Doubly excited ferromagnetic spin chain as a pair of coupled kicked rotors

We show that the dynamics of a doubly excited Heisenberg spin chain, subject to short pulses from a parabolic magnetic field may be analyzed as a pair of quantum kicked rotors. By focusing on the two-magnon dynamics in the kicked XXZ model we investigate how the anisotropy parameter--which controls the strength of the magnon-magnon interaction--changes the nature of the coupling between the two "image" coupled kicked rotors. We investigate quantum state transfer possibilities and show that one may control whether the spin excitations are transmitted together, or separate from each other.

Comparison of matched-sibling donor BMT and unrelated donor BMT in children and adolescent with acquired severe aplastic anemia

From January 1991 to March 2007, 61 children and adolescent with acquired severe aplastic anemia received BMT in our institutions. We retrospectively compared the outcome of 30 cases of matched-sibling donor BMT (MSD-BMT) and 31 cases of unrelated donor BMT (URD-BMT). We observed one graft failure among MSD-BMT recipients and three graft failures among URD-BMT recipients, respectively. No patients in the MSD-BMT group developed grades II-IV acute GVHD compared with 11 of 30 patients (37%) in the URD-BMT group (P<0.001). One of 30 MSD-BMT recipients (3%) developed chronic GVHD compared with 8 of 30 URD-BMT recipients (27%) (P=0.013). The incidence of EBV and CMV reactivation was 11 of 20 URD-BMT recipients and 23 of 30, respectively. One patient in the URD-BMT group died of a motor accident 5.5 years after BMT. Ten-year OS was 100% in MSD-BMT recipients and 93.8% (95% CI, 81.9-100%) in URD-BMT recipients, respectively (P=0.252). Ten-year failure-free survival was 96.7% (95% CI, 90.2-100%) in the MSD-BMT group and 84.7% (95% CI, 70.2-99.2%) in the URD-BMT group, respectively (P=0.161).

Evolution of a pairing-induced pseudogap from the superconducting gap of (Bi,Pb)2Sr2CuO6

We have performed an ultrahigh-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of slightly overdoped (Bi,Pb)2Sr2CuO6 to elucidate the origin of the pseudogap. By using a newly developed xenon-plasma light source, we determined the comprehensive momentum and temperature dependencies of the superconducting gap and the pseudogap. We found that the antinodal pseudogap persists far above the superconducting transition temperature and is smoothly connected to the nodal gap. The characteristic temperature of the pseudogap scales well with the superconducting gap size irrespective of the momentum location. The present experimental results point to the pairing origin of the pseudogap.

Adjustment of creatinine (Cr) to avoid severe thrombocytopenia of carboplatin (C) plus gemcitabine (G) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

2525

Background: Carboplatin plus gemcitabine (CG) is a standard regimen for advanced NSCLC. Although the dose of C is calculated from Cr clearance (CCr) by Calvert‘s formula, severe thrombocytopenia sometimes occurs in the CG regimen. Severe thrombocytopenia might arise from differences in the methods of measuring Cr values. We have used two different techniques, the Jaffé method and the enzymatic method. When the enzymatic method was used, CCr overestimated the glomerular filtration rate and the dose of C calculated by Calvert‘s formula leads to overdosing. The aim of this study was to clarify whether severe thrombocytopenia could be avoided by adjusting the CCr in the CG regimen when Cr is measured by the enzymatic method. Methods: All patients (pts) were treated with CG (C, AUC = 5 on day 1; G, 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. Serum Cr values were measured by the enzymatic method and CCr was estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula in all patients. In the non-adjusted group, the dose of C was calculated by Calvert‘s formula with no adjustment of CCr. In the adjusted group, the dose of C was calculated by Calvert‘s formula, adjusting Cr as follows: (serum Cr +0.2). We compared the correlations between Cr values and the nadir of thrombocytes, and the frequencies of severe thrombocytopenia in both groups. Results: 32 pts and 28 pts were enrolled in the non-adjusted and the adjusted groups, respectively. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was observed in 19 pts (60%) and these pts had low levels of serum Cr values. On the other hand, significantly fewer cases of grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia were observed in the adjusted group (8 pts; 29%, p < 0.0001). In addition, there was a significant correlation between Cr values and the nadir of thrombocytes in the non-adjusted group (R= 0.442, p= 0.0105), but no significant correlation was observed in the adjusted group (R= -0.196, p= 0.3212). These results suggest that adjustment of CCr can reduce the variable nadir of thrombocytes in the CG regimen when Cr is measured by the enzymatic method. Conclusions: If Cr is measured by the enzymatic method, adjustment of Cr is needed to avoid severe thrombocytopenia in the CG regimen.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A phase II study of S-1 for previously treated small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

