Down-regulation of FA-BRCA Pathway in Cervical Carcinoma Gradually Reversed During the Development of Chemo-tolerance: Clinical Implications

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among females, worldwide. The contributory role of different cellular pathways in the process of carcinogenesis is still poorly understood. Our study was focused here to understand the functional evaluation of key regulatory genes of FA-BRCA pathway in the development of CACX and their role in chemo-tolerance of the disease by analyzing the molecular profile of the genes both in normal and tumour tissue of our sample pool, also validated in in silico datasets. Later on, prognostic importance of the genes was further evaluated in plasma DNA and cisplatin-treated in vitro system. We found that expression profile of FA-BRCA pathway genes was gradually reduced from undifferentiated basal-parabasal layers of normal tissue towards the progression of the disease. Further analysis revealed that frequent promoter methylation [32-55%] and deletion [34-52%] events were the plausible reasons for their reduced expression in CACX. Noticeably, invasion of promoter methylation of the genes [11-17%] in plasma CTCs of CACX patients was positively correlated [p < 0.001] with poor prognosis among patients. On the other hand, functional upregulation of these genes at higher concentrations [IC50-70] of cisplatin was a predictor for the development of drug tolerance, as evaluated in our in vitro study. This finding was supported further by low prevalence of γ-H2X foci formation and reduced expression of DNMT1 at higher concentrations of cisplatin. In totality, we discovered that the FA-BRCA pathway must be inactivated for cancer formation. In contrast, elevated gene expression played a substantial role in building of chemo-tolerance and might be associated with developing increased risk of disease recurrence among patients.

Role of MLH1 and MSH2 deficiency in the development of tumorigenesis and chemo-tolerance of cervical Carcinoma: Clinical implications

Cervical cancer (CACX) is one of the top causes of cancer death in women globally. The involvement of several cellular pathways in carcinogenesis is still poorly understood. Here, we focused to evaluate the contributory role of Mismatch Repair (MMR) pathway genes-MLH1 and MSH2 in CACX and their association with chemo-tolerance of the disease. For this purpose, molecular profiles (expression/promoter methylation/deletion) of the genes were analysed in both normal cervical epithelium and tumour tissue, also validated in in-silico dataset as well. Later on, prognostic importance of the genes was identified through analysis of their methylation/expression status in plasma DNA of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and cisplatin-tolerant CACX cell lines respectively. It was found that the expression profile of MLH1 and MSH2 genes was considerably reduced from undifferentiated basal-parabasal layers of normal cervical epithelium towards progression of the disease. Further analysis showed that frequent deletion [34-48%] and promoter methylation events [28-46%] of the genes were the plausible reasons for their reduced expression during tumorigenesis. Incidentally, the prevalence of MLH1 [32%] and MSH2 [27%] promoter methylation found in CTCs of plasma of the clinically advanced CACX patients implicated their prognostic importance of the disease. In addition, the patients having high alterations of those genes resulted in poor patient outcomes even after the therapy. In in-depth analysis of this result in cisplatin-tolerant CACX cell lines, we discovered that increased promoter methylation frequency of those genes at higher concentrations of cisplatin and gradual accumulation of the cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle were the rational causes for their reduced expression and MMR deficiency in the system. Hence, it is possible to conclude that the gradual down-regulation of MLH1 and MSH2 proteins may be a key event for MMR pathway inactivation in CACX. This might also be associated with chemo-tolerance and overall poor survival among the patients.

Promoter methylation and enhanced SKP2 are associated with the downregulation of CDKN1C in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC) is one of the significant causes of cancer deaths among women. Distinct genetic and epigenetic-altered loci, including chromosomal 11p15.5-15.4, have been identified. CDKN1C (Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1C, p57KIP2), a member of the CIP/KIP family of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs), located at 11p15.4, is a putative tumor suppressor. Apart from transcriptional control, S-Phase Kinase Associated Protein 2 (SKP2), an oncogenic E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates the protein turnover of CDKN1C. But the molecular status of CDKN1C in CSCC and the underlying mechanistic underpinnings have yet to be explored.

