Quasiparticle states of on-demand coherent electron sources

We introduce a general approach to extract the wave function of quasiparticles from the scattering matrix of a quantum conductor, which offers a unified way to study the features of quasiparticles from on-demand coherent electron sources with different configurations. We first show that the quasiparticles are particle-hole pairs in the Fermi sea, which can be indexed with the flow density [Formula: see text]. Both the excitation probability and the particle/hole components of the quasiparticles can be solely decided from the polar decomposition of the scattering matrix. By using such approach, we then investigate the quasiparticles from the electron sources based on a quantum point contact and a quantum dot (QD). We find that the quasiparticles from different electron sources have different features, which can be seen from the corresponding [Formula: see text]-dependence of the excitation probability and the particle/hole components. We further show that these features can also be characterized by the full counting statistics of the quasiparticles, which can be approximated by a binomial distribution with cumulant generating function [Formula: see text]. For the quantum-point-contact-based electron sources, both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are monotonically increasing functions of the driving strength. In contrast, for the quantum-dot-based electron sources, both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] can exhibit oscillations, which can be attributed to the interplay between the charge excitation and charge relaxation processes in the QD.

Revision of a CHF correlation for PWR under low pressure conditions with only dimensionless parameters as independent variables

Accurate prediction of the critical heat flux (CHF) is one of the key tasks of PWR core design and safety assessment, for the maximal allowable heat flux in the reactor core is limited by CHF. Since CHF in rod bundle cannot be predicted analytically, up-to-date predictive approach is based on empirical correlations related to the local thermal-hydraulic conditions, geometry and power distribution. However, development of CHF correlation for PWR fuel assemblies under low pressure conditions (2–10 MPa) is constrained by limited amount of experimental data points, which builds up in statistics a typical problem of small sample amounts, but requiring simultaneously high prediction accuracy. In our previous study, stepwise regression method was applied to develop a dimensional, empirical CHF correlation for PWR under low pressure conditions, termed as the advanced low pressure CHF correlation (ALPC), which successfully solves the challenge of small sample problem. However, the ALPC correlation still uses dimensional independent variables with less physical meanings, which limits its physical interpretability. In the current study, stepwise regression method was used to develop a revised, dimensionless version of the ALPC CHF correlation. First, various dimensionless, two-phase thermal-hydraulic parameters that might influence CHF were selected as candidate independent variables. With stepwise regression, the form and coefficients of the revised CHF correlation were optimized in a dynamic manner. Compared to the current ALPC correlation, the revised version developed in this study possesses a similar simple form but a much higher prediction accuracy. Revision of the ALPC correlation demonstrates clearly the advantages of utilizing dimensionless parameters as independent variables in CHF correlation, which points out a new direction of developing rod-bundle CHF correlations for engineering purpose.

Gut microbiota of newborn piglets with intrauterine growth restriction have lower diversity and different taxonomic abundances

Aim

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a prevalent problem in mammals. The present study was conducted to unveil the alterations in intestinal microbiota in IUGR piglets.

Methods and Results

We identified the alterations of small intestinal microbiota in IUGR piglets on 7, 21 and 28 days of age using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that IUGR piglets had a decreased alpha diversity of jejunum microbiota at 7 and 21 days of age; had lower abundances of Bacteroidetes and Bacteroides in the jejunum at 7, 21 and 28 days of age, Oscillibacter in the jejunum at 21 days of age, and Firmicutes in the ileum at 21 days of age; whereas they had higher abundances of Proteobacteria and Pasteurella in the ileum at 21 days of age and Escherichia–Shigella in the jejunum at 28 days of age. Correlation analysis showed that Bacteroides, Oscillibacter and Ruminococcaceae_UCG‐002 compositions were positively associated with the body weight (BW) of IUGR piglets, nevertheless Proteobacteria and Escherichia–Shigella relative abundances were negatively correlated with the BW of IUGR piglets. Gene function prediction analysis indicated that microbiota‐associated carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism were downregulated in the IUGR piglets compared to control piglets.

