Measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters from the T2K experiment using 3.6×1021 protons on target

The T2K experiment presents new measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters using 19.7 ( 16.3 ) × 10 20 protons on target (POT) in (anti-)neutrino mode at the far detector (FD). Compared to the previous analysis, an additional 4.7 × 10 20 POT neutrino data was collected at the FD. Significant improvements were made to the analysis methodology, with the near-detector analysis introducing new selections and using more than double the data. Additionally, this is the first T2K oscillation analysis to use NA61/SHINE data on a replica of the T2K target to tune the neutrino flux model, and the neutrino interaction model was improved to include new nuclear effects and calculations. Frequentist and Bayesian analyses are presented, including results on sin 2 θ 13 and the impact of priors on the δ CP measurement. Both analyses prefer the normal mass ordering and upper octant of sin 2 θ 23 with a nearly maximally CP-violating phase. Assuming the normal ordering and using the constraint on sin 2 θ 13 from reactors, sin 2 θ 23 = 0 . 561 - 0.032 + 0.021 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and Δ m 32 2 = 2 . 494 - 0.058 + 0.041 × 10 - 3 eV 2 using constant Δ χ 2 intervals. The CP-violating phase is constrained to δ CP = - 1 . 97 - 0.70 + 0.97 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and δ CP = 0 , π is excluded at more than 90% confidence level. A Jarlskog invariant of zero is excluded at more than 2 σ credible level using a flat prior in δ CP , and just below 2 σ using a flat prior in sin δ CP . When the external constraint on sin 2 θ 13 is removed, sin 2 θ 13 = 28 . 0 - 6.5 + 2.8 × 10 - 3 , in agreement with measurements from reactor experiments. These results are consistent with previous T2K analyses.

Passive dual-probe near-field microscopy

Accurate and simultaneous multiposition near-field measurements are essential to study the time-dependent local dynamics, including heat and carrier transfer. The existing passive long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) systems with a single probe cannot perform precise near-field measurements of the heat or carrier transporting process at the nanoscale level. Therefore, in this study, we developed a passive LWIR s-SNOM system with two probes. To test the effectiveness of the proposed passive LWIR dual-probe s-SNOM system, each probe was precisely controlled using a shear-force feedback system, and the mechanical interference between the probes was used to monitor the distance between the probes. We achieved simultaneous near-field measurements at two different positions 500 nm apart using the proposed passive LWIR dual-probe s-SNOM system. The simultaneously detected near-field signals from two different points were extracted individually, making this technique an effective nanoscale analysis tool for local carrier dynamics.

Relation of lymphopenia to comorbidity burden and its prognostic value in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction: a multicentre study

Background

Systemic inflammation resulting from comorbidities is postulated to play a central role in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Lymphopenia is a common manifestation of systemic inflammation and a prognostic factor in patients with HF. However, the association of lymphopenia with the comorbidity burden is unknown, and its prognostic value in patients with HFpEF admitted due to acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) also remains elusive.

Purpose

We sought to clarify the relation of lymphopenia with the comorbidity burden, as well as its prognostic value and complementarity with the Get with the Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) risk score in ADHF patients with HFpEF.

Methods

Patients' data were extracted from the Prospective mUlticenteR obServational stUdy of patIenTs with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (PURSUIT-HFpEF), which is a prospective multicentre registry for patients with ADHF with a LVEF ≥50%. We analysed data of patients admitted between June 2016 and December 2020 who survived to discharge. The total lymphocyte count (per μL) and GWTG-HF risk score were obtained on admission, as previously reported. Comorbidity burden was defined as the number of comorbidities from the following: atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anaemia, and obesity. The study endpoint was all-cause death.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 417 days, 181 of the 1013 included patients died. The proportion of patients with a total lymphocyte count in the lowest tertile was increasing with the increase in comorbidity burden (Figure 1). In the multivariate Cox analysis, a total lymphocyte count in the intermediate (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–2.41, p=0.0486) and lowest tertile (HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.47–3.38, p=0.0002) was independently associated with all-cause death. There was a significant difference in the all-cause death rate among the groups stratified by total lymphocyte count tertile (Figure 2). The total lymphocyte count had a higher C-statistic value (0.627) for the prediction of all-cause death than the GWTG-HF risk score, and the C-statistic value of the GWTG-HF risk score was improved when the total lymphocyte count was added (0.613 to 0.636, p=0.0260).

