Rapid, Sensitive, Label-Free Electrical Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Nasal Swab Samples

Rapid diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is key for the long-term control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) amid renewed threats of mutated SARS-CoV-2 around the world. Here, we report on an electrical label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab samples directly collected from outpatients or in saliva-relevant conditions by using a remote floating-gate field-effect transistor (RFGFET) with a 2-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sensing membrane. RFGFET sensors demonstrate rapid detection (<5 min), a 90.6% accuracy from 8 nasal swab samples measured by 4 different devices for each sample, and a coefficient of variation (CV) < 6%. Also, RFGFET sensors display a limit of detection (LOD) of pseudo-SARS-CoV-2 that is 10 000-fold lower than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, with a comparable LOD to that of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for patient samples. To achieve this, comprehensive systematic studies were performed regarding interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and spike proteins, neutralizing antibodies, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, as either a biomarker (detection target) or a sensing probe (receptor) functionalized on the rGO sensing membrane. Taken together, this work may have an immense effect on positioning FET bioelectronics for rapid SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics.

Heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) in patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan (SV)

Introduction

Several studies demonstrated that patients with improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and symptoms had good prognosis in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Based on these results, new classification of HF according to LVEF was currently proposed. Sacubitril/valsartan (SV) is recommended as one of the first-line therapy of HFrEF patients. SV reduced hospitalization for HF and cardiovascular mortality compared to enalapril in PARADIGM-HF trial. However, it is unclear that patients with improvement of LVEF also have better prognosis compared to patients without LVEF improvement among patients treated with SV.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients treated with SV.

Methods

We analyzed 230 patients with HFrEF taking SV in a multicenter retrospective cohort (RECORD-SV registry) from 2017 to 2019. Enrolled 230 patients were performed baseline and 1-year follow-up echocardiography. Based on 2 echocardiographic results, we defined “HFimpEF” as HF with a baseline LVEF ≤40%, ≥10% increase from baseline LVEF and a follow-up measurement of LVEF &gt;40%. Others were defined as “Persistent HFrEF”. We analyzed and compared clinical characteristics and outcomes between two groups. Primary endpoint was a composite outcome of all-cause death and hospitalization for HF (HHF).

Results

From 230 patients, 65 patients with HFimpEF and 165 patients with Persistent HFrEF were analyzed. The median follow-up duration was 557 days (interquartile range 364 to 727 days). Patients with HFimpEF had a higher prevalence of female gender (50.8% vs. 30.3%) and de novo HF (44.6% vs. 21.2%). There were no significant differences for age, etiology (ischemic vs. non-ischemic), diabetes, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and HF medications including SV dose between two groups. Patients with HFimpEF showed lower rate of all-cause death or HHF as a primary endpoint compared to patients with persistent HFrEF (6.2% vs. 22.4%; IPTW adjusted HR 0.24; 95% CI 0.13–0.46; p&lt;0.001) (Table 1). It was also shown that HFimpEF patients had a reduced risk of primary endpoint in the Kaplan-Meier curves compared with persistent HFrEF (Log-rank p=0.045) (Figure 1). We demonstrated that Non-prior MI (adjusted OR 7.29; 95% CI 1.50–35.36; p=0.014) and de novo HF (adjusted OR 4.33; 95% CI 1.70–11.04; p=0.002) were independent prognostic factors of HFimpEF in HFrEF patients treated with SV.

Conclusions

HFimpEF patients had better clinical outcomes compared to those with persistent HFrEF in HFrEF patients treated with SV. Non-prior MI and de novo HF were independent predictors of HFimpEF in patients treated with SV.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Remote Floating-Gate Field-Effect Transistor with 2-Dimensional Reduced Graphene Oxide Sensing Layer for Reliable Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins

Despite intensive research of nanomaterials-based field-effect transistors (FETs) as a rapid diagnostic tool, it remains to be seen for FET sensors to be used for clinical applications due to a lack of stability, reliability, reproducibility, and scalability for mass production. Herein, we propose a remote floating-gate (RFG) FET configuration to eliminate device-to-device variations of two-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sensing surfaces and most of the instability at the solution interface. Also, critical mechanistic factors behind the electrochemical instability of rGO such as severe drift and hysteresis were identified through extensive studies on rGO-solution interfaces varied by rGO thickness, coverage, and reduction temperature. rGO surfaces in our RFGFET structure displayed a Nernstian response of 54 mV/pH (from pH 2 to 11) with a 90% yield (9 samples out of total 10), coefficient of variation (CV) < 3%, and a low drift rate of 2%, all of which were calculated from the absolute measurement values. As proof-of-concept, we demonstrated highly reliable, reproducible, and label-free detection of spike proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a saliva-relevant media with concentrations ranging from 500 fg/mL to 5 μg/mL, with an R² value of 0.984 and CV < 3%, and a guaranteed limit of detection at a few pg/mL. Taken together, this new platform may have an immense effect on positioning FET bioelectronics in a clinical setting for detecting SARS-CoV-2.

Suppression of Ionic Doping by Molecular Dopants in Conjugated Polymers for Improving Specificity and Sensitivity in Biosensing Applications

Ionic doping effects in conjugated polymers often cause nonspecific signaling and a low selectivity of bioelectronic sensing. Using remote-gate field-effect transistor characterization of molecular and ionic doping in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and acid-functionalized polythiophene, poly[3-(3-carboxypropyl) thiophene-2,5-diyl] (PT-COOH), we discovered that proton doping effects on the interfacial potential occurring in P3HT could be suppressed by sequentially doping P3HT by 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ). To be specific, intrinsic pH sensitivity shown by pure P3HT (18 mV/pH in a range from pH 3 to 9) was fully dissipated for doped P3HT:F4TCNQ. However, F4TCNQ sequential doping instead increases pH sensitivity of acid-functionalized polythiophene, PT-COOH (40 mV/pH), compared to that of a pure PT-COOH (30 mV/pH). Interactions between polythiophene backbone and side chains, which constrain the activity of COOH, are weakened by stronger F4TCNQ doping leaving behind responsive COOH groups exposed to aqueous solutions. This is supported by the reduced pH sensitivity of PT-COOH sequentially doped by a weaker dopant, tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) (21 mV/pH). Thus, doping is shown to stabilize a nonpolar conjugated polymer to pH-induced fluctuations on one hand, and to activate a COOH side chain to pH-induced response on the other.