e19074

Background: S-1 is a novel oral 5-fluorouracil derivative that exhibits obvious activity against various tumor types including NSCLC. However, the effects of S-1 against SCLC have not been reported. The present phase II trial assesses the efficacy and safety of S-1 in previously treated SCLC patients. Methods: Eligible patients had pathologically documented SCLC that relapsed after platinum-based chemotherapy, ECOG performance status (PS) 0–2, and adequate bone marrow, kidney and liver function. Patients with untreated or symptomatic brain metastasis were excluded. Treatment comprised the oral administration of S-1 at 40 mg/m2 twice each day for 28 days every 6 weeks. The primary end point was the objective tumor response rate (RECIST). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival and overall survival. Results: Twenty-six evaluable patients were enrolled (Simon's two-stage optimal design; α = 0.1; β = 0.1; P0 = 0.05; P1 = 0.25) with the following characteristics: male: female, 22/4; median age, 68 (33 - 79) y; PS0–1, n = 21; PS2, n = 5. The median number of prior treatment regimens was 2 (1–3). S-1 was administered for a mean of 1.3 cycles (1 - 5). One patient (3.8%) partially responded, 10 (38.5%) had stable and 15 (57.7%) had progressive disease. The overall response rate was 3.8% and the disease control rate was 42.3%. The median time to progression was 33 days. The median survival time was 8.0 months and the 1-year survival rate was 23%. This regimen was well tolerated. The common grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (7.7%), leukopenia (7.7%), anemia (7.7%), hyponatremia (7.7%), rush (7.7%), infection (7.7%), and diarrhea (3.8%). None of the patients developed febrile neutropenia and no deaths were attributed to treatment. Conclusions: S-1 is well tolerated but has low activity as a single agent in previously treated patients with SCLC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Late-onset non-infectious pulmonary complications following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children

Late-onset non-infectious pulmonary complications (LONIPCs) that arise beyond 3 months after allogeneic hematopoietic SCT include bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) and idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS). We retrospectively analyzed the incidence and outcome of LONIPCs among pediatric hematopoietic SCT recipients. We included 97 patients who survived for more than 3 months among the 114 who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic SCT between April 1997 and May 2007. Of the 97 enrolled patients, 10 (10.3%) developed LONIPCs at a median of 187 days after hematopoietic SCT (range, 123-826 days). Of the 10 patients with LONIPCs, eight had BO and two had IPS. Multivariate analysis showed that the onset of LONIPCs was associated with high-risk underlying disease and extensive chronic GVHD (hazard ratio, 5.42 (95% confidence interval, 1.36-21.7) and hazard ratio, 11.7 (95% confidence interval, 2.40-57.1), respectively). Only two patients responded to therapy with steroids and six of the 10 patients died. The 5-year OS rate was significantly lower among patients with, than without LONIPCs (28.0 vs 87.2%, P=0.000). Considering that we are lacking optimal therapies for LONIPCs, strategies aimed at the prevention of LONIPCs should be attempted.