Conclusions

The present study profiled the intestinal microbiota of newborn piglets with IUGR and the newborn IUGR piglets have lower diversity and different taxonomic abundances. Alterations in the abundances of Bacteroidetes, Bacteroides, Proteobacteria Escherichia–Shigella and Pasteurella may be involved in nutrient digestion and absorption, as well as the potential mechanisms connecting to the growth and development of IUGR in mammals.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The small intestinal microbiota were highly shaped in the IUGR piglets, which might further mediate the growth and development of IUGR piglets; and the gut microbiota could serve as a potential target for IUGR treatment.

[Application of radiomics captured from CT to predict the EGFR mutation status and TKIs therapeutic sensitivity of advanced lung adenocarcinoma]

Objective: To explore the ability of computed-tomography (CT) radiomic features to predict the Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status and the therapeutic response of advanced lung adenocarcinoma to EGFR- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 253 patients diagnosed as advanced lung adenocarcinoma, who underwent EGFR mutation detection, and those with EGFR sensitive mutation were treated with TKIs. Using the Lasso regression model and the 10 fold cross-validation method, the radiomic features of predicted EGFR mutation status and the screening of TKIs for sensitive populations were obtained. 715 radiomic features were extracted from unenhanced, arterial phase and venous phase, respectively. Results: The area under curve (AUC) values of the multi-phases including unenhanced, arterial phase and venous phase of the EGFR mutation status validation group were 0.763, 0.807 and 0.808, respectively. The number of radiomic features extracted from the multi-phases were 5, 18 and 23, respectively, which could distinguish the EGFR mutation status. The AUC values of the multi-phases of the EGFR-TKIs sensitive validation group were 0.730, 0.833 and 0.895, respectively. The number of radiomic features extracted from the multi-phases were 3, 7 and 22, respectively, which can be used to screen the superior population for TKIs treatment. The efficiency of radiomic features extracted from venous phase in predicting EGFR mutant status and EGFR-TKIs sensitivity was significantly superior than those of unenhanced and arterial phase. Conclusions: The radiomic features of CT scanning can be used as the radiomics biomarker to predict the EGFR mutation status of lung adenocarcinoma and to further screen the dominant population in TKIs therapy, which provides the basis for targeted therapy.

[Related factors on skip metastasis of neck lymph node in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between skip metastasis of neck lymph node and clinicopathological features in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: Totally 272 papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with lateral lymph node metastases who received surgical procedure at Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Hospital of the Jilin University from January 2014 to June 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 105 male and 167 female patients, aging from 16 to 73 years with a mean age of (42±8) years. There were 29 patients (10.7%) with skip metastasis. And then the correlation between skip metastasis of neck lymph node and clinicopathological features was analyzed by χ(2) test and multivariate Logistic regression test. Results: The rate of skip metastasis in all patients was 10.7% (29/272). By summarizing the distribution of the lateral lymph nodes about the patients with skip metastasis, 16 cases metastasized in single level (55.2%), meanwhile 6 in two levels (20.7%) and 7 in three levels (24.1%). Strong correlation between age, tumor location and skip metastasis was found using χ(2) test (χ(2) values were 14.056 and 21.362 respectively, both P values were 0.000). Age (>45 years) (OR=4.318, 95% CI: 1.767 to 10.552, P=0.001), microcarcinoma (OR=2.623, 95% CI: 1.013 to 6.795, P=0.047)and the tumor located in the upper of the thyroid (OR=11.982, 95% CI: 2.533 to 56.173, P=0.002) were risk factors to the skip metastasis through multivariable Logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Age >45 years old, microcarcinoma or tumor located in the upper part of the thyroid gland was more likely present with skip metastasis. Skip metastases are often involved in the lateral multi-level. Therefore, confronted patients with one of these risk factors, the occurrence of skip metastasis should be awared when the lateral lymph node was large abnormally. Accordingly, it may be appropriate to extend the indications of fine needle aspiration for lateral lymph node in order to prevent missed diagnosis.

