Search for quantum black hole production in high-invariant-mass lepton+jet final states using pp collisions at √s=8 TeV and the ATLAS detector

This Letter presents a search for quantum black-hole production using 20.3 fb-1 of data collected with the ATLAS detector in pp collisions at the LHC at √s = 8 TeV. The quantum black holes are assumed to decay into a final state characterized by a lepton (electron or muon) and a jet. In either channel, no event with a lepton-jet invariant mass of 3.5 TeV or more is observed, consistent with the expected background. Limits are set on the product of cross sections and branching fractions for the lepton+jet final states of quantum black holes produced in a search region for invariant masses above 1 TeV. The combined 95% confidence level upper limit on this product for quantum black holes with threshold mass above 3.5 TeV is 0.18 fb. This limit constrains the threshold quantum black-hole mass to be above 5.3 TeV in the model considered.

Leukemia-associated aberrant immunophenotype in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: changes at refractory disease or first relapse and clinicopathological findings

INTRODUCTION

Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) is commonly used to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) during the course of chemotherapy or relapse. Only one study addressed the immunophenotypic changes in refractory disease. We studied changes in leukemia-associated aberrant immunophenotype (LAIP) in patients with refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHOD

We analyzed 47 patients (refractory = 22; relapsed = 25) by MFC, morphology, and cytogenetic studies.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients (74%) showed variably changed LAIPs. The frequently altered LAIPs were lack of lineage-specific antigen and lineage infidelity. The most frequently changed marker was CD13, followed by CD33, CD56, CD7, CD4, and CD11b. Cytogenetic clonal evolution at persistence/relapse was observed in 15 patients (32%). Morphologically, three patients (6%) showed significant changes at relapse. Patients with refractory AML had a higher association with poor cytogenetic risk and classification of AML with myelodysplasia-related changes. Positive MRD at postinduction was of prognostic significance. Allogeneic stem cell transplant improved overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

LAIP alterations in refractory/relapsed AMLs are common findings. Presence of persistent disease indicates a poor prognosis, regardless of cytogenetic risk or expression of CD7 or CD56. Discordance between cytogenetic and LAIP changes suggests that gross cytogenetic clonal evolution during disease progression only partly contributes to immunophenotypic instability.

Co-culture of spleen stromal cells with bone marrow mononuclear cells leads to the generation of a novel macrophage subset

Macrophages adopt diverse activation states depending on the microenvironment. Recently, stromal cells have been demonstrated to be organizers of the microenvironment. Here, using splenic stromal cells to mimic the splenic microenvironment in vivo, we show that spleen stromal cells can programme bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells to differentiate and polarize into a novel macrophage subset. These differentiated macrophages (Diff-Mφ) exhibited pronounced production of IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-α, but diminished the production of IL-12 in response to LPS. The generation of Diff-Mφ depended on cell-cell contact as well as on soluble factors. Diff-Mφ directly suppressed the antigen-non-specific (CD3/CD28) CD4(+) T cell proliferative response and induced cell death of activated CD4(+) T cells. As for cytokine production in CD4(+) T cells, Diff-Mφ promoted IL-10 and IL-17 production, whereas inhibited IL-4 production and did not alter IFN-γ production. Besides, Diff-Mφ also expressed iNOS, CD16/CD32, CD54, CD43, CCR7, CD44, PD-L1 and FasL, which might be involved in the function of Diff-Mφ. These results suggest that splenic microenvironment may physiologically induce a novel type of macrophages differentiation.

Kidneys at higher risk of discard: expanding the role of dual kidney transplantation

Half of the recovered expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys are discarded in the United States. A new kidney allocation system offers kidneys at higher risk of discard, Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI)>85%, to a wider geographic area to promote broader sharing and expedite utilization. Dual kidney transplantation (DKT) based on the KDPI is a potential option to streamline allocation of kidneys which otherwise would have been discarded. To assess the clinical utility of the KDPI in kidneys at higher risk of discard, we analyzed the OPTN/UNOS Registry that included the deceased donor kidneys recovered between 2002 and 2012. The primary outcomes were allograft survival, patient survival and discard rate based on different KDPI categories (<80%, 80-90% and >90%). Kidneys with KDPI>90% were associated with increased odds of discard (OR=1.99, 95% CI 1.74-2.29) compared to ones with KDPI<80%. DKTs of KDPI>90% were associated with lower overall allograft failure (HR=0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.89) and better patient survival (HR=0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.98) compared to single ECD kidneys with KDPI>90%. Kidneys at higher risk of discard may be offered in the up-front allocation system as a DKT. Further modeling and simulation studies are required to determine a reasonable KDPI cutoff percentile.

