Non-ancient solution of the Ricci flow

For any complete noncompact K$\ddot{a}$hler manifold with nonnegative and bounded holomorphic bisectional curvature,we provide the necessary and sufficient condition for non-ancient solution to the Ricci flow in this paper.Comment: seven pages, latex fil

Feed-Forward Chains of Recurrent Attractor Neural Networks Near Saturation

We perform a stationary state replica analysis for a layered network of Ising spin neurons, with recurrent Hebbian interactions within each layer, in combination with strictly feed-forward Hebbian interactions between successive layers. This model interpolates between the fully recurrent and symmetric attractor network studied by Amit el al, and the strictly feed-forward attractor network studied by Domany et al. Due to the absence of detailed balance, it is as yet solvable only in the zero temperature limit. The built-in competition between two qualitatively different modes of operation, feed-forward (ergodic within layers) versus recurrent (non- ergodic within layers), is found to induce interesting phase transitions.Comment: 14 pages LaTex with 4 postscript figures submitted to J. Phys.

Replication study of SNP associations for colorectal cancer in Hong Kong Chinese

BACKGROUND: Recent genome-wide association studies of colorectal cancer (CRC) have identified common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapping to 10 independent loci that confer modest increased risk. These studies have been conducted in European populations and it is unclear whether these observations generalise to populations with different ethnicities and rates of CRC. METHODS: An association study was performed on 892 CRC cases and 890 controls recruited from the Hong Kong Chinese population, genotyping 32 SNPs, which were either associated with CRC in previous studies or are in close proximity to previously reported risk SNPs. RESULTS: Twelve of the SNPs showed evidence of an association. The strongest associations were provided by rs10795668 on 10p14, rs4779584 on 15q14 and rs12953717 on 18q21.2. There was significant linear association between CRC risk and the number of independent risk variants possessed by an individual (P=2.29 × 10(-5)). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that some previously reported SNP associations also impact on CRC risk in the Chinese population. Possible reasons for failure of replication for some loci include inadequate study power, differences in allele frequency, linkage disequilibrium structure or effect size between populations. Our results suggest that many associations for CRC are likely to generalise across populations

Bezoar in gastro-jejunostomy presenting with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Gastric outlet obstruction usually presents with non-bilious vomiting, colicky epigastric pain, loss of appetite and occasionally, upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Causes can be classified as benign or malignant, or as extra- or intraluminal. Gastrojejunostomy is a well-recognised surgical procedure performed to bypass gastric outlet obstruction. A bezoar occurs most commonly in patients with impaired gastrointestinal motility or with a history of gastric surgery. It is an intestinal concretion, which fails to pass along the alimentary canal.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 62-year-old Asian woman with a history of gastrojejunostomy for peptic ulcer disease was admitted to hospital with epigastric pain, vomiting and dehydration. All investigations concluded gastric outlet obstruction secondary to a "stricture" at the site of gastrojejunostomy. Subsequent laparotomy revealed that the cause of the obstruction was a bezoar.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Many bezoars can be removed endoscopically, but some will require operative intervention. Once removed, emphasis must be placed upon prevention of recurrence. Surgeons must learn to recognise and classify bezoars in order to provide the most effective therapy.</p

Assessment parameters for coal-fired generation plant site selection

In order to meet future demand for electricity, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is committedto the long-term strategic planning in locating suitable sites for future development of power stations.Site selection is an important process in the early planning stage of any power plant development asit will have significant implications on the capital investment, operational as well as the environmentand socio-economic costs of the power plant.The aim of this presentation is to briefly describe the ten (10) main assessment parametershaving the most profound effects on the selection of potential coal-fired generation plant sites.These assessment parameters were derived based on a survey of approximately 40 experts, comprisingfrom various specialists such as engineers from TNB, senior officers from Department Of EnvironmentMalaysia (DOE), scientist from University Malaya (UM) and a number of other independentconsultants

Upregulation of the Wnt Co-Receptor LRP6 Promotes Hepatocarcinogenesis and Enhances Cell Invasion

