Increased heterogeneity in expression of genes associated with cancer progression and drug resistance

Fluctuations in the number of regulatory molecules and differences in timings of molecular events can generate variation in gene expression among genetically identical cells in the same environmental condition. This variation, termed as expression noise, can create differences in metabolic state and cellular functions, leading to phenotypic heterogeneity. Expression noise and phenotypic heterogeneity have been recognized as important contributors to intra-tumor heterogeneity, and have been associated with cancer growth, progression, and therapy resistance. However, how expression noise changes with cancer progression in actual cancer patients has remained poorly explored. Such an analysis, through identification of genes with increasing expression noise, can provide valuable insights into generation of intra-tumor heterogeneity, and could have important implications for understanding immune-suppression, drug tolerance and therapy resistance. In this work, we performed a genome-wide identification of changes in gene expression noise with cancer progression using single-cell RNA-seq data of lung adenocarcinoma patients at different stages of cancer. We identified 37 genes in epithelial cells that showed an increasing noise trend with cancer progression, many of which were also associated with cancer growth, EMT and therapy resistance. We found that expression of several of these genes was positively associated with expression of mitochondrial genes, suggesting an important role of mitochondria in generation of heterogeneity. In addition, we uncovered substantial differences in sample-specific noise profiles which could have implications for personalized prognosis and treatment.

KDM6 demethylases integrate DNA repair gene regulation and loss of KDM6A sensitizes human acute myeloid leukemia to PARP and BCL2 inhibition

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous, aggressive malignancy with dismal prognosis and with limited availability of targeted therapies. Epigenetic deregulation contributes to AML pathogenesis. KDM6 proteins are histone-3-lysine-27-demethylases that play context-dependent roles in AML. We inform that KDM6-demethylase function critically regulates DNA-damage-repair-(DDR) gene expression in AML. Mechanistically, KDM6 expression is regulated by genotoxic stress, with deficiency of KDM6A-(UTX) and KDM6B-(JMJD3) impairing DDR transcriptional activation and compromising repair potential. Acquired KDM6A loss-of-function mutations are implicated in chemoresistance, although a significant percentage of relapsed-AML has upregulated KDM6A. Olaparib treatment reduced engraftment of KDM6A-mutant-AML-patient-derived xenografts, highlighting synthetic lethality using Poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase-(PARP)-inhibition. Crucially, a higher KDM6A expression is correlated with venetoclax tolerance. Loss of KDM6A increased mitochondrial activity, BCL2 expression, and sensitized AML cells to venetoclax. Additionally, BCL2A1 associates with venetoclax resistance, and KDM6A loss was accompanied with a downregulated BCL2A1. Corroborating these results, dual targeting of PARP and BCL2 was superior to PARP or BCL2 inhibitor monotherapy in inducing AML apoptosis, and primary AML cells carrying KDM6A-domain mutations were even more sensitive to the combination. Together, our study illustrates a mechanistic rationale in support of a novel combination therapy for AML based on subtype-heterogeneity, and establishes KDM6A as a molecular regulator for determining therapeutic efficacy.

Effect of Strongly Magnetized Electrons and Ions on Heat Flow and Symmetry of Inertial Fusion Implosions

This Letter presents the first observation on how a strong, 500 kG, externally applied B field increases the mode-two asymmetry in shock-heated inertial fusion implosions. Using a direct-drive implosion with polar illumination and imposed field, we observed that magnetization produces a significant increase in the implosion oblateness (a 2.5× larger P2 amplitude in x-ray self-emission images) compared with reference experiments with identical drive but with no field applied. The implosions produce strongly magnetized electrons (ω_{e}τ_{e}≫1) and ions (ω_{i}τ_{i}>1) that, as shown using simulations, restrict the cross field heat flow necessary for lateral distribution of the laser and shock heating from the implosion pole to the waist, causing the enhanced mode-two shape.

Thermal decoupling of deuterium and tritium during the inertial confinement fusion shock-convergence phase

A series of thin glass-shell shock-driven DT gas-filled capsule implosions was conducted at the OMEGA laser facility. These experiments generate conditions relevant to the central plasma during the shock-convergence phase of ablatively driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions. The spectral temperatures inferred from the DTn and DDn spectra are most consistent with a two-ion-temperature plasma, where the initial apparent temperature ratio, T_{T}/T_{D}, is 1.5. This is an experimental confirmation of the long-standing conjecture that plasma shocks couple energy directly proportional to the species mass in multi-ion plasmas. The apparent temperature ratio trend with equilibration time matches expected thermal equilibration described by hydrodynamic theory. This indicates that deuterium and tritium ions have different energy distributions for the time period surrounding shock convergence in ignition-relevant ICF implosions.

