Phase transition in an asymmetric generalization of the zero-temperature q-state Potts model

An asymmetric generalization of the zero-temperature q-state Potts model on a one dimensional lattice, with and without boundaries, has been studied. The dynamics of the particle number, and specially the large time behavior of the system has been analyzed. In the thermodynamic limit, the system exhibits two kinds of phase transitions, a static and a dynamic phase transition.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX2

Some notes about the density of states for a negative pressure matter

The main goal of this paper is deriving Density of states $g(\epsilon)$ (degeneracy function) per volume for an equation of state (EOS) $p=-\rho$ (we called it dark energy(DE)).We have concluded that thermodynamic quantities such as pressure and energy density are simple functions of temperature, fugacity, curvature and mass of Bosons. Our work has been expressed the origin of some claims about the negativity of the entropy for the scalar fields models of DE.Comment: 12 pages,Major revision,Typos fixed,References added,it has now been accepted for publication in International Journal of Modern Physics E. It was accepted on May 31, 201

Modafinil’s effects on cognition and sleep quality in affectively-stable patients with bipolar disorder: a pilot study

IntroductionDespite advances in the treatment of bipolar disorder (BD), most patients do not achieve complete inter-episode recovery and functional disability is common. During periods of relative remission, many patients continue to experience neurocognitive dysfunction, reduced daytime activity levels, and sleep disturbances. This 8-week, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study evaluated the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of the wake-promoting drug, modafinil (Provigil®), on neurocognitive functioning, daytime sleepiness, and sleep quality in affectively-stable BD patients.MethodsTwelve individuals with affectively-stable BD were recruited and randomized to a flexible dose of modafinil (100 to 200 mg/day) or placebo, adjunctive to a therapeutic dose of a mood stabilizer. Weekly in-person visits tracked sleep quality and daytime sleepiness as well as side effects and mood symptoms. Neurocognitive functioning was assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8.ResultsNo serious adverse events were reported. Newly emergent side effects in the modafinil group included heart palpitations, itching, fatigue, and decreased energy. Two patients discontinued modafinil owing to side effects and one of these patients withdrew from the study. One patient discontinued placebo and was withdrawn from the study. Preliminary evaluations of clinical efficacy showed a marginally significant interaction between treatment group and time in two cognitive domains (speed of processing and verbal learning), indicating greater improvement in the modafinil group versus placebo. Additionally, there was a marginally significant effect of treatment group on daytime sleepiness, suggesting lower daytime sleepiness in the modafinil group versus placebo. Counterintuitively, we found a significant treatment group by time interaction effect on sleep quality, suggesting greater improvement in sleep quality in the placebo group versus the modafinil group.DiscussionResults suggest that modafinil is a relatively safe medication for affectively-stable BD patients when given with adjunctive mood stabilizers. Results are suggestive of cognitive benefit and improved daytime sleepiness, but worse sleep quality in those patients prescribed modafinil. A fully powered clinical trial is warranted with specific attention to the characteristics of patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment with modafinil and other methodological lessons learned from this pilot.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01965925

LIV-1 Promotes Prostate Cancer Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis through HB-EGF Shedding and EGFR-Mediated ERK Signaling

LIV-1, a zinc transporter, is an effector molecule downstream from soluble growth factors. This protein has been shown to promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancer cells. Despite the implication of LIV-1 in cancer growth and metastasis, there has been no study to determine the role of LIV-1 in prostate cancer progression. Moreover, there was no clear delineation of the molecular mechanism underlying LIV-1 function in cancer cells. In the present communication, we found increased LIV-1 expression in benign, PIN, primary and bone metastatic human prostate cancer. We characterized the mechanism by which LIV-1 drives human prostate cancer EMT in an androgen-refractory prostate cancer cells (ARCaP) prostate cancer bone metastasis model. LIV-1, when overexpressed in ARCaPE (derivative cells of ARCaP with epithelial phenotype) cells, promoted EMT irreversibly. LIV-1 overexpressed ARCaPE cells had elevated levels of HB-EGF and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP 9 proteolytic enzyme activities, without affecting intracellular zinc concentration. The activation of MMPs resulted in the shedding of heparin binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) from ARCaPE cells that elicited constitutive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation and its downstream extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. These results suggest that LIV-1 is involved in prostate cancer progression as an intracellular target of growth factor receptor signaling which promoted EMT and cancer metastasis. LIV-1 could be an attractive therapeutic target for the eradication of pre-existing human prostate cancer and bone and soft tissue metastases

