Altered iPSC-derived neurons' sodium channel properties in subjects with Monge's disease

Monge's disease, also known as chronic mountain sickness (CMS), is a disease that potentially threatens more than 140 million highlanders during extended time living at high altitudes (over 2500m). The prevalence of CMS in Andeans is about 15-20%, suggesting that the majority of highlanders (non-CMS) are rather healthy at high altitudes; however, CMS subjects experience severe hypoxemia, erythrocytosis and many neurologic manifestations including migraine, headache, mental fatigue, confusion, and memory loss. The underlying mechanisms of CMS neuropathology are not well understood and no ideal treatment is available to prevent or cure CMS, except for phlebotomy. In the current study, we reprogrammed fibroblast cells from both CMS and non-CMS subjects' skin biopsies into the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), then differentiated into neurons and compared their neuronal properties. We discovered that CMS neurons were much less excitable (higher rheobase) than non-CMS neurons. This decreased excitability was not caused by differences in passive neuronal properties, but instead by a significantly lowered Na(+) channel current density and by a shift of the voltage-conductance curve in the depolarization direction. Our findings provide, for the first time, evidence of a neuronal abnormality in CMS subjects as compared to non-CMS subjects, hoping that such studies can pave the way to a better understanding of the neuropathology in CMS.

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

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

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

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

Design and implementation of a new autonomous sensor fish to support advanced hydropower development

Acceleration in development of additional conventional hydropower requires tools and methods to perform laboratory and in-field validation of turbine performance and fish passage claims. The new-generation Sensor Fish has been developed with more capabilities to accommodate a wider range of users over a broader range of turbine designs and operating environments. It provides in situ measurements of three-dimensional (3D) linear accelerations, 3D rotational velocities, 3D orientation, pressure, and temperature at a sampling frequency of 2048 Hz. It also has an automatic floatation system and built-in radio-frequency transmitter for recovery. The relative errors of the pressure, acceleration, and rotational velocity were within ±2%, ±5%, and ±5%, respectively. The accuracy of orientation was within ±4° and accuracy of temperature was ±2 °C. The new-generation Sensor Fish is becoming a major technology and being deployed for evaluating the conditions for fish passage of turbines or other hydraulic structures in both the United States and several other countries.

Latexin sensitizes leukemogenic cells to gamma-irradiation-induced cell-cycle arrest and cell death through Rps3 pathway

Leukemia is a leading cause of cancer death. Recently, the latexin (Lxn) gene was identified as a potential tumor suppressor in several types of solid tumors and lymphoma, and Lxn expression was found to be absent or downregulated in leukemic cells. Whether Lxn functions as a tumor suppressor in leukemia and what molecular and cellular mechanisms are involved are unknown. In this study, the myeloid leukemogenic FDC-P1 cell line was used as a model system and Lxn was ectopically expressed in these cells. Using the protein pull-down assay and mass spectrometry, ribosomal protein subunit 3 (Rps3) was identified as a novel Lxn binding protein. Ectopic expression of Lxn inhibited FDC-P1 growth in vitro. More surprisingly, Lxn enhanced gamma irradiation-induced DNA damages and induced cell-cycle arrest and massive necrosis, leading to depletion of FDC-P1 cells. Mechanistically, Lxn inhibited the nuclear translocation of Rps3 upon radiation, resulting in abnormal mitotic spindle formation and chromosome instability. Rps3 knockdown increased the radiation sensitivity of FDC-P1, confirming that the mechanism of action of Lxn is mediated by Rps3 pathway. Moreover, Lxn enhanced the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agent, VP-16, on FDC-P1 cells. Our study suggests that Lxn itself not only suppresses leukemic cell growth but also potentiates the cytotoxic effect of radio- and chemotherapy on cancer cells. Lxn could be a novel molecular target that improves the efficacy of anti-cancer therapy.

