Shift in Sympathovagal Balance Toward Parasympathetic Predominance Is Associated With Attenuation of Portal Hyperperfusion in Cirrhotic Recipients Undergoing Living Donor Liver Transplant

BACKGROUND

The autonomic innervation to a liver graft remains lost up to 1 year after liver transplant. Therefore, we investigated the effects of recipients' autonomic nervous activity on the extent of portal hyperperfusion of a partial liver graft in the absence of the autonomic innervation.

METHODS

A total of 31 cirrhotic recipients undergoing right lobe living donor liver transplant were analyzed. Following a 10-minute absence of surgical stimulation after hepatic artery and bile duct reconstruction, the electrocardiogram and blood pressure waveforms were recorded for 5 minutes. Low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) powers and their ratio (LF/HF) were calculated using fast Fourier transform from the electrocardiogram waveform. A decrease in LF/HF represents a shift in sympathovagal balance toward parasympathetic predominance. Then, portal venous (PVF) and hepatic arterial (HAF) blood flows were measured in mL/min per 100 g of liver weight using spectral Doppler ultrasonography. A decrease in their ratio (PVF/HAF) represents attenuation of portal hyperperfusion.

RESULTS

The medians of the PVF and HAF were 349 and 27 mL/min/100 g liver weight with interquartile ranges of 272 to 617 mL/min/100 g liver weight and 22 to 41 mL/min/100 g liver weight, respectively, yielding a median of the PVF/HAF of 13.7 (interquartile range, 8.5-21.3). The median of LF/HF was 0.67 (interquartile range, 0.16-1.45). With a reduction in LF/HF, PVF/HAF decreased according to an S-curve regression model between them (PVF/HAF=e^{2.743+-0.031LF/HF},adjustedR²=0.129,P=0.027).

CONCLUSION

A shift in sympathovagal balance toward parasympathetic predominance is associated with attenuation of portal hyperperfusion in a partial liver graft.

Simplified Unification Patch Venoplasty for Anomalous Portal Vein Branching in Living Donor Liver Transplantation With Right Lobe Graft

Double portal vein (PV) branches during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with right lobe grafts have been considered challenging both in terms of donor safety and the complexity of vascular reconstruction in the recipient. Herein, we describe our experience with 24 adult LDLT recipients during which we employed unification patch venoplasty to reconstruct right lobe grafts with double PV orifices. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 195 adult LDLT recipients receiving right lobe grafts, including 24 cases of adult LDLT recipients in which unification patch venoplasty was used to treat double PVs from January 2010 to June 2015. The anomalous portal vein branches of the donors were of type II in 7 cases (29.2%), type III in 15 cases (62.5%), and type IV in 2 cases (8.3%). We used propensity score matching analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of these recipients with those of 59 recipients who underwent adult LDLT using right lobe grafts with normal PVs in the same period. Intraoperative PV stenting was necessary in 2 (8.3%) of the 24 recipients undergoing unification patch venoplasty. During the follow-up period, all PVs remained patent until death or censoring. No significant difference in terms of postoperative vascular complications was evident between the 2 groups. Moreover, no major complications requiring reoperation or endoscopic and/or radiologic intervention developed in any of the 24 living donors with double PVs. In conclusion, our simplified unification patch venoplasty could be safe and feasible when used to reconstruct double PV orifices in right lobe LDLT from donors with complex PV anomalies.

Fast numerical Fourier analysis of moiré pattern induced by a periodic metallic array on top of the microscopically patterned red-green-blue light sources

An accurate and fast moiré pattern analysis algorithm is proposed for a periodic metallic array placed adjacent to a patterned red-green-blue (RGB) light source with a microscopic gap utilizing Fourier transform along with the human eye contrast sensitivity function. We analyzed how the moiré pattern evolved varying tilt angles and metal array periodicities placed on the top of RGB light sources, which have their own spatial periodicities. Based on multiplicative model, moiré patterns were numerically generated and the influences of 70 tilt angles and 60 periodicities on the moiré standard deviation were thoroughly analyzed to minimize moiré visibility. Our numerical results were compared to a prior analytical approach to obtain a good agreement, and the proposed scheme can be further applied to larger scale display systems with sophisticated touch screen metal arrays.

Nitrogen Doping Effect for Improving Operation Reliability of Phase Modulator Using Ge₂Sb₂Te5 Thin Film for Hologram Image Implementation

A phase modulation device was proposed for the implementation of hologram image for display applications. A Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) film as thin as 7 nm was prepared between the ITO films to form the cavities corresponding a unit pixel. Nitrogen was incorporated into the GST for improving the thermal stability of the GST active region. The effects of the nitrogen doping on the physical properties of GST was investigated with the variations in doping amounts. The nitrogen incorporation was found to reduce the surface micro-roughness and to improve the thermal stability of the GST even after the crystallization by effectively suppressing the excessive grain growth. As results, the number of repeatable operations for the fabricated phase modulation device was evidently improved from 10 to 69 cycles when a 2.7-at% nitrogen was doped into the GST.

ATP triggers a robust intracellular [Ca2+ ]-mediated signalling pathway in human synovial fibroblasts

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? What are the main [Ca²⁺ ]_i signalling pathways activated by ATP in human synovial fibroblasts? What is the main finding and its importance? In human synovial fibroblasts ATP acts through a linked G-protein (G_q ) and phospholipase C signalling mechanism to produce IP₃ , which then markedly enhances release of Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic reticulum. These results provide new information for the detection of early pathophysiology of arthritis.

ABSTRACT

In human articular joints, synovial fibroblasts (HSFs) have essential physiological functions that include synthesis and secretion of components of the extracellular matrix and essential articular joint lubricants, as well as release of paracrine substances such as ATP. Although the molecular and cellular processes that lead to a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) phenotype are not fully understood, HSF cells exhibit significant changes during this disease progression. The effects of ATP on HSFs were studied by monitoring changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺ ]_i ), and measuring electrophysiological properties. ATP application to HSF cell populations that had been enzymatically released from 2-D cell culture revealed that ATP (10-100 μm), or its analogues UTP or ADP, consistently produced a large transient increase in [Ca²⁺ ]_i . These changes (i) were initiated by activation of the P₂ Y purinergic receptor family, (ii) required G_q -mediated signal transduction, (iii) did not involve a transmembrane Ca²⁺ influx, but instead (iv) arose almost entirely from activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃ ) receptors that triggered Ca²⁺ release from the ER. Corresponding single cell electrophysiological studies revealed that these ATP effects (i) were insensitive to [Ca²⁺ ]_o removal, (ii) involved an IP₃ -mediated intracellular Ca²⁺ release process, and (iii) strongly turned on Ca²⁺ -activated K⁺ current(s) that significantly hyperpolarized these cells. Application of histamine produced very similar effects in these HSF cells. Since ATP is a known paracrine agonist and histamine is released early in the inflammatory response, these findings may contribute to identification of early steps/defects in the initiation and progression of RA.

