1.94 μm switchable dual-wavelength Tm3+ fiber laser employing high-birefringence fiber Bragg grating

A 1.94 μm switchable dual-wavelength Tm(3+) fiber laser employing two high-birefringence fiber Bragg gratings (HB-FBGs) is demonstrated. The polarization hole burning effect enhanced by the HB-FBG is first observed and adopted to guarantee stable dual-wavelength operation in the spectral region near 2 μm at room temperature. The wavelength spacing between the dual lasing wavelengths is 0.81 nm. The polarization states of the dual-output lasers are orthogonal. By adjusting a polarization controller, a single-wavelength mode operating at one of the dual wavelengths can be selected. The side-mode-suppression ratio of each laser can be greater than 60 dB. The power fluctuation measurement at both operating wavelengths shows that this Tm(3+) fiber laser has good stability.

Polymorphisms of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene affect antihypertensive response to angiotensin receptor blockers in hypertensive Chinese

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays a key role in regulating blood pressure by maintaining vascular tone and the water/sodium balance. Many antihypertensive drugs target the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, but the effect differs considerably among hypertensive patients. We investigated whether genetic variants of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor are associated with blood pressure response to angiotensin II receptor blockers in hypertensive Chinese patients. After a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period, 148 patients with mild-to-moderate primary hypertension received monotherapy with 80 mg/day telmisartan and then were followed up for 8 weeks. The 1166A/C, 573T/C, -810A/T, and -521C/T polymorphisms of the AT1R gene were determined through PCR and RFLP analysis. The relationship between these polymorphisms and changes in blood pressure was observed and evaluated after 8 weeks of treatment. Patients with the AT1R -521CC genotype had a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure compared to those carrying the T allele. No significant reduction in blood pressure was found in individuals with the 1166A/C, 573T/C, or -810A/T polymorphisms of the AT1R gene. We conclude that only the AT1R -521CC genotype is associated with a significant decrease in blood pressure in response to telmisartan treatment in Chinese hypertensive patients.

Anisomycin induces apoptosis of glucocorticoid resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia CEM-C1 cells via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 and JNK

Glucocorticoids (GCs) resistance is frequently encountered in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), especially in T-ALL, which usually results in failure of treatment. To find new agent to overcome GC resistance of ALL is an urgent problem. Here we investigated potential effect of anisomycin on GC-resistant T-ALL CEM-C1 cells and explored involved molecular mechanisms. Dramatic growth inhibition and apoptosis in GC resistant CEM-C1 cells and GC-sensitive CEM-C7 cells induced by anisomycin were observed, which presented in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Correspondingly, anisomycin induced cleaved caspase-3 and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins (BimEL and Bad), meanwhile down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins (Mcl-1 and Bcl-2), both in a dose- and time-dependent manner in GC resistant CEM-C1 cells. Anisomycin also induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in CEM-C1 cells through increasing expressions of p21 and p27, and attenuating the expression of cyclinA. The rapid up-regulation of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were observed after CEM-C1 cells were incubated with anisomycin. The activation of p38 and JNK could be blocked by respective inhibitors (SB203580 for p38 and SP600125 for JNK) accompanied with the inhibition of apoptosis and changes of apoptosis associated proteins in CEM-C1 cells. These results suggested that anisomycin induced apoptosis of CEM-C1 cells via activation of p38 and JNK, and might be an attractive new agent for treatment of GC-resistant ALL.

Search for a standard-model-like Higgs boson with a mass in the range 145 to 1000 GeV at the LHC

A search for a standard-model-like Higgs boson in the H→WW and H→ZZ decay channels is reported, for Higgs boson masses in the range 145 Collapse

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Invasive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast: a prognostic research of 107 Chinese patients

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the breast, a distinct type of mammary carcinoma whose terminology was not proposed until 2003, has not been well recognized or studied. The aim of our study is to evaluate the clinicopathological features and outcomes of this type of tumor. We conducted a comparative study on 107 NEC patients and 475 invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified(IDC, NOS) patients from the Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, to determine the demographic, pathological, and clinical features at presentation, along with patient outcomes and prognostic factors. With an older age at presentation, NECs are more likely to be estrogen receptor(ER)/ progesterone receptor (PR) positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) negative, and have a higher propensity for local recurrence and poorer overall survival(OS). Higher T classification, M classification, TNM stage, the expression of Ki67, and the absence of PR expression are prognostically of poorer OS and distant recurrence-free survival(DRFS). Distant metastasis is also a dependent prognostic factor. NEC of the breast is a distinct type of neoplasm with higher malignancy. Novel therapies such as the endocrine therapy should be explored and studies with larger case number and longer follow-up will be needed.