Quercetin Enhances the Function and Reduces Apoptosis of Mouse Islets

BACKGROUND

Quercetin (QE) is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, flavonoid compound. It was shown that islets are susceptible to oxidative stress due to their inherent low antioxidant capacity. In the present study, we investigated whether treatment of mouse islets with QE could enhance their function before transplantation.

METHODS

Balb/c mouse islets were treated with various concentrations of QE and their viability, function, and nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were determined before and after cytokine treatment. The expression of antioxidant genes was determined. Apoptosis and apoptosis-associated gene expression was measured using INS-1 cells with or without QE treatment before and after cytokine treatment.

RESULTS

The QE-treated islets and INS-1 cells showed higher cell function compared to untreated control. The expression of heme oxygenase-1, manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were enhanced, and the expression of NO, iNOS, and Bcl-2-associated X protein were reduced before and after cytokine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that QE could enhance the viability and reduce apoptosis of mouse islets and improve their function before transplantation.

Analytical Platform To Characterize Dopant Solution Concentrations, Charge Carrier Densities in Films and Interfaces, and Physical Diffusion in Polymers Utilizing Remote Field-Effect Transistors

Characterizing doping effects in a conductive polymer and physical diffusion in a passive polymer were performed using a remote-gate field-effect transistor (RG FET) detection system that was able to measure the electrical potential perturbation of a polymer film coupled to the gate of a silicon FET. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) film doped using various concentrations of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ) solutions imposed additional positive potentials on the P3HT RG, resulting in a lower threshold voltage ( V_th) on the n-channel silicon FET. Changes in V_th were related to the induced hole concentrations and hole mobility in P3HT films by using our V_th shifting model for the RG FET. We discovered that the electron-donating P3HT and even inorganic materials, indium tin oxide and gold, showed similar electrical potential perturbations dependent on the concentration of F4TCNQ in overlying solutions as the dopant radical anions maximally covered the surfaces. This suggests that there are limited electroactive sites for F4TCNQ binding on electron donor surfaces which results in a similar number of positive charges in film materials forming dipoles with the F4TCNQ radical counteranions. The effect of electron acceptors such as 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane and tetracyanoethylene was compared to that of F4TCNQ in terms of V_th shift using our analytical tool, with differences attributed to acceptor size and reduction potential. Meanwhile, this FET analysis tool offered a means of monitoring the physical diffusion of small molecules, exemplified by F4TCNQ, in the passive polymer polystyrene, driven by concentration gradients. The technique allows for nondestructive, nonspectroscopic, ambient characterization of electron donor-acceptor interactions at surfaces.

Electronic Cortisol Detection Using an Antibody-Embedded Polymer Coupled to a Field-Effect Transistor

A field-effect transistor-based cortisol sensor was demonstrated in physiological conditions. An antibody-embedded polymer on the remote gate was proposed to overcome the Debye length issue (λ_D). The sensing membrane was made by linking poly(styrene- co-methacrylic acid) (PSMA) with anticortisol before coating the modified polymer on the remote gate. The embedded receptor in the polymer showed sensitivity from 10 fg/mL to 10 ng/mL for cortisol and a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 pg/mL in 1× PBS where λ_D is 0.2 nm. A LOD of 1 ng/mL was shown in lightly buffered artificial sweat. Finally, a sandwich ELISA confirmed the antibody binding activity of antibody-embedded PSMA.

Tetrahydrocurcumin Ameliorates Tacrolimus-Induced Nephrotoxicity Via Inhibiting Apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Calcineurin inhibitors are effective immunosuppressive agents, but associated adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity may limit efficacy. Tacrolimus (FK506) is an immunosuppressive drug used mainly to lower the risk of organ rejection after allogeneic organ transplant. Adverse effects of FK-506 can prompt patients to end treatment despite the efficacy. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect and mechanism of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) on FK506-induced renal damage, apoptosis, and oxidative stress to evaluate its possible use for kidney protection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of THC on FK506-induced kidney cell damage was investigated in LLC-PK1 cells. LLC-PK1 cells were pretreated with THC at concentrations of dose for 2 hours followed by addition of FK506 for 24 hours. LLC-PK1 cells were treated with FK506 and THC, and cell viability and glutathione was measured. The number of apoptotic cells was measured using an annexin V/propidium iodide staining with flow cytometry. The effect of apoptosis by THC in LLC-PK1 cells was determined by measuring the caspase-9, caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein levels using Western blotting analyses.

RESULTS

FK506-induced LLC-PK1 renal cell damage was markedly ameliorated by THC treatment. THC protected LLC-PK1 cells by preventing FK506-induced glutathione decrease. THC protects against FK506-induced apoptosis in LLC-PK1 cells. Apoptosis was significantly decreased, and Bcl-2 was elevated in the THC-treated group. Bcl-2-associated X protein, caspase-3, and caspase-9 were decreased in the THC-treated group.

CONCLUSION

These results collectively provide therapeutic evidence that THC ameliorates the FK506-induced renal damage via antioxidant effect and apoptosis inhibition.

Tetrahydrocurcumin Enhances Islet Cell Function and Attenuates Apoptosis in Mouse Islets

BACKGROUND

The transplantation of isolated pancreatic islets is a promising treatment for diabetes. Curcumin has been used for its pharmacologic effects, such as antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), one of the major metabolites of curcumin, has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examines the hypothesis that preoperative THC treatment can attenuate ischemic damage and apoptosis before islet transplantation.

METHODS

Islets isolated from Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups and cultured in medium supplemented with or without THC. In vitro islet viability and function were assessed. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail consisting of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-β, and interleukin-1β, islet cell viability, function, and apoptotic status were determined. Proteins related to apoptosis were analyzed using INS-1 cell after streptozocin treatment.