Detection and classification of the breast abnormalities in digital mammograms via regional Convolutional Neural Network

Automatic detection and classification of the masses in mammograms are still a big challenge and play a crucial role to assist radiologists for accurate diagnosis. In this paper, we propose a novel computer-aided diagnose (CAD) system based on one of the regional deep learning techniques: a ROI-based Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) which is called You Only Look Once (YOLO). Our proposed YOLO-based CAD system contains four main stages: mammograms preprocessing, feature extraction utilizing multi convolutional deep layers, mass detection with confidence model, and finally mass classification using fully connected neural network (FC-NN). A set of training mammograms with the information of ROI masses and their types are used to train YOLO. The trained YOLO-based CAD system detects the masses and classifies their types into benign or malignant. Our results show that the proposed YOLO-based CAD system detects the mass location with an overall accuracy of 96.33%. The system also distinguishes between benign and malignant lesions with an overall accuracy of 85.52%. Our proposed system seems to be feasible as a CAD system capable of detection and classification at the same time. It also overcomes some challenging breast cancer cases such as the mass existing in the pectoral muscles or dense regions.

Validity of the intra-operative measurement of stem anteversion and factors for the erroneous estimation in cementless total hip arthroplasty using postero-lateral approach

BACKGROUND

Intra-operative estimation of stem anteversion in total hip arthroplasty (THA) using postero-lateral approach is made by the surgeon's visual assessment, using the tibia as a guide, with the assumption that tibial axis is vertical to the trans-epicondylar axis. However, the accuracy of the intra-operative estimation has rarely been verified with postoperative CT-scans, with controversies regarding these measurements particularly in case of knee osteoarthritis. Therefore we performed a prospective study to: (1) determine the accuracy of the intra-operative measurement and (2) investigate factors affecting the discrepancy between the surgeon's estimation and the real stem anteversion.

HYPOTHESIS

Intra-operative estimation of stem anteversion correlated with the real stem anteversion on CT-scan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-seven THAs using cementless straight stems (65 patients) without ipsilateral total knee arthroplasty were prospectively evaluated to compare the intra-operative measurement of stem anteversion with the real stem anteversion on computed tomography (CT) scans. There were 33 men and 34 women with a mean age of 59.7years (range, 27-84years) at the time of surgery. Age, tibia plateau angle, native femoral anteversion, femoro-tibial angle, body mass index, operative site, gender, coronal and sagittal tilt of the stem, stem type, ipsilateral knee osteoarthritis, and preoperative diagnosis were analyzed to evaluate the factors affecting the discrepancy between the intra-operative and CT measurements.

RESULTS

The intra-operative estimation (mean, 21.5°±8.5°; range, 5.0°-39.0°) was greater than the CT measurement (mean, 19.5°±8.7°; range, 4.5°-38.5°) by 2.0°. The mean absolute value of discrepancy was 4.5°. The correlation coefficient between intra-operative and CT measurements was 0.837. The femoro-tibial angle was associated with the discrepancy between the two measurements. In the presence of genu varum deformity, the intra-operative measurement underestimated the stem anteversion.

DISCUSSION

Although intra-operative estimation of stem anteversion was slightly greater than the real stem anteversion, there was an excellent correlation between the two. The femoro-tibial angle should be considered to optimize the stem anteversion during cementless THA using postero-lateral approach.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prospective case control study.

The relationship between clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with psoriasis: analysis from the nationwide epidemiologic study for psoriasis in Korea (EPI-PSODE study)

BACKGROUND

Psychological aspect and quality of life should be considered in treating patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to ascertain which clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions are associated with impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with psoriasis.

METHODS

The EPI-PSODE study was a nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in Korea that included 1260 adult patients with psoriasis. In addition to clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions, data were collected using the Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Screening and Evaluation (PASE), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire Psoriasis (WPAI: PSO) and Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ).

RESULTS

Patients with a DLQI score > 5 (n = 990) were younger, had an earlier onset of psoriasis, scored higher on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), had higher body surface area (BSA) and had higher PASE scores than patients with DLQI ≤ 5 (n = 266). The group of patients with exposed lesions (n = 871) were younger and male predominance, earlier onset of psoriasis, longer disease duration, higher PASI/BSA score and a higher proportion with drinking and smoking history each than the group of patients without exposed lesions (n = 389). Presence of exposed lesions negatively influenced DLQI, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) (mental component), presenteeism, total work productivity impairment and total activity impairment in the WPAI: PSO. In multiple regression model, PASI score was the only variable which was significantly associated with all HRQoL measures. Presence of exposed lesions was a significant factor affecting DLQI and SF-36 (mental).

CONCLUSION

The presence of exposed lesions has a negative impact on quality of life, mental health and work productivity. Therefore, effective treatments are particularly needed for psoriasis patients with exposed lesions.

Gq-activated fibroblasts induce cardiomyocyte action potential prolongation and automaticity in a three-dimensional microtissue environment

Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are known to regulate cardiomyocyte (CM) function in vivo and in two-dimensional in vitro cultures. This study examined the effect of CF activation on the regulation of CM electrical activity in a three-dimensional (3-D) microtissue environment. Using a scaffold-free 3-D platform with interspersed neonatal rat ventricular CMs and CFs, G_q-mediated signaling was selectively enhanced in CFs by Gα_q adenoviral infection before coseeding with CMs in nonadhesive hydrogels. After 3 days, the microtissues were analyzed by signaling assay, histological staining, quantitative PCR, Western blots, optical mapping with voltage- or Ca²⁺-sensitive dyes, and microelectrode recordings of CF resting membrane potential (RMP_CF). Enhanced G_q signaling in CFs increased microtissue size and profibrotic and prohypertrophic markers. Expression of constitutively active Gα_q in CFs prolonged CM action potential duration (by 33%) and rise time (by 31%), prolonged Ca²⁺ transient duration (by 98%) and rise time (by 65%), and caused abnormal electrical activity based on depolarization-induced automaticity. Constitutive G_q activation in CFs also depolarized RMP_CF from -33 to -20 mV and increased connexin 43 and connexin 45 expression. Computational modeling confers that elevated RMP_CF and increased cell-cell coupling between CMs and CFs in a 3-D environment could lead to automaticity. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that CF activation alone is capable of altering action potential and Ca²⁺ transient characteristics of CMs, leading to proarrhythmic electrical activity. Our results also emphasize the importance of a 3-D environment where cell-cell interactions are prevalent, underscoring that CF activation in 3-D tissue plays a significant role in modulating CM electrophysiology and arrhythmias.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In a three-dimensional microtissue model, which lowers baseline activation of cardiac fibroblasts but enables cell-cell, paracrine, and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, we demonstrate that selective cardiac fibroblast activation by enhanced G_q signaling, a pathophysiological trigger in the diseased heart, modulates cardiomyocyte electrical activity, leading to proarrhythmogenic automaticity.

Non-local means filter denoising for DEXA images

Dual high and low energy images of Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) suffer from noises due to the use of weak amount of X-rays. Denoising these DEXA images could be a key process to enhance and improve a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) map which is derived from a pair of high and low energy images. This could further improve the accuracy of diagnosis of bone fractures, osteoporosis, and etc. In this paper, we present a denoising technique for dual high and low energy images of DEXA via non-local means filter (NLMF). The noise of dual DEXA images is modeled based on both source and detector noises of a DEXA system. Then, the parameters of the proposed NLMF are optimized for denoising utilizing the experimental data from uniform phantoms. The optimized NLMF is tested and verified with the DEXA images of the uniform phantoms and real human spine. The quantitative evaluation shows the improvement of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for the high and low phantom images on the order of 30.36% and 27.02% and for the high and low real spine images on the order of 22.28% and 33.43%, respectively. Our work suggests that denoising via NLMF could be a key preprocessing process for clinical DEXA imaging.

Long-term effect of aromatase inhibitors on bone microarchitecture and macroarchitecture in non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women with breast cancer

In non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women with breast cancer, aromatase inhibitors (AIs) negatively affected bone mineral density (BMD), lumbar spine trabecular bone score (TBS) as a bone microarchitecture index, and hip geometry as a bone macroarchitecture index.

INTRODUCTION

AIs increase the risk of fracture in patients with breast cancer. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the long-term skeletal effects of AIs in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective longitudinal observational study in non-osteoporotic patients with breast cancer who were treated with AIs for ≥3 years (T-score >-2.5). Patients with previous anti-osteoporosis treatment or those who were given bisphosphonate during AI treatment were excluded from the analysis. We serially assessed BMD, lumbar spine TBS, and hip geometry using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

BMD significantly decreased from baseline to 5 years at the lumbar spine (-6.15%), femur neck (-7.12%), and total hip (-6.35%). Lumbar spine TBS also significantly decreased from baseline to 5 years (-2.12%); this change remained significant after adjusting for lumbar spine BMD. The annual loss of lumbar spine BMD and TBS slowed after 3 and 1 year of treatment, respectively, although there was a relatively constant loss of BMD at the femur neck and total hip for up to 4 years. The cross-sectional area, cross-sectional moment of inertia, minimal neck width, femur strength index, and section modulus significantly decreased, although the buckling ratio increased over the treatment period (all P < 0.001); these changes were independent of total hip BMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term adjuvant AI treatment negatively influenced bone quality in addition to BMD in patients with breast cancer. This study suggests that early monitoring and management are needed in non-osteoporotic patients with breast cancer who are starting AIs.

Epigenetic alterations of the BDNF gene in combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder

OBJECTIVE

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in modulating resilience and vulnerability to stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether epigenetic regulation of the BDNF gene is a biomarker of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development among veterans exposed to combat in the Vietnam War.

METHODS

Using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, combat veterans were grouped into those with (n = 126) and without (n = 122) PTSD. DNA methylation levels at four CpG sites within the BDNF promoter I region were quantified in the peripheral blood using pyrosequencing. The effects of BDNF DNA methylation levels and clinical variables on the diagnosis of PTSD were tested using binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Subjects with PTSD showed a higher DNA methylation of four CpG sites at the BDNF promoter compared with those without PTSD. High methylation levels at the BDNF promoter CpG site, high combat exposure, and alcohol problems were significantly associated with PTSD diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated an association between higher DNA methylation of the BDNF promoter and PTSD diagnosis in combat-exposed individuals. Our findings suggest that altered BDNF methylation may be a valuable biomarker of PTSD after trauma exposure.

Holographic image generation with a thin-film resonance caused by chalcogenide phase-change material

The development of digital holography is anticipated for the viewing of 3D images by reconstructing both the amplitude and phase information of the object. Compared to analog holograms written by a laser interference, digital hologram technology has the potential to realize a moving 3D image using a spatial light modulator. However, to ensure a high-resolution 3D image with a large viewing angle, the hologram panel requires a near-wavelength scale pixel pitch with a sufficient large numbers of pixels. In this manuscript, we demonstrate a digital hologram panel based on a chalcogenide phase-change material (PCM) which has a pixel pitch of 1 μm and a panel size of 1.6 × 1.6 cm². A thin film of PCM encapsulated by dielectric layers can be used for the hologram panel by means of excimer laser lithography. By tuning the thicknesses of upper and lower dielectric layers, a color-selective diffraction panel is demonstrated since a thin film resonance caused by dielectric can affect to the absorption and diffraction spectrum of the proposed hologram panel. We also show reflection color of a small active region (1 μm × 4 μm) made by ultra-thin PCM layer can be electrically changed.

Design and Fabrication of Integrated Fabry-Perot Type Color Reflector for Reflective Displays

A Fabry-Perot type integrated color reflector, with red/blue/green colors as subpixels, was designed and fabricated with Si substrate. Ag films were used as reflective mirror layers, SiO2 films were used as Fabry-Perot cavity layers and W films were used as partially reflective layers for the cavity. To minimize the effects of the thickness variation of the oxide cavity layers, the structure of the color reflector was optimized, and the differential deposition scheme was devised and applied in the fabrication process. The integrated color reflector was successfully fabricated with the proposed fabrication scheme. The measured white reflectance was > 45% in the visible spectrum range and -49% at 550 nm wavelength. The fabricated reflector had moderate color gamut of 17% of the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard and it showed very high white reflectivity. The fabricated color reflector is expected to be applicable to reflective displays.

