Fluence correction factor for graphite calorimetry in a clinical high-energy carbon-ion beam

The aim of this work is to develop and adapt a formalism to determine absorbed dose to water from graphite calorimetry measurements in carbon-ion beams. Fluence correction factors, [Formula: see text], needed when using a graphite calorimeter to derive dose to water, were determined in a clinical high-energy carbon-ion beam. Measurements were performed in a 290 MeV/n carbon-ion beam with a field size of 11  ×  11 cm², without modulation. In order to sample the beam, a plane-parallel Roos ionization chamber was chosen for its small collecting volume in comparison with the field size. Experimental information on fluence corrections was obtained from depth-dose measurements in water. This procedure was repeated with graphite plates in front of the water phantom. Fluence corrections were also obtained with Monte Carlo simulations through the implementation of three methods based on (i) the fluence distributions differential in energy, (ii) a ratio of calculated doses in water and graphite at equivalent depths and (iii) simulations of the experimental setup. The [Formula: see text] term increased in depth from 1.00 at the entrance toward 1.02 at a depth near the Bragg peak, and the average difference between experimental and numerical simulations was about 0.13%. Compared to proton beams, there was no reduction of the [Formula: see text] due to alpha particles because the secondary particle spectrum is dominated by projectile fragmentation. By developing a practical dose conversion technique, this work contributes to improving the determination of absolute dose to water from graphite calorimetry in carbon-ion beams.

First Direct-Detection Constraints on eV-Scale Hidden-Photon Dark Matter with DAMIC at SNOLAB

We present direct detection constraints on the absorption of hidden-photon dark matter with particle masses in the range 1.2-30  eV c^{-2} with the DAMIC experiment at SNOLAB. Under the assumption that the local dark matter is entirely constituted of hidden photons, the sensitivity to the kinetic mixing parameter κ is competitive with constraints from solar emission, reaching a minimum value of 2.2×10^{-14} at 17  eV c^{-2}. These results are the most stringent direct detection constraints on hidden-photon dark matter in the galactic halo with masses 3-12  eV c^{-2} and the first demonstration of direct experimental sensitivity to ionization signals <12  eV from dark matter interactions.

Evaluation of the water-equivalence of plastic materials in low- and high-energy clinical proton beams

The aim of this work was to evaluate the water-equivalence of new trial plastics designed specifically for light-ion beam dosimetry as well as commercially available plastics in clinical proton beams. The water-equivalence of materials was tested by computing a plastic-to-water conversion factor, [Formula: see text]. Trial materials were characterized experimentally in 60 MeV and 226 MeV un-modulated proton beams and the results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations using the FLUKA code. For the high-energy beam, a comparison between the trial plastics and various commercial plastics was also performed using FLUKA and Geant4 Monte Carlo codes. Experimental information was obtained from laterally integrated depth-dose ionization chamber measurements in water, with and without plastic slabs with variable thicknesses in front of the water phantom. Fluence correction factors, [Formula: see text], between water and various materials were also derived using the Monte Carlo method. For the 60 MeV proton beam, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] factors were within 1% from unity for all trial plastics. For the 226 MeV proton beam, experimental [Formula: see text] values deviated from unity by a maximum of about 1% for the three trial plastics and experimental results showed no advantage regarding which of the plastics was the most equivalent to water. Different magnitudes of corrections were found between Geant4 and FLUKA for the various materials due mainly to the use of different nonelastic nuclear data. Nevertheless, for the 226 MeV proton beam, [Formula: see text] correction factors were within 2% from unity for all the materials. Considering the results from the two Monte Carlo codes, PMMA and trial plastic #3 had the smallest [Formula: see text] values, where maximum deviations from unity were 1%, however, PMMA range differed by 16% from that of water. Overall, [Formula: see text] factors were deviating more from unity than [Formula: see text] factors and could amount to a few percent for some materials.

Outcome of neurological early rehabilitation patients carrying multi-drug resistant bacteria: results from a German multi-center study

BACKGROUND

Colonization or infection with multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria is considered detrimental to the outcome of neurological and neurosurgical early rehabilitation patients.

METHODS

In a German multi-center study, 754 neurological early rehabilitation patients were enrolled and and reviewed in respect to MDR status, length of stay (LOS) and the following outcome variables: Barthel Index (BI), Early Rehabilitation Index (ERI), Glasgow Outcome Score Extended (GOSE), Coma Remission Scale (CRS), Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC).