Neural correlates of the abolished self-referential memory effect in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

The self-referential memory (SRM) effect refers to the phenomenon that stimuli processed with reference to the self are better remembered than those referenced to others. Studies have shown that schizophrenia patients do not have this memorial advantage for self-referenced information. The current study investigated the electrophysiological mechanism of the abolished SRM effect in schizophrenia.

METHOD

Twenty schizophrenia patients and 22 controls were recruited to complete an SRM task. We used a high-time resolution event-related potential (ERP) technique to analyze the electrophysiological differences between patients and controls during self- and other-reflection processing.

RESULTS

Behavior data indicated that healthy controls had a typical SRM bias that was absent in the schizophrenia patients. ERP comparison between groups showed that the schizophrenia patients presented smaller voltages in both self- and other-reflection conditions in the 160-260 ms (P2 component) and 800-1200 ms (positive slow wave) time windows over the pre/frontal cortex. Furthermore, the N2 amplitudes (270-380 ms) differed between self- and other-reflection conditions in patients but not in normal controls. More importantly, we found that the P3 amplitudes in the parietal cortex correlated significantly with the SRM bias score in the patients (r = -0.688).

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide comprehensive and direct electrophysiological evidence for self- and other-reflective dysfunction in schizophrenia patients and contribute to our understanding of the underlying neural substrates of the abolished SRM effect in schizophrenia.

Search for dark matter in events with a hadronically decaying W or Z boson and missing transverse momentum in pp collisions at √s=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search is presented for dark matter pair production in association with a W or Z boson in pp collisions representing 20.3  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity at √s=8  TeV using data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events with a hadronic jet with the jet mass consistent with a W or Z boson, and with large missing transverse momentum are analyzed. The data are consistent with the standard model expectations. Limits are set on the mass scale in effective field theories that describe the interaction of dark matter and standard model particles, and on the cross section of Higgs production and decay to invisible particles. In addition, cross section limits on the anomalous production of W or Z bosons with large missing transverse momentum are set in two fiducial regions.

miR-1207-5p and miR-1266 suppress gastric cancer growth and invasion by targeting telomerase reverse transcriptase

hTERT is the catalytic subunit of the telomerase complex. Elevated expression of hTERT is associated with the expansion and metastasis of gastric tumor. In this study, we aimed to identify novel tumor suppressor miRNAs that restrain hTERT expression. We began our screen for hTERT-targeting miRNAs with a miRNA microarray. miRNA candidates were further filtered by bioinformatic analysis, general expression pattern in different cell lines, gain-of-function effects on hTERT protein and the potential of these effects to suppress hTERT 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) luciferase activity. The clinical relevance of two miRNAs (miR-1207-5p and miR-1266) was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. The effects of these miRNAs on cell growth, cell cycle and invasion of gastric cancer cells were measured with CCK-8, flow cytometry and transwell assays. Finally, the ability of these miRNAs to suppress the transplanted tumors was also investigated. Fourteen miRNAs were identified using a combination of bioinformatics and miRNA microarray analysis. Of these fourteen miRNAs, nine were expressed at significantly lower levels in hTERT-positive cell lines compared with hTERT-negative cell lines and five could downregulate hTERT protein expression. Only miR-1207-5p and miR-1266 interacted with the 3′ UTR of hTERT and the expression levels of these two miRNAs were significantly decreased in gastric cancer tissues. These two miRNAs also inhibited gastric tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, miR-1207-5p and miR-1266 were determined to be hTERT suppressors in gastric cancer, and the delivery of these two miRNAs represents a novel therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer treatment.

