Higher order bulk characteristic parameters of asymmetric nuclear matter

The bulk parameters characterizing the energy of symmetric nuclear matter and the symmetry energy defined at normal nuclear density $\rho_0$ provide important information on the equation of state (EOS) of isospin asymmetric nuclear matter. While significant progress has been made in determining some lower order bulk characteristic parameters, such as the energy $E_0(\rho_0)$ and incompressibility $K_0$ of symmetric nuclear matter as well as the symmetry energy $E_{sym}(\rho_0)$ and its slope parameter $L$, yet the higher order bulk characteristic parameters are still poorly known. Here, we analyze the correlations between the lower and higher order bulk characteristic parameters within the framework of Skyrme Hartree-Fock energy density functional and then estimate the values of some higher order bulk characteristic parameters. In particular, we obtain $J_0=-355 \pm 95$ MeV and $I_0=1473 \pm 680$ MeV for the third-order and fourth-order derivative parameters of symmetric nuclear matter at $\rho_0$ and $K_{sym} = -100 \pm 165$ MeV, $J_{sym} = 224 \pm 385$ MeV, $I_{sym} = -1309 \pm 2025$ MeV for the curvature parameter, third-order and fourth-order derivative parameters of the symmetry energy at $\rho_0$, using the empirical constraints on $E_0(\rho_0)$, $K_0$, $E_{sym}(\rho_0)$, $L$, and the isoscalar and isovector nucleon effective masses. Furthermore, our results indicate that the three parameters $E_0(\rho_0)$, $K_0$, and $J_0$ can reasonably characterize the EOS of symmetric nuclear matter up to $2\rho_0$ while the symmetry energy up to $2\rho_0$ can be well described by $E_{sym}(\rho_0)$, $L$, and $K_{sym}$.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures. Typos fixed. Contribution to a special issue in Science China: Physics, Mechanics & Astronom

A phenomenological equation of state for isospin asymmetric nuclear matter

A phenomenological momentum-independent (MID) model is constructed to describe the equation of state (EOS) for isospin asymmetric nuclear matter, especially the density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy $E_{\text{\textrm{sym}}}(\rho)$. This model can reasonably describe the general properties of the EOS for symmetric nuclear matter and the symmetry energy predicted by both the sophisticated isospin and momentum dependent MDI model and the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock approach. We find that there exists a nicely linear correlation between $K_{\mathrm{sym}}$ and $L$ as well as between $J_{0}/K_{0}$ and $K_{0}$, where $L$ and $K_{\mathrm{sym}}$ represent, respectively, the slope and curvature parameters of the symmetry energy at the normal nuclear density $\rho_{0}$ while $K_{0}$ and $J_{0}$ are, respectively, the incompressibility and the third-order derivative parameter of symmetric nuclear matter at $\rho_{0}$. These correlations together with the empirical constraints on $K_{0}$, $L$ and $E_{\text{\textrm{sym}}}(\rho_{0})$ lead to an estimation of -477 MeV $\leq K_{\mathrm{sat,2}}\leq -241$ MeV for the second-order isospin asymmetry expansion coefficient for the incompressibility of asymmetric nuclear matter at the saturation point.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, contribution to Special Topic on Large-Scale Scientific Facilities (LSSF) in Science in China Series G: Physics, Mechanics & Astronom

A systematic review of dietary, nutritional, and physical activity interventions for the prevention of prostate cancer progression and mortality

PURPOSE: Given the long-term, although potentially fatal, nature of prostate cancer, there is increasing observational evidence for the reduction in disease progression and mortality through changes in lifestyle factors. METHODS: We systematically reviewed dietary, nutritional, and physical activity randomized interventions aimed at modifying prostate cancer progression and disease-specific mortality, including a detailed assessment of risk of bias and methodological quality. RESULTS: Forty-four randomized controlled trials of lifestyle interventions, with prostate cancer progression or mortality outcomes, were identified. Substantial heterogeneity of the data prevented a meta-analysis. The included trials involved 3,418 prostate cancer patients, median 64 men per trial, from 13 countries. A trial of a nutritional supplement of pomegranate seed, green tea, broccoli, and turmeric; a trial comparing flaxseed, low-fat diet, flaxseed, and low-fat diet versus usual diet; and a trial supplementing soy, lycopene, selenium, and coenzyme Q10, all demonstrated beneficial effects. These trials were also assessed as having low risk of bias and high methodological quality (as were seven other trials with no evidence of benefit). The remaining trials were either underpowered, at high or unclear risk of bias, inadequately reported, of short duration or measured surrogate outcomes of unproven relationship to mortality or disease progression, which precluded any benefits reported being reliable. CONCLUSION: Large, well-designed randomized trials with clinical endpoints are recommended for lifestyle modification interventions. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10552-015-0659-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Lack of Effective Anti-Apoptotic Activities Restricts Growth of Parachlamydiaceae in Insect Cells

