A Smart Box with Adjustable Cooling Rate for Cryopreservation

BACKGROUND

The box-in-box (BIB) has recently been developed as a reliable low-cost device with a passively controlled cooling rate. However, the typical box-in-box design is only applicable to -80°C freezer. The transfer process to liquid nitrogen may affect the quality of the sample.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a smart cooling BIB that can be immersed directly into liquid nitrogen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different thickness and materials of the box were used to alter the cooling rate. Experiments were carried out to measure the cooling rate and modeling was performed to verify experimental results.

RESULTS

The average cooling rate of the solid cassette with a wall thickness of 10 mm was 7°C/min. The average cooling rate of the hollow boxes was about 2.5°C/min and 1.5°C/min for polystyrene box and aerogel box, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The cooling rate of the internal sample can be controlled by controlling the thickness of the box as well as by changing the filling material of the hollow box for cooling by immersion into liquid nitrogen.

Subtle variation within conserved effector operon gene products contributes to T6SS-mediated killing and immunity

Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) function to deliver lethal payloads into target cells. Many studies have shown that protection against a single, lethal T6SS effector protein requires a cognate antidote immunity protein, both of which are often encoded together in a two-gene operon. The T6SS and an effector-immunity pair is sufficient for both killing and immunity. HereIn this paper we describe a T6SS effector operon that differs from conventional effector-immunity pairs in that eight genes are necessary for lethal effector function, yet can be countered by a single immunity protein. In this study, we investigated the role that the PefE T6SS immunity protein plays in recognition between two strains harboring nearly identical effector operons. Interestingly, despite containing seven of eight identical effector proteins, the less conserved immunity proteins only provided protection against their native effectors, suggesting that specificity and recognition could be dependent on variation within an immunity protein and one effector gene product. The variable effector gene product, PefD, is encoded upstream from pefE, and displays toxic activity that can be countered by PefE independent of T6SS-activity. Interestingly, while the entire pef operon was necessary to exert toxic activity via the T6SS in P. mirabilis, production of PefD and PefE alone was unable to exert this effector activity. Chimeric PefE proteins constructed from two P. mirabilis strains were used to localize immunity function to three amino acids. A promiscuous immunity protein was created using site-directed mutagenesis to change these residues from one variant to another. These findings support the notion that subtle differences between conserved effectors are sufficient for T6SS-mediated kin discrimination and that PefD requires additional factors to function as a T6SS-dependent effector.

Bacterial type VI secretion systems (T6SS) function as contractile nanomachines to puncture target cells and deliver lethal effectors. Little is known about the lifestyle or physiology dictating when bacteria normally express their T6SS. Previously, we have reported that discrimination of self during the multicellular swarming behavior of Proteus mirabilis requires the lethal action of the T6SS, T6SS-dependent effectors, and immunity proteins. Bacteria that share common immunity proteins are protected against T6SS killing and recognize each other as self. Here we introduce a new group of T6SS immunity effectors that require eight genes for killing and a single immunity gene that differs from the classical effector-immunity pairs. Variation within an effector operon drives specificity and recognition between strains. We propose that subtle sequence variation in the effector operons contribute to self and non-self recognition in these bacteria.

Determination of the Spin and Parity of the Z_{c}(3900)

The spin and parity of the Z_{c}(3900)^{±} state are determined to be J^{P}=1^{+} with a statistical significance larger than 7σ over other quantum numbers in a partial wave analysis of the process e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ. We use a data sample of 1.92  fb^{-1} accumulated at sqrt[s]=4.23 and 4.26 GeV with the BESIII experiment. When parametrizing the Z_{c}(3900)^{±} with a Flatté-like formula, we determine its pole mass M_{pole}=(3881.2±4.2_{stat}±52.7_{syst})  MeV/c^{2} and pole width Γ_{pole}=(51.8±4.6_{stat}±36.0_{syst})  MeV. We also measure cross sections for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(3900)^{+}π^{-}+c.c.→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-} and determine an upper limit at the 90% confidence level for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(4020)^{+}π^{-}+c.c.→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}.