Tracer delay-insensitive algorithm can improve reliability of CT perfusion imaging for cerebrovascular steno-occlusive disease: comparison with quantitative single-photon emission CT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Reliability of CT perfusion (CTP) algorithms has not been fully validated. We investigated whether the cerebral blood flow (CBF) values obtained by using a dynamic CTP technique with a tracer delay-insensitive deconvolution algorithm are more accurate than those obtained by using CTP with delay-sensitive algorithms in unilateral cerebrovascular steno-occlusive disease, when compared with those generated by quantitative single-photon emission CT (SPECT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using CTP and iodine-123-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine SPECT with an autoradiographic quantification technique, we examined 20 patients with suggested hemodynamic ischemia due to stenosis or occlusion of the unilateral internal carotid or middle cerebral artery. The algorithms used for CTP included delay-insensitive block-circulant singular value decomposition (SVD) (bSVD) and delay-sensitive standard SVD (sSVD) and box-modulation transfer function (bMTF).

RESULTS

Absolute CBF values obtained by using CTP with bSVD were significantly lower than those obtained with SPECT, but the ratios to the nonaffected side were significantly correlated to the quantitative SPECT values with significant agreements, particularly when the arterial input function was obtained from the unaffected side. Contrastingly, CBF ratios with sSVD and bMTF were significantly underestimated, and no significant agreement was determined between CTP with sSVD or bMTF and SPECT, though there were substantial correlations between them in some parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

With the CTP technique, the insensitivity of the deconvolution algorithm to the tracer-delay effect appears to be essential for estimating semiquantitative CBF values in patients with unilateral steno-occlusive lesions.

Quantum transport and spin dynamics on shearless tori

We investigate quantum dynamics in phase-space regions containing "shearless tori." We show that the properties of these peculiar classical phase-space structures-important to the dynamics of tokamaks-may be exploited for quantum information applications. In particular we show that shearless tori permit the nondispersive transmission of localized wave packets. The quantum many-body Hamiltonian of a Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin chain, subjected to an oscillating magnetic field, can be reduced to a classical one-body "image" dynamical system which is the well-studied Harper map. The Harper map belongs to a class of Hamiltonian systems (nontwist maps) which contain shearless tori. We show that a variant with sinusoidal time driving "driven Harper model" produces shearless tori which are especially suitable for quantum state transfer. The behavior of the concurrence is investigated as an example.

Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex infection associated with the IVS8-T5 allele of the CFTR gene

BACKGROUND

The T5 allele in intron 8 (IVS8) on specific haplotype backgrounds (e.g., long TG repeats) causes abnormal splicing in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, and is also known to be associated with chronic airway diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of CFTR variations for susceptibility to pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred patients with pulmonary MAC infection (72 males, 228 females; mean age at onset 61.6 + or - 12.4 years) took part in this study. Diagnosis of MAC infection was based on American Thoracic Society criteria. Clinical profiles were collected and blood samples were genotyped for TG repeats, poly-T and M470V polymorphisms.

RESULTS

We found significantly higher T5 frequency in MAC patients than in healthy controls from our own study (0.035 and 0.005, respectively, P = 0.023) and other reports. Homozygote for the T5 allele was found in two MAC patients. All T5 alleles were associated with longer TG repeats, the TG12 or TG13 allele. Seventeen of the 21 T5 alleles appeared to be associated with the V470 allele. Other polymorphisms did not show any significant differences in frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the IVS8 5T allele might be involved in susceptibility to pulmonary MAC infection.

Gene expressions of TS and MDR-1 are predictive factors for chemosensitivity and survival in esophageal cancer with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy

14120

Background: Fluoropyrimidines are widely used in chemotherapy regimens for esophageal cancer. To test the hypotheses of whether the relative mRNA expression of the enzyme TS, DPD and MDR-1 were associated with response to in esophageal cancer. We investigated the associations reported between intratumoral TS, DPD and MDR-1 gene expressions and the response with 5-FU based chemotherapy for patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: Twenty six pts with esophageal cancer were treated with 5-FU based chemotherapy (14 pts were treated with chemotherapy only, and 12 pts were chemoradiotherapy). mRNA was isolated from frozen tumor specimens, and relative expression levels of each gene/β-actin were measured using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Taqman®) system. Results: The overall response rate was 50.0%. Each mRNA expression was detectable in 26 patients. TS expressions were significantly lower in the responding tumors compared to the non-responders respectively (P=0.009). There were no significant associations between MDR-1 expression and the response. By setting up a cut-off level for TS and MDR-1 of Median, combining the two gene expression two-dimensionally revealed a relationship with the response (P=0.037). Additionally, MDR-1 expressions were statistically significant predictors of prolonged survival (P=0.0084). Conclusions: These results suggest that intratumoral TS and MDR-1 expressions are prognostic factors for survival after 5-FU based chemotherapy in esophageal cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex infection: association with NRAMP1 polymorphisms

