Superconformal ruled surfaces in mathbbE4mathbb{E}^{4}

In the present study we consider ruled surfaces imbedded in a Euclidean space of four dimensions. We also give some special examples of ruled surfaces in $mathbb{E}^{4}.$ Further, the curvature properties of these surface are investigated with respect to variation of normal vectors and curvature ellipse. Finally, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for ruled surfaces in $mathbb{E}^{4}$ to become superconformal. We also show that superconformal ruled surfaces in $mathbb{E}^{4}$ are Chen surfaces

Efficacy of Levetiracetam Monotherapy in Childhood Epilepsy

Objectives:Levetiracetam (LEV) is an antiepileptic drug approved particularly for treatment of focal seizures. The aim of this study was to investigate efficacy and tolerability of LEV monotherapy in pediatric patients.Methods:In the present study, records of 225 children (aged 1 month-18 years) treated with LEV and with follow-up for at least 1 year were evaluated. Diagnosis of epilepsy included history of 2 or more unprovoked seizures. Demographic characteristics, reason for antiepileptic treatment, dosage of levetiracetam, duration of treatment, antiepileptic drugs used previously, seizure type, seizure duration, cranial magnetic resonance images, electroencephalogram results, seizure etiology, and side effects of the drug were documented.Results:Total of 225 patients, 95 girls and 130 boys, were enrolled in the study. Of those, 125 (55.6%) patients had generalized seizures, 90 (40%) had focal seizures, and 10 (4.4%) had other type of seizures. In treatment, 186 (82.7%) patients remained seizure-free. There was no difference in effectiveness of LEV on partial or generalized epilepsy. Overall, 8 (18%) patients had adverse events. Most common side effects observed were irritability and nervousness. There was no relationship between drug dosage and side effects.Conclusion:LEV monotherapy is effective in childhood epilepsy with focal or generalized seizures. It is well tolerated in spite of mild and transient side effects, which do not require drug discontinuation

Oncogenic WIP1 phosphatase attenuates the DNA damage response and sensitizes p53 mutant Jurkat cells to apoptosis

Wild-type (wt) p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1), encoded by the protein phosphatase, Mg2+/Mn2+ dependent 1D (PPM1D) gene, is a serine/threonine phosphatase induced upon genotoxic stress in a p53-dependent manner. Wip1/PPM1D is frequently overexpressed, amplified and mutated in human solid tumors harboring wt p53 and is thus currently recognized as an oncogene. Oncogenic Wip1 dampens cellular stress responses, such as cell cycle checkpoints, apoptosis and senescence, and consequently increases resistance to anticancer therapeutics. Targeting Wip1 has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for tumors harboring wt p53. However, little is known about the efficacy of Wip1-targeted therapies in tumors lacking p53. The present study aimed to investigate the potential role of oncogenic Wip1 in p53 mutant (mt) Jurkat cells. In the present study, it was demonstrated that p53 mt Jurkat cells exhibited PPM1D/Wip1 gene amplification and expressed relatively high levels of Wip1, as confirmed by gene copy number and RNA expression analysis. In addition, Jurkat cells underwent G2 cell cycle arrest, apoptotic cell death and senescence in response to etoposide and doxorubicin, although the phosphorylation levels of DNA damage response (DDR) elements, including ataxia-telangiectasia mutated, ataxia-telangiestasia and Rad3-related, checkpoint kinase (Chk)1 and Chk2 were significantly low. Accordingly, the targeting of Wip1 phosphatase by RNA interference increased the phosphorylation of DDR elements, but decreased the rate of apoptosis in response to etoposide or doxorubicin in Jurkat cells. The induction of senescence or cell cycle arrest was not affected by the knockdown of Wip1. The results suggest that increased Wip1 expression enhances the apoptotic sensitivity of Jurkat cells in response to chemotherapeutic agents by attenuating DDR signaling. The present study highlights the possible pro-apoptotic role of Wip1 in a p53 mt T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line. The data suggest the careful consideration of future treatment strategies aiming to manipulate or target Wip1 in human cancers lacking p53