Characterizing x-ray transmission through filters used in high energy density physics diagnostics

We report on the design and implementation of a new system used to characterize the energy-dependent x-ray transmission curve, Θ(E), through filters used in high-energy density physics diagnostics. Using an Amptek X-123-CdTe x-ray spectrometer together with a partially depleted silicon surface barrier detector, both the energy spectrum and total emission of an x-ray source have been accurately measured. By coupling these detectors with a custom PROTO-XRD x-ray source with interchangeable cathodes, accurate characterizations of Θ(E) for filters of varying materials and thicknesses have been obtained. The validity of the technique has been confirmed by accurately reproducing areal densities for high-purity filters with known x-ray transmission properties. In this paper, the experimental setup is described and the results of absorption calibrations performed on a variety of different filters are presented.

Ayurvedic Balarista ameliorate anti-arthritic activity in adjuvant induced arthritic rats by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Balarista is a fermented ayurvedic liquid preparation recommended as a good therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In the present investigation, the anti-arthritic activity of in-house Balarista formulation and marketed M1, M2, M3 and M4 Balarista formulations at the dose of 2.31 ml/kg were studied on Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Measurement of paw diameter, arthritic index, arthritic score, and body weight were made to assess the anti-arthritic activity. Alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters were carried out to ascertain the disease progression. The inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) were measured by the ELISA method. The oxidative stress parameters were evaluated in tissues of joint, liver, spleen and kidney. The histological and radiological changes in the ankle joint of rats were also studied.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Administration of in-house and marketed formulations exhibited significant anti-arthritic activity by reducing all the arthritic parameters. The anomalous alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters were remarkably restored. The expression level of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly suppressed in treated animals. The oxidative stress, indicated by an increase in lipid peroxidation, decreased in antioxidant enzyme i.e. superoxide dismutase and catalase along with non-enzymatic reduced glutathione in tissues, were strongly counteracted by the formulation. Abnormal changes in arthritic ankle joints shown by X-ray and histological examination were significantly protected by the formulation. The present study suggests that the administration of in-house and marketed Balarista formulations have produced a significant anti-arthritic effect by inhibiting free radicals and inflammatory cytokines.

Effect of germanium auto-diffusion on the bond lengths of Ga and P atoms in GaP/Ge(111) investigated by using X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The germanium auto-diffusion effects on the inter-atomic distance between the nearest neighbors of the Ga atom in GaP epilayers are investigated using high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The GaP layers grown on Ge (111) are structurally coherent and relaxed but they show the presence of residual strain which is attributed to the auto-diffusion of Ge from the results of secondary ion mass spectrometry and electrochemical capacitance voltage measurements. Subsequently, the inter-atomic distances between the nearest neighbors of Ga atom in GaP are determined from X-ray absorption fine-structure spectra performed at the Ga K-edge. The estimated local bond lengths of Ga with its first and second nearest neighbors show asymmetric variation for the in-plane and out-of-plane direction of GaP/Ge(111). The magnitude and direction of in-plane and out-of-plane microscopic residual strain present in the GaP/Ge are calculated from the difference in bond lengths which explains the presence of macroscopic residual tensile strain estimated from HRXRD. Modified nearest neighbor configurations of Ga in the auto-diffused GaP epilayer are proposed for new possibilities within the GaP/Ge hetero-structure, such as the conversion from indirect to direct band structures and engineering the tensile strain quantum dot structures on (111) surfaces.

Hybrid target design for imprint mitigation in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion

A target design for mitigating the Rayleigh-Taylor instability is proposed for use in high energy density and direct-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments. In this scheme, a thin gold membrane is offset from the main target by several-hundred microns. A strong picket on the drive beams is incident upon this membrane to produce x rays which generate the initial shock through the target. The main drive follows shortly thereafter, passing through the ablated shell and directly driving the main target. The efficacy of this scheme is demonstrated through experiments performed at the OMEGA EP facility, showing a reduction of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth which scales exponentially with frequency, suppressing development by at least a factor of 5 for all wavelengths below 100 μm. This results in a delay in the time of target perforation by ∼40%.

The efficacy and safety of the novel antipsychotic cariprazine in acute exacerbation of schizophrenia

Introduction

Cariprazine is a potent D3/D2 partial agonist with preferential binding to D3 receptors.

