong anomaly is observed in P(c) at the field at which the spin modulation along the c axis, and hence the spin helicity, exhibits a discontinuity to the commensurate state. These results indicate that the ferroelectricity in this compound originates predominantly from the spin chirality, the explanation of which would require a new mechanism for magnetoferroelectricity. The obtained field-temperature phase diagram of ferroelectricity agree well with those theoretically predicted for the spin chirality of a Heisenberg spin triangular lattice antiferromagnet.

The degeneration and destruction of femoral articular cartilage shows a greater degree of deterioration than that of the tibial and patellar articular cartilage in early stage knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to examine whether the degenerative and morphological changes of articular cartilage in early stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) occurred equally for both femoral- and tibial- or patellar- articular cartilage using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based analyses.

DESIGN

This cross-sectional study was approved by the ethics committee of our university. Fifty patients with early stage painful knee OA were enrolled. The patients underwent 3.0 T MRI on the affected knee joint. Healthy volunteers who did not show MRI-based OA changes were also recruited as controls (n = 19). The degenerative changes of the articular cartilage were quantified by a T2 mapping analysis, and any structural changes were conducted using Whole Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) technique.

RESULTS

All patients showed MRI-detected OA morphological changes. The T2 values of femoral condyle (FC) (P < 0.0001) and groove (P = 0.0001) in patients with early stage knee OA were significantly increased in comparison to those in the control, while no significant differences in the T2 values of patellar and tibial plateau (TP) were observed between the patients and the control. The WORMS cartilage and osteophyte scores of the femoral articular cartilage were significantly higher than those in the patellar- (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively) and tibial- (P = 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively) articular cartilage in the patients with early stage knee OA.

CONCLUSIONS

The degradation and destruction of the femoral articular cartilage demonstrated a greater degree of deterioration than those of the tibial- and patellar- articular cartilage in patients with early stage knee OA.

Accurate ultrasonographic prediction of progesterone concentrations greater than 1 ng/ml in Holstein lactating dairy cows

To develop an ultrasonographic assay for determining plasma progesterone concentration (P4 ) as < 1 ng/ml or ≥ 1 ng/ml, the corpus luteum (CL) area and P4 were measured in 1094 multiparous Holstein cows. The area-measuring function and frozen images were used to outline and measure CL imaged via ultrasonography, and CL area was estimated as a polygon of a continuation straight line. A significant correlation was found between CL area and P4 (p < 0.001), and this analysis resulted in the following correlation equation: y = -0.35 + 1.02x (r = 0.81). According to the correlation equation, a CL area of 1.3 cm(2) indicated a P4 of 1 ng/ml. Based on this relationship, each animal was categorized into one of six groups, groups differed based on CL area, and the area ranges were as follows: < 1.3 cm(2) (Group A), 1.3-2.2 cm(2) (Group B), 2.3-3.2 cm(2) (Group C), 3.3-4.2 cm(2) (Group D), 4.3-5.2 cm(2) (Group E) and > 5.2 cm(2) (Group F). For each group, the proportion of cows whose P4 was 1 ng/ml or more was 1.5% in Group A, 83.3% in Group B, 76.6% in Group C, 96.6% in Group D, 99.2% in Group E and 100% in Group F. There was a significant difference between Group A and the other five groups, and between Groups B or C and Groups D, E or F (p < 0.005). These results indicate that a functional CL does not exist when the CL area is less than 1.3 cm(2) and that it exists when the CL area is 3.3 cm(2) or more.

In vivo comet assay of a novel galacto-oligosaccharide in rats

A novel galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) manufactured by a two-step enzyme reaction of lactose was examined in a comet assay for its potential to induce DNA damage in vivo by estimating the DNA fragmentation level in the cellular nuclei of the glandular stomach, colon, and peripheral blood. GOS was orally administered at doses of 0 (vehicle alone), 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day to five male Crl: CD(Sprague Dawley) rats per group three times (48, 24, and 3 h before the animals were terminated). The specimens were prepared in accordance with the standard protocol (version 14.2) of the “International Validation of the In Vivo Rodent Alkaline Comet Assay for the Detection of Genotoxic Carcinogens” organized by the Japanese Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods. No significant differences in the percentage of DNA in the tail were observed between the GOS-treated groups and vehicle controls in any of the organs evaluated. Additionally, no GOS-related clinical signs or effects on body weight were seen. Based on these results, the comet assay of GOS in the glandular stomach, colon, and peripheral blood using rats was judged negative. Therefore, it is concluded that GOS did not induce DNA damage in vivo under the conditions employed in this study.