Background: Activation of the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein-6 (LRP6) is one of the co-receptors of the Wnt/b-catenin pathway and forms a signaling complex with Wnt ligand and Frizzled receptor to activate downstream signaling. However, the role of LRP6 in hepatocarcinogenesis is unclear. In this study, we examined its expression and roles in human HCC. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, we found that LRP6 was frequently (45%) overexpressed in human HCCs (P = 0.003). In vitro studies showed that ectopic expression of LRP6 increased the protein level of b-catenin. Moreover, overexpression of the full-length and constitutively active LRP6, respectively, activated the WNT/b-catenin signaling pathway, as shown by the TCF/b-catenin reporter assay. With regard to the effects of LRP6 overexpression in HCC cells, stable overexpression of the constitutively active LRP6 in BEL-7402 HCC cells enhanced cell proliferation, cell migration, and invasion in vitro as well as tumorigenicity in nude mice. Conclusions/Significance: Our findings indicate that overexpression of LRP6 contributes to the hyperactivation of the Wnt

Preliminary results of trial NPC-0501 evaluating the therapeutic gain by changing from concurrent-adjuvant to induction-concurrent chemoradiotherapy, changing from fluorouracil to capecitabine, and changing from conventional to accelerated radiotherapy fractionation in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

© 2014 American Cancer Society. BACKGROUND A current recommendation for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is conventional fractionated radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin plus adjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil (PF). In this randomized trial, the authors evaluated the potential therapeutic benefit from changing to an induction-concurrent chemotherapy sequence, replacing fluorouracil with oral capecitabine, and/or using accelerated rather than conventional radiotherapy fractionation. METHODS Patients with stage III through IVB, nonkeratinizing NPC were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatment arms. The protocol was amended in 2009 to permit confining randomization to the conventional fractionation arms. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints included overall survival and safety. RESULTS In total, 803 patients were accrued, and 706 patients were randomly allocated to all 6 treatment arms. Comparisons of induction PF versus adjuvant PF did not indicate a significant improvement. Unadjusted comparisons of induction cisplatin and capecitabine (PX) versus adjuvant PF indicated a favorable trend in progression-free survival for the conventional fractionation arm (P = .045); analyses that were adjusted for other significant factors and fractionation reflected a significant reduction in the hazards of disease progression (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-0.80) and death (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.25-0.70). Unadjusted comparisons of induction sequences versus adjuvant sequences did not reach statistical significance, but adjusted comparisons indicated favorable improvements by induction sequence. Comparisons of induction PX versus induction PF revealed fewer toxicities (neutropenia and electrolyte disturbance), unadjusted comparisons of efficacy were statistically insignificant, but adjusted analyses indicated that induction PX had a lower hazard of death (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34-0.97). Changing the fractionation from conventional to accelerated did not achieve any benefit but incurred higher toxicities (acute mucositis and dehydration). CONCLUSIONS Preliminary results indicate that the benefit of changing to an induction-concurrent sequence remains uncertain; replacing fluorouracil with oral capecitabine warrants further validation in view of its convenience, favorable toxicity profile, and favorable trends in efficacy; and accelerated fractionation is not recommended for patients with locoregionally advanced NPC who receive chemoradiotherapy.postprin

Eucalcemic Parathyroid Hormone Elevation After Parathyroidectomy for Primary Sporadic Hyperparathyroidism: Risk Factors, Trend, and Outcome

BACKGROUND: Patients with eucalcemic parathyroid hormone elevation (ePTH) after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) may be at risk of recurrence. We aimed to examine risk factors, trend of PTH level, and outcome of patients with ePTH 6 months after parathyroidectomy. METHODS: A total of 161 primary HPT were analyzed. The 6-month postoperative calcium and PTH levels were obtained. ePTH was defined as an elevated PTH level in the presence of normocalcemia. At 6 months, 98 had eucalcemic normal PTH and 63 (39.1%) had ePTH. Perioperative variables, PTH trend, and outcome were compared between 2 groups. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent preoperative and operative/postoperative risk factors for ePTH. RESULTS: Among preoperative factors, advanced age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.042, P = .027) and low 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25OHD(3)) (OR = 1.043, P = .009) were independently associated with ePTH, whereas among operative/postoperative factors, high 10-min intraoperative PTH level (OR = 1.015, P = .040) and high postoperative 3-month PTH (OR = 1.048, P < .001) were independently associated with ePTH. After a mean follow-up of 38.7 months, recurrence rate was similar between the 2 groups (P = 1.00). In the first 2 postoperative years, 75 (46.6%) had ePTH on at least 1 occasion and 8 (5.0%) had persistently ePTH on every occasion. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, low 25OHD(3), high 10-min intraoperative PTH, and high postoperative 3-month PTH were independently associated with ePTH at 6-month. Although 39.1% of patients had ePTH at 6 months, more than 50% had at least 1 ePTH within the first 2 years of follow-up. Recurrence appeared similar between those with or without ePTH at 6 months.published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201