Depth dependence of atomic mixing by ion beams

Ion backscattering spectrometry has been used to investigate the depth dependence of atomic mixing induced by ion beams. Samples consisting of a thin Pt (or Si) marker a few tens of angstroms thick buried at different depths in a deposited Si (or Pt) layer were bombarded with Xe+ of 300 keV at 2×10^16 cm^–2 dose and Ar+ of 150 keV at 5×10^15cm^–2 dose. Significant spreading of the marker was observed as a result of ion irradiation. The amount of spreading was measured as a function of depth of the marker, which was then compared with the deposited energy distribution. Measurements of this kind promise new insight into the nature of the interaction between ion beams and solids

Relaxation of classical many-body hamiltonians in one dimension

The relaxation of Fourier modes of hamiltonian chains close to equilibrium is studied in the framework of a simple mode-coupling theory. Explicit estimates of the dependence of relevant time scales on the energy density (or temperature) and on the wavenumber of the initial excitation are given. They are in agreement with previous numerical findings on the approach to equilibrium and turn out to be also useful in the qualitative interpretation of them. The theory is compared with molecular dynamics results in the case of the quartic Fermi-Pasta-Ulam potential.Comment: 9 pag. 6 figs. To appear in Phys.Rev.

Methodological aspects of diagnostics and minimal residual disease monitoring in infant acute leukemias

Hereby we present methodological aspects and prognostic significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring in infant acute leukemias. Based on our own experience we made algorithm for detection of MRD in this group of patients. We conclude that general concordance between MRD detection by flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for fusion gene transcripts achieved 87.0 %. Concordance was significantly lower during induction in comparison to consolidation/intensification and relapse treatment (78.6; 90.4 and 93.4 %, correspondingly; p = 0.002). It was not dependent on presence of normal B-cell precursors. Concordance between MRD results obtained by qualitative real-time PCR in bone marrow and peripheral blood samples was 84.5 %. Interestingly, all discrepant results (22 samples 15.5 %) were MRD-positive in bone marrow, but negative in peripheral blood. Despite high qualitative concordance rate between MRD detection in bone marrow and peripheral blood samples we could not show prognostic value of MRD monitoring in peripheral blood by fusion gene transcripts. Multivariate analysis revealed that MRD-positivity at time-point 4 in bone marrow was the only significant and independent prognostic factor of unfavorable outcome in the observed group of patients (hazard ratio 7.326; 95 % confidence interval 2.378–22.565)

Research of <i>PNPLA3</i> I148M Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, with Liver Cirrhosis and with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aim: to determine the frequency of PNPLA3 rs738409 C&gt;G gene polymorphism, leading to p.I148M substitution, in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to reveal the association between polymorphism and probable NAFLD outcomes: liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and methods. The study was conducted according to the “case-control” design, three main groups were formed: a group with NAFLD (n = 46), a group with LC (n = 61), a group with HCC (n = 50), as well as a control group (n = 70), for all groups we performed genotyping of the rs738409 polymorphism of the PNPLA3 gene. The relationship between the occurrence of different genotype variants and the diagnosis of patients was evaluated, the odds ratio (OR) of progression of NAFLD and the reliability of intergroup differences were determined.Results. NAFLD patients with PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism have a significantly higher chance of developing LC and HCC. The odds ratio for the GG genotype was 7.94 (95 % Cl: 2.19–28.84; p = 0.030) for LC and 6.51 (95 % Cl: 1.15–4.08; p = 0.039) — for HCC with concomitant LC. The presence of the minor G allele also increases the likelhood of transition from NAFLD to LC (OR = 2.38; 95 % Cl: 1.41–4.02; p = 0.010) and HCC in the presence of cirrhosis (OR = 2.17; 95 % Cl: 1.15–4.08; p = 0.039). Differences in the frequency of PNPLA3 polymorphism between the NAFLD and HCC groups were not significant. Additional risk factors for HCC associated with NAFLD are overweight (OR = 5.14; 95 % Cl: 1.94–13.67; p &lt; 0.001), arterial hypertension (OR = 8.49; 95 % Cl: 3.05–23,62; p &lt; 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (OR = 8.57; 95 % Cl: 1.03–71.48; p = 0.032).Conclusion. The frequency of single nucleotide polymorphism PNPLA3 significantly differs in patients with NAFLD, cirrhosis and HCC compared with the control group of healthy volunteers. The PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism increases the incidence of NAFLD progression to cirrhosis and HCC, but only with concomitant cirrhosis

BTK, NuTM2A, and PRPF19 are Novel KMT2A Partner Genes in Childhood Acute Leukemia