METHODS

TCGA and other publicly available datasets were analyzed to evaluate the expression of CDKN1C and SKP2. The expression (transcript/protein) was validated in independent CSCC tumors (n = 155). Copy number alteration and promoter methylation were correlated with the expression. Finally, in vitro functional validation was performed.

RESULTS

CDKN1C was down-regulated, and SKP2 was up-regulated at the transcript and protein levels in CSCC tumors and the SiHa cell line. Notably, promoter methylation (50%) was associated with the downregulation of the CDKN1C transcript. However, high expression of SKP2 was found to be associated with the decreased expression of CDKN1C protein. Independent treatments with 5-aza-dC, MG132, and SKP2i (SKPin C1) in SiHa cells led to an enhanced expression of CDKN1C protein, validating the mechanism of down-regulation in CSCC.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, CDKN1C was down-regulated due to the synergistic effect of promoter hyper-methylation and SKP2 over-expression in CSCC tumors, paving the way for further studies of its role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Differential association of hedgehog pathway in development of cervical carcinoma and its chemo-tolerance

Cervical carcinoma (CACX) is still a dreadful threat to women in developing countries. Available conventional chemo-radiation therapies are not sufficient to restrict the disease recurrence. To unravel the mechanism of the disease recurrence, alteration of hedgehog self-renewal pathway was evaluated during development of CACX and in chemo-tolerance of the tumor. We have analyzed the alterations (expression/methylation/deletion) of some key regulatory genes (HHIP/SUFU/SHH/ SMO/GLI1) of hedgehog self-renewal pathway in cervical lesions at different clinical stages and compared with different datasets, followed by their clinico-pathological correlations. The changes in expression/methylation of the genes were then evaluated in two CACX cell lines (SiHa/HeLa) after treatment with chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin at different concentrations. Down regulation (mRNA/protein) of the antagonists HHIP and SUFU due to promoter methylation and/or deletion along with upregulation (protein) of agonists SHH, SMO and GLI1 was seen in early invasive lesions and subsequent clinical stages. Reduced protein expression of HHIP and SUFU showed significant association with high/intermediate expression of agonists SHH, SMO, GLI1 in the tumors and also poor prognosis of the patients. It was evident that cisplatin could restrict the growth of HeLa and SiHa cells through significant upregulation of antagonists HHIP and SUFU due to their promoter hypomethylation and down regulation of SHH in a concentration dependent manner without any significant changes in expression of SMO and GLI1, leading to the tumor cells in a dormant state. Thus, interplay of the agonists and antagonists has important role in activation of hedgehog pathway during development of CACX, whereas inactivation of the pathway due to upregulation of the antagonists is an important phenomenon in chemo-tolerance of the tumor. This suggests importance of epigenetic modification in chemo-resistance of CACX.

Mathematical Analysis of a COVID-19 Epidemic Model by Using Data Driven Epidemiological Parameters of Diseases Spread in India

This paper attempts to describe the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) via an epidemic model. This virus has dissimilar effects in different countries. The number of new active coronavirus cases is increasing gradually across the globe. India is now in the second stage of COVID-19 spreading, it will be an epidemic very quickly if proper protection is not undertaken based on the database of the transmission of the disease. This paper is using the current data of COVID-19 for the mathematical modeling and its dynamical analysis. We bring in a new representation to appraise and manage the outbreak of infectious disease COVID-19 through SEQIR pandemic model, which is based on the supposition that the infected but undetected by testing individuals are send to quarantine during the incubation period. During the incubation period if any individual be infected by COVID-19, then that confirmed infected individuals are isolated and the necessary treatments are arranged so that they cannot taint the other residents in the community. Dynamics of the SEQIR model is presented by basic reproduction number R ₀ and the comprehensive stability analysis. Numerical results are depicted through apt graphical appearances using the data of five states and India.

