Search for dijet resonances in 7 TeV pp collisions at CMS.

A search for narrow resonances in the dijet mass spectrum is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb⁻¹ collected by the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Upper limits at the 95% confidence level are presented on the product of the resonance cross section, branching fraction into dijets, and acceptance, separately for decays into quark-quark, quark-gluon, or gluon-gluon pairs.

HRG inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by inducing macrophage polarization and vessel normalization through downregulation of PlGF.

Polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to a proangiogenic/immune-suppressive (M2-like) phenotype and abnormal, hypoperfused vessels are hallmarks of malignancy, but their molecular basis and interrelationship remains enigmatic. We report that the host-produced histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) inhibits tumor growth and metastasis, while improving chemotherapy. By skewing TAM polarization away from the M2- to a tumor-inhibiting M1-like phenotype, HRG promotes antitumor immune responses and vessel normalization, effects known to decrease tumor growth and metastasis and to enhance chemotherapy.

Systemic and targeted delivery of semaphorin 3A inhibits tumor angiogenesis and progression in mouse tumor models.

Objective: The role of semaphorins in tumor progression is still poorly understood. In this study, we aimed at elucidating the regulatory role of semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) in primary tumor growth and metastatic dissemination.

Methods And Results: We used 3 different experimental approaches in mouse tumor models: (1) overexpression of SEMA3A in tumor cells, (2) systemic expression of SEMA3A following liver gene transfer in mice, and (3) tumor-targeted release of SEMA3A using gene modified Tie2-expressing monocytes as delivery vehicles.

Psychosocial predictors of diabetes management.

Objective: To investigate whether a perception of responsibility for disease onset and self-blame might influence disease management in people with diabetes.

Methods: Our survey assessed perceived responsibility for disease onset, self-blame, anger, social support, and disease management in a sample of 46 individuals with diabetes.

Results: As perceptions of responsibility for disease onset increased, so did trait anger.

CDKN1B V109G polymorphism a new prognostic factor in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Context: CDKN1B encodes the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 and is mutated in multiple endocrine neoplasia-like syndromes. CDKN1B also harbors single nucleotide polymorphisms; the T/G transversion at nucleotide 326 (the V109G variant) has been reported to be protective in breast, hereditary prostate, and pancreatic tumors. Association of CDNK1B mutations or polymorphisms with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has not been investigated yet.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the nonagenarians: a prospective study evaluating pain reduction and new symptomatic fracture rate.

Study Design: A prospective observational cohort study of consecutive osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) in ≥ 90-year-old patients evaluated at a multidisciplinary, university spine center.

Objective: Assess efficacy, safety, and new fracture occurrence after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) in a large uncontrolled cohort of ultra elderly VCF patients.

Summary Of Background Data: VCFs are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in pp collisions at square root of s = 7 TeV.

Charged-hadron transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions in proton-proton collisions at square root of s = 7  TeV are measured with the inner tracking system of the CMS detector at the LHC. The charged-hadron yield is obtained by counting the number of reconstructed hits, hit pairs, and fully reconstructed charged-particle tracks. The combination of the three methods gives a charged-particle multiplicity per unit of pseudorapidity dN(ch)/dη|(|η|<0.

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression identifies functionally and molecularly distinct tumor-initiating cells in human glioblastoma multiforme and is required for gliomagenesis.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a known diagnostic and, although controversial, prognostic marker of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, its functional role and biological significance in GBM remain elusive. Here, we show that multiple GBM cell subpopulations could be purified from the specimens of patients with GBM and from cancer stem cell (CSC) lines based on the expression of EGFR and of other putative CSC markers.

Angiopoietin-2 regulates gene expression in TIE2-expressing monocytes and augments their inherent proangiogenic functions.

TIE2-expressing monocytes/macrophages (TEM) are a highly proangiogenic subset of myeloid cells in tumors. Here, we show that circulating human TEMs are already preprogrammed in the circulation to be more angiogenic and express higher levels of such proangiogenic genes as matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), VEGFA, COX-2, and WNT5A than TIE2(-) monocytes. Additionally, angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) markedly enhanced the proangiogenic activity of TEMs and increased their expression of two proangiogenic enzymes: thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and cathepsin B (CTSB).

Novel hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A quinate transferase genes from artichoke are involved in the synthesis of chlorogenic acid.

Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus) extracts have high antioxidant capacity, due primarily to flavonoids and phenolic acids, particularly chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid [CGA]), dicaffeoylquinic acids, and caffeic acid, which are abundant in flower bracts and bioavailable to humans in the diet. The synthesis of CGA can occur following different routes in plant species, and hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A transferases are important enzymes in these pathways.