Discrepancies of the Values on the Withholding Futile Interventions between Physician and Family Members of Terminal Cancer Patients

PURPOSE

To analyze the controversies surrounding therapeutic decision-making and the withholding of life- sustaining treatments, values held concerning therapeutic interventions of terminal cancer patients are compared between physicians and family members.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

42 advanced or terminal stage cancer patients were enrolled for the study. The questionnaires were administered to the duty doctor and the family of the patients. Questions included whether to use new agents with a 15% partial efficacy and whether to use opioid analgesics, intravenous nutrition, a feeding tube, antibiotics, and hemodialysis. Additionally, we asked about the administration of CPR, ventilator application, and euthanasia. If the family permitted, the same questionnaires were given to the patients.

RESULTS

Of the 42 cases, 5 families refused to answer the questionnaire. Of the available 37 families, only 5 families permitted access to the patients. Of the 5 patients, 2 patients refused the questionnaire. Only 67.6% and 8.1% of families and the patients clearly understood the stage of cancer. The use of a new agent was accepted by 45.2% of the physicians and 45.9% of the families. The rankings of the acceptance of treatment in the physicians and in the families were similar. The concordance rate between the physicians and the families was lowest on ventilator application and CPR. 31% of the physicians and 43.2% of the families agreed on the issue of euthanasia.

CONCLUSION

Values held on issues like therapeutic decision-making and the withholding of life-sustaining treatments in terminal cancer patients are discordant between physicians and family members. In order to resolve controversies on the role of physicians in end-of-life decisions, the values of physicians as well as patients and their family members should be considered in the final decision-making process.

Efficacy of Low-dose Paclitaxel and Cisplatin in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy with low-dose paclitaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemotherapy-naive patients with unresectable, pathologically proven non-small cell lung cancer were eligible for inclusion in the study. Patients received paclitaxel (145 mg/m2 iv 3 hour D1) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2 iv D1) every 3 weeks.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients were enrolled between February 2000 and February 2001. The median age was 53.5 years. Patients with adenocarcinoma numbered 29, squamous cell carcinoma 7, large cell carcinoma 3, and undifferentiated carcinoma 3. Seventeen patients had stage IIIB, 19 had stage IV disease and the remaining 6 displayed recurred disease after previous surgical resection. Four patients terminated treatment early because of hypersensitivity (1) and severe emesis (3). Of the 38 evaluable patients, 14 had PR and the response rate was 36.8%. Among partial responders, 6 patients received additional chest radiation. The median duration of response was 47.9 weeks and the median overall survival was 54.0 weeks. Of the total 176 courses, 14 were delayed, 22 required dose reduction, and grade 3~4 neutropenia occurred in 5.6% of courses. Only one episode of neutropenic fever developed and there were no treatment- related mortalities. Other toxicities were generally mild.

CONCLUSION

The combination chemotherapy with low-dose paclitaxel and cisplatin was effective and tolerable in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract A28: NFATC3-PLA2G15 fusion transcript identified by RNA-sequencing promotes tumor progression in colorectal cancer cells

In order to identify novel fusion transcripts in colorectal cancer, we carried out paired-end RNA sequencing in 28 human colorectal cancer cell lines. Fusion transcript candidates were identified using ChimeraScan and FusionMap tools. We obtained 1380 candidates having 4 or more read counts and spanning reads. Among the candidates, we selected 27 candidates for validation which harbors genes related to the Wnt signaling pathway or kinases according to KEGG or DAVID. After the targeted gene filtering step, validation using RT-PCR with fusion specific primers finally resulted in 2 intra- and 1 inter-fusion transcripts. Intra-fusion transcripts were NFATC3-PLA2G15 and AKAP13-PDE8A and inter-fusion transcript was KRT8-PKM2 each identified in colo-320, SW-480 and SNU-1235, respectively. The fusion junctions were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. NFATC3-PLA2G15 fusion transcripts consisted of exon 1-9 of NFATC3 (nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 3) gene and exon 2-6 of the PLA2G15 (Phospholipase A2, Group 5) gene and both located on the same chromosome 16q. NFATC3 is known as transcription factor in the Wnt signaling pathway and regulates function of the target genes like cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Under the experiments using siRNA in the colo-320 cell carrying fusion transcript, knockdown of the NFATC3-PLA2G15 fusion transcript decreased mRNA and protein expression of mesenchymal markers, namely vimentin (VIM), Twist-related protein 1 (TWIST1) and fibronectin (FN), and increased epithelial markers, E-cadherin (CDH1) and claudin-1 (CLDN1). Fusion transcripts knockdown also led to decrease of the invasion ability regulated by above markers. Moreover, soft agar assay showed inhibition of colony formation after fusion transcript knockdown. Fusion transcript downregulation also resulted in decrease of cell proliferation and mRNA and protein expression of cyclin D but increase in p27 level. The knockdown did not have influence in the fusion negative cell line. Collectively, these results suggest that the NFATC3-PLA2G15 fusion transcript is involved in invasion and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.

Citation Format: JE Jang, HP Kim, SH Lee, DW Lee, YJ Lim, SW Han, TY Kim. NFATC3-PLA2G15 fusion transcript identified by RNA-sequencing promotes tumor progression in colorectal cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr A28.

Comparison of Inner Ear Contrast Enhancement among Patients with Unilateral Inner Ear Symptoms in MR Images Obtained 10 Minutes and 4 Hours after Gadolinium Injection

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recently 4-hour delayed-enhanced 3D-FLAIR MR imaging has been used in pathophysiologic analysis of the inner ear in many auditory diseases, including sudden sensorineural hearing loss, but comparison among different time points is not clear in patients with unilateral inner ear symptoms. We compared the signal-intensity ratios of the inner ears in patients with unilateral inner ear symptoms on 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced 3D-FLAIR MR images after IV gadolinium injection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced 3D-FLAIR MR images were retrospectively analyzed. Signal-intensity ratios between the cerebellum and inner ear structures, such as the cochleae, vestibules, and vestibulocochlear nerve were assessed. Multiple comparisons were performed.

