Dynamics of Domain Walls for Split and Runaway Potentials

We demonstrate that the evolution of wall-like inhomogeneities in run-away potentials, characteristic of dynamical supersymmetry breaking and moduli stabilisation, is very similar to the evolution of domain wall networks associated with double well potentials. Instabilities that would lead to a rapid decay of domain walls can be significantly ameliorated by compensation effects between a non-degeneracy of the vacua and a biased initial distribution, which can be naturally expected in a wide class or particle physics models that lead to out-of-equilibrium phase transitions. Within this framework, it is possible to obtain domain walls that live long enough to be relevant for the cosmic power spectrum and galaxy clustering, while being compatible with the observed cosmic microwave background anisotropies.Comment: 30 pages, 9 figure

Adsorptive Separation of C2H6 and H2S from CH4

The natural gas industry recognises that the need for removal of CH4 from C2H6 feedstock C2H4 production and utilization. CH4 being a contaminant in the production of C2H4 and furthermore in the production of polymers from C2H4. Dethanizers in gas processing plants are energy intensive and decreasing the energy from harvesting ethane from natural gas will improve the economics of C2H6 utilization. Na, Ba, and Ba/H exchanged forms of ETS-10 are investigated. Microwave radiation regeneration via desorption with H2O is also investigated. Precious metal catalysts that utilize natural gas must be protected from decreased efficiency and fouling due to H2S contamination. This work proposes a guard bed method utilizing Zeoilite 13X, Cu-13X, Zn-13X, Pd-13X, and HiAl13X to remove the H2S from a natural gas. These materials will be studied at room temperature to avoid the cost of heating a reactive bed such as the ones utilized in ZnO reactive operations

Analiza ekspresji hMLH1 i hMSH2 u pacjentek z rakiem jajnika leczonych za pomocą pochodnych platyny

Background: Loss of DNA mismatch repair may result in resistance to platinum- based anticancer drugs. The hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins play a critical role in the maintenance of genome integrity and are involved in resistance to platinum-based therapy in colorectal cancer, which is deficient in hMLH1 protein and endometrial cancer, as well as in hMSH2 protein. However, the predictive value of MLH1 and MSH2 expression in ovarian cancer cisplatinresistance is still to be determined. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins in ovarian carcinoma specimens and to evaluate their prognostic significance by means of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival rates (PSF). Material: Ovarian cancer tissues were obtained from 61 patients: 45 platinum-sensitive and 16 platinum-resistant. hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, with the use of mouse monoclonal antibodies clone 14 for hMLH1 and clone FE11 for hMSH2. The log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier statistics were used to analyze the relationship between proteins expression and progression free survival, as well as the overall survival. Result: No significant correlation was found between hMLH1 and hMSH2 expression and overall survival and progression free survival in the group of patients sensitive and resistant to cisplatin. No significant difference was found in proteins expression intensity between the two compared groups of patients. Age of patients, type of cancer histology, FIGO staging, grading, clinical response and CA 125 did not reveal correlation with the expression of the analyzed proteins. Conclusion: The immunohistochemical expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins in ovarian cancer has no predictive value in resistance to cisplatin.Wstęp: Białka hMLH1 i hMSH2 pełnią kluczową rolę w naprawie genomu. Utrata tej zdolności może powodować zwiększoną oporność na leki przeciwnowotworowe oparte na pochodnych platyny. Jakkolwiek wartość prognostyczna oznaczania ekspresji białek hMLH1 i hMSH2 w raku jajnika w celu przewidywania oporności na cisplatynę pozostaje wciąż nieokreślona. Cel pracy: Celem tego opracowania było zbadanie ekspresji białek hMLH1 i hMSH2 w komórkach raka jajnika pochodzących od 61 pacjentek, w tym: 45 wrażliwych i 16 opornych na cisplatynę oraz ocena wpływu tych białek na ogólne przeżycie i czas wolny od wznowy. MateriaΠ i metody: Ekspresję białek hMLH1 i hMSH2 oceniono metoda immunohistochemiczna przy użyciu mysich przeciwciał monoklinalnych, klon 14 dla hMLH1 i klon FE11 dla hMSH2. Do analizy zale˝noEci pomi´dzy ekspresja białek a czasem wolnym od wznowy i przeżyciem ogólnym użyto testu log rank i statystyki Kaplana-Meiera. Wartość

Edge Employment Solutions : Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia : job audit report, 2006

