[Exploring the causality between intestinal flora and hyperplastic scars of human based on two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis]

Objective: To investigate the causality between intestinal flora and hypertrophic scars (HS) of human. Methods: This study was a study based on two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analysis. The data on intestinal flora (n=18 473) and HS (n=208 248) of human were obtained from the genome-wide association study database. Genetically variable genes at five levels (phylum, class, order, family, and genus) of known intestinal flora, i.e., single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), were extracted as instrumental variables for linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis. Human genotype-phenotype association analysis was performed using PhenoScanner V2 database to exclude SNPs unrelated to HS in intestinal flora and analyze whether the selected SNPs were weak instrumental variables. The causal relationship between intestinal flora SNPs and HS was analyzed through four methods of TSMR analysis, namely inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and weighted mode. Scatter plots of significant results from the four aforementioned analysis methods were plotted to analyze the correlation between intestinal flora SNPs and HS. Both IVW test and MR-Egger regression test were used to assess the heterogeneity of intestinal flora SNPs, MR-Egger regression test and MR-PRESSO outlier test were used to assess the horizontal multiplicity of intestinal flora SNPs, and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was used to determine whether HS was caused by a single SNP in the intestinal flora. Reverse TSMR analyses were performed for HS SNPs and genus Intestinimonas or genus Ruminococcus2, respectively, to detect whether there was reverse causality between them. Results: A total of 196 known intestinal flora, belonging to 9 phyla, 16 classes, 20 orders, 32 families, and 119 genera, were obtained, and multiple SNPs were obtained from each flora as instrumental variables. LD analysis showed that the SNPs of the intestinal flora were consistent with the hypothesis that genetic variation was strongly associated with exposure factors, except for rs1000888, rs12566247, and rs994794. Human genotype-phenotype association analysis showed that none of the selected SNPs after LD analysis was excluded and there were no weak instrumental variables. IVW, MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and weighted mode of TSMR analysis showed that both genus Intestinimonas and genus Ruminococcus2 were causally associated with HS. Among them, forest plots of IVW and MR-Egger regression analyses also showed that 16 SNPs (the same SNPs number of this genus below) of genus Intestinimonas and 15 SNPs (the same SNPs number of this genus below) of genus Ruminococcus2 were protective factors for HS. Further, IVW analysis showed that genus Intestinimonas SNPs (with odds ratio of 0.62, 95% confidence interval of 0.41-0.93, P<0.05) and genus Ruminococcus2 SNPs (with odds ratio of 0.62, 95% confidence interval of 0.40-0.97, P<0.05) were negatively correlated with the risk of HS. Scatter plots showed that SNPs of genus Intestinimonas and genus Ruminococcus2 were protective factors of HS. Both IVW test and MR-Egger regression test showed that SNPs of genus Intestinimonas (with Q values of 5.73 and 5.76, respectively, P>0.05) and genus Ruminococcus2 (with Q values of 13.67 and 15.61, respectively, P>0.05) were not heterogeneous. MR-Egger regression test showed that the SNPs of genus Intestinimonas and genus Ruminococcus2 had no horizontal multiplicity (with intercepts of 0.01 and 0.06, respectively, P>0.05); MR-PRESSO outlier test showed that the SNPs of genus Intestinimonas and genus Ruminococcus2 had no horizontal multiplicity (P>0.05). Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis showed that no single intestinal flora SNP drove the occurrence of HS. Reverse TSMR analysis showed no reverse causality between HS SNPs and genus Intestinimonas or genus Ruminococcus2 (with odds ratios of 1.01 and 0.99, respectively, 95% confidence intervals of 0.97-1.06 and 0.96-1.04, respectively, P>0.05). Conclusions: There is a causal relationship between intestinal flora and HS of human, in which genus Intestinimonas and genus Ruminococcus2 have a certain effect on inhibiting HS.

Effects of treatment processes on AOC removal and changes of bacterial diversity in a water treatment plant

The effectiveness of different treatment processes on assimilable organic carbon (AOC) removal and bacterial diversity variations was evaluated in a water treatment plant. The van der Kooij technique was applied for AOC analysis and responses of bacterial communities were characterized by the metagenomics assay. Results show that the AOC concentrations were about 93, 148, 43, 51, 37, and 38 μg acetate-C/L in effluents of raw water basin, preozonation, rapid sand filtration (RSF), ozonation, biofiltration [biological activated carbon (BAC) filtration], and chlorination (clear water), respectively. Increased AOC concentrations were observed after preozonation, ozonation, and chlorination units due to the production of biodegradable organic matters after the oxidation processes. Results indicate that the oxidation processes were the main causes of AOC formation, which resulted in significant increases in AOC concentrations (18-59% increment). The AOC removal efficiencies were 47, 28, and 60% in the RSF, biofiltration, and the whole system, respectively. RSF and biofiltration were responsible for the AOC treatment and both processes played key roles in AOC removal. Thus, both RSF and biofiltration processes would contribute to AOC treatment after oxidation. Sediments from the raw water basin and filter samples from RSF and BAC units were collected and analyzed for bacterial communities. Results from scanning electron microscope analysis indicate that bacterial colonization was observed in filter materials. This indicates that the surfaces of the filter materials were beneficial to bacterial growth and AOC removal via the adsorption and biodegradation mechanisms. Next generation sequencing analyses demonstrate that water treatment processes resulted in the changes of bacterial diversity and community profiles in filters of RSF and BAC. According to the findings of bacterial composition and interactions, the dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria (41% in RSF and 56% in BAC) followed by Planctomycetes and Acidobacteria in RSF and BAC systems, which might affect the AOC biodegradation efficiency. Results would be useful in developing AOC treatment and management processes in water treatment plants.