Characteristics of nitrogen transformation and microbial community in an aerobic composting reactor under two typical temperatures

Batch experiments were conducted for feces composting using an aerobic composting reactor with sawdust as bulky matrix. In the 14-day composting processes at 35±2 and 55±2°C, compost samples were collected daily and chemical analyses and PCR-DGGE were carried out for investigating the influence of composting temperature on organic decomposition, nitrogen transformation, and microbial communities. At 55±2°C, in addition to a slightly higher COD removal, nitrogen loss was greatly restrained. As organic nitrogen took about 85% of the total nitrogen originated from human feces, the suppression of ammonification process under thermophilic environment might be the main reason for less nitrogen loss at 55±2°C. By PCR-DGGE analysis, the microbial community was found to undergo successions differently at 35±2 and 55±2°C. Certain sequences identified from the compost at 55±2°C represented the microbial species which could perform nitrogen-fixation or sustain a lower pH in the compost so that gaseous ammonia emission was suppressed.

Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: review of 64 cases from a single institution

Primary small cell carcinoma of esophagus (SCCE) is a rare disease with poor prognosis. The aims of this study are to review the clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of SCCE and to investigate the prognostic factors and optimal treatment options. Sixty-four patients diagnosed as SCCE in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from 1990 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 46 patients with limited disease (LD) and 18 with extensive disease. The median survival time (MST) and overall survival rate were calculated and compared by the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, respectively. The prognostic factors were calculated by Cox hazards regression model. With a median follow up of 11.6 months, the MST of all the 64 patients was 12.6 months, 16.5 months for LD and 9.0 months for extensive disease. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survivals were 52.5%, 20.9%, and 7.5%, respectively. In univariate analysis, patients with ECOG performance score <2 (P = 0.009), lesion length ≤5 cm (P = 0.009), T stage ≤2 (P = 0.004), LD (P = 0.000), and multimodality treatment (P = 0.016) had significant associations with MST. Multivariate analysis showed that ECOG performance score (P = 0.001), T stage (P = 0.023), limited-extensive stage (P = 0.007), and treatment modality (P = 0.008) were independent prognostic factors. Locoregional treatment combined with chemotherapy had a trend to increase MST from 15.3 to 20.0 months in LD patients (P = 0.126), while combined chemotherapy had a significant impact on MST in extensive disease patients (P = 0.000). SCCE is a highly malignant disease with poor prognosis. Patients might obtain survival benefit from the combination of locoregional treatment and systemic therapy. Prospective studies are needed to validate these factors.

Histidine supplementation improves insulin resistance through suppressed inflammation in obese women with the metabolic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Increased inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic disorders. Serum histidine levels are lower and are negatively associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in obese women. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of histidine supplementation on IR, inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic disorders in obese women with the metabolic syndrome (MetS).

METHODS

A total of 100 obese women aged 33-51 years with BMI ≥ 28 kg/m² and diagnosed with MetS were included following a health examination in the community hospital in this randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were allocated to interventions by an investigator using sequentially numbered sealed envelopes and received 4 g/day histidine (n = 50) or identical placebo (n = 50) for 12 weeks. Participants then attended the same clinic every 2 weeks for scheduled interviews and to count tablets returned. Serum histidine, HOMA-IR, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, serum NEFA, and variables connected to inflammation and oxidative stress were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Participants, examining physicians and investigators assessing the outcomes were blinded to group assignment. In addition, the inflammatory mechanisms of histidine were also explored in adipocytes.

RESULTS

At 12 weeks, a total of 92 participants completed this trail. Compared with the placebo group (n = 47), histidine supplementation significantly decreased HOMA-IR (-1.09 [95% CI -1.49, -0.68]), BMI (-0.86 kg/m² [95% CI -1.55, -0.17]), waist circumference (-2.86 cm [95% CI -3.86, -1.86]), fat mass (-2.71 kg [95% CI -3.69, -1.73]), serum NEFA (-173.26 μmol/l [95% CI -208.57, -137.94]), serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, -3.96 pg/ml [95% CI -5.29, -2.62]; IL-6, -2.15 pg/ml [95% CI -2.52, -1.78]), oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, 17.84 U/ml [95% CI 15.03, 20.65]; glutathione peroxidase, 13.71 nmol/ml [95% CI 9.65, 17.78]) and increased serum histidine and adiponectin by 18.23 μmol/l [95% CI 11.74, 24.71] and 2.02 ng/ml [95% CI 0.60, 3.44] in histidine supplementation group (n = 45), respectively. There were significant correlations between changes in serum histidine and changes of IR and its risk factors. No side effects were observed during the intervention. In vitro study indicated that histidine suppresses IL6 and TNF mRNA expression and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) protein production in palmitic acid-induced adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, and these changes were diminished by an inhibitor of NF-κB.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Histidine supplementation could improve IR, reduce BMI, fat mass and NEFA and suppress inflammation and oxidative stress in obese women with MetS; histidine could improve IR through suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, possibly by the NF-κB pathway, in adipocytes.

