Search for violation of Lorentz invariance in top quark pair production and decay

Using data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider, corresponding to 5.3 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity, we search for violation of Lorentz invariance by examining the tt[over ¯] production cross section in lepton+jets final states. We quantify this violation using the standard-model extension framework, which predicts a dependence of the tt[over ¯] production cross section on sidereal time as the orientation of the detector changes with the rotation of the Earth. Within this framework, we measure components of the matrices (c(Q))(μν33) and (c(U))(μν33) containing coefficients used to parametrize violation of Lorentz invariance in the top quark sector. Within uncertainties, these coefficients are found to be consistent with zero.

Measurement of the W boson mass with the D0 detector

We present a measurement of the W boson mass using data corresponding to 4.3  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected with the D0 detector during Run II at the Fermilab Tevatron pp collider. With a sample of 1,677,394 W → eν candidate events, we measure M(W) = 80.367 ± 0.026  GeV. This result is combined with an earlier D0 result determined using an independent Run II data sample, corresponding to 1  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity, to yield M(W) = 80.375 ± 0.023  GeV.

Search for universal extra dimensions in pp collisions

We present a search for Kaluza-Klein (KK) particles predicted by models with universal extra dimensions (UED) using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.3 fb(-1), collected by the D0 detector at a pp center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. The decay chain of KK particles can lead to a final state with two muons of the same charge. This signature is used to set a lower limit on the compactification scale of R(-1)>260 GeV in a minimal UED model.

Antiviral activity of crude extracts of Eugenia jambolana Lam. against highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus

Crude extracts of leaves and bark of E. jambolana were tested for antiviral activity against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) by CPE reduction assay in three different layouts to elucidate virucidal, post-exposure and preexposure antiviral activity of the extracts. The cold and hot aqueous extracts of bark and hot aqueous extract of leaves of E. jambolana showed significant virucidal activity (100% inhibition) which was further confirmed in virus yield reduction assay (-98 to 99% reduction) and by egg based in ovo assay. The selective index (CC50/EC50) of hot aqueous extract (248) and cold aqueous extract (43.5) of bark of E. jambolana showed their antiviral potential against H5N1 virus. The significant virucidal activity of leaves and bark of E. jambolana merits further investigation as it may provide alternative antiviral agent for managing avian influenza infections in poultry farms and potential avian-human transmission.

Coumarins as antioxidants

Coumarins, a well-known class of naturally occurring compounds, display a remarkable array of biochemical and pharmacological actions, some of which suggest that certain members of this group of compounds may significantly affect the function of various mammalian cellular systems. The development of coumarins as antioxidant agents has attracted much attention in recent years. Coumarins afford an opportunity for the discovery of new antioxidants with truly novel mechanisms of action. This review updates and expands the 2006 review by the same author. The review considers and incorporates the most recently published literature on coumarins as related to their antioxidant properties. A lot of coumarins have been identified from natural sources, especially green plants. These natural compounds have served as valuable leads for further design and synthesis of more active analogues. Beyond doubt, a deep understanding of the mechanisms of existing synthetic and natural coumarins will build the basis for the rational design.

P4-17-07: The Shifting Landscape of Metastatic Breast Cancer to the CNS

Introduction: Improved survival following the diagnosis of breast cancer, in conjunction with new therapies and diagnostics has potentially altered the characteristics and course of patients presenting with CNS involvement.

Methods: Review of clinical and radiographic records of women presenting to a tertiary medical center with the new diagnosis of CNS metastatic disease from breast cancer. This was a retrospective review from patients identities obtained from two prospective databases Results: There were 88 women analyzed who were treated over the period 1/2003-2/2010, average age 56.9. At the time of initial presentation of CNS disease, 68% of patients had multiple brain metastases, 17% had a solitary metastasis and 15% had only leptomeningeal disease (LMD). The median survival for all patients from the time of diagnosis of breast disease was 50.0 months, and 9.7 months from diagnosis of CNS involvement. The only factor related to overall survival was estrogen receptor positive (ER+) pathology (57.6 v. 38.2 months, p=.02 log-rank); those related to survival post CNS diagnosis were presentation with LMD (p=.004, HR= 3.1, Cox regression) and triple negative hormonal/HER2 status (p=.02, HR= 2.3, Cox regression). Patients with either had a median survival of 3.1 months (no patients in common). Of the 75 patients who initially presented with metastatic brain lesions, 20 (26%) subsequently developed LMD in the course of their disease (median 10.4 months), following which survival was grim (1.8 months median). Of note was that HER2+ status was protective in regard to late development of LMD (14.7 vs. 42.3%, p=.03, Chi-square). Symptoms of LMD were most commonly lower extremity weakness (14/33), followed by cranial nerve deficits (11/33).