RESULTS

Signal-intensity ratios of the affected cochleae, vestibules, and vestibulocochlear nerve were higher than those of unaffected sides in both 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced images. At the affected side, signal-intensity ratios of the vestibulocochlear nerve were higher in patients with nonsudden sensorineural hearing loss than in those with sudden sensorineural hearing loss on both 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced images. The signal-intensity ratios of some affected inner ear structures were higher than those of the unaffected sides in a group of 30 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and 20 patients with nonsudden sensorineural hearing loss on 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced images.

CONCLUSIONS

Signal-intensity ratios of the inner ear show statistically significant increases in many diseases, especially neuritis, in 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced images. The 4-hour delayed-enhanced images may be superior in neural inflammatory-dominant conditions, while 10-minute delayed-enhanced images may be superior in neural noninflammatory-dominant conditions.

Analysis of the protective effects of a neuronal Cav2.1 calcium channel in brain injury

We previously reported that rolling Nagoya mice carrying a mutation in the α1 subunit of the Cav2.1 channel protective from ischemia- and kainate-induced neuronal damage. However, the protective effect of this mutation and its relationship to brain injury recovery have not been examined. To examine the relationship between Cav2.1 channel function and brain injury, we induced cryogenic brain damage in homozygous rolling Nagoya (rol/rol), control wild-type (+/+), ω-agatoxin IVA-pretreated +/+ (ω-aga +/+), and ω-agatoxin IVA-post-treated +/+ (ω-aga-post-treated +/+) mice. We measured the lesion area, blood brain-barrier permeability and performed immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. The lesions of rol/rol and ω-aga +/+ mice were significantly smaller than those observed in +/+ mice at both day 1 and day 7 after injury. Similar results were shown in blood-brain barrier permeability. We observed more reactive astrogliosis in +/+ mice than in rol/rol or ω-aga +/+ mice. rol/rol and ω-aga +/+ mice had fewer degenerating cells due to cryogenic injury than did +/+ mice at both day 1 and day 7. ω-Aga-post-treated +/+ mice 24h after injury were sacrificed on day 7. The lesions were smaller in ω-aga-post-treated +/+ mice than those in vehicle-treated +/+ mice. We also examined phosphorylated p38 (pp38) at the injured site. ω-Aga-post-treated +/+ mouse brain slices showed weak pp38 signal; vehicle-treated +/+ mouse brain slices were pp38-positive. These findings demonstrate that the mutant Cav2.1 channel exerts a protective effect against cryogenic brain injury in rolling Nagoya mice. Our results indicate that inhibitors of the Cav2.1-dependent p38 signaling cascade would be useful as therapeutic agents in the treatment of brain injury.

Disruption of CTCF/cohesin-mediated high-order chromatin structures by DNA methylation downregulates PTGS2 expression

The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF)/cohesin complex regulates gene transcription via high-order chromatin organization of the genome. De novo methylation of CpG islands in the promoter region is an epigenetic hallmark of gene silencing in cancer. Although the CTCF/cohesin complex preferentially targets hypomethylated DNA, it remains unclear whether the CTCF/cohesin-mediated high-order chromatin structure is affected by DNA methylation during tumorigenesis. We found that DNA methylation downregulates the expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), which is an inducible, rate-limiting enzyme for prostaglandin synthesis, by disrupting CTCF/cohesin-mediated chromatin looping. We show that the CTCF/cohesin complex is enriched near a CpG island associated with PTGS2 and that the PTGS2 locus forms chromatin loops through methylation-sensitive binding of the CTCF/cohesin complex. DNA methylation abolishes the association of the CTCF/cohesin complex with the PTGS2 CpG island. Disruption of chromatin looping by DNA methylation abrogates the enrichment of transcriptional components, such as positive elongation factor b, at the transcriptional start site of the PTGS2 locus. These alterations result in the downregulation of PTGS2. Our results provide evidence that CTCF/cohesin-mediated chromatin looping of the PTGS2 locus is dynamically influenced by the DNA methylation status.

Association between information provision and decisional conflict in cancer patients

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to identify demographic and clinical variables that correlate with perceived information provision among cancer patients and determine the association of information provision with decisional conflict (DC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled a total of 625 patients with cancer from two Korean hospitals in 2012. We used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality-of-life questionnaire (QLQ-INFO26) to assess patients' perception of the information received from their doctors and the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) to assess DC. To identify predictive sociodemographic and clinical variables for adequate information provision, backward selective logistic regression analyses were conducted. In addition, adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify clinically meaningful differences of perceived level of information subscales associated with high DC.

RESULTS

More than half of patients with cancer showed insufficient satisfaction with medical information about disease (56%), treatment (73%), other services (83%), and global score (80%). In multiple logistic regression analyses, lower income and education, female, unmarried status, type of cancer with good prognosis, and early stage of treatment process were associated with patients' perception of inadequate information provision. In addition, Information about the medical tests with high DCS values clarity [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30-0.97] and support (aOR, 0.53; 95% CI 0.33-0.85) showed negative significance. For inadequate information perception about treatments and other services, all 5 DCS scales (uncertainty, informed, values clarity, support, and effective decision) were negatively related. Global score of inadequate information provision also showed negative association with high DCS effective decision (aOR, 0.43; 95% CI 0.26-0.71) and DCS uncertainty (aOR, 0.46; 95% CI 0.27-0.77).

CONCLUSION

This study found that inadequate levels of perceived information correlated with several demographic and clinical characteristics. In addition, sufficient perceived information levels may be related to low levels of DC.

[Analysis of the Effectiveness of Renoprotection of Low-Protein Diet and Ketoanalogues of Amino Acids In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease]

AIM

Analysis of the effectiveness of renoprotection in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), who is observed by general practitioners for up to 72.1 months, keeping traditional LPD or LPD with prescription of ketoanalogues of amino acids (KA/AK).

METHODS

63 patients with CKD stages 3-4, mainly with glomerulonephritis (GN), were divided into 3 groups: 1 gr--31 patients (53.3 ± 3.1 years old; M/F--18/13), LPD with prescription of ketoanalogues of amino acids; 2 gr--22 patients (54.9 3.2 years old; M/F--13/9) traditional LPD without ketoanalogues; 3 gr--10 patients (51.7 ± 4.2 years old; M/F--6/4) with natural course of CKD. Group 4 (control)--30 healthy subjects (52.3 ± 2.2 years old; M/F--16/14). The following parameters were studied: dynamics of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), hemoglobin levels (Hb), daily proteinuria, and basic parameters of protein, lipid and phosphate- calcium metabolism.