Mathematical Analysis of a COVID-19 Epidemic Model by Using Data Driven Epidemiological Parameters of Diseases Spread in India

This paper attempts to describe the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) via an epidemic model. This virus has dissimilar effects in different countries. The number of new active coronavirus cases is increasing gradually across the globe. India is now in the second stage of COVID-19 spreading, it will be an epidemic very quickly if proper protection is not undertaken based on the database of the transmission of the disease. This paper is using the current data of COVID-19 for the mathematical modeling and its dynamical analysis. We bring in a new representation to appraise and manage the outbreak of infectious disease COVID-19 through SEQIR pandemic model, which is based on the supposition that the infected but undetected by testing individuals are send to quarantine during the incubation period. During the incubation period if any individual be infected by COVID-19, then that confirmed infected individuals are isolated and the necessary treatments are arranged so that they cannot taint the other residents in the community. Dynamics of the SEQIR model is presented by basic reproduction number R 0 and the comprehensive stability analysis. Numerical results are depicted through apt graphical appearances using the data of five states and India.

Spin-state transition of Co ion (S2S5/2) in hole substituted 1D chain of Ca3Co2O6

We have discovered spin-state transition (S= 2 toS= 5/2) of Co ions due to Mg substitution in the Ca₃Co₂O₆apparent in the magnetic susceptibility, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and first-principles study. We also examine the effect of Mg substitution on the magnetic and electronic structure of Ca₃Co₂O₆by first-principles calculations. It involves generalized gradient approximation with Coulomb interaction (U) in exchange-correlation energy functional. Our study shows a reasonable agreement between effective magnetic moment (μ_eff) determined from the Curie-Weiss fit with that from the XPS analysis and first-principles calculations study. We have attributed the decrease in positive intra-chain exchange interaction constant (J₁/k_B) to the antiferromagnetically coupled induced Co⁴⁺ions (S= 5/2) arising from the Mg²⁺ions substitution. The in-field metamagnetic transitions in the isothermalM(H) curves below the critical field (H_c) have been accurately mapped and successfully explained by the change in magnetic entropy (ΔS) calculations and Arrott plots. Electronic structure study reveals hole-type doping of Mg atom, and the Fermi level (E_F) shifts below. Density of state and band structure calculation indicates strong hybridization between partial states of Co-3d and O-2p orbitals for the Mg-doped compound due to which the band crossing at Fermi level is observed, and a hole-type Fermi surface is formed.

PTPRJ is downregulated in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (CSCC) is one of the leading causes of death in Indian women. Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor (PTPR) type J (also known as DEP1) is a recently reported tumour suppressor receptor phosphatase. Critical molecular analysis of PTPRJ/DEP1 (11p11.2) has not performed in CSCC to date. Here, we observed frequent downregulation of cancer samples (n=31) at the transcriptional level. Immunohistochemistry revealed concordant low expression of PTPRJ protein with a few samples showing intermediate expression. To probe for the cause of such downregulation of the gene in CSCC (n=155), we analysed the copy number and promoter methylation of PTPRJ. The genetic locus showed deletion (14.8%) and the promoter showed methylation (33.5%) of PTPRJ. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time we explored the molecular status of PTPRJ although we observed no statistically significant association with the prognosis of Indian CSCC patients (n=76). However, we observed enhanced expression of PTPRJ protein levels that contributes to effective cisplatin chemotherapy in the SiHa cell line. Thus, the present study paves the way for further research into the plausible mechanisms of downregulation of PTPRJ in cervical cancer.

1534 A rare operation: resection of a complex malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour deemed inoperable by a national centre

We present this rare case which was led by spinal surgeons at Leeds after being deemed not suitable for operative input by a national centre.

A 54-year-old lady who presented with 2-month history of worsening left flank pain on a background of four years. She was otherwise fit and well. CT confirmed aggressive left-sided paraspinal tumour with epidural encroachment, extending from T8 to T10 vertebral levels. Its deep surface was well-defined and extending superficially through the chest wall with destruction of ribs. The mass grew in size in course of days requiring urgent attention due to risk of cord compression. Biopsy proved high grade MPNST.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a rare type of sarcoma, 5-10% of sarcoma cases. MPNST is most common in young adults and middle-aged adults. About 25% to 50% of people with MPNST have NF1. 8% to 13% of people with NF1 will get MPNST in their lifetime.