Slow light nanocoatings for ultrashort pulse compression

Transparent materials do not absorb light but have profound influence on the phase evolution of transmitted radiation. One consequence is chromatic dispersion, i.e., light of different frequencies travels at different velocities, causing ultrashort laser pulses to elongate in time while propagating. Here we experimentally demonstrate ultrathin nanostructured coatings that resolve this challenge: we tailor the dispersion of silicon nanopillar arrays such that they temporally reshape pulses upon transmission using slow light effects and act as ultrashort laser pulse compressors. The coatings induce anomalous group delay dispersion in the visible to near-infrared spectral region around 800 nm wavelength over an 80 nm bandwidth. We characterize the arrays' performance in the spectral domain via white light interferometry and directly demonstrate the temporal compression of femtosecond laser pulses. Applying these coatings to conventional optics renders them ultrashort pulse compatible and suitable for a wide range of applications.

[Relationship between expression level of sex-determining region Y box 9 and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the effects of sex-detemining region Y box9 (SOX9) expression levels on the proliferation, migration and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: A total of 74 OSCC pathological specimens were collected from Shanghai OSCC Tissue and Biological Informations Bank, and clinicopathological information of these specimens were collected. Immunohistochemistry assay was used to examine the expression levels of SOX9 in OSCC and to analyze their relationship with clinicopathological features. Cell counting kit-8 assay and cloning formation was used to observe the relationship between the expression levels of SOX9 and the proliferation of OSCC. Transwell experiment and scratch test were used to detect the difference of the ability of OSCC in cell lines with different expression levels of SOX9. Results: The risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with high expression of SOX9 was significantly increased (P=0.010). In the Transwell experiment, the number of HN6 cells (671.0±57.4, P=0.000) migrated to the lower chamber more than that of CAL27 cells (172.0±13.9). In the scratch experiment, HN6 cells [0 h: (93.7±2.1) μm; 6 h: (56.7±2.5) μm; 12 h: (29.7±3.1) μm] migrated faster than CAL27 [0 h: (93.7±1.5) μm; 6 h: (78.0±2.0) μm; 12 h: (42.0±3.0) μm](P<0.05). The migration ability of the cell line (HN6) with high-expression of SOX9 was significantly higher than that in cell line (CAL27) with low-expression SOX9 (P<0.05). The expression levels of SOX9 in OSCC were no significant on cell proliferation (P>0.05). Conclusions: High expression of SOX9 can promote the migration and lymph node metastasis of OSCC. SOX9 is a candidate gene target for the diagnosis and intervention of lymph node metastasis in OSCC.

Achromatic Metalens over 60 nm Bandwidth in the Visible and Metalens with Reverse Chromatic Dispersion

In this Letter, we experimentally report an achromatic metalens (AML) operating over a continuous bandwidth in the visible. This is accomplished via dispersion engineering of dielectric phase shifters: titanium dioxide nanopillars tiled on a dielectric spacer layer above a metallic mirror. The AML works in reflection mode with a focal length independent of wavelength from λ = 490 to 550 nm. We also design a metalens with reverse chromatic dispersion, where the focal length increases as the wavelength increases, contrary to conventional diffractive lenses. The ability to engineer the chromatic dispersion of metalenses at will enables a wide variety of applications that were not previously possible. In particular, for the AML design, we envision applications such as imaging under LED illumination, fluorescence, and photoluminescence spectroscopy.

[Up-regulation of DLK1 in non-small cell lung cancer and the relevant molecular mechanism]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expression of delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1) gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its regulatory mechanism.

METHODS

The expression levels of DLK1 protein in 204 NSCLC tissues were examined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and the correlation between DLK1expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed. Bisulfate sequencing PCR (BSP) of DNA samples from the tumor tissues of 18 NSCLC patients was performed to evaluate the DNA methylation status of CpG island in the DLK1 promoter region, and also compared with the corresponding IHC staining of DLK1 protein in the same samples.

RESULTS

Among the 102 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissue specimens and their adjacent normal bronchial epithelia, DLK1 was up-regulated in 72 and 37 samples, respectively (P=0.001), and among 102 adenocarcinomas (ADC) tissues and their adjacent alveolar tissues, DLK1 was up-regulated in 77 and 7 samples, respectively (P<0.001). In addition, overexpression of DLK1 was significantly associated with histological type, clinical stage and tumor size of NSCLC (P<0.05 for all). The expression of DLK1protein was inversely correlated with its promoter methylation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

DLK1 expression is up-regulated in NSCLCs, which may be due, at least in part, to the DNA hypomethylation in the promoter region of theDLK1 gene.

[Relationship between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite and cell cycle of lymphocyte in coke oven workers]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite and cell cycle of lymphocyte in coke oven workers. Methods: 437 coke oven workers and 163 work-ers in water treatment department were recruited in this study. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle of lymphocyte. For the measurement of urinary metabolites, urine samples were treated with β-glucuronidase and analyzed using HPLC with a fluorescence detector. Results: The concentrations of urinary 2-naphthol, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 9-phenanthrol and 1-hydroxypyrene l in coke oven workers were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01) . The distributions of cell cycle were analyzed in high exposure group (the content of urinary metabolites high than P75) and low exposure group (the content of urinary metabolites low than P25) . According to the content of 1-hydroxypyrene, the proportions of S phase in high exposure group were significant-ly higher than those of low exposure group (Z=-2.496, P=0.013) , but the proportions of G0/G1 phase were sig-nificantly lower than low exposure group (Z=-2.074, P=0.038) . The similar results were not been found in other hydroxylated metabolites as internal exposure group. Conclusion: Increasing levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene might resulting in cell cycle of lymphocyte disorders, mainly for G0/G1 phase shorten and S phase arrest.

