Achromatic, planar Fresnel-reflector for a single-beam magneto-optical trap

We present a novel achromatic, planar, periodic mirror structure for single-beam magneto-optical trapping and demonstrate its use in the first- and second-stage cooling and trapping for different isotopes of strontium. We refer to it as a Fresnel magneto-optical trap (MOT) as the structure is inspired by Fresnel lenses. By design, it avoids many of the problems that arise for multi-color cooling using planar structures based on diffraction gratings, which have been the dominant planar structures to be used for single-beam trapping thus far. In addition to a complex design process and cost-intensive fabrication, diffraction gratings suffer from their inherent chromaticity, which causes different axial displacements of trap volumes for different wavelengths and necessitates trade-offs in their diffraction properties and achievable trap depths. In contrast, the Fresnel-reflector structure presented here is a versatile, easy-to-manufacture device that combines achromatic beam steering with the advantages of a planar architecture. It enables miniaturizing trapping systems for alkaline-earth-like atoms with multiple cooling transitions as well as multi-species trapping in the ideal tetrahedral configuration and within the same volume above the structure. Our design presents a novel approach for the miniaturization of cold-atom systems based on single-beam MOTs and enables the widespread adoption of these systems.

Cantharidin increases the force of contraction and protein phosphorylation in isolated human atria

Cantharidin, an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), is known to increase the force of contraction and shorten the time to relaxation in human ventricular preparations. We hypothesized that cantharidin has similar positive inotropic effects in human right atrial appendage (RAA) preparations. RAA were obtained during bypass surgery performed on human patients. These trabeculae were mounted in organ baths and electrically stimulated at 1 Hz. For comparison, we studied isolated electrically stimulated left atrial (LA) preparations and isolated spontaneously beating right atrial (RA) preparations from wild-type mice. Cumulatively applied (starting at 10 to 30 µM), cantharidin exerted a positive concentration-dependent inotropic effect that plateaued at 300 µM in the RAA, LA, and RA preparations. This positive inotropic effect was accompanied by a shortening of the time to relaxation in human atrial preparations (HAPs). Notably, cantharidin did not alter the beating rate in the RA preparations. Furthermore, cantharidin (100 µM) increased the phosphorylation state of phospholamban and the inhibitory subunit of troponin I in RAA preparations, which may account for the faster relaxation observed. The generated data indicate that PP1 and/or PP2A play a functional role in human atrial contractility.

Comparing ultrastable lasers at 7 × 10-17 fractional frequency instability through a 2220 km optical fibre network

Ultrastable lasers are essential tools in optical frequency metrology enabling unprecedented measurement precision that impacts on fields such as atomic timekeeping, tests of fundamental physics, and geodesy. To characterise an ultrastable laser it needs to be compared with a laser of similar performance, but a suitable system may not be available locally. Here, we report a comparison of two geographically separated lasers, over the longest ever reported metrological optical fibre link network, measuring 2220 km in length, at a state-of-the-art fractional-frequency instability of 7 × 10-17 for averaging times between 30 s and 200 s. The measurements also allow the short-term instability of the complete optical fibre link network to be directly observed without using a loop-back fibre. Based on the characterisation of the noise in the lasers and optical fibre link network over different timescales, we investigate the potential for disseminating ultrastable light to improve the performance of remote optical clocks.

Improved Constraints on Primordial Gravitational Waves using Planck, WMAP, and BICEP/Keck Observations through the 2018 Observing Season

We present results from an analysis of all data taken by the BICEP2, Keck Array, and BICEP3 CMB polarization experiments up to and including the 2018 observing season. We add additional Keck Array observations at 220 GHz and BICEP3 observations at 95 GHz to the previous 95/150/220  GHz dataset. The Q/U maps now reach depths of 2.8, 2.8, and 8.8  μK_{CMB} arcmin at 95, 150, and 220 GHz, respectively, over an effective area of ≈600 square degrees at 95 GHz and ≈400 square degrees at 150 and 220 GHz. The 220 GHz maps now achieve a signal-to-noise ratio on polarized dust emission exceeding that of Planck at 353 GHz. We take auto- and cross-spectra between these maps and publicly available WMAP and Planck maps at frequencies from 23 to 353 GHz and evaluate the joint likelihood of the spectra versus a multicomponent model of lensed ΛCDM+r+dust+synchrotron+noise. The foreground model has seven parameters, and no longer requires a prior on the frequency spectral index of the dust emission taken from measurements on other regions of the sky. This model is an adequate description of the data at the current noise levels. The likelihood analysis yields the constraint r_{0.05}<0.036 at 95% confidence. Running maximum likelihood search on simulations we obtain unbiased results and find that σ(r)=0.009. These are the strongest constraints to date on primordial gravitational waves.