Conclusions

Lymphopenia was significantly associated with comorbidity burden. Furthermore, it was a useful marker of poor prognosis in hospitalised patients with acute HFpEF and was shown to be complementary to the contemporary HF prognostic score.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Roche Diagnostics K.K.Fuji Film Toyama Chemical Co. Ltd.

High-precision measurement of the W boson mass with the CDF II detector

The mass of the W boson, a mediator of the weak force between elementary particles, is tightly constrained by the symmetries of the standard model of particle physics. The Higgs boson was the last missing component of the model. After observation of the Higgs boson, a measurement of the W boson mass provides a stringent test of the model. We measure the W boson mass, M_W, using data corresponding to 8.8 inverse femtobarns of integrated luminosity collected in proton-antiproton collisions at a 1.96 tera-electron volt center-of-mass energy with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. A sample of approximately 4 million W boson candidates is used to obtain [Formula: see text], the precision of which exceeds that of all previous measurements combined (stat, statistical uncertainty; syst, systematic uncertainty; MeV, mega-electron volts; c, speed of light in a vacuum). This measurement is in significant tension with the standard model expectation.

O-130 The influence of vaginal microbiota on frozen blastocyst implantation after transfer: a prospective study through next-generation 16S rRNA sequencing

Study question

A prospective study to investigate the relationship between the composition of vaginal microbiota through next-generation sequencing and the efficacy of single frozen blastocyst transfer in the same cycle.

Summary answer

Dominant presence of lactobacillus and other lactate producing microbes in the upper vagina was highly correlated with implantation of transferred blastocyst in this pilot study.

What is known already

Next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA detected microbes in the uterine cavity and recent studies indicated that dominant presence of Lactobacillus correlated highly with successful implantation of the transferred embryos. Aberrant vaginal microbiota has been known to cause poor obstetrical outcomes, however little is known for its effect on embryo implantation in assisted reproduction.

Study design, size, duration

A prospective study with 25 female subjects transferring a frozen blastocyst using autologous oocyte, over 14 months period in 2019-2020.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

25 female patients without tubal and uterine pathology and no history of multiple miscarriages and implantation failures were recruited with consent at a private ART clinic. Transdermal estrogen was used to prepare endometrium. Upper vaginal fluid was obtained in follicular phase of the the same cycle and analyzed through next-generation sequencing, but the result was reported after pregnancy confirmation. Single frozen blastocyst transfer and standard luteal phase support were performed. Institutional IRB approved the protocol.

Main results and the role of chance

The mean age was 36.2 y.o.(range 29-41 y.o.), and 14 gestational sacs (implantation rate 56%), and 3 miscarriage (21.4%) were observed. Next-generation sequencing for 16S rRNA revealed average 69.2% presence of Lactobacillus (0-100%) and average 78.0% (0.2-100%) lactate producing microbes (LPM: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus) in the vaginal fluid. Using 90% as cut-off, implantation rates were 11/15 (73.3%) and 3/10 (30%) with Lactobacillus dominant and non-dominant, 12/16 (75%) and 2/9 (22.2%) with LPM dominant and non-dominant microbiota, respectively. The difference in each group were not statistically significant. The relative risks for pregnancy were 2.63 (95%CI 1.03-6.67, P=0.04) for Lactobacillus and 3.11 (95%CI 1.24-7.79, P=0.02) for LPM. As for ROC analysis for embryo implantation and dominant microbes, AUC and associated criterion were 0.62 and 90.7% (sensitivity 78.6%, specificity 72.7%) for Lactobacillus, 0.69 and 96.6% (sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 72.7%) for LPM, respectively. The difference of AUC was not significant (P=0.24).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Despite prospective nature of the study, small sample size limited the analytical power of the study. Aneuploidy screening was not performed to remove confounding factor.

Wider implications of the findings

Our pilot study revealed possible relationship between vaginal microbiota and embryo implantation. Dominance of Lactobacillus or other lactate producing microbes may be advantageous for successful ART. Sampling vaginal fluid for microbe analysis is less invasive than endometrial sampling and can obtain more abundant RNA with possible higher accuracy of analysis.