The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) have been working in collaboration with EDGE Employment Solutions to identify the work opportunities that lie within the Department for people with disabilities. Based on the Equal Employment Opportunity Act 1987 (EEOA), the DAFWA have set a target of increasing their rate of employment of individuals with disabilities to constitute 4% of their entire workforce. Currently, persons\u27 with a mild to moderate disability form 1.7% of the Public Sector. The role of EDGE Employment Solutions pertaining to this project was to develop a matrix that would include the key roles within the DAFWA, the functional capacity required for each role, and the relevant types of disabilities chat may be taken into consideration when employing new staff

Utrata masy kostnej u pacjentek z nowotworami złośliwymi narządów płciowych

Nowadays, women with genital cancers live longer due to early diagnosis and better treatment schemes. Only few studies assessed bone mass in patients with genital cancer. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by progressive loss of bone mass, weakening of the spatial structure of the bone, and increased susceptibility to fractures. Osteopenia is a condition of reduced, but not yet reaching the pathological values, bone density in relation to norms for age and sex. Metastases are the primary cause of death in cancer patients. It is estimated that approximately half of people dying due to cancer have bone metastases. Osteoporosis in neoplastic disease may occur due to bone metastases or therapy-related adverse effects, i.e. reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Bone microenvironment provides a good medium for the growth of cancer cells. BMD of the femur and spine should be measured by DXA. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the techniques used to detect bone metastases. Lifestyle is the key to improving the quality of life and maximize any pharmacological treatment in cancer patients. It is proposed that treatment of cancer without bone metastases does not require therapy increasing bone mass. Further studies in women treated for gynecological malignancies undergoing oophorectomy and adjuvant treatment are needed to elucidate the mechanisms associated with bone loss.Kobiety z nowotworami narządów płciowych żyją obecnie dłużej dzięki często wczesnej diagnozie i coraz lepszym schematom leczenia. Niewiele jest badań, których celem była ocena masy kostnej u chorych na nowotwory narządów płciowych. Osteoporoza to stan chorobowy charakteryzujący się postępującym ubytkiem masy kostnej, osłabieniem struktury przestrzennej kości oraz zwiększoną podatnością na złamania. Osteopenia jest stanem zmniejszonej, w odniesieniu do norm dla płci i wieku, ale jeszcze nieosiągającej wartości patologicznych gęstości kości. Podstawową przyczyną zgonów pacjentów chorych na raka są przerzuty nowotworowe. Ocenia się, że około połowa osób umierających z powodu nowotworu ma przerzuty do kości. Osteoporoza obserwowana w chorobie nowotworowej może być wynikiem przerzutów do kości lub niekorzystnego wpływu terapii zmniejszającej gęstość mineralną kości- BMD. Mikrośrodowisko kości stanowi dobre podłoże do wzrostu komórek nowotworowych. BMD oceniana z kości udowej i kręgosłupa powinna być mierzona przez DXA. Techniki mające zastosowanie w wykrywaniu przerzutów do kości to tomografia komputerowa- CT i rezonans magnetyczny MRI. Styl życia jest kluczowym elementem dla poprawy jakości życia i maksymalizacji wszelkiego leczenia farmakologicznego u chorych na raka. Wnioskuje się, że terapia nowotworu bez przerzutów do kości nie wymaga leczenia zwiększającego masę kostną. Potrzebne są dalsze badania u kobiet leczonych z powodu złośliwych nowotworów ginekologicznych poddawanych usunięciu jajników i leczeniu uzupełniającemu w celu wyjaśnienia mechanizmów związanych z utratą tkanki kostne

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) – clinical significance in patients with ovarian cancer

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells released from the primary tumor and circulating in peripheral blood. CTCs are an important element in the process of understanding the biology of metastases. In the future CTCs may be used as biomarkers for the assessment of neoplastic process progression and recurrence. The CTCs presence in peripheral blood was described in various tumors, and the possibility of their use in clinical procedures was demonstrated. The appearance of CTCs is a sign of metastasis formation and its spread via the circulatory system. Ovarian cancer is a special type of tumor as it grows and recurs mainly in the abdominal cavity. Despite advances in therapeutic methods, more than half of the patients with ovarian cancer experience disease recurrence which cannot be cured. Therefore, it is important to seek better treatment strategies for patients with advanced disease. There is evidence that CTCs in patients with ovarian cancer may be associated with the appearance of recurrences, disease-free time and total survival time. Detection and molecular analysis of CTCs may also be a non-invasive test for detecting an early stage of the disease, impossible to diagnose using currently available diagnostic tools. Monitoring can also be a prognostic factor enabling the evaluation of the therapeutic response. CTCs detection will contribute to better patient outcomes by using an improved system of diagnosis and monitoring of patient therapy, allowing for immediate implementation or change of the treatment when necessary

