Beurteilung des Therapieerfolgs – konventionelle versus neue Methoden

New ways of evaluating treatment success among thoracic tumour patients are increasingly being used alongside more conventional methods. These new approaches include tumour regression grading, CAD volumetry (computer-assisted volumetry), determination of the tumour density and tumour perfusion as well as the use of positron emission tomography (PET) using (18)F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) or other tracers. Increasingly, endpoints that impact directly on the patient's quality of life and tumour-related symptoms are becoming more relevant factors together with the objectively measurable parameters used for assessing treatment response. This contribution describes the potential value of new methods and end-points from the point of view of a pathologist, radiologist, nuclear medicine specialist, radiotherapist, thoracic surgeon, medical and pneumology oncologist, and general practitioner

Low-Energy Electron-Impact Ionization of Argon: Three-Dimensional Cross Section

Low-energy (E 0 = 70.8 eV) electron-impact single ionization of a 3p electron in argon has been studied experimentally and theoretically. Our measurements are performed using the so-called reaction microscope technique, which can cover nearly a full 4π solid angle for the emission of a secondary electron with energy below 15 eV and projectile scattering angles ranging from -8° to -30°. The measured cross sections are internormalized across all scattering angles and ejected energies. Several theoretical models were employed to predict the triple-differential cross sections (TDCSs). They include a standard distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA), a modified version to account for the effects of postcollision interaction (DWBA-PCI), a hybrid second-order distorted-wave plus R-matrix (DWB2-RM) method, and the recently developed B-spline R-matrix with pseudostates (BSR) approach. The relative angular dependence of the BSR cross sections is generally found to be in reasonable agreement with experiment, and the importance of the PCI effect is clearly visible in this low-energy electron-impact ionization process. However, there remain significant differences in the magnitude of the calculated and the measured TDCSs

Fivefold Differential Cross Sections for Ground-state Ionization of Aligned H₂ by Electron Impact

We discuss the ionization of aligned hydrogen molecules into their ionic ground state by 200 eV electrons. Using a reaction microscope, the complete electron scattering kinematics is imaged over a large solid angle. Simultaneously, the molecular alignment is derived from postcollision dissociation of the residual ion. It is found that the ionization cross section is maximized for small angles between the internuclear axis and the momentum transfer. Fivefold differential cross sections (5DCSs) reveal subtle differences in the scattering process for the distinct alignments. We compare our observations with theoretical 5DCSs obtained with an adapted molecular three-body distorted wave model that reproduces most of the results, although discrepancies remain

Combined Scintigraphy and Tumor Marker Analysis Predicts Unfavorable Histopathology of Neuroblastic Tumors with High Accuracy

Objectives Our aim was to improve the prediction of unfavorable histopathology (UH) in neuroblastic tumors through combined imaging and biochemical parameters. Methods I-123-MIBG SPECT and MRI was performed before surgical resection or biopsy in 47 consecutive pediatric patients with neuroblastic tumor. Semi-quantitative tumor-to-liver count-rate ratio (TLCRR),MRI tumor size and margins, urine catecholamine and NSE blood levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE) were recorded. Accuracy of single and combined variables for prediction of UH was tested by ROC analysis with Bonferroni correction. Results 34 of 47 patients had UH based on the International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification (INPC). TLCRR and serum NSE both predicted UH with moderate accuracy. Optimal cut-off for TLCRR was 2.0, resulting in 68% sensitivity and 100% specificity (AUC-ROC 0.86, p < 0.001). Optimal cut-off for NSE was 25.8 ng/ml, resulting in 74% sensitivity and 85% specificity (AUC-ROC 0.81, p = 0.001). Combination of TLCRR/NSE criteria reduced false negative findings from 11/9 to only five, with improved sensitivity and specificity of 85% (AUC-ROC 0.85, p < 0.001). Conclusion Strong I-123-MIBG uptake and high serum level of NSE were each predictive of UH. Combined analysis of both parameters improved the prediction of UH in patients with neuroblastic tumor. MRI parameters and urine catecholamine levels did not predict UH

Low-energy (E₀ = 65 eV) Electron-Impact Ionization of Neon: Internormalized Triple-Differentical Cross Sections in 3D Kinematics

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study on the low-energy (E0 = 65 eV) electron- impact ionization of neon. The experimental data are compared to predictions from a hybrid second-order distorted-wave Born plus R-matrix approach (DWB2-RM), the distorted-wave Born approximation with inclusion of post-collision interaction (DWBA-PCI), a three-body distorted-wave approach (3DW), and a B-spline R-matrix (BSR) with pseudostates approach. Excellent agreement is found between experiment and the 3DW and BSR theories. The importance of PCI effects is clearly visible in this low-energy electron-impact ionization process

