Density-wave ordering in a unitary Fermi gas with photon-mediated interactions.

A density wave (DW) is a fundamental type of long-range order in quantum matter tied to self-organization into a crystalline structure. The interplay of DW order with superfluidity can lead to complex scenarios that pose a great challenge to theoretical analysis. In the past decades, tunable quantum Fermi gases have served as model systems for exploring the physics of strongly interacting fermions, including most notably magnetic ordering1, pairing and superfluidity2, and the crossover from a Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer superfluid to a Bose-Einstein condensate3. Here, we realize a Fermi gas featuring both strong, tunable contact interactions and photon-mediated, spatially structured long-range interactions in a transversely driven high-finesse optical cavity. Above a critical long-range interaction strength, DW order is stabilized in the system, which we identify via its superradiant light-scattering properties. We quantitatively measure the variation of the onset of DW order as the contact interaction is varied across the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer superfluid and Bose-Einstein condensate crossover, in qualitative agreement with a mean-field theory. The atomic DW susceptibility varies over an order of magnitude upon tuning the strength and the sign of the long-range interactions below the self-ordering threshold, demonstrating independent and simultaneous control over the contact and long-range interactions. Therefore, our experimental setup provides a fully tunable and microscopically controllable platform for the experimental study of the interplay of superfluidity and DW order.

Universal pair polaritons in a strongly interacting Fermi gas.

Cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) manipulates the coupling of light with matter, and allows several emitters to couple coherently with one light mode1. However, even in a many-body system, the light-matter coupling mechanism has so far been restricted to one-body processes. Leveraging cavity QED for the quantum simulation of complex, many-body systems has thus far relied on multi-photon processes, scaling down the light-matter interaction to the low energy and slow time scales of the many-body problem2-5. Here we report cavity QED experiments using molecular transitions in a strongly interacting Fermi gas, directly coupling cavity photons to pairs of atoms. The interplay of strong light-matter and strong interparticle interactions leads to well-resolved pair polaritons-hybrid excitations coherently mixing photons, atom pairs and molecules. The dependence of the pair-polariton spectrum on interatomic interactions is universal, independent of the transition used, demonstrating a direct mapping between pair correlations in the ground state and the optical spectrum. This represents a magnification of many-body effects by two orders of magnitude in energy. In the dispersive regime, it enables fast, minimally destructive measurements of pair correlations, and opens the way to their measurement at the quantum limit and their coherent manipulation using dynamical, quantized optical fields.

Strongly correlated Fermions strongly coupled to light.

Strong quantum correlations in matter are responsible for some of the most extraordinary properties of materials, from magnetism to high-temperature superconductivity, but their integration in quantum devices requires a strong, coherent coupling with photons, which still represents a formidable technical challenge in solid state systems. In cavity quantum electrodynamics, quantum gases such as Bose-Einstein condensates or lattice gases have been strongly coupled with light. However, neither Fermionic quantum matter, comparable to electrons in solids, nor atomic systems with controlled interactions, have thus far been strongly coupled with photons. Here we report on the strong coupling of a quantum-degenerate unitary Fermi gas with light in a high finesse cavity. We map out the spectrum of the coupled system and observe well resolved dressed states, resulting from the strong coupling of cavity photons with each spin component of the gas. We investigate spin-balanced and spin-polarized gases and find quantitative agreement with ab initio calculation describing light-matter interaction. Our system offers complete and simultaneous control of atom-atom and atom-photon interactions in the quantum degenerate regime, opening a wide range of perspectives for quantum simulation.

Videofluoroscopy-guided balloon dilatation for treatment of severe pharyngeal dysphagia.

Balloon dilatation is a widely accepted technique in the management of esophageal and other types of gastrointestinal strictures, but it is rarely used for the treatment of pharyngeal dysphagia. Therefore, the aim of our prospective study was to evaluate the use of videofluoroscopy-guided balloon dilatation (VGBD) for the treatment of severe pharyngeal dysphagia. The study included 32 stroke patients who had been diagnosed with oral and/or pharyngeal dysphagia. All patients underwent dilatation of the esophageal inlet using a balloon catheter under videofluoroscopic guidance during one or more sessions. Following esophageal dilatation, manual feeding was provided twice weekly. VGBD was effective in 10 out of 32 patients; however, the remaining 22 patients were unable to attempt oral food consumption because aspiration was not completely resolved on videofluoroscopy. According to this case series, VGBD may provide treatment for patients with severe pharyngeal dysphagia, who have not consumed food orally for a long period of time.