The fundamental role of programmed cell death in host defense is highlighted by the multitude of anti-apoptotic strategies evolved by various microbes, including the well-known obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia (Chlamydophila) pneumoniae. As inhibition of apoptosis is assumed to be essential for a successful infection of humans by these chlamydiae, we analyzed the anti-apoptotic capacity of close relatives that occur as symbionts of amoebae and might represent emerging pathogens. While Simkania negevensis was able to efficiently replicate within insect cells, which served as model for metazoan-derived host cells, the Parachlamydiaceae (Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and Protochlamydia amoebophila) displayed limited intracellular growth, yet these bacteria induced typical features of apoptotic cell death, including formation of apoptotic bodies, nuclear condensation, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and effector caspase activity. Induction of apoptosis was dependent on bacterial activity, but not bacterial de novo protein synthesis, and was detectable already at very early stages of infection. Experimental inhibition of host cell death greatly enhanced parachlamydial replication, suggesting that lack of potent anti-apoptotic activities in Parachlamydiaceae may represent an important factor compromising their ability to successfully infect non-protozoan hosts. These findings highlight the importance of the evolution of anti-apoptotic traits for the success of chlamydiae as pathogens of humans and animals

Severe neutropenia during cabazitaxel treatment is associated with survival benefit in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): A post-hoc analysis of the TROPIC phase III trial

Background: Cabazitaxel significantly improves overall survival (OS) in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) progressing during or after docetaxel, but is associated with a higher rate of grade >= 3 neutropenia compared with docetaxel. We thus examined the relationship between cabazitaxel-induced grade >= 3 neutropenia, baseline neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and treatment outcomes. Methods: Data from the experimental arm of the TROPIC phase 3 trial which randomly assigned men with mCRPC to cabazitaxel or mitoxantrone every 3 weeks, both combined with daily prednisone, were analysed. The influence on OS (primary end-point) and progression-free survival (PFS) of at least one episode of grade >= 3 neutropenia during cabazitaxel therapy was investigated using Cox regression models, adjusted for pain at baseline. The relationships with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) responses during cabazitaxel therapy and baseline NLR were also analysed. Findings: The occurrence of grade >= 3 neutropenia during cabazitaxel therapy was associated with a prolonged OS (median 16.3 versus 14.0 months, hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval] = 0.65 [0.43-0.97], p = 0.035), a twice longer PFS (median 5.3 versus 2.6 months, HR = 0.56 [0.40-0.79], p = 0.001) and a higher confirmed PSA response >= 50% (49.8% versus 24.4%, p = 0.005), as compared with patients who did not develop grade >= 3 neutropenia. Grade >= 3 neutropenia was more common in case of NLR <3 as compared with NLR >= 3 at baseline (88.8% versus 75.3%, p = 0.002). Combining low NLR at baseline and grade >= 3 neutropenia during therapy was associated with the longest OS (median 19.2 months) while high NLR at baseline and no grade >= 3 neutropenia was associated with a poor OS (median 12.9 months, HR 0.46 [0.28-0.76], p = 0.002). In the subgroup of neutropenic patients the median OS was 19.7 months in those treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and 16 months on those without G-CSF support. Interpretation: This post-hoc analysis of TROPIC suggests that the occurrence of grade >= 3 neutropenia with cabazitaxel is associated with improved OS and PFS. Patients with a low NLR at baseline were more likely to develop grade >= 3 neutropenia during cabazitaxel therapy and showed the longest OS. High NLR at baseline and no grade >= 3 neutropenia during therapy was associated with poor outcomes which may suggest insufficient drug exposure or a limited impact on the tumour-associated immune response. Primary or secondary prophylactic use of G-CSF had no adverse impact for outcome. If prospectively confirmed, these results would justify maintaining the intended cabazitaxel dose of 25 mg/m(2) whenever possible. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Effects of an outpatient physical exercise program on hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation recipients: a randomized clinical trial

Patients who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) often experience physical and psychological problems, even long after treatment has been completed. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week outpatient physical exercise program, incorporating aerobic and strength exercises, as compared to a usual care control condition on patients’ physical performance and psychosocial well-being. Methods: Patients who had completed HSCT up to 6 months earlier were randomly assigned to a supervised physical exercise program (n = 64) or a usual care control group (n = 67). Primary outcomes were quantified physical performance and self-reported physical functioning. Secondary outcomes were body composition measurement, quantified walking activity and patient-reported outcomes (physical activity, fatigue and health-related quality of life). Assessments were at baseline, immediately after program completion and at 3-month follow-up. Results: Significant intervention effects were observed at both post-treatment and follow-up on physical performance measures. No other outcomes yielded statistically significant group differences. Conclusion: Physical exercise should be considered in the management of HSCT recipients to improve physical performance after discharge from hospital. Further research is needed to determine how the program can be enhanced so that improved physical performance also translates into improved physical and psychosocial functioning in daily life