RESULTS

There was no difference in cell viability between the 2 groups. Islets cultured in the medium supplemented with THC showed 1.3-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than the islets cultured in the medium without THC. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail, glucose-induced insulin release, and NO of the islets were significantly improved in THC-treated islets compared with islets not treated with THC. Apoptosis was significantly decreased, and B-cell lymphoma-2 was elevated in the THC-treated group. The streptozocin-treated INS-1 cell produced significantly higher levels of and B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein, caspase-3, and caspase-9 than INS-1 treated with THC.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that preoperative THC administration enhances islet function before transplantation and attenuates the cytokine-induced damage associated with apoptosis.

A cost-effective cell- and matrix-based minimally invasive single-stage chondroregenerative technique developed with validated vertical translation methodology

Introduction The morbidity and significant health economic impact associated with the chondral lesion has led to a large number of strategies for therapeutic neochondrogenesis. The challenge has been to develop techniques that are cost effective single-stage procedures with minimal surgical trauma that have undergone rigorous preclinical scrutiny and robust reproducible assessment of effectiveness. A biological repair requires the generation of a cellular and matrix composite with appropriate signalling for chondrogenic differentiation. Methods and results A technique was developed that allowed chondrogenic primary (uncultured) cells from bone marrow aspirate concentrate, combined with a composite hydrophilic and fibrillar matrix to be applied arthroscopically to a site of a chondral lesion. The construct was tested in vitro and in animal experiments before clinical trials. Clinical trials involved 60 patients in a prospective study. Symptomatic International Cartilage Repair Society grade 3 and 4a lesions were mapped and treated. Pre- and postoperative clinical assessments showed statistically significant improved outcomes; Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (mean 52.8 to > 76.4; P < 0.05) International Knee Documentation Committee (mean 39 to > 79 P < 0.05) and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (64.5 to >89.2 P < 0.05). Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was evaluated morphologically (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue, average MOCART score 72) and qualitatively; the regenerate was comparable to native cartilage. Conclusions This technique is effective, affordable, requires no complex tools and delivers a single-stage treatment that is potentially accessible to any centre capable of performing arthroscopic surgery. Good clinical results were found to be sustained at five years of follow-up with a regenerate that appears hyaline like using multiple magnetic resonance measures.

Evaluation of treatment pattern and symptom control in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: multihospital questionnaire survey on the current situation in Korea

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); however, a considerable number of patients fail to respond to PPI therapy and complain of nocturnal heartburn and sleep disturbance. The aims of this study are to evaluate the treatment pattern of GERD-related medications and their efficacy in relieving nocturnal heartburn. A total of 334 patients with GERD receiving PPI therapy within 6 months were enrolled in a multihospital questionnaire survey from January, 2014 to March, 2015. GERD symptoms and patients' satisfaction were assessed by patient questionnaires, and treatment patterns of GERD-related medications were assessed by investigators. Among the 334 patients, 95.8% used PPI once daily and 58.6% used a half-dose of PPI. The PPI treatment pattern was changed in 26.6% of all patients, of those, 54% of the patients doubled the PPI dose, and 29.2% of the patients switched to another PPI. Approximately 60.3% of all patients were prescribed more than three GERD-related medications. The overall satisfaction rate was 61.8%, and 32.2% of patients experienced nocturnal heartburn and sleep disturbance. In the extended-release PPI group, there were fewer nocturnal symptoms compared with the conventional PPI group (10% vs. 33.7%, respectively, P = 0.027). The use of more than three medications was inversely associated with patients' satisfaction (OR = 0.355, 95% CI; 0.197-0.642, P = 0.001). Most patients were prescribed adjunctive medications other than PPIs; however, patients' satisfaction was inversely associated with multiple drugs. Patients' satisfaction was superior in extended-release PPIs than conventional PPIs for the relief of nocturnal heartburn in Korean patients.

Extended Solution Gate OFET-based Biosensor for Label-free Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Detection with Polyethylene Glycol-Containing Bioreceptor Layer

A novel organic field effect transistor (OFET) -based biosensor is described for label-free glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) detection. We report the first use of an extended solution gate structure where the sensing area and the organic semiconductor are separated, and a reference electrode is not needed. Different molecular weight polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are mixed into the bio-receptor layer to help extend the Debye screening length. The drain current change was significantly increased with the help of higher molecular weight PEGs, as they are known to reduce the dielectric constant. We also investigated the sensing performance under different gate voltage (V_g). The sensitivity increased after we decreased V_g from -5 V to -2 V, because the lower V_g is much closer to the OFET threshold voltage and the influence of attached negatively charged proteins become more apparent. Finally, the selectivity experiments toward different interferents were performed. The stability and selectivity are promising for clinical applications.

Protective Effect of Polydeoxyribonucleotide Against Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice

BACKGROUND

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is an A2A receptor agonist that induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production during the pathological condition of low tissue perfusion. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major problem after renal transplantation. In the present study, we investigated whether PDRN exhibits reno-protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury in mice.

METHODS

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by bilateral renal pedicle occlusion for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 48 hours. PDRN (8 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally) was administered 30 minutes before IRI.

RESULTS

Treatment with PDRN significantly decreased neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels in the urine, blood urea nitrogen level, and serum creatinine levels as well as kidney tubular injury. Western blotting showed that PDRN significantly increased the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and B-cell lymphoma protein and attenuated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and Bcl-2-associated X protein levels 48 hours after IRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that PDRN is a potential therapeutic agent for acute ischemia-induced renal damage.

Protective Effect of Eupatilin Pretreatment Against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice

BACKGROUND

Eupatilin, a pharmacologically active flavone derived from Artemisia species, is known to have antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major critical event that commonly occurs after liver transplantation and resection. Furthermore, inflammatory responses to IRI exacerbate the resultant hepatic injury. In this study, we investigated whether eupatilin protects against IR-induced acute liver injury in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Partial (70%) hepatic IRI was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by portal triad pedicle occlusion for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion for 6 hours. Eupatilin (10 mg/kg body weight, oral) was administered 4 days before the IRI.

RESULTS

Treatment with eupatilin significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and serum aspartate aminotransferase as well as liver histologic changes. Eupatilin also prevented hepatic glutathione depletion and increased malondialdehyde levels induced by IRI. Western blotting indicated that eupatilin significantly increased the levels of heat shock protein and B-cell lymphoma 2 protein, attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cleaved caspase-3 levels 6 hours after IRI. The expression of the Toll-like receptor 2/4, and phosphorylated nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor was significantly decreased in the eupatilin pretreatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Eupatilin improved the acute hepatic IRI by reducing inflammation and apoptosis. These findings suggest that eupatilin is a promising therapeutic agent against acute IR-induced hepatic damage.