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population was 68.0 ± 14.8 years. Upon admission, the following prevalence for MDRs was observed: MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) 7.0% (53/754), ESBL- (extended spectrum beta-lactamase) producing bacteria strains 12.6% (95/754), VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococci) 2.8% (21/754). Patients colonized or infected with MDR bacteria (MDR+) were significantly more frequently diagnosed with a critical illness polyneuropathy - CIP - than non-colonized (MDR-) patients: 29.0% vs. 14.8%. In addition, they were more frequently mechanically ventilated (MDR+: 55/138, 39.9%; MDR- 137/616, 22.2%). MDR+ patients were referred to rehabilitation earlier, had a longer LOS in early rehabilitation, lower BI on admission and at discharge, lower ERI on admission and lower CRS at discharge than MDR- patients. There was a highly significant correlation of the BI upon admission with the BI at discharge (rs = 0.492, p < 0.001). GOSE at discharge differed significantly between both groups (χ 2-test, p < 0.01). Perhaps of greatest importance, mortality among MDR+ was higher in comparison to MDR- (18.1% vs. 7.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The outcome of neurological early rehabilitation patients colonized or infected with MDR bacteria including MRSA or ESBL producing strains is significantly poorer than by non-colonized patients. There is some evidence that the poor outcome could be related to the higher morbidity and lower functional status upon admission.

Abstract PD1-05: Breast cancer brain metastases show limited intrinsic subtype switching, yet exhibit acquired ERBB2 amplifications and activating mutations

BACKGROUND: Metastasis is the major cause of mortality in breast cancer (BrCa) patients. Our understanding of brain metastasis (BrM) is limited, reflected by a lack of effective treatments. We aimed to (1) determine BrCa gene signature differences between primary tumors and matched BrM and (2) uncover BrM-specific alterations that may be clinically actionable.

MATERIALS and METHODS: NanoString expression profiling of 127 genes from 5 major prognostic tests (MammaPrint, EndoPredict, PAM50, OncotypeDX, MGI) was performed on 20 patient-matched primary (10 ER-neg, 10 ER-pos) and metastatic brain tumors. Subtype classification was performed using genefu. Protein changes in ER and HER2 (ERBB2) were confirmed by IHC. BrM-specific ERBB2 gains were corroborated in a publicly available dataset of 18 additional patient-matched cases (dbGAP phs000730.v1.p1). To test whether ERBB2 amplification and base pair mutation is metastasis-site specific, we further analyzed an expanded cohort of 7,884 breast tumors enriched for metastatic samples (52%) including liver (16.7%), lung (4.3%), bone (3.6%), and brain (2.0%) using comprehensive hybrid-capture sequencing of ERBB2.

RESULTS: 17/20 BrM retained the PAM50 subtype of the primary BrCa. Despite this concordance, 17/20 BrM harbored expression changes (&lt; or &gt; 2-fold) in clinically actionable genes including gains of FGFR4 (30%), FLT1 (20%), AURKA (10%) and loss of ESR1 expression (45%). The most recurrently upregulated gene was ERBB2, showing a &gt;2-fold expression increase in 35% of BrM. 3 of 13 (23.3%) cases originally HER2-negative, and thus HER2-therapy naive, in the primary BrCa were IHC-positive (3+) in the paired BrM with an observed metastasis-specific amplification of the ERBB2 locus. In an independent dataset, 2 of 9 (22.2%) HER2-negative BrCa switched to HER2-positive with one BrM acquiring ERBB2 amplification and the other showing metastastic enrichment of the activating V777L ERBB2 mutation. Analysis of a large cohort of breast tumors (n=7,884) showed that across all organs ERBB2 amplification and/or base pair mutation was similar (p=0.18) between primary (13%) and metastatic disease (12%), however, a strong and significant enrichment was seen for BrM (primary 13% vs BrM 24%, p&lt;0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results demonstrate that the majority (85%) of patient-matched BrM retain the intrinsic subtype of the primary cancer. However, despite this transcriptional similarity, alterations in clinically actionable genes are common, with BrM acquiring ERBB2 amplifications and/or base pair mutations at a frequency of ∼20%, even in HER2-therapy naive tumors. In a large cohort of primary and metastatic breast cancers, there is also a unique enrichment for ERBB2 alterations in BrM. This study provides a strong rationale to molecularly profile metastatic lesions to both better understand biological mechanisms of metastases and to perhaps refine therapeutic decision-making in advanced cancers.