An MDT approach involving spinal, thoracic, vascular and plastic surgeons opined it requiring extensive surgery due to its complexity. It was performed in stages – embolisation then aortic stent placement followed by final resection of the tumour with chest well reconstruction using an LD flap.

A multidisciplinary and multispecialty approach has led to a positive prognosis for this patient who is on the road to recovery.

Design and Simulation of Extended Interaction Cavities for a Ka band Multi beam Klystron

This article reports about the design approach, electromagnetic simulation and analysis results of high-frequency ladder-type input, output, and intermediate RF cavaties for Ka-band multi-beam extended interaction klystron. Several parameters of the cavity, such as quality factor, shunt impedance, etc., have been investigated by the assistance of electromagnetic software CST microwave studio.

Spin induced exchange bias and lattice modulation in Nd1-x Eu x CrO3

We report the evolution of coupled phonons and exchange bias (EB) in perovskite-type Nd1-x Eu x CrO3 (x = 0.0, 0.05, and 0.10) samples by means of temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and dc magnetization measurements. We observed a non-monotonic behavior of the EB field around the temperature T *, which lies between the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature (T N) and spin-reorientation transition temperature (T SR). The temperature dependence of phonon modes related to antistretching and bending of CrO6 octahedra and Nd3+/Eu3+ ion vibration below T N confirms the strong spin-phonon coupling. The T * found from the non-monotonicity of the EB is imprinted with the additional anomaly observed in the low-temperature spin-phonon behavior. The phonon modes and phonon anomaly are also verified using the density functional theory-based calculations.

Hypomethylation of LIMD1 and P16 by downregulation of DNMT1 results in restriction of liver carcinogenesis by amarogentin treatment

Amarogentin (active component of Chirata) was found to prevent CCl4/NDEA-induced liver carcinogenesis at mild dysplastic stage through modulation of cell cycle, apoptosis, self-renewal pathways. The cell cycle regulatory genes LIMD1, P16 and RBSP3 were found to be upregulated in restricted liver lesions. To understand the mechanism of upregulation during restriction of cacinogenesis, the effect of amarogentin on epigenetic modification was evaluated in this study. It was also validated in vitro. Hypermethylation of LIMD1 and P16 was seen in mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (30th week carcinogen control mice); however, hypomethylation of these genes was seen in amarogentin-treated liver. In the case of RBSP3, no such change was seen. DNMT1 expression (mRNA/protein) was significantly increased in later stages of carcinogenesis, whereas its expression was comparable to normal liver in the case of amarogentin treatment. No significant change in expression (mRNA/protein) of HDAC1/2 was observed irrespective of treatment. Amarogentin treatment upregulated the expression (mRNA/protein) of LIMD1, P16 and RBSP3 in the HepG2 cell line. Here also treated cells showed LIMD1 and P16 hypomethylation with DNMT1 downregulation. Increased expression of LIMD1, P16 and RBSP3 after treating cells with demethylating agent 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine indicated epigenetic modulation by amarogentin treatment.

Investigation of emission characteristics of NMVOCs over urban site of western India