Objectives/aims

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cariprazine versus placebo in acute exacerbation of schizophrenia.

Methods

A multinational, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo- and active-controlled, fixed-dose trial in patients aged 18–60 years with DSM-IV-TR-defined schizophrenia, current psychotic episode < 2 weeks, and PANSS total score between 80 and 120. After 1-week washout, patients received 6-weeks treatment (cariprazine 1.5, 3.0, or 4.5 mg/d, risperidone 4.0 mg/d, or placebo) and 2-week safety follow-up. Risperidone was used to assess assay sensitivity. Primary and secondary efficacy: baseline to Week 6 change (LOCF) in PANSS total and CGI-S scores, respectively. Safety: adverse events (AEs), vital signs, laboratory measures, extrapyramidal symptom (EPS) scales.

Results

Of 732 randomized patients, 64% completed the study. Mean baseline PANSS (98) and CGI-S scores (4.8) were similar across groups. PANSS total score improvement at Week 6 was statistically significant versus placebo for cariprazine 1.5 mg/d, 3.0 mg/d, and 4.5 mg/d (placebo-adjusted improvements: −7.5, −8.9, −10.4, respectively; P < .001; LOCF) and risperidone (−15.0, P < .001, LOCF); significant improvement on CGI-S was demonstrated for all active treatments (P < .05). The most common cariprazine AEs were insomnia, EPS, akathisia, sedation, nausea, dizziness, and constipation. AE discontinuation rates were 15% for placebo, 10%, 5% and 8% for cariprazine 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mg/d, respectively, and 9% for risperidone 4.0 mg/d.

Conclusions

Cariprazine significantly improved PANSS and CGI-S scores versus placebo in acute exacerbation of schizophrenia and was generally well tolerated.

Dataset on optimized biodiesel production from seeds of Vitis vinifera using ANN, RSM and ANFIS

This dataset disclose the investigational data on the extraction of bio-oil from seeds of Vitis vinifera through combination of mechanical pressing and soxhlet solvent extractor. Biodiesel is produced through single stage base catalysed transesterification process due to lower free fatty acid content in the Vitis vinifera bio-oil. Independent variable process parameters like molar ratio, reaction time and catalyst concentration are optimized using Artificial Neural Network, Response Surface Methodology and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Interference System to predict the maximum biodiesel yield and the results are compared with the experimental data. Response Surface Methodology predicted a maximum Vitis vinifera biodiesel yield of 97.62% at methanol to oil molar ratio 0.2758 v/v, catalyst concentration 1.045 gm of NaOH and reaction duration of 1.11 hrs which is also confirmed with experimental results.

Self-stresses control stiffness and stability in overconstrained disordered networks

We investigate the interplay between prestress and mechanical properties in random elastic networks. To do this in a controlled fashion, we introduce an algorithm for creating random free-standing frames that support exactly one state of self-stress. By multiplying all the bond tensions in this state of self-stress by the same number-which with the appropriate normalization corresponds to the physical prestress inside the frame-we systematically evaluate the linear mechanical response of the frame as a function of prestress. After proving that the mechanical moduli of affinely deforming frames are rigorously independent of prestress, we turn to nonaffinely deforming frames. In such frames, prestress has a profound effect on linear response: not only can it change the values of the linear modulus-an effect we demonstrate to be related to a suppressive effect of prestress on nonaffinity-but prestresses also generically trigger a bistable mechanical response. Thus, prestress can be leveraged to both augment the mechanical response of network architectures on the fly, and to actuate finite deformations. These control modalities may be of use in the design of both novel responsive materials and soft actuators.

Tripled yield in direct-drive laser fusion through statistical modelling

Focusing laser light onto a very small target can produce the conditions for laboratory-scale nuclear fusion of hydrogen isotopes. The lack of accurate predictive models, which are essential for the design of high-performance laser-fusion experiments, is a major obstacle to achieving thermonuclear ignition. Here we report a statistical approach that was used to design and quantitatively predict the results of implosions of solid deuterium-tritium targets carried out with the 30-kilojoule OMEGA laser system, leading to tripling of the fusion yield to its highest value so far for direct-drive laser fusion. When scaled to the laser energies of the National Ignition Facility (1.9 megajoules), these targets are predicted to produce a fusion energy output of about 500 kilojoules-several times larger than the fusion yields currently achieved at that facility. This approach could guide the exploration of the vast parameter space of thermonuclear ignition conditions and enhance our understanding of laser-fusion physics.

