In-Plane Conductivity Anisotropy in Underdoped Cuprates in the Spin-Charge Gauge Approach

Applying the recently developed spin-charge gauge theory for the pseudogap phase in cuprates, we propose a self-consistent explanation of several peculiar features of the far-infrared in-plane AC conductivity, including a broad peak as a function of frequency and significant anisotropy at low temperatures, along with a similar temperature-dependent in-plane anisotropy of DC conductivity in lightly doped cuprates. The anisotropy of the metal-insulator crossover scale is considered to be responsible for these phenomena. The obtained results are in good agreement with experiments. An explicit proposal is made to further check the theory.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Information theory analysis of Australian humpback whale song

Songs produced by migrating whales were recorded off the coast of Queensland, Australia, over six consecutive weeks in 2003. Forty-eight independent song sessions were analyzed using information theory techniques. The average length of the songs estimated by correlation analysis was approximately 100 units, with song sessions lasting from 300 to over 3100 units. Song entropy, a measure of structural constraints, was estimated using three different methodologies: (1) the independently identically distributed model, (2) a first-order Markov model, and (3) the nonparametric sliding window match length (SWML) method, as described by Suzuki et al. [(2006). “Information entropy of humpback whale song,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 1849–1866]. The analysis finds that the song sequences of migrating Australian whales are consistent with the hierarchical structure proposed by Payne and McVay [(1971). “Songs of humpback whales,” Science 173, 587–597], and recently supported mathematically by Suzuki et al. (2006) for singers on the Hawaiian breeding grounds. Both the SWML entropy estimates and the song lengths for the Australian singers in 2003 were lower than that reported by Suzuki et al. (2006) for Hawaiian whales in 1976–1978; however, song redundancy did not differ between these two populations separated spatially and temporally. The average total information in the sequence of units in Australian song was approximately 35 bits/song. Aberrant songs (8%) yielded entropies similar to the typical songs

Historical trends in Hg, Pb and Zn sedimentation in the central shelf area of Portugal

Temporal records of excess 210Pb, and the determination of major (Al and Ca) and trace elements (Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu and Hg) in two sediment box-cores, collected in the central area of the Portuguese shelf of North of the Nazaré canyon (offshore from the Lis River), allow evaluation of the deposition of various chemical elements normally associated with anthropogenic activities. In order to compensate for the natural sediment variability, heavy metal contents were normalised to Al. Temporal variations of Hg, Pb and Zn (Al-normalised) show an increasing trend since the beginning of the 1920’s, recording the development of industrial activities. Enrichment factors (EF) were calculated to estimate the level of contamination in these sediments. Mercury is the element with the highest average EF values (EF = 3), followed by Pb (EF = 1.5) and Zn (EF = 1.2). The results indicate that since 1991 64% of total Hg, 44% of total Pb and 24% of total Zn are derived from anthropogenic sources. The average anthropogenic fluxes of Hg, Pb and Zn (0.008, 3, 6 μg cm-2yr-1, respectively) for the last 40 years in a ca. 400 km2 deposition area represent a total accumulation of approximately 30, 12000 and 24400 kg per year of Hg, Pb and Zn, respectively. These results indicate that despite the high-energy conditions and the generally sandy nature of the Portuguese shelf sediments, it is possible to identify significant anthropogenic enrichments in some areas of sediment accumulation. These contaminants are not necessarily related to immediate sources but may instead indicate atmospheric and or marine transport from more distant sources.Los registros temporales del 210Pb en exceso, elementos mayores (Al y Ca), y elementos traza (Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu y Hg) de 2 box-cores procedentes de la plataforma continental al norte del cañón de Nazaré han permitido caracterizar depósitos de elementos químicos asociados a actividades antropogénicas. Los contenidos de metales pesados han sido normalizados con Al para compensar la variabilidad natural. La variación temporal de Hg, Pb y Zn, normalizados con Al, muestran un incremento desde el inicio de la década de 1920 reflejando el desarrollo de la actividad humana. El nivel de contaminación de los sedimentos ha sido calculado en base a Factores de Enriquecimiento (EF). Los valores medios más altos de FE son de mercurio (EF = 3), seguidos de plomo (EF = 1.5) y zinc (EF = 1.2). Los resultados obtenidos indican que a partir de 1991 el 64% del total de Hg, 44% del total de Pb y 24% del total de Zn son de origen antropogénico. La media para los últimos 40 años de los flujos de Hg, Pb y Zn (0.008, 3, 6 μg cm-2 año-1, respectivamente), en un área de deposición de aproximadamente 400 km2, se traduce en la acumulación de 30, 12000 y 24400 kg por año de Hg, Pb y Zn. Sin embargo, a pesar de las condiciones de alta energía y el carácter arenoso de los sedimentos de la plataforma continental portuguesa, se pueden identificar importantes enriquecimientos antropogénicos en depocentros de sedimentos, no relacionados con fuentes antropogénicas próximas pero que pueden indicar transporte marino y atmosférico de fuentes de contaminación distantes

Identification of an Imidazopyridine-based Compound as an Oral Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader for Breast Cancer Therapy.