Observation of Λ_{c}^{+}→nK_{S}^{0}π^{+}

We report the first direct measurement of decays of the Λ_{c}^{+} baryon involving the neutron. The analysis is performed using 567  pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data collected at sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. We observe the decay Λ_{c}^{+}→nK_{S}^{0}π^{+} and measure the absolute branching fraction to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→nK_{S}^{0}π^{+})=[1.82±0.23(stat)±0.11(syst)]%. A comparison to B[Λ_{c}^{+}→p(K[over ¯]π)^{0}] provides an important test of isospin symmetry and final state interactions.

Precise Measurement of the e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ Cross Section at Center-of-Mass Energies from 3.77 to 4.60 GeV

The cross section for the process e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ is measured precisely at center-of-mass energies from 3.77 to 4.60 GeV using 9  fb^{-1} of data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. Two resonant structures are observed in a fit to the cross section. The first resonance has a mass of (4222.0±3.1±1.4)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of (44.1±4.3±2.0)  MeV, while the second one has a mass of (4320.0±10.4±7.0)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of (101.4_{-19.7}^{+25.3}±10.2)  MeV, where the first errors are statistical and second ones are systematic. The first resonance agrees with the Y(4260) resonance reported by previous experiments. The precision of its resonant parameters is improved significantly. The second resonance is observed in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ for the first time. The statistical significance of this resonance is estimated to be larger than 7.6σ. The mass and width of the second resonance agree with the Y(4360) resonance reported by the BABAR and Belle experiments within errors. Finally, the Y(4008) resonance previously observed by the Belle experiment is not confirmed in the description of the BESIII data.

Evidence of Two Resonant Structures in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}h_{c}

The cross sections of e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}h_{c} at center-of-mass energies from 3.896 to 4.600 GeV are measured using data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The cross sections are found to be of the same order of magnitude as those of e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ and e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ(2S), but the line shape is inconsistent with the Y states observed in the latter two modes. Two structures are observed in the e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}h_{c} cross sections around 4.22 and 4.39  GeV/c^{2}, which we call Y(4220) and Y(4390), respectively. A fit with a coherent sum of two Breit-Wigner functions results in a mass of (4218.4_{-4.5}^{+5.5}±0.9)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of (66.0_{-8.3}^{+12.3}±0.4)  MeV for the Y(4220), and a mass of (4391.5_{-6.8}^{+6.3}±1.0)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of (139.5_{-20.6}^{+16.2}±0.6)  MeV for the Y(4390), where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones systematic. The statistical significance of Y(4220) and Y(4390) is 10σ over one structure assumption.

Abstract PD6-01: Analysis of breast cancer in young women in the department of defense (DOD) database

Background: Women under the age of 40 account for approximately 7% percent of breast cancer patients. Breast tumors from young women are often ER-negative, occur in African-American patients, and have other indicators of high risk: yet, multivariate analyses demonstrated that young age is an independent predictor of poor outcome. Due to the unique nature of the patient population served by DOD, a disproportionate number of breast cancer cases in young women are seen. We compare the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of young patients diagnosed with breast cancer with those of older patients.

Methods: The databases of the Military Health System Repository and the DOD Central Registration were used to identify female breast cancer patients treated at DOD facilities between 1998 and 2007. Information on demographics, breast cancer stage at diagnosis, definitive surgical treatments, systemic treatment, recurrence rate and overall survival was analyzed by age groups at the time of diagnosis (less than 40 years old, 40 to 49 years, and 50 years or older) using X2 testing with significance defined as p< 0.05.

Results: We identified 10,066 women who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at DOD facilities between 1998 and 2007, of which 11.3% (1139) were less than 40 years old at diagnosis. 53% of this young cohort were white, 25% were African-American and 8% were Hispanic (14% undisclosed). The percentage of breast cancer among African-American women in the young cohort was higher than in the older cohorts (19.3% in 40-49yo and 10.6% in ≥50yo). High-grade tumors were significantly more frequent in the younger cohort when compared to the older group (49.5% vs 34.7% and 25.2%, p<0.001). <40yo most commonly presented with Stage II disease (45.3%) at diagnosis, while older groups were mostly diagnosed with Stage I disease (41.6% and 52.4%). The most common subtype of breast cancer across ages was ER+ disease, however, <40yo group had proportionally less ER+ (49% vs 61% and 67.3%, P<0.001). There was a higher rate of bilateral mastectomies among the young women (18.4% vs 9.1% and 5.0%, p<0.0001). Independently of the stage of disease, chemotherapy was given significantly more frequently to <40y (90.43%) and 40-49yo (81.44%) than ≥50yo (53.71%). The 10-year overall survival of younger women was similar to the ≥50yo cohort, despite intensive treatment.