Observations of Multiple Nuclear Reaction Histories and Fuel-Ion Species Dynamics in Shock-Driven Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions

Fuel-ion species dynamics in hydrodynamiclike shock-driven DT^{3}He-filled inertial confinement fusion implosion is quantitatively assessed for the first time using simultaneously measured D^{3}He and DT reaction histories. These reaction histories are measured with the particle x-ray temporal diagnostic, which captures the relative timing between different nuclear burns with unprecedented precision (∼10  ps). The observed 50±10  ps earlier D^{3}He reaction history timing (relative to DT) cannot be explained by average-ion hydrodynamic simulations and is attributed to fuel-ion species separation between the D, T, and ^{3}He ions during shock convergence and rebound. At the onset of the shock burn, inferred ^{3}He/T fuel ratio in the burn region using the measured reaction histories is much higher as compared to the initial gas-filled ratio. As T and ^{3}He have the same mass but different charge, these results indicate that the charge-to-mass ratio plays an important role in driving fuel-ion species separation during strong shock propagation even for these hydrodynamiclike plasmas.

Relevance Predictability in Information Retrieval Systems

An experiment is described which attempts to derive quantitative indicators regarding the potential relevance predictability of the intermediate stimuli used to represent documents in information retrieval systems. In effect, since the decision to peruse an entire document is often predicated upon the examination of one »level of processing« of the document (e.g., the citation and/or abstract), it became interesting to analyze the properties of what constitutes »relevance«. However, prior to such an analysis, an even more elementary step had to be made, namely, to determine what portions of a document should be examined.

An evaluation of the ability of intermediate response products (IRPs), functioning as cues to the information content of full documents, to predict the relevance determination that would be subsequently made on these documents by motivated users of information retrieval systems, was made under controlled experimental conditions. The hypothesis that there might be other intermediate response products (selected extracts from the document, i.e., first paragraph, last paragraph, and the combination of first and last paragraph), that would be as representative of the full document as the traditional IRPs (citation and abstract) was tested systematically. The results showed that:

1. there is no significant difference among the several IRP treatment groups on the number of cue evaluations of relevancy which match the subsequent user relevancy decision on the document;

2. first and last paragraph combinations have consistently predicted relevancy to a higher degree than the other IRPs;

3. abstracts were undistinguished as predictors; and

4. the apparent high predictability rating for citations was not substantive.

Some of these results are quite different than would be expected from previous work with unmotivated subjects.

Feasibility and Clinical Utility of High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Persistent Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

Persistent auditory verbal hallucination is a clinically significant problem in schizophrenia. Recent studies suggest a promising role for add-on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in treatment. An optimised version of tDCS, namely high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS), uses smaller electrodes arranged in a 4x1 ring configuration and may offer more focal and predictable neuromodulation than conventional tDCS. This case report illustrates the feasibility and clinical utility of add-on HD-tDCS over the left temporoparietal junction in a 4x1 ring configuration to treat persistent auditory verbal hallucination in schizophrenia.

Electron Shock Ignition of Inertial Fusion Targets

It is shown that inertial confinement fusion targets designed with low implosion velocities can be shock-ignited using laser-plasma interaction generated hot electrons (hot-e's) to obtain high energy gains. These designs are robust to multimode asymmetries and are predicted to ignite even for significantly distorted implosions. Electron shock ignition requires tens of kilojoules of hot-e's which can be produced only at a large laser facility like the National Ignition Facility, with the laser-to-hot-e conversion efficiency greater than 10% at laser intensities ∼10^{16}  W/cm^{2}.

Geometry and the onset of rigidity in a disordered network

Disordered spring networks that are undercoordinated may abruptly rigidify when sufficient strain is applied. Since the deformation in response to applied strain does not change the generic quantifiers of network architecture, the number of nodes and the number of bonds between them, this rigidity transition must have a geometric origin. Naive, degree-of-freedom-based mechanical analyses such as the Maxwell-Calladine count or the pebble game algorithm overlook such geometric rigidity transitions and offer no means of predicting or characterizing them. We apply tools that were developed for the topological analysis of zero modes and states of self-stress on regular lattices to two-dimensional random spring networks and demonstrate that the onset of rigidity, at a finite simple shear strain γ^{★}, coincides with the appearance of a single state of self-stress, accompanied by a single floppy mode. The process conserves the topologically invariant difference between the number of zero modes and the number of states of self-stress but imparts a finite shear modulus to the spring network. Beyond the critical shear, the network acquires a highly anisotropic elastic modulus, resisting further deformation most strongly in the direction of the rigidifying shear. We confirm previously reported critical scaling of the corresponding differential shear modulus. In the subcritical regime, a singular value decomposition of the network's compatibility matrix foreshadows the onset of rigidity by way of a continuously vanishing singular value corresponding to the nascent state of self-stress.