Emerging role of leptin in rheumatoid arthritis

Numerous studies have suggested the importance of leptin against autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS) and psoriasis. To summarize our current understanding of the role of leptin in inflammatory responses and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a systematic review was conducted to assess the discrepancy of leptin in RA and its effect on immunity according to different studies. Recently, emerging data have indicated that leptin is involved in the pathological function of RA, which is common in autoimmune disorders. This review discusses the possible consequences of leptin levels in RA. Blocking the key signal pathways of leptin and inhibiting the leptin activity-like leptin antagonist may be a promising way for potential therapeutic treatment of RA at risk of detrimental effects. However, leptin was increased in patients with RA and may also regulate joint damage. Thus, more understanding of the mechanism of leptin in RA would be advantageous in the future.

IKKβ regulates endothelial thrombomodulin in a Klf2-dependent manner

BACKGROUND

Endothelial thrombomodulin (TM) is critically involved in anticoagulation, anti-inflammation, cytoprotection and normal fetal development. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) suppresses TM expression.

OBJECTIVE

TNFα has been shown to down-regulate TM partly via activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). However, because the TM promoter lacks an NF-κB binding site, the direct involvement of NF-κB has been controversial. We investigated the role of the upstream regulatory serine kinase, inhibitory kappa-B kinase-β (IKKβ), in TM expression and function with or without TNFα treatment.

METHODS

Inhibition of IKKβ was achieved by specific chemical inhibitors, siRNA or shRNA. TM expression was assessed by qRT-PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immune-precipitation (ChIP) assay. TM function was estimated by generation of activated protein C (APC). NF-κB activation was determined by immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

IKKβ inhibition increased TM expression and function, and attenuated TNFα-mediated TM down-regulation. In contrast, inhibition of downstream canonical NF-κB protein family members p50 and p65 (RelA) failed to up-regulate TM expression and did not affect IKKβ inhibition-mediated TM over-expression. However, knockdown of cRel and RelB, family members of the canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathway, respectively, resulted in TM over-expression. IKKβ inhibition caused over-expression, increased promoter activity and enhanced binding of Krüppel-like factor 2 (Klf2) to the TM promoter, which positively regulates TM expression. Finally, knockdown of Klf2 completely attenuated IKKβ inhibition-mediated TM up-regulation. We conclude that IKKβ regulates TM in a Klf2-dependent manner.

Measurement of quarkonium production at forward rapidity in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text]TeV

The inclusive production cross sections at forward rapidity of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text](1S) and [Formula: see text](2S) are measured in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.35 pb[Formula: see text]. Quarkonia are reconstructed in the dimuon-decay channel and the signal yields are evaluated by fitting the [Formula: see text] invariant mass distributions. The differential production cross sections are measured as a function of the transverse momentum [Formula: see text] and rapidity [Formula: see text], over the ranges [Formula: see text] GeV/c for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] GeV/c for all other resonances and for [Formula: see text]. The measured cross sections integrated over [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and assuming unpolarized quarkonia, are: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]b, [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]b, [Formula: see text] nb and [Formula: see text] nb, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second one is systematic. The results are compared to measurements performed by other LHC experiments and to theoretical models.

Epidemiological characteristics of motor neuron disease in Chinese patients

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of motor neuron disease (MND) in Chinese patients are ill known.

METHODS

A registered study of 461 MND patients was conducted across 10 facilities in 7 Chinese cities from February 2009 to March 2010.

RESULTS

Patients were classified as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (84.4%), progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) (4.1%), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) (10.4%), or primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) (0.9%). MND was predominant in men (men/women; 1.6:1.0). Mean onset age was 52.6 years, with the highest incidence being observed between 51 and 60 years. Notably, 26.0% of MND patients were employed in forestry, fishery, or animal husbandry industries. Ten cases (2.7%) reported family history of MND, and 54.2% exhibited cervical onset. MND was also associated with head/neck trauma. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation was the most common supportive therapy.

CONCLUSION

As a novel comprehensive report of a Chinese population, this study reveals that epidemiological characteristics of MND patients were similar to those observed in international populations. MND is age-related, male gender predominant, and may be associated with both environmental and genetic risk factors.

