Quantum simulation of spin ordering with nuclear spins in a solid state lattice

An experiment demonstrating the quantum simulation of a spin-lattice Hamiltonian is proposed. Dipolar interactions between nuclear spins in a solid state lattice can be modulated by rapid radio-frequency pulses. In this way, the effective Hamiltonian of the system can be brought to the form of an antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model with long range interactions. Using a semiconducting material with strong optical properties such as InP, cooling of nuclear spins could be achieved by means of optical pumping. An additional cooling stage is provided by adiabatic demagnetization in the rotating frame (ADRF) down to a nuclear spin temperature at which we expect a phase transition from a paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic phase. This phase transition could be observed by probing the magnetic susceptibility of the spin-lattice. Our calculations suggest that employing current optical pumping technology, observation of this phase transition is within experimental reach.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figues; Published versio

Clinical characteristics and management of cancer-associated acute venous thromboembolism: findings from the MASTER Registry.

Background: Clinical characteristics and management of acute deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported to be different in patients with and without cancer. The aim of this paper was to provide information on clinical characteristics and management of acute venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer by means of a large prospective registry. Design and Methods: MASTER is a multicenter registry of consecutively recruited patients with symptomatic, objectively confirmed, acute venous thromboembolism. Information about clinical characteristics and management was collected by an electronic data network at the time of the index event. Results: A total of 2119 patients were enrolled, of whom 424 (20%) had cancer. The incidence of bilateral lower limb deep vein thrombosis was significantly higher in patients with cancer than in patients without cancer (8.5% versus 4.6%; p<0.01), as were the rates of iliocaval thombosis (22.6% versus 14%; p<0.001), and upper limb deep vein thrombosis (9.9% versus 4.8%; p<0.001). Major bleeding (3.3% versus 1.1%; p=0.001), in-hospital treatment (73.3% versus 66.6%; p=0.02) and inferior vena cava filter implantation (7.3% versus 4.1%; p=0.005) were significantly more frequent in patients with cancer, in whom oral anticoagulants were less often used (64.2% versus 82%; p<0.0001). Conclusions: The clinical presentation of acute venous thromboembolism is different and often more extensive in cancer patients than in patients free from malignancy. Moreover, the management of the acute phase of venous thromboembolism is more problematic in cancer patients, especially because of a higher rate of major bleeding and the need for implantation of inferior vena cava filters

Angle selective backscattered electron contrast in the low-voltage scanning electron microscope: simulation & experiment for polymers

Recently developed detectors can deliver high resolution and high contrast images of nanostructured carbon based materials in low voltage scanning electron microscopes (LVSEM) with beam deceleration. Monte Carlo Simulations are also used to predict under which exact imaging conditions purely compositional contrast can be obtained and optimised. This allows the prediction of the electron signal intensity in angle selective conditions for back-scattered electron (BSE) imaging in LVSEM and compares it to experimental signals. Angle selective detection with a concentric back scattered (CBS) detector is considered in the model in the absence and presence of a deceleration field, respectively. The validity of the model prediction for both cases was tested experimentally for amorphous C and Cu and applied to complex nanostructured carbon based materials, namely a Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate (PNIPAM/PEGDA) semi-interpenetration network (IPN) and a Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) film, to map nano-scale composition and crystallinity distribution by avoiding experimental imaging conditions that lead to a mixed topographical and compositional contrast

Ancient DNA sheds light on the genetic origins of early Iron Age Philistines

The ancient Mediterranean port city of Ashkelon, identified as “}Philistine{”} during the Iron Age, underwent a marked cultural change between the Late Bronze and the early Iron Age. It has been long debated whether this change was driven by a substantial movement of people, possibly linked to a larger migration of the so-called {“}Sea Peoples.{” Here, we report genome-wide data of 10 Bronze and Iron Age individuals from Ashkelon. We find that the early Iron Age population was genetically distinct due to a European-related admixture. This genetic signal is no longer detectible in the later Iron Age population. Our results support that a migration event occurred during the Bronze to Iron Age transition in Ashkelon but did not leave a long-lasting genetic signature

