First Hubble Space Telescope observations of the brightest stars in the Virgo galaxy M100 = NGC 4321

As part of both the Early Release Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and the Key Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale, we have obtained multiwavelength BVR WFPC2 images for the face-on Virgo cluster spiral galaxy M100 = NGC 4321. We report here preliminary results from those observations, in the form of a color-magnitude diagram for -11,500 stars down to V ~ 27 mag and a luminosity function for the brightest blue stars which is found to have a slope of 0.7, in excellent agreement with previous results obtained for significantly nearer galaxies. With the increased resolution now available using WFPC2, the number of galaxies in which we can directly measure Population I stars and thereby quantify the recent evolution, as well as test stellar evolution theory, has dramatically increased by at least a factor of 100. Finally, we find that stars are present in M100 at the colors and luminosities expected for the brightest Cepheid variables in galaxies

Science with the Second Wide Field and Planetary Camera

With the commencement of Cycle 4 observations, the General Observer community will have access to the second Wide Field and Planetary Camera (WFPC-2), a replacement for the original WFPC instrument. WFPC-2, a wide-field photometric camera which covers the spectrum from 1200 to 10000 Angstroms, will be installed in the Hubble radial bay during the currently manifested December 1992 Shuttle servicing mission. Besides optical correction for the aberrated Hubble primary mirror, the WFPC-2 incorporates evolutionary improvements in photometric imaging capabilities. The CCD sensors, signal chain electronics, filter set, FUV performance, internal calibrations, and operational efficiency have all been improved through new technologies and lessons learned from WFPC operations and Hubble experience since launch. Here we provide an overview of the new instrument, beginning with the assumption that the reader is already familiar with the original WFPC now in service

Emergent Clinical Issues in Problem Gambling

The "Emergent Clinical Issues in Problem Gambling" conference took place Friday, April 9 & Saturday, April 10, 2010 at The Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta, Canada. Presentation and discussion topics included competing perspectives on etiology and conceptualization of gambling disorders.NoAlberta Gaming Research Institut

BMS-933043, a Selective α7 nAChR Partial Agonist for the Treatment of Cognitive Deficits Associated with Schizophrenia

The therapeutic treatment of negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction associated with schizophrenia is a significant unmet medical need. Preclinical literature indicates that α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptor agonists may provide an effective approach to treating cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. We report herein the discovery and evaluation of <b>1c</b> (BMS-933043), a novel and potent α7 nACh receptor partial agonist with high selectivity against other nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes (>100-fold) and the 5-HT_3A receptor (>300-fold). <i>In vivo</i> activity was demonstrated in a preclinical model of cognitive impairment, mouse novel object recognition. BMS-933043 has completed Phase I clinical trials

Loss of H3K27me3 in meningiomas

BackgroundThere is a critical need for objective and reliable biomarkers of outcome in meningiomas beyond WHO classification. Loss of H3K27me3 has been reported as a prognostically unfavorable alteration in meningiomas. We sought to independently evaluate the reproducibility and prognostic value of H3K27me3 loss by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a multicenter study.MethodsIHC staining for H3K27me3 and analyses of whole slides from 181 meningiomas across three centers was performed. Staining was analyzed by dichotomization into loss and retained immunoreactivity, and using a 3-tiered scoring system in 151 cases with clear staining. Associations of grouping with outcome were performed using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates.ResultsA total of 21 of 151 tumors (13.9%) demonstrated complete loss of H3K27me3 staining in tumor with retained endothelial staining. Overall, loss of H3K27me3 portended a worse outcome with shorter times to recurrence in our cohort, particularly for WHO grade 2 tumors which were enriched in our study. There were no differences in recurrence-free survival (RFS) for WHO grade 3 patients with retained vs loss of H3K27me3. Scoring by a 3-tiered system did not add further insights into the prognostic value of this H3K27me3 loss. Overall, loss of H3K27me3 was not independently associated with RFS after controlling for WHO grade, extent of resection, sex, age, and recurrence status of tumor on multivariable Cox regression analysis.ConclusionsLoss of H3K27me3 identifies a subset of WHO grade 2 and possibly WHO grade 1 meningiomas with increased recurrence risk. Pooled analyses of a larger cohort of samples with standardized reporting of clinical definitions and staining patterns are warranted

Early outcomes from the Minimally Invasive Right Colectomy Anastomosis study (MIRCAST)

Background: The impact of method of anastomosis and minimally invasive surgical technique on surgical and clinical outcomes after right hemicolectomy is uncertain. The aim of the MIRCAST study was to compare intracorporeal and extracorporeal anastomosis (ICA and ECA respectively), each using either a laparoscopic approach or robot-assisted surgery during right hemicolectomies for benign or malignant tumours.Methods: This was an international, multicentre, prospective, observational, monitored, non-randomized, parallel, four-cohort study (laparoscopic ECA; laparoscopic ICA; robot-assisted ECA; robot-assisted ICA). High-volume surgeons (at least 30 minimally invasive right colectomy procedures/year) from 59 hospitals across 12 European countries treated patients over a 3-year interval The primary composite endpoint was 30-day success, defined by two measures of efficacy-absence of surgical wound infection and of any major complication within the first 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes were: overall complications, conversion rate, duration of operation, and number of lymph nodes harvested. Propensity score analysis was used for comparison of ICA with ECA, and robot-assisted surgery with laparoscopy.Results: Some 1320 patients were included in an intention-to-treat analysis (laparoscopic ECA, 555; laparoscopic ICA, 356; robot-assisted ECA, 88; robot-assisted ICA, 321). No differences in the co-primary endpoint at 30 days after surgery were observed between cohorts (7.2 and 7.6 per cent in ECA and ICA groups respectively; 7.8 and 6.6 per cent in laparoscopic and robot-assisted groups). Lower overall complication rates were observed after ICA, specifically less ileus, and nausea and vomiting after robot-assisted procedures.Conclusion: No difference in the composite outcome of surgical wound infections and severe postoperative complications was found between intracorporeal versus extracorporeal anastomosis or laparoscopy versus robot-assisted surgery