Effects of temperature-humidity index and chromium supplementation on antioxidant capacity, heat shock protein 72, and cytokine responses of lactating cows

Heat stress adversely affects the productivity and immune status of dairy cows. The temperature-humidity index (THI) is commonly used to indicate the degree of heat stress on dairy cattle. We investigated the effects of different THI and Cr supplementation on the antioxidant capacity, the levels of heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72), and cytokine responses of lactating cows. The study used a total of 24 clinically healthy uniparous midlactation Holstein cows, which were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 12 per group), and was conducted in 3 designated THI periods: low THI period (LTHI; THI = 56.4 ± 2.5), moderate THI period (MTHI; THI = 73.9 ± 1.7), and high THI period (HTHI; THI = 80.3 ± 1.0). The 2 groups of cows were fed corn and corn silage based basal diet supplemented chromium picolinate to provide 3.5 mg of Cr/cow daily (Cr+) or basal diet with no Cr (Cr-). The experiment was a 3 × 2 factorial design. The numbers of leukocytes (P < 0.05) and serum levels of glucose (P < 0.001) were lower; however, the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN; P < 0.001) and creatinine (P < 0.001) were greater in the MTHI and HTHI than in LTHI. The total antioxidant capacity in the serum was unaltered; an increase in superoxide dismutase activity (P < 0.001) and in serum malondialdehyde concentration (P < 0.001) was observed in the MTHI and HTHI compared with the LTHI. The high THI led to increases in serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; P < 0.001) and IL-10 (P < 0.05). Cows supplemented with Cr had lower (P = 0.009) serum concentrations of cholesterol but greater (P < 0.001, respectively) serum levels of Hsp72 and IL-10 compared with those without Cr supplementation in the HTHI. Western blot analysis revealed that cows supplemented with Cr had greater (P = 0.038) expression of the inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B α (IκBα) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) compared with those without Cr supplementation in the HTHI, whereas the expression of Hsp72 in PBMC was unaltered. Data indicate that there is a decrease in glucose and increases in BUN and creatinine in the serum of midlactation cows under hot conditions during the summer and that these cows have a lowered oxidative capacity but an elevated antioxidant capacity. In addition, Cr may play an anti-inflammatory role in lactating cows by promoting the release of Hsp72, increasing the production of IL-10, and inhibiting the degradation of IκBα under hot conditions during the summer.

Mammalian STE20-like kinase 2, not kinase 1, mediates photoreceptor cell death during retinal detachment

Photoreceptor cell death is the definitive cause of vision loss in retinal detachment (RD). Mammalian STE20-like kinase (MST) is a master regulator of both cell death and proliferation and a critical factor in development and tumorigenesis. However, to date the role of MST in neurodegeneration has not been fully explored. Utilizing MST1^−/− and MST2^−/− mice we identified MST2, but not MST1, as a regulator of photoreceptor cell death in a mouse model of RD. MST2^−/− mice demonstrated significantly decreased photoreceptor cell death and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thinning after RD. Additionally, caspase-3 activation was attenuated in MST2^−/− mice compared to control mice after RD. The transcription of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) and Fas was also reduced in MST2^−/− mice post-RD. Retinas of MST2^−/− mice displayed suppressed nuclear relocalization of phosphorylated YAP after RD. Consistent with the reduction of photoreceptor cell death, MST2^−/− mice showed decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and interleukin 6 as well as attenuated inflammatory CD11b cell infiltration during the early phase of RD. These results identify MST2, not MST1, as a critical regulator of caspase-mediated photoreceptor cell death in the detached retina and indicate its potential as a future neuroprotection target.

Misdiagnosis and long-term outcome of 13 patients with acute thallium poisoning in China

PURPOSE

To analyze clinical feature and evaluate long-term outcome of patients with thallium poisoning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An observational series of cases with acute thallium poisoning was analyzed retrospectively in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between 2000 and 2010. The clinical data including symptom, determination of thallium level, treatment, neurophysiological examination, and neuropsychological evaluation were analyzed. The patients were followed up until December 2012.