Efficiency of free energy calculations of spin lattices by spectral quantum algorithms

Quantum algorithms are well-suited to calculate estimates of the energy spectra for spin lattice systems. These algorithms are based on the efficient calculation of the discrete Fourier components of the density of states. The efficiency of these algorithms in calculating the free energy per spin of general spin lattices to bounded error is examined. We find that the number of Fourier components required to bound the error in the free energy due to the broadening of the density of states scales polynomially with the number of spins in the lattice. However, the precision with which the Fourier components must be calculated is found to be an exponential function of the system size.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures; corrected typographical and minor mathematical error

RTOG/NRG 1115 Quality of Life of Phase III Dose Escalated Radiation Therapy (RT) and Standard Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) with GnRH Agonist vs. Dose Escalated RT and ADT with GnRH Agonist and Orteronel (TAK-700) for Men with High-Risk Prostate

Purpose/Objective(s): Quality of life (QOL) was assessed with the hypothesis that QOL and fatigue scores would not differ significantly between the ADT + RT (Arm A) and the experimental group receiving ADT + RT + oreteronel (Arm B). Materials/Methods: In both arms, ADT with GnRH agonist was given for 24 mos, and dose escalated RT started 8-10 wks after initiation of ADT. In Arm B, oreteronel was given BID for 24 mos. QOL was measured with Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) and EQ-5D global QOL assessment. EPIC has 4 domains: bowel, urinary, sexual, and hormonal. EQ-5D index score was calculated using health states obtained from 5 dimensions, and a visual analog score (VAS). For EPIC, EQ-5D index and VAS, higher scores indicate better QOL. Fatigue was measured by the 7-item Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short form. Total score is standardized into a T-score with mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 with higher score representing more fatigue. Change scores, calculated as follow-up minus baseline, were compared between arms. Longitudinal analysis using repeated measures mixed effects models was conducted (prior to ADT [baseline], one wk prior to starting RT, last wk of RT, and 1 and 2.5 yrs after initiation of therapy). Results: Of 231 eligible patients, 196 consented to QOL, 102 on Arm A and 94 on Arm B. Compliance prior to start of RT and end of RT was 83%. At 1 and 2.5 yrs, 80% and 62% of pts, respectively, completed the EPIC. There were no differences between any EPIC domain between arms from the start of RT through the end of follow-up. Men on oreteronel had a significantly greater decline in bowel score prior to starting RT then control patients (-6.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -9.24, -3.01 vs. -1.93, 95% CI: -4.48, 0.63, respectively, p=0.038). Arm B patients also had a statistically significant and clinically meaningful worse change in urinary score vs control from baseline to pre-RT (-2.33, 95% CI: -5.02, 0.36 vs. 1.38, 95% CI: -1.07, 3.83, respectively, p=0.043). No other timepoints were significant. The only sig. between arm difference in EPIC sexual and hormonal scores was also at pre-RT in favor of Arm A over Arm B; p=0.024 and p=0.0024 respectively). Fatigue was also greater in the oreteronel patients prior to starting RT (3.81, 95% CI: 1.88, 5.74 vs. 1.18, 95% CI: -0.23, 2.60, p=0.028). Conclusion: The addition of oreteronel to RT and ADT resulted in greater declines in QOL prior to the start of RT but did not result in significant differences at any other time points. Although oreteronel development has been halted, the QOL results are encouraging for other drugs in this class that remain under investigation. In ongoing prospective trials, QOL impacts should be measured in conjunction with changes in clinical outcome and survival. This project was supported by grants UG1CA189867, U10CA180868, U10CA180822 from the National Cancer Institute and Takeda Pharmaceutical