Usefulness of 3T diffusion-weighted MRI for discrimination of reactive and metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To study the diagnostic accuracy of 3T diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) for the discrimination of reactive and metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

DW T1 and T2 weighted MRI was performed in 25 patients with biopsy-proved primary oral squamous cell carcinoma. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of 30 histopathologically proved reactive lymph nodes and 21 histopathologically proved metastatic lymph nodes were compared using an unpaired t-test. A cut-off ADC value with optimal diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve in discrimination of the two groups was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

The mean ADC values of reactive lymph node and metastatic lymph node groups were (1.037 ± 0.149) × 10(-3) and (0.702 ± 0.197) × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1), respectively. A statistically significant difference in ADC values of the two groups was certified (p < 0.0001). An optimal ADC threshold value of 0.887 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) was suggested as the cut-off point, which resulted in 93.33% sensitivity, 80.95% specificity, 88.20% accuracy and area under curve of 0.887.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary study indicates that the addition of 3T DW-MRI may be useful for discriminating between reactive lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, larger studies are still required to validate our results and to standardize this imaging technique for daily clinical practice.

Development of new muscle contraction sensor to replace sEMG for using in muscles analysis fields

Nowadays, the technologies for detecting, processing and interpreting bioelectrical signals have improved tremendously. In particular, surface electromyography (sEMG) has gained momentum in a wide range of applications in various fields. However, sEMG sensing has several shortcomings, the most important being: measurements are heavily sensible to individual differences, sensors are difficult to position and very expensive. In this paper, the authors will present an innovative muscle contraction sensing device (MC sensor), aiming to replace sEMG sensing in the field of muscle movement analysis. Compared with sEMG, this sensor is easier to position, setup and use, less dependent from individual differences, and less expensive. Preliminary experiments, described in this paper, confirm that MC sensing is suitable for muscle contraction analysis, and compare the results of sEMG and MC sensor for the measurement of forearm muscle contraction.

The progress of ALDH-1 in gynecologic oncology

The authors present a review of the literature to illustrate the progress of ALDH-1 in gynecological malignancies.

Abstract P6-12-11: Celecoxib inhibits the growth of IBC tumors by suppressing the regulation of cancer stem-like cells by nodal

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive type of breast cancer with no known molecular targets for treatment. Although erythema is commonly associated with IBC, the molecular mechanism of inflammation in the pathogenesis of IBC remains unknown. We have previously shown that EGFR is an emerging target in IBC (Zhang D. et al Clin Can Res 2009). As crosstalk between EGFR and COX-2 plays an important role in the inflammatory response in several cancers, including breast cancer, we hypothesized that COX-2 promotes the tumorigenesis and metastasis of IBC cells.

Methods: Using clinically derived IBC and non-IBC tumor samples, a Spearman's Rank correlation coefficient analysis was performed to analyze the expression levels of COX-2 and EGFR in IBC and non-IBC. The levels of COX-2 metabolites, prostaglandins (PGs) PGE2 and PGF2α, were measured in IBC and non-IBC cell lines by HPLC/MS method. Cell migration and invasion assays were performed using SUM149 and KPL-4 IBC cell lines treated with PGs or the COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib. We evaluated the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotype in 3D culture of SUM149 cells treated with celecoxib, and the stem-like population by mammosphere formation, and CD44+/CD24− and aldefluor+ population by FACS. We treated preclinical IBC xenograft mice with celecoxib and measured tumor growth, PGs levels, and the expression of EMT protein markers. Nodal, a stem cell regulator and potential biomarker for breast cancer progression, was evaluated in IBC cells following treatment with celecoxib and recombinant Nodal or transfection with Nodal cDNA.

Results: EGFR and COX-2 expression levels positively correlated within IBC, but not non-IBC tumors. Elevated levels of PGE2 and PGF2α were identified in multiple IBC cell lines suggesting that COX activity is elevated within IBC compared to non-IBC cells. PGs altered EMT protein markers and promoted cell migration and invasion, while Celecoxib inhibited EMT and migration and invasion in SUM149 and KPL-4 cells. Celecoxib treatment inhibited tumor growth in mice, and downregulated the expression of EMT protein markers, including Nodal. Celecoxib decreased the stem-like CD44+/CD24−, and aldefluor+ population and the formation of mammospheres. Exogenous Nodal mitigated the effects of celecoxib on cell migration and invasion and the stem-like population in SUM149 cells.

Conclusion: We conclude that activation of the COX-2 inflammatory signaling pathway is critical in the development and progression of IBC. This study provides a novel insight into how inflammation may regulate cancer stem cells via Nodal, and will guide future research into the development of stem cell targeted therapies for IBC.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-12-11.