Polarization-Insensitive Metalenses at Visible Wavelengths

In this Letter, we demonstrate highly efficient, polarization-insensitive planar lenses (metalenses) at red, green, and blue wavelengths (λ = 660, 532, and 405 nm). Metalenses with numerical apertures (NA) of 0.85 and 0.6 and corresponding efficiencies as high as 60% and 90% are achieved. These metalenses are less than 600 nm-thick and can focus incident light down to diffraction-limited spots as small as ∼0.64λ and provide high-resolution imaging. In addition, the focal spots are very symmetric with high Strehl ratios. The single step lithography and compatibility with large-scale fabrication processes make metalenses highly promising for widespread applications in imaging and spectroscopy.

Multispectral Chiral Imaging with a Metalens

The vast majority of biologically active compounds, ranging from amino acids to essential nutrients such as glucose, possess intrinsic handedness. This in turn gives rise to chiral optical properties that provide a basis for detecting and quantifying enantio-specific concentrations of these molecules. However, traditional chiroptical spectroscopy and imaging techniques require cascading of multiple optical components in sophisticated setups. Here, we present a planar lens with an engineered dispersive response, which simultaneously forms two images with opposite helicity of an object within the same field-of-view. In this way, chiroptical properties can be probed across the visible spectrum using only the lens and a camera without the addition of polarizers or dispersive optical devices. We map the circular dichroism of the exoskeleton of a chiral beetle, Chrysina gloriosa, which is known to exhibit high reflectivity of left-circularly polarized light, with high spatial resolution limited by the numerical aperture of the planar lens. Our results demonstrate the potential of metasurfaces in realizing a compact and multifunctional device with unprecedented imaging capabilities.

Super-Dispersive Off-Axis Meta-Lenses for Compact High Resolution Spectroscopy

Metasurfaces have opened a new frontier in the miniaturization of optical technology by allowing exceptional control over the wavefront. Here, we demonstrate off-axis meta-lenses that simultaneously focus and disperse light of different wavelengths with unprecedented spectral resolution. They are designed based on the geometric phase via rotated silicon nanofins and can focus light at angles as large as 80°. Due to the large angle focusing, these meta-lenses have superdispersive characteristics (0.27 nm/mrad) that make them capable of resolving wavelength differences as small as 200 pm in the telecom region. In addition, by stitching several meta-lenses together, we maintain a high spectral resolution for a wider wavelength range. The meta-lenses have measured efficiencies as high as 90% in the wavelength range of 1.1 to 1.6 μm. The planar and compact configuration together with high spectral resolution of these meta-lenses has significant potential for emerging portable/wearable optics technology.

A new method for estimating the number of non-differentially expressed genes

Control of the false discovery rate is a statistical method that is widely used when identifying differentially expressed genes in high-throughput sequencing assays. It is often calculated using an adaptive linear step-up procedure in which the number of non-differentially expressed genes should be estimated accurately. In this paper, we discuss the estimation of this parameter and point out defects in the original estimation method. We also propose a new estimation method and provide the error estimation. We compared the estimation results from the two methods in a simulation study that produced a mean, standard deviation, range, and root mean square error. The results revealed that there was little difference in the mean between the two methods, but the standard deviation, range, and root mean square error obtained using the new method were much smaller than those produced by the original method, which indicates that the new method is more accurate and robust. Furthermore, we used real microarray data to verify the conclusion. Finally we provide a suggestion when analyzing differentially expressed genes using statistical methods.

Successive spin orderings of tungstate-bridged Li2Ni(WO4)2 of spin 1

Magnetic, thermodynamic, and dielectric properties of Li2Ni(WO4)2 of S  =  1 system have been studied using magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and dielectric constant measurements. The magnetic orderings can be identified in three stages, including a short range magnetic ordering indicated by the rounded χ(T) peak with maximum at  ∼20 K, and signatures of two successful antiferromagnetic long range orderings near T(N1) ~ 18 K and T(N2) ~ 13 K revealed by the d(χ(T)) /d(T) peaks. The successive long range magnetic orderings are related to the quasi triangular symmetry breaking in the ac- and bc-planes and to the change of the dielectric constant, suggesting the presence of spin-phonon coupling. The specific heat and magnetic entropy analysis for Li2Ni(WO4)2 shows the existence of a significant low dimensional magnetic correlations at high temperature and confirms the long range three-dimensional (3D) behavior of magnetic orderings below T(N1) and T(N2).

Divergent effect of liver X receptor agonists on prostate-specific antigen expression is dependent on androgen receptor in prostate carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

Liver X receptor (LXR) isoforms, LXRα and LXRβ, have similar protein structures and ligands, but diverse tissue distribution. We used two synthetic, non-steroidal LXR agonists, T0901317 and GW3965, to investigate the effects of LXR agonist modulation on prostate specific antigen (PSA) via the expressions of androgen receptors (AR), LXRα, or LXRβ, in prostate carcinoma cells.

METHODS

LXRα- or LXRβ-knockdown cells were transduced with specific shRNA lentiviral particles. LXRα and LXRβ expressions were assessed by immunoblotting and RT-qPCR assays. Cell proliferation was determined by (3) H-thymidine incorporation assays. The effects of LXR agonists and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on PSA expression were determined by ELISA, immunoblotting, or transient gene expression assays.