RESULTS

Seven men and six women were enrolled in the study. The median patient age was 37 years (range: 15-53 years). The median duration of hospitalization was 44 days (range: 7-72). All the patients were misdiagnosed initially. One patient died in the hospital. The other 12 patients were followed for a median of 7 years (range: 1-12 years) after discharge from hospital. One patient died from leukemia in the first year of follow-up. Long-term outcome results showed peripheral neuropathy improved substantially. However, many patients have mild or moderate sequelae in sensory nerve fibers of distal lower extremity. A sural nerve biopsy in one patient revealed shrunken axons, distorted myelin sheath, and myelinated fibers loss. During follow-up period, problem of intelligence (4/12 patients, 33%), memory impairment (4/12, 33%), anxiety (6/12, 50%), and depression (5/12, 42%) were demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurological symptoms may lead to misdiagnosis of thallium poisoning. Mild or moderate neurological sequelae may last for a long time after thallium poisoning.

Population pharmacokinetic modelling to assess clinical drug-drug interaction between AZD7325 and midazolam

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

AZD7325 is a selective gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABAA )α2, 3 receptor modulator. The aims of this analysis were to develop population pharmacokinetic (PPK) models of AZD7325 and midazolam and to assess the induction effect of AZD7325 on CYP3A4 with midazolam as a substrate.

METHODS

Drug-drug interaction data of AZD7325 and midazolam from 24 healthy subjects were available for model development. PPK models were developed in a sequential manner using NONMEM. Both AZD7325 and midazolam pharmacokinetics were described by two-compartment models, and a transit compartment absorption model and a first-order absorption model were applied for the absorption of AZD7325 and midazolam, respectively. The induction of CYP3A by AZD7325 was described by a transit enzyme model, where the elimination of midazolam was proportionally linked to the enzyme amount. Simulations were performed to predict dosing regimens to account for the induction of CYP3A4.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The population estimates for AZD7325 clearance, intercompartmental clearance, central and peripheral volume were 36, 29·2 L/h, 169 and 392 L, respectively, with interindividual variability (IIV) of 35% and 24% for clearance and central volume. Midazolam clearance, intercompartmental clearance, central and peripheral volume were estimated to be 62·7, 34·7 L/h, 133 and 146 L, respectively, with 43% IIV for clearance. The estimated mean transit time for induction of the CYP3A4 enzyme was 197 h, with 57% IIV.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

The PPK models developed adequately described the clinical observation of AZD7325-mediated CYP3A4 enzyme induction with midazolam as a probe. The model could provide basis for the rational dosing of AZD7325 in clinical practice.

Energy dependence of the transverse momentum distributions of charged particles in pp collisions measured by ALICE

Differential cross sections of charged particles in inelastic pp collisions as a function of p_T have been measured at [Formula: see text] at the LHC. The p_T spectra are compared to NLO-pQCD calculations. Though the differential cross section for an individual [Formula: see text] cannot be described by NLO-pQCD, the relative increase of cross section with [Formula: see text] is in agreement with NLO-pQCD. Based on these measurements and observations, procedures are discussed to construct pp reference spectra at [Formula: see text] up to p_T=50 GeV/c as required for the calculation of the nuclear modification factor in nucleus-nucleus and proton-nucleus collisions.

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

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

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

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

Charmonium and e+e- pair photoproduction at mid-rapidity in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at [Formula: see text]

The ALICE Collaboration at the LHC has measured the J/ψ and ψ' photoproduction at mid-rapidity in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at [Formula: see text]. The charmonium is identified via its leptonic decay for events where the hadronic activity is required to be minimal. The analysis is based on an event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 23 μb-1. The cross section for coherent and incoherent J/ψ production in the rapidity interval -0.9 Collapse

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Determination of protoapigenone in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection and its application in pharmacokinetic studies

A simple and sensitive HPLC method using UV detection was developed to determine the concentration of protoapigenone in rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was conducted on a C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of an acetonitrile-methanol-aqueous phase (containing 0.2% acetic acid, pH 3.0) system at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The UV detector was set at 248 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.031-10.0 µg/mL. The lower limit of quantification was 31 ng/mL. The recoveries for plasma samples ranged from 70.3 to 82.5%. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision fulfilled the international standards. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of protoapigenone in rats after oral administration of protoapigenone. It was shown that protoapigenone could be absorbed rapidly after oral administration and could reach the maximum concentration within 1 h.