Trial registration number

not applicable

Search for Electron Antineutrino Appearance in a Long-Baseline Muon Antineutrino Beam

Electron antineutrino appearance is measured by the T2K experiment in an accelerator-produced antineutrino beam, using additional neutrino beam operation to constrain parameters of the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata (PMNS) mixing matrix. T2K observes 15 candidate electron antineutrino events with a background expectation of 9.3 events. Including information from the kinematic distribution of observed events, the hypothesis of no electron antineutrino appearance is disfavored with a significance of 2.40σ and no discrepancy between data and PMNS predictions is found. A complementary analysis that introduces an additional free parameter which allows non-PMNS values of electron neutrino and antineutrino appearance also finds no discrepancy between data and PMNS predictions.

Morphological lymphocytic reaction, patient prognosis and PD-1 expression after surgical resection for oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as antibody against programmed cell death protein (PD-1), have demonstrated antitumour effects in patients with malignancies, including oesophageal cancer. A lymphocytic reaction observed by pathological examination is a manifestation of the host immune response to tumour cells. It was hypothesized that a stronger lymphocytic reaction to tumours might be associated with favourable prognosis in oesophageal cancer.

METHODS

Using a database of resected oesophageal cancers, four morphological components of lymphocytic reactions (peritumoral, intranest, lymphoid and stromal) to tumours were evaluated in relation to clinical outcome, PD-1 expression by immunohistochemistry and total lymphocyte count in blood.

RESULTS

Resected oesophageal cancer specimens from 436 patients were included in the study. Among the four morphological components, only peritumoral reaction was associated with patient prognosis (multivariable P for trend <0·001); patients with a higher peritumoral reaction had significantly longer overall survival than those with a lower reaction (multivariable hazard ratio 0·48, 95 per cent c.i. 0·34 to 0·67). The prognostic effect of peritumoral reaction was not significantly modified by other clinical variables (all P for interaction >0·050). Peritumoral reaction was associated with total lymphocyte count in the blood (P < 0·001), supporting the relationship between local immune response and systemic immune competence. In addition, higher morphological peritumoral reaction was associated with high PD-1 expression on lymphocytes in tumours (P = 0·034).

CONCLUSION

These findings should help to improve risk-adapted therapeutic strategies and help stratify patients in the future clinical setting of immunotherapy for oesophageal cancer.

74 Analysis of chromosomal abnormality of bovine IVF embryos based on next-generation sequencing

It has been suggested that bovine IVF embryos have a higher frequency of occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities than invivo-fertilised embryos, which may explain low pregnancy success, but the details have not been clarified (Yao et al. 2018 Sci. Rep. 8, 7460). In this study, chromosomal aneuploidy in blastocysts of bovine IVF and invivo-fertilised was analysed by copy number variations (CNVs) based on next-generation sequencing. The IVF bovine embryos were cultured in well of-the-well culture dishes (LinKID micro25: Dai Nippon Printing) containing 125µL of CR1aa supplemented with 5% calf serum at 38.5°C in 5% O2 and 5% CO2 for 8 days after insemination. Invitro development of embryos was monitored using time-lapse cinematography (Sugimura et al. 2010 Biol. Reprod. 83, 970-78). Invivo embryos were produced by collection of a superstimulated Japanese Black cow. Embryos that reached the blastocyst stage were divided into inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) fractions by a micromanipulator with a blade. The TE and ICM samples were biopsied individually from 10 IVF and 4 invivo-derived embryos, and extracted DNA was amplified using the SurePlex DNA amplification System (Illumina). The whole-genome amplified DNA libraries were sequenced using MiSeq (Illumina). The sequencing reads were mapped onto the Bos taurus reference genome ARS-UCD1.2, obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information. In all 29 autosomal chromosomes and the X chromosome, CNV analysis was performed by CNV-seq (Xie and Tammi 2009 BMC Bioinformatics 10, 80). Male or female Japanese Black cattle DNA sequence was used for the reference genome. The parameter of CNV-seq was run with P-value=0.001, log2=0.6, and window size=1M. Four IVF embryos showed chromosomal duplications or deletions in either ICM- or TE-cell samples (4/10, 40%). The CNV loci between ICM and TE cells were relatively similar in each embryo. One of them was a code 1-expanded blastocyst with normal cleavage. Interestingly, CNV was not identified in another code 1-expanded blastocyst that underwent direct cleavage from 1 cell to 3 or more cells. In invivo embryos, only one embryo had a CNV (1/4, 25%). Observed CNVs in both IVF and invivo embryos were segmental duplication or deletion in each chromosome. Hence, to improve pregnancy success in bovine IVF embryos, cytogenetic evaluation may be useful for quality evaluation of embryos that are prone to chromosomal abnormalities, as well as morphological scoring.