Radiation-associated small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the thyroid: a case report with molecular analyses

BACKGROUND

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the thyroid other than medullary carcinoma is extremely rare. We describe here a case of calcitonin-negative small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC), which occurred in a thyroid gland that had previously been irradiated at high dose (60 Gy) for pharyngeal cancer, with molecular analyses for follicular cell origin.

PATIENT FINDINGS

The tumor cells were small with fine chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and inapparent cytoplasm, and showed neuroendocrine architectures such as palisading, rosettes, and trabeculae. Mitotic figures were numerous exceeding 10 mitoses per 10 high-power fields. The tumor cells invaded into several vessels and metastasized to regional lymph nodes. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for neuroendocrine markers and thyroglobulin (Tg), a marker of thyroid follicular cells but negative for calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Expression of Tg and thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) were confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Ki-67 labeling index was more than 70% in the tumor cells. Taken together, the tumor was diagnosed as SCNEC of the thyroid. Genetic analyses also revealed microsatellite abnormalities of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene, suggesting that functional loss of PTEN contributes to carcinogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report describing a SCNEC of the thyroid with molecular analyses that provide evidence for a follicular epithelial origin.

Reliable binary cell-fate decisions based on oscillations

Biological systems have often to perform binary decisions under highly dynamic and noisy environments, such as during cell-fate determination. These decisions can be implemented by two main bifurcation mechanisms based on the transitions from either monostability or oscillation to bistability. We compare these two mechanisms by using stochastic models with time-varying fields and by establishing asymptotic formulas for the choice probabilities. Different scaling laws for decision sensitivity with respect to noise strength and signal timescale are obtained, supporting a role for oscillatory dynamics in performing noise-robust and temporally tunable binary decision-making. This result provides a rationale for recent experimental evidences showing that oscillatory expression of proteins often precedes binary cell-fate decisions.

Abstract P3-14-05: Randomized phase II study of preoperative docetaxel and cyclophosphamide-containing chemotherapy for luminal-type breast cancer

Background: We compared and evaluated three 6-cycle, docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC)-containing chemotherapy regimens in a multicenter randomized phase II study. The main aim was to investigate whether anthracyclines are needed or can be omitted, and whether the order of chemotherapy is important, for treating luminal-type breast cancer.

Methods: We recruited patients (pts) with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer aged 20–70 years, and histo-pathologically invasive breast cancer (T1c-3, N0-1, M0), T≤7cm. Pts were randomized to 3 groups for the following treatments: 6 cycles of TC; 3 cycles of 5-FU/epirubicin/cyclophosphamide (FEC) followed by 3 cycles of TC (FEC-TC); and 3 cycles of TC followed by 3 cycles of FEC (TC-FEC). TC treatment consisted of administration of docetaxel at 75 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide at 600 mg/m2 once every 3 weeks. FEC treatment consisted of administration of 5-FU at 500 mg/m2, epirubicin at 100 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide at 500 mg/m2 once every 3 weeks. We aimed to enroll 65 pts per group based on an expected pCR rate among regimens of adding 10% at a threshold of 9%. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR) rate. Secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), breast conservation rate and safety.

Results: A total of 195 pts (median age, 49.5 years (range, 26–69); median tumor size, 32.8 mm (range, 9–82); 91 pts with N(+) (51%)) were enrolled and randomized as follows: FEC-TC (n = 65), TC-FEC (n = 63), and TC group (n = 67). There were no differences in backgrounds among groups. Both the intention-to-treat population and the safety analysis set included 65, 63 and 65 pts in these groups, respectively. The 6-cycle treatment completion rates were 96.9%, 96.8% and 84.6%, respectively. pCR, defined as yT0/isyN0, was achieved by 9.2% of pts in the FEC-TC group, 8.1% in the TC-FEC group, and 15.9% in the TC group (p = 0.321). A quasi pCR in breast (yT0/is and near pCR) was achieved by 13.9%, 14.5%, and 17.5%, respectively. These responses did not differ among the 3 groups. ORRs, assessed by MRI or CT, were 75.8% (CR: 12.9%), 75% (CR: 5%), and 82.2% (CR: 17.9%) in the FEC-TC, TC-FEC and TC groups, respectively. Breast conservation rates were 50.8%, 45.2%, and 73.0%, respectively.Adverse events of Grade≥3 were observed in 20.0%, 27.0%, and 20.3% of pts in the FEC-TC, TC-FEC, and TC groups, respectively, with no significant differences. Febrile neutropenia was observed in 17.2%, 21.0%, and 11.3%, respectively, but in most cases it was managed sufficiently on an outpatient basis. Of 28, 27 and 23 pts in these groups in whom mastectomy was planned, 9 (32%), 5 (19%), and 10 (44%) were successfully converted to undergo breast-conserving surgery. Of 37, 35 and 40 pts in the FEC-TC, TC-FEC and TC groups in whom breast-conserving surgery was planned, 13 (35%), 12 (34%), and 4 (10%) underwent mastectomy.