This is the first study to characterize the variation and emission of C₂-C₅ non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) in a semi-urban site of western India based on measurements during February-December 2015. Anthropogenic NMVOCs show clear seasonal dependence with highest in winter and lowest in monsoon season. Biogenic NMVOCs likes isoprene show highest mixing ratios in the pre-monsoon season. The diurnal variation of NMVOC species can be described by elevated values from night till morning and lower values in the afternoon hours. The elevated levels of NMVOCs during night and early morning hours were caused mainly by weaker winds, temperature inversion and reduced chemical loss. The correlations between NMVOCs, CO and NOx indicate the dominant role of various local emission sources. Use and leakage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) contributed to the elevated levels of propane and butanes. Mixing ratios of ethylene, propylene, CO, NOx, etc. show predominant emissions from combustion of fuels in automobiles and industries. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) source apportionments were performed for the seven major emission sectors (i.e. Vehicular exhaust, Mixed industrial emissions, Biomass/Fired brick kilns/Bio-fuel, Petrochem, LPG, Gas evaporation, Biogenic). Emissions from vehicle exhaust and industry-related sources contributed to about 19% and 40% of the NMVOCs, respectively. And the rest (41%) was attributed to the emissions from biogenic sources, LPG, gasoline evaporation and biomass burning. Diurnal and seasonal variations of NMVOCs were controlled by local emissions, meteorology, OH concentrations, long-range transport and planetary boundary layer height. This study provides a good reference for framing environmental policies to improve the air quality in western region of India.

Beam Energy and Centrality Dependence of Direct-Photon Emission from Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

The PHENIX collaboration presents first measurements of low-momentum (0.4<p_{T}<3  GeV/c) direct-photon yields from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=39 and 62.4 GeV. For both beam energies the direct-photon yields are substantially enhanced with respect to expectations from prompt processes, similar to the yields observed in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200. Analyzing the photon yield as a function of the experimental observable dN_{ch}/dη reveals that the low-momentum (>1  GeV/c) direct-photon yield dN_{γ}^{dir}/dη is a smooth function of dN_{ch}/dη and can be well described as proportional to (dN_{ch}/dη)^{α} with α≈1.25. This scaling behavior holds for a wide range of beam energies at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider, for centrality selected samples, as well as for different A+A collision systems. At a given beam energy, the scaling also holds for high p_{T} (>5  GeV/c), but when results from different collision energies are compared, an additional sqrt[s_{NN}]-dependent multiplicative factor is needed to describe the integrated-direct-photon yield.

Predicting gas phase entropy of select hydrocarbon classes through specific information-theoretical molecular descriptors

The usefulness of five specific information-theoretical molecular descriptors was investigated for predicting the gas phase entropy of selected classes of acyclic and cyclic compounds. Among them, total information on atomic number (TI^Z), graph vertex complexity (H^V) and total information on bonds (TIB^AT), considered together showed the best correlation along with a low standard deviation (r² = 0.97, s = 21.14) with gas phase entropy values of 130 compounds. The multiple regression equation treating these three indices as independent variables was statistically highly significant which was evident from the F-statistics. In particular, very small difference between r² and r²-pred values indicates that the regression model is not overfitted and is, therefore, suitable for prediction purposes. When truly used as a training set to predict (from regression equation) 40 additional compounds we get a very high correlation (r² = 0.975), which remains almost identical (r² = 0.97) for the combined data set of 170 compounds. The three indices appear to be useful descriptors producing correlation that remains stable with the change in the size of the data set. Also, the information-theoretical measures appear to capture an additive-cum-constitutive nature of gas phase entropy yielding an acceptable statistical fit.

P76 Skip laminectomy versus cervical laminectomy, an analysis of patient reported outcomes, spinal alignment and re-operation rates: the leeds spinal unit experience (2008–2016)

Objectives

To compare clinical, radiological and complication results between skip laminectomy and cervical laminectomy for posterior cervical decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Design

Retrospective single institution cohort study.

Subjects

Subjects underwent primary skip or cervical laminectomy between 2008–2016.

Methods

Statistical analysis compared pre- and post-operative differences in Visual Analogue Scale, Neck Disability Index and radiological differences in sagittal alignment of the vertebral bodies. Analysis of re-operation rates was performed.

Results

A total of 42 and 29 patients had skip and cervical laminectomy respectively. Median follow up was 32±23.1 (Range: 1–325) weeks. Post-operatively there was no difference in patient reported outcomes namely Visual Analogue Scale and Neck Disability Index between skip laminectomy and cervical laminectomy groups compared to pre-operatively (p=0.64, p=0.75). No difference was seen in sagittal alignment between both groups following surgery (p=0.65). Three patients (7.1%) in the skip laminectomy group and two patients (6.9%) in the cervical laminectomy group required revision surgery to the cervical spinal region at a different level to the original surgery. No patients needed further instrumentation.