A phase II study of paclitaxel and carboplatin with a biweekly schedule in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: Gynecologic Cancer Network trial.

AIM: The objective of this multicenter phase II study was to evaluate the effects of biweekly paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy on response rate and toxicities in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage II to IV ovarian cancer received paclitaxel at a dose of 120 mg/m(2) and carboplatin at an area under the curve of 3 mg/mL per minute every 2 weeks for 8 or more cycles. Inclusion criteria included an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2 and no previous chemotherapy. Informed consent was obtained from each patient before the start of treatment. RESULTS: From March 2003 through July 2009, 42 patients from 5 institutions were eligible to be evaluated for response and toxicity. The median age was 60.5 years (age range, 34-81 years). The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was stage II in 3 patients, stage III in 31 patients, and stage IV in 8 patients. The response rate was 66.7% (95% confidence interval: 50.5%-80.4%). Sixty-nine percent (29 of 42) of patients received 8 or more cycles of chemotherapy. The median progression-free survival was 18.5 months, and overall survival was 59.1 months. The most common grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicity was neutropenia (61.0%). No patients had grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. The most common grade 3 nonhematological toxicities were neuropathy (4.9%) and nausea (2.4%). CONCLUSION: Paclitaxel combined with carboplatin using a biweekly schedule is a safe and effective chemotherapy regimen for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Our results suggest that a biweekly schedule is well tolerated and is less toxic than a triweekly schedule.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of geniohyoid muscle movement during swallowing: a study on healthy adults of various ages.

Our purpose in this study was to investigate the application of B+M-mode ultrasound (B/M-mode) imaging as a new approach to quantifying activity patterns of the geniohyoid muscles during swallowing and to assess how these patterns differ according to age and gender. Sixty healthy volunteers (30 men, 30 women) were divided into three age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60-79 years). The subjects were then given 10 ml of mineral water. Ultrasonographic imaging was repeated 5 times and measurements were averaged. Simultaneous B/M-mode images were captured at two regions along the lateral geniohyoid muscle wall. All geniohyoid muscle movement was recorded by real-time B/M-mode. In all cases, ultrasonographic images of the geniohyoid muscle movement during swallowing were easily visualized with the use of real-time B/M-mode. The average moving distance and the duration of movement of the geniohyoid muscle during contraction increased gradually with age. There was a significant difference in ultrasonic measurements of the moving distance and the duration of movement during swallowing between males and females in the three age groups (P < 0.05). B/M-mode imaging provides a simple, noninvasive technique for visual assessment of the lateral geniohyoid muscle wall and may provide a clinical method for evaluating swallowing.

Sonographic assessment of hyoid bone movement during swallowing: a study of normal adults with advancing age.

Our aim in this study was to evaluate hyoid bone movement trajectories and the age-related changes during swallowing in healthy subjects by ultrasonography. Data were obtained from 30 healthy volunteers (15 men, 15 women) in three age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60-79 years). The subjects were examined while sitting in an upright position, with the back against a wall to control movement. The transducer was placed in a longitudinal scan above the larynx. The subjects were then given 5 mL of mineral water. The water bolus was held in their mouth until they were forced to do a rapid swallow. The imaging was repeated five times for averaging. The movement was divided into 4 phases: slowly ascending phase (A-B, Elevation); rapidly ascending phase (B-C, Anterior); temporary pause phase (position of maximum rise, Remain); and rapidly and slowly descending shifts toward the resting position phase (C-D, Return). We easily visualized the hyoid bone trajectory by using ultrasonography. In all cases, ultrasonographic analysis of the hyoid bone was confirmed to have a similar trajectory, as determined with videofluoroscopy. The average swallowing duration measurements increased with age. The measurement of the maximally elevated point of the hyoid bone decreased with age. The movement of the hyoid bone during swallowing can be visualized by US. The trajectory of the hyoid bone in sagittal section indicated the capability of swallowing, and may detect some anomalies in swallowing.

Combined chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin for mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary during pregnancy.

Combined chemotherapy using carboplatin and paclitaxel has been established as a standard regimen for epithelial ovarian carcinoma. We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma who underwent exploratory laparotomy during pregnancy, revealing Stage 1c at gestational week 15. Afterwards, five courses of paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy were administered biweekly from gestational week 24. Cesarean section was performed at gestational week 36. No recurrent or metastatic lesions were found and outcomes for both mother and neonate have been satisfactory for 40 months since diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma.