Red Ginseng Administration Before Islet Isolation Attenuates Apoptosis and Improves Islet Function and Transplant Outcome in a Syngeneic Mouse Marginal Islet Mass Model

BACKGROUND

Transplantation of isolated islets is a promising treatment for diabetes. Red ginseng (RG) is steamed ginseng and has been reported to enhance insulin secretion-stimulating and anti-apoptotic activities in pancreatic β-cells. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that pre-operative RG treatment enhances islet cell function and anti-apoptosis and investigated whether RG improves islet engraftment by transplant of a marginal mass of syngeneic islets pretreated with RG in diabetic mice.

METHODS

Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, and 1 group was administered RG (400 mg/kg/day orally) for 7 days before islet isolation. In vitro islet viability and function were assessed. After cytokine treatment, cell viability, function, and apoptosis of islet cells were analyzed. Furthermore, we studied the effects of RG in a syngeneic islet graft model. A marginal mass of syngeneic mouse islets was transplanted into diabetic hosts.

RESULTS

Islet pretreatment with RG showed 1.4-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than did control islets. RG pretreatment upregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression and downregulated Bcl-associated X protein (BAX), caspase-3, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Glucose-induced insulin release, NO, and apoptosis were significantly improved in RG-pretreated islets compared with cytokine-treated islets. RG-pretreated mice exhibited improved marginal mass islet graft survival compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that pre-operative RG administration enhanced islet function before transplantation and attenuated cytokine-induced damage associated with apoptosis. These studies indicate that inhibition of apoptosis by RG significantly improved islet cell and graft function after isolation and transplantation, respectively.

Correlated Event-by-Event Fluctuations of Flow Harmonics in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 TeV

We report the measurements of correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of amplitudes of anisotropic flow harmonics in nucleus-nucleus collisions, obtained for the first time using a new analysis method based on multiparticle cumulants in mixed harmonics. This novel method is robust against systematic biases originating from nonflow effects and by construction any dependence on symmetry planes is eliminated. We demonstrate that correlations of flow harmonics exhibit a better sensitivity to medium properties than the individual flow harmonics. The new measurements are performed in Pb-Pb collisions at the center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The centrality dependence of correlation between event-by-event fluctuations of the elliptic v_{2} and quadrangular v_{4} flow harmonics, as well as of anticorrelation between v_{2} and triangular v_{3} flow harmonics are presented. The results cover two different regimes of the initial state configurations: geometry dominated (in midcentral collisions) and fluctuation dominated (in the most central collisions). Comparisons are made to predictions from Monte Carlo Glauber, viscous hydrodynamics, ampt, and hijing models. Together with the existing measurements of the individual flow harmonics the presented results provide further constraints on the initial conditions and the transport properties of the system produced in heavy-ion collisions.

Centrality Dependence of the Charged-Particle Multiplicity Density at Midrapidity in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The pseudorapidity density of charged particles, dN_{ch}/dη, at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions has been measured at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. For the 5% most central collisions, we measure a value of 1943±54. The rise in dN_{ch}/dη as a function of sqrt[s_{NN}] is steeper than that observed in proton-proton collisions and follows the trend established by measurements at lower energy. The increase of dN_{ch}/dη as a function of the average number of participant nucleons, ⟨N_{part}⟩, calculated in a Glauber model, is compared with the previous measurement at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV. A constant factor of about 1.2 describes the increase in dN_{ch}/dη from sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 to 5.02 TeV for all centrality classes, within the measured range of 0%-80% centrality. The results are also compared to models based on different mechanisms for particle production in nuclear collisions.

Measurement of an Excess in the Yield of J/ψ at Very Low p_{T} in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s]_{NN}=2.76 TeV

We report on the first measurement of an excess in the yield of J/ψ at very low transverse momentum (p_{T}<0.3  GeV/c) in peripheral hadronic Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV, performed by ALICE at the CERN LHC. Remarkably, the measured nuclear modification factor of J/ψ in the rapidity range 2.5<y<4 reaches about 7 (2) in the p_{T} range 0-0.3  GeV/c in the 70%-90% (50%-70%) centrality class. The J/ψ production cross section associated with the observed excess is obtained under the hypothesis that coherent photoproduction of J/ψ is the underlying physics mechanism. If confirmed, the observation of J/ψ coherent photoproduction in Pb-Pb collisions at impact parameters smaller than twice the nuclear radius opens new theoretical and experimental challenges and opportunities. In particular, coherent photoproduction accompanying hadronic collisions may provide insight into the dynamics of photoproduction and nuclear reactions, as well as become a novel probe of the quark-gluon plasma.

Anisotropic Flow of Charged Particles in Pb-Pb Collisions at √[s{NN}]=5.02 TeV

We report the first results of elliptic (v_{2}), triangular (v_{3}), and quadrangular (v_{4}) flow of charged particles in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The measurements are performed in the central pseudorapidity region |η|<0.8 and for the transverse momentum range 0.2<p_{T}<5  GeV/c. The anisotropic flow is measured using two-particle correlations with a pseudorapidity gap greater than one unit and with the multiparticle cumulant method. Compared to results from Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV, the anisotropic flow coefficients v_{2}, v_{3}, and v_{4} are found to increase by (3.0±0.6)%, (4.3±1.4)%, and (10.2±3.8)%, respectively, in the centrality range 0%-50%. This increase can be attributed mostly to an increase of the average transverse momentum between the two energies. The measurements are found to be compatible with hydrodynamic model calculations. This comparison provides a unique opportunity to test the validity of the hydrodynamic picture and the power to further discriminate between various possibilities for the temperature dependence of shear viscosity to entropy density ratio of the produced matter in heavy-ion collisions at the highest energies.

5,7-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyflavone attenuates ischemic damage and apoptosis in mouse islets

BACKGROUND

The transplantation of isolated pancreatic islets is a promising treatment for diabetes. 5,7-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyflavone (Eupatilin), a pharmacologically active flavone derived from the Artemisia plant species, has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examines the hypothesis that preoperative eupatilin treatment can attenuate ischemic damage and apoptosis before islet transplantation.

