Improved accuracy and robustness of electron density profiles from JET's X-mode frequency-modulated continuous-wave reflectometers

JET's frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) reflectometers have been operating well with the current design since 2005, and density profiles have been automatically calculated intershot since then. However, the calculated profiles had long suffered from several shortcomings: poor agreement with other diagnostics, sometimes inappropriately moving radially by several centimeters, elevated levels of radial jitter, and persistent wriggles (strong unphysical oscillations). In this research, several techniques are applied to the reflectometry data analysis, and the shortcomings are significantly improved. Starting with improving the equilibrium reconstruction that estimates the background magnetic field, adding a ripple correction in the reconstructed magnetic field profile, and adding new inner-wall reflection positions estimated through ray-tracing, these changes not only improve the agreement of reconstructed profiles to other diagnostics but also solve density profile wriggles that were present during band transitions. Other smaller but also persistent wriggles were also suppressed by applying a localized correction to the measured beat frequency where persistent oscillations are present. Finally, the burst analysis method, as introduced by Varela et al. [Nucl. Fusion 46 S693 (2006)], has been implemented to extract the beat frequency from stacked spectrograms. Due to the strong suppression of spurious reflections, the radial jitter that sometimes would span several centimeters has been strongly reduced. The stacking of spectrograms has also been shown to be very useful for stacking recurring events, like small gas puff modulations, and extracting transport coefficients that would otherwise be below the noise level.

Adipokine secretion and lipolysis following gender-affirming treatment in transgender individuals

BACKGROUND

The organ-specific effects of gender-affirming sex hormone treatment (GAHT) in transgender women (TW) and transgender men (TM) are insufficiently explored. This study investigated the effects of GAHT on adipose tissue function.

METHODS

In a single-center interventional prospective study, 32 adults undergoing GAHT, 15 TW and 17 TM, were examined with anthropometry and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies obtained before initiation of treatment, 1 month after endogenous sex hormone inhibition and three and 11 months after initiated GAHT. Fat cell size, basal/stimulated lipolysis and cytokine secretion in adipose tissue were analyzed.

RESULTS

TW displayed an increase in complement component 3a and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) secretion after sex hormone inhibition, which returned to baseline following estradiol treatment. No changes in lipolysis were seen in TW. TM showed downregulation of RBP4 after treatment, but no changes in basal lipolysis. In TM, the estrogen suppression led to higher noradrenaline stimulated (NA) lipolysis that was normalized following testosterone treatment. At 11 months, the ratio of NA/basal lipolysis was lower compared to baseline. There were no significant changes in fat cell size in either TW or TM.

CONCLUSION

In TW, gonadal hormone suppression results in transient changes in cytokines and in TM there are some changes in NA-stimulated lipolysis following testosterone treatment. However, despite the known metabolic effects of sex hormones, the overall effects of GAHT on adipose tissue function are small and likely have limited clinical relevance, but larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02518009, Retrospectively registered 7 August 2015.

Weight loss outcomes are generally worse for dogs and cats with class II obesity, defined as > 40% overweight

In pet dogs and cats, adiposity is most-often estimated clinically using a 9-category body condition score (BCS), with BCS 9 equating to ~ 40% overweight. Animals that are more overweight (> 40%) are seen in clinical practice but are not appropriately depicted by descriptions in the existing categories. To determine whether being > 40% overweight has clinical relevance, this study aimed to compare the outcomes of weight management in animals that were > 40% overweight with those < 40% overweight. Records of dogs and cats attending a specialist obesity care clinic, where adiposity is determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were reviewed. Animals were assigned to two classes (class I ≤ 40% overweight: 118/398 [40%] dogs and 68/116 [59%] cats; class II, > 40% overweight: 180/398 [60%] dogs and 48/116 [41%] cats) based on DXA results, and weight loss outcomes were compared. Fewer class II dogs obesity completed weight management than class I dogs (P < 0.001), rate of weight loss was also slower (P = 0.012) and lean tissue loss greater (P < 0.001). Compared with class I, cats with class II obesity lost more weight (P = 0.048) albeit over a longer period (P = 0.043) leading to greater lean tissue loss (P = 0.004). Approximately half the pets presenting to a specialist clinic were have class II obesity (> 40% overweight), and some weight loss outcomes are worse for these animals.

