Electromagnetic transitions in neutron-rich Cl40

In-beam -rays from excited states of the neutron-rich (Tz=3) nucleus Cl40 have been identified in a threefold coincidence experiment in which rays and light charged particles were observed. The resulting decay scheme is presented, and implications for the structure of low-lying levels in Cl40 are discussed in light of recent data from charge-exchange and -decay work. The ordering of levels would seem to be quite different from the predictions of recent shell-model calculations

Ontwikkeling en vermarkting van nieuwe eiwitten : ervaren belemmeringen en oplossingen

Het ministerie van EL&I heeft Wageningen UR gevraagd te inventariseren welk belemmeringen bedrijven ervaren bij het ontwikkelen en vermarkten van nieuwe eiwitbronnen en wat oplossingen daarvoor zijn. Er zijn elf bedrijven geïnterviewd, die nieuwe eiwitbronnen in Nederland ontwikkelen of produceren. Daarnaast zijn zes organisaties geïnterviewd, die te maken hebben met wettelijke en juridische aspecten van de productie van nieuwe eiwitten. De projectgroep heeft de interviewresultaten veralgemeniseerd en geordend in belemmeringen en oplossingen. De belangrijkste belemmeringen die bedrijven ervaren bij de ontwikkeling en vermarkting van nieuwe eiwitten zijn: complexe en ondoorzichtige procedures binnen de Novel Food Verordening; onvoldoende acceptatie door consumenten en producenten

Yrast decays in K43

High-spin states in K43 were studied using the Be9(36S,pn)43K reaction. Threefold (p12) coincidence data and -ray intensity ratios were used to establish a decay scheme and identify negative- and positive-parity yrast decay chains. The 15/2- yrast state is relatively poorly aligned prior to decay. Energies of positive-parity levels predicted by Johnstone are in good agreement with experiment

Analogous intruder behavior near Ni, Sn, and Pb isotopes

Near shell closures, the presence of unexpected states at low energies provides a critical test of our understanding of the atomic nucleus. New measurements for the N=42 isotones Co2769 and Cu2971, along with recent data and calculations in the Ni isotopes, establish a full set of complementary, deformed, intruder states astride the closed-shell Ni28 isotopes. Nuclei with a one-proton hole or one-proton particle adjacent to Z=28 were populated in β-decay experiments and in multinucleon transfer reactions. A β-decaying isomer, with a 750(250)-ms half-life, has been identified in Co422769. It likely has low spin and accompanies the previously established 7/2- state. Complementary data for the levels of isotonic Cu422971 support the presence of a deformed, ΔJ=1 band built on the proton intruder 7/2- level at 981 keV. These data, together with recent studies of lower-mass Co and Cu isotopes and extensive work near Ni68, support the view that intruder states based on particle-hole excitations accompany all closed proton shells with Z≥28

Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in NF1: Evidence for a More Severe Phenotype Associated with Missense Mutations Affecting NF1 Codons 844–848

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a common genetic disorder with a birth incidence of 1:2,000–3,000, is characterized by a highly variable clinical presentation. To date, only two clinically relevant intragenic genotype-phenotype correlations have been reported for NF1 missense mutations affecting p.Arg1809 and a single amino acid deletion p.Met922del. Both variants predispose to a distinct mild NF1 phenotype with neither externally visible cutaneous/plexiform neurofibromas nor other tumors. Here, we report 162 individuals (129 unrelated probands and 33 affected relatives) heterozygous for a constitutional missense mutation affecting one of five neighboring NF1 codons—Leu844, Cys845, Ala846, Leu847, and Gly848—located in the cysteine-serine-rich domain (CSRD). Collectively, these recurrent missense mutations affect ∼0.8% of unrelated NF1 mutation-positive probands in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) cohort. Major superficial plexiform neurofibromas and symptomatic spinal neurofibromas were more prevalent in these individuals compared with classic NF1-affected cohorts (both p < 0.0001). Nearly half of the individuals had symptomatic or asymptomatic optic pathway gliomas and/or skeletal abnormalities. Additionally, variants in this region seem to confer a high predisposition to develop malignancies compared with the general NF1-affected population (p = 0.0061). Our results demonstrate that these NF1 missense mutations, although located outside the GAP-related domain, may be an important risk factor for a severe presentation. A genotype-phenotype correlation at the NF1 region 844–848 exists and will be valuable in the management and genetic counseling of a significant number of individuals