[Pain therapy for children and adolescents with hemophilia : Recommendations by an expert panel]

BACKGROUND

Children and adolescents with severe hemophilia commonly suffer from acute and chronic pain as a consequence of hemophilia-related bleeding. Intervention-related pain also plays a major role. Despite its high prevalence in this patient group, hemophilia-related pain is not always adequately addressed and sufficiently treated.

OBJECTIVES

This paper discusses how to improve pain management for children and adolescents (0-18 years) with hemophilia and which specific features in this population should influence decisions in pain management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An expert panel discussed challenges in pain treatment in children and adolescents with hemophilia. Recommendations are based on evidence and clinical experience.

RESULT

Pain management in children with hemophilia needs improvement. Children with hemophilia are at risk of developing chronic pain and of suffering traumatization due to insufficient pain management. Pain therapy can be challenging in these children as both their age and the underlying disease limit the options in particular in pain medication. The expert panel developed recommendations to improve pain management in children with hemophilia.

Constraints on Primordial Gravitational Waves Using Planck, WMAP, and New BICEP2/Keck Observations through the 2015 Season

We present results from an analysis of all data taken by the bicep2/Keck CMB polarization experiments up to and including the 2015 observing season. This includes the first Keck Array observations at 220 GHz and additional observations at 95 and 150 GHz. The Q and U maps reach depths of 5.2, 2.9, and 26  μK_{CMB} arcmin at 95, 150, and 220 GHz, respectively, over an effective area of ≈400 square degrees. The 220 GHz maps achieve a signal to noise on polarized dust emission approximately equal to that of Planck at 353 GHz. We take auto and cross spectra between these maps and publicly available WMAP and Planck maps at frequencies from 23 to 353 GHz. We evaluate the joint likelihood of the spectra versus a multicomponent model of lensed-ΛCDM+r+dust+synchrotron+noise. The foreground model has seven parameters, and we impose priors on some of these using external information from Planck and WMAP derived from larger regions of sky. The model is shown to be an adequate description of the data at the current noise levels. The likelihood analysis yields the constraint r_{0.05}<0.07 at 95% confidence, which tightens to r_{0.05}<0.06 in conjunction with Planck temperature measurements and other data. The lensing signal is detected at 8.8σ significance. Running a maximum likelihood search on simulations we obtain unbiased results and find that σ(r)=0.020. These are the strongest constraints to date on primordial gravitational waves.

[Nitroxoline - an option for the antibiotic treatment of urinary tract infections]

BACKGROUND

Resistance of uropathogenic bacteria against the common antibiotics is considerable-especially in the elderly.

OBJECTIVES

In Germany nitroxoline is licensed for the treatment of acute urinary tract infections and for prophylaxis of recurrent infections. What is the actual resistance pattern of uropathogenic bacteria?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The in vitro susceptibility of 477 uropathogenic bacteria from patients in 2015 was determined by means of the agar diffusion method.

RESULTS

Obviously, this agent is still active against the vast majority of uropathogenic bacteria and in particular against strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterococci are not really within the spectrum of nitroxoline. One has to keep in mind, however, that even among E. coli and other enterobacteriaceae there are single resistant isolates. This applies in particular to problem strains resistant to many other antibiotics.

DISCUSSION

Nitroxoline is a reasonable alternative and a promising option for calculated treatment of urinary tract infections-especially of the elderly, although this drug is not recommended in the current guideline. Laboratory testing of clinical isolates should be requested-at least when treatment fails.

Whole-body vibration training as a workplace-based sports activity for employees with chronic low-back pain

The goal of this randomized and controlled study was to examine whether whole-body vibration (WBV) training is able to reduce back pain and physical disability in seated working office employees with chronic low-back pain in a real-world setting. A total of 41 subjects (68.3% female/mean age 45.5±9.1 years/mean BMI 26.6±5.2) were randomly allocated to an intervention group (INT [n=21]) or a control group (CON [n=20]). The INT participated in WBV training 2.5 times per week for 3 months. The primary outcome was the change in the Roland and Morris disability questionnaire (RMQ) score over the study period. In addition, secondary outcomes included changes in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Work Ability Index Questionnaire, the quality of life questionnaire SF-36, the Freiburger activity questionnaire, and an isokinetic test of the musculature of the trunk. Compliance with the intervention in the INT reached a mean of 81.1%±31.2% with no long-lasting unwanted side effects. We found significant positive effects of 3 months of WBV training in the INT compared to the CON regarding the RMQ (P=.027), the ODI (P=.002), the SF-36 (P=.013), the Freiburger activity questionnaire (P=.022), the post-interventional sick-leave in the INT (P=.008), and trends regarding a positive effect of the intervention on the muscular capacity of the muscles of the trunk in flexion. WBV training seems to be an effective, safe, and suitable intervention for seated working employees with chronic low-back pain.

