Picosecond timing of Microwave Cherenkov Impulses from High-Energy Particle Showers Using Dielectric-loaded Waveguides

We report on the first measurements of coherent microwave impulses from high-energy particle-induced electromagnetic showers generated via the Askaryan effect in a dielectric-loaded waveguide. Bunches of 12.16 GeV electrons with total bunch energy of $\sim 10^3-10^4$ GeV were pre-showered in tungsten, and then measured with WR-51 rectangular (12.6 mm by 6.3 mm) waveguide elements loaded with solid alumina ($Al_2 O_3$) bars. In the 5-8 GHz $TE_{10}$ single-mode band determined by the presence of the dielectric in the waveguide, we observed band-limited microwave impulses with amplitude proportional to bunch energy. Signals in different waveguide elements measuring the same shower were used to estimate relative time differences with 2.3 picosecond precision. These measurements establish a basis for using arrays of alumina-loaded waveguide elements, with exceptional radiation hardness, as very high precision timing planes for high-energy physics detectors.Comment: 16 pages, 15 figure

HIF-1 activation induces doxorubicin resistance in MCF7 3-D spheroids via P-glycoprotein expression: a potential model of the chemo-resistance of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast

BACKGROUND: Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast is a distinct and aggressive variant of luminal type B breast cancer that does not respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It is characterized by small pseudopapillary clusters of cancer cells with inverted cell polarity. To investigate whether hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) activation may be related to the drug resistance described in this tumor, we used MCF7 cancer cells cultured as 3-D spheroids, which morphologically simulate IMPC cell clusters. METHODS: HIF-1 activation was measured by EMSA and ELISA in MCF7 3-D spheroids and MCF7 monolayers. Binding of HIF-1α to MDR-1 gene promoter and modulation of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression was evaluated by ChIP assay and FACS analysis, respectively. Intracellular doxorubicin retention was measured by spectrofluorimetric assay and drug cytotoxicity by annexin V-FITC measurement and caspase activity assay. RESULTS: In MCF7 3-D spheroids HIF-1 was activated and recruited to participate to the transcriptional activity of MDR-1 gene, coding for Pgp. In addition, Pgp expression on the surface of cells obtained from 3-D spheroids was increased. MCF7 3-D spheroids accumulate less doxorubicin and are less sensitive to its cytotoxic effects than MCF7 cells cultured as monolayer. Finally, HIF-1α inhibition either by incubating cells with 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole (a widely used HIF-1α inhibitor) or by transfecting cells with specific siRNA for HIF-1α significantly decreased the expression of Pgp on the surface of cells and increased the intracellular doxorubicin accumulation in MCF7 3-D spheroids. CONCLUSIONS: MCF7 breast cancer cells cultured as 3-D spheroids are resistant to doxorubicin and this resistance is associated with an increased Pgp expression in the plasma membrane via activation of HIF-1. The same mechanism may be suggested for IMPC drug resistance

Unilateral salpingitis due to enterobius vermicularis

WOS: 000086376500017PubMed ID: 10782420A case of unilateral salpingitis caused by Enterobius vermicularis presenting as a painful adnexal mass in a 28-year-old woman is reported

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumour metastasising to lungs bilaterally: A case report and review of the literature

WOS: 00040873540329

Metastasis to the breast of a low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma 15 years posthysterectomy

Metastasis to the breast from extramammary malignancies is an extremely rare event, but its recognition is important because its treatment and outcome differ from that of primary breast carcinoma. We report on a case of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with metastasis to the breast, 15 years after the initial diagnosis and treatment of the primary endometrial tumor. A 57-year-old woman presented with a mass in her right breast. The mass was biopsied and found to be a stromal sarcoma with an histology similar to that of the primary endometrial stromal sarcoma

Molecular Resistance Mechanisms in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: HIF-1 alpha? ERCC1?

Annual Meeting of the European-Society-for-Radiotherapy-and-Oncology (ESTRO) -- MAY 06-10, 2022 -- Copenhagen, DENMARK[No Abstract Available]European Soc Radiotherapy & Onco

Comparison of antibacterial and toxic effects of various root canal irrigants

WOS: 000183478400006PubMed ID: 12801290Aim To compare the antibacterial properties and toxicity of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl),2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate plus 0.2% cetrimide (Cetrexidin(R); Vebas, San Giuliano, Milan, Italy). Methodology The antibacterial effects of the irrigants in vitro were examined after 5 min and 48 h in freshly extracted human teeth with single roots, whose canals were infected by Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. In a separate in vivo study, bacterial culture samples were collected before treatment from the infected root canals of deciduous teeth containing necrotic pulp tissue. Irrigants were used to clean the canals which were then left empty for 48 h. Aerobic/facultative anaerobic and anaerobic bacterial growth were compared before and 48 h after irrigation. Finally, the toxic effects of the irrigants were assessed by injecting them into the subcutaneous tissues of rats. The inflammatory reactions that occurred 2 h, 48 h and 2 weeks after the injections were evaluated. Results In the laboratory study, the 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and Cetrexidin(R) were significantly more effective on E. faecalis than the 5.25% NaOCl at 5 min (P < 0.05). Similarly, in the in vivo study, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and Cetrexidin(R) were significantly more effective on anaerobic bacteria than the 5.25% NaOCl at 48 h (P < 0.05). At the end of 2 weeks, the toxicity of the NaOCl solution was greater than that of the other irrigants (P < 0.05). Conclusions Cetrexidin(R) and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate were more effective, and had more residual antibacterial effects and lower toxicity than 5.25% NaOCI solution