Middle-term prognosis in patients with ulcerative colitis who achieved clinical and endoscopic remission by budesonide rectal foam

BACKGROUND

Budesonide foam is effective in inducing clinical remission in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with active proctosigmoiditis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the duration of remission and predictors of relapse in UC patients who achieved clinical remission and mucosal healing by 6-week treatment with topical budesonide.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, observational, multicenter study with a 2-year follow-up period. UC patients who were treated with budesonide foam in phase 2 or phase 3 clinical trials and achieved both clinical remission and mucosal healing were enrolled.

RESULTS

Among 84 patients who met the eligibility criteria, 60 participated in the study. Eighteen of the 60 patients (30.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.9-43.2) experienced no relapse (i.e., maintenance of remission) during the 2-year follow-up period. The median relapse-free survival time was 0.82 years (95% CI: 0.51-1.52). Of 37 patients with a Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0 after inducing remission with budesonide foam, 25 (67.6%) relapsed within 2 years. Patients with a disease duration of <1 year experienced a worse clinical outcome than patients with a disease duration of >5 years, and the hazard ratio was 2.38 (95% CI: 1.04-5.45).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to evaluate the short- to middle-term prognosis in UC patients who achieved mucosal healing with topical preparations. After inducing remission by budesonide foam, treatment for maintaining remissions and strict follow-up may be needed for patients with shorter disease duration.

Effectiveness of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel plus carboplatin in non-small lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common complication occurring in cancer patients, and its management affects the prognosis of these patients. Preclinical and clinical studies have reported that treatment with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) plus carboplatin (CBDCA) is effective against intraperitoneal malignant tumors. To investigate the effectiveness of nab-paclitaxel plus CBDCA therapy for MPEs arising in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics of 40 patients with stage IIIb or IV NSCLC who were treated with nab-paclitaxel plus CBDCA from 2013 to 2016. Out of 26 patients with MPEs who were treated with nab-paclitaxel plus CBDCA in this study, 21 patients (80.8%) had effective responses in MPEs; 6 of 21 patients exhibited complete responses (23.1%) and 15 of 21 had partial responses (57.7%). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests to evaluate the effectiveness of nab-paclitaxel plus CBDCA therapy against MPEs showed longer median progression-free survival (323 days vs. 26 days; p=0.009) and overall survival (not reached vs. 199 days; p=0.047) in patients with complete responses compared with those who achieved no response. There were no statistical differences between therapeutic effects on MPEs and those on systemic lesions. Nab-paclitaxel plus CBDCA therapy may be a preferred therapeutic option for patients with NSCLC who experience MPEs, and its effectiveness in treatment of MPEs may need to be evaluated separately from its therapeutic responses in systemic lesions.

Search for CP Violation in Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations by the T2K Experiment with 2.2×10^{21} Protons on Target

The T2K experiment measures muon neutrino disappearance and electron neutrino appearance in accelerator-produced neutrino and antineutrino beams. With an exposure of 14.7(7.6)×10^{20} protons on target in the neutrino (antineutrino) mode, 89 ν_{e} candidates and seven anti-ν_{e} candidates are observed, while 67.5 and 9.0 are expected for δ_{CP}=0 and normal mass ordering. The obtained 2σ confidence interval for the CP-violating phase, δ_{CP}, does not include the CP-conserving cases (δ_{CP}=0, π). The best-fit values of other parameters are sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.526_{-0.036}^{+0.032} and Δm_{32}^{2}=2.463_{-0.070}^{+0.071}×10^{-3}  eV^{2}/c^{4}.

Search for the Exotic Meson X(5568) with the Collider Detector at Fermilab

A search for the exotic meson X(5568) decaying into the B_{s}^{0}π^{±} final state is performed using data corresponding to 9.6  fb^{-1} from pp[over ¯] collisions at sqrt[s]=1960  GeV recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. No evidence for this state is found and an upper limit of 6.7% at the 95% confidence level is set on the fraction of B_{s}^{0} produced through the X(5568)→B_{s}^{0}π^{±} process.