Improved Constraints on Cosmology and Foregrounds from BICEP2 and Keck Array Cosmic Microwave Background Data with Inclusion of 95 GHz Band

We present results from an analysis of all data taken by the BICEP2 and Keck Array cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization experiments up to and including the 2014 observing season. This includes the first Keck Array observations at 95 GHz. The maps reach a depth of 50 nK deg in Stokes Q and U in the 150 GHz band and 127 nK deg in the 95 GHz band. We take auto- and cross-spectra between these maps and publicly available maps from WMAP and Planck at frequencies from 23 to 353 GHz. An excess over lensed ΛCDM is detected at modest significance in the 95×150 BB spectrum, and is consistent with the dust contribution expected from our previous work. No significant evidence for synchrotron emission is found in spectra such as 23×95, or for correlation between the dust and synchrotron sky patterns in spectra such as 23×353. We take the likelihood of all the spectra for a multicomponent model including lensed ΛCDM, dust, synchrotron, and a possible contribution from inflationary gravitational waves (as parametrized by the tensor-to-scalar ratio r) using priors on the frequency spectral behaviors of dust and synchrotron emission from previous analyses of WMAP and Planck data in other regions of the sky. This analysis yields an upper limit r_{0.05}<0.09 at 95% confidence, which is robust to variations explored in analysis and priors. Combining these B-mode results with the (more model-dependent) constraints from Planck analysis of CMB temperature plus baryon acoustic oscillations and other data yields a combined limit r_{0.05}<0.07 at 95% confidence. These are the strongest constraints to date on inflationary gravitational waves.

Long-Term Respiratory Support for Children and Adolescents in Austria: A National Survey

BACKGROUND

Population-based data on pediatric patients on long-term respiratory support (LTRS) in Austria are lacking. This study aimed to record the pediatric departments active in this field, as well as number and characteristics of patients on LTRS.

METHODS

A national cross-sectional study was carried out by means of questionnaires sent to all pediatric departments in Austria.

RESULTS

All departments answered to the questionnaires. On June 1st, 2013, the reference day for this study, 12 of the 41 pediatric departments in Austria were active in the field. At this time, these centers were caring for 143 patients, 111 (77.6%) of them under 18 years, which corresponds to a prevalence of 7.4 per 100 000. The patients suffered from neuromuscular disorders (44%), other neurological disorders (18.9%), disorders of respiratory drive (9.1%), obstructive sleep apnea (8.4%), thoracal and spinal diseases (8.4%), pulmonary disorders (4.9%) and other diseases (6.3%). Continuous positive airway pressure was used in 6.3%, non-invasive ventilation in 60.1% and invasive ventilation in 33.6% of the patients, respectively. LTRS was performed at home in 92.3%.

CONCLUSION

LTRS represents a common management strategy in children and adolescents with a variety of disorders. Census reports such as this one provide the basis for appropriate planning of resource allocation. The age distribution of our patients shows the need for structured transition into adult care.

Lithium-induced Clock Gene Expression in Lymphoblastoid Cells of Bipolar Affective Patients

INTRODUCTION

Disturbances of circadian rhythms occur in all episodes of bipolar disorder (BD). Lithium, as gold-standard in the maintenance treatment of BD, is known to influence circadian processes.

METHODS

In a pilot study lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) were generated from 8 BD patients and 6 healthy controls. The LCLs were treated with lithiumchloride (LiCl) for 3 weeks. Cell cycles were then synchronized and expressional analysis by quantitative Real Time PCR was done.

RESULTS

BD and controls differed in the period length regarding DBP (albumin D-box binding protein) expression and DBP expression was also influenced by lithium treatment. Furthermore, baseline DBP expression was significantly different between non-treated BD and healthy controls. None of the other analyzed circadian genes showed to be influenced by chronic lithium treatment or to be differentially regulated due to the diagnosis.

DISCUSSION

We here show that chronic lithium treatment of LCLs leads to decreased expression of the clock gene DBP, rendering DBP a lithium-regulated gene. We could confirm the role of the circadian clock as well in lithium mode of action as in the pathomechanisms of BD although future studies with a greater number of participants and cell lines are needed.