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

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

Differential processing of neuropeptide proprotein in human breast adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The processing of proprotein convertase (PC)-mediated neuropeptide plays a very important role in carcinogenesis and tumor proliferation.

AIM

To investigate proneuropeptide processing mechanism in tumorigenesis and tumor proliferation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression and processing profiles of PC1, carboxypeptidase E (CPE), PC2, GHRH, or neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene and protein level were investigated between 42 human breast tumor tissues and 21 tumor-adjacent normal tissues.

RESULTS

Gene analyses indicated that the proPC1, CPE, or preproNPY gene had higher expression in the breast tumor tissues, whereas the proPC2 or preproGHRH gene showed lower expression in the tissues. Protein analyses showed that the proPC1, PC1, CPE, GHRH, and preproNPY proteins were upregulated in the tumor tissues, whereas the proPC2, PC2, preproGHRH, and NPY proteins were down-regulated in them. The tissue results were highly corroborated with the serum data from the tumor patients and healthy women.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher PC1 and CPE expressions as well as the transformation of more proGHRH into active GHRH peptide suggest stronger PC1/CPE-mediated neuropeptide processing in the tumor, whereas the lower PC2 expression as well as the transformation of less proNPY into active NPY peptide suggests a weak PC2-mediated processing in it. The alterations of the convertase expressions and processing show that there is a differential proprotein processing system in the tumor, which leads to the abnormal distributions of species, ratio, and concentration of (pro)peptide(s) in the microenvironment of cells. The latter may contribute to cancer progression.

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

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

Impact of Age and Autoantibody Status on the Gene Expression of Scleroderma Fibroblasts in Response to Silica Stimulation

Environmental factors are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Silica exposure has been implicated as potentially hazardous in epidemiological studies of SSc. It can activate fibroblasts to express profibrotic genes at certain conditions. The aim of this study is to examine whether the fibroblasts of SSc patients respond to silica particles with specific gene expressions differentially from normal control fibroblasts. The fibroblasts obtained from skin biopsies of 96 SSc patients and 104 controls were examined. Silica particles were used to perturb the cultures of the fibroblasts in time-course and dose-response assays. The transcript levels of COLI A2, COL3A1, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP3 and CTGF genes of the fibroblasts were measured with quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that the expressions of all six genes in SSc fibroblasts under silica perturbation appeared significantly different from normal control fibroblasts. In age stratified analysis, compared to control fibroblasts, SSc fibroblasts from patients at age 30–40 years and 50–60 years displayed significantly decreased expressions of MMP1 gene in all dosage assays and increased expression of COL3A1 genes started at low dosages perturbation of silica particles, respectively. In autoantibody stratified analysis, specific gene expression patterns were significantly associated with autoantibody-subgroups of fibroblasts. A common feature of SSc fibroblasts was unstable and a wide range of gene expression changes in response to silica perturbation. Our studies may suggest an altered intrinsic dynamic control in SSc fibroblasts. In addition, sensitivity and specificity of SSc fibroblasts to potentially hazardous environmental trigger is age and autoantibody-subgroup-dependent. The fibroblasts of SSc patients at age 30–60 years may be more sensitive to silica perturbation toward a profibrotic gene expression.

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in epilepsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To clarify the utility of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a biomarker for epilepsy diagnosis and severity.

METHODS

Serum BDNF levels in 135 consecutive people with epilepsy meeting our criteria were assessed. Controls were 34 healthy individuals who over 12 months or longer had no complaints or signs of a neurological disorder. Serum BDNF concentrations were measured using Luminex technology.