Conclusion: Six cycles of TC had therapeutic effects and safety equivalent to FEC-TC and TC-FEC. The 3 treatment groups showed similar pCR rates, although the breast conservation rate was significantly higher in the TC group than in the other 2 groups. It may be possible to conduct preoperative chemotherapy for pts with ER-positive breast cancer without using an anthracycline.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-14-05.

A one-generation reproduction toxicity study in rats treated orally with a novel galacto-oligosaccharide

Galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) is a naturally occurring prebiotic that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of colon bacteria to improve host health. A novel GOS was administered by gavage to male and female Sprague Dawley rats at 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day for 10 weeks. In males, administration of GOS was initiated prior to mating and continued for 91 days. Females received GOS beginning 2 weeks prior to mating through day 20 of lactation. Parents were observed daily, and body weight (BW) and feed consumption were measured. Vaginal smears, mating behavior, and observation of delivery/lactation were evaluated in parents. Effects on the reproductive function of parents including gonad function, estrous cycle, mating performance, fertility, delivery and lactation, and effects on the growth and development of pups were examined. No deaths occurred, and no general toxicological effects or abnormal reproductive functions were observed in any dose group. Pups were observed at birth and the following measurements were undertaken: BW, external differentiations, sensory functions, and reflex reactions during lactation and just prior to necropsy. No external malformations or differences in the number of pups, in the sex ratio, or BW at birth occurred in any dose group. Growth and development of pups were normal. The No Observed Effect Level for reproductive function of male and female parent animals and for the growth and development of their offspring was at least 2000 mg/kg/day.

Radial incision and cutting method for refractory stricture after nonsurgical treatment of esophageal cancer

Strictures remaining after nonsurgical treatment for esophageal cancer are generally more refractory to endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) when compared with anastomotic strictures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a radial incision and cutting (RIC) method for the treatment of refractory strictures after nonsurgical treatment of esophageal cancer. All subjects complained of grade 2 or worse dysphagia, even after at least 10 sessions of EBD. Between August 2009 and May 2012, eight consecutive patients with refractory esophageal stricture after nonsurgical treatments, including chemoradiotherapy (CRT) alone (n = 3), CRT followed by salvage endoscopic treatment (n = 3), or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD; n = 2), underwent the RIC procedure. After the RIC procedure, dysphagia in all the patients dramatically improved to grade 1 or 0 without any major complications; however, the long-term efficacy was unfavorable as only 37.5 % (3 /8) demonstrated adequate lumen patency at 3 months, and re-intervention was necessary in six patients (75 %).

CD133 is a positive marker for a distinct class of primitive human cord blood-derived CD34-negative hematopoietic stem cells

The identification of human CD34-negative (CD34(-)) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) provides a new concept for the hierarchy in the human HSC compartment. Previous studies demonstrated that CD34(-) severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)-repopulating cells (SRCs) are a distinct class of primitive HSCs in comparison to the well-characterized CD34(+)CD38(-) SRCs. However, the purification level of rare CD34(-) SRCs in 18 lineage marker-negative (Lin(-)) CD34(-) cells (1/1000) is still very low compared with that of CD34(+)CD38(-) SRCs (1/40). As in the mouse, it will be necessary to identify useful positive markers for a high degree of purification of rare human CD34(-) SRCs. Using 18Lin(-)CD34(-) cells, we analyzed the expression of candidate positive markers by flow cytometric analysis. We finally identified CD133 as a reliable positive marker of human CB-derived CD34(-) SRCs and succeeded in highly purifying primitive human CD34(-) HSCs. The limiting dilution analysis demonstrated that the incidence of CD34(-) SRCs in 18Lin(-)CD34(-)CD133(+) cells was 1/142, which is the highest level of purification of these unique CD34(-) HSCs to date. Furthermore, CD133 expression clearly segregated the SRC activities of 18Lin(-)CD34(-) cells, as well as 18Lin(-)CD34(+) cells, in their positive fractions, indicating its functional significance as a common cell surface maker to isolate effectively both CD34(+) and CD34(-) SRCs.

