Tests of General Relativity with GW150914

The LIGO detection of GW150914 provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the two-body motion of a compact-object binary in the large-velocity, highly nonlinear regime, and to witness the final merger of the binary and the excitation of uniquely relativistic modes of the gravitational field. We carry out several investigations to determine whether GW150914 is consistent with a binary black-hole merger in general relativity. We find that the final remnant's mass and spin, as determined from the low-frequency (inspiral) and high-frequency (postinspiral) phases of the signal, are mutually consistent with the binary black-hole solution in general relativity. Furthermore, the data following the peak of GW150914 are consistent with the least-damped quasinormal mode inferred from the mass and spin of the remnant black hole. By using waveform models that allow for parametrized general-relativity violations during the inspiral and merger phases, we perform quantitative tests on the gravitational-wave phase in the dynamical regime and we determine the first empirical bounds on several high-order post-Newtonian coefficients. We constrain the graviton Compton wavelength, assuming that gravitons are dispersed in vacuum in the same way as particles with mass, obtaining a 90%-confidence lower bound of 10^{13}  km. In conclusion, within our statistical uncertainties, we find no evidence for violations of general relativity in the genuinely strong-field regime of gravity.

Mild hypothermia attenuates post-resuscitation brain injury through a V-ATPase mechanism in a rat model of cardiac arrest

Although therapeutic hypothermia is an effective treatment for post-resuscitation brain injury after cardiac arrest (CA), the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) plays a key role in cellular adaption to a hypoxic environment. This study sought to evaluate the effect of mild hypothermia on V-ATPase and its involvement in neuroprotection after CA. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 6-min CA, resuscitated successfully, and then assigned to either the normothermia (NT) group or the hypothermia (HT) group. Rats were further divided into 2 subgroups based on the time of euthanasia, either 3 or 24 h after CA (NT-3 h, HT-3 h; NT-24 h, HT-24 h). Mild hypothermia was induced following CA and maintained at 33°C for 2 h. Neurologic deficit scores were used to determine the status of neurological function. Brain specimens were analyzed by TUNEL assay, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. V-ATPase activity was estimated by subtracting total ATP hydrolysis from the bafilomycin-sensitive activity. Mild hypothermia improved the neurological outcome (HT-24 h: 34.3 ± 16.4 vs NT-24 h: 50.3 ± 17.4) and significantly decreased neurocyte apoptosis 24 h after resuscitation. Mild hypothermia significantly increased V0a1 compared to NT-3 h; V0a1 expression was associated with a decrease in the cleaved caspase 3 expression. These findings suggested that mild hypothermia inhibits CA-induced apoptosis in the hippocampus, which may be associated with reduced V-ATPase impairment. These data provide new insights into the protective effects of hypothermia in vivo.

Association of K121Q Polymorphism in Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 1 with Clinical Characteristics of Metabolic Syndrom

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between K121Q polymorphism of ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) and clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MS) in northern Han Chinese.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 209 MS patients and 248 healthy controls of Han ethnic group in northern China were enrolled in this study. Various clinical parameters of these participants were firstly collected and compared, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP/DBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C). Then K121Q polymorphism of ENPP1 was determined by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion, and its relations with related clinical parameters were finally analyzed.

RESULTS

When compared with healthy controls, the age, BMI, WC, SBP, DBP, FPG, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC, TG and LDL-C were all significantly increased in MS patients (P<0.001). The allele frequencies of K and Q alleles in ENPP1 were 90.19% and 9.81% in MS patients, and 91.73% and 8.27% in healthy controls, respectively. Besides, only BMI and WC were significantly increased in MS patients carrying Q alleles (P<0.001), while no significant relations were found between K121Q polymorphism and other clinical parameters in either MS patients or healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

The K121Q polymorphism of ENPP1 showed no direct correlation with MS, although it showed some correlation with BMI and WC in MS patients.