The complex TIE between macrophages and angiogenesis

Macrophages are primarily known as phagocytic immune cells, but they also play a role in diverse processes, such as morphogenesis, homeostasis and regeneration. In this review, we discuss the influence of macrophages on angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation from the pre-existing vasculature. Macrophages play crucial roles at each step of the angiogenic cascade, starting from new blood vessel sprouting to the remodelling of the vascular plexus and vessel maturation. Macrophages form promising targets for both pro- and anti-angiogenic treatments. However, to target macrophages, we will first need to understand the mechanisms that control the functional plasticity of macrophages during each of the steps of the angiogenic cascade. Here, we review recent insights in this topic. Special attention will be given to the TIE2-expressing macrophage (TEM), which is a subtype of highly angiogenic macrophages that is able to influence angiogenesis via the angiopoietin-TIE pathway

The immortalized UROtsa cell line as a potential cell culture model of human urothelium.

The UROtsa cell line was isolated from a primary culture of normal human urothelium through immortalization with a construct containing the SV40 large T antigen. It proliferates in serum-containing growth medium as a cell monolayer with little evidence of uroepithelial differentiation. The working hypothesis in the present study was that this cell line could be induced to differentiate and express known features of in situ urothelium if the original serum-containing growth medium was changed to a serum-free formulation. We demonstrated that the UROtsa cells could be successfully placed into a serum-free growth medium consisting of a 1:1 mixture of Dulbeco\u27s modified Eagle\u27s medium and Ham\u27s F-12 supplemented with selenium (5 ng/mL), insulin (5 microg/mL), transferrin (5 microg/mL), hydrocortisone (36 ng/mL), triiodothyronine (4 pg/mL), and epidermal growth factor (10 ng/mL). Under serum-free growth conditions, confluent UROtsa cells were shown by light microscopy to produce raised, three-dimensional structures. Routine ultrastructural examination disclosed these three-dimensional areas to consist of a stratified layer of cells that strongly resembled in situ urothelium. The cells displayed numerous desmosomal connections, complex interactions of the lateral membranes, and abundant intermediate filaments within the cytoplasm. Freeze fracture analysis demonstrated that the cells possessed tight-junction sealing strands and gap junctions. The overall morphology was most consistent with that found in the intermediate layers of in situ urothelium. The basal expression patterns of the metallothionein (MT) and heat shock proteins 27, 60, and 70 were determined in these cells, and expression was in agreement with that known to occur for in situ urothelium. The cells were also successfully tested for their ability to be stably transfected using expression vectors containing the MT-3 or MT-2A genes. The findings suggest that the UROtsa cells grown with a serum-free medium could be a valuable adjunct for studying environmental insult to the human urothelium in general and for the stress response in particular

Delayed-type hypersensitivity in classic Kaposi sarcoma patients and controls

BACKGROUND: Immune perturbation likely affects the development of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) among people infected with the KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We tested whether KSHV-seropositive individuals or cases of classic KS (cKS), which typically originates in the leg, had differing delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in the forearm or leg. METHODS: Mantoux DTH with three antigens (Candida, tetanus, PPD) was performed on the forearm and leg of 15 cKS cases, 14 KSHV-positives without KS, and 15 KSHV-negative controls. The diameters of induration responses were compared by group and body site. RESULTS: Leg DTH was greater than forearm DTH among controls (mean difference 5.6 mm, P\ubc0.0004), whereas this was not observed in cKS cases ( 2.2 mm, P\ubc0.32) or KSHV-positives (0.5 mm, P\ubc0.56). Leg-minus-forearm DTH difference was greater in controls compared with cKS cases (P\ubc0.004) and KSHV-positives (P\ubc0.002). Leg-plus-forearm DTH was similar in controls (mean 28.2 mm) and cKS cases (24.5 mm, P\ubc0.60), but it was reduced in KSHV-positives (11.8 mm, P\ubc0.02), particularly in the leg (P\ubc0.004) and marginally in the forearm (P\ubc0.07). CONCLUSION: KS cases had weaker DTH only in the leg, whereas both body sites appeared weaker in KSHV-positives without KS. Both systemic and regional immune alterations may influence the development of this malignancy