Chromosomal rearrangements of the human KMT2A/MLL gene are associated with acute leukemias, especially in infants. KMT2A is rearranged with a big variety of partner genes and in multiple breakpoint locations. Detection of all types of KMT2A rearrangements is an essential part of acute leukemia initial diagnostics and follow-up, as it has a strong impact on the patients’ outcome. Due to their high heterogeneity, KMT2A rearrangements are most effectively uncovered by next-generation sequencing (NGS), which, however, requires a thorough prescreening by cytogenetics. Here, we aimed to characterize uncommon KMT2A rearrangements in childhood acute leukemia by conventional karyotyping, FISH, and targeted NGS on both DNA and RNA level with subse-quent validation. As a result of this comprehensive approach, three novel KMT2A rearrangements were discovered: ins(X;11)(q26;q13q25)/KMT2A-BTK, t(10;11)(q22;q23.3)/KMT2A-NUTM2A, and inv(11)(q12.2q23.3)/KMT2A-PRPF19. These novel KMT2A-chimeric genes expand our knowledge of the mechanisms of KMT2A-associated leukemogenesis and allow tracing the dynamics of minimal residual disease in the given patients. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Funding: KMT2A rearrangement assessment was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant no. 19-75-10056). Quantitative RT-PCR for MRD monitoring was supported by Russian Presidential (grant no. MK-1645.2020.7)

A Multicriteria Analysis on the Strategies to Open Taiwan's Mobile Virtual Network Operators Services

[[abstract]]This study investigates the trends followed by MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) in the last three years and analyzes the strategies that can contribute to the success of Taiwan's telecommunications industry and marketing. We apply the method and concept of PATTERN (Planning Assistance Through Technical Evaluation of Relevance Number) to establish relevant systems for searching out the key successful factors of strategies to attract MVNOs. We also use the fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method for analyzing the different preference of a decision group in the criteria weights and for ranking the alternatives in a fuzzy environment in order to provide a strategy scheme. These results provide a reference to assist telecommunications operators, 3G license owners, potential MVNOs, and equipment manufacturers when working out business plans.[[incitationindex]]SCI[[booktype]]紙

Initial Experience with Radical Prostatectomy Following Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate

BACKGROUND: Although an increasing number of prostate cancer (PCa) patients received holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) previously for benign prostatic obstruction (BPO), there is still no evidence regarding the outcomes of radical prostatectomy (RP) in this setting. OBJECTIVE: To assess functional and oncological results of RP in PCa patients who received HoLEP for BPO previously in a contemporary multi-institutional cohort. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 95 patients who underwent RP between 2011 and 2019 and had a history of HoLEP were identified in two institutions. Functional as well as oncological follow-up was prospectively assessed and retrospectively analyzed. INTERVENTION: RP following HoLEP compared with RP without previous transurethral surgery. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Patients with complete follow-up data were matched with individuals with no history of BPO surgery using propensity score matching. Complications were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo scale. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The median follow-up was 50.5 mo. We found no significant impact of previous HoLEP on positive surgical margin rate (14.0% [HoLEP] vs 18.8% [no HoLEP], p =  0.06) and biochemical recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32-1.70, p =  0.4). Patients with a history of HoLEP had increased 1-yr urinary incontinence rates after RP. After adjusting for confounders, no significant impact of previous HoLEP was found (odds ratio [OR] 0.87, 95% CI 0.74-1.01; p = 0.07). Previous HoLEP did not hamper 1-yr erectile function recovery (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05-1.43; p =  0.01). Limitations include retrospective design and small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: RP after previous HoLEP is surgically feasible, with low complication rates and no negative impact on biochemical recurrence-free survival. However, in a multivariable analysis, we observed significantly worse 1-yr continence rates in patients after previous HoLEP. PATIENT SUMMARY: In the current study, we assessed the oncological and functional outcomes of radical prostatectomy in patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) previously due to prostatic bladder outlet obstruction. A history of HoLEP did not hamper oncological results, 1-yr continence, and erectile function recovery

IKZF1 Deletions with COBL Breakpoints Are Not Driven by RAG-Mediated Recombination Events in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

IKZF1 deletion (ΔIKZF1) is an important predictor of relapse in both childhood and adult B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Previously, we revealed that COBL is a hotspot for breakpoints in leukemia and could promote IKZF1 deletions. Through an international collaboration, we provide a detailed genetic and clinical picture of B-ALL with COBL rearrangements (COBL-r). Patients with B-ALL and IKZF1 deletion (n = 133) were included. IKZF1 ∆1-8 were associated with large alterations within chromosome 7: monosomy 7 (18%), isochromosome 7q (10%), 7p loss (19%), and interstitial deletions (53%). The latter included COBL-r, which were found in 12% of the IKZF1 ∆1-8 cohort. Patients with COBL-r are mostly classified as intermediate cytogenetic risk and frequently harbor ETV6, PAX5, CDKN2A/B deletions. Overall, 56% of breakpoints were located within COBL intron 5. Cryptic recombination signal sequence motifs were broadly distributed within the sequence of COBL, and no enrichment for the breakpoint cluster region was found. In summary, a diverse spectrum of alterations characterizes ΔIKZF1 and they also include deletion breakpoints within COBL. We confirmed that COBL is a hotspot associated with ΔIKZF1, but these rearrangements are not driven by RAG-mediated recombination