GW150914: Implications for the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from Binary Black Holes

The LIGO detection of the gravitational wave transient GW150914, from the inspiral and merger of two black holes with masses ≳30M_{⊙}, suggests a population of binary black holes with relatively high mass. This observation implies that the stochastic gravitational-wave background from binary black holes, created from the incoherent superposition of all the merging binaries in the Universe, could be higher than previously expected. Using the properties of GW150914, we estimate the energy density of such a background from binary black holes. In the most sensitive part of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo band for stochastic backgrounds (near 25 Hz), we predict Ω_{GW}(f=25  Hz)=1.1_{-0.9}^{+2.7}×10^{-9} with 90% confidence. This prediction is robustly demonstrated for a variety of formation scenarios with different parameters. The differences between models are small compared to the statistical uncertainty arising from the currently poorly constrained local coalescence rate. We conclude that this background is potentially measurable by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors operating at their projected final sensitivity.

GW150914: The Advanced LIGO Detectors in the Era of First Discoveries

Following a major upgrade, the two advanced detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) held their first observation run between September 2015 and January 2016. With a strain sensitivity of 10^{-23}/sqrt[Hz] at 100 Hz, the product of observable volume and measurement time exceeded that of all previous runs within the first 16 days of coincident observation. On September 14, 2015, the Advanced LIGO detectors observed a transient gravitational-wave signal determined to be the coalescence of two black holes [B. P. Abbott et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 061102 (2016)], launching the era of gravitational-wave astronomy. The event, GW150914, was observed with a combined signal-to-noise ratio of 24 in coincidence by the two detectors. Here, we present the main features of the detectors that enabled this observation. At full sensitivity, the Advanced LIGO detectors are designed to deliver another factor of 3 improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio for binary black hole systems similar in mass to GW150914.

Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Black Hole Merger

On September 14, 2015 at 09:50:45 UTC the two detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory simultaneously observed a transient gravitational-wave signal. The signal sweeps upwards in frequency from 35 to 250 Hz with a peak gravitational-wave strain of 1.0×10(-21). It matches the waveform predicted by general relativity for the inspiral and merger of a pair of black holes and the ringdown of the resulting single black hole. The signal was observed with a matched-filter signal-to-noise ratio of 24 and a false alarm rate estimated to be less than 1 event per 203,000 years, equivalent to a significance greater than 5.1σ. The source lies at a luminosity distance of 410(-180)(+160)  Mpc corresponding to a redshift z=0.09(-0.04)(+0.03). In the source frame, the initial black hole masses are 36(-4)(+5)M⊙ and 29(-4)(+4)M⊙, and the final black hole mass is 62(-4)(+4)M⊙, with 3.0(-0.5)(+0.5)M⊙c(2) radiated in gravitational waves. All uncertainties define 90% credible intervals. These observations demonstrate the existence of binary stellar-mass black hole systems. This is the first direct detection of gravitational waves and the first observation of a binary black hole merger.

Prospects for Observing and Localizing Gravitational-Wave Transients with Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo

We present a possible observing scenario for the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo gravitational-wave detectors over the next decade, with the intention of providing information to the astronomy community to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We determine the expected sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals, and study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source. We report our findings for gravitational-wave transients, with particular focus on gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary neutron-star systems, which are considered the most promising for multi-messenger astronomy. The ability to localize the sources of the detected signals depends on the geographical distribution of the detectors and their relative sensitivity, and 90% credible regions can be as large as thousands of square degrees when only two sensitive detectors are operational. Determining the sky position of a significant fraction of detected signals to areas of 5 deg2 to 20 deg2 will require at least three detectors of sensitivity within a factor of ∼ 2 of each other and with a broad frequency bandwidth. Should the third LIGO detector be relocated to India as expected, a significant fraction of gravitational-wave signals will be localized to a few square degrees by gravitational-wave observations alone.