Discussion: This study is one of the largest retrospective studies of women under 40 years old with breast cancer. Younger women with invasive breast cancer had more aggressive tumors presenting at higher stages. In this group with good access to healthcare, younger women still had a similar overall survival rate to older women despite receiving more aggressive treatment and potentially having fewer comorbidities than the older group.

Citation Format: Zimmer AS, Gatti-Mays M, Soltani S, Lipkowitz S, Steeg PS, Zhu K, Perkins JG, Hu H, Shao S, Brown D, Shriver CD. Analysis of breast cancer in young women in the department of defense (DOD) database [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 PD6-01.

Amplitude Analysis of the Decays η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0} and η^{'}→π^{0}π^{0}π^{0}

Based on a sample of 1.31×10^{9}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, an amplitude analysis of the isospin-violating decays η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0} and η^{'}→π^{0}π^{0}π^{0} is performed. A significant P-wave contribution from η^{'}→ρ^{±}π^{∓} is observed for the first time in η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0}. The branching fraction is determined to be B(η^{'}→ρ^{±}π^{∓})=(7.44±0.60±1.26±1.84)×10^{-4}, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third model dependent. In addition to the nonresonant S-wave component, there is a significant σ meson component. The branching fractions of the combined S-wave components are determined to be B(η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0})_{S}=(37.63±0.77±2.22±4.48)×10^{-4} and B(η^{'}→π^{0}π^{0}π^{0})=(35.22±0.82±2.54)×10^{-4}, respectively. The latter one is consistent with previous BESIII measurements.

The Impact of Dietary Protein or Amino Acid Supplementation on Muscle Mass and Strength in Elderly People: Individual Participant Data and Meta-Analysis of RCT's

OBJECTIVES

Increasing protein or amino acid intake has been promoted as a promising strategy to increase muscle mass and strength in elderly people, however, long-term intervention studies show inconsistent findings. Therefore, we aim to determine the impact of protein or amino acid supplementation compared to placebo on muscle mass and strength in older adults by combining the results from published trials in a meta-analysis and pooled individual participant data analysis.

DESIGN

We searched Medline and Cochrane databases and performed a meta-analysis on eight available trials on the effect of protein or amino acid supplementation on muscle mass and strength in older adults. Furthermore, we pooled individual data of six of these randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials. The main outcomes were change in lean body mass and change in muscle strength for both the meta-analysis and the pooled analysis.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis of eight studies (n=557) showed no significant positive effects of protein or amino acid supplementation on lean body mass (mean difference: 0.014 kg: 95% CI -0.152; 0.18), leg press strength (mean difference: 2.26 kg: 95% CI -0.56; 5.08), leg extension strength (mean difference: 0.75 kg: 95% CI: -1.96, 3.47) or handgrip strength (mean difference: -0.002 kg: 95% CI -0.182; 0.179). Likewise, the pooled analysis showed no significant difference between protein and placebo treatment on lean body mass (n=412: p=0.78), leg press strength (n=121: p=0.50), leg extension strength (n=121: p=0.16) and handgrip strength (n=318: p=0.37).

CONCLUSIONS

There is currently no evidence to suggest that protein or amino acid supplementation without concomitant nutritional or exercise interventions increases muscle mass or strength in predominantly healthy elderly people.

Discordance between fat mass index and body mass index is associated with reduced bone mineral density in women but not in men: the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study

The obesity-BMD relationship is complex. In 3045 middle-aged adults, we found that in women (but not men) with discordant fat mass index (FMI)/BMI categories, higher body fat for BMI was associated with lower BMD, suggesting that increased fat mass without an accompanying increase in lean mass may be deleterious to bone.

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between obesity and BMD is complex. FMI (fat mass (kg) / height (m)²) is a more accurate measure of fatness than BMI, and depending on body composition, some individuals have discordant BMI/FMI categories. We examined associations between FMI, BMI and BMD in participants in the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study.

METHODS

Body composition and BMD of the hip, spine and total body were measured using DXA in 3045 participants (1644 females) aged 45-67 years. Using standard BMI/FMI categories, the participants were classified as underweight/fat deficit, normal, overweight/excess fat, obese I and obese II-III.