RESULTS

The rate of decline in GFR was significantly lower in patients of the first group (-0.78 mL/min/year) than those of the second group (-4.9 ml/min/year). 9.7% of patients of the first group needed the start of renal replacement therapy at the end of the observation, 18.1%--of the second group and 40%--of the third. All patients who received renoprotective therapy, including low-protein diet with KA/AA reached target levels of blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg. Patients of this group was able to achieve a significant reduction in proteinuria, improvement of lipid metabolism, prevent of reduction of Hb and the development of metabolic disorders of protein and calcium-phosphate metabolism. The second group of patients, following nephroprotection recommendations and LPD without KA/AA, had fewer reductions in BP without reaching the target level, DBP did not change; reduction of proteinuria was less significant than in group 1. There was no negative dynamics of protein and calcium-phosphate metabolism, though significantly increased levels of total cholesterol and LHD were observed. The third group of patients, who did not follow the renoprotection recommendations demonstrated negative dynamics of the studied parameters.

CONCLUSION

Renoprotection based on the use KA/AA in patients with CKD stages 3-4 proved to be more effective than without it in slowing the rate of decline in GFR, hypertension correction, proteinuria reduction, maintaining the level of Hb, prevention of disorders of protein and calcium-phosphate metabolism, as well as correction of the lipid metabolism.

Relative adrenal insufficiency in chronic liver disease: its prevalence and effects on long-term mortality

BACKGROUND

The relationship between relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) and chronic liver disease is unclear.

AIM

To determine the frequency with which RAI is observed in noncritically ill patients at various stages of chronic liver disease, and the correlation between RAI and disease severity and long-term mortality.

METHODS

In total, 71 non-critically ill patients with liver cirrhosis (n = 54) and chronic hepatitis (n = 17) were evaluated prospectively. A short stimulation test (SST) with 250 μg of corticotrophin was performed to detect RAI. RAI was defined as an increase in serum cortisol of <9 μg/dL in patients with a basal total cortisol of <35 μg/dL.

RESULTS

RAI was observed in only 13 (24.1%) of 54 patients with cirrhosis. Compared to those without RAI, cirrhotic patients with RAI had significantly higher Child-Turcotte-Pugh score (10.3 ± 1.7 vs. 7.1 ± 1.8, mean ± s.d., P < 0.001) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (14.5 ± 6.6 vs. 9.4 ± 3.7, P = 0.017). The cortisol response to corticotropin was negatively correlated with the severity of cirrhosis (P < 0.05). In addition, the mortality rate was higher in cirrhotic patients with RAI (69.2%) than in those without RAI (4.9%; P < 0.001) during the follow-up period of 20.1 ± 13.5 months (range, 5.8-51.1 months). The cumulative 1-year survival rates in cirrhotic patients with and without RAI were 69.2% and 95.0%, respectively (P = 0.05), while the corresponding cumulative 3-year survival rates were 0% and 95.0% (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Relative adrenal insufficiency is more commonly observed in those with severe cirrhosis, and is clearly associated with more advanced liver disease and a shortened long-term survival. This suggests that relative adrenal insufficiency is an independent prognostic factor in non-critically ill patients with cirrhosis.

Evidence of b-jet quenching in PbPb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

The production of jets associated to bottom quarks is measured for the first time in PbPb collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 2.76 TeV per nucleon pair. Jet spectra are reported in the transverse momentum (p(T)) range of 80-250  GeV/c, and within pseudorapidity |η|<2. The nuclear modification factor (R(AA)) calculated from these spectra shows a strong suppression in the b-jet yield in PbPb collisions relative to the yield observed in pp collisions at the same energy. The suppression persists to the largest values of p(T) studied, and is centrality dependent. The R(AA) is about 0.4 in the most central events, similar to previous observations for inclusive jets. This implies that jet quenching does not have a strong dependence on parton mass and flavor in the jet p(T) range studied.

Observation of the associated production of a single top quark and a W boson in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV

The first observation of the associated production of a single top quark and a W boson is presented. The analysis is based on a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 12.2 fb(-1) of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC. Events with two leptons and a jet originating from a b quark are selected. A multivariate analysis based on kinematic and topological properties is used to separate the signal from the dominant tt background. An excess consistent with the signal hypothesis is observed, with a significance which corresponds to 6.1 standard deviations above a background-only hypothesis. The measured production cross section is 23.4 ± 5.4 pb, in agreement with the standard model prediction.

Measurement of inclusive W and Z boson production cross sections in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV

A measurement of total and fiducial inclusive W and Z boson production cross sections in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV is presented. Electron and muon final states are analyzed in a data sample collected with the CMS detector corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 18.2 ± 0.5 pb(-1). The measured total inclusive cross sections times branching fractions are σ(pp → WX)×B(W → ℓν) = 12.21 ± 0.03(stat) ± 0.24(syst) ± 0.32(lum) nb and σ(pp → ZX) × B(Z → ℓ+ℓ-) = 1.15 ± 0.01(stat) ± 0.02(syst) ± 0.03(lum) nb for the dilepton mass in the range of 60-120 GeV. The measured values agree with next-to-next-to-leading-order QCD cross section calculations. Ratios of cross sections are reported with a precision of 2%. This is the first measurement of inclusive W and Z boson production in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV.

Measurements of tt spin correlations and top-quark polarization using dilepton final states in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

Spin correlations and polarization in the top quark-antiquark system are measured using dilepton final states produced in pp collisions at the LHC at sqrt[s]=7  TeV. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.0  fb(-1) collected with the CMS detector. The measurements are performed using events with two oppositely charged leptons (electrons or muons), a significant imbalance in transverse momentum, and two or more jets, where at least one of the jets is identified as originating from a b quark. The spin correlations and polarization are measured through asymmetries in angular distributions of the two selected leptons, unfolded to the parton level. All measurements are found to be in agreement with predictions of the standard model.

Search for top-quark partners with charge 5/3 in the same-sign dilepton final state

A search for the production of heavy partners of the top quark with charge 5/3 is performed in events with a pair of same-sign leptons. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 fb(-1) and was collected at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV by the CMS experiment. No significant excess is observed in the data above the expected background, and the existence of top-quark partners with masses below 800 GeV is excluded at a 95% confidence level, assuming they decay exclusively to tW. This is the first limit on these particles from the LHC, and it is significantly more restrictive than previous limits.