Neural stem cells promote glioblastoma formation in nude mice

PURPOSE

Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been characterized with the ability of self-renewal and neurogenesis, which has inspired lots of studies to clarify the functions of NSCs in neural injury, ischemic stroke, brain inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. We focused on the relationship of NSCs with glioblastoma, since we have discovered that recurrent glioblastomas were inclined to be derived from subventricular zone (SVZ), where NSCs reside. We want to clarify whether NSCs are involved in glioblastoma relapse.

METHODS

Immunocytochemistry was used to confirm the stemness of NSCs. The Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to measure the proliferation of cells. Migration abilities were examined by wound healing and transwell assays, and tumor formation abilities were confirmed in nude mice.

RESULTS

We found in experiments that NSCs promoted proliferation of a glioblastoma cell line-Ln229, the migration ability of Ln229 cells was motivated by co-cultured with NSCs. Tumor formation of Ln229 cells was also accelerated in nude mice when co-transplanted with NSCs. In immunohistochemistry, we found that the Sox2- and Ki67-positive cells were much higher in co-transplanted groups than that of control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results imply the potential role that NSCs play in speeding up tumor formation in the process of glioblastoma relapse, providing the basis for dealing with newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients, which may help postpone the recurrence of glioblastoma as far as possible through preprocessing the tumor-adjacent SVZ tissue.

Abstract P5-07-15: Adipose-derived peptides from breast cancer patients promote the malignancy of breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Adipose stromal/stem cells (ADSCs) could regulate malignancy behaviors of breast cancer, which was due to adipose-derived cytokines in part, such as leptin and resistin. Recently, peptides have been demonstrated to be potential targets for cancer therapy. It's valuable to analyze the characters of adipose-secreted peptides systematically. In this study, we isolated primary adipocytes from adipose tissue adjacent to breast tumor and breast benign lesions respectively, and then co-cultured breast cancer cells MCF-7 with tumor adjacent adipocytes (TAAs)/breast benign adipocytes (BBAs) separately. Compared to BBAs, TAAs could promote proliferation and migration ability of MCF-7. Then we extracted and purified peptides from supernatant of TAAs and BBAs using ultrafiltration, and the effects of TAAs-derived peptides compound on breast cancer cells appeared accordance with the adipose cells. 100 peptides, which were derived from 90 protein precursors, were found to be differentially secreted between TAAs and BBAs by LC-MS/MS (p < 0.05). Gene Ontology (GO) and Pathway analyses appeared that these altered peptides were mainly contributed to cell adhesion, and regulation of Ras-protein signal transduction. These results showed that these differentially secreted peptides could regulate breast cancer cell malignancy, which indicated that they could be potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic bio-marker for breast cancer.

Citation Format: Fu Z, Li W, Wu H, Huang X, Li J, Sun C, Tang J, Yin Y. Adipose-derived peptides from breast cancer patients promote the malignancy of breast cancer MCF-7 cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-07-15.

Abstract P3-10-29: tRNA-derived fragments as novel predictive biomarkers for trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer

Background: Resistance to trastuzumab remains a common challenge to HER-2 positive breast cancer. Up until now, the underlying mechanism of trastuzumab resistance is still unclear. tRNA-derived small non-coding RNAs, a new class of small non-coding RNA (sncRNAs), have been observed to play an important role in cancer progression. However, the relationship between tRNA-derived fragments and trastuzumab resistance is still unknown.

Methods:We detected the levels of tRNA-derived fragments expression in normal breast epithelial cell lines, trastuzumab-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cell linesusing high-throughput sequencing.qRT-PCR was conducted to validate the differentially expressed fragments in serums from trastuzumab-sensitive and -resistant patients. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the power of specific tRNA-derived fragments.Progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed using Cox-regression.