RESULTS

BMI and FMI categories were concordant in 77.3 % of females and 71.2 % of males. There were 12.9 % females and 13.2 % males in a higher FMI than BMI category (high body fat for BMI), whereas 9.8 % females and 15.6 % males were in a lower category (low body fat for BMI). Females with high body fat for BMI had significantly lower covariate-adjusted BMD at the femoral neck, total hip and total body (differences of 3.8, 5.1 and 2.6 %, respectively, all P < 0.05) than females with low body fat for BMI and lower total body BMD than women with concordant FMI/BMI (by 1.4 %, P = 0.04). In males, BMD did not differ significantly between those who were concordant or discordant for FMI/BMI categories.

CONCLUSION

In women (but not men) with discordant FMI/BMI categories, higher body fat for BMI was associated with lower BMD, suggesting that increased fat mass without an accompanying increase in lean mass may be deleterious to bone.

Onset and evolution of anxiety in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Anxiety is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and has a great influence on quality of life. However, little is known about risk factors for development of anxiety in PD. We investigated which factors were associated with longitudinal changes in severity of anxiety symptoms and development of future anxiety in patients who were not anxious at baseline.

METHODS

Analyses were performed on data of the PROfiling PARKinson's disease (PROPARK) cohort, a 5-year hospital-based longitudinal cohort of over 400 patients with PD who have been examined annually. Linear mixed models were used to identify factors associated with longitudinal changes in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Anxiety (HADS-A) scores. Survival analysis using data of patients who were not anxious at baseline was performed to identify predictors of future anxiety (i.e. HADS-A ≥ 11).

RESULTS

Of 409 patients who were included at baseline, 67 (16%) had anxiety, whereas 64 (19%) of the remaining 342 non-anxious patients developed anxiety after a mean (SD) follow-up of 2.6 (1.3) years. Seventy percent of the patients with anxiety were also depressed. Female gender, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, dysautonomia, insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) at baseline were associated with higher HADS-A scores over time and, except for female gender and EDS, all of these variables were independent predictors of development of anxiety in patients who were not anxious at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety is highly prevalent in PD. Higher anxiety scores over time and future development of anxiety are associated with female gender, cognitive impairment, autonomic dysfunction, insomnia and EDS. Anxiety and depression usually coexist and share similar determinants, suggesting a common pathophysiological mechanism.

Measurement of Singly Cabibbo Suppressed Decays Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K^{-}

Using 567  pb^{-1} of data collected with the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV, near the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} threshold, we study the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K^{-}. By normalizing with respect to the Cabibbo-favored decay Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+}, we obtain ratios of branching fractions: [B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-})/B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})]=(6.70±0.48±0.25)%, [B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pϕ)/B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})]=(1.81±0.33±0.13)%, and [B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K_{non-ϕ}^{-})/B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})]=(9.36±2.22±0.71)×10^{-3}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The absolute branching fractions are also presented. Among these measurements, the decay Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-} is observed for the first time, and the precision of the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K_{non-ϕ}^{-} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pϕ is significantly improved.

Study on the levels of uric acid and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in ACS patients and their relationships with the extent of the coronary artery lesion

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated uric acid (UA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in different clinical types of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and in relationship with the severity of coronary artery lesions. Furthermore, we explored its clinical significance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From June 2013 to January 2015, we studied patients in their first onset of symptoms and hospitalization for coronary angiography. According to coronary angiography results, we divided patients into two groups: 93 patients with ACS and 30 patients with normal coronary arteries as the control group. ACS patients were divided further into three subgroups: patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n=34); patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (n=29); and patients with unstable angina (n=30). According to their Gensini scores, patients were divided into mild, moderate and severe groups. We compared UA and hs-CRP levels and the relationship with Gensini scores between different groups.