Lattice Boltzmann modeling of multiphase flows at large density ratio with an improved pseudopotential model

Owing to its conceptual simplicity and computational efficiency, the pseudopotential multiphase lattice Boltzmann (LB) model has attracted significant attention since its emergence. In this work, we aim to extend the pseudopotential LB model to simulate multiphase flows at large density ratio and relatively high Reynolds number. First, based on our recent work [Q. Li, K. H. Luo, and X. J. Li, Phys. Rev. E 86, 016709 (2012)], an improved forcing scheme is proposed for the multiple-relaxation-time pseudopotential LB model in order to achieve thermodynamic consistency and large density ratio in the model. Next, through investigating the effects of the parameter a in the Carnahan-Starling equation of state, we find that the interface thickness is approximately proportional to 1/√a. Using a smaller a will lead to a wider interface thickness, which can reduce the spurious currents and enhance the numerical stability of the pseudopotential model at large density ratio. Furthermore, it is found that a lower liquid viscosity can be gained in the pseudopotential model by increasing the kinematic viscosity ratio between the vapor and liquid phases. The improved pseudopotential LB model is numerically validated via the simulations of stationary droplet and droplet oscillation. Using the improved model as well as the above treatments, numerical simulations of droplet splashing on a thin liquid film are conducted at a density ratio in excess of 500 with Reynolds numbers ranging from 40 to 1000. The dynamics of droplet splashing is correctly reproduced and the predicted spread radius is found to obey the power law reported in the literature.

Effect of Hot Water and Water-carrying Agent on the Properties of Silane-water Crosslinked Linear Low Density Polyethylene

The influence of hot water and the water-carrying agent aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate (alum) on the mechanical and thermal properties of the silane-water crosslinked linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) was investigated. LLDPE was melt-grafted with various content of vinyl trimethoxysilane (VTMS) using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as initiator. The results show that the contribution of hot water to gel content is poor, about 2 to 16%, compared with that of the silane grafted LLDPE. Is feasible to achieve silane-water crosslinking reaction with alum for self-crosslinked LLDPE; furthermore, the self-crosslinked LLDPE has lower crosslink density (ν). It was found that alum could not only conduct silane-water crosslinking reaction effectively, but also improve the mechanical properties, especially the elongation behavior. The heat of fusion (ΔHm), the melting temperature (Tm), and the degree of crystallinity (Xc) of the hot water crosslinked LLDPE decreased with the advancement of VTMS. The Avrami exponent n of self-crosslinked sample was larger than that of hot water crosslinked sample. This means that the alum could contribute to the growth of crystallization.

Measurement of associated production of vector bosons and top quark-antiquark pairs in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

The first measurement of vector-boson production associated with a top quark-antiquark pair in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7  TeV is presented. The results are based on a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.0  fb(-1), recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC in 2011. The measurement is performed in two independent channels through a trilepton analysis of ttZ events and a same-sign dilepton analysis of ttV (V = W or Z) events. In the trilepton channel a direct measurement of the ttZ cross section σ(ttZ) = 0.28(-0.11)(+0.14) (stat)(-0.03)(+0.06) (syst)  pb is obtained. In the dilepton channel a measurement of the ttV cross section yields σ(ttV) = 0.43(-0.15)(+0.17) (stat)(-0.07)(+0.09) (syst)  pb. These measurements have a significance, respectively, of 3.3 and 3.0 standard deviations from the background hypotheses and are compatible, within uncertainties, with the corresponding next-to-leading order predictions of 0.137(-0.016)(+0.012) and 0.306(-0.053)(+0.031)  pb.