Decrease of the insulin-like growth factor-1 bioavailability in spontaneously hypertensive rats with erectile dysfunction

We investigated the role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in spontaneously hypertensive rats with erectile dysfunction. Firstly, we evaluated intracavernous pressure. The bioavailability of IGF-1 at both mRNA and protein levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot respectively. Then, cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cavernosal pressure was significantly decreased in the hypertensive and the propranolol treatment groups compared to the normal control group (P < 0.01). Cavernous IGF-1 bioavailability and the concentrations of cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate were both significantly decreased in the hypertensive and the propranolol treatment groups compared to the normal control group (P < 0.01). This study suggests that an obvious decrease in cavernous IGF-1 levels might play an important role in spontaneously hypertensive rats with erectile dysfunction.

Abnormal subchondral bone microstructure following steroid administration is involved in the early pathogenesis of steroid-induced osteonecrosis

Loss of bone microstructure integrity is thought to be related to osteonecrosis. But the relationship between the time when bone microstructure integrity loss appears and the onset of osteonecrosis has not yet been determined. Our study demonstrated abnormal changes of subchondral bone microstructure involved in the early pathogenesis of osteonecrosis.

INTRODUCTION

Using a rabbit model, we investigated the changes of subchondral bone microstructure following steroid administration to identify the onset of abnormal bone microstructure development in steroid-induced osteonecrosis.

METHODS

Fifty-five adult female Japanese White rabbits (mean body weight 3.5 kg; mean age 24 months) were used and randomly divided among three time points (3, 7, and 14 days) consisting of 15 rabbits each, received a single intramuscular injection of methylprednisolone acetate (MP; Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium NV) at a dose of 4 mg/kg, and a control group consisting of 10 rabbits was fed and housed under identical conditions but were not given steroid injections. A micro-CT scanner was applied to detect changes in the trabecular region of subchondral bone of excised femoral head samples. Parameters including bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone surface (BS), trabecular bone pattern factor (Tb.Pf), trabecular thickness/number/separation (Tb.Th, Tb.N, and Tb.Sp), and structure model index (SMI) were evaluated using the software CTAn (SkyScan). After micro-CT scans, bilateral femoral heads were cut in the coronal plane at a thickness of 4 μm. The sections were then stained with haematoxylin-eosin and used for the diagnosis of osteonecrosis and the rate of development of osteonecrosis.

RESULTS

The BV/TV, BS, Tb.Th and Tb.N demonstrated a time-dependent decline from 3, 7, and 14 days compared with the control group, while the Tb.Pf, Tb.Sp and SMI demonstrated an increase at 3, 7, and 14 days compared with the control group. For the histopathology portion, osteonecrosis was not seen 3 days after steroid treatment, but was present 7 days after treatment and was obvious 14 days after treatment. Furthermore, the rate of osteonecrosis appearing between 7 and 14 days was not significantly different. In addition, the presence and variation of BV/TV, BS, Tb.Pf, Tb.Th, Tb.N, and SMI demonstrated significant changes at 7 days compared with the control group except Tb.Sp (at 14 days) and this is the time when osteonecrosis is thought to occur in this model.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that osteonecrosis in rabbits is chronologically associated with changes in subchondral bone microstructure.

Self-medication practices with antibiotics among Chinese university students

OBJECTIVES

Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is a serious global health problem. We sought to investigate SMA behaviors and risk factors among Chinese university students, and further explore the association between SMA practices and adverse drug events (ADEs).

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

An online survey was conducted at Jiangsu University (JSU) in eastern China in July 2011 using a pretested questionnaire.

RESULTS

Out of 2608 website visitors, 1086 participated in the survey (response rate: 41.6%), 426 respondents were excluded for not being a JSU student or repeat participation, 660 (2.2% of JSU students) were included in analysis, and 316 students (47.9%) had a lifetime history of SMA. Among self-treated students, 43.5% believed that antibiotic was suitable for viral infections, 65.9% had more than one SMA episode in the previous year, 73.5% self-medicated with at least two different antibiotics, 57.1% and 64.4% changed antibiotic dosage and antibiotics during the course, respectively. Female gender, older age, and prior knowledge of antibiotics (PKA) were identified as independent risk factors of SMA. There was no difference between students with and without PKA regarding SMA frequency, use of polyantibiotics, and switching antibiotic dosage or antibiotics. ADEs happened to 13.3% of self-medicated students. Frequent change of dosage and simultaneous use of the same antibiotic with different names were independent risk practices associated with an ADE.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings substantiate high SMA prevalence among Chinese university students. Older age and PKA are independent SMA risk factors common to Chinese university students and female gender is exclusive SMA risk factor for JSU students. Poor SMA practices are associated with ADEs. Strict regulations on antibiotic sales and public education reinforced by further health care reform are recommended.