UNLABELLED: The pro-oncogenic activities of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) drive breast cancer pathogenesis. Endocrine therapies that impair the production of estrogen or the action of the ERα are therefore used to prevent primary disease metastasis. Although recent successes with ERα degraders have been reported, there is still the need to develop further ERα antagonists with additional properties for breast cancer therapy. We have previously described a benzothiazole compound A4B17 that inhibits the proliferation of androgen receptor-positive prostate cancer cells by disrupting the interaction of the cochaperone BAG1 with the AR. A4B17 was also found to inhibit the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cells. Using a scaffold hopping approach, we report here a group of small molecules with imidazopyridine scaffolds that are more potent and efficacious than A4B17. The prototype molecule X15695 efficiently degraded ERα and attenuated estrogen-mediated target gene expression as well as transactivation by the AR. X15695 also disrupted key cellular protein-protein interactions such as BAG1-mortalin (GRP75) interaction as well as wild-type p53-mortalin or mutant p53-BAG2 interactions. These activities together reactivated p53 and resulted in cell-cycle block and the induction of apoptosis. When administered orally to in vivo tumor xenograft models, X15695 potently inhibited the growth of breast tumor cells but less efficiently the growth of prostate tumor cells. We therefore identify X15695 as an oral selective ER degrader and propose further development of this compound for therapy of ER+ breast cancers. SIGNIFICANCE: An imidazopyridine that selectively degrades ERα and is orally bioavailable has been identified for the development of ER+ breast cancer therapeutics. This compound also activates wild-type p53 and disrupts the gain-of-function tumorigenic activity of mutant p53, resulting in cell-cycle arrest and the induction of apoptosis

evaluation of the peak bone mass by quantitative heel ultrasound in young women of the centre of italy

Objective: To measure the reference young adult mean values in healthy women of the centre of Italy by Quantitative heel UltraSound (QUS). Methods: The study group was composed by 70 caucasian women: mean age was 25.4 years (Standard Deviation 4.7), mean weight was 58 Kg (SD 8.2), mean height was 166 cm (SD 5.8), mean BMI was 20.9 kg/m2 (SD 2.5). Every subject was evaluated firstly with an original questionnaire to discover risk factors (like for example steroids consumption, recent fractures of the lower limb), then was measured by quantitative heel ultrasonometry Hologic Sahara. Results: Mean extimated Bone Mineral Density (BMD) 0.588 g/cm2 (SD 0.124) mean Quantitative Ultrasound Index (QUI) 105.0 (SD 19.6), mean Speed of Sound (SOS) 1564.2 m/s (SD 31.4), mean Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) 84.8 dB/MHz (SD 17.4). No significant correlation was found between QUS parameters and anthropometric data. A correlation was found between every QUS parameters. No significant differences were found about QUI and extimated BMD, between our results and Hologic normative data for European women. Conclusions: It is very important to develop specific reference values for any measurement device and site of skeleton especially in the age of reaching the peak bone mass because the T score is then measured referring to these data. Usually the normative data are supplied by manufacturer and are based on large multicentric study. In our opinion it could be helpful to verify if these data are compatible with the population examined in every region

Efficacy and Safety of Filgotinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Aged over and under 65 Years (ENANTIA-65)

Background: According to recent data, the age of patients could represent an important risk factor for MACE (major cardiovascular events), cancer, and VTE (venous thromboembolism) during treatment with JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. We decided to analyze the population involved in the ReLiFiRa study by identifying two groups of patients: 65 years or more and less than 65 years of age, evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of 200 mg of Filgotinib daily. Methods: Of the 120 ReLiFiRa patients, 54 were younger than 65 years old and 66 patients were 65 years old or older. The data of efficacy and tolerability of treatment with FIL 200 mg daily for 6 months were evaluated. Results: After six months of treatment, FIL was effective in both age groups. In both groups, the median values of steroid DAS28, CDAI, ERS, PCR, tender joints, swollen joints, VAS, HAQ, PGA patients, and PGA physicians were reduced with a statistically significant difference comparing these values with the baseline values. The difference in age did not impact the effectiveness of the drug. The lipid profile data also did not demonstrate significant differences between the two age groups; however, the comparison between younger vs. older patients’ populations regarding the total cholesterol/HDL ratio and LDL/HDL ratio shows a statistically significant difference: total cholesterol/HDL 3.4 (2.12–3.66) vs. 3.64 (3.36–4.13) p = 0.0004, LDL/HDL 1.9 (0.98–2.25) vs. 2.41 (2.04–2.73) p = 0.0002. There are no differences regarding the atherogenic index (LDL-C/HDL-C) and coronary risk index (TC/HDL-C) compared to baseline. Conclusions: After six months of treatment with FIL, the older population group showed a higher level of LDL and a lower level of HDL compared to younger patients. The atherogenic index and coronary risk index are higher in patients aged ≥ 65 years, but interestingly, there were no differences when comparing the 6-month data to baseline values. This condition highlights the impact of typical risk factors that act independently of treatment with Filgotinib