A 6-week oral gavage toxicity study of a novel galacto-oligosaccharide in juvenile rats

A novel galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) was administered by gavage to groups (10 males and 10 females) of Sprague-Dawley specific pathogen-free rats for 6 weeks from day 4 after birth at doses of 0, 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg/day. Each pup was subjected to a variety of observations to examine for development effects/changes after birth: general condition, clinical signs, functional examinations, grip strength and spontaneous movement, body weight and feed consumption, external differentiation, ophthalmological examination, urinalysis (including water consumption), hematology, blood chemistry, necropsy, organ weight, and histopathology. During the study period, no deaths occurred in any group and there were no observed effects from administration of GOS. Therefore, it was concluded that GOS had no effects on the development of animals 4 days after birth. Since, there were no abnormalities due to administration of GOS in the macroscopic examination, organ weight or histopathology of the reproductive organs or differentiation (incisor eruption and eyelid opening) of males or females, it was concluded that repeated oral administration of GOS at 2000 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks from day 4 after birth hadno effects on postnatal development. The no observed effect level of GOS by repeated oral administration for 6 weeks from day 4 after birth was 2000 mg/kg/day for both males and females under the conditions of this study.

The factors associated with pain severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis vary according to the radiographic disease severity: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain is suggested to be associated with inflammation and detrimental mechanical loading across the joint. In this cross-sectional study, we simultaneously examined the inflammation and alignment of the lower limb and examined how the pain components varied depending on the disease progression.

DESIGN

One-hundred sixty female medial type of early- [n = 74 in Kellgren-Lawrence (K/L) 2] to advanced-stage (n = 96 in K/L >2) knee OA subjects (70.5 years on average) were enrolled. Knee pain was evaluated using a pain visual analog scale (VAS) and the pain-related subcategory of the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM-pain). The serum interleukin (sIL)-6 level reflecting synovitis, and the high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level were measured to evaluate the severity of inflammation. The anatomical axis angle (AAA) was measured as an alignment index. The β-coefficient was estimated after adjusting for age and the body mass index (BMI) using a multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the sIL-6 levels, but not AAA, associated with the pain VAS [β = 10.77 (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.14-17.40), P < 0.01] and JKOM-pain scores [β = 3.19 (95% CI: 1.93-4.44), P < 0.001] in the early stage. Conversely, AAA, but not the sIL-6 levels, was found to be associated with the pain VAS [β = -1.29 (95% CI: -2.51 to -0.08), P < 0.05] and JKOM-pain scores [β = -0.49 (95% CI: -0.82 to -0.16), P < 0.01] in the advanced stage.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a higher level of sIL-6 and the varus alignment of the joint is associated with pain in early- and advanced-stage knee OA patients, respectively.

Semen collection and polymerase chain reaction-based sex determination of black-headed and straw-necked ibis

This study aimed to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based sexing and effective semen collection methods for black-headed and straw-necked ibis species. However, most birds are not sexually dimorphic, that is, the sexes appear similar. Therefore, the gender should be determined before semen collection. DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 11 black-headed and 4 straw-necked ibis. The sex was determined after PCR amplification of the EE0.6 region of W-chromosome. The PCR products were separated using gel electrophoresis. A single band indicated the presence of the EE0.6 region and that the individual was a female, while no band indicated that the individual was a male. Further, the single bands from seven specimens were amplified. Semen collection was performed by massage or a combination of massage with electro-ejaculation and was attempted during all four seasons. The semen was successfully collected in March from male straw-necked ibis using the massage method. Limited motility, viability and concentration of straw-necked ibis sperm were observed. The sperm length was 180 μm and that of the nucleus was 30 μm with acrosome located at the tip of the nucleus. Thus, the PCR-based sexing proved to be an accurate molecular sexing method for black-headed and straw-necked ibis. Furthermore, we successfully collected semen and observed the stained sperm nucleus and acrosome of the straw-necked ibis sperm. We propose that the use of this PCR methodology can be applied as a routine method for sex determination and semen collection in ibis species for future ecological research. However, considering our limited success, further studies on semen collection method are required.

Variation in displacement energies due to isospin-nonconserving forces

For mirror nuclei with masses A=42-95, the effects of isospin-nonconserving nuclear forces are studied with the nuclear shell model using the Coulomb displacement energy and triplet displacement energy as probes. It is shown that the characteristic behavior of the displacement energies can be well reproduced if the isovector and isotensor nuclear interactions with J=0 and T=1 are introduced into the f(7/2) shell. These forces, with their strengths being found consistent with the nucleon-nucleon scattering data, tend to modify nuclear binding energies near the N=Z line. At present, no evidence is found that these forces are needed for the upper fp shell. Theoretical one- and two-proton separation energies are predicted accordingly, and locations of the proton drip line are thereby suggested.