Conclusions

Both skip laminectomy and cervical laminectomy appear to deliver similar outcomes with regards to patient reported outcomes, preserving sagittal alignment and re-operation rates over this short follow-up period.

Epigallocatechin gallate in combination with eugenol or amarogentin shows synergistic chemotherapeutic potential in cervical cancer cell line

In this study, antitumor activity of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG; major component of green tea polyphenol), eugenol (active component of clove), and amarogentin (active component of chirata plant) either alone or in combination were evaluated in Hela cell line. It was evident that EGCG with eugenol-amrogentin could highly inhibit the cellular proliferation and colony formation than individual treatments. Induction of apoptosis was also higher after treatment with EGCG in combination with eugenol-amrogentin than individual compound treatments. The antiproliferative effect of these compounds was due to downregulation of cyclinD1 and upregulation of cell cycle inhibitors LIMD1, RBSP3, and p16 at G1/S phase of cell cycle. Treatment of these compounds could induce promoter hypomethylation of LimD1 and P16 genes as a result of reduced expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Thus, our study indicated the better chemotherapeutic effect of EGCG in combination with eugenol-amarogentin in Hela cell line. The chemotherapeutic effect might be due to the epigenetic modification particularly DNA hypomethylation through downregulation of DNMT1.

Abundant and equipotent founder cells establish and maintain acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

High frequencies of blasts in primary acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) samples have the potential to induce leukaemia and to engraft mice. However, it is unclear how individual ALL cells each contribute to drive leukaemic development in a bulk transplant and the extent to which these blasts vary functionally. We used cellular barcoding as a fate mapping tool to track primograft ALL blasts in vivo. Our results show that high numbers of ALL founder cells contribute at similar frequencies to leukaemic propagation over serial transplants, without any clear evidence of clonal succession. These founder cells also exhibit equal capacity to home and engraft to different organs, although stochastic processes may alter the composition in restrictive niches. Our findings enhance the stochastic stem cell model of ALL by demonstrating equal functional abilities of singular ALL blasts and show that successful treatment strategies must eradicate the entire leukaemic cell population.

Parameter uncertainty in biomathematical model described by one-prey two-predator system with mutualism

In this paper, a three-species system consisting of two predators which are in mutualism with each other and preying on the same single prey is considered. Also, the prey and first predator are harvested under optimal conditions. The values of the biological parameters depend on the collection of data from the experts as well as on the nature of the environment in which prey–predator system are considered. So the biological parameters are not precise in reality. This paper presents a different approach to study the prey–predator model with imprecise biological parameters. All the possible equilibrium points are identified and the local as well as global stability criteria under impreciseness are discussed. The possibility of existence of bionomic equilibrium is discussed. The optimal harvesting policy is studied using Pontryagin’s maximum principle. Numerical examples are provided to support the proposed approach.

Study of the sign change of exchange bias across the spin reorientation transition in Co(Cr1-x Fe x )2O4 (x = 0.00-0.125)

We present the evolution of novel phenomena of magnetic compensation effect, exchange bias (EB) effect and the field induced anomalies in '[Formula: see text]' substituted multiferroic compound [Formula: see text]. A few percent of '[Formula: see text]' substitution for '[Formula: see text]' in [Formula: see text] results in the reversal of field cooled magnetization under low applied fields below compensation temperature T _comp. Further, increase in the field leads to the spin reorientation transition (T _SR). Signature of EB in a narrow temperature window in the vicinity of T _SR and its sign change across T _SR is observed. Magnitude of EB depends on the amount of compensation and rigidity of the spin reorientation. We also notice the appearance of positive EB below the lock-in transition (T _L). Presence of unidirectional anisotropy developed in the commensurate spin-spiral below T _L could be responsible for the appearance of EB below T _L.