Results:Our sequence results showed that tRNA-derived fragments were differentially expressed in the HBL-100, SKBR3, and JIMT-1 cell lines. tRF-30-JZOYJE22RR33 and tRF-27-ZDXPHO53KSN were found significantly upregulated in trastuzumab-resistant patients compared to sensitive individuals, and the ROC analysis showed that tRF-30-JZOYJE22RR33 and tRF-27-ZDXPHO53KSN were correlated with trastuzumab resistance. In a multivariate analysis, higher levels of tRF-30-JZOYJE22RR33 and tRF-27-ZDXPHO53KSN expression were associated with significantly shorter PFS in patients with metastatic HER-2 positive breast cancer.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that tRF-30-JZOYJE22RR33 and tRF-27-ZDXPHO53KSN play important roles in trastuzumab resistance. Patients with high levels of tRF-30-JZOYJE22RR33 and tRF-27-ZDXPHO53KSN expression benefitted less from trastuzumab-based therapy than those that express lower-levels of these molecules. tRF-30-JZOYJE22RR33 and tRF-27-ZDXPHO53KSN may be potential biomarkers and intervention targets in the clinical treatment of trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer.

Citation Format: Sun C, Li W, Wu H, Huang X, Li J, Fu Z, Tang J, Yin Y. tRNA-derived fragments as novel predictive biomarkers for trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-10-29.

Abstract P6-17-34: Not presented

This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Yang F, Yin Y, Jiang Z. Not presented [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-17-34.

Abstract P2-02-16: Not presented

This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Li Y, Chu J, Li J, Tang J, Yin Y. Not presented [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-02-16.

Abstract P4-14-14: Clinicopathological features and endocrine therapy mode of ER low expression (1%-9%) breast cancer patients in China

Purpose: Since 2010, ASCO/CAP recommended that ER be considered positive if ≥1% tumor cells with positive nuclear staining by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in breast cancer. ASCO/CAP also recommended considering endocrine therapy (ET) in ER positive patients. However, most breast cancers are either ER negative or ER strongly positive (≥10%), and tumors with low ER (1-9%) expression are rare. Up to now, the effect of ET is controversial for these patients with ER 1-9% and unfortunately, we know little about the clinical information of this subgroup. In this study, we analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and ET mode of patients with low ER expression. We sought to figure out whether the ASCO/CAP guidelines affect clinical ET decision in China and Which features are important considerations for doctors to choose ET. We also evaluated the efficacy of ET in these patients. Methods: Patients diagnosed stage I-III primary invasive breast cancer with ER low expression (1-9%) between January 2008 and December 2016 were retrospectively identified from six hospitals in China. Result: 457 patients (2.7%) had low expression of ER (1-9%) of 17216 patients. Mean age at diagnosis was 49 years. 288 patients (49.9%)were younger than 50 years old. 254 patients (55.6%) had stage II disease and 37 patients (8.1%) had lymphovascular invasion (LVI). 260 patients (56.9%) were HER2 positive; 408 patients had PR negative or low expression; 327 patients' (71.6%) Ki-67 status were > 20%. 388 patients (85%) received chemotherapy. Of those 388 patients, 90% patients received anthracycline combined with taxol chemotherapy regimens. 170 patients (37.2%)received ET. Before 2010, only 25.7% patients with low ER expression received ET. The proportion of ET increased after the 2010 ASCO/CAP guideline was published. In 2013, 50% patients received ET. The rate of ET was totally different in six hospitals. 55% patients received ET in the hospital with highest rate, while only 4% patients received ET in the hospital with lowest rate. Using the univariate logistic regression analysis of ET, ER expression, PR expression, Ki-67 status and LVI were associated with the rate of ET. But after adjustment for other covariates, only ER level was significantly associated with the rate of ET. Compared to patients with ER<5% tumors, patients with ER≥5% tumors had a significantly higher probability of ET rate (OR, 2.882; 95% CI: 1.928-4.308; P < 0.001). Median follow time was 30 months. The 5-year RFS rate was 85%. Younger age and positive lymph nodes were associated with worse RFS. Survival rate did not differ significantly between patients with or without ET (without ER vs with ET: OR, 0.870; 95% CI: 0.508-1.448; p=0.61). Conclusions: 2010 ACSO/CAP recommendation indeed result in an increase of ET rate for patients with 1%-9% ER positive. But these patients do not appear to benefit from ET. Prospective studies are needed for these patients and we need more accurate way to evaluate ER levels, which associate with endocrine response.