Positive and negative survivor-specific psychosocial consequences of childhood cancer: the DCCSS-LATER 2 psycho-oncology study

Purpose: Numerous studies investigated generic psychosocial outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer (CCS). The present study aimed to describe survivor-specific psychosocial consequences in CCS, and to identify socio-demographic and medical associated factors. Methods: CCS from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS)-LATER cohort (diagnosed 1963-2001) part 2 (age >= 18 years, diagnosed = 5 years since diagnosis) completed the Benefit & Burden Scale (BBSC) and the Impact of Cancer-Childhood Cancer (IOC-CS). Items were scored on a 5-point Likert scale (range 1-5). We examined outcomes with descriptive statistics, and socio-demographic and medical associated factors with regression analyses, corrected for multiple testing (p = 15 years since diagnosis, participated. On average, CCS reported 'somewhat' Benefit (M = 2.9), and 'not at all' to 'a little' Burden (M = 1.5) of childhood cancer. Average scores on IOC-CS' positive impact scales ranged from 2.5 (Personal Growth) to 4.1 (Socializing), and on the negative impact scales from 1.4 (Financial Problems) to 2.4 (Thinking/Memory). Apart from cognitive problems, CCS reported challenges as worries about relationship status, fertility, and how cancer had affected siblings. Female sex was associated with more Personal Growth, and more negative impact. CCS more highly educated, partnered, and employed had higher positive and lower negative impact. CCS older at diagnosis reported more positive impact. CNS tumor survivors and those who had head/cranium radiotherapy had higher negative impact. CNS tumor survivors reported less positive impact. Conclusion and implications: The majority of CCS reported positive impact of cancer while most CCS reported little negative impact. While this may indicate resiliency in most CCS, health care providers should be aware that they can also experience survivor-specific challenges that warrant monitoring/screening, information provision and psychosocial support.Metabolic health: pathophysiological trajectories and therap

Metabolic syndrome parameters, determinants, and biomarkers in adult survivors of childhood cancer: Protocol for the Dutch childhood cancer survivor study on metabolic syndrome (Dutch LATER METS)

Background: Potential late effects of treatment for childhood cancer include adiposity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. These risk factors cluster together as metabolic syndrome and increase the risk for development of diabetes mellitus and cardio- and cerebrovascular disease. Knowledge on risk factors, timely diagnosis, and preventive strategies is of importance to prevent cardio- and cerebrovascular complications and improve quality of life. Currently, no national cohort studies on the prevalence and determinants of metabolic syndrome in childhood cancer survivors, including biomarkers and genetic predisposition, are available. Objective: The objectives of the Dutch LATER METS study are to assess 1) the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome and its separate components, and 2) the potential diagnostic and predictive value of additional biomarkers for surveillance of metabolic syndrome in the national cohort of adult long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Methods

Neuroblastoma between 1990 and 2014 in the Netherlands: Increased incidence and improved survival of high-risk neuroblastoma

Purpose: Long-term trends in neuroblastoma incidence and survival in unscreened populations are unknown. We explored trends in incidence, stage at diagnosis, treatment and survival of neuroblastoma in the Netherlands from 1990 to 2014. Methods: The Netherlands Cancer Registry provided data on all patients aged <18 years diagnosed with a neuroblastoma. Trends in incidence and stage were evaluated by calculating the average annual percentage change (AAPC). Univariate and multivariable survival analyses were performed for stage 4 disease to test whether changes in treatment are associated with survival. Results: Of the 593 newly diagnosed neuroblastoma cases, 45% was <18 months of age at diagnosis and 52% had stage 4 disease. The age-standardized incidence rate for stage 4 disease increased at all ages from 3.2 to 5.3 per million children per year (AAPC + 2.9%, p <. 01). This increase was solely for patients ≥18 months old (3.0–5.4; AAPC +3.3%, p =. 01). Five-year OS of all patients increased from 44 ± 5% to 61 ± 4% from 1990 to 2014 (p <. 01) and from 19 ± 6% to 44 ± 6% (p <. 01) for patients with stage 4 disease. Multivariable analysis revealed that high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell rescue and anti-GD2-based immunotherapy were associated with this survival increase (HR 0.46, p <. 01 and HR 0.37, p <. 01, respectively). Conclusion: Incidence of stage 4 neuroblastoma increased exclusively in patients aged ≥18 months since 1990, whereas the incidence of other stages remained stable. The 5-year OS of stage 4 patients improved, mostly due to the introduction of high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell rescue and immunotherapy