The effect of obesity and subsequent weight reduction on cardiac structure and function in dogs

Background

In people, the cardiovascular effects of obesity include systemic hypertension, cardiac remodelling and both systolic and diastolic dysfunction, whilst weight reduction can reverse myocardial remodelling and reduce risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease. To date, variable results are reported in studies of the effect of obesity and controlled weight reduction on cardiovascular morphology and function in dogs. This prospective study aimed to assess cardiac function, heart rate variability, cardiac biomarkers and body composition before and after weight reduction in pet dogs with obesity. Twenty-four client-owned dogs referred for weight management due to obesity were recruited. To assess the cardiac effects of obesity, body composition analysis (by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, DEXA) and cardiovascular assessment (echocardiography, Doppler blood pressure, electrocardiography, cardiac biomarkers) were performed prior to weight management. Twelve dogs completed the study and reached target weight, receiving a further cardiovascular assessment and DEXA. A Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used to compare each variable pre- and post- weight reduction.

Results

Median (interquartile range) duration of weight loss was 224 days (124–245 days), percentage weight loss was 23% (18–31%) of starting weight. Median change in body fat mass was -50% (-44% to -55%; P = 0.004), whilst median change in lean mass was -7% (+ 1% to -18%, P = 0.083).

Before weight reduction, diastolic dysfunction (evidence of impaired relaxation in all dogs), increased left ventricular wall thickness and mildly elevated systolic blood pressure (14/24 ≥ 160 mmHg, median 165 mmHg (140–183)) were common features in dogs with obesity. However, systolic left ventricular wall dimensions were the only variables that changed after weight reduction, with a decrease in both the systolic interventricular septum (P = 0.029) and systolic left ventricular free wall (P = 0.017). There was no evidence of decreased heart rate variability in dogs with obesity (P = 0.367), and no change in cardiac biomarker concentrations with weight reduction (N-terminal proBNP, P = 0.262; cardiac troponin I P = 0.657).

Conclusions

Canine obesity results in diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy, the latter of which improves with significant weight and fat mass reduction. Further studies are required to clarify the clinical consequences of these findings.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03449-4.

P-526 Targeting histone modifications: H3K27 acetylation regulates the expression of genes involved in key processes of uterine leiomyoma pathogenesis

Study question

Does histone mark H3K27ac regulate the expression of genes involved in uterine leiomyoma (UL) pathogenesis, and can histone deacetylation inhibition be a new therapeutic approach?

Summary answer

H3K27ac regulates genes implicated in UL pathogenesis through angiogenesis and extracellular matrix (ECM), and histone deacetylation reversion could offer a therapeutic approach to treat UL.

What is known already

UL is a benign tumor arising from myometrium (MM). Women present symptoms such as pelvic pain and infertility. There is no fully effective treatment with minimal side effects. Available medical options focus on the relief of symptoms and not in mechanisms implicated in UL development. Histone modifications are altered in tumors, particularly via histone acetylation which is correlated with gene activation. Herein, we aimed to identify if the modification H3K27ac is involved in UL pathogenesis, determining the relationship between H3K27ac and gene expression in UL versus MM and if its reversion may be a therapeutic option to treat UL.

Study design, size, duration

Prospective study comparing transcriptome (GEO:GSE192354 and GSE142332) by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) (n = 48) and H3K27ac profile (GEO:GSE142332) by Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (CHIP-seq) (n = 19) in UL versus adjacent MM tissue. Human uterine leiomyoma primary (HULP) cells obtained from individual patients (n = 10) were treated with 0.01% DMSO (control) and 10 µM SAHA, a histone deacetylases inhibitor, for 48 hours.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Samples were collected from 48 women aged 31-54 years. Bioinformatics analysis were performed within the R/Bioconductor (4.1.1.). Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were analysed using three methods: DESeq2, edgeR and limma. Common DEGs (FDR&lt;0.01,log2FC&gt;1 or &lt;-1) were considered for further analysis. Differential H2K27ac peak enrichment analysis of selected genes was performed with limma and functional enrichment analysis (FDR&lt;0.05) with Shiny Go (version 0.741). SAHA effect on hypoacetylated/downregulated genes was assessed in HULP cells by qRT-PCR.