Joint analysis of BICEP2/keck array and Planck Data

We report the results of a joint analysis of data from BICEP2/Keck Array and Planck. BICEP2 and Keck Array have observed the same approximately 400  deg^{2} patch of sky centered on RA 0 h, Dec. -57.5°. The combined maps reach a depth of 57 nK deg in Stokes Q and U in a band centered at 150 GHz. Planck has observed the full sky in polarization at seven frequencies from 30 to 353 GHz, but much less deeply in any given region (1.2  μK deg in Q and U at 143 GHz). We detect 150×353 cross-correlation in B modes at high significance. We fit the single- and cross-frequency power spectra at frequencies ≥150  GHz to a lensed-ΛCDM model that includes dust and a possible contribution from inflationary gravitational waves (as parametrized by the tensor-to-scalar ratio r), using a prior on the frequency spectral behavior of polarized dust emission from previous Planck analysis of other regions of the sky. We find strong evidence for dust and no statistically significant evidence for tensor modes. We probe various model variations and extensions, including adding a synchrotron component in combination with lower frequency data, and find that these make little difference to the r constraint. Finally, we present an alternative analysis which is similar to a map-based cleaning of the dust contribution, and show that this gives similar constraints. The final result is expressed as a likelihood curve for r, and yields an upper limit r_{0.05}<0.12 at 95% confidence. Marginalizing over dust and r, lensing B modes are detected at 7.0σ significance.

EURAMOS-1, an international randomised study for osteosarcoma: results from pre-randomisation treatment

BACKGROUND

Four international study groups undertook a large study in resectable osteosarcoma, which included two randomised controlled trials, to determine the effect on survival of changing post-operative chemotherapy based on histological response.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with resectable osteosarcoma aged ≤40 years were treated with the MAP regimen, comprising pre-operatively of two 5-week cycles of cisplatin 120 mg/m(2), doxorubicin 75 mg/m(2), methotrexate 12 g/m(2) × 2 (MAP) and post-operatively two further cycles of MAP and two cycles of just MA. Patients were randomised after surgery. Those with ≥10% viable tumour in the resected specimen received MAP or MAP with ifosfamide and etoposide. Those with <10% viable tumour were allocated to MAP or MAP followed by pegylated interferon. Longitudinal evaluation of quality of life was undertaken.

RESULTS

Recruitment was completed to the largest osteosarcoma study to date in 75 months. Commencing March 2005, 2260 patients were registered from 326 centres across 17 countries. About 1334 of 2260 registered patients (59%) were randomised. Pre-operative chemotherapy was completed according to protocol in 94%. Grade 3-4 neutropenia affected 83% of cycles and 59% were complicated by infection. There were three (0.13%) deaths related to pre-operative chemotherapy. At definitive surgery, 50% of patients had at least 90% necrosis in the resected specimen.

CONCLUSIONS

New models of collaboration are required to successfully conduct trials to improve outcomes of patients with rare cancers; EURAMOS-1 demonstrates achievability. Considerable regulatory, financial and operational challenges must be overcome to develop similar studies in the future. The trial is registered as NCT00134030 and ISRCTN 67613327.

Detection of B-mode polarization at degree angular scales by BICEP2

We report results from the BICEP2 experiment, a cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarimeter specifically designed to search for the signal of inflationary gravitational waves in the B-mode power spectrum around ℓ∼80. The telescope comprised a 26 cm aperture all-cold refracting optical system equipped with a focal plane of 512 antenna coupled transition edge sensor 150 GHz bolometers each with temperature sensitivity of ≈300  μK(CMB)√s. BICEP2 observed from the South Pole for three seasons from 2010 to 2012. A low-foreground region of sky with an effective area of 380 square deg was observed to a depth of 87 nK deg in Stokes Q and U. In this paper we describe the observations, data reduction, maps, simulations, and results. We find an excess of B-mode power over the base lensed-ΛCDM expectation in the range 30 < ℓ < 150, inconsistent with the null hypothesis at a significance of >5σ. Through jackknife tests and simulations based on detailed calibration measurements we show that systematic contamination is much smaller than the observed excess. Cross correlating against WMAP 23 GHz maps we find that Galactic synchrotron makes a negligible contribution to the observed signal. We also examine a number of available models of polarized dust emission and find that at their default parameter values they predict power ∼(5-10)× smaller than the observed excess signal (with no significant cross-correlation with our maps). However, these models are not sufficiently constrained by external public data to exclude the possibility of dust emission bright enough to explain the entire excess signal. Cross correlating BICEP2 against 100 GHz maps from the BICEP1 experiment, the excess signal is confirmed with 3σ significance and its spectral index is found to be consistent with that of the CMB, disfavoring dust at 1.7σ. The observed B-mode power spectrum is well fit by a lensed-ΛCDM+tensor theoretical model with tensor-to-scalar ratio r = 0.20_(-0.05)(+0.07), with r = 0 disfavored at 7.0σ. Accounting for the contribution of foreground, dust will shift this value downward by an amount which will be better constrained with upcoming data sets.