Citation Format: Priedigkeit N, Hartmaier RJ, Chen Y, Vareslija D, Basudan A, Thomas R, Leone JP, Lucas PC, Bhargava R, Hamilton RL, Chmielecki J, Davidson NE, Oesterreich S, Brufsky AM, Young L, Lee AV. Breast cancer brain metastases show limited intrinsic subtype switching, yet exhibit acquired ERBB2 amplifications and activating mutations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD1-05.

24 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BOAR SPERM TRAITS AND FERTILITY RATE FOLLOWING ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION UNDER SMALLHOLDER PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

The prediction of sperm fertility has a great economic importance to the pig breeding industry. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between boar sperm quality and fertility following artificial insemination (AI) under smallholder production systems. A total of 18 ejaculates were collected from 3 breeding boars using a hand-gloved technique. Aliquots of diluted semen were assessed for sperm motility using a computer aided sperm analysis before AI. Sperm viability was evaluated using Synthetic Binding CD-14 (SYBR-14+)/propidium iodide (PI–), whereas sperm morphology was evaluated using Eosin Nigrosin staining. Fluorescent microscope was used at 100× magnification to count 200 sperm per slide. The semen was extended with Beltsville Thawing Solution and contained 3 × 109 sperm/dose. A total of 73 multiparous sows were inseminated twice. Fertility was measured by conception rate, farrowing rate, litter size and number of piglets born alive following AI. Sperm quality and fertility data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to determine the relationship between sperm quality and fertility traits. The mean values for total sperm motility ranged from 93.5 to 96.8%. Progressive and rapid sperm motility differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the boars. However, no significant differences were found for sperm velocity traits. The mean values for morphologically normal sperm ranged from 47.8 to 60.9% and live sperm ranged from 71.8 to 77.2%, but did not differ significantly among the boars (P > 0.05). Conception rate from different boars varied (P < 0.05) from 63.6 to 93.3%. Of all fertility traits studied, conception rate was significantly related to total sperm motility rate (r = 0.34, P < 0.0029), progressive motility (r = 0.29, P < 0.0141) and rapid motility (r = 0.34, P < 0.0032), although relatively low. There was a low positive relationship between morphologically normal sperm and fertility traits (P > 0.05). In conclusion, total, progressive, and rapid sperm motility rate were the only sperm traits significantly related to conception rate. Conversely, litter size and number born alive were not correlated with sperm motility, viability, or morphology traits.

Steroid and metabolic hormonal profile of porcine serum vis-à-vis ovarian follicular fluid

Aim:

This study was conducted to understand whether serum level of the steroid and metabolic hormones may be indicative of their level in ovarian follicular fluid (FF) in porcine, and its influence on fertility.

Materials and Methods:

Ovaries from pigs (n=32) of two genetic groups, namely, native (Ghungroo; n=16) and crossbred (Hampshire × Ghungroo; n=16) were collected. Both the genetic groups comprised gilts (n=8) and sows (n=8), and sows were in luteal phase of estrus cycle. FF was aspirated from small, medium and large follicles, and centrifuged for the collection of supernatant for further analysis. Blood samples were collected from the same animals, and serum was separated. Hormones, namely, cortisol, T3, T4 and testosterone were estimated by radioimmunoassay. Two-way ANOVA was used for analysis of data considering genetic background (native or crossbred), stage of reproductive life (gilt or sow), and source of sample (serum or FF) as fixed effects.

Results:

It was observed that all the hormones except cortisol differed significantly (p<0.01) based on genetic background. Stage of reproductive life and source of sample did not affect the studied hormonal level. Within the genetic groups, stage of reproductive life influenced T3 (p<0.01), cortisol (p<0.05) and testosterone (p<0.01) level in crossbred pigs as compared to T3 (p<0.01) only in native pigs. The level of T3 in serum, as well as FF, was higher (p<0.01) in Ghungroo gilts compared to sows. However, a reverse of this was observed in the case of crossbred pigs. The level of cortisol (p<0.05) and testosterone (p<0.01) was higher in crossbred sows than gilts in both serum and FF.

Conclusion:

The study revealed that serum level of the steroid and metabolic hormones is indicative of their level in the ovarian FF. Further, varying level of steroid and metabolic hormones in pigs based on genetic background may be due to variation in body size, rate of energy metabolism and stage of (re)productive life.

Melanoma central nervous system metastases: current approaches, challenges, and opportunities

Melanoma central nervous system metastases are increasing, and the challenges presented by this patient population remain complex. In December 2015, the Melanoma Research Foundation and the Wistar Institute hosted the First Summit on Melanoma Central Nervous System (CNS) Metastases in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here, we provide a review of the current status of the field of melanoma brain metastasis research; identify key challenges and opportunities for improving the outcomes in patients with melanoma brain metastases; and set a framework to optimize future research in this critical area.