A phase II study of combination therapy with oral S-1 and cisplatin in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

A combination of S-1 and cisplatin is recognized as one of the standard first-line chemotherapy regimens for patients with advanced gastric cancer. However, demographic analyses of pivotal phase III studies have showed that only a minority of treated patients were aged 76 years or older. The purpose of this phase II study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with S-1 and cisplatin in elderly patients with chemotherapy-naive advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS

Patients aged 76 years or older received S-1 40 mg/m² orally twice daily for 21 days and cisplatin 60 mg/m² intravenously infused at day 8 of each 35-day cycle. Dose modification was performed according to creatinine clearance. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), time to treatment failure (TTF), and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients were enrolled. Median OS was 12.3 months, PFS was 7.8 months, and TTF was 4.3 months. The response rate was 54%. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were anorexia (25%), neutropenia (23%), hyponatremia (20%), anemia (18%), and febrile neutropenia (8%). No treatment-related death occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination chemotherapy with S-1 and cisplatin is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer when the dose is adjusted according to renal function.

Combined Forward-Backward Asymmetry Measurements in Top-Antitop Quark Production at the Tevatron

The CDF and D0 experiments at the Fermilab Tevatron have measured the asymmetry between yields of forward- and backward-produced top and antitop quarks based on their rapidity difference and the asymmetry between their decay leptons. These measurements use the full data sets collected in proton-antiproton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV. We report the results of combinations of the inclusive asymmetries and their differential dependencies on relevant kinematic quantities. The combined inclusive asymmetry is A_{FB}^{tt[over ¯]}=0.128±0.025. The combined inclusive and differential asymmetries are consistent with recent standard model predictions.

A Prospective, Multicenter Phase II Study of the Efficacy and Feasibility of 15-minute Panitumumab Infusion Plus Irinotecan for Oxaliplatin- and Irinotecan-refractory, KRAS Wild-type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (Short Infusion of Panitumumab Trial)

BACKGROUND

In some recently updated clinical guidelines, the fully humanized monoclonal antibody panitumumab, combined with irinotecan, has been recommended as an optional third-line chemotherapy for KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The present prospective, multicenter phase II study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of short 15-minute panitumumab infusions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2011 to December 2011, patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC were enrolled at 8 centers. The key eligibility criteria were age ≥ 20 years and resistance or intolerance to irinotecan, fluoropyrimidine, and oxaliplatin. All patients received 6 mg/kg of panitumumab and 150 mg/m² or the previous tolerated dose of irinotecan, biweekly, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The initial panitumumab infusion was 60 minutes, followed by a 30-minute infusion and then 15-minute infusions. The primary endpoint was the confirmed response rate using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors, version 1.0. The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, overall survival, and toxicity. The trial is registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN no. 000004647).

RESULTS

Of the 43 patients, the median age was 62 years (range, 32-75 years), 58% were male, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0 to 1. The total response rate was 37.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.0-53.3), and the confirmed response rate was 18.6% (95% CI, 8.4-33.4). The median progression-free and overall survival were 5.8 months (95% CI, 3.3-8.4 months) and 13.6 months (95% CI, 10.8-16.5 months), respectively. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxicities were anorexia (12%), leukopenia (9%), and neutropenia (9%). Nine patients did not reach the 15-minute infusion, primarily because of disease progression. No infusion-related reactions were observed.

CONCLUSION

The short 15-minute panitumumab infusion regimen was well tolerated, without compromising safety or efficacy in patients with KRAS wild-type, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-refractory mCRC.

Atom probe tomographic assessment of the distribution of germanium atoms implanted in a silicon matrix through nano-apertures

Ion implantation through nanometer-scale apertures (nano-apertures) is a promising method to precisely position ions in silicon matrices, which is a requirement for next generation electronic and quantum computing devices. This paper reports the application of atom probe tomography (APT) to investigate the three-dimensional distribution of germanium atoms in silicon after implantation through nano-aperture of 10 nm in diameter, for evaluation of the amount and spatial distribution of implanted dopants. The experimental results obtained by APT are consistent with a simple simulation with consideration of several effects during lithography and ion implantation, such as channeling and resist flow.

Topological cell clustering in the ATLAS calorimeters and its performance in LHC Run 1

The reconstruction of the signal from hadrons and jets emerging from the proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and entering the ATLAS calorimeters is based on a three-dimensional topological clustering of individual calorimeter cell signals. The cluster formation follows cell signal-significance patterns generated by electromagnetic and hadronic showers. In this, the clustering algorithm implicitly performs a topological noise suppression by removing cells with insignificant signals which are not in close proximity to cells with significant signals. The resulting topological cell clusters have shape and location information, which is exploited to apply a local energy calibration and corrections depending on the nature of the cluster. Topological cell clustering is established as a well-performing calorimeter signal definition for jet and missing transverse momentum reconstruction in ATLAS.