Main results and the role of chance

CHIP-seq analysis showed a lower amount of global H3K27ac peak enrichment level in UL versus MM (p-value&lt;2.2e-16). RNA-seq showed 922 common DEGs in UL versus MM, being 559 up-regulated and 363 down-regulated (FDR&lt;0.01, log2FC&gt;1 or &lt;-1). Integration of CHIP-seq and RNA-seq data showed that among 922 selected genes, 482 also presented the histone mark H3K27ac. Differential peak enrichment analysis demonstrated that 82 of them presented differential acetylation (FDR&lt;0.05) in UL versus MM, being 29 hyper-acetylated/up-regulated and 53 hypo-acetylated/down-regulated. Functional enrichment analysis of 82 DEGs regulated by H3K27ac showed biological processes deregulated in UL that were related to angiogenesis. Additionally, we found cellular components enriched in UL, which were related to an alteration of ECM, one of the key features of UL. We studied further these 82 genes controlled by H3K27ac and found hyperacetylation/upregulation of oncogenes (NDP, TFAP2C, HOXA13, COL24A1 and IGFL3) and hypoacetylation/downregulation of tumor suppressor genes (CD40, GIMAP8, IL15, GPX3 and DPT) in UL, which are related to immune system, angiogenesis, invasion, metabolism, ECM, TGFβ3 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway dysregulation. Finally, SAHA treatment in HULP cells significantly increased expression of the tumor suppressor genes that were hypoacetylated/downregulated in UL versus MM (CD40, GIMAP8, IL15, GPX3 and DPT) (p &lt; 0.05).

Limitations, reasons for caution

This is a preliminary study including only 19 participants in ChIP-seq analysis, thereby we should be cautious extrapolating our results to the general population. Further studies are necessary to determine the effectiveness of histone deacetylases inhibition, SAHA dose and adverse effects on UL in vivo.

Wider implications of the findings

H3K27 acetylation regulates the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes involved in key processes of UL pathogenesis, such as angiogenesis and ECM formation. Histone deacetylation reversion by SAHA upregulated the expression of tumor suppressor genes in HULP cells, suggesting histone deacetylation as a potential therapeutic approach for UL patients.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

P–105 Clinical validation of mojo AISA, an artificial intelligence robotic CASA system

Study question

Can a CASA system based on Artificial Intelligence perform as well as manual semen assessment, within the WHO error margins?

Summary answer

The AI-based CASA systems that mimic high quality assessments show great potential for reducing clinical workloads while increasing treatment efficacy.

What is known already

The field of male-factor fertility investigation is still lacking an automated semen analysis system that can be widely clinically adopted. By leveraging state-of-the-art robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), it was possible to build mojo AISA which is an AI and robotic platform designed according to WHO recommendation for semen analysis. This system is based on AI software with a unique convolutional neural network (CNN) that detects and measures sperm concentration and motility while ruling out unwanted cells and debris in raw samples.

Study design, size, duration

This study presents and validates the mojo AISA device. A total of 60 patient samples at ANOVA Karolinska University Hospital were collected and results from manual assessment were compared to mojo AISA for concentration and motility. Semen samples were assessed manually (WHO 2010) and concurrently with Mojo AISA. Manual measurements ranged from 1–206M/ml. This study lasted from May 2020 to December 2020 following informed consent and ethics committee practices of ANOVA.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Sample preparation protocol for mojo AISA consisted of placing two 10ul drops and covering with two 22x22mm coverslip. Manual assessment followed ANOVA EQA procedures akin to the WHO. A CNN was trained using videos captured with mojo AISA as input data. Images were annotated to form a validation set by which the AI was trained. To account for sampling error, videos of Hamilton Thorne Accubeads+ were captured using mojo AISA and the mojo counting chambers.

Main results and the role of chance

Comparing the concentration measured by mojo AISA with the known value for each microbead, results are in agreement of 86%, within the confidence interval of the microbeads. The mean relative error was 6.7% and maximum error was 11%. Therefore, Accubeads+ validation proved no observational error regarding the use of mojo AISA microscope. As for comparing mojo AISA to manual assessment for concentration, Pearson (Spearman) correlation was 0.95 (0.97). The mean relative error was 24.8% and maximum relative error was 71.1%, where 90% of samples were below 50% error. By looking at the concentration range between 10 and 20 M/ml, mojo AISA displayed a mean error of 18.5%. For motility, as comparing mojo AISA to manual assessment, a result of 35.4% mean relative error was obtained. To conclude, mojo’s robotic solution shows promise for clinical practice as the AI continues to improve. In 6 months, sperm concentration correlation improved by 3-fold. Next, the AI will be further clinically trained for low concentration.