RESULTS

Treatment with either T0901317 or GW3965 significantly attenuated cell proliferation of LNCaP cells. T0901317 treatment suppressed PSA expression while GW3965 treatment enhanced PSA expression. The increase of PSA promoter activity by GW3965 was dependent on the expression of AR. Either LXRα- or LXRβ-knockdown did not affect the activation of androgen on PSA gene expression. However, as compared with mock knockdown-LNCaP cells, the LXRα-knockdown but not the LXRβ-knockdown attenuated the effects of T0901317 and GW3965 on PSA expressions. The effect of GW3965 on PSA expression was blocked by the addition of EGCG.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that T0901317 and GW3965 have divergent effects on PSA expressions. The effects of LXR agonists on PSA expression are LXRα-dependent and AR-dependent. EGCG blocks the inducing effect of GW3965 on PSA expression.

The vitamin D analog, MART-10, represses metastasis potential via downregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic cancer (PDA) is a devastating disease and there is no effective treatment available at present. To develop new regiments against PDA is urgently needed. Previously we have shown that vitamin D analog, MART-10 (19-nor-2α-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1α,25(OH)2D3), exerted potent antiproliferative effect on PDA in vitro and in vivo without causing hypercalcemia. Since metastasis is the major cause of PDA-related death, we therefore investigate the anti-metastasis effect of MART-10 on PDA. Our results showed that both 1α,25(OH)2D3 and MART-10 repressed migration and invasion of BxPC-3 and PANC cells with MART-10 much more potent than 1α,25(OH)2D3. 1α,25(OH)2D3 and MART-10 inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer cells through downregulation of Snail, Slug, and Vimentin expression in BxPC-3 and PANC cells. MART-10 further blocked cadherin switch (from E-cadherin to N-cadherin) in BxPC-3 cells. The F-actin synthesis in the cytoplasm of BxPC-3 cells was also repressed by 1α,25(OH)2D3 and MART-10 as determined by immunofluorescence stain. Both 1α,25(OH)2D3 and MART-10 decreased MMP-2 and -9 secretion in BxPC-3 cells as determined by western blot and zymography. Collectively, MART-10 should be deemed as a promising regimen against PDA.

Cisplatin modulates B-cell translocation gene 2 to attenuate cell proliferation of prostate carcinoma cells in both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways

Cisplatin is a widely used anti-cancer drug. The B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) is involved in the cell cycle transition regulation. We evaluated the cisplatin effects on prostate cancer cell proliferation and the expressions of BTG2, p53, androgen receptor (AR) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in prostate carcinoma, p53 wild-type LNCaP or p53-null PC-3, cells. Cisplatin treatments attenuated cell prostate cancer cell growth through inducing Go/G1 cell cycle arrest in lower concentration and apoptosis at higher dosage. Cisplatin treatments enhanced p53 and BTG2 expression, repressed AR and PSA expression, and blocked the activation of androgen on the PSA secretion in LNCaP cells. BTG2 knockdown in LNCaP cells attenuated cisplatin-mediated growth inhibition. Cisplatin enhanced BTG2 gene expression dependent on the DNA fragment located within -173 to -82 upstream of BTG2 translation initiation site in prostate cancer cells. Mutation of the p53 response element from GGGCAGAGCCC to GGGCACC or mutation of the NFκB response element from GGAAAGTCC to GGAAAGGAA by site-directed mutagenesis abolished the stimulation of cisplatin on the BTG2 promoter activity in LNCaP or PC-3 cells, respectively. Our results indicated that cisplatin attenuates prostate cancer cell proliferation partly mediated by upregulation of BTG2 through the p53-dependent pathway or p53-independent NFκB pathway.

Celastrol blocks interleukin-6 gene expression via downregulation of NF-κB in prostate carcinoma cells

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine, contributes to proliferation or differentiation of prostate carcinoma cells in a highly cell type-specific manner. Celastrol (3-hydroxy-24-nor-2oxo-1(10),3,5,7-friedelatetrane-29-oic acid), also named as tripterine, is extracted from root of Chinese traditional herb Tripterygiumwilfordii Hook f with potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. In this study, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms of celastrol on cell proliferation and IL-6 gene expression in prostate carcinoma cells. ³H-thymidine incorporation and flow cytometric analysis indicated that celastrol treatments arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, thus attenuating cell proliferation in prostate carcinoma PC-3 cells; moreover, celastrol induced cell apoptosis at higher dosage. Knockdown of IL-6 attenuated the anti-proliferative effect of celastrol on PC-3 cells. Results from ELISA and 5’-deletion transient gene expression assays indicated that celastrol treatment decreased IL-6 secretion and gene expression, and this effect is dependent on the NF-κB response element within IL-6 promoter area since mutation of the NF-κB response element from AAATGTCCCATTTTCCC to AAATGTTACATTTTCCC by site-directed mutagenesis abolished the inhibition of celastrol on the IL-6 promoter activity. Celastrol also attenuated the activation of PMA and TNFα on the gene expression and secretion of IL-6 in PC-3 cells. Immunoblot assays revealed that celastrol treatment downregulated the expressions of IKKα, p50 and p65, supporting the 5’-deletion transient gene expression assay result that celastrol blocked IL-6 expression through the NF-κB pathway in PC-3 cells. For the first time, our results concluded that celastrol attenuates PC-3 cell proliferation via downregulation of IL-6 gene expression through the NF-κB-dependent pathway.

