Multiple isoform recovery (MIR)-PCR: a simple method for the isolation of related mRNA isoforms

We present a rapid and efficient method for the detection of related transcripts with different expression levels. This approach combines the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method with a cDNA subtractive technique. The strategy is based on successive subtractions of prevalent isoforms resulting in enrichment of less expressed transcripts. For each subtraction, a biotinylated primer specific for the prevalent isoform is hybridized on the total cDNA and the hybrid is retained on a streptavidin affinity column. The unbound cDNA serves as a template for subsequent isoform identification. To illustrate its application we describe the isolation of three new actin cDNA isoforms in the freshwater planarian Dugesia (S) polychro

Quantum Quench in the Transverse Field Ising chain I: Time evolution of order parameter correlators

We consider the time evolution of order parameter correlation functions after a sudden quantum quench of the magnetic field in the transverse field Ising chain. Using two novel methods based on determinants and form factor sums respectively, we derive analytic expressions for the asymptotic behaviour of one and two point correlators. We discuss quenches within the ordered and disordered phases as well as quenches between the phases and to the quantum critical point. We give detailed account of both methods.Comment: 65 pages, 21 figures, some typos correcte

Peritoneal carcinosis of ovarian origin

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the second most common genital malignancy in women and is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with an estimated five-year survival rate of 39%. Despite efforts to develop an effective ovarian cancer screening method, 60% of patients still present with advanced disease. Comprehensive management using surgical cytoreduction to decrease the tumor load to a minimum, and intraperitoneal chemotherapy to eliminate microscopic disease on peritoneal surface, has the potential to greatly improve quality of life and to have an impact on survival in ovarian cancer patients. Despite achieving clinical remission after completion of initial treatment, most patients (60%) with advanced EOC will ultimately develop recurrent disease or show drug resistance; the eventual rate of curability is less than 30%. Given the poor outcome of women with advanced EOC, it is imperative to continue to explore novel therapies.

Immunoradiometric and immunohistochemical analysis of Cathepsin D in ovarian cancer: lack of association with clinical outcome.

The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical significance of Cathepsin D (Cath D) content as determined by an immunoradiometric assay in a series of primary untreated ovarian cancers from 162 patients. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis of Cath D was also performed on a subset of 86 tumours. Cath D levels were distributed in an asymmetrical way and were skewed towards the lower values (median value 20.8 pmol mg(-1) protein, range 2.0-99.0 pmol mg(-1) protein). No correlation was found between Cath D levels and clinicopathological parameters. However, the percentage of Cath D positivity was significantly higher in oestrogen receptor-positive (57%) compared with oestrogen receptor-negative (36%) cases (P= 0.01). The percentage of Cath D-positive staining was not significantly different for both epithelial (27%) and stromal components (40%). Immunoradiometrically detected Cath D levels were not different according to Cath D stromal immunostaining (P= 0.18), while higher Cath D levels were measured in Cath D-positive than in Cath D-negative tumour epithelial cells (P = 0.027). Survival analysis was conducted on 161 primary untreated ovarian cancer patients. The 5-year overall survival rate was 57% and 55% in Cath D-positive and Cath D-negative patients respectively (P = 0.69). As far as time to progression was concerned, there was no significant difference in the survival rate of patients with either high or low Cath D content (P = 0.56). Similar results have been obtained in the subset of patients in which Cath D was analysed by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, Cath D measurement in tumour extracts appears to have a limited usefulness in improving the prognostic characterization of ovarian cancer patients

Diversidade de bactérias diazotróficas endofíticas de milho em cultivos convencional e agroecológico.

Diferentes gêneros de bactérias diazotróficas, além de fixar N2 atmosférico, também promovem o crescimento de plantas pela produção de hormônios vegetais e disponibilização de outros nutrientes como o fósforo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi isolar e identificar bactérias diazotróficas endofíticas de milho (Zea mays L.) sob plantio direto e convencional, em sistema agroecológico e convencional. O isolamento foi realizado em meios de cultura livres de N (LGI, JNFb e JMV), totalizando 86 isolados. Por meio do sequenciamento do gene 16S DNAr foram identificadas bactérias dos gêneros Burkholderia spp., Agrobacterium spp., Enterobacter spp., Stenotrophomonas spp., Rhizobium spp., Pseudoxanthomonas sp., Microbacterium sp., Sphingomonas sp., Klebsiella spp., Bacillus sp., Xanthomonas sp., Leclercia sp., Pantoea sp., Dyella sp. e Pseudomonas spp. O gênero Burkholderia representou 30% dos isolados, seguido de Agrobacterium com 14%. O milho sob cultivo agroecológico apresentou mais isolados de bactérias endofíticas (24%). Assim, sistemas menos sujeitos a ações antrópicas parecem ser hotspots de diversidade para isolamento de microrganismos com potencial para promoção de crescimento vegetal.Fertbio

Entropy inequalities from reflection positivity

We investigate the question of whether the entropy and the Renyi entropies of the vacuum state reduced to a region of the space can be represented in terms of correlators in quantum field theory. In this case, the positivity relations for the correlators are mapped into inequalities for the entropies. We write them using a real time version of reflection positivity, which can be generalized to general quantum systems. Using this generalization we can prove an infinite sequence of inequalities which are obeyed by the Renyi entropies of integer index. There is one independent inequality involving any number of different subsystems. In quantum field theory the inequalities acquire a simple geometrical form and are consistent with the integer index Renyi entropies being given by vacuum expectation values of twisting operators in the Euclidean formulation. Several possible generalizations and specific examples are analyzed.Comment: Significantly enlarged and corrected version. Counterexamples found for the most general form of the inequalities. V3: minor change

Robotic treatment of colorectal endometriosis: technique, feasibility and short-term results

background: Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a complex disease that impairs the quality of life and the fertility of women. Since a medical approach is often insufficient, a minimally invasive approach is considered the gold standard for complete disease excision. Roboticassisted surgery is a revolutionary approach, with several advantages compared with traditional laparoscopic surgery. methods: From March 2010 to May 2011, we performed 22 consecutive robotic-assisted complete laparoscopic excisions of DIE endometriosis with colorectal involvement. All clinical data were collected by our team and all patients were interviewed preoperatively and 3 and 6 months post-operatively and yearly thereafter regarding endometriosis-related symptoms. Dysmenorrhoea, dyschezia, dyspareunia and dysuria were evaluated with a 10-point analog rating scale. results: There were 12 patients, with a median larger endometriotic nodule of 35 mm, who underwent segmental resection, and 10 patients, with a median larger endometriotic nodule of 30 mm, who underwent complete nodule debulking by colorectal wall-shaving technique. No laparotomic conversions were performed, nor was any blood transfusion necessary. No intra-operative complications were observed and, in particular, there were no inadvertent rectal perforations in any of the cases treated by the shaving technique. None of the patients had ileostomy or colostomy. No major post-operative complications were observed, except one small bowel occlusion 14 days post-surgery that was resolved in 3 days with medical treatment. Post-operatively, a statistically significant improvement of patient symptoms was shown for all the investigated parameters. conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the feasibility and short-term results and complications of laparoscopic robotic-assisted treatment of DIE with colorectal involvement.We demonstrate that this approach is feasible and safe, without conversion to laparotomy