Conclusion: Treatment of patients with metastatic brain disease from breast cancer should be tailored to the patient's hormonal status (as it markedly effects survival) and practitioners must be vigilant for the development of LMD, especially as it often presents with non-descript complaints such as back pain.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-17-07.

Treatment-related changes in neurobehavioral symptoms

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Background: Neurobehavioral outcomes, such as fatigue and neurocognitive dysfunction, are disabling side effects in a subgroup of breast cancer (BC) patients. Longitudinal studies with appropriate controls to dissociate treatment-related effects from those experienced by healthy post-menopausal women are sparse, and virtually all define “pre-treatment” baseline as prior to adjuvant therapy, but following surgery. Given the phenomenon of “postoperative cognitive dysfunction” reported in older patients undergoing major surgery, we are evaluating treatment-related impact using pre-surgery assessment as the baseline.

Methods: Eligible post-menopausal BC patients are assessed prior to any local or systemic treatment and one month after completion of treatment (surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy). Healthy controls (HC) are age-matched 1:2-3 and tested at similar time intervals. Currently 130 BC and 60 HC are enrolled; results for 80 BC and 30 HC who have reached Time 2 are available (Mean time between assessments = 143 days, SD = 93).

Results: Interim analyses using repeated measures ANOVA, controlling for age and education differences, show that the BC group declined in verbal memory functioning post-treatment relative to baseline, while the HC group improved due to practice effects (F(1, 102) = 3.43, p = .061). A similar interaction effect is observed for executive functioning, where the BC group failed to benefit from practice effects to the same degree as did HC (F(1, 102) = 6.04, p = .016). Anxiety but not depression was significantly elevated at baseline and decreased post treatment in BC patients treated with and without chemotherapy (F (1, 102) = 6.85, p = .010). Fatigue did not significantly change for the BC group; however, it was significantly higher than HC at baseline (t =2.77, p = .01) and remained high at the post-treatment measurement.

Conclusions: Significant declines in neurocognitive functioning soon after completion of BC treatment were observed compared to healthy post-menopausal women. This observation did not appear to be due to mood disturbance, as anxiety and depression decreased following treatment. Our data also suggest that fatigue is present even prior to any cancer treatment.

An easy, cost-effective and time-conserving method of studying the vascular anatomy of the base of the skull

In this work we present a simple, rapid, cost-effective and time-conserving method of studying the vascular anatomy of the base of the skull. This method is based on the injection of the arteries and veins with an appropriate coloring solution that possesses the property of rapid solidification. This technique of preparation of the coloring solution and the method of injection is described in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are also discussed.

Intratemporal hemangiomas involving the facial nerve: diagnosis and management

Intratemporal vascular tumors involving the facial nerve are rare benign lesions. Because of their variable clinical features, they are often misdiagnosed preoperatively. This study presents a series of 21 patients with such lesions managed from 1977 to 1994. Facial nerve dysfunction was the most common complaint, present in 60% of the cases, followed by hearing loss, present in 40% of cases. High-resolution computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium, and a high index of clinical suspicion is required for preoperative diagnosis of these lesions. Early surgical resection of these tumors permits acceptable return of facial nerve function in many patients.

Talon cusp in a primary incisor: a rare entity

This case report describes the presence of a talon cusp in a right primary incisor in a 6-year-old girl. It is a rare entity with only three cases having been reported from the Indian population. The talon cusp showed presence of wear facets along with altered morphology of the involved tooth. No treatment was done apart from sealing the cusp-tooth interface with fissure sealant.