Alkaline biodegradable implants for osteoporotic bone defects--importance of microenvironment pH

Change of microenvironment pH by biodegradable implants may ameliorate unbalanced osteoporotic bone remodeling. The present work demonstrated that a weak alkaline condition stimulated osteoblasts differentiation while suppressed osteoclast generation. In vivo, implants with an alkaline microenvironment pH (monitored by a pH microelectrode) exhibited a promising healing effect for the repair of osteoporotic bone defects.

INTRODUCTION

Under osteoporotic conditions, the response of the bone microenvironment to an endosseous implant is significantly impaired, and this substantially increases the risk of fracture, non-union and aseptic implant loosening. Acid-base equilibrium is an important factor influencing bone cell behaviour. The present purpose was to study the effect of a series of alkaline biodegradable implant materials on regeneration of osteoporotic bone defect, monitoring the microenvironment pH (μe-pH) over time.

METHODS

The proliferation and differentiation potential of osteoporotic rat bone marrow stromal cells and RAW 264.7 cells were examined under various pH conditions. Ovariectomized rat bone defects were filled with specific biodegradable materials, and μe-pH was measured by pH microelectrode. New osteoid and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclast-like cells were examined by Goldner's trichrome and TRAP staining, respectively. The intermediate layer between implants and new bone were studied using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) linear scanning.

RESULTS

In vitro, weak alkaline conditions stimulated osteoporotic rat bone marrow stromal cells (oBMSC) differentiation, while inhibiting the formation of osteoclasts. In vivo, μe-pH differs from that of the homogeneous peripheral blood and exhibits variations over time particular to each material. Higher initial μe-pH was associated with more new bone formation, late response of TRAP-positive osteoclast-like cells and the development of an intermediate 'apatitic' layer in vivo. EDX suggested that residual material may influence μe-pH even 9 weeks post-surgery.

CONCLUSION

The pH microelectrode is suitable for in vivo μe-pH detection. Alkaline biodegradable materials generate an in vivo microenvironmental pH which is higher than the normal physiological value and show promising healing effects in the context of osteoporotic bone defects.

Plaque Echolucency and the Risk of Ischaemic Stroke in Patients with Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Within the First Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial (ACST-1)

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

On ultrasound, potentially "high risk" carotid plaques may appear echolucent. In this study, whether a confident classification of echolucent plaque was a predictor of future ipsilateral ischaemic stroke in asymptomatic patients randomized to medical therapy in the Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial-1 (ACST-1) was assessed.

METHODS

We performed a post-hoc analysis of 814 ACST-1 patients randomized to medical therapy alone with baseline plaque assessment classified as definitely echolucent (> 25% soft plaque) or nonecholucent (< 25% soft plaque). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare cumulative rates of ipsilateral ischaemic stroke in both groups.

RESULTS

In the first 5 years after randomization, a significantly higher risk of ipsilateral stroke was observed in patients with definitely echolucent plaques (8.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.4-9.6) when compared with patients with definitely nonecholucent plaques (3.1%; 95% CI 2.1-4.1; p = .009). After adjustments for other risk factors, plaque echolucency was associated with a 2.5-times increased risk of ipsilateral ischaemic stroke (hazard ratio 2.52; 95% CI 1.20-5.25; p = .014). Use of lipid-lowering therapy was low in both groups during the first 5 years after randomization but rose sharply during years 5-10 of follow-up, and was significantly more likely to be prescribed for patients with echolucent plaques (p = .001). The risk of ipsilateral ischaemic stroke at 10 years was similar for both groups of patients (p = .233).