METHODS

Islets isolated from Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, and cultured in medium supplemented with or without eupatilin. In vitro islet viability and function were assessed. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail consisting of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (INF)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-1β, islet cell viability, function, and apoptotic status were determined. The glutathione (GSH) and nitrous oxide (NO) levels were also measured. Proteins related to apoptosis were analyzed using Western blotting.

RESULTS

There was no difference in cell viability between the 2 groups. Islets cultured in the medium supplemented with eupatilin showed 1.4-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than the islets cultured in the medium without eupatilin. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail, glucose-induced insulin release and the total insulin content of the islets were significantly improved in eupatilin-pretreated islets compared with islets not treated with eupatilin. Apoptosis was significantly decreased, and GSH levels were elevated in the eupatilin-pretreated group. Cytokine-only treated islets produced significantly higher levels of NO, iNOS, and caspase-3 than islets pretreated with eupatilin before cytokine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that preoperative eupatilin administration enhances islet function before transplantation and attenuates the cytokine-induced damage associated with NO production and apoptosis.

Measurement of pion, kaon and proton production in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV

The measurement of primary [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] production at mid-rapidity ([Formula: see text] 0.5) in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] 7 TeV performed with a large ion collider experiment at the large hadron collider (LHC) is reported. Particle identification is performed using the specific ionisation energy-loss and time-of-flight information, the ring-imaging Cherenkov technique and the kink-topology identification of weak decays of charged kaons. Transverse momentum spectra are measured from 0.1 up to 3 GeV/[Formula: see text] for pions, from 0.2 up to 6 GeV/[Formula: see text] for kaons and from 0.3 up to 6 GeV/[Formula: see text] for protons. The measured spectra and particle ratios are compared with quantum chromodynamics-inspired models, tuned to reproduce also the earlier measurements performed at the LHC. Furthermore, the integrated particle yields and ratios as well as the average transverse momenta are compared with results at lower collision energies.

Effortful swallow enhances vertical hyolaryngeal movement and prolongs duration after maximal excursion

Effortful swallowing (EFS) is a common compensatory swallowing manoeuver for dysphagia patients. We investigated the influence of EFS on temporal and spatial characteristics of the movements of the hyoid bone, larynx and epiglottis in healthy subjects. A total of 41 volunteers swallowed 10 mL of diluted barium solution using two swallowing strategies: usual and effortful swallowing (USS and EFS). The motions of the hyoid bone, larynx and epiglottis were tracked using frame-by-frame kinematic motion analysis of videofluoroscopic images. Maximal velocities and maximal displacements of hyoid and larynx, the maximal angle of the epiglottic tilt, and the durations of hyoid excursion, laryngeal elevation and epiglottic tilt were measured. Compared to USS, EFS was associated with significantly greater vertical displacement of the hyoid (P < 0.001), vertical and horizontal displacement of the larynx (P = 0.003, P = 0.019), and maximal angle of the epiglottic tilt (P = 0.001). In addition, the durations of the vertical and horizontal excursions of the hyoid, vertical excursion of the larynx and the epiglottic tilt were greater in EFS, compared with USS. Effortful swallowing was also associated with significantly greater maximum velocities of the hyoid and larynx during swallowing. In conclusion, the EFS manoeuver facilitates vertical speed and distance of hyolaryngeal excursion and epiglottic tilt and extends the duration of excursion and the epiglottic tilt, especially after reaching maximal excursion in healthy subjects. These results confirm the temporal and kinematic benefits of airway protection induced by the EFS manoeuver.

Ginsenoside Rg3 enhances islet cell function and attenuates apoptosis in mouse islets

BACKGROUND

The transplantation of isolated islets is thought to be an attractive approach for curative treatment of diabetes mellitus. Panax ginseng has been used in oriental countries for its pharmacologic effects, such as antidiabetic and antiinflammatory activities. 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), an active ingredient of ginseng saponins, has been reported to enhance insulin secretion-stimulating and antiapoptotic activities in pancreatic beta cells. We performed this study to examine the hypothesis that preoperative Rg3 administration can enhance islet cell function and antiapoptosis before islet transplantation.

METHODS

Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the administration of Rg3 after islet isolation. Mouse islets were cultured in medium supplemented with or without Rg3. In vitro, islet viability and function were assessed. After treatment of islets with a cytokine cocktail (tumor necrosis factor α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-1β), cell viability, function, and apoptosis were assessed.

RESULTS

Cell viability was similar between the 2 groups. Islets cultured in medium supplemented with Rg3 showed 2.3-fold higher glucose-induced insulin secretion than islets cultured in medium without Rg3. After treatment with a cytokine cocktail, glucose-induced insulin release, total insulin content of islets, and apoptosis were significantly improved in Rg3-treated islets compared with cytokine-treated islets. Cytokine-treated islets produced significantly higher levels of nitric oxide (NO) than islets treated with Rg3.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that preoperative Rg3 administration enhanced islet function before islet transplantation and attenuated both cytokine-induced damage associated with NO production and apoptosis. Rg3 administration might be a prospective management to enhanced islet function and ameliorate early inflammation after transplantation.

Exclusive J/ψ photoproduction off protons in ultraperipheral p-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV

We present the first measurement at the LHC of exclusive J/ψ photoproduction off protons, in ultraperipheral proton-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. Events are selected with a dimuon pair produced either in the rapidity interval, in the laboratory frame, 2.5<y<4 (p-Pb) or -3.6<y<-2.6 (Pb-p), and no other particles observed in the ALICE acceptance. The measured cross sections σ(γ+p→J/ψ+p) are 33.2±2.2(stat)±3.2(syst)±0.7(theor)  nb in p-Pb and 284±36(stat)_{-32}^{+27}(syst)±26(theor)  nb in Pb-p collisions. We measure this process up to about 700 GeV in the γp center of mass, which is a factor of two larger than the highest energy studied at HERA. The data are consistent with a power law dependence of the J/ψ photoproduction cross section in γp energies from about 20 to 700 GeV, or equivalently, from Bjorken x scaling variable between ∼2×10^{-2} and ∼2×10^{-5}, thus indicating no significant change in the gluon density behavior of the proton between HERA and LHC energies.