RESULTS

UA and hs-CRP levels in the ACS group were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). UA and hs-CRP levels in the STEMI group were higher than those in the NSTEMI, unstable angina and control groups (p < 0.05). UA and hs-CRP levels in the NSTEMI patients were higher than those in the unstable angina and control groups (p < 0.05). UA and hs-CRP levels in the unstable angina patients were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). hs-CRP levels in the STEMI patients were higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). hs-CRP levels in the NSTEMI patients were higher than the unstable angina and the control groups (p < 0.05) while hs-CRP levels in the unstable angina patients were higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, according to the Gensini score group, we discovered that ACS patients in the severe group had higher hs-CRP levels than the other three groups (p < 0.05) while the moderate group had higher levels than the other two groups (p < 0.05). The mild group had higher levels than the control group (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that UA levels and Gensini scores had a positive correlation (p < 0.05). hs-CRP levels and Gensini scores also showed a positive correlation (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

UA and hs-CRP levels should be considered as factors to use in the risk stratification in ACS patients.

Observation of an Anomalous Line Shape of the η^{'}π^{+}π^{-} Mass Spectrum near the pp[over ¯] Mass Threshold in J/ψ→γη^{'}π^{+}π^{-}

Using 1.09×10^{9} J/ψ events collected by the BESIII experiment in 2012, we study the J/ψ→γη^{'}π^{+}π^{-} process and observe a significant abrupt change in the slope of the η^{'}π^{+}π^{-} invariant mass distribution at the proton-antiproton (pp[over ¯]) mass threshold. We use two models to characterize the η^{'}π^{+}π^{-} line shape around 1.85  GeV/c^{2}: one that explicitly incorporates the opening of a decay threshold in the mass spectrum (Flatté formula), and another that is the coherent sum of two resonant amplitudes. Both fits show almost equally good agreement with data, and suggest the existence of either a broad state around 1.85  GeV/c^{2} with strong couplings to the pp[over ¯] final states or a narrow state just below the pp[over ¯] mass threshold. Although we cannot distinguish between the fits, either one supports the existence of a pp[over ¯] moleculelike state or bound state with greater than 7σ significance.

Observation of h_{c} Radiative Decay h_{c}→γη^{'} and Evidence for h_{c}→γη

A search for radiative decays of the P-wave spin singlet charmonium resonance h_{c} is performed based on 4.48×10^{8} ψ^{'} events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. Events of the reaction channels h_{c}→γη^{'} and γη are observed with a statistical significance of 8.4σ and 4.0σ, respectively, for the first time. The branching fractions of h_{c}→γη^{'} and h_{c}→γη are measured to be B(h_{c}→γη^{'})=(1.52±0.27±0.29)×10^{-3} and B(h_{c}→γη)=(4.7±1.5±1.4)×10^{-4}, respectively, where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic uncertainties.

[Study on IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 gene expression in liver of young rats with intermittent hypoxia]

Objective:Using the model of young rats with intermittent hypoxia, to study the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in liver, and to provide objective evidence for the possible existence of growth retardation in children with OSAHS. Method:Divided 24 rats randomly into three groups, as control group and the mild and severe hypoxia group. Normally fed control group, without treatment, the other two groups were kept in the cabin has been simulated mild and severe intermittent hypoxia conditions of OSAHS in children. 8-hour day cycle of intermittent hypoxia, a total of 35 days. To the last day, animals were sacrificed and fresh liver tissues were fixed in liquid nitrogen, stored in the -80°C refrigerator, then took the molecular biology experiment of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in the liver. Result:The expression of IGF-1 mRNA in liver, semi-quantitative analysis showed that the difference of mRNA expression of IGF-1 among the three groups was statistically significant (P<0.05), pairwise comparison, mild hypoxia group was higher than control and severe group, there were significant differences (P<0.05), the control group and severe hypoxia had no significant difference (P>0.05). The expression of IGFBP-3 mRNA in liver showed that, differences between the three groups was not significant (P>0.05). IGF-1 expression in liver tissue analysis showed that, differences between the three groups was statistically significant (P<0.05), pairwise comparisons, its expression in the control group was lower than mild hypoxia group and severe group, there were significant differences (P<0.05), mild hypoxia and severe hypoxia group had no significant difference (P>0.05). IGFBP-3 expression in liver tissue analysis showed that, differences between the three groups was statistically significant (P<0.05), pairwise comparisons, the control group was higher than mild and severe hypoxic group, there were significant differences (P<0.05), mild hypoxia and severe hypoxia group had no significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion:IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in the liver of mild hypoxia group, severe hypoxic group and control group showed that their transcription levels and the severity of hypoxia had no significant correlation.