CONCLUSION

Although the numbers of events in this study was low, definite plaque echolucency (> 25% soft plaque) was associated with a higher 5-year ipsilateral stroke risk in ACST-1 and may therefore help to identify patients at increased risk of stroke for whom carotid intervention may be particularly beneficial.

Bone turnover and articular cartilage differences localized to subchondral cysts in knees with advanced osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate changes in bone structure, turnover, and articular cartilage localized in subchondral bone cyst (SBC) regions associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Tibial plateaus (n = 97) were collected from knee OA patients during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). SBCs were identified using micro-computed tomography, and the specimens were divided into non-cyst (n = 25) and bone cyst (n = 72) groups. Microstructure of subchondral bone was assessed using bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), structure model index (SMI) and bone mineral density (BMD). In bone cyst group, the cyst subregion, which contained at least one cyst, and the peri-cyst subregion, which contained no cysts, were further selected for microstructure analysis. Articular cartilage damage was estimated using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score. The numbers of TRAP(+) osteoclasts, Osterix(+) osteoprogenitors, Osteocalcin(+) osteoblasts and expression of SOX9 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Bone cyst group presented higher BV/TV, Tb.N and SMI at subchondral bone than non-cyst group. Furthermore, cyst subregion displayed increased BV/TV and Tb.N but lower BMD and SMI than peri-cyst subregion. Histology revealed a higher OARSI score in bone cyst group. SBC exhibited a weak relationship with BV/TV, etc. The numbers of TRAP(+) osteoclasts, Osterix(+) osteoprogenitors, Osteocalcin(+) osteoblasts and expression of SOX9, were higher in bone cyst group.

CONCLUSION

SBCs within knee OA are characterized by focally increased bone turnover, altered bone structure and more severe articular cartilage damage. The increased bone turnover possibly contributes to altered bone structure localized in SBC areas, and thus aggravates articular cartilage degeneration.

Efficacy and Safety of Bromocriptine-QR in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Bromocriptine-QR (quick release) is a novel treatment for type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of bromocriptine-QR in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals or as abstracts. We performed a comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to May 2015. Randomized controlled trials of bromocriptine-QR therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus were eligible. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of trials based on predefined inclusion criteria. Information was collected concerning basic study data, patient characteristics, efficacy and safety outcomes, and methodological quality. Bromocriptine-QR add-on therapy lowered hemoglobin A1c compared with placebo (weighted mean difference, - 6.52 mmol/mol; 95% CI, - 8.07 to - 4.97 mmol/mol). Bromocriptine-QR exhibited an increase in achieving an HbA1c level ≤ 53 mmol/mol (≤ 7.0%) (32.0 vs. 9.5%; odds ratio, 4.57; 95% CI, 2.42-8.62). Fasting plasma glucose was reduced with bromocriptine-QR compared with placebo (weighted mean difference,-1.04 mmol/l; 95% CI,-1.49 to-0.59 mmol/l). Moreover, bromocriptine-QR had neutral effects on postprandial glycemia, Body Mass Index (BMI), and lipid profile. Bromocriptine-QR had more gastrointestinal side effects of nausea and vomiting. Bromocriptine-QR had no increased risk of hypoglycemia, hypotension, or cardiovascular effects. Bromocriptine-QR therapy offers an alternative option to currently available antidiabetic agents for type 2 diabetes mellitus adults. Neither hypoglycemia nor other metabolic changes occur with this drug. More data for long-term efficacy and safety are needed for further observation.

Effect of propofol on the medial temporal lobe emotional memory system: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in human subjects

BACKGROUND

Subclinical doses of propofol produce anterograde amnesia, characterized by an early failure of memory consolidation. It is unknown how propofol affects the amygdala-dependent emotional memory system, which modulates consolidation in the hippocampus in response to emotional arousal and neurohumoral stress. We present an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging study of the effects of propofol on the emotional memory system in human subjects.