Topoisomerase inhibitors modulate gene expression of B-cell translocation gene 2 and prostate specific antigen in prostate carcinoma cells

Camptothecin (CPT) and doxorubicin (DOX) have been demonstrated to have potent anti-tumor activity. The B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) is involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression. We evaluated the molecular mechanisms of CPT and DOX on cell proliferation and the expressions of BTG2 and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in prostate carcinoma cells. Our results indicated that CPT or DOX treatments induced Go/G1 cell cycle arrest in LNCaP cells and apoptosis at higher dosage. Immunoblot and transient gene expression assay indicated that CPT or DOX treatments induced p53 and BTG2 gene expression, with the later effect dependent on the p53 response element within BTG2 promoter area since mutation of the p53 response element from GGGAAAGTCC to GGAGTCC or from GGCAGAGCCC to GGCACC by site-directed mutagenesis abolished the stimulation of CPT or DOX on the BTG2 promoter activity, which is also supported by our results that cotreatments of pifithrin-α, an inhibitor of p53 dependent transcriptional activation, blocked the induction of CPT or DOX on BTG2 gene expression. CPT or DOX also downregulated the protein expressions of androgen receptor (AR) and PSA. Transient gene expression assays suggested that CPT or DOX’s attenuation of PSA promoter activity is dependent on both the androgen and p53 response elements within of the PSA promoter. Our results indicated that CPT and DOX attenuate cell proliferation via upregulation of BTG2 gene expression through the p53-dependent pathway. The CPT and DOX block the PSA gene expression by upregulation of p53 activity and downregulation of androgen receptor activity.

Social support mediates the relationship between HIV stigma and depression/quality of life among people living with HIV in Beijing, China

Stigma towards people living with HIV is pervasive in China and related to poor service utilization, psychosocial distress and diminished quality of life (QOL). In an effort to identify mechanisms to reduce HIV stigma and its negative consequences, we examined whether social support mediates the relation between enacted stigma and both depressive symptoms and QOL among 120 HIV outpatients in Beijing, China. Generally, perceived social support was associated with less stigma, less depressive symptomatology and better QOL. Using multivariable regression models, we found that social support was a full mediator of the impact of stigma on both depressive symptomatology and QOL. The findings suggest social support may be an important target of interventions to reduce the impact of stigma on poor psychosocial health outcomes.

Are the risk factors listed in warfarin prescribing information associated with anticoagulation-related bleeding? A systematic literature review

Warfarin significantly reduces thromboembolic risk, but perceptions of associated bleeding risk limit its use. The evidence supporting the association between bleeding and individual patient risks factors is unclear. This systematic review aims to determine the strength of evidence supporting an accentuated bleeding risk when patients with risk factors listed in the warfarin prescribing information are prescribed the drug. A systematic literature search of MEDLINE and Cochrane CENTRAL was conducted to identify studies reporting multivariate relationships between prespecified covariates and the risk of bleeding in patients receiving warfarin. The prespecified covariates were identified based on patient characteristics for bleeding listed in the warfarin package insert. Each covariate was evaluated for its association with specific types of bleeding. The quality of individual evaluations was rated as 'good', 'fair' or 'poor' using methods consistent with those recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Overall strength of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development (GRADE) criteria and categorised as 'insufficient', 'very low', 'low', 'moderate' or 'high'. Thirty-four studies, reporting 134 multivariate evaluations of the association between a covariate and bleeding risk were identified. The majority of evaluations had a low strength of evidence for the association between covariates and bleeding and none had a high strength of evidence. Malignancy and renal insufficiency were the only two covariates that had a moderate strength of evidence for their association with major and minor bleeding respectively. The associations between covariates listed in the warfarin prescribing information and increased bleeding risk are not well supported by the medical literature.

Decreased expression of profilin 2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its clinicopathological implications

Profilins are small proteins essential for many normal cellular dynamics and constitute one of the crucial components of actin-based cellular motility. Several recent studies have implicated a role for the profilin (PFN) family in cancer pathogenesis and progression. However, their expression and promising functions are largely unknown in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, we analyzed the correlation between PFN1 and PFN2 expression in vitro and in vivo. The protein expression levels were roughly compared between cell lines (HIOEC, HB96) with the employment of mass spectrometry. PFN2 was singled out as one of the significantly down-regulated genes in the cancerous HB96 cells. The expression levels of PFN1 and PFN2 in vitro were validated by RT-PCR, real-time PCR and Western blotting. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used for the first time to assess the localization of PFN2 expression. In subsequent experiments, we observed the relationship between PFN2 expression levels and the proliferation of transfected HB96 cancer cells. VASP, N-WASP and P27 expression was also examined in the PFN2-transfected or non-transfected HB96 cells. In vivo, antigen expression was determined by immunohistochemical analyses in 88 paired tissue specimens. Decreased protein expression was confirmed in cancerous tissues from 88 OSCC patients compared with paracancerous normal mucous epithelia. Tumors with weak PFN2 expression were associated with a significantly worse prognosis than strongly expressed tumours (P<0.001). Other statistical analyses were performed to assess the differences in expression and their clinical and pathological significance. In conclusion, PFN2 can be utilized as both a potential suppressor marker and a prognostic protein for OSCC. The function of PFN2 may be to regulate the N-WASP/Arp2/3 signaling pathway.

Study of Z Boson Production in PbPb Collisions at √S(NN)=2.76 TeV

A search for Z bosons in the μ(+)μ(-) decay channel has been performed in PbPb collisions at √S(NN)=2.76  TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC, in a 7.2 μb(-1) data sample. The number of opposite-sign muon pairs observed in the 60-120 GeV/c(2) invariant mass range is 39, corresponding to a yield per unit of rapidity (y) and per minimum bias event of [33.8±5.5(stat)±4.4(syst)]×10(-8), in the |y|<2.0 range. Rapidity, transverse momentum, and centrality dependencies are also measured. The results agree with next-to-leading order QCD calculations, scaled by the number of incoherent nucleon-nucleon collisions.

Measurement of dijet angular distributions and search for quark compositeness in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Dijet angular distributions are measured over a wide range of dijet invariant masses in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV, at the CERN LHC. The event sample, recorded with the CMS detector, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb⁻¹. The data are found to be in good agreement with the predictions of perturbative QCD, and yield no evidence of quark compositeness. With a modified frequentist approach, a lower limit on the contact interaction scale for left-handed quarks of Λ⁺ = 5.6 TeV (Λ⁻ = 6.7 TeV) for destructive (constructive) interference is obtained at the 95% confidence level.