Stability and Bionomic Analysis of Fuzzy Prey-Predator Harvesting Model in Presence of Toxicity: A Dynamic Approach

This paper deals with a prey-predator model in which both the species are infected by some toxicants which are released by some other species or source with fuzzy biological parameters. The application of fuzzy differential equation in the modeling of prey-predator populations with the effect of toxicants is presented. The dynamical behavior and harvesting of the fuzzy exploited system are studied by using the utility function method. Sufficient conditions for the local stability of the positive equilibrium are obtained by analyzing the characteristic equation. Furthermore, the possibility of the existence of bionomic equilibrium is studied under imprecise biological parameters. The study of the presence of toxic substance and harvesting in the modeling system can have significant impact on the existence of both the species, which is in line with reality. Numerical simulation results are presented to validate the theoretical analysis.

Long-term in vitro maintenance of clonal abundance and leukaemia-initiating potential in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Lack of suitable in vitro culture conditions for primary acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cells severely impairs their experimental accessibility and the testing of new drugs on cell material reflecting clonal heterogeneity in patients. We show that Nestin-positive human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) support expansion of a range of biologically and clinically distinct patient-derived ALL samples. Adherent ALL cells showed an increased accumulation in the S phase of the cell cycle and diminished apoptosis when compared with cells in the suspension fraction. Moreover, surface expression of adhesion molecules CD34, CDH2 and CD10 increased several fold. Approximately 20% of the ALL cells were in G0 phase of the cell cycle, suggesting that MSCs may support quiescent ALL cells. Cellular barcoding demonstrated long-term preservation of clonal abundance. Expansion of ALL cells for >3 months compromised neither feeder dependence nor cancer initiating ability as judged by their engraftment potential in immunocompromised mice. Finally, we demonstrate the suitability of this co-culture approach for the investigation of drug combinations with luciferase-expressing primograft ALL cells. Taken together, we have developed a preclinical platform with patient-derived material that will facilitate the development of clinically effective combination therapies for ALL.

Low temperature neutron diffraction studies on Co(Cr1−xFex)2O4 (x = 0.05 and 0.075)

We report the magnetic structures of an Fe substituted cobalt chromite system, Co(Cr_1−xFe_x)₂O₄ (x = 0.05 and 0.075), determined from the analysis of temperature dependent neutron diffraction measurements.

Measurements of Elliptic and Triangular Flow in High-Multiplicity 3He+Au Collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV

We present the first measurement of elliptic (v(2)) and triangular (v(3)) flow in high-multiplicity (3)He+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200  GeV. Two-particle correlations, where the particles have a large separation in pseudorapidity, are compared in (3)He+Au and in p+p collisions and indicate that collective effects dominate the second and third Fourier components for the correlations observed in the (3)He+Au system. The collective behavior is quantified in terms of elliptic v(2) and triangular v(3) anisotropy coefficients measured with respect to their corresponding event planes. The v(2) values are comparable to those previously measured in d+Au collisions at the same nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy. Comparisons with various theoretical predictions are made, including to models where the hot spots created by the impact of the three (3)He nucleons on the Au nucleus expand hydrodynamically to generate the triangular flow. The agreement of these models with data may indicate the formation of low-viscosity quark-gluon plasma even in these small collision systems.

Electroencephalographic coherence and cortical acetylcholine during ketamine-induced unconsciousness. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2015; 114(6): 979-89, DOI 10.1093/bja/aev095

This article was published by mistake in the June issue of BJA due to an administrative error. It was supposed to go into this special issue on Memory and Awareness in Anaesthesia. The article can be accessed free of charge at the following link: http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/lookup/doi/10.1093/bja/aev095 The Publisher apologizes for the error.