METHODS

Thirty-five healthy subjects were randomized to receive propofol, at an estimated brain concentration of 0.90 μg ml(-1), or placebo. During drug infusion, emotionally arousing and neutral images were presented in a continuous recognition task, while blood-oxygen-level-dependent activation responses were acquired. After a drug-free interval of 2 h, subsequent memory for successfully encoded items was assessed. Imaging analysis was performed using statistical parametric mapping and behavioural analysis using signal detection models.

RESULTS

Propofol had no effect on the stereotypical amygdalar response to emotional arousal, but caused marked suppression of the hippocampal response. Propofol caused memory performance to become uncoupled from amygdalar activation, but it remained correlated with activation in the posterior hippocampus, which decreased in proportion to amnesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Propofol is relatively ineffective at suppressing amygdalar activation at sedative doses, but abolishes emotional modulation and causes amnesia via mechanisms that commonly involve hyporesponsiveness of the hippocampus. These findings raise the possibility that amygdala-dependent fear systems may remain intact even when a patient has diminished memory of events. This may be of clinical importance in the perioperative development of fear-based psychopathologies, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT00504894.

First-line erlotinib versus gemcitabine/cisplatin in patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer: analyses from the phase III, randomized, open-label, ENSURE study

BACKGROUND

The phase III, randomized, open-label ENSURE study (NCT01342965) evaluated first-line erlotinib versus gemcitabine/cisplatin (GP) in patients from China, Malaysia and the Philippines with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients ≥18 years old with histologically/cytologically confirmed stage IIIB/IV EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2 were randomized 1:1 to receive erlotinib (oral; 150 mg once daily until progression/unacceptable toxicity) or GP [G 1250 mg/m(2) i.v. days 1 and 8 (3-weekly cycle); P 75 mg/m(2) i.v. day 1, (3-weekly cycle) for up to four cycles]. Primary end point: investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Other end points include objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

A total of 217 patients were randomized: 110 to erlotinib and 107 to GP. Investigator-assessed median PFS was 11.0 months versus 5.5 months, erlotinib versus GP, respectively [hazard ratio (HR), 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22-0.51; log-rank P < 0.0001]. Independent Review Committee-assessed median PFS was consistent (HR, 0.42). Median OS was 26.3 versus 25.5 months, erlotinib versus GP, respectively (HR, 0.91, 95% CI 0.63-1.31; log-rank P = .607). ORR was 62.7% for erlotinib and 33.6% for GP. Treatment-related serious adverse events (AEs) occurred in 2.7% versus 10.6% of erlotinib and GP patients, respectively. The most common grade ≥3 AEs were rash (6.4%) with erlotinib, and neutropenia (25.0%), leukopenia (14.4%), and anemia (12.5%) with GP.

CONCLUSION

These analyses demonstrate that first-line erlotinib provides a statistically significant improvement in PFS versus GP in Asian patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC (NCT01342965).

Spectroscopic evidence for negative electronic compressibility in a quasi-three-dimensional spin-orbit correlated metal

Negative compressibility is a sign of thermodynamic instability of open or non-equilibrium systems. In quantum materials consisting of multiple mutually coupled subsystems, the compressibility of one subsystem can be negative if it is countered by positive compressibility of the others. Manifestations of this effect have so far been limited to low-dimensional dilute electron systems. Here, we present evidence from angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) for negative electronic compressibility (NEC) in the quasi-three-dimensional (3D) spin-orbit correlated metal (Sr1-xLax)3Ir2O7. Increased electron filling accompanies an anomalous decrease of the chemical potential, as indicated by the overall movement of the deep valence bands. Such anomaly, suggestive of NEC, is shown to be primarily driven by the lowering in energy of the conduction band as the correlated bandgap reduces. Our finding points to a distinct pathway towards an uncharted territory of NEC featuring bulk correlated metals with unique potential for applications in low-power nanoelectronics and novel metamaterials.