Performance of algorithms that reconstruct missing transverse momentum in [Formula: see text]= 8 TeV proton-proton collisions in the ATLAS detector

The reconstruction and calibration algorithms used to calculate missing transverse momentum ([Formula: see text] ) with the ATLAS detector exploit energy deposits in the calorimeter and tracks reconstructed in the inner detector as well as the muon spectrometer. Various strategies are used to suppress effects arising from additional proton-proton interactions, called pileup, concurrent with the hard-scatter processes. Tracking information is used to distinguish contributions from the pileup interactions using their vertex separation along the beam axis. The performance of the [Formula: see text] reconstruction algorithms, especially with respect to the amount of pileup, is evaluated using data collected in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 [Formula: see text] during 2012, and results are shown for a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of [Formula: see text]. The simulation and modelling of [Formula: see text]  in events containing a Z boson decaying to two charged leptons (electrons or muons) or a W boson decaying to a charged lepton and a neutrino are compared to data. The acceptance for different event topologies, with and without high transverse momentum neutrinos, is shown for a range of threshold criteria for [Formula: see text] , and estimates of the systematic uncertainties in the [Formula: see text]  measurements are presented.

A novel LSD1 inhibitor NCD38 ameliorates MDS-related leukemia with complex karyotype by attenuating leukemia programs via activating super-enhancers

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) regulates gene expression by affecting histone modifications and is a promising target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with specific genetic abnormalities. Novel LSD1 inhibitors, NCD25 and NCD38, inhibited growth of MLL-AF9 leukemia as well as erythroleukemia, megakaryoblastic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) overt leukemia cells in the concentration range that normal hematopoiesis was spared. NCD25 and NCD38 invoked the myeloid development programs, hindered the MDS and AML oncogenic programs, and commonly upregulated 62 genes in several leukemia cells. NCD38 elevated H3K27ac level on enhancers of these LSD1 signature genes and newly activated ~500 super-enhancers. Upregulated genes with super-enhancer activation in erythroleukemia cells were enriched in leukocyte differentiation. Eleven genes including GFI1 and ERG, but not CEBPA, were identified as the LSD1 signature with super-enhancer activation. Super-enhancers of these genes were activated prior to induction of the transcripts and myeloid differentiation. Depletion of GFI1 attenuated myeloid differentiation by NCD38. Finally, a single administration of NCD38 causes the in vivo eradication of primary MDS-related leukemia cells with a complex karyotype. Together, NCD38 derepresses super-enhancers of hematopoietic regulators that are silenced abnormally by LSD1, attenuates leukemogenic programs and consequently exerts anti-leukemic effect against MDS-related leukemia with adverse outcome.

Value of KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA Mutations and Survival Benefit from Systemic Chemotherapy in Colorectal Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

BACKGROUND

It is well known that peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with a poor prognosis. However, data on the prognostic significance of modern chemotherapy containing bevacizumab, cetuximab or panitumumab are not available.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective review concerned 526 patients with metastatic CRC who were classified into two groups according to the presence or absence of PC, and were treated with systemic chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab or anti-EGFR antibodies. The genetic background, in particular KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA gene mutations, and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The median OS values were 23.3 and 29.1 months for PC and non-PC patients, respectively (hazard ratio [HR]=1.20; p=0.17). Among all patients, tumor location, number of metastatic sites and BRAF mutation status were significant prognostic factors, whereas the presence of PC was not. In the PC group, chemotherapy with bevacizumab resulted in a significantly longer OS than forchemotherapy without bevacizumab (HR=0.38, p<0.01), but this was not the case in the non-PC group (HR=0.80, p=0.10). Furthermore, the incidence of the BRAF V600E mutation was significantly higher in PC than in non-PC patients (27.7% versus 7.3%, p<0.01). BRAF mutations displayed a strong correlation with shorter OS in non-PC (HR=2.26), but not PC patients (HR=1.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic chemotherapy, especially when combined with bevacizumab, improved survival in patients with PC from CRC as well as non-PC patients. While BRAF mutation demonstrated a high frequency in PC patients, but it was not associated with prognosis.