Measurement of prompt D-meson production in p-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV

The p_{T}-differential production cross sections of the prompt charmed mesons D^{0}, D^{+}, D^{*+}, and D_{s}^{+} and their charge conjugate in the rapidity interval -0.96<y_{cms}<0.04 were measured in p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The nuclear modification factor R_{pPb}, quantifying the D-meson yield in p-Pb collisions relative to the yield in pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, is compatible within the 15%-20% uncertainties with unity in the transverse momentum interval 1<p_{T}<24  GeV/c. No significant difference among the R_{pPb} of the four D-meson species is observed. The results are described within uncertainties by theoretical calculations that include initial-state effects. The measurement adds experimental evidence that the modification of the momentum spectrum of D mesons observed in Pb-Pb collisions with respect to pp collisions is due to strong final-state effects induced by hot partonic matter.

Electrical signaling of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor

Optical laboratory-based immunoassays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) give a high sensitivity and specificity of various fatal diseases. However, these assays are no longer efficient in on-spot diagnostics of wide-spreading and contagious infections. At this point in time, portable and handhold devices play a pivotal role in infectious diseases with quick diagnostics at or near the site of the disease propagation. In this paper, we demonstrated a novel electrical immunoassay of ELISA that was not based on optical signaling but on electrical signaling. This was done by combining an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) with ELISA. By harnessing the catalytic reaction of alkaline phosphatase that precipitated silver particles, we effectively overcame the chronic Debye screening length issue of the ISFET. Ultimately, small signal ranging from 1 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL was immensely amplified with the ALP label, regardless of buffer conditions. The sensor platform herein surpassed a sensing capability of conventional ELISA that is considered to have a LOD on the order of ~1 ng/mL. The results were compared with those of horseradish peroxidase label, which is generally used for optical analyses in ELISA. Our newly developed ISFET-based portable sensor holds a large potential for point-of-care tools in a variety of diseases, without being limited by the need for expensive equipment such as spectrophotometers.

Performance enhancement of capacitive-coupling dual-gate ion-sensitive field-effect transistor in ultra-thin-body

Recently, thin-film transistor based-ISFETs with the dual-gate (DG) structures have been proposed, in order to beat the Nernst response of the standard ISFET, utilizing diverse organic or inorganic materials. The immutable Nernst response can be dramatically transformed to an ultra-sensing margin, with the capacitive-coupling arisen from the DG structure. In order to advance this platform, we here embedded the ultra-thin body (UTB) into the DG ISFET. The UTB of 4.3 nm serves to not only increase its sensitivity, but also to strongly suppress the leakage components, leading to a better stability of the DG ISFET. In addition, we first provide a comprehensive analysis of the body thickness effects especially how the thick body can render the degradation in the device performance, such as sensitivity and stability. The UTB DG ISFET will allow the ISFET-based biosensor platform to continue enhancement into the next decade.

3D-transistor array based on horizontally suspended silicon nano-bridges grown via a bottom-up technique

Integrated surround-gate field-effect-transistors enabled by bottom-up synthesis of nano-bridges are demonstrated. Horizontally oriented silicon nano-bridge devices are fabricated avoiding the rigorous processes for aligning and contacting nanowires grown via a bottom-up technique. Evaluation of electrical properties and a memory device application of the transistors are presented.

Comparison of RECIST 1.0 and RECIST 1.1 on computed tomography in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

We conducted this study to compare tumor measurement by computed tomography (CT) and tumor response assessment between Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.0 and RECIST 1.1 in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of patients with metastatic CRC who received first-line chemotherapy between January 2004 and December 2012 and compared CT tumor measurement using two RECIST versions.

RESULTS

A total of 58 patients who had target lesions according to RECIST 1.0 were included in the study. The number of target lesions recorded by RECIST 1.1 was significantly lower than that by RECIST 1.0, with a decrease experienced in 48 patients (82.7%). Six patients had no target lesions because of the new criteria of RECIST 1.1 for lymph node size. Out of 95 lymph nodes from 58 patients, only 40% were defined as target lesions according to RECIST 1.1. The overall response rate of first-line chemotherapy according to RECIST 1.0 and 1.1 was 41.5 and 40.4%, respectively. The best tumor responses showed almost perfect agreement between RECIST 1.1 and RECIST 1.0 (ĸ = 0.913). Three patients showed disagreement of the best responses between the two RECIST versions.

CONCLUSION

RECIST 1.1 showed a highly concordant response assessment with RECIST 1.0 in metastatic CRC and its clinical impact on therapeutic decisions was minimal.

Directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity relative to the spectator plane in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

The directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV relative to the collision symmetry plane defined by the spectator nucleons. A negative slope of the rapidity-odd directed flow component with approximately 3 times smaller magnitude than found at the highest RHIC energy is observed. This suggests a smaller longitudinal tilt of the initial system and disfavors the strong fireball rotation predicted for the LHC energies. The rapidity-even directed flow component is measured for the first time with spectators and found to be independent of pseudorapidity with a sign change at transverse momenta p(T) between 1.2 and 1.7  GeV/c. Combined with the observation of a vanishing rapidity-even p(T) shift along the spectator deflection this is strong evidence for dipolelike initial density fluctuations in the overlap zone of the nuclei. Similar trends in the rapidity-even directed flow and the estimate from two-particle correlations at midrapidity, which is larger by about a factor of 40, indicate a weak correlation between fluctuating participant and spectator symmetry planes. These observations open new possibilities for investigation of the initial conditions in heavy-ion collisions with spectator nucleons.

K(S)0 and Λ production in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

The ALICE measurement of K(S)(0) and Λ production at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV is presented. The transverse momentum (p(T)) spectra are shown for several collision centrality intervals and in the p(T) range from 0.4 GeV/c (0.6 GeV/c for Λ) to 12 GeV/c. The p(T) dependence of the Λ/K(S)(0) ratios exhibits maxima in the vicinity of 3 GeV/c, and the positions of the maxima shift towards higher p(T) with increasing collision centrality. The magnitude of these maxima increases by almost a factor of three between most peripheral and most central Pb-Pb collisions. This baryon excess at intermediate p(T) is not observed in pp interactions at √s=0.9 TeV and at √s=7 TeV. Qualitatively, the baryon enhancement in heavy-ion collisions is expected from radial flow. However, the measured p(T) spectra above 2 GeV/c progressively decouple from hydrodynamical-model calculations. For higher values of p(T), models that incorporate the influence of the medium on the fragmentation and hadronization processes describe qualitatively the p(T) dependence of the Λ/K(S)(0) ratio.