Limitations, reasons for caution

mojo AISA requires further development, especially for very low concentration ranges, below 5M/ml, due to high sensibility to false positive detections. The same applies to post-vasectomy samples. Additionally, the necessity to compute the motility of each sperm scales poorly with high concentration generating a poor experience for high volume clinics.

Wider implications of the findings: Automation is crucial in several industries. It enables fertility clinics & andrologists to standardize male factor infertility measurements (if paired with widespread standardization of protocols for automation) while enabling them to put more focus on demanding activities of their profession and removes human biases of inter-laboratory performance.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Heterobilharzia americana infection in a Grant's zebra (Equus burchelli boehmi)

Heterobilharzia americana is a trematode parasite (family: Schistosomatidae) of mammalian wildlife that occasionally infects domestic dogs and horses in the southeastern United States. This report presents the first case of H. americana infection in a Grant's zebra (Equus burchelli boehmi). The parasite was diagnosed post mortem as an incidental finding by histopathologic identification of H. americana eggs in the liver parenchyma after the zebra succumbed in an accidental traumatic death. Molecular analysis of a portion of the parasite small subunit ribosomal RNA gene demonstrated 100% identity with DNA sequences from parasites previously characterized in domestic horses. Equine infections with H. americana are considered uncommon, but are probably underdiagnosed.

Determination of the Efficacy of Preservation of Non-Eye Area Water-Miscible Cosmetic and Toiletry Formulations: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted to test a method developed to distinguish between adequately and inadequately preserved cosmetic formulations. Nineteen laboratories participated in the study. Samples tested included shampoos, hair conditioners, oil-in-water emulsions, and water-in-oil-emulsions. Triplicate samples of 4 adequately preserved and 4 inadequately preserved cosmetic products were tested by each collaborative laboratory. Results showed that all inadequately preserved shampoo and conditioner samples failed to meet the acceptance criteria for adequately preserved formulations. Of the 51 preserved samples, 49 shampoos and 48 conditioners met the criteria for adequate preservation. All samples of inadequately preserved water-in-oil emulsions and oil-in-water emulsions failed to meet the acceptance criteria, whereas all adequately preserved emulsion formulations met the acceptance criteria.

Abstract P4-04-04: Identification and development of oral estrogen receptor PROTAC degraders for breast cancer

ER-positive breast cancers comprise approximately 70-80% of all newly diagnosed cases. Downregulation or degradation of ER is a treatment approach currently used in the clinic to target estrogen receptor signaling. Faslodex, the only clinically-approved ER-downregulator, is administered as a monthly intramuscular injection with limiting pharmaceutical properties. Reasoning that an orally-available estrogen receptor degrader would be beneficial to patients, we have leveraged our experience in targeted protein degradation to generate and characterize novel proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) against estrogen receptor alpha. PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules that facilitate the formation of a “trimer complex” comprised of the PROTAC, a pathogenic target protein of interest and an E3 ligase, which catalyzes the ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation of the target protein via the proteasome. To identify novel ER degraders (ER PROTACs), we have used several in vitro assays to characterize the extent of target engagement and receptor degradation. Potent ER PROTACs with good oral exposure and other pharmaceutical properties in multiple pre-clinical species were further evaluated in breast cancer xenograft models. Orally-administered ER PROTACs achieved &gt;80% degradation of estrogen receptor alpha and demonstrated single agent tumor growth inhibition in these disease models. Further, combination with a CDK4/6 inhibitor resulted in the expected improvement in anti-proliferative activity.

Citation Format: Flanagan JJ, Qian Y, Gough SM, Andreoli M, Bookbinder M, Bradley J, Rousseau E, Willard R, Crews CM, Crew AP, Taylor I, Houston J. Identification and development of oral estrogen receptor PROTAC degraders for breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-04-04.