RESULTS

Gender, but not age, was found to be a significant factor related to serum BDNF levels in controls and people with epilepsy. Serum BDNF levels in people with epilepsy (mean 8798.5, SE 321.5 pg/ml) were not different from those of controls (mean 8919.5, SE 709.0 pg/ml). A multiple linear regression analysis, however, suggests that seizure frequency (P < 0.001) and epilepsy duration (P = 0.025) negatively correlate with serum BDNF levels independently of other factors. When BDNF cut-off values of 6260 pg/ml were used, the sensitivity for distinguishing people with daily or more frequent seizures from those with fewer seizures was 80% and specificity was 90%.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that the concentration of BDNF in serum is associated with disease severity in people with epilepsy and may be a helpful marker for severity.

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

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

Epidemiological link between exposure to poultry and all influenza A(H7N9) confirmed cases in Huzhou city, China, March to May 2013

We analysed the association between influenza A(H7N9) confirmed cases and exposure to poultry in Huzhou city, China. All cases (n=12) had a history of direct exposure to poultry or live poultry markets. We detected A(H7N9)-positive poultry samples from each site that was epidemiologically associated with cases. None of the cases’ close contacts tested positive. After closure of the markets, no new cases were identified, suggesting an epidemiological link between poultry exposure and A(H7N9) virus infection.

Epidemiological link between exposure to poultry and all influenza A(H7N9) confirmed cases in Huzhou city, China, March to May 2013

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches

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

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

DICO, a novel nonaromatic B-ring flavonoid, induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human hepatoma cells

DICO was a novel nonaromatic B-ring flavonoid obtained from Macrothelypteris torresiana. In the present work, we investigated the antitumor activity and the antineoplastic mechanism of DICO. Our study showed that DICO inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in dose and time-dependent manners. As well as DICO induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway. Western blot assay demonstrated that DICO decreased Bcl-2 level and induced Bax translocation to cause cytochrome c release. Subsequently, caspase-9 and caspase-3 were activated. Meanwhile, the alterations of cyclin A and B1, p-CDK1 and p-cdc25c levels were also observed in response to DICO treatment. Taken together, DICO displayed a significant antitumor effect through G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, which suggested DICO might have therapeutic potential against tumors.

Interictal magnetoencephalography used in magnetic resonance imaging-negative patients with epilepsy

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the contributions of magnetoencephalography (MEG) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative patients.

METHODS

A total of 18 MRI-negative patients diagnosed with refractory epilepsy, subjected to MEG investigation, and subsequently underwent surgery were selected for retrospective analysis. A 1.5-tesla Magnetom Sonata with an eight-channel head array coil was used. MEG data were obtained using a 74/248-channel system.

RESULTS

A total of 16 patients (16/18) had positive MEG results, comprising 12 patients with monofocal localizations, five with multifocal localizations, and one with unremarkable results in MEG. In addition, 12 patients had indicative single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT), five had indicative fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and all the patients had intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) (14 with subdural electrodes and four with electrocorticography). The intracranial EEG recordings of nine patients were guided by MEG informative results. Among these 18 patients, 10 exhibited good postoperative outcomes (Engel I and II), four of which were completely seizure-free. All these ten patients had clear monofocal localization in MEG, including nine with accordant indicative metabolic changes in either SPECT or FDG-PET, or both. None of the five patients with multifocal localizations achieved good postoperative outcomes.

CONCLUSION

For cases with negative MRI findings, epilepsy surgery may be an alternative option for pharmaco-resistant patients if epileptogenic focus localizations by MEG are present in multimodal evaluation.

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

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

High frequency PMN-PT single crystal focusing transducer fabricated by a mechanical dimpling technique

High frequency (∼30MHz and ∼80MHz) focusing ultrasound transducers were fabricated using a PMN-0.28PT single crystal by a mechanical dimpling technique. The dimpled single crystal was used as an active element for the focusing transducer. Compared with a plane transducer, the focusing transducer fabricated with a dimpled active element exhibits much broader bandwidth and higher sensitivity. Besides, a high quality image can be obtained by the 30MHz focusing transducer, in which the -6dB axial and lateral resolution is 27μm and 139μm, respectively. These results prove that the dimpling technique is capable to fabricate the high frequency focusing transducers with excellent performance for imaging applications.

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

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

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

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

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

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