J/ψ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

We report on the first measurement of inclusive J/ψ elliptic flow v2 in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV in the rapidity range 2.5<y<4.0. The dependence of the J/ψ v2 on the collision centrality and on the J/ψ transverse momentum is studied in the range 0≤p(T)<10 GeV/c. For semicentral Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV, an indication of nonzero v2 is observed with a largest measured value of v2=0.116±0.046(stat)±0.029(syst) for J/ψ in the transverse momentum range 2≤p(T)<4 GeV/c. The elliptic flow measurement complements the previously reported ALICE results on the inclusive J/ψ nuclear modification factor and favors the scenario of a significant fraction of J/ψ production from charm quarks in a deconfined partonic phase.

D meson elliptic flow in noncentral Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 Tev

Azimuthally anisotropic distributions of D0, D+, and D*+ mesons were studied in the central rapidity region (|y|<0.8) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[sNN]=2.76  TeV per nucleon-nucleon collision, with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The second Fourier coefficient v2 (commonly denoted elliptic flow) was measured in the centrality class 30%-50% as a function of the D meson transverse momentum pT, in the range 2-16  GeV/c. The measured v2 of D mesons is comparable in magnitude to that of light-flavor hadrons. It is positive in the range 2<pT<6  GeV/c with 5.7σ significance, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties.

High performance of silicon nanowire-based biosensors using a high-k stacked sensing thin film

High performance silicon nanowire (SiNW) sensors with SiO2/HfO2/Al2O3 (OHA) engineered sensing thin films were fabricated. A lower interface state density, a larger capacitance and a stronger chemical immunity, which are essential for enhancing the performance of devices, were accomplished by stacking thin SiO2, HfO2, and Al2O3 layers, respectively, in sequence on the SiNW channel. Compared with the conventional single SiO2 thin film, the staked OHA thin films demonstrated improved sensing performances; a higher sensitivity, a lower hysteresis voltage, and a smaller drift rate, as well as a higher output current. Therefore, the SiNW sensors with OHA stacked sensing thin films are very promising to biological and chemical sensor applications.

Measurement of inelastic, single- and double-diffraction cross sections in proton-proton collisions at the LHC with ALICE

Measurements of cross sections of inelastic and diffractive processes in proton-proton collisions at LHC energies were carried out with the ALICE detector. The fractions of diffractive processes in inelastic collisions were determined from a study of gaps in charged particle pseudorapidity distributions: for single diffraction (diffractive mass MX <200 GeV/c2) [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively at centre-of-mass energies [Formula: see text]; for double diffraction (for a pseudorapidity gap Δη>3) σDD/σINEL=0.11±0.03,0.12±0.05, and [Formula: see text], respectively at [Formula: see text]. To measure the inelastic cross section, beam properties were determined with van der Meer scans, and, using a simulation of diffraction adjusted to data, the following values were obtained: [Formula: see text] mb at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. The single- and double-diffractive cross sections were calculated combining relative rates of diffraction with inelastic cross sections. The results are compared to previous measurements at proton-antiproton and proton-proton colliders at lower energies, to measurements by other experiments at the LHC, and to theoretical models.

Biallelic expression of the L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase gene with different methylation status between male and female primordial germ cells in chickens

The basic functions of DNA methylation include in gene silencing by methylation of specific gene promoters, defense of the host genome from retrovirus, and transcriptional suppression of transgenes. In addition, genomic imprinting, by which certain genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner, has been observed in a wide range of plants and animals and has been associated with differential methylation. However, imprinting phenomena of DNA methylation effects have not been revealed in chickens. To analyze whether genomic imprinting occurs in chickens, methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation array analysis was applied across the entire genome of germ cells in early chick embryos. A differentially methylated region (DMR) was detected in the eighth intron of the l-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (GATM) gene. When the DMR in GATM was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing, the methylation in male primordial germ cells (PGC) of 6-d-old embryos was higher than that in female PGC (57.5 vs. 35.0%). At 8 d, the DMR methylation of GATM in male PGC was 3.7-fold higher than that in female PGC (65.0 vs. 17.5%). Subsequently, to investigate mono- or biallelic expression of the GATM gene during embryo development, we found 2 indel sequences (GTTTAATGC and CAAAAA) within the GATM 3'-untranslated region in Korean Oge (KO) and White Leghorn (WL) chickens. When individual WL and KO chickens were genotyped for indel sequences, 3 allele combinations (homozygous insertion, homozygous deletion, and heterozygotes) were detected in both breeds using a gel shift assay and high-resolution melt assay. The deletion allele was predominant in KO, whereas the insertion allele was predominant in WL. Heterozygous animals were evenly distributed in both breeds (P < 0.01). Despite the different methylation status between male and female PGC, the GATM gene conclusively displayed biallelic expression in PGC as well as somatic embryonic, extraembryonic, and adult chicken tissues.

Net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 TeV

We report the first measurement of the net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76  TeV, measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The dynamical fluctuations per unit entropy are observed to decrease when going from peripheral to central collisions. An additional reduction in the amount of fluctuations is seen in comparison to the results from lower energies. We examine the dependence of fluctuations on the pseudorapidity interval, which may account for the dilution of fluctuations during the evolution of the system. We find that the fluctuations at the LHC are smaller compared to the measurements at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and as such, closer to what has been theoretically predicted for the formation of a quark-gluon plasma.

Transverse momentum distribution and nuclear modification factor of charged particles in p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 5.02 TeV

The transverse momentum (p(T)) distribution of primary charged particles is measured in minimum bias (non-single-diffractive) p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The p(T) spectra measured near central rapidity in the range 0.5<p(T) <20 GeV/c exhibit a weak pseudorapidity dependence. The nuclear modification factor R(pPb) is consistent with unity for p(T) above 2 GeV/c. This measurement indicates that the strong suppression of hadron production at high p(T) observed in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC is not due to an initial-state effect. The measurement is compared to theoretical calculations.