Abstract S4-03: Targeted and selective degradation of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha by PROTACs

ERα-positive breast cancers comprise approximately 80% of all newly diagnosed cases. Current treatment approaches targeting ER signaling include antagonizing and/or downregulating ER or reducing estrogen levels. Faslodex (fulvestrant) is the only clinically-approved agent that is both a potent ER antagonist and downregulator but has limitations given its pharmacokinetics and route of administration. Over the past several years, targeted ER therapies have focused on developing selective estrogen receptor downregulators (SERDs, i.e, GDC-0810, GDC-0927, AZD9496, RAD1901). The mechanisms involved in ER downregulation by SERD binding are not completely understood, but evidence suggests that conformational changes in the receptor upon ligand binding combined with specific co-regulator interactions destabilize the receptor making it a target for passive proteasomal degradation. We hypothesized that the complex ER pharmacology required for SERD-based passive degradation might be different across various ER-positive cell lines and that targeted degradation of the receptor by actively recruiting the ubiquitin-proteasome machinery would provide a better approach for reducing ER levels. To test this hypothesis, we developed potent molecules directed against ER using our pioneering technology—proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules that actively recruit specific E3 ligases resulting in ubiquitylation and degradation of target proteins. When testing for ER degradation using several SERDs and ER PROTACs, we discovered that both fulvestrant and ER PROTACs provided robust degradation in all ER-positive lines (&lt;1 nM 50% degradation; &gt;90% reduction) whereas other SERDs did not degrade or only modestly degraded the receptor. Importantly, MCF-7 cells were uniquely sensitive to SERD-based degradation of ER compared to other cell lines. Subcutaneous administration of fulvestrant (1mpk) or ER PROTACs (10 mpk) reduced uterine ER alpha levels in immature rats (&gt;65% reduction). PROTAC-mediated degradation of ER was also achieved in breast cancer xenografts. To further validate the PROTAC mechanism, incubation of ER-positive cells with ER PROTACs resulted in increased levels of poly-ubiquitylated ERα when compared to SERDs. Lastly, to demonstrate the specificity of PROTAC-mediated ERα degradation, we utilized a cellular expression proteomics-based approach to examine over 7,000 proteins. In this experiment, only ERα and several known proteins whose genes are regulated by ERα, were significantly reduced by PROTACs. It remains to be seen how the current class of investigational downregulators will perform in the clinic. More importantly, a better understanding of the therapeutic potential and benefit of degrading the receptor instead of inhibiting the receptor needs to be explored. To that end, we continue to develop and characterize novel ER PROTACs with the anticipation that targeted ERα degradation will provide a greater clinical benefit than receptor antagonism.

Citation Format: Flanagan JJ, Rossi AK, Anderoli M, Willard RR, Gordon D, Harling J, Churcher I, Smith I, Zinn N, Bantscheff M, Crews CM, Crew A, Coleman KG, Winkler JD, Qian Y. Targeted and selective degradation of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha by PROTACs [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 S4-03.

A Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds/fruits extract benefits glucose homeostasis and adiposity related markers in elderly overweight/obese subjects: a longitudinal, randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutritional intervention study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of an extract obtained from seeds/fruits of an Oleaceae (Fraxinus excelsior L.) on glucose homeostasis and associated metabolic markers in non-diabetic overweight/obese subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was performed in 22 participants (50-80 years-old; BMI 31.0 kg/m(2)). The design was a longitudinal, randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled 7-week nutritional intervention. The participants received daily 3 capsules each containing either 333 mg of an extract from Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds (Glucevia(®)) or placebo capsules (control) in a random order for 3 weeks with 1 week of washout between treatments. Moreover, they followed a balanced covert energy-restricted diet (-15% energy). All variables were measured at the beginning and at the end of each period.

RESULTS

Compared to baseline, the administration of 1 g of Glucevia(®) for 3 weeks resulted in significantly lower incremental glucose area under the curve (-28.2%; p<0.01), and significantly lower 2 h blood glucose values (-14%; p<0.01) following an oral glucose tolerance test. No significant changes were found in the control group (-7.9% AUC, -1.6% 2h blood glucose). Furthermore, significant differences were found between responses in the control and Glucevia(®) groups with respect to serum fructosamine and plasma glucagon levels (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). Interestingly, administration of Glucevia(®) significantly increased the adiponectin:leptin ratio (p<0.05) and decreased fat mass (p<0.01) compared to control (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The administration of an extract from Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds/fruits in combination with a moderate hypocaloric diet may be beneficial in metabolic disturbances linked to impaired glucose tolerance, obesity, insulin resistance and inflammatory status, specifically in older adults.