Citation Format: Fu P, Wang S, Yao M, Xiang A, Li J, Wang H, Geng C, Jin F, Yin Y, Huang X, Jiang Z. Clinicopathological features and endocrine therapy mode of ER low expression (1%-9%) breast cancer patients in China [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-14-14.

High-sensitivity salinity sensor based on optical microfiber coil resonator

A simple, compact, and high-sensitivity optical sensor for salinity measurement is reported based on an optical microfiber coil resonator (MCR). The MCR is manufactured by initially wrapping microfiber on a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) rod, which is dissolved to leave a hollow cylindrical fluidic channel within the coil for measurement. Based on the light propagation through the MCR, the device's spectrum moves to long wavelengths with increased salinity in the fluid. The MCR device's sensitivity can reach up to 15.587 nm/% with a resolution of 1.28 × 10^-3%. It is also confirmed that the temperature dependence is 79.87 pm/°C, which results from the strong thermal-expansion coefficient of the low refractive index epoxy. The experimental results indicate that the device can be widely used as a high sensitivity salinity sensor in water and other liquids due to its stability, compactness, electromagnetic immunity, and high sensitivity.

Birth population survey in Huai'an in 2015: perinatal-neonatal mortality and preterm birth rate in emerging regions in China

Objective: This survey followed the birth population-based study conducted in 2010 in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, with the aim to estimate perinatal-neonatal mortality and preterm birth rate in emerging regions with similar maternal-fetal and neonatal care conditions in China.Materials and methods: Data of total births in 2015 were prospectively collected by regional perinatal network collaboration in Huai'an, a subprovincial region with a population of 5,644,500 and gross domestic production of 9082 USD per capita.Results: The 59,424 birth registries (including 59,023 live births and 167 stillbirths) corresponded to a birth rate of 10.5‰ and a Male-to-female ratio of 113.7:100. All births there were from 85, 16, and 6 level I, II, and III hospitals, with a delivery rate of 30.4, 40.2, and 29.4%, respectively. Of all births, 14.1% had pregnancy-associated comorbidities and complications, 54.4% (32,226/59,190) had cesarean delivery, and multiple pregnancies and birth defects occurred in 2.1% (1,250) and 5.5‰ (324), respectively. The mean birth weight was 3448 ± 507 g with 13.9% being macrosomia, and 2.86% (1695/59,190) low birth weight. Preterm birth rate was 4.06% (2404/59,190) with a mortality rate of 8.5%. There were 94.5% recorded as healthy newborns and 5.5% (3263) requiring hospitalization after birth. The perinatal and neonatal mortality rate was 5.2‰ (167 stillbirths, 139 early neonatal deaths) and 4.0‰, respectively. Compared with the 2010 survey, these data demonstrated generally improved status of perinatal-neonatal healthcare.Conclusions: The low rates of perinatal-neonatal mortality, preterm birth and preterm mortality suggest that the concept and study protocol of perinatal-neonatal healthcare in Huai'an may serve as the benchmark for estimating regional vital statistics and perinatal and neonatal outcomes.

[Analysis of acute occupational poisoning events in China during 2006-2016]

Objective: To analyze the epidemic characteristics of acute occupational poisoning events in order to state the regularity of outbreak and provide scientific evidences of prevention and control measure in China. Methods: According to the report information from the Management Information System of Public Health Emergency, we analyzed acute occupational poisoning events time distribution, regional distribution, toxicant variety, route of exposure and events detection from 2006 to 2016. Results: The total number of acute occupational poisoning events reported in 26 provinces of China from 2006 to 2016 was 337, causing 2 399 people poisoned, and the fatality rate was 18.09%. Majority of them were higher grade events and the top three provinces of acute occupational poisoning events were Shanghai, Anhui, Shandong. Inhalation is the main cause of poisoning. The acute occupational poisoning events for carrying out poison dectection were accounted for 56.68%. Conclusion: Acute occupational poisoning events in China is reducing year by year, But fatality rate is not decrease. So the country should increase the supervision and management of safety in production, strengthen the safety education of employees and coordination mechanism among different departments.