Pseudorapidity density of charged particles in p+Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV

The charged-particle pseudorapidity density measured over four units of pseudorapidity in nonsingle-diffractive p+Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV is presented. The average value at midrapidity is measured to be 16.81±0.71 (syst), which corresponds to 2.14±0.17 (syst) per participating nucleon, calculated with the Glauber model. This is 16% lower than in nonsingle-diffractive pp collisions interpolated to the same collision energy and 84% higher than in d+Au collisions at s√(s(NN))=0.2 TeV. The measured pseudorapidity density in p+Pb collisions is compared to model predictions and provides new constraints on the description of particle production in high-energy nuclear collisions.

Charge separation relative to the reaction plane in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV

Measurements of charge-dependent azimuthal correlations with the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported for Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV. Two- and three-particle charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in the pseudorapidity range |η| < 0.8 are presented as a function of the collision centrality, particle separation in pseudorapidity, and transverse momentum. A clear signal compatible with a charge-dependent separation relative to the reaction plane is observed, which shows little or no collision energy dependence when compared to measurements at RHIC energies. This provides a new insight for understanding the nature of the charge-dependent azimuthal correlations observed at RHIC and LHC energies.

Pion, kaon, and proton production in central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV

In this Letter we report the first results on π(±), K(±), p, and p production at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV, measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The p(T) distributions and yields are compared to previous results at sqrt[s(NN)] = 200 GeV and expectations from hydrodynamic and thermal models. The spectral shapes indicate a strong increase of the radial flow velocity with sqrt[s(NN)], which in hydrodynamic models is expected as a consequence of the increasing particle density. While the K/π ratio is in line with predictions from the thermal model, the p/π ratio is found to be lower by a factor of about 1.5. This deviation from thermal model expectations is still to be understood.

Measurement of the cross section for electromagnetic dissociation with neutron emission in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV

The first measurement of neutron emission in electromagnetic dissociation of ^{208}Pb nuclei at the LHC is presented. The measurement is performed using the neutron zero degree calorimeters of the ALICE experiment, which detect neutral particles close to beam rapidity. The measured cross sections of single and mutual electromagnetic dissociation of Pb nuclei at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76 TeV with neutron emission are σ(singleEMD)=187.4 ± 0.2(stat)(-11.2)(+13.2) (syst) b and σ(mutualEMD) = 5.7 ± 0.1(stat) ± 0.4(syst) b, respectively. The experimental results are compared to the predictions from a relativistic electromagnetic dissociation model.

Differences in the risk factors of reflux esophagitis according to age in Korea

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Korea has been believed to be low, but the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Korea is expected to increase because of the longer life expectancy and more ingestion of westernized food. The aim of this study was to report differences in the risk factors of reflux esophagitis (RE) according to age in Korea. We prospectively recruited the subjects who had RE among those who visited a health promotion center for upper gastrointestinal cancer surveillance at Hallym Medical Center (five institutions) between January 2008 and February 2009. The enrolled study participants comprised 742 subjects with RE and 1484 healthy controls. The independent risk factors of RE in young and adult group were male sex, smoking, coffee, body mass index ≥ 25, hiatal hernia, and Helicobacter pylori negativity. The risk factors of RE in elderly group were smoking, coffee, and hiatal hernia. The risk factors for RE according to age group were found to differ. In elderly group, Helicobacter pylori infection was not a significant protective factor contrary to young and adult groups.

Production of muons from heavy flavor decays at forward rapidity in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76 TeV

The ALICE Collaboration has measured the inclusive production of muons from heavy-flavor decays at forward rapidity, 2.5<y<4, in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76  TeV. The p(t)-differential inclusive cross section of muons from heavy-flavor decays in pp collisions is compared to perturbative QCD calculations. The nuclear modification factor is studied as a function of p(t) and collision centrality. A weak suppression is measured in peripheral collisions. In the most central collisions, a suppression of a factor of about 3-4 is observed in 6<p(t)<10  GeV/c. The suppression shows no significant p(t) dependence.

J/ψ suppression at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at √s(NN) = 2.76 TeV

The ALICE experiment has measured the inclusive J/ψ production in Pb-Pb collisions at √s(NN) = 2.76 TeV down to zero transverse momentum in the rapidity range 2.5 < y < 4. A suppression of the inclusive J/ψ yield in Pb-Pb is observed with respect to the one measured in pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. The nuclear modification factor, integrated over the 0%-80% most central collisions, is 0.545 ± 0.032(stat) ± 0.083(syst) and does not exhibit a significant dependence on the collision centrality. These features appear significantly different from measurements at lower collision energies. Models including J/ψ production from charm quarks in a deconfined partonic phase can describe our data.

Adult dual kidney transplantations obtained from marginal donors: two case reports

Organ shortage has led us to use grafts from expanded criteria donors (ECD). Dual kidney transplantation (DKT) using organs from an ECD, which are not acceptable for single kidney transplantation (KT), may overcome the insufficient functioning nephron mass. We performed DKTs in two recipients, the first DKT to be reported from Korea. In case 1, the donor was a 36-year-old man with hypertension. The cause of his brain death was intracranial hemorrhage. He had no known underlying renal disease; his serum creatinine level was 4.2 mg/dL. Despite the relatively young age of the donor, a biopsy revealed mild interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy with moderate arteriolar narrowing. The recipient's postoperative course was uneventful over the 69-month follow-up; her last serum creatinine was 1.3 mg/dL. In case 2, the 80-year-old male donor with a history of hypertension had a normal creatinine. The donor biopsy revealed mild glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis with moderate arteriolar narrowing. The recipient had undergone a previous KT 14 years previously on the right side of the abdomen, but had resumed dialysis 2 years previously due to chronic allograft nephropathy. There was no delayed graft function. At month 4 posttransplantation, lymphoceles were treated by fenestration. At 6-month follow-up, her creatinine was 1.0 mg/dL. In our experience with these two cases, DKT with ECD kidney grafts seemed to be a successful strategy to avoid poor graft outcomes and overcome the donor organ shortage. Further studies including histological criteria for DKT, should be performed to determine the safest means to utilize ECD grafts.