Short hairpin ribonucleic acid constructs targeting insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 rehabilitated dyslipidaemia in diabetic rats

It was investigated whether short hairpin ribonucleic acid constructs targeting insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3 shRNA) can rehabilitate dyslipidaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. After 12 weeks of intracavernous administration of IGFBP-3 shRNA, intracavernous pressure responses to electrical stimulation of cavernous nerves were evaluated. The concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate were all detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The per cent of smooth muscle in corpus cavernous tissue was also evaluated. It was found that the cavernosal pressure was significantly increased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group after 12 weeks of intracavernous administration of IGFBP-3 shRNA (P < 0.01). The concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group, while no significant changes of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were found (P < 0.01). At the same time, cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations and the percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle were both significantly increased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group (P < 0.01). This study indicated that IGFBP-3 shRNA might rehabilitate erectile function via a decrease in concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride, an increase in the percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle and an improvement in the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate signalling activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Differences between high- and low-motility buffalo sperm identified by comparative proteomics

This study was undertaken to investigate differences in protein expression between high- and low-motility sperm of swamp buffalo. The research used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) to analyse the different proteins. The results showed 18 different expression protein spots between high- and low-motility buffalo sperm; eight of these proteins were up-regulated in low-motility sperm, five were down-regulated, one deleted and four proteins specifically expressed. Finally, four proteins were successfully identified by MS as belonging to three unique proteins; they are outer dense fibre of sperm tails protein 2 (ODF2), ATP synthase subunit alpha (ATP5A1) and succinyl-CoA synthetase subunit beta (SUCLG2). In summary, these results help to develop an understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with low-motility sperm and provide clues for finding molecular markers associated with sperm motility.

Evaluation of rhBMP-2/collagen/TCP-HA bone graft with and without bone marrow cells in the canine femoral multi defect model

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2, when applied to an absorbable type 1 bovine collagen sponge (rhBMP-2/ACS) is an effective therapy in many bone grafting settings. Bone marrow aspirate (BMA) has also been used as a source of transplantable osteogenic connective tissue progenitors. This study was designed to characterize the performance of a scaffold comprising rhBMP-2/ACS in which the sponge wraps around tri-calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite granules (rhBMP-2/ACS/TCP-HA) and to test the hypothesis that addition of BMA will improve the performance of this construct in the Canine Femoral Multi Defect Model. In each subject, two sites were grafted with rhBMP-2/ACS/TCP-HA scaffold loaded with BMA clot and two other sites with rhBMP-2/ACS/TCP-HA scaffold loaded with wound blood (WB). After correction for unresorbed TCP-HA granules, sites grafted with rhBMP-2/ACS/TCP-HA+BMA and rhBMP-2/ACS/TCP-HA+WB were similar, with mean percent bone volumes of 10.9 %±1.2 and 11.2 %±1.2, respectively. No differences were seen in quantitative histomorphometry. While bone formation using both constructs was robust, this study did not support the hypothesis that the addition of unprocessed bone marrow aspirate clot improved bone regeneration in a site engrafted with rhBMP-2/ACS/TCP-HA+BMA. In contrast to prior studies using this model, new bone formation was greater at the center of the defect where TCP-HA was distributed. This finding suggests a potential synergy between rhBMP-2 and the centrally placed ceramic and cellular components of the graft construct. Further optimization may also require more uniform distribution of TCP-HA, alternative cell delivery strategies, and a more rigorous large animal segmental defect model.

Note: A pulsed laser ion source for linear induction accelerators

We have developed a high-current laser ion source for induction accelerators. A copper target was irradiated by a frequency-quadrupled Nd:YAG laser (266 nm) with relatively low intensities of 10(8) W/cm(2). The laser-produced plasma supplied a large number of Cu(+) ions (∼10(12) ions/pulse) during several microseconds. Emission spectra of the plasma were observed and the calculated electron temperature was about 1 eV. An induction voltage adder extracted high-current ion beams over 0.5 A/cm(2) from a plasma-prefilled gap. The normalized beam emittance measured by a pepper-pot method was smaller than 1 π mm mrad.