Elusive identities and overlapping phenotypes of proangiogenic myeloid cells in tumors.

It is now established that bone marrow-derived myeloid cells regulate tumor angiogenesis. This was originally inferred from studies of human tumor biopsies in which a positive correlation was seen between the number of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, and tumor microvessel density. However, unequivocal evidence was only provided once mouse models were used to examine the effects on tumor angiogenesis by genetically or pharmacologically targeting myeloid cells.

FcRgamma activation regulates inflammation-associated squamous carcinogenesis.

Chronically activated leukocytes recruited to premalignant tissues functionally contribute to cancer development; however, mechanisms underlying pro- versus anti-tumor programming of neoplastic tissues by immune cells remain obscure. Using the K14-HPV16 mouse model of squamous carcinogenesis, we report that B cells and humoral immunity foster cancer development by activating Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaRs) on resident and recruited myeloid cells. Stromal accumulation of autoantibodies in premalignant skin, through their interaction with activating FcgammaRs, regulate recruitment, composition, and bioeffector functions of leukocytes in neoplastic tissue, which in turn promote neoplastic progression and subsequent carcinoma development.

Report of varicella outbreak in a low vaccination coverage group of otherwise healthy children in Italy: the role of breakthrough and the need of a second dose of vaccine.

We describe an outbreak of varicella at a preschool center in Southern Italy, in the period January-May 2009, among children with a vaccination coverage of 53.9% for one dose. The outbreak occurred in a small community in Puglia and enrolled 41 children.

Prospective pilot study of painful lumbar facet joint arthropathy after intra-articular injection of hylan G-F 20.

Objective: To examine changes in pain, disability, and medication usage over time from baseline to up to 12 months after facet joint injection of hylan G-F 20.

Design: Prospective, uncontrolled, pilot study.

Setting: University spine center.

A minute focus of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma arising in Hashimoto thyroiditis diagnosed with PCR after laser capture microdissection: a case report.

Background: Primary thyroid gland lymphomas are uncommon tumours that occur in the setting of lymphocytic thyroiditis or Hashimoto's disease in almost all cases. In this condition a distinction between an inflammatory lymphoid infiltrate and a low grade lymphoma may be extremely difficult and precise criteria are necessary for a correct diagnosis.

Patient And Methods: We report a case of a minute focus of primary extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZBCL), incidentally discovered in a 63-year-old man with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) and diagnosed by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after laser capture microdissection.

Are outer annular fissures stimulated during diskography the source of diskogenic low-back pain? An analysis of analgesic diskography data.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify whether painful annular fissures stimulated during provocation diskography are the likely source of diskogenic pain.

Design: A retrospective analysis was conducted of prospectively collected data.

Setting: Multidisciplinary, academic spine center.

Genetic polymorphisms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: interleukin-6-174G/C polymorphism is associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background: Environmental and genetic factors play a role in the pathogenesis and natural history of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: In 114 subjects with NAFLD we report the prevalence and correlation with clinical parameters of three polymorphisms: interleukin-6 (-174G/C), plasma cell differentiation antigen (K121Q) and microsomal transfer protein (-493G/T). In 59 biopsied patients with NAFLD the polymorphisms were also related to histological features.

A distinguishing gene signature shared by tumor-infiltrating Tie2-expressing monocytes, blood "resident" monocytes, and embryonic macrophages suggests common functions and developmental relationships.

We previously showed that Tie2-expressing monocytes (TEMs) have nonredundant proangiogenic activity in tumors. Here, we compared the gene expression profile of tumor-infiltrating TEMs with that of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), spleen-derived Gr1(+)Cd11b(+) neutrophils/myeloid-derived suppressor cells, circulating "inflammatory" and "resident" monocytes, and tumor-derived endothelial cells (ECs) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based gene arrays. TEMs sharply differed from ECs and Gr1(+)Cd11b(+) cells but were highly related to TAMs.

Tie2-expressing monocytes (TEMs): novel targets and vehicles of anticancer therapy?

There is a growing interest in understanding the complex interactions between bone marrow-derived myeloid-lineage cells and angiogenesis in tumors. Such interest has been revived recently by the observation that tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells convey proangiogenic programs that can counteract the activity of antiangiogenic drugs in mouse tumor models. Among myeloid cells, Tie2-expressing monocytes (TEMs) appear to have nonredundant function in promoting tumor angiogenesis and growth in mouse models.