Clinical pregnancy following pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for cystic fibrosis

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is an established alternative to prenatal testing for couples at risk of transmitting genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis (CF).PGD screens pre-implantation embryos, allowing the safe transfer of those identified as unaffected. Awareness of CF carrier status in Ireland is increasing following the introduction of neonatal screening in 2011. PGD is the most acceptable reproductive strategy for many at risk Irish couples but until now the treatment necessitated travelling abroad. In 2012, the Irish Medicines Board licenced two Irish fertility clinics to carry out embryo biopsy for PGD. This is the first reported clinical pregnancy following PGD carried out in Ireland.

Note: statistical errors estimation for Thomson scattering diagnostics

A practical way of estimating statistical errors of a Thomson scattering diagnostic measuring plasma electron temperature and density is described. Analytically derived expressions are successfully tested with Monte Carlo simulations and implemented in an automatic data processing code of the JET LIDAR diagnostic.

Spatial resolution of the JET Thomson scattering system

The instrument function of the high resolution Thomson scattering (HRTS) diagnostic in the Joint European Torus (JET) has been calculated for use in improved pedestal profile analysis. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the spatial instrument response is (22 ± 1) mm for the original HRTS system configuration and depends on the particular magnetic topology of the JET plasmas. An improvement to the optical design of the laser input system is presented. The spatial smearing across magnetic flux surfaces is reduced in this design. The new input system has been implemented (from JPN 78742, July 2009) and the HRTS instrument function corresponding to the new configuration has been improved to approximately FWHM = (9.8 ± 0.8) mm. The reconstructed instrument kernels are used in combination with an ad hoc forward deconvolution procedure for pedestal analysis. This procedure produces good results for both the old and new setups, but the reliability of the deconvolved profiles is greatly reduced when the pedestal width is of the same order as, or less than the FWHM of the instrument kernel.

Sterilisation of hybrid Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone nigra) for island restoration. Part 1: endoscopic oophorectomy of females under ketamine-medetomidine anaesthesia

An endoscopic sterilisation technique for use in Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone nigra) was developed as part of a conservation and ecosystem restoration project. Fifteen female giant Galapagos tortoises were anaesthetised, intubated and positioned in dorsal recumbency. A bilateral prefemoral approach was made and the ovaries were identified using a 5 mm × 33 cm rigid telescope. In the case of endoscope-assisted oophorectomy, the ovaries were exteriorised through the same incision, the vasculature was ligated and the mesovarium was transected. Two tortoises had immature ovaries that could not be exteriorised. In these animals, endoscopic oophorectomy was performed using radiosurgery. Closure of the incisions was routine. All tortoises except one recovered well from surgery. There were no reported complications six weeks and six months postoperatively, and all were successfully released on to Pinta Island in May 2010.

Laser beam combiner for Thomson scattering core LIDAR

The light detection and ranging Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic is advantageous since it only requires a single view port into the tokamak. This technique requires a short pulse laser at high energy, usually showing a limited repetition rate. Having multiple lasers will increase the repetition rate. This paper presents a scanning mirror as a laser beam combiner. Measurements of the position accuracy and jitter show that the pointing stability of the laser beam is within ±25 μrad for over tens of seconds. A control feedback loop is implemented to demonstrate the long term stability. Such a system could be applied for ITER and JET.

Presence of the metabolic syndrome is associated with shorter time to castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a set of risk factors that includes obesity and insulin resistance and has been implicated in the development of prostate cancer. Its impact on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) efficacy has not been studied.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of prostate cancer patients seen from 1998 to 2005 in a medical oncology clinic. MS, as defined by modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, was assessed at the time of initiation of ADT. The study end points were time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression and overall survival (OS) from time of starting ADT.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients treated with ADT and data to assess for presence of MS were identified. Median age in men with and without MS was 70 years and 49% of the patients evaluated met criteria for MS. Median time to PSA progression for patients with MS was 16 versus 36 months without MS (P=0.003). The median OS for patients with MS was 36.5 months after commencing ADT compared with 46.7 months for those patients without MS (P=0.061).