No association between MTHFR 677C>T polimorphizm and ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers in Wielkopolska region

Abstract Background: Increasing evidence indicates that genetic factors are involved in the process of carcinogenesis. BRCA1 mutation has been proven to be responsible for increased risk of ovarian cancer. However, the importance of other genetic disorders, such as MTHFR polymorphism for increased risk of carcinogenesis, is still to be determined. Abnormal methylation seems to play a significant role in ovarian cancer pathogenesis. MTHFR catalyses the conversion of 5,10- methylenetetrahydrofolate into 5- methyltetrahydrofolate which is a co-substrate in homocysteine remethylation into methionine. Thermolabile MTHFR protein variants with lower enzymatic activity are the effects of the mutation. Aim: The evaluation of 677C>T MTHFR polymorphism frequency in the group of ovarian cancer women with BRCA1 mutation. The assessment of the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism influence on ovarian cancer risk. Methods: A group of 153 patients with ovarian cancer (Caucasian, Polish population in Wielkopolska region) were included into the study. 3 mutations: 5382insC, C61G and 4153delA in BRCA1 gene, and genotype frequency within 677C>T MTHFR polymorphism, were identified. The analysis of genotype frequency was performed by means of PCR/RFLP method. Results: 127 women without BRCA1 mutation and 26 with one of the mutations: 5382insC, C61G or 4153delA were qualified for the investigation. In the group with BRCA1 mutation, 3 out of 26 patients were with TT genotype mutation of 677C>T polymorphism (12%). Heterozygotic genotype CT appeared in 13 cases out of 26 (50%), homozygotic CC in 10 out of 26 (38%). In the group of 127 ovarian cancer patients without BRCA1 mutation, TT genotype in 677C>T polymorphism was present in 5 women (4%). Heterozygotic genotype CT appeared in 61 cases (48%), similarly to homozygotic genotype CC - 61 (48%). The highest value (OR=3.18) was obtained when comparing the homozygotic TT genotype groups. None of the obtained values was statistically significant. Conclusion: Contrary to numerous suggestions in various publications, we did not confirm the correlation between MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism and the influence on the risk of ovarian cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers in the investigated group of Polish women

Highly selective separation of small hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide in a metal–organic framework with open copper(ii) coordination sites

Hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide are very important raw materials for industrial products and fine chemicals. The microporous metal-organic framework ZJU-25 with high density of open metal sites, has significantly better separation potential than other MOFs, ZIFs or zeolites. It can fractionate a 5-component CH4/C2H2/C2H4/C2H6/CO2 mixture to yield individual pure components as established by the sorption isotherms and simulated breakthrough and pulse chromatographic experiments. Such separations are likely to have a significant industrial impact, resulting in significant energy savings when compared to current technologies that rely on cryogenic distillation

Prognostic value of circulating tumor cells and disseminated tumor cells in patients with ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Recent studies have shown diagnostic and prognostic values of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in various cancers, including ovarian cancer. We aimed to evaluate the association of CTCs and/or DTCs with the clinical outcomes of ovarian cancer. Clinical studies of CTCs/DTCs of ovarian cancer were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 236 studies were screened but only 16 qualified studies with 1623 subjects were included. Odds ratio (OR) showed CTCs/DTCs were not significantly associated with serous carcinoma (OR = 0.71 [0.49, 1.05]), lymph node metastasis (OR 1.14 [0.67, 1.93]), and residual disease (OR 1.45 [0.90, 2.34]); but significantly associated with advanced tumor staging (OR = 1.90 [1.02, 3.56]). The overall pooled hazard ratio (HR) of CTCs/DTCs on OS and PFS/DFS was 1.94 [1.56– 2.40] and 1.99 [1.59–2.50], respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed that CTCs were significantly associated OS (HR 1.97 [1.50-2.58]) and PFS/DFS (HR 2.52 [1.83-3.48]), while DTCs was significantly associated OS (HR 1.89 [1.33, 2.68]) and PFS/DFS (HR 1.60 [1.17, 2.19]). Meta-analysis showed strong relationship of CTCs/DTCs with advanced staging, treatment response and poor prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13048-015-0168-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users