Tea polyphenols epigallocatechin gallete and theaflavin restrict mouse liver carcinogenesis through modulation of self-renewal Wnt and hedgehog pathways

The aim of this study is to evaluate chemopreventive and therapeutic efficacy of tea polyphenols epigallocatechin gallete (EGCG) and theaflavin (TF) on self-renewal Wnt and Hedgehog (Hh) pathways during CCl4/N-nitosodiethylamine-induced mouse liver carcinogenesis. For this purpose, the effect of EGCG/TF was investigated in liver lesions of different groups at pre-, continuous and post initiation stages of carcinogenesis. Comparatively increased body weights were evident due to EGCG/TF treatment than carcinogen control mice. Both EGCG and TF could restrict the development of hepatocellular carcinoma at 30th week of carcinogen application showing potential chemoprevention in continuous treated group (mild dysplasia) followed by pretreated (moderate dysplasia) and therapeutic efficacy in posttreated group (mild dysplasia). This restriction was associated with significantly reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, decreased prevalence of hepatocyte progenitor cell (AFP) and stem cell population (CD44) irrespective of EGCG/TF treatments. The EGCG/TF could modulate the Wnt pathway by reducing β-catenin and phospho-β-catenin-Y-654 expressions along with up-regulation of sFRP1 (secreted frizzled-related protein 1) and adenomatosis polyposis coli during the restriction. In case of the Hh pathway, EGCG/TF could also reduce expressions of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) and SMO (smoothened homolog) along with up-regulation of PTCH1 (patched homolog 1). As a result, in Wnt/Hh regulatory pathways decreased expressions of β-catenin/Gli1 target genes like CyclinD1, cMyc and EGFR/phospho-EGFR-Y-1173 and up-regulation of E-cadherin were seen during the restriction. Thus, the restriction of liver carcinogenesis by EGCG/TF was due to reduction in hepatocyte progenitor cell/stem cell population along with modulation of Wnt/Hh and other regulatory pathways.

Electroencephalographic coherence and cortical acetylcholine during ketamine-induced unconsciousness

BACKGROUND

There is limited understanding of cortical neurochemistry and cortical connectivity during ketamine anaesthesia. We conducted a systematic study to investigate the effects of ketamine on cortical acetylcholine (ACh) and electroencephalographic coherence.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=11) were implanted with electrodes to record electroencephalogram (EEG) from frontal, parietal, and occipital cortices, and with a microdialysis guide cannula for simultaneous measurement of ACh concentrations in prefrontal cortex before, during, and after ketamine anaesthesia. Coherence and power spectral density computed from the EEG, and ACh concentrations, were compared between conscious and unconscious states. Loss of righting reflex was used as a surrogate for unconsciousness.

RESULTS

Ketamine-induced unconsciousness was associated with a global reduction of power (P=0.02) in higher gamma bandwidths (>65 Hz), a global reduction of coherence (P≤0.01) across a broad frequency range (0.5-250 Hz), and a significant increase in ACh concentrations (P=0.01) in the prefrontal cortex. Compared with the unconscious state, recovery of righting reflex was marked by a further increase in ACh concentrations (P=0.0007), global increases in power in theta (4-10 Hz; P=0.03) and low gamma frequencies (25-55 Hz; P=0.0001), and increase in power (P≤0.01) and coherence (P≤0.002) in higher gamma frequencies (65-250 Hz). Acetylcholine concentrations, coherence, and spectral properties returned to baseline levels after a prolonged recovery period.

CONCLUSIONS

Ketamine-induced unconsciousness is characterized by suppression of high-frequency gamma activity and a breakdown of cortical coherence, despite increased cholinergic tone in the cortex.

Medium modification of jet fragmentation in Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV measured in direct photon-hadron correlations

The jet fragmentation function is measured with direct photon-hadron correlations in p+p and Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The p(T) of the photon is an excellent approximation to the initial p(T) of the jet and the ratio z(T)=p(T)(h)/p(T)(γ) is used as a proxy for the jet fragmentation function. A statistical subtraction is used to extract the direct photon-hadron yields in Au+Au collisions while a photon isolation cut is applied in p+p. I(AA), the ratio of hadron yield opposite the photon in Au+Au to that in p+p, indicates modification of the jet fragmentation function. Suppression, most likely due to energy loss in the medium, is seen at high z(T). The associated hadron yield at low z(T) is enhanced at large angles. Such a trend is expected from redistribution of the lost energy into increased production of low-momentum particles.