Effect of hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether-mediated PDT on the mitochondria of canine breast cancer cells

Hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) is a promising porphyrin-related photosensitize for photodynamic therapy (PDT). There still remains unknown changes regarding the mitochondrial in canine breast cancer cells treated with HMME-PDT. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of HMME-PDT on structure and dysfunction of mitochondrial in cancer cells. The experimental approach included an initial study on the uptake of HMME using microscopic observation of the HMME-treated cells, optimization of the PDT-induced cell death by the MTT assay. These cells were then treated with HMME and a He-Ne laser at the wavelength of 632.8 nm following our optimized condition. Examination of mitochondrial changes by observing the stained cells under light microscope, mitochjondrial membrane potential flow cytometry, measuring the Ca(2+), SOD/GSH activity, ATPase and MDA contents for the mitochondria functions. The kinetics of HMME uptake in CHMm cells was determined and its cytocolic instead of nuclear distribution was demonstrated. The dose of 16mM HMME-PDT combined with 2.8 J/cm(2) laser irradiation was had the maximal impact on cell viability. This treatment resulted in structural changes in mitochondria that were accompanied with the loss of mitochjondrial membrane potential. As a result, HMME-PDT increased mitochondrial ROS, inhibited the enzymatic activities of mitochondrial SOD and GSH-Px, abolished mitochondrial ability in the uptake and release of calcium, and decreased mitochondrial ATPase activity. The combination of these abnormalities led to accumulation of ROS in mitochondrial to high levels, which in turn contributed to HMME-PDT-induced damages of mitochondrial structure and mitochondrial dysfunction.

High b-value diffusion tensor imaging of the remote white matter and white matter of obstructive unilateral cerebral arterial regions

AIM

To assess diffusion changes in the remote white matter and areas of white matter with cerebral artery obstruction without magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of brain parenchymal abnormalities using high b-value diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 34 patients with severe unilateral stenosis (≥75%) or occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) without abnormal brain parenchymal signals at MRI underwent DTI with a b value of 2200 s/mm(2) at 3 T. Fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), axial diffusivity (eigenvalue λ₁) and radial diffusivity (eigenvalue λ₂₃) were measured at the bilateral corona radiata, anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule, cerebral peduncle, and pons.

RESULTS

The mean FA was significantly lower at the ipsilateral corona radiata and anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule than at the contralateral corona radiata and anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule (p < 0.05). The mean ADC, λ₁ and λ₂₃ were significantly higher at the ipsilateral corona radiata than at the contralateral corona radiata (p < 0.01). The mean λ₂₃ were significantly higher at the ipsilateral anterior and posterior limb of the internal capsule than at the contralateral anterior and posterior limb of the internal capsule (p < 0.05). The mean ADC, λ₁ and λ₂ ₃were not significantly different between the ipsilateral cerebral peduncle and pons.

CONCLUSIONS

High b-value DTI could sensitively reveal diffusion changes in white matter in regions of cerebral artery obstruction without abnormal anisotropy and diffusivity of the remote white matter of patients with severe MCA stenosis or occlusion without MRI evidence of brain parenchymal abnormalities.

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in the Chinese population with impaired glucose regulation: the 2007-2008 China national diabetes and metabolic disorders study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most common chronic diseases in China. This aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of CVDs and risk factors in Chinese impaired glucose regulation subjects.We used a multistage, stratified sampling method to select subjects from the general Chinese population aged 20 years and older. Subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test to identify normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose regulation including isolated impaired fasting glucose (i-IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT), and combined IFG/IGT and diabetic mellitus (DM). A logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between glucose abnormalities and CVD events.We identified that 34 293 subjects had NGT, 1 469 i-IFG, 4 571 i-IGT, 957 IFG/IGT and 4 949 DM. The age-sex standardized prevalence rate of cardiovascular disease was 1.06% (95% CI 0.87-1.28), 1.79% (95% CI 1.37-2.33) and 3.83% (95% CI 2.79-5.24) in NGT, impaired glucose regulation and DM, respectively. Among impaired glucose subjects, prevalence of defined CVD risk factors (smoking, overweight, obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia) was 29.52% (95% CI: 27.8-31.21), 36.25% (95% CI: 34.29-38.26), 10.05% (95% CI: 8.86-11.37), 36.43% (95% CI: 34.53-38.36) and 69.96% (95% CI: 67.87-71.98), respectively. Compared to 1 risk factor, the odds ratios (ORs) of CVDs with 2, 3 or 4 risk factors were 1.94 (95% CI: 0.74-5.09), 2.76 (95% CI: 1.06-7.21) and 5.84 (95% CI: 1.68-20.26), respectively. Additionally, compared to i-IFGs, ORs of CVDs with i-IGT and IFG/IGT were 2.88 (95%CI 1.36-6.01) and 2.12 (95% CI 0.83-5.44), respectively.The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was high in the Chinese impaired glucose regulation population. The postprandial hyperglycemia is more associated with CVD than isolated fasting hyperglycemia.