Search for flavor-changing neutral currents in top-quark decays t → Zq in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV

A search for flavor-changing neutral currents in top-quark decays t → Zq is performed in events produced from the decay chain tt → Zq+Wb, where both vector bosons decay leptonically, producing a final state with three leptons (electrons or muons). A data set collected with the CMS detector at the LHC is used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb(-1) of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. No excess is seen in the observed number of events relative to the standard model prediction; thus, no evidence for flavor-changing neutral currents in top-quark decays is found. A combination with a previous search at 7 TeV excludes a t → Zq branching fraction greater than 0.05% at the 95% confidence level.

Search for top squark and Higgsino production using diphoton Higgs boson decays

Results are presented of a search for a "natural" supersymmetry scenario with gauge mediated symmetry breaking. It is assumed that only the supersymmetric partners of the top quark (the top squark) and the Higgs boson (Higgsino) are accessible. Events are examined in which there are two photons forming a Higgs boson candidate, and at least two b-quark jets. In 19.7  fb-1 of proton-proton collision data at s=8  TeV, recorded in the CMS experiment, no evidence of a signal is found and lower limits at the 95% confidence level are set, excluding the top squark mass below 360 to 410 GeV, depending on the Higgsino mass.

Search for top squarks in R-parity-violating supersymmetry using three or more leptons and b-tagged jets

A search for anomalous production of events with three or more isolated leptons and bottom-quark jets produced in pp collisions at √s=8 TeV is presented. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 fb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2012. No excess above the standard model expectations is observed. The results are interpreted in the context of supersymmetric models with signatures that have low missing transverse energy arising from light top-squark pair production with R-parity-violating decays of the lightest supersymmetric particle. In two models with different R-parity-violating couplings, top squarks are excluded below masses of 1020 GeV and 820 GeV when the lightest supersymmetric particle has a mass of 200 GeV.

Searches for new physics using the tt¯ invariant mass distribution in pp collisions at √s=8 TeV

Searches for anomalous top quark-antiquark production are presented, based on pp collisions at √s=8 TeV. The data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb(-1), were collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The observed tt¯ invariant mass spectrum is found to be compatible with the standard model prediction. Limits on the production cross section times branching fraction probe, for the first time, a region of parameter space for certain models of new physics not yet constrained by precision measurements.

Radiological measurement of femoral stem version using a modified Budin method

Version of the femoral stem is an important factor influencing the risk of dislocation after total hip replacement (THR) as well as the position of the acetabular component. However, there is no radiological method of measuring stem anteversion described in the literature. We propose a radiological method to measure stem version and have assessed its reliability and validity. In 36 patients who underwent THR, a hip radiograph and CT scan were taken to measure stem anteversion. The radiograph was a modified Budin view. This is taken as a posteroanterior radiograph in the sitting position with 90° hip flexion and 90° knee flexion and 30° hip abduction. The angle between the stem-neck axis and the posterior intercondylar line was measured by three independent examiners. The intra- and interobserver reliabilities of each measurement were examined. The radiological measurements were compared with the CT measurements to evaluate their validity. The mean radiological measurement was 13.36° (sd 6.46) and the mean CT measurement was 12.35° (sd 6.39) (p = 0.096). The intra- and interobserver reliabilities were excellent for both measurements. The radiological measurements correlated well with the CT measurements (p = 0.001, r = 0.877). The modified Budin method appears reliable and valid for the measurement of femoral stem anteversion.

Measurement of the Bs(0)→μ+ μ- branching fraction and search for B(0)→μ+ μ- with the CMS experiment

Results are presented from a search for the rare decays Bs(0)→μ+ μ- and B(0)→μ+ μ- in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 and 8 TeV, with data samples corresponding to integrated luminosities of 5 and 20  fb(-1), respectively, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. An unbinned maximum-likelihood fit to the dimuon invariant mass distribution gives a branching fraction B(Bs(0)→μ+ μ-)=(3.0(-0.9)(+1.0))×10(-9), where the uncertainty includes both statistical and systematic contributions. An excess of Bs(0)→μ+ μ- events with respect to background is observed with a significance of 4.3 standard deviations. For the decay B(0)→μ+ μ- an upper limit of B(B(0)→μ+ μ-)<1.1×10(-9) at the 95% confidence level is determined. Both results are in agreement with the expectations from the standard model.

Inclusive search for supersymmetry using razor variables in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

An inclusive search is presented for new heavy particle pairs produced in √s=7 TeV proton-proton collisions at the LHC using 4.7±0.1 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity. The selected events are analyzed in the 2D razor space of M(R), an event-by-event indicator of the heavy particle mass scale, and R, a dimensionless variable related to the missing transverse energy. The third-generation sector is probed using the event heavy-flavor content. The search is sensitive to generic supersymmetry models with minimal assumptions about the superpartner decay chains. No excess is observed in the number of events beyond that predicted by the standard model. Exclusion limits are derived in the CMSSM framework as well as for simplified models. Within the CMSSM parameter space considered, gluino masses up to 800 GeV and squark masses up to 1.35 TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level depending on the model parameters. The direct production of pairs of top or bottom squarks is excluded for masses as high as 400 GeV.

Second-line chemotherapy versus supportive cancer treatment in advanced gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many patients with refractory or relapsed gastric cancer after first-line chemotherapy have received salvage chemotherapy in routine clinical practice. However, there was no evidence to support this treatment until recent phase III trials demonstrated substantial prolongation of overall survival. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of these trials and investigated whether second-line chemotherapy was more effective than best supportive care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 1, 2013), MEDLINE (1950 to March week 4, 2013) and EMBASE (1980-2013, week 13). In addition, we searched all abstracts and virtual meeting presentations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conferences held between 2004 and 2013.

RESULTS

The search process yielded 578 studies, two of which were randomized phase III trials that compared chemotherapy with supportive care. From the abstracts and virtual meeting presentations of ASCO held between 2004 and 2013, 127 abstracts were identified that evaluated second-line chemotherapy; only one relevant abstract was included in the meta-analysis. A total of 410 patients were eligible for analysis, of whom 150 received docetaxel chemotherapy, and 81 received irinotecan chemotherapy. A significant reduction in the risk of death [HR = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52-0.79, P < 0.0001] was observed with salvage chemotherapy. When the analysis was restricted to irinotecan or docetaxel, there was still significant reduction in the risk of death with each chemotherapeutic agent. The HR was 0.55 (95% CI 0.40-0.77, P = 0.0004) for irinotecan and 0.71 (95% CI 0.56-0.90, P = 0.004) for docetaxel.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis demonstrated evidence to support second-line chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer.