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary data suggest that MS is a risk factor for earlier development of castration-resistant prostate cancer and support the need for a prospective evaluation of this finding.

The pharmacological chaperone 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin increases alpha-galactosidase A levels in Fabry patient cell lines

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A), with consequent accumulation of its major glycosphingolipid substrate, globotriaosylceramide (GL-3). Over 500 Fabry mutations have been reported; approximately 60% are missense. The iminosugar 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin (DGJ, migalastat hydrochloride, AT1001) is a pharmacological chaperone that selectively binds alpha-Gal A, increasing physical stability, lysosomal trafficking, and cellular activity. To identify DGJ-responsive mutant forms of alpha-Gal A, the effect of DGJ incubation on alpha-Gal A levels was assessed in cultured lymphoblasts from males with Fabry disease representing 75 different missense mutations, one insertion, and one splice-site mutation. Baseline alpha-Gal A levels ranged from 0 to 52% of normal. Increases in alpha-Gal A levels (1.5- to 28-fold) after continuous DGJ incubation for 5 days were seen for 49 different missense mutant forms with varying EC(50) values (820 nmol/L to >1 mmol/L). Amino acid substitutions in responsive forms were located throughout both structural domains of the enzyme. Half of the missense mutant forms associated with classic (early-onset) Fabry disease and a majority (90%) associated with later-onset Fabry disease were responsive. In cultured fibroblasts from males with Fabry disease, the responses to DGJ were comparable to those of lymphoblasts with the same mutation. Importantly, elevated GL-3 levels in responsive Fabry fibroblasts were reduced after DGJ incubation, indicating that increased mutant alpha-Gal A levels can reduce accumulated substrate. These data indicate that DGJ merits further evaluation as a treatment for patients with Fabry disease with various missense mutations.

Evidence of the purely leptonic decay B- --> tau- nu(tau)

We present the first evidence of the decay B- --> tau- nu(tau), using 414 fb(-1) of data collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+ e- collider. Events are tagged by fully reconstructing one of the B mesons in hadronic modes. We detect the signal with a significance of 3.5 standard deviations including systematics and measure the branching fraction to be B(B- --> tau- nu(tau)) = (1.79(-0.49) +0.56(stat)(-0.51) +0.46(syst)) x 10(-4). This implies that fB = 0.229(-0.031) +0.036(stat)(-0.037) +0.034(syst) GeV and is the first direct measurement of this quantity.

Limited ARSAC licence acquisition for radionuclide radiology

Radionuclide radiology faces a potentially crippling future manpower shortage. A combination of future retirement, few trainees and many currently unfilled posts threatens to limit future service delivery. The case is made for in-house modular training of existing consultants as the way forward for radionuclide radiology, allowing limited ARSAC licence acquisition. We propose this as a viable solution to the manpower problem in radionuclide radiology.

Observation of B0-->pi0pi0

We report the observation of the decay B0-->pi(0)pi(0), using a 253 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider. The measured branching fraction is B(B0-->pi(0)pi(0))=(2.3(+0.4+0.2)(-0.5-0.3))x10(-6), with a significance of 5.8 standard deviations including systematic uncertainties. We also make a measurement of the direct CP violating asymmetry in this mode.

Evidence for direct CP violation in B0-->K+pi- decays

We report evidence for direct CP violation in the decay B0-->K+pi(-) with 253 fb(-1) of data collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider. Using 275x10(6) BB pairs we observe a B-->K+/-pi(-/+) signal with 2140+/-53 events. The measured CP violating asymmetry is A(CP)(K+pi(-))=-0.101+/-0.025(stat)+/-0.005(syst), corresponding to a significance of 3.9sigma including systematics. We also search for CP violation in the decays B+-->K+pi(0) and B+-->pi(+)pi(0). The measured CP violating asymmetries are A(CP)(K+pi(0))=0.04+/-0.05(stat)+/-0.02(syst) and A(CP)(pi(+)pi(0))=-0.02+/-0.10(stat)+/-0.01(syst), corresponding to the intervals -0.05<A(CP)(K+pi(0))<0.13 and -0.18<A(CP)(pi(+)pi(0))<0.14 at 90% confidence level.