Denis RD, Stahlman J, Stamen R, Stanecka E, Stanek RW, Stanescu C, Stanescu-Bellu M, Stanitzki MM, Stapnes S, Starchenko EA, Stark J, Staroba P, Starovoitov P, Staszewski R, Staude A, Stavina P, Steele G, Steinbach P, Steinberg P, Stekl I, Stelzer B, Stelzer HJ, Stelzer-Chilton O, Stenzel H, Stern S, Stewart GA, Stillings JA, Stockton MC, Stoebe M, Stoerig K, Stoicea G, Stonjek S, Stradling AR, Straessner A, Strandberg J, Strandberg S, Strandlie A, Strang M, Strauss E, Strauss M, Strizenec P, Ströhmer R, Strom DM, Strong JA, Stroynowski R, Stugu B, Stumer I, Stupak J, Sturm P, Styles NA, Su D, Subramania HS, Subramaniam R, Succurro A, Sugaya Y, Suhr C, Suk M, Sulin VV, Sultansoy S, Sumida T, Sun X, Sundermann JE, Suruliz K, Susinno G, Sutton MR, Suzuki Y, Suzuki Y, Svatos M, Swedish S, Swiatlowski M, Sykora I, Sykora T, Ta D, Tackmann K, Taffard A, Tafirout R, Taiblum N, Takahashi Y, Takai H, Takashima R, Takeda H, Takeshita T, Takubo Y, Talby M, Talyshev AA, Tam JYC, Tamsett MC, Tan KG, Tanaka J, Tanaka R, Tanaka S, Tanaka S, Tanasijczuk AJ, Tani K, Tannoury N, Tapprogge S, Tarem S, Tarrade F, Tartarelli GF, Tas P, Tasevsky M, Tashiro T, Tassi E, Tayalati Y, Taylor C, Taylor FE, Taylor GN, Taylor W, Teinturier M, Teischinger FA, Teixeira Dias Castanheira M, Teixeira-Dias P, Temming KK, Ten Kate H, Teng PK, Terada S, Terashi K, Terron J, Testa M, Teuscher RJ, Therhaag J, Theveneaux-Pelzer T, Thoma S, Thomas JP, Thompson EN, Thompson PD, Thompson PD, Thompson AS, Thomsen LA, Thomson E, Thomson M, Thong WM, Thun RP, Tian F, Tibbetts MJ, Tic T, Tikhomirov VO, Tikhonov YA, Timoshenko S, Tiouchichine E, Tipton P, Tisserant S, Todorov T, Todorova-Nova S, Toggerson B, Tojo J, Tokár S, Tokushuku K, Tollefson K, Tomlinson L, Tomoto M, Tompkins L, Toms K, Tonoyan A, Topfel C, Topilin ND, Torrence E, Torres H, Torró Pastor E, Toth J, Touchard F, Tovey DR, Tran HL, Trefzger T, Tremblet L, Tricoli A, Trigger IM, Trincaz-Duvoid S, Tripiana MF, Triplett N, Trischuk W, Trocmé B, Troncon C, Trottier-McDonald M, Trovatelli M, True P, Trzebinski M, Trzupek A, Tsarouchas C, Tseng JCL, Tsiakiris M, Tsiareshka PV, Tsionou D, Tsipolitis G, Tsiskaridze S, Tsiskaridze V, Tskhadadze EG, Tsukerman II, Tsulaia V, Tsung JW, Tsuno S, Tsybychev D, Tua A, Tudorache A, Tudorache V, Tuggle JM, Tuna AN, Turala M, Turecek D, Turk Cakir I, Turra R, Tuts PM, Tykhonov A, Tylmad M, Tyndel M, Uchida K, Ueda I, Ueno R, Ughetto M, Ugland M, Uhlenbrock M, Ukegawa F, Unal G, Undrus A, Unel G, Ungaro FC, Unno Y, Urbaniec D, Urquijo P, Usai G, Vacavant L, Vacek V, Vachon B, Vahsen S, Valencic N, Valentinetti S, Valero A, Valery L, Valkar S, Valladolid Gallego E, Vallecorsa S, Valls Ferrer JA, Van Berg R, Van Der Deijl PC, van der Geer R, van der Graaf H, Van Der Leeuw R, van der Ster D, van Eldik N, van Gemmeren P, Van Nieuwkoop J, van Vulpen I, Vanadia M, Vandelli W, Vaniachine A, Vankov P, Vannucci F, Vari R, Varnes EW, Varol T, Varouchas