Ghrelin Receptor Deficiency does not Affect Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Null Mice

Objective: Ghrelin, a stomach-derived, secreted peptide, and its receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHSR) are known to modulate food intake and energy homeostasis. The ghrelin system is also expressed broadly in cardiovascular tissues. Since ghrelin has been associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties, but is also well known to promote obesity and impair glucose metabolism, we investigated whether ghrelin has any impact on the development of atherosclerosis. The hypothesis that endogenous ghrelin signaling may be involved in atherosclerosis has not been tested previously. Methods and Results: We crossed ghrelin receptor knockout mice (GHSr−/−) into a low-density lipoprotein receptor-null (Ldlr−/−) mouse line. In this model, atherosclerotic lesions were promoted by feeding a high-fat, high-cholesterol Western-type diet for 13 months, following a standard protocol. Body composition and glucose homeostasis were similar between Ldlr−/− and Ldlr/GHSR−/−ko mice throughout the study. Absence or presence of GHSr did not alter the apolipoprotein profile changes in response to diet exposure on an LDLRko background. Atherosclerotic plaque volume in the aortic arch and thoracic aorta were also not affected differentially in mice without ghrelin signaling due to GHSR gene disruption as compared to control LDLRko littermates. In light of the associations reported for ghrelin with cardiovascular disease in humans, the lack of a phenotype in these loss-of-function studies in mice suggests no direct role for endogenous ghrelin in either the inhibition or the promotion of diet-induced atherosclerosis. Conclusion: These data indicate that, surprisingly, the complex and multifaceted actions of endogenous ghrelin receptor mediated signaling on the cardiovascular system have minimal direct impact on atherosclerotic plaque progression as based on a loss-of-function mouse model of the disease

Low Energy (e, 2e) Study from the 1t₂ Orbital of Ch₄

Single ionization of the methane (CH4) 1t2 orbital by 54 eV electron impact has been studied experimentally and theoretically. The measured triple differential cross sections cover nearly a 4π solid angle for the emission of low energy electrons and a range of projectile scattering angles. Experimental data are compared with theoretical calculations from the distorted wave Born approximation and the molecular three-body distorted wave models. It is found that theory can give a proper description of the main features of experimental cross section only at smaller scattering angles. For larger scattering angles, significant discrepancies between experiment and theory are observed. The importance of the strength of nuclear scattering from the H-nuclei was theoretically tested by reducing the distance between the carbon nuclei and the hydrogen nuclei and improved agreement with experiment was found for both the scattering plane and the perpendicular plane

Kinneyia: a flow-induced anisotropic fossil pattern from ancient microbial mats

Kinneyia is the commonly used term to describe a class of trace fossil that is strongly associated with microbial mats. The appearance of Kinneyia (or wrinkle structures) in the fossil record has recently led to a number of possible mechanisms being proposed to explain its formation. Here, we outline, and critically compare, three of these models, involving formation of the characteristic ripple structures (i) in mats over liquefied sediment, (ii) by oscillatory flow of microbial aggregates, and (iii) by a Kelvin–Helmholtz instability of the mat surface. Of these models, our study shows that the hydrodynamic instability compares most favorably with the corresponding structures in the fossil record. Implications for the conditions under which the fossils formed are then further discussed

Metabolic Control by S6 Kinases Depends on Dietary Lipids

Targeted deletion of S6 kinase (S6K) 1 in mice leads to higher energy expenditure and improved glucose metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling these effects remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we analyze the potential role of dietary lipids in regulating the mTORC1/S6K system. Analysis of S6K phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro showed that dietary lipids activate S6K, and this effect is not dependent upon amino acids. Comparison of male mice lacking S6K1 and 2 (S6K-dko) with wt controls showed that S6K-dko mice are protected against obesity and glucose intolerance induced by a high-fat diet. S6K-dko mice fed a high-fat diet had increased energy expenditure, improved glucose tolerance, lower fat mass gain, and changes in markers of lipid metabolism. Importantly, however, these metabolic phenotypes were dependent upon dietary lipids, with no such effects observed in S6K-dko mice fed a fat-free diet. These changes appear to be mediated via modulation of cellular metabolism in skeletal muscle, as shown by the expression of genes involved in energy metabolism. Taken together, our results suggest that the metabolic functions of S6K in vivo play a key role as a molecular interface connecting dietary lipids to the endogenous control of energy metabolism