Successful outcome of six-level cervicothoracic corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction: case report and review of literature on multilevel cervicothoracic corpectomy

The authors report the successful outcome of a six-level corpectomy across the cervico-thoracic spine with circumferential reconstruction in a patient with extensive osteomyelitis of the cervical and upper thoracic spine. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a corpectomy extending across six levels of the cervico-thoracic spine. Clinical relevance: the authors recommend anterior cage and plate-assisted reconstruction and additional posterior instrumentation using modern spinal surgical techniques and implants

BCAA catabolism in brown fat controls energy homeostasis through SLC25A44.

Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA; valine, leucine and isoleucine) supplementation is often beneficial to energy expenditure; however, increased circulating levels of BCAA are linked to obesity and diabetes. The mechanisms of this paradox remain unclear. Here we report that, on cold exposure, brown adipose tissue (BAT) actively utilizes BCAA in the mitochondria for thermogenesis and promotes systemic BCAA clearance in mice and humans. In turn, a BAT-specific defect in BCAA catabolism attenuates systemic BCAA clearance, BAT fuel oxidation and thermogenesis, leading to diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. Mechanistically, active BCAA catabolism in BAT is mediated by SLC25A44, which transports BCAAs into mitochondria. Our results suggest that BAT serves as a key metabolic filter that controls BCAA clearance via SLC25A44, thereby contributing to the improvement of metabolic health

Outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt using 12 mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene covered stents in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension

PURPOSEWe aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 12 mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)- covered stents for the creation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in cir- rhotic patients with portal hypertension complicated by variceal bleeding and volume-overload.METHODSThis retrospective study included 360 patients who had TIPS created between January 2004 and December 2017 using 12 mm diameter PTFE-covered stents. Demographic data, model for end- stage liver disease (MELD) score, etiology of cirrhosis, and Charlson comorbidity index were recorded. Symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), variceal re-bleeding, improvement in vol- ume-overload, TIPS revisions and the need for intervention, and overall survival were assessed.RESULTSThe mean age of the patients was 56.8 ± 9.9 years, and the technical success rate was 99.4%. The rates of improvement of volume-overload post-TIPS were 59.5%, 69.8%, and 81.7% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. About 93.3% of patients were free from paracentesis or thoracentesis at 12 months. The rates of re-bleeding post-TIPS were 4%, 12%, and 12.9% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. The rate of TIPS revision at 12 months was 6.5%. Percentage of patients with any symptoms of HE were 34.4%, 42.9%, and 49.5% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. All HE were appropriately medically managed and no patients required a TIPS reduction.CONCLUSIONTIPS placement using 12 mm PTFE-covered stents is efficacious in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension complicated by variceal bleeding or refractory volume-overload, with an accept- able safety profile

A validated integrated clinical and molecular glioblastoma long-term survival-predictive nomogram.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adulthood. Despite multimodality treatments, including maximal safe resection followed by irradiation and chemotherapy, the median overall survival times range from 14 to 16 months. However, a small subset of GBM patients live beyond 5 years and are thus considered long-term survivors. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical, radiographic, and molecular features of patients with newly diagnosed primary GBM who underwent treatment at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was conducted. Eighty patients had sufficient quantity and quality of tissue available for next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemical analysis. Factors associated with survival time were identified using proportional odds ordinal regression. We constructed a survival-predictive nomogram using a forward stepwise model that we subsequently validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas. Results: Univariate analysis revealed 3 pivotal genetic alterations associated with GBM survival: both high tumor mutational burden ( Conclusions: Our newly devised long-term surviva

The Prevalence of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in the Justice System: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Theoretical models, such as the minority stress model, suggest that sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth may be overrepresented in the justice system. However, few studies have examined rates of SGM youth in the system, and even fewer have compared them with rates of these youth in the broader community. To obtain a more accurate estimate, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 31,258 youths and compared rates of SGM youth in the justice system with those in the community. Contrary to claims that SGM youth are overrepresented generally, this review suggests that sexual minority girls, specifically, are disproportionally involved in the justice system. Rates of involvement appeared to differ across ethnic subgroups of sexual minority youth, and evidence is inconclusive regarding the prevalence of gender minority youth in the system. Implications of these findings for researchers and justice system professionals are discussed