Search for pair production of second-generation scalar leptoquarks in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A search for pair production of second-generation scalar leptoquarks in the final state with two muons and two jets is performed using proton-proton collision data at √s = 7 TeV collected by the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 34 pb⁻¹. The number of observed events is in good agreement with the predictions from the standard model processes. An upper limit is set on the second-generation leptoquark cross section times β² as a function of the leptoquark mass, and leptoquarks with masses below 394 GeV are excluded at a 95% confidence level for β = 1, where β is the leptoquark branching fraction into a muon and a quark. These limits are the most stringent to date.

Search for pair production of first-generation scalar leptoquarks in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A search for pair production of first-generation scalar leptoquarks is performed in the final state containing two electrons and two jets using proton-proton collision data at √s = 7 TeV. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 33 pb⁻¹ collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The number of observed events is in good agreement with the predictions for the standard model background processes, and an upper limit is set on the leptoquark pair production cross section times β² as a function of the leptoquark mass, where β is the branching fraction of the leptoquark decay to an electron and a quark. A 95% confidence level lower limit is set on the mass of a first-generation scalar leptoquark at 384 GeV for β = 1, which is the most stringent direct limit to date.

Dijet azimuthal decorrelations in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Measurements of dijet azimuthal decorrelations in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV using the CMS detector at the CERN LHC are presented. The analysis is based on an inclusive dijet event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb⁻¹. The results are compared to predictions from perturbative QCD calculations and various Monte Carlo event generators. The dijet azimuthal distributions are found to be sensitive to initial-state gluon radiation.

Measurement of the B(+) production cross section in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

Measurements of the total and differential cross sections dσ/dp(T)(B) and dσ/dy(B) for B(+) mesons produced in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7  TeV are presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.8  pb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment operating at the LHC. The exclusive decay B(+)→J/ψK(+), with J/ψ→μ(+)μ(-), is used to detect B(+) mesons and to measure the production cross section as a function of p(T)(B) and y(B). The total cross section for p(T)(B)>5  GeV and |y(B)|<2.4 is measured to be 28.1±2.4±2.0±3.1  μb, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the last is from the luminosity measurement.

Measurement of the isolated prompt photon production cross section in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

The differential cross section for the inclusive production of isolated prompt photons has been measured as a function of the photon transverse energy E(T)(γ) in pp collisions at √s=7  TeV using data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9  pb(-1). Photons are required to have a pseudorapidity |η(γ)|<1.45 and E(T)(γ)>21  GeV, covering the kinematic region 0.006<x(T)<0.086. The measured cross section is found to be in agreement with next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD calculations.

Search for stopped Gluinos in pp collisions at square root s=7 TeV

The results of the first search for long-lived gluinos produced in 7 TeV pp collisions at the CERN Large Hadron Collider are presented. The search looks for evidence of long-lived particles that stop in the CMS detector and decay in the quiescent periods between beam crossings. In a dataset with a peak instantaneous luminosity of 1×10(32) cm-2 s-1, an integrated luminosity of 10 pb-1, and a search interval corresponding to 62 hours of LHC operation, no significant excess above background was observed. Limits at the 95% confidence level on gluino pair production over 13 orders of magnitude of gluino lifetime are set. For a mass difference mg - mχ1(0) >100 GeV/c2, and assuming BR(g→gχ1(0))=100%, mg < 370 GeV/c2 are excluded for lifetimes from 10 μs to 1000 s.

Search for quark compositeness with the dijet centrality ratio in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search for quark compositeness in the form of quark contact interactions, based on hadronic jet pairs (dijets) produced in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV, is described. The data sample of the study corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb(-1) collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The dijet centrality ratio, which quantifies the angular distribution of the dijets, is measured as a function of the invariant mass of the dijet system and is found to agree with the predictions of the standard model. A statistical analysis of the data provides a lower limit on the energy scale of quark contact interactions. The sensitivity of the analysis is such that the expected limit is 2.9 TeV; because the observed value of the centrality ratio at high invariant mass is below the expectation, the observed limit is 4.0 TeV at the 95% confidence level.

Search for dijet resonances in 7 TeV pp collisions at CMS

A search for narrow resonances in the dijet mass spectrum is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb⁻¹ collected by the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Upper limits at the 95% confidence level are presented on the product of the resonance cross section, branching fraction into dijets, and acceptance, separately for decays into quark-quark, quark-gluon, or gluon-gluon pairs. The data exclude new particles predicted in the following models at the 95% confidence level: string resonances, with mass less than 2.50 TeV, excited quarks, with mass less than 1.58 TeV, and axigluons, colorons, and E6 diquarks, in specific mass intervals. This extends previously published limits on these models.

Development of a psychological well-being scale for family caregivers in palliative care

OBJECTIVE

A Psychological Well-being Scale for Caregivers (PWS-C) was developed to screen for psychological distress among family caregivers in a Palliative Care Unit for patients with advanced cancer.

METHODS

To study the psychometric properties of the 11-item PWS-C which consisted of 5 subscales; 132 family caregivers completed the PWS-C, of whom 70 also answered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. Results of 15 caregivers who had received psychological intervention and completed the PWS-C before and after treatment were compared.

RESULTS

The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the scale were found to be satisfactory. A 4-factor structure was identified. Items for Life Meaning and Social Support subscales were accounted for by 1 factor. The subscales of Emotional Distress, Caregiving Inadequacy, and Hospital Care were accounted for by 3 other factors. The PWS-C subscale scores were moderately correlated with HADS scores. Significant changes in the subscales of Social Support and Life Meaning of the PWS-C were identified in pre-post treatment comparisons, which indicated the potential utility of the scale as an outcome measure.