A Microwave Fourier Transform Spectrometer for the Lower K-band

We report on the first experiments with Fourier Transform technique in K-band. Due to the limited performance of some components frequencies up to 20.5 GHz only could be reached. Some T2-relaxation measurements are given.

A Microwave Fourier Transform Spectrometer in the Range from 18 to 26.4 GHz Increased Sensitivity Using Circular Waveguides. Measurements of Isotopomeres of Carbonylsulfide and of Methane

We present a microwave Fourier transform spectrometer in the region of 18 to 26.4 GHz with an increase in sensitivity roughly by a factor of ten in comparison to a former set up. Measurements of rotational transitions of isotopomers of carbonylsulfide, OCS, in natural abundance and of rovibrational transitions of methane, CH4, illustrate the improvement

[Serious sepsis treatment in intensive care departments in the Czech Republic - EPOSS Project pilot results]

INTRODUCTION

Severe sepsis is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which is however different, as well as its management, depending on the region. What is the situation in the Czech Republic and what is the character of patients with severe sepsis is currently not known. The aim of the project is to describe the processes of care, outcome and characteristics of patients with severe sepsis admitted to the intensive care department of the Czech Republic.

METHODS

This is a multicentre and observational project with retrospective enrollment of patients who meet the criteria for severe sepsis before or within 24 hours after admission to selected intensive care units (ICU EPOSS).

RESULTS

394 patients were analyzed. Median age at admission was 66 (56- 76) years, males predominated (58.9%) and the median APACHE II score on admission was 25 (19- 32). Patients were predominantly medical (56.9%) and most were secondary admitted from other ICU (53.6%). Meeting the criteria of severe sepsis was most frequently within the period (± 4 hours) of admission the EPOSS ICU (77.6%). Median total fluid intake during the first 24 hours was 6,680 (4,840- 9,450) ml. Most patients required mechanical ventilation (58.4%). Compliance with the resuscitation bundle of severe sepsis in our group was very good and was associated with lower mortality of patients. Most frequently, the EPOSS ICU length of stay (LOS) was 7 (3- 15) days and median hospital LOS was 13 (8- 28) days. Hospital mortality in our cohort was 35.8%.

CONCLUSION

Introducing the project, which in its first stage obtained valuable and internationally comparable data about patients with severe sepsis admitted to the involved ICU in the Czech Republic.

Three-dimensional morphological and signal intensity features for detection of intervertebral disc degeneration from magnetic resonance images

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Advances in MRI hardware and sequences are continually increasing the amount and complexity of data such as those generated in high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) scanning of the spine. Efficient informatics tools offer considerable opportunities for research and clinically based analyses of magnetic resonance studies. In this work, we present and validate a suite of informatics tools for automated detection of degenerative changes in lumbar intervertebral discs (IVD) from both 3D isotropic and routine two-dimensional (2D) clinical T2-weighted MRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An automated segmentation approach was used to extract morphological (traditional 2D radiological measures and novel 3D shape descriptors) and signal appearance (extracted from signal intensity histograms) features. The features were validated against manual reference, compared between 2D and 3D MRI scans and used for quantification and classification of IVD degeneration across magnetic resonance datasets containing IVD with early and advanced stages of degeneration.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Combination of the novel 3D-based shape and signal intensity features on 3D (area under receiver operating curve (AUC) 0.984) and 2D (AUC 0.988) magnetic resonance data deliver a significant improvement in automated classification of IVD degeneration, compared to the combination of previously used 2D radiological measurement and signal intensity features (AUC 0.976 and 0.983, respectively). Further work is required regarding the usefulness of 2D and 3D shape data in relation to clinical scores of lower back pain. The results reveal the potential of the proposed informatics system for computer-aided IVD diagnosis from MRI in large-scale research studies and as a possible adjunct for clinical diagnosis.