Phase II study of chemoselection with docetaxel plus cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy and subsequent conversion surgery for locally advanced unresectable oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

The standard treatment for locally advanced unresectable squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oesophagus is chemoradiation with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (CF-RT). This multicentre phase II trial assessed the safety and efficacy of chemoselection with docetaxel plus cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) induction chemotherapy (ICT) and subsequent conversion surgery (CS) for initially unresectable locally advanced SCC of the oesophagus.

METHODS

Patients with clinical T4 and/or unresectable supraclavicular lymph node metastasis were eligible. Treatment started with three cycles of DCF-ICT, followed by CS if resectable, or by CF-RT if unresectable. The resectability was re-evaluated at 30-40 Gy of CF-RT, followed by CS if resectable, or by completion of 60 Gy of CF-RT. If resectable after CF-RT, CS was performed. The primary end point was 1-year overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

From April 2013 to July 2014, 48 patients were enrolled. CS was performed in 41.7% (n=20), including DCF-CS (n=18), DCF-CF-RT40Gy-CS (n=1), and DCF-CF-RT60Gy-CS (n=1). R0 resection was confirmed in 19 patients (39.6%). Grade ⩾3 postoperative complications included one event each of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, lung infection, wound infection, pulmonary fistula, and dysphagia; but no serious postoperative complications were observed in patients undergoing CS. Clinical complete response after CF-RT was confirmed in 4 patients (8.3%). The estimated 1-year OS was 67.9% and lower limit of 80% confidence interval was 59.7%. There was one treatment-related death in patient receiving DCF-CF-RT60Gy.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemoselection with DCF-ICT followed by CS as a multidisciplinary treatment strategy showed promising signs of tolerability and efficacy in patients with locally advanced unresectable SCC of the oesophagus.

Performance of pile-up mitigation techniques for jets in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV using the ATLAS detector

The large rate of multiple simultaneous proton-proton interactions, or pile-up, generated by the Large Hadron Collider in Run 1 required the development of many new techniques to mitigate the adverse effects of these conditions. This paper describes the methods employed in the ATLAS experiment to correct for the impact of pile-up on jet energy and jet shapes, and for the presence of spurious additional jets, with a primary focus on the large 20.3 [Formula: see text] data sample collected at a centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text]. The energy correction techniques that incorporate sophisticated estimates of the average pile-up energy density and tracking information are presented. Jet-to-vertex association techniques are discussed and projections of performance for the future are considered. Lastly, the extension of these techniques to mitigate the effect of pile-up on jet shapes using subtraction and grooming procedures is presented.

Search for gluinos in events with an isolated lepton, jets and missing transverse momentum at [Formula: see text] = 13 Te V with the ATLAS detector

The results of a search for gluinos in final states with an isolated electron or muon, multiple jets and large missing transverse momentum using proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] are presented. The dataset used was recorded in 2015 by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.2 fb[Formula: see text]. Six signal selections are defined that best exploit the signal characteristics. The data agree with the Standard Model background expectation in all six signal selections, and the largest deviation is a 2.1 standard deviation excess. The results are interpreted in a simplified model where pair-produced gluinos decay via the lightest chargino to the lightest neutralino. In this model, gluinos are excluded up to masses of approximately 1.6 Te V depending on the mass spectrum of the simplified model, thus surpassing the limits of previous searches.

Search for single production of vector-like quarks decaying into Wb in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for singly produced vector-like Q quarks, where Q can be either a T quark with charge [Formula: see text] or a Y quark with charge [Formula: see text], is performed in proton-proton collisions recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb[Formula: see text] and was produced with a centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] TeV. This analysis targets [Formula: see text] decays where the W boson decays leptonically. A veto on massive large-radius jets is used to reject the dominant [Formula: see text] background. The reconstructed Q-candidate mass, ranging from 0.4 to 1.2 TeV, is used in the search to discriminate signal from background processes. No significant deviation from the Standard Model expectation is observed, and limits are set on the [Formula: see text] cross-section times branching ratio. The results are also interpreted as limits on the QWb coupling and the mixing with the Standard Model sector for a singlet T quark or a Y quark from a doublet. T quarks with masses below 0.95 TeV are excluded at 95 % confidence level, assuming a unit coupling and a BR[Formula: see text], whereas the expected limit is 1.10 TeV.