CONCLUSIONS

The PWS-C could be a reliable and valid tool useful for screening and measuring the outcome of psychological interventions for psychological well-being / distress reduction, for caregivers of patients receiving palliative care.

First measurement of Bose-Einstein correlations in proton-proton collisions at √s=0.9 and 2.36 TeV at the LHC

Bose-Einstein correlations have been measured using samples of proton-proton collisions at 0.9 and 2.36 TeV center-of-mass energies, recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The signal is observed in the form of an enhancement of pairs of same-sign charged particles with small relative four-momentum. The size of the correlated particle emission region is seen to increase significantly with the particle multiplicity of the event.

Transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in pp collisions at square root of s = 7 TeV

Charged-hadron transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions in proton-proton collisions at square root of s = 7  TeV are measured with the inner tracking system of the CMS detector at the LHC. The charged-hadron yield is obtained by counting the number of reconstructed hits, hit pairs, and fully reconstructed charged-particle tracks. The combination of the three methods gives a charged-particle multiplicity per unit of pseudorapidity dN(ch)/dη|(|η|<0.5) = 5.78 ± 0.01(stat) ± 0.23(syst) for non-single-diffractive events, higher than predicted by commonly used models. The relative increase in charged-particle multiplicity from square root of s = 0.9 to 7 TeV is [66.1 ± 1.0(stat) ± 4.2(syst)]%. The mean transverse momentum is measured to be 0.545 ± 0.005(stat) ± 0.015(syst)  GeV/c. The results are compared with similar measurements at lower energies.

External cooling methods for treatment of fever in adults: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

It is unclear if the use of external cooling to treat fever contributes to better patient outcomes. Despite this, it is a common practice to treat febrile patients using external cooling methods alone or in combination with pharmacological antipyretics.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of external cooling methods in febrile adults in acute care settings.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

We included adults admitted to acute care settings and developed elevated body temperature.We considered any external cooling method compared to no cooling.We considered randomised control trials (RCTs), quasi-randomised trials and controlled trials with concurrent control groups SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched relevant published or unpublished studies up to October 2009 regardless of language. We searched major databases, reference lists, bibliographies of all relevant articles, and contacted experts in the field for additional studies. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, and retrieved all potentially relevant studies.

CRITICAL APPRAISAL

Two reviewers independently conducted the assessment of methodological quality of included studies.

DATA ANALYSIS

The results of studies where appropriate was quantitatively summarised. Relative risks or weighted mean difference and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random effects model in Review Manager 5. For each pooled comparison, heterogeneity was assessed using the chi-squared test at the 5% level of statistical significance, with I statistic used to assess the impact of statistical heterogeneity on study results. Where statistical summary was not appropriate or possible, the findings were summarised in narrative form.

RESULTS

We found six RCTs that compared the effectiveness and complications of external cooling methods against no external cooling. There was wide variation in the outcome measures between the included trials. We performed meta-analyses on data from two RCTs totalling 356 patients testing external cooling combined with antipyretics versus antipyretics alone, for the resolution of fever. The results did not show a statistically significant reduction in fever (relative risk 1.12, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.31; P=0.35; I =0%).The evidence from four trials suggested that there was no difference in the mean drop in body temperature post treatment initiation, between external cooling and no cooling groups. The results of most other outcomes also did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference. However summarising the results of five trials consisting of 371 patients found that the external cooling group was more likely to shiver when compared to the no cooling group (relative risk 6.37, 95% CI 2.01 to 20.11; P=0.61; I =0%).Overall this review suggested that external cooling methods (whether used alone or in combination with pharmacologic methods) were not effective in treating fever among adults admitted to acute care settings. Yet they were associated with higher incidences of shivering. These results should be interpreted in light of the methodological limitations of available trials.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

Given the current available evidence, the routine use of external cooling methods to treat fever in adults may not be warranted until further evidence is available. They could be considered for patients whose conditions are unable to tolerate even slight increase in temperature or who request for them. Whenever they are used, shivering should be prevented.

IMPLICATION FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

Well-designed, adequately powered, randomised trials comparing external cooling methods against no cooling are needed.

Symptom burden and quality of life in end-stage renal disease: a study of 179 patients on dialysis and palliative care

Palliative care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is developing in Hong Kong. This is the first local study to explore the symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) of ESRD patients on chronic dialysis and palliative care. This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted on ESRD patients in a hospital in Hong Kong from January 2006 to April 2007. Data collected included demographics, socioeconomic status, modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), prevalence and intensity of 23 ESRD-related symptoms as rated by numerical rating scale (0-10), Brief Pain Inventory and QOL by MOS SF-36. A total of 179 ESRD patients completed the study; 45 patients (25.1%) were in the palliative care group and 134 patients (74.9%) in the dialysis group. The palliative care group were older (73.1 +/- 7.1 vs 58.2 +/- 11.4 years, P < 0.001), had marginally higher modified CCI (8.5 +/- 1.9 vs 6.1 +/- 2.4, P = 0.05), had more diabetics (62.2 vs 35.8%, P < 0.001) and were of poorer socioeconomic status than the dialysis group. The mean number of symptoms was 8.2 +/- 3.9 and 9.3 +/- 4.7 in the palliative care and the dialysis group, respectively (P = NS). Fatigue, cold aversion, pruritus, lower torso weakness and difficulty sleeping were the five most prevalent symptoms in both groups, and were also among the most intense symptoms. QOL was significantly impaired in both groups. Scores of all QOL domains correlated negatively with the number of symptoms (P < 0.001). Our ESRD patients under palliative care and dialysis had overlapping symptom prevalence and intensity, significant symptom burden and impaired QOL.