Controversies in childhood osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma, the most frequent bone cancer of children and adolescents, will almost always result in death due to pulmonary metastatic disease unless treated by surgery and effective multidrug chemotherapy. Imaging of the primary tumor is by X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging of the chest is by computed tomography, but many questions regarding the interpretation of small, nonspecific findings and how to deal with them remain. The diagnosis must be confirmed by a well-placed biopsy. Chemotherapy is usually initiated prior to definitive surgery. Treatment generally includes high-dose methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, with some regimens also incorporating ifosfamide. While limb-saving resections have become standard after completion of skeletal growth, reconstruction in the growing child poses much greater challenges. The use of modern, expandable endoprostheses, but also rotation-plasties and even amputation may all be valid options in selected cases. Histologic response of the primary to preoperative chemotherapy has been identified as an important prognostic factor. Various imaging methods can help to predict tumor response to preoperative chemotherapy, yet all have their limitations. Results of a randomized trial assessing if modifying postoperative treatment based on the extent of response will improve results, EURAMOS-1, are pending. The debate about whether biologic agents or targeted therapies added to chemotherapy might improve outcomes is ongoing. Follow-up to detect late-effects of treatment and recurrences of osteosarcoma must be continued for several decades.

Automated detection, 3D segmentation and analysis of high resolution spine MR images using statistical shape models

Recent advances in high resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the spine provide a basis for the automated assessment of intervertebral disc (IVD) and vertebral body (VB) anatomy. High resolution three-dimensional (3D) morphological information contained in these images may be useful for early detection and monitoring of common spine disorders, such as disc degeneration. This work proposes an automated approach to extract the 3D segmentations of lumbar and thoracic IVDs and VBs from MR images using statistical shape analysis and registration of grey level intensity profiles. The algorithm was validated on a dataset of volumetric scans of the thoracolumbar spine of asymptomatic volunteers obtained on a 3T scanner using the relatively new 3D T2-weighted SPACE pulse sequence. Manual segmentations and expert radiological findings of early signs of disc degeneration were used in the validation. There was good agreement between manual and automated segmentation of the IVD and VB volumes with the mean Dice scores of 0.89 ± 0.04 and 0.91 ± 0.02 and mean absolute surface distances of 0.55 ± 0.18 mm and 0.67 ± 0.17 mm respectively. The method compares favourably to existing 3D MR segmentation techniques for VBs. This is the first time IVDs have been automatically segmented from 3D volumetric scans and shape parameters obtained were used in preliminary analyses to accurately classify (100% sensitivity, 98.3% specificity) disc abnormalities associated with early degenerative changes.

[Laboratory survey on the incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii - obviously a peculiar fungus, but also a rare pathogen?]

Pneumocystsis jirovecii is a peculiar fungus for a variety of reasons. This opportunistic pathogen multiplies in humans only under certain conditions; a defect in the T-cell defense system creates a predisposition to this infection. In 2010 a data survey (IFT as well as PCR) from a few laboratories in Germany revealed 412 positive individuals. Even if only a few patients test positive for the colonization stage of this pathogen, the sheer number of individuals testing positive for other stages of infection indicate that the incidence of pneumocystosis in immunocompromised patients in Germany is underestimated.

Pathways to Earth-like atmospheres. Extreme ultraviolet (EUV)-powered escape of hydrogen-rich protoatmospheres

We discuss the evolution of the atmosphere of early Earth and of terrestrial exoplanets which may be capable of sustaining liquid water oceans and continents where life may originate. The formation age of a terrestrial planet, its mass and size, as well as the lifetime in the EUV-saturated early phase of its host star play a significant role in its atmosphere evolution. We show that planets even in orbits within the habitable zone of their host stars might not lose nebular- or catastrophically outgassed initial protoatmospheres completely and could end up as water worlds with CO2 and hydrogen- or oxygen-rich upper atmospheres. If an atmosphere of a terrestrial planet evolves to an N2-rich atmosphere too early in its lifetime, the atmosphere may be lost. We show that the initial conditions set up by the formation of a terrestrial planet and by the evolution of the host star's EUV and plasma environment are very important factors owing to which a planet may evolve to a habitable world. Finally we present a method for studying the discussed atmosphere evolution hypotheses by future UV transit observations of terrestrial exoplanets.

Transient Photoresponse from Co Schottky Barriers on AlGaN

Co on AlGaN is expected to form a large barrier Schottky contact due to its high work function. We have used this material combination with 18 % of Al in AlxGaN for the study of transient photoresponse in the photovoltaic mode and in secondary photocurrent measurements after pulsed laser excitation. In reverse bias and in short- circuit mode a fast decay with a characteristic time of a few microseconds is dominant at room temperature. This mode is appropriate for UV detector operation. At elevated temperature, a much slower tail extending to several milliseconds is also observed. In forward bias operation the slow tail is dominating at any temperature. We discuss this asymmetry with respect to fast minority carrier collection within the space charge region for primary photocurrents and the slower majority carrier transport in forward bias.