The present study aimed to elucidate risk factors for nonimmunocompromised pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection. Epidemiological data and variations of candidate genes for mycobacterial diseases were analysed in 111 patients with pulmonary MAC infection. Four polymorphisms of the human natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP)1 gene, the 5'(GT)n, 469+14 G/C, D543N and the 3'untranslated region (3'TGTG) insertion/deletion, were genotyped using PCR-based methods. Fok I and Taq I polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene and -221 X/Y and codon 54 A/B polymorphisms of the mannose binding lectin gene were also evaluated. Females were more susceptible to MAC infection mainly affecting the right middle lobe or lingular segment of the lung. Patients' residence at the onset of the disease was distributed evenly irrespective of a waterfront or city water supply system. As compared with homozygotes for major alleles of the D543N and TGTG insertion/deletion polymorphism of the NRAMP1 gene, heterozygotes containing minor alleles were less often observed in MAC cases than in controls. This genetic effect was more significant in patients without comorbidity but not in patients with comorbidity. Other polymorphisms did not show any association with the MAC infection. The human natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 gene might be involved in susceptibility to pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex infection.

Characterisation of kilo electron volt neutron fluence standard with the 45Sc(p,n)45Ti reaction at NMIJ

We are developing a national standard of a monoenergetic kilo electron volt neutron field with the (45)Sc(p,n)(45)Ti resonance reaction. A wide resonance yields 27.4 keV neutrons at 0 degrees with respect to the proton beam. The proton energy was precisely determined in the measurement of the relative neutron yield as a function of the proton energy from the threshold energy to 2.942 MeV. Absolute measurement of the monoenergetic neutron fluence was performed using a (3)He proportional counter. Relative measurement was also carried out using a Bonner sphere calibrated at our 144 keV standard neutron field. Calibration factors were obtained between the count of a neutron monitor and the neutron fluence. A silicon-surface barrier detector with a (6)LiF foil converter was also being developed for the neutron fluence measurement. Successful results were obtained in the tests in the 144 keV standard neutron field.

Development of the fast neutron standard using a Be({alpha},n) reaction at the National Metrology Institute of Japan

This paper describes the 8-MeV neutron field where the neutrons are generated in the (9)Be(alpha,n)(12)C reaction by bombardment of a beryllium target with a 2.4-MeV (4)He(+) beam from a Van de Graaff accelerator. The neutron field is being prepared for a new national standard on neutron fluence in Japan. Absolute measurement of the neutron fluence was taken using a proton recoil neutron detector, consisting of a silicon surface barrier detector with a polyethylene radiator. Neutron spectra were measured using a newly developed recoil proton spectrometer and a liquid organic scintillation detector. The gamma rays existing in the field were also characterised using a liquid organic scintillation detector. The ambient dose equivalents of the gamma rays were estimated to be <100 microSv at the neutron fluence of 10(7) neutrons cm(-2).

Thymidylate synthase and MDR1 mRNA levels predict response to chemotherapy with S-1 in metastatic colorectal cancer