Dynamics and genetics of a disease-driven species decline to near extinction: lessons for conservation

Amphibian chytridiomycosis has caused precipitous declines in hundreds of species worldwide. By tracking mountain chicken (Leptodactylus fallax) populations before, during and after the emergence of chytridiomycosis, we quantified the real-time species level impacts of this disease. We report a range-wide species decline amongst the fastest ever recorded, with a loss of over 85% of the population in fewer than 18 months on Dominica and near extinction on Montserrat. Genetic diversity declined in the wild, but emergency measures to establish a captive assurance population captured a representative sample of genetic diversity from Montserrat. If the Convention on Biological Diversity’s targets are to be met, it is important to evaluate the reasons why they appear consistently unattainable. The emergence of chytridiomycosis in the mountain chicken was predictable, but the decline could not be prevented. There is an urgent need to build mitigation capacity where amphibians are at risk from chytridiomycosis.

Criterion validity and sensitivity to change of the Early Rehabilitation Index (ERI): results from a German multi-center study

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of functional status is difficult in neurological and neurosurgical early rehabilitation patients. The Early Rehabilitation Index (ERI) was introduced in Germany over 20 years ago, but since then validation studies are lacking. The ERI (range -325 to 0 points) includes highly relevant items including the necessity of intermittent mechanical ventilation or tracheostomy.

METHODS

The present paper analyzed data from a German multi-center study, enrolling 754 neurological early rehabilitation patients. Together with ERI, Barthel Index (BI), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Glasgow Outcome Score Extended, Coma Remission Scale (CRS), Functional Ambulation Categories and length of stay were obtained.

RESULTS

ERI showed significant improvements from admission to discharge (p < 0.001). In addition, there were significant correlations of the ERI upon admission and at discharge with BI, CRS and GCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of our study data suggest that the ERI may be used as a valid assessment instrument for neurological and neurosurgical early rehabilitation patients.

Association of lifestyle and demographic factors with estrogenic and glucocorticogenic activity in Mexican American women

Breast cancer risk is higher in US-born than in foreign-born Hispanics/Latinas and also increases with greater length of US residency. It is only partially known what factors contribute to these patterns of risk. To gain new insights, we tested the association between lifestyle and demographic variables and breast cancer status, with measures of estrogenic (E) and glucocorticogenic (G) activity in Mexican American women. We used Chemical-Activated LUciferase gene eXpression assays to measure E and G activity in total plasma from 90 Mexican American women, without a history of breast cancer at the time of recruitment, from the San Francisco Bay Area Breast Cancer Study. We tested associations of nativity, lifestyle and sociodemographic factors with E and G activity using linear regression models. We did not find a statistically significant difference in E or G activity by nativity. However, in multivariable models, E activity was associated with Indigenous American ancestry (19% decrease in E activity per 10% increase in ancestry, P = 0.014) and with length of US residency (28% increase in E activity for every 10 years, P = 0.035). G activity was associated with breast cancer status (women who have developed breast cancer since recruitment into the study had 21% lower G activity than those who have not, P = 0.054) and alcohol intake (drinkers had 25% higher G activity than non-drinkers, P = 0.015). These associations suggest that previously reported breast cancer risk factors such as genetic ancestry and alcohol intake might in part be associated with breast cancer risk through mechanisms linked to the endocrine system.

Multiple scattering dynamics of fermions at an isolated p-wave resonance

The wavefunction for indistinguishable fermions is anti-symmetric under particle exchange, which directly leads to the Pauli exclusion principle, and hence underlies the structure of atoms and the properties of almost all materials. In the dynamics of collisions between two indistinguishable fermions, this requirement strictly prohibits scattering into 90° angles. Here we experimentally investigate the collisions of ultracold clouds fermionic ⁴⁰K atoms by directly measuring scattering distributions. With increasing collision energy we identify the Wigner threshold for p-wave scattering with its tell-tale dumb-bell shape and no 90° yield. Above this threshold, effects of multiple scattering become manifest as deviations from the underlying binary p-wave shape, adding particles either isotropically or axially. A shape resonance for ⁴⁰K facilitates the separate observation of these two processes. The isotropically enhanced multiple scattering mode is a generic p-wave threshold phenomenon, whereas the axially enhanced mode should occur in any colliding particle system with an elastic scattering resonance.

Multiple scattering with wave-like atoms is known to produce non-trivial many-body effects. Here, the authors investigate multiple scattering in the semi-classical limit using deviations in the scattering halos produced by the collision of indistinguishable ultracold fermions.