Carrier Transport Through Grain Boundaries in Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Silicon

To analyse the influence of the grain boundaries (gb) on the transport of carriers in hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (μC-Si:H) the ambipolar diffusion length (LLMB) was measured by SSPG. In addition, the films were characterised by photo-conductivity, dark conductivity activation energy, Urbach energy (determined by CPM), hydrogen effusion, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray scattering and optical transmission.

The sample series was prepared by PECVD of SiH4 diluted with increasing H2 content. Taking the structural information by Raman spectra and X-ray into account, we explain our optical and activation energy measurements within a three-phase-model (amorphous phase, crystalline phase, gb) and a Fermi level pinning in μc-Si:H.

Preparation of α-(Si.Ge):H Alloys by D.C. Glow Discharge Deposition

We report the preparation of α-(Si.Ge):H alloy films by decomposition of SiF4, GeF4, and H2 in a d.c. glow discharge. Germanium is incorporated very efficiently from GeF4. The germanium content and optical gap canbe controlled by varying the GeF4 flow while keeping the SiF4 and H2 flows constant. The films, all prepared at 300 ºC substrate temperature, exhibit high photo- to dark-conductivity ratios for compositions of up to -25% germanium.

Interdiffusion and Carrier Recombination in High Intensity Transient Gratings

Transient grating (TG) experiments were performed to study carrier diffusion and recombination in amorphous silicon films (a-Si:H) at high light intensities using 8 ns pulses from a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser. The ambipolar diffusion coefficients reached about 10−2cm2/s, which is 2 orders of magnitude larger than the steady-state value. Similar results were obtained in intrinsic, p-, and n-doped a-Si:H films, indicating that the diffusion coefficients in all cases reflect the near band edge mobility of the slower carriers, that is holes. In particular, the p-type sample shows an initially fast, then a slow grating efficiency decay, consistent with dispersive transport.

Activity of a novel dual PI3-kinase/mTOR inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 to enhance antitumor activities of gemcitabine and EMAP II in pancreatic cancer

255

Background: Gemcitabine (Gem, G) has limited benefits as single agent or in combination for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways are frequently dysregulated in diverse human cancers including PDAC. NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ, B) is a novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor that has been shown to have antitumor activity in multiple tumor types. Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II (EMAP, E) is an antiendothelial and antiangiogenic agent that enhances Gem and docetaxel activity in PDAC. We tested the combination benefits of BEZ and Gem in addition to EMAP in experimental PDAC.

Methods: In vitro cell proliferation and protein expression were analyzed by WST-1 assay and Western blotting. In vivo animal survival experiments were performed in NOD-SCID PDAC xenografts.

Results: Cultured cells of PDAC (AsPC-1), endothelial (HUVECs), and fibroblast origin (WI-38) all expressed AKT and mTOR protein. BEZ inhibited in vitro cell proliferation of AsPC-1 and HUVECs cells, with some additive effects in combination with Gem or EMAP, after 72 hours of incubation. In AsPC-1, treatment of BEZ (100 nM), Gem (100 nM) and EMAP (1 μM) caused 34, -7, -16, 62, 51, 3, and 59 percent inhibition in proliferation in the B, G, E, B+G, B+E, G+E and B+G+E groups. In HUVECs, percent inhibition in proliferation was 35, 33, 15, 55, 35, 31 and 53 in the B, G, E, B+G, B+E, G+E and B+G+E groups, respectively. Compared to controls (median survival: 16 days), an animal survival increase after BEZ and EMAP therapy alone (both 21 days) and Gem therapy alone (28 d) was observed. Further increases in survival occurred in combination therapy groups B+G (30 d, p=0.007), B+E (27 d, p=0.02), G+E (31 d, p=0.001) and B+G+E (33 d, p=0.004).

Conclusions: Bez has experimental PDAC antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo that is further enhanced by combination of Gem and EMAP. These findings demonstrate advantages of combination therapy strategies targeting multiple pathways in pancreatic cancer treatment.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Augmenting chemotherapy response through EMAP II combination in experimental pancreatic cancer

294

Background: Gemcitabine (Gem), the most active drug for locally advanced, non-operable and metastatic PDAC, has limited benefits as single agent or in combination. Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II (EMAP, E) enhances Gem effects in PDAC. We evaluated the antitumor activities of EMAP in combination with doxorubicin (Dox) or docetaxel (DT) in PDAC.