D, Vartapetian A, Varvell KE, Vassilakopoulos VI, Vazeille F, Vazquez Schroeder T, Veloso F, Veneziano S, Ventura A, Ventura D, Venturi M, Venturi N, Vercesi V, Verducci M, Verkerke W, Vermeulen JC, Vest A, Vetterli MC, Vichou I, Vickey T, Vickey Boeriu OE, Viehhauser GHA, Viel S, Villa M, Villaplana Perez M, Vilucchi E, Vincter MG, Vinogradov VB, Virzi J, Vitells O, Viti M, Vivarelli I, Vives Vaque F, Vlachos S, Vladoiu D, Vlasak M, Vogel A, Vokac P, Volpi G, Volpi M, Volpini G, von der Schmitt H, von Radziewski H, von Toerne E, Vorobel V, Vos M, Voss R, Vossebeld JH, Vranjes N, Vranjes Milosavljevic M, Vrba V, Vreeswijk M, Vu Anh T, Vuillermet R, Vukotic I, Vykydal Z, Wagner W, Wagner P, Wahrmund S, Wakabayashi J, Walch S, Walder J, Walker R, Walkowiak W, Wall R, Waller P, Walsh B, Wang C, Wang H, Wang H, Wang J, Wang J, Wang K, Wang R, Wang SM, Wang T, Wang X, Warburton A, Ward CP, Wardrope DR, Warsinsky M, Washbrook A, Wasicki C, Watanabe I, Watkins PM, Watson AT, Watson IJ, Watson MF, Watts G, Watts S, Waugh AT, Waugh BM, Weber MS, Webster JS, Weidberg AR, Weigell P, Weingarten J, Weiser C, Wells PS, Wenaus T, Wendland D, Weng Z, Wengler T, Wenig S, Wermes N, Werner M, Werner P, Werth M, Wessels M, Wetter J, Whalen K, White A, White MJ, White R, White S, Whitehead SR, Whiteson D, Whittington D, Wicke D, Wickens FJ, Wiedenmann W, Wielers M, Wienemann P, Wiglesworth C, Wiik-Fuchs LAM, Wijeratne PA, Wildauer A, Wildt MA, Wilhelm I, Wilkens HG, Will JZ, Williams E, Williams HH, Williams S, Willis W, Willocq S, Wilson JA, Wilson A, Wingerter-Seez I, Winkelmann S, Winklmeier F, Wittgen M, Wittig T, Wittkowski J, Wollstadt SJ, Wolter MW, Wolters H, Wong WC, Wooden G, Wosiek BK, Wotschack J, Woudstra MJ, Wozniak KW, Wraight K, Wright M, Wrona B, Wu SL, Wu X, Wu Y, Wulf E, Wynne BM, Xella S, Xiao M, Xie S, Xu C, Xu D, Xu L, Yabsley B, Yacoob S, Yamada M, Yamaguchi H, Yamaguchi Y, Yamamoto A, Yamamoto K, Yamamoto S, Yamamura T, Yamanaka T, Yamauchi K, Yamazaki T, Yamazaki Y, Yan Z, Yang H, Yang H, Yang UK, Yang Y, Yang Z, Yanush S, Yao L, Yasu Y, Yatsenko E, Yau Wong KH, Ye J, Ye S, Yen AL, Yildirim E, Yilmaz M, Yoosoofmiya R, Yorita K, Yoshida R, Yoshihara K, Young C, Young CJS, Youssef S, Yu D, Yu DR, Yu J, Yu J, Yuan L, Yurkewicz A, Zabinski B, Zaidan R, Zaitsev AM, Zambito S, Zanello L, Zanzi D, Zaytsev A, Zeitnitz C, Zeman M, Zemla A, Zenin O, Ženiš T, Zerwas D, Zevi della Porta G, Zhang D, Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhang L, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Zhao Z, Zhemchugov A, Zhong J, Zhou B, Zhou N, Zhou Y, Zhu CG, Zhu H, Zhu J, Zhu Y, Zhuang X, Zibell A, Zieminska D, Zimin NI, Zimmermann C, Zimmermann R, Zimmermann S, Zimmermann S, Zinonos Z, Ziolkowski M, Zitoun R, Živković L, Zmouchko VV, Zobernig G, Zoccoli A, zur Nedden M, Zutshi V, Zwalinski L. Measurement of jet shapes in top-quark pair events at [Formula: see text] using the ATLAS detector