Publisher's Note: Demonstration of Fuel Hot-Spot Pressure in Excess of 50 Gbar for Direct-Drive, Layered Deuterium-Tritium Implosions on OMEGA [Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 025001 (2016)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.025001.

Demonstration of Fuel Hot-Spot Pressure in Excess of 50 Gbar for Direct-Drive, Layered Deuterium-Tritium Implosions on OMEGA

A record fuel hot-spot pressure P_{hs}=56±7  Gbar was inferred from x-ray and nuclear diagnostics for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion cryogenic, layered deuterium-tritium implosions on the 60-beam, 30-kJ, 351-nm OMEGA Laser System. When hydrodynamically scaled to the energy of the National Ignition Facility, these implosions achieved a Lawson parameter ∼60% of the value required for ignition [A. Bose et al., Phys. Rev. E 93, 011201(R) (2016)], similar to indirect-drive implosions [R. Betti et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 255003 (2015)], and nearly half of the direct-drive ignition-threshold pressure. Relative to symmetric, one-dimensional simulations, the inferred hot-spot pressure is approximately 40% lower. Three-dimensional simulations suggest that low-mode distortion of the hot spot seeded by laser-drive nonuniformity and target-positioning error reduces target performance.

Core conditions for alpha heating attained in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion

It is shown that direct-drive implosions on the OMEGA laser have achieved core conditions that would lead to significant alpha heating at incident energies available on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) scale. The extrapolation of the experimental results from OMEGA to NIF energy assumes only that the implosion hydrodynamic efficiency is unchanged at higher energies. This approach is independent of the uncertainties in the physical mechanism that degrade implosions on OMEGA, and relies solely on a volumetric scaling of the experimentally observed core conditions. It is estimated that the current best-performing OMEGA implosion [Regan et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 025001 (2016)10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.025001] extrapolated to a 1.9 MJ laser driver with the same illumination configuration and laser-target coupling would produce 125 kJ of fusion energy with similar levels of alpha heating observed in current highest performing indirect-drive NIF implosions.

A male person of 55 years with hypothyroidism, ascites and heart failure

Primary hypothyroidism is a common clinical condition but ascites caused by hypothyroidism is rare. Concurrent exudative ascites with heart failure even rarer. So its diagnosis is often delayed and patients frequently receive unnecessary procedures such as liver biopsies and exploratory laparotomies. We report a male person of 55 years with hypothyroidism with ascites and heart failure who responded well with thyroid hormone replacement therapy with complete resolution of ascites. Analyses of ascites from patients in this condition usually shows exudative ascites with high protein (>2.5gm/dl) and SAAG <1.1gm/dl. High index of suspicion is required to reach at such diagnosis. Though it is a rare but prognosis is excellent with replacement therapy.

Maternal periodontal disease as a significant risk factor for low birth weight in pregnant women attending a secondary care hospital in South India: a case-control study

CONTEXT

Periodontal disease (PD) is a common infection in the community; however, its relationship with low birth weight (LBW) has not been well-established.

AIMS

The aim was to determine the association between maternal PD and LBW.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A case-control (1:1) study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study population comprised of women who delivered at the hospital during the study period (September 2011 to February 2012).Women between 18 and 35 years of age, who delivered singleton, live infants during study period with at least 18 teeth were enrolled. Those with pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, blood-borne viral infections, periodontal treatment within the past 6 months and valvular heart disease were excluded. Control population was parity matched to the cases.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Chi-square test, t-test and univariant and multivariant logistic regression were used to analyze various study findings, and level of significance was set at 5% (P<0.05).

RESULTS

PD was independently associated with LBW (odds ratio: 4.94, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-23.65, P=0.045). Additionally, conventional risk factors such as maternal height (P=0.029), secondary schooling (<8 years of schooling) (P=0.001), socio-economic status (P=0.046), type of family (joint) (P=0.008), number of ante-natal visits (P=0.028) and gestational age at birth (<37 weeks) (P=0.045) showed significant association with LBW.

CONCLUSIONS

There seems to be an association between PD and LBW independent of conventional risk factors. Women who had PD were 5 times more likely to deliver LBW infants.