Kinetic origin of heredity in a replicating system with a catalytic network

The origin of heredity is studied as a recursive state in a replicatingprotocell consisting of many molecule species in mutually catalyzingreaction networks. Protocells divide when the number of molecules, increasing due to replication, exceeds a certain threshold. We study how the chemicals in a catalytic network can form recursive production states in the presence of errors in the replication process. Depending on the balance between the total number of molecules in a cell and the number of molecule species, we have found three phases; a phase without a recursive production state, a phase with itinerancy over a few recursive states, and a phase with fixedrecursive production states. Heredity is realized in the latter two phaseswhere molecule species that are population-wise in the minority are preserved and control the phenotype of the cell. It is shown that evolvability is realized in the itinerancy phase, where a change in the number of minority molecules controls a change of the chemical state.

Abstract P1-14-08: A prospective multicenter randomized phase II neo-adjuvant study of 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) followed by docetaxel, cyclophosphamide and trastuzumab (TCH) versus TCH followed by FEC versus TCH alone, in patients (pts) with operable HER2 positive breast cancer: JBCRG-10 study

Background: The current standard treatment of primary systemic therapy (PST) in HER2 positive breast cancer is anthracyclines (A) and/or taxanes combined with trastuzumab (H) which demonstrates high pathological complete response (pCR). The pCR is considered as a predictive marker of prognosis although results are slightly different depending on the hormone receptor status. We conducted a randomized phase II study to examine sequence of treatments and necessity of A in the treatments using TCH to improve outcome and reduce cardiac toxicity in Japanese HER2 positive pts.

Methods: Pts were treated with FEC (5FU 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 100 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2) and/or TCH (docetaxel 75 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, H 6 mg/kg, loading by 8 mg) in 3 groups: 4 cycles of FEC followed by 4 cycles of TCH (A-TCH); 4 cycles of TCH followed by 4 cycles of FEC (TCH-A) or 6 cycles of TCH. An unplanned interim analysis was conducted due to one death by interstitial lung disease (ILD) in the A-TCH after completion of 8 cycles. The pCR results suggested A containing regimens did not exceed benefit from the current standard regimen. The study was continued by limiting allocation only to the TCH group considering efficacy and safety. The primary endpoint was pCR and secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) and safety.

Results: A total of 103 pts were enrolled between Sep. 2009 and Sep. 2011; 21 pts in the A-TCH, 22 pts in the TCH-A and 60 pts in the TCH including pts enrolled after termination of random allocation. Characteristics of the 103 pts were; median age of 54 (range, 33–70), median tumor size of 35 mm (range, 12–80), 42 pts with N(+) (40.8%) and 62 ER positive pts (60.2%). Characteristics of pts in the TCH were; median age of 54.5 (range, 33–67), median tumor size of 35.5 mm (range, 12–80), 25 pts with N(+) (41.7%) and 34 ER positive pts (56.7%). No major difference was reported between groups treated with or without A. Per protocol population was 59 pts in the TCH and its pCR rate was 45.8% (95% CI, 32.2–59.3: ER negative, 61.5%; ER positive, 33.3%). ORR was 86.4% assessed by MRI or CT. Although it is an exploratory analysis, the pCR rate of A containing regimens was 39.0% (ER negative, 57.1%; ER positive, 29.6%). Adverse events ≥grade 3 were reported in 50 pts (48.5%). Reported ILD was in 5 pts (A-TCH, 1; TCH-A, 1; TCH, 3). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased from 70.0% to 69.0% after treatment (A-TCH, 65.9%; TCH-A, 70.4%; TCH, 69.0%). Decrease of LVEF in the A-TCH was significant (p &lt; 0.01).

Conclusion: The pCR rate of the TCH group was similar to previous reports on A including regimens. Although ILD had been occurred during the treatment containing the TCH, no other new safety issues were reported. We were not able to conclude preferable sequence of A and T since statistical power was not sufficient. However, the result of LVEF suggested TCH followed by A or TCH were preferable. Six cycles of TCH could be one of treatment options as a PST in HER2 positive breast cancer to exclude A. (UMIN000002365)

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-14-08.

Evidence for three fluctuation channels in the spin resonance of the unconventional superconductor CeCoIn5

Polarized inelastic neutron scattering under a magnetic field is used to get a microscopic insight into the spin resonance of the heavy fermion superconductor CeCoIn(5). The resonance line shape is found to depend on the neutron polarization: Some of the spectral weight is common to the two polarization channels while the remaining part is distributed equally between them. This is evidence for the spin resonance being a degenerate mode with three fluctuation channels: A Zeeman split contribution and an additional longitudinal mode.