A measurement of jet shapes in top-quark pair events using 1.8 fb-1 of [Formula: see text]pp collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC is presented. Samples of top-quark pair events are selected in both the single-lepton and dilepton final states. The differential and integrated shapes of the jets initiated by bottom-quarks from the top-quark decays are compared with those of the jets originated by light-quarks from the hadronic W-boson decays [Formula: see text] in the single-lepton channel. The light-quark jets are found to have a narrower distribution of the momentum flow inside the jet area than b-quark jets.

Measurement of top quark polarization in top-antitop events from proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV using the ATLAS detector

This Letter presents measurements of the polarization of the top quark in top-antitop quark pair events, using 4.7  fb(-1) of proton-proton collision data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at √s=7  TeV. Final states containing one or two isolated leptons (electrons or muons) and jets are considered. Two measurements of α(ℓ)P, the product of the leptonic spin-analyzing power and the top quark polarization, are performed assuming that the polarization is introduced by either a CP conserving or a maximally CP violating production process. The measurements obtained, α(ℓ)P(CPC)=-0.035±0.014(stat)±0.037(syst) and α(ℓ)P(CPV)=0.020±0.016(stat)(-0.017)(+0.013)(syst), are in good agreement with the standard model prediction of negligible top quark polarization.

Broad-band efficiency calibration of ITER bolometer prototypes using Pt absorbers on SiN membranes

The energy resolved efficiency of two bolometer detector prototypes for ITER with 4 channels each and absorber thicknesses of 4.5 μm and 12.5 μm, respectively, has been calibrated in a broad spectral range from 1.46 eV up to 25 keV. The calibration in the energy range above 3 eV was performed against previously calibrated silicon photodiodes using monochromatized synchrotron radiation provided by five different beamlines of Physikalische Technische Bundesanstalt at the electron storage rings BESSY II and Metrology Light Source in Berlin. For the measurements in the visible range, a setup was realised using monochromatized halogen lamp radiation and a calibrated laser power meter as reference. The measurements clearly demonstrate that the efficiency of the bolometer prototype detectors in the range from 50 eV up to ≈6 keV is close to unity; at a photon energy of 20 keV the bolometer with the thick absorber detects 80% of the photons, the one with the thin absorber about 50%. This indicates that the detectors will be well capable of measuring the plasma radiation expected from the standard ITER scenario. However, a minimum absorber thickness will be required for the high temperatures in the central plasma. At 11.56 keV, the sharp Pt-L3 absorption edge allowed to cross-check the absorber thickness by fitting the measured efficiency to the theoretically expected absorption of X-rays in a homogeneous Pt-layer. Furthermore, below 50 eV the efficiency first follows the losses due to reflectance expected for Pt, but below 10 eV it is reduced further by a factor of 2 for the thick absorber and a factor of 4 for the thin absorber. Most probably, the different histories in production, storage, and operation led to varying surface conditions and additional loss channels.

Apoptotic block in colon cancer cells may be rectified by lentivirus mediated overexpression of caspase-9

BACKGROUND AND AIM

At present, the inhibition of apoptosis during pathogenesis of colorectal cancer is widely recognized while the role of caspase-9 in this process remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the differential expression of caspase-9 and evaluate the therapeutic potential of expression intervention in this study.

METHODS

We first examined the different expression of caspase-9 in normal colon mucosa, adenoma and cancer, investigating the relationship between its expression and clinico-pathological characteristics. Secondly, overexpression of caspase-9 was established in colon cancer cell lines by lentivirus infection to study the changes in growth, proliferation and apoptosis.

RESULTS

Compared with normal colon mucosa, the expression of caspase-9 was higher in adenoma while lower in cancer both at mRNA and protein level (P < 0.05). In addition, the down-regulation of caspase-9 expression is more common in poorly differentiated cancers (P < 0.05). Concerning cell lines, overexpression cell groups showed higher expression of caspase-9, poorer colony formation and slower cell proliferation. In terms of apoptosis related indicators, caspase-9 overexpression leads to higher apoptosis rate and GO/G1 arrest, while up-regulating the expression of caspase-3 (P <0.05). Interestingly, down-regulation of carcinoembryonic antigen secretion was also observed in caspase-9 overexpression cells (P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

The change of caspase-9 expression from colon mucosa, adenoma to cancer suggested it may be involved in the carcinogenesis of colon cancer. The overexpression of caspase-9 exhibits an inhibitory role in cancer growth and proliferation while promoting apoptosis. However, a non-apoptotic role of caspase-9 facilitating differentiation was also implied.