Botulinum toxin for diabetic neuropathic pain: a randomized double-blind crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication in diabetes, with patients typically experiencing diverse sensory symptoms including dysesthesias in the feet and usually accompanied by sleep disturbance. There is still no comprehensive understanding of the underlying biologic processes responsible for diabetic neuropathic pain. Thus, the current symptomatic therapy remains unsatisfactory. Recent experimental evidence suggests that botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) may not only inhibit the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junctions, but also modulate afferent sensory fiber firing, thereby relieving neuropathic pain.

METHODS

A double-blind crossover trial of intradermal BoNT/A for diabetic neuropathic pain in 18 patients was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness.

RESULTS

We find significant reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) of pain by 0.83 +/- 1.11 at 1 week, 2.22 +/- 2.24 at 4 weeks, 2.33 +/- 2.56 at 8 weeks, and 2.53 +/- 2.48 at 12 weeks after injection in the BoNT/A group, as compared to the respective findings for a placebo group of 0.39 +/- 1.18, -0.11 +/- 2.04, 0.42 +/- 1.62, and 0.53 +/- 1.57 at the same timepoints (p < 0.05). Within the BoNT/A group, 44.4% of the participants experienced a reduction of VAS >/=3 within 3 months after injection, whereas there was no similar response in the placebo group. At the 4-week postinjection stage, improvement in sleep quality was measured using the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study found that botulinum toxin type A significantly reduced diabetic neuropathic pain and transiently improved sleep quality. Further large-scaled study is warranted.

Measurement of branching fractions, isospin, and CP-violating asymmetries for exclusive b-->dgamma modes

We report new measurements of the decays B+-->rho+gamma, B0-->rho0gamma, and B0-->omegagamma using a data sample of 657x10(6) B meson pairs accumulated with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- collider. We measure branching fractions B(B+-->rho+gamma)=(8.7_-2.7-1.1;+2.9+0.9)x10(-7), B(B0-->rho0gamma)=(7.8_-1.6-1.0;+1.7+0.9)x10(-7), and B(B0-->omegagamma)=(4.0_-1.7;+1.9+/-1.3)x10(-7). We also report the isospin asymmetry Delta(rhogamma)=-0.48_-0.19-0.09;+0.21+0.08 and the first measurement of the direct CP-violating asymmetry ACP(B+-->rho+gamma)=-0.11+/-0.32+/-0.09, where the first and second errors are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Search for B+-->D*+pi0 decay

We report on a search for the doubly Cabibbo suppressed decay B+-->D*+pi0, based on a data sample of 657x10(6) BB pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider. We find no significant signal and set an upper limit of B(B+-->D*+pi0)<3.6x10(-6) at the 90% confidence level. This limit can be used to constrain the ratio between suppressed and favored B-->D*pi decay amplitudes, r<0.051, at the 90% confidence level.

Observation of B{0}-->ppK*0 with a large K*0 polarization

Using a 492 fb{-1} data sample collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e{+}e{-} collider, we observe the decay B{0}-->ppK*0 with a branching fraction of (1.18{-0.25}{+0.29}(stat)+/-0.11(syst))x10{-6}. We study the decay dynamics of B{0}-->ppK*0 and compare with B{+}-->ppK*+. The K*0 meson is found to be almost 100% polarized (with a fraction of (101+/-13+/-3)% in the helicity zero state), while the K*+ meson has a (32+/-17+/-9)% fraction in the helicity zero state. The direct CP asymmetries for B{0}-->ppK*0 and B{+}-->ppK*+ are measured to be -0.08+/-0.20+/-0.02 and -0.01+/-0.19+/-0.02, respectively. In addition, we report improved measurements of the branching fractions B(B{+}-->ppK*+)=(3.38{-0.60}{+0.73}+/-0.39)x10{-6} and B(B{0}-->ppK{0})=(2.51{-0.29}{+0.35}+/-0.21)x10{-6}, which supersede our previous measurements.

Measurement of B(Ds{+}-->mu+nu(mu))

We present a measurement of the branching fraction B(D{s}{+}-->mu{+}nu{mu}) using a 548 fb{-1} data sample collected by the Belle experiment at the KEKB e{+}e{-} collider. The D{s} momentum is determined by reconstruction of the system recoiling against DKgammaX in events of the type e{+}e{-}-->D{s}{*}DKX, D{s}{*}-->D{s}gamma, where X represents additional pions or photons from fragmentation. This full-reconstruction method provides high resolution in the neutrino momentum and thus good background separation, equivalent to that achieved by experiments at the tau-charm factories. We obtain the branching fraction B(D{s}{+}-->mu{+}nu{mu})=[6.44+/-0.76(stat)+/-0.57(syst)]x10{-3}, implying a D{s} decay constant of f{D{s}}=[275+/-16(stat)+/-12(syst)] MeV.

Production of new charmoniumlike states in e+e- -->J/psiD*D[over](*) at sqrt[s] approximately 10.6 GeV

We report a study of the processes e+e- -->J/psiD*D[over](*). In J/psiD*D[over]* we observe a significant enhancement in the D*D[over]* invariant mass spectrum, which we interpret as a new charmoniumlike state and denote X(4160). The X(4160) parameters are M=(4156(-20)+25+/-15) MeV/c2 and Gamma=(139(-61)+111+/-21) MeV. We also report a new measurement of the X(3940) mass and width: M=(3942(-6)+7+/-6) MeV/c2 and Gamma=(37(-15)+26+/-8) MeV. The analysis is based on a 693 fb(-1) data sample recorded near the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy collider.