Methods: In vitro cell proliferation, protein expression and apoptosis were analyzed by WST-1 assay, Western blotting and FACS analysis. In vivo local tumor growth and animal survival experiments were performed in murine xenografts.

Results: In vitro PDAC cell proliferation was not affected by EMAP, compared to a small inhibition by Dox, DT and Gem. EMAP combination to these agents did not increase the antiproliferative effects. In endothelial cells (ECs), EMAP, Dox, DT and Gem all inhibited proliferation (59, 79, 96 and 85% at 10 μM, respectively); addition of EMAP caused additive antiproliferative effects. In PDAC cells, no agent caused measurable apoptosis, but in ECs all agents either alone or in combination increased the apoptosis. In vivo, Dox, DT, Gem and EMAP all decreased local tumor growth, and addition of EMAP enhanced inhibitory effects of DT and Gem, but not of Dox (92, 63, 60, 42, 73, 85 and 68 % inhibition after Dox, DT, Gem, E, Dox+E, DT+E and Gem+E, respectively); DT followed by Gem led to 72% inhibition without EMAP, and to 99% with EMAP (p=0.001). Inhibition of intra-tumoral proliferative activity and increase of apoptotic index were enhanced in all EMAP combination groups. Compared to controls (median survival: 21 days), EMAP (20 d) had no, but Dox (31 d) and DT (35 d) had extended survival benefit. EMAP enhanced the DT effect (44 d, p=0.009) but not that of Dox (31 d, p=0.04). In a sequential therapy experiment, median survival after controls, Gem, DT, Gem followed by DT, DT followed by Gem, Gem+E, DT+E, Gem/DT+E and DT/Gem+E was 17, 25, 29, 39, 39, 28, 35, 34 and 41 days, respectively.

Conclusions: The antiendothelial agent EMAP enhances antitumor effects of not just gemcitabine. Therefore, combination approaches with EMAP-like agents could render other drugs such as taxanes or their doublets sufficiently effective for clinical applications in PDAC therapy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A comparison of competing lymph node staging schemes in resectable biliary cancer

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Background: New schemes for lymph node (LN) staging have been proposed to improve upon the AJCC TNM cancer staging convention. We compared AJCC N0/N1 staging with the LN ratio and logarithmic odds systems in predicting overall survival (OS) in resectable biliary cancer patients, including cancer of the gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD), and ampulla of Vater (AOV).

Methods: In a large, multiinstitutional U.S.-based biliary cancer data set, we identified 4,288 nonmetastatic resectable biliary cancer patients diagnosed between 1988 and 2006. We compared each subject's AJCC N stage with the two novel staging schemes. We split patients into two groups above or below the median for the two novel staging schemes and analyzed OS. Our comparison metric was the log-rank chi-squared statistic. As a baseline comparator, we included the median number of LNs resected.

Results: Median (range) of follow- up was 2.5 years (1 month–19 years), with an overall median survival of 2.0 years (95% CI: 2.0–2.1 years). For all biliary patients combined, we found that the AJCC N0/N1 system and LN ratio schemes performed similarly. For gallbladder cancers (N= 1,340), LN ratio showed higher OS prediction utility, whereas in EHBD (N= 1,083) and AOV cancers (N= 1,865), AJCC staging was superior among competing methods.

Conclusions: The LN ratio method is comparable with AJCC N staging for OS prediction, although the AJCC scheme is superior in two of three biliary cancers. We conclude that AJCC staging remains adequate for staging biliary cancers given the newer staging proposals.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Local piezoelectric properties of ZnO thin films prepared by RF-plasma-assisted pulsed-laser deposition method

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were grown on uncoated and zinc-coated Corning glass substrates by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD). X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the as-deposited films are polycrystalline having preferential orientation along the [0002] and [[Formula: see text]] directions. Transmittance spectroscopy verified that the as-deposited films are transparent with a direct bandgap of about 3.28 eV at room temperature. Piezoresponse imaging and local hysteresis loop acquisition were performed to characterize the piezoelectric and possible ferroelectric properties of the films. The out-of-plane (effective longitudinal, d(parellel)) and in-plane (effective shear, d(perpendicular)) coefficients were estimated from the local piezoresponse based on the comparison with LiNbO(3) single crystals. Measurements of all three components of piezoresponse (one longitudinal and two shear signals) allowed constructing piezoelectric maps for polycrystalline ZnO and to relate the variation of piezoelectric properties to the crystallographic and grain structure of the films. A shifted piezoresponse hysteresis loop under high voltages hints at the possible pseudoferroelectricity, as discussed recently by Tagantsev (2008 Appl. Phys. Lett. 93 202905).