Observation of large CP violation and evidence for direct CP violation in B0-->pi(+)pi(-) decays

We report the first observation of CP violation in B0-->pi(+)pi(-) decays based on 152x10(6) gamma (4S)-->BB decays collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. We reconstruct a B0-->pi(+)pi(-) CP eigenstate and identify the flavor of the accompanying B meson from its decay products. From the distribution of the time intervals between the two B meson decay points, we obtain A(pipi)=+0.58+/-0.15(stat)+/-0.07(syst) and S(pipi)=-1.00+/-0.21(stat)+/-0.07(syst). We rule out the CP-conserving case, A(pipi)=S(pipi)=0, at a level of 5.2 standard deviations. We also find evidence for direct CP violation with a significance at or greater than 3.2 standard deviations for any S(pipi) value.

Upper bound on the decay tau-->microgamma from the Belle detector

We have performed a search for the lepton-flavor-violating decay tau-->microgamma using a data sample of 86.3 fb(-1) accumulated by the Belle detector at KEK. No evidence for a signal is seen, and we set an upper limit for the branching fraction of B(tau-->microgamma)<3.1 x 10(-7) at the 90% confidence level.

Measurement of time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in B0-->phiK(0)S, K+K-K0(S), and eta'K0(S) decays

We present an improved measurement of CP-violation parameters in B0-->phiK(0)(S), K(+)K(-)K(0)(S), and eta(')K(0)(S) decays based on a 140 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. One neutral B meson is fully reconstructed in one of the specified decay channels, and the flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified from its decay products. CP-violation parameters for each of the three modes are obtained from the asymmetries in the distributions of the proper-time intervals between the two B decays. We find that the observed CP asymmetry in the B-->phiK(0)(S) decay differs from the standard model (SM) expectation by 3.5 standard deviations, while the other cases are consistent with the SM.

Evidence for B0-->pi0pi0

We report evidence for the decay B0-->pi(0)pi(0). The analysis is based on a data sample of 152x10(6) BBmacr; pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) storage ring. We detect a signal for B0-->pi(0)pi(0) with a significance of 3.4 standard deviations, and measure the branching fraction to be [1.7+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.2(syst)]x10(-6).

Observation of the D(sJ)(2317) and D(sJ)(2457) in B decays

We report the first observation of the B-->Dmacr;D(sJ)(2317) and B-->Dmacr;D(sJ)(2457) decays based on 123.8x10(6) BBmacr; events collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. We observe the D(sJ)(2317) decay to D(s)pi(0) and the D(sJ)(2457) decay to the D(*)(s)pi(0) and D(s)gamma final states. We also set 90% C.L. upper limits for the decays D(sJ)(2317)-->D(*)(s)gamma, D(sJ)(2457)-->D(*)(s)gamma, D(sJ)(2457)-->D(s)pi(0), and D(sJ)(2457)-->D(s)pi(+)pi(-).

Observation of B-->K*l+l-

We report the observation of the flavor-changing neutral current decay B-->K(*)l(+)l(-) and an im-proved measurement of the decay B-->Kl(+)l(-), where l represents an electron or a muon, with a data sample of 140 fb(-1) accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at KEKB. The results for the branching fractions are B(B-->K(*)l(+)l(-))=(11.5(+2.6)(-2.4)+/-0.8+/-0.2)x10(-7) and B(B-->Kl(+)l(-))=(4.8(+1.0)(-0.9)+/-0.3+/-0.1)x10(-7), where the first error is statistical, the second is systematic and the third is from model dependence.

Observation of a narrow charmoniumlike state in exclusive B+/--->K+/-pi+pi-J/psi decays

We report the observation of a narrow charmoniumlike state produced in the exclusive decay process B+/--->K+/-pi(+)pi(-)J/psi. This state, which decays into pi(+)pi(-)J/psi, has a mass of 3872.0+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.5(syst) MeV, a value that is very near the M(D0)+M(D(*0)) mass threshold. The results are based on an analysis of 152M B-Bmacr; events collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance in the Belle detector at the KEKB collider. The signal has a statistical significance that is in excess of 10sigma.