Integrated immunohistochemical and DNA copy number profiling analysis provides insight into the molecular pathogenesis of canine follicular lymphoma

Follicular lymphomas (FLs) typically exhibit a chromosome translocation that induces constitutive expression of the anti-apoptotic bcl2 protein and accumulation of additional molecular defects. This rearrangement offers a promising therapeutic target, but its nature as a fundamental driver of FL pathogenesis remains unclear as 15% of cases lack the translocation. We performed an integrated immunohistochemical and genomic investigation of 10 naturally occurring FL cases from domestic dogs, showing that, as with human tumours, they exhibit marked heterogeneity in the frequency and intensity of bcl2 protein expression. Genomic copy number aberrations were infrequent and broadly consistent with those of other canine B-cell lymphoma subtypes. None of the canine FL specimens exhibited a rearrangement consistent with the hallmark translocation of human FL, despite their remarkable histomorphologic similarity. Parallel exploration of canine and human cases may reveal alternative tumour-initiating mechanisms other than BCL2 disruption, yielding a more complete definition of the molecular pathogenesis of FL.

The role of robotic surgery in the treatment of urolithiasis

Renal stones in the modern era are most commonly treated with minimally invasive techniques and using endourological procedures. However, for more complex cases, there is renewed interest in exploring laparoscopic or robotic techniques that can offer patients significant benefits over otherwise multiple endourologic or open surgical intervention. In clinical circumstances with anomalous anatomy, indication for concomitant reconstruction, or previously failed endourological intervention, robotic and laparoscopic approaches may offer suitable, if not more effective, treatment options.

HLA class II diversity in HIV-1 uninfected individuals from the placebo arm of the RV144 Thai vaccine efficacy trial

The RV144 HIV vaccine trial in Thailand elicited antibody responses to the envelope of HIV-1, which correlated significantly with the risk of HIV-1 acquisition. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules are essential in antigen presentation to CD4 T cells for activation of B cells to produce antibodies. We genotyped the classical HLA-DRB1, DQB1, and DPB1 genes in 450 individuals from the placebo arm of the RV144 study to determine the background allele and haplotype frequencies of these genes in this cohort. High-resolution 4 and 6-digit class II HLA typing data was generated using sequencing-based methods. The observed diversity for the HLA loci was 33 HLA-DRB1, 15 HLA-DQB1, and 26 HLA-DPB1 alleles. Common alleles with frequencies greater than 10% were DRB1*07:01, DRB1*09:01, DRB1*12:02, DRB1*15:02, DQB1*02:01/02, DQB1*03:01, DQB1*03:03, DQB1*05:01, DQB1*05:02, DPB1*04:01:01, DPB1*05:01:01, and DPB1*13:01:01. We identified 28 rare alleles with frequencies of less than 1% in the Thai individuals. Ambiguity for HLA-DPB1*28:01 in exon 2 was resolved to DPB1*296:01 by next-generation sequencing of all exons. Multi-locus haplotypes including HLA class I and II loci were reported in this study. This is the first comprehensive report of allele and haplotype frequencies of all three HLA class II genes from a Thai population. A high-resolution genotyping method such as next-generation sequencing avoids missing rare alleles and resolves ambiguous calls. The HLA class II genotyping data generated in this study will be beneficial not only for future disease association/vaccine efficacy studies related to the RV144 study, but also for similar studies in other diseases in the Thai population, as well as population genetics and transplantation studies.

Use of an aggregate exposure model to estimate consumer exposure to fragrance ingredients in personal care and cosmetic products

Ensuring the toxicological safety of fragrance ingredients used in personal care and cosmetic products is essential in product development and design, as well as in the regulatory compliance of the products. This requires an accurate estimation of consumer exposure which, in turn, requires an understanding of consumer habits and use of products. Where ingredients are used in multiple product types, it is important to take account of aggregate exposure in consumers using these products. This publication investigates the use of a newly developed probabilistic model, the Creme RIFM model, to estimate aggregate exposure to fragrance ingredients using the example of 2-phenylethanol (PEA). The output shown demonstrates the utility of the model in determining systemic and dermal exposure to fragrances from individual products, and aggregate exposure. The model provides valuable information not only for risk assessment, but also for risk management. It should be noted that data on the concentrations of PEA in products used in this article were obtained from limited sources and not the standard, industry wide surveys typically employed by the fragrance industry and are thus presented here to illustrate the output and utility of the newly developed model. They should not be considered an accurate representation of actual exposure to PEA.