13107

Background: To test the hypotheses of whether the relative mRNA expression of the thymidylate synthase (TS) gene and multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene are associated with response to chemotherapy with S-1 in metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: Eighteen patients with progressive stage IV CRC were treated with S-1 twice daily (BSA = 1.5 m2, 60 mg/day) for 28 days, followed by a 2-week period rest. cDNA was derived from frozen tumor specimens to determine TS and MDR1 mRNA expression relative to the internal reference gene GAPDH using fluorescence-based, real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Taqman) system. Results: The median TS gene expression level from 18 CRC tumors was 0.94 × 10(−3) (minimum expression, 0.15 × 10(−3); maximum expression, 8.0 × 10(−3)), and the median MDR1 gene expression level was 7.75 × 10(−3) (minimum, 0.83; maximum, 41.5 × 10(−3)). The gene expression cutoff values for chemotherapy nonresponse were 1.0 x 10(-3) for TS and 10.0 × 10(−3) for MDR1. The response rate for patients with TS < or = 1.0 × 10(−3) (10 of 18 patients) was 60% (6/10), compared with 0% (0/8) for patients with TS greater than 1.0 × 10(−3) (P = 0.013). Patients with MDR1 expression < or = 10.0 × 10(−3) (13 of 18 patients) had a response rate of 46% (6/13), compared with 0% (0/5) for patients with MDR1 expression greater than 10.0 × 10(−3) (P = 0.11). Regarding the combination of TS and MDR1 Expression, low TS and MDR1 expression levels were detected in 8 (44%) of the patients, and 10 patients (56%) had a high TS and/or MDR1 expression level. The response rate was 75% (6/8) for the low TS and MDR1 expressors and 0% (0/10) for the high TS and/or MDR1 expressors (P = 0.001). Conclusions: These data suggest that intratumoral TS and MDR1 mRNA expression levels are independent predictive markers of response to S-1 chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

ERCC1 expression as a predictor for chemosensitivity in recurrent colorectal cancer patients receiving cisplatinum (CDDP) plus S-1 chemotherapy

13065

Background: To test the hypotheses of whether the relative mRNA expression of excision cross complement-1 (ERCCI) are associated with response to CDDP+S-1 chemotherapy in recurrent colorectal cancer (CRC). We assessed the relationship between ERCC1 mRNA expression levels and the response. Methods: Thirty four patients with relapsed CRC were treated with cisplatin 30 mg/m2 on Day 1 and Day 8, and S-1 twice daily (BSA = 1.5 m2, 60 mg/day) for 21 days, followed by a 2-week period of no treatment. cDNA was derived from paraffin-embeded tumor specimens to determine ERCC1 mRNA expression relative to the internal reference gene beta-actin using fluorescence-based, real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Taqman) system. Results: Among 34 CRC patients, 4 patients were evaluated as CR, 13 as PR, and 17 as NC/PD. Relative ERCC1 mRNA gene expression level showed significant difference by the response with median expression levels of 0.70/1.33/1.80 in CR/PR/NC+PD patients respectively (P = 0.04). Conclusions: These data suggest that intratumoral ERCC1 mRNA expression levels are independent predictive markers of response to CDDP+S-1 chemotherapy in colorectal cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Relativistic calculation of nuclear magnetic shielding using normalized elimination of the small component

The normalized elimination of the small component (NESC) theory, recently proposed by Filatov and Cremer, is extended to include magnetic interactions and applied to the calculation of the nuclear magnetic shielding in HX (X=F, Cl, Br, I) systems. The NESC calculations are performed at the levels of the zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA) and the second-order regular approximation (SORA). The calculations show that the NESC-ZORA results are very close to the NESC-SORA results, except for the shielding of the I nucleus. Both the NESC-ZORA and NESC-SORA calculations yield very similar results to the previously reported values obtained using the relativistic infinite-order two-component coupled Hartree-Fock method. The difference between NESC-ZORA and NESC-SORA results is significant for the shieldings of iodine.

Possible association between nonsynonymous polymorphisms of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene and schizophrenia in a Japanese population

We examined, for the first time, the possible association between schizophrenia and the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene which plays an important role in neurodevelopment. When two nonsynonymous polymorphisms (Arg1491Lys and Glu1529Asp) were examined, there were significant differences in genotype and allele distributions between patients and controls. Individuals homozygous for the minor allele (1491Lys-1529Asp) were more common in patients than in controls (p = 0.0064, odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.6). These results suggest that genetic variations of the ALK gene might confer susceptibility to schizophrenia.