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

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

Search for pair-produced dijet resonances in four-jet final states in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV

A search for the pair production of a heavy, narrow resonance decaying into two jets has been performed using events collected in sqrt[s] = 7 TeV pp collisions with the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb(-1). Events are selected with at least four jets and two dijet combinations with similar dijet mass. No resonances are found in the dijet mass spectrum. The upper limit at 95% confidence level on the product of the resonance pair production cross section, the branching fractions into dijets, and the acceptance varies from 0.22 to 0.005 pb, for resonance masses between 250 and 1200 GeV. Pair-produced colorons decaying into qq are excluded for coloron masses between 250 and 740 GeV.

Electrokinetic microscopy: a technique for imaging three-dimensional surface topography and heterogeneity of surface material

In the present study, we introduce the concept of an electrokinetic microscope (EKM), a non-contact type probe microscope that can simultaneously provide a test specimen's three-dimensional surface topography and heterogeneity of surface material. In the EKM, the flow impedance and the streaming potential are measured during the scanning process to reproduce the topography and the heterogeneity, respectively. The working principle of the EKM is experimentally demonstrated by measuring specimens whose surfaces consist of thin layers of various materials and topographical differences. Experimental results also show that the EKM can be used regardless of the electrical conductivity of test specimens.

Search for pair production of third-generation leptoquarks and top squarks in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV

Results are presented from a search for the pair production of third-generation scalar and vector leptoquarks, as well as for top squarks in R-parity-violating supersymmetric models. In either scenario, the new, heavy particle decays into a τ lepton and a b quark. The search is based on a data sample of pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV, which is collected by the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.8 fb(-1). The number of observed events is found to be in agreement with the standard model prediction, and exclusion limits on mass parameters are obtained at the 95% confidence level. Vector leptoquarks with masses below 760 GeV are excluded and, if the branching fraction of the scalar leptoquark decay to a τ lepton and a b quark is assumed to be unity, third-generation scalar leptoquarks with masses below 525 GeV are ruled out. Top squarks with masses below 453 GeV are excluded for a typical benchmark scenario, and limits on the coupling between the top squark, τ lepton, and b quark, λ(333)(') are obtained. These results are the most stringent for these scenarios to date.

Measurement of the Υ1S, Υ2S, and Υ3S polarizations in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV

The polarizations of the Υ(1S), Υ(2S), and Υ(3S) mesons are measured in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV, using a data sample of Υ(nS) → μ +μ- decays collected by the CMS experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 fb(-1). The dimuon decay angular distributions are analyzed in three different polarization frames. The polarization parameters λ[symbol see text], λ(φ), and λ([symbol see text]φ), as well as the frame-invariant quantity λ, are presented as a function of the Υ(nS) transverse momentum between 10 and 50 GeV, in the rapidity ranges |y|<0.6 and 0.6<|y|<1.2. No evidence of large transverse or longitudinal polarizations is seen in the explored kinematic region.

Study of the mass and spin-parity of the Higgs boson candidate via its decays to Z boson pairs

A study is presented of the mass and spin-parity of the new boson recently observed at the LHC at a mass near 125 GeV. An integrated luminosity of 17.3 fb(-1), collected by the CMS experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, is used. The measured mass in the ZZ channel, where both Z bosons decay to e or μ pairs, is 126.2 ± 0.6(stat) ± 0.2(syst) GeV. The angular distributions of the lepton pairs in this channel are sensitive to the spin-parity of the boson. Under the assumption of spin 0, the present data are consistent with the pure scalar hypothesis, while disfavoring the pure pseudoscalar hypothesis.

Measurement of the azimuthal anisotropy of neutral pions in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s](NN)] = 2.76 TeV

First measurements of the azimuthal anisotropy of neutral pions produced in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV are presented. The amplitudes of the second Fourier component (v(2)) of the π(0) azimuthal distributions are extracted using an event-plane technique. The values of v(2) are studied as a function of the neutral pion transverse momentum (p(T)) for different classes of collision centrality in the kinematic range 1.6<p(T) <8.0 GeV/c, within the pseudorapidity interval |η|<0.8. The CMS measurements of v(2) (p(T)) are similar to previously reported π(0) azimuthal anisotropy results from sqrt[s(NN)] = 200 GeV Au-Au collisions at RHIC, despite a factor of ∼ 14 increase in the center-of-mass energy. In the momentum range 2.5<p(T)<5.0 GeV/c, the neutral pion anisotropies are found to be smaller than those observed by CMS for inclusive charged particles.

Evidence for associated production of a single top quark and W boson in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

Evidence is presented for the associated production of a single top quark and W boson in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7  TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The analyzed data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.9  fb(-1). The measurement is performed using events with two leptons and a jet originated from a b quark. A multivariate analysis based on kinematic properties is utilized to separate the tt background from the signal. The observed signal has a significance of 4.0σ and corresponds to a cross section of 16(-4)(+5)  pb, in agreement with the standard model expectation of 15.6±0.4(-1.2)(+1.0)  pb.

Search for heavy neutrinos and W(R) bosons with right-handed couplings in a left-right symmetric model in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

Results are presented from a search for heavy, right-handed muon neutrinos, N(μ), and right-handed W(R) bosons, which arise in the left-right symmetric extensions of the standard model. The analysis is based on a 5.0  fb(-1) sample of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, collected by the CMS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. No evidence is observed for an excess of events over the standard model expectation. For models with exact left-right symmetry, heavy right-handed neutrinos are excluded at 95% confidence level for a range of neutrino masses below the W(R) mass, dependent on the value of M(W(R)). The excluded region in the two-dimensional (M(W(R)), M(N(μ)) mass plane extends to M(W(R))=2.5  TeV.

Study of the Dijet mass spectrum in pp → W+jets events at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV

We report an investigation of the invariant mass spectrum of the two jets with highest transverse momentum in pp → W+2-jet and W+3-jet events to look for resonant enhancement. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb(-1) collected with the CMS detector at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV. We find no evidence for the anomalous structure reported by the CDF Collaboration, and establish an upper limit of 5.0 pb at 95% confidence level on the production cross section for a generic Gaussian signal with mass near 150 GeV. Additionally, we exclude two theoretical models that predict a CDF-like dijet resonance near 150 GeV.