Magnetars From Magnetized Cores Created by a Strong Interaction Phase Transition

We consider a model where the strong magnetic fields of magnetars arise from a high baryon density, magnetized core. In this framework magnetars are distinguished from pulsars by their higher masses and central density. For magnetars, as core densities exceed a threshold, the strong interaction induces a phase transition to a neutral pion condensate that aligns all magnetic moments. The core magnetic field is initially shielded by the ambient high conductivity plasma. With time the shielding currents dissipate transporting the core field out, first to the crust and then breaking through the crust to the surface of the star. Recent observations provide strong support for this model which accounts for several properties of magnetars and also enables us to identify new magnetars.Comment: 22 pages with 3 figures and 3 tables prepared in 'Science' forma

CAR T Cells Targeting the Tumor MUC1 Glycoprotein Reduce Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Growth

Antibody-derived chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved gratifying breakthrough in hematologic malignancies but has shown limited success in solid tumor immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibody, TAB004, specifically recognizes the aberrantly glycosylated tumor form of MUC1 (tMUC1) in all subtypes of breast cancer including 95% of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) while sparing recognition of normal tissue MUC1. We transduced human T cells with MUC28z, a chimeric antigen receptor comprising of the scFv of TAB004 coupled to CD28 and CD3ζ. MUC28z was well-expressed on the surface of engineered activated human T cells. MUC28z CAR T cells demonstrated significant target-specific cytotoxicity against a panel of human TNBC cells. Upon recognition of tMUC1 on TNBC cells, MUC28z CAR T cells increased production of Granzyme B, IFN-γ and other Th1 type cytokines and chemokines. A single dose of MUC28z CAR T cells significantly reduced TNBC tumor growth in a xenograft model. Thus, MUC28z CAR T cells have high therapeutic potential against tMUC1-positive TNBC tumors with minimal damage to normal breast epithelial cells

Comparative study of serotonin and bombesin in adenocarcinomas and neuroendocrine tumors of the colon

The aim of this study was to investigate serotonin and bombesin expression in colorectal adenocarcinomas and neuroendocrine colorectal tumors to clarify their role in the progression of colon cancer. The investigation was carried out by electron microscope immunocytochemistry, The ultrastructural study revealed that some cases of colorectal adenocarcinomas were characterized by the presence of amphicrine cells containing endocrine granules and mucus granules. Poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas and liver metastases were poorly granulated compared with highly differentiated tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors nevertheless were characterized by the presence of numerous malignant neuroendocrine cells filled with secretory granules and mucus granules, Bombesin appeared to be located in enterochromaffin-like endocrine cells, which are primarily responsible for the production of serotonin. In colorectal adenocarcinomas there was an inverse correlation between serotonin levels and the degree of differentiation, High serotonin levels characterized colorectal adenocarcinomas with composite phenotype and colorectal neuroendocrine tumors. Increased bombesin expression was correlated with colorectal adenocarcinomas exhibiting poor histological grade and their liver metastases. In conclusion, the findings suggest that high serotonin levels may be an indicator of neuroendocrine differentiation, and bombesin may be a useful marker for colorectal adenocarcinomas with aggressive behavior

"Magnetar-like Emission from the Young Pulsar in Kes 75"

Soft Gamma Repeaters (SGRs) and Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) are thought to be magnetars - isolated neutron stars with ultra-high magnetic fields. These sources exhibit X-ray and gamma-ray bursts, and week to month-long flux enhancements, all too bright to be accounted for by their spindown luminosity. A mystery in neutron star astrophysics is why such emission has never been seen from rotation-powered pulsars with magnetar-like fields. Here we report the first detection of magnetar-like X-ray bursts from what has been long thought to be a rotation-powered pulsar, PSR 51846-0258, at the center of the supernova remnant Kes 75. PSR J1846-0258 has an inferred surface dipolar magnetic field of 4.9 X 1103 G, which is sixth highest among the > 1700 known rotation-powered pulsars, but less than those of the approximately 12 confirmed magnetars. The bursts coincided with a sudden flux increase and an unprecedented change in timing behavior, f m l y establishing PSR 51 846-0258 as a rotation-powered pulsar/magnetar transition object. These observations demonstrate that magnetar-like emission can be seen from sources with fields lower than the magnetars, and suggest that the intensity of magnetar-like activity in neutron stars depends on magnetic field strength in a more continuous way than previously thought