The evaluation of Lugol's iodine solution staining combined with endoscope for diagnosis of non-erosive reflux disease in clinic

AIM

To evaluate the value of Lugol's iodine solution staining combined with endoscope on the diagnosis of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 96 gastroesophageal reflux disease patients were selected to participate in this study. The patients were stained on esophageal mucosa by Lugol's iodine solution and examined at routine endoscopy. The shallow staining and/or non-staining group patients were treated with esomeprazole and mosapride citrate, and then the changes in Lugol's iodine staining, Gerd Q (Gerd questionnaire) scoring and histological characters of esophageal mucosa were recorded before and after treatment.

RESULTS

As the results, a total of 68 patients were diagnosed as NERD, and 36 of 68 patients were observed with uniform staining and 32 of 68 patients were observed with shallow staining and/or non-staining. After 4 weeks for treatment, 28 of 32 patients with shallow staining and/or non-staining became uniform staining and 4 of 32 patients were still with shallow staining and/or non-staining. Before and after treatment, the Gerd Q scoring of uniform staining groups and shallow staining and/or non-staining groups all had a significant difference (p < 0.05). Compared to the routine endoscopy, the detection rate of abnormal esophageal mucosa was significantly increased by Lugol's iodine solution staining combined with endoscope.

CONCLUSIONS

Lugol's iodine solution staining combined with routine endoscopy, Gerd Q scoring and histomorphology can be used to evaluate the diagnosis and therapeutic effect of NERD.

Pharmacokinetics of niacin, simvastatin and their metabolites in healthy Chinese subjects after single and multiple doses of a fixed dose combination tablet of niacin extended release/simvastatin

OBJECTIVE

A fixed dose combination tablet of niacin extended release (ER)/simvastatin was recently developed in China. This study was designed to assess and compare the pharmacokinetics of niacin, simvastatin and their metabolites in healthy Chinese subjects after single and multiple doses administration.

METHODS

From day 1 to day 7, 12 Chinese subjects were given a tablet every day at approximately 10 p.m. Serial blood samples were collected. Niacin and nicotinuric acid (NUA) in plasma, niacin, NUA, N-methylnicotinamide (MNA) and N-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2PY) in urine, simvastatin and simvastatin acid in plasma were determined by LC/MS/MS methods. Pharmacokinetic parameters on days 1 and 7 were compared.

RESULTS

The main pharmacokinetic parameters for the single and multiple doses were as -follows: Niacin: Tmax were 3.8±1.5 h and 3.9±2.0 h; Cmax were 2 091±1 315 ng/ml and 2 323±1 542 ng/ml; AUC0-t were 4 123.88±3 138.48 ng ∙ h/ml and 4 385.98±3 127.05 ng ∙ h/ml. NUA: Tmax were 4.7±1.7 h and 3.8±1.5 h; Cmax were 1 057±549 ng/ml and 1 087±470 ng/ml; AUC0-t were 4 012.49±2 168.68 ng ∙ h/ml and 4 040.45±1 886.57 ng ∙ h/ml. Simvastatin: Tmax were 1.8±1.0 h and 2.5±2.5 h; Cmax were 3.15±1.67 ng/ml and 4.87±4.11 ng/ml; AUC0-t were 9.03±5.10 ng ∙ h/ml and 17.63±13.93 ng ∙ h/ml. Simvastatin acid: Tmax were 5.8±1.7 h and 6.5±1.4 h; Cmax were 4.22±2.10 ng/ml and 9.30±8.09 ng/ml; AUC0-t were 34.65±16.89 ng ∙ h/ml and 61.62±46.41 ng ∙ h/ml. Urine Recovery rate of total niacin: (40.55±7.38)% and (62.87±12.04)%.

CONCLUSION

Compared with those after a single dose, pharmacokinetics of niacin and NUA was similar; total urine recovery of niacin was higher; exposure to simvastatin and simvastatin acid were higher following multiple doses.