Up-regulation of growth factor receptor-bound protein 10 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

The Grb10 gene on chromosome 7p11.2-p12 belongs to a family of adapter proteins known to interact with a number of receptor tyrosine kinases, such as EGF, ErbB2/Her2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), IGF-I receptors and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, KDR (kinase insert domain containing receptor). In addition to receptor tyrosine kinases, Grb10 has also been found to interact with non-receptor tyrosine kinases such as Tec and Bcr-Abl, other cellular signaling molecules such as Raf-1, and the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, MEK. We demonstrated increased expression of Grb10 mRNA in more than one half of primary cervical squamous cell cancers (12 of 15 cases) when compared to corresponding non-cancerous uterine squamous cell tissues. In addition, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the Grb10 protein was prominent in the cytoplasm of cancer cells, whereas it was unreactive in the surrounding normal cervical squamous cells. In addition, its interruption by siRNA exhibited marked cell growth inhibition. These data indicate that amplification and increased expression of the Grb10 gene may play a role in the development of a portion of human cervical squamous cell cancer.

Nafamostat mesilate suppresses NF-kappaB activation and NO overproduction in LPS-treated macrophages.

Nafamostat mesilate (NM), a clinically used serine protease inhibitor, suppressed the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in RAW264.7 murine macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/ml); however, it had little effect on endothelial NOS (eNOS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed that LPS activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in RAW264.7 cells and that this activation was suppressed by nafamostat mesilate. Western blotting showed that nafamostat mesilate suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitor kappaB-alpha (IkappaB-alpha), which holds NF-kappaB in the cytoplasm in an inactivated state. Our observations suggest that nafamostat mesilate is a candidate agent for various diseases such as ischemia-reperfusion, graft rejection, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune diseases, in which iNOS and/or NF-kappaB are upregulated.

Expression of p73 and c-Abl proteins in human ovarian carcinomas.

The p73, a homologue of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, has a pro-apoptotic activity which is induced by the c-Abl, a protein tyrosine kinase appearing in the nucleus and cytoplasm of proliferating cells. However, the role of p73 and c-Abl in ovarian cancer is not well-defined. We investigated immunohistochemical expressions of p73 and c-Abl in 64 ovarian carcinomas, 13 borderline and 14 benign ovarian tumors to elucidate their clinicopathological relevances. Of the malignant, borderline, and benign ovarian tumors, respectively, 33 (51%), 10 (77%) and 13 (93%) had negative or low p73 expression, 31 (48%), 3 (23%) and 1 (7%) had high p73 expression, 23 (36%), 5 (38%) and 10 (71%) had negative or low c-Abl expression, and 41 (64%), 8 (61%) and 4 (29%) had high c-Abl expression. A high p73 or c-Abl expression was significantly associated with ovarian carcinomas as compared to benign tumors (p=0.003 and p=0.03 respectively). In addition, a significant correlation was found between the high p73 expression and disease stage (p=0.04) and patient's survival (p=0.02). No correlation was found with c-Abl expression. These results reveal an association of p73 overexpression with advanced ovarian carcinomas which may suggest the p73 overexpression as an indicator of poor prognosis.

Ultrasonographic and clinical appearance of hemorrhagic ovarian cyst diagnosed by transvaginal scan.

We examined clinical and sonographic findings in 112 patients diagnosed as having hemorrhagic ovarian cyst (HOC) who had clinical and transvaginal sonographic follow up. The patients were classified into group A (n=40) with signs and symptoms of acute abdomen and group B (n=72) with no symptoms or mild abdominal pain, and their ultrasonographic and clinical findings were compared. Significant differences were found in mean age, white blood cell (WBC) count, greatest diameter of the mass, shortest diameter of the mass, and size of cross section of the mass. The internal echograms of HOCs were grouped into 4 types: (1) hyperechoic and hypoechoic solid type; (2) reticular or sponge-like type; (3) mixture type of solid and cystic components; and (4) cystic types. In all image types, septum-like or thread-like echoes were seen. Transvaginal sonography (TVS) of type 1, type 2, and type 3 images showed a clear division into hyperechoic and other areas with the passing of time which was finally changed into a cystic pattern and disappeared. HOCs were found more frequently in nulliparous patients (n=79, 70.5%) than in multiparous (n=33, 29.5%). There were many luteal phase (n=86, 76.8%) in comparison with follicular phase (n=13, 11.6%). Thirteen cases were detected during early gestation (n=13, 11.6%). In group A, severe pain reduced or disappeared within 3 h in 37/40 (92.5%) of the patients. Blood flow inside the masses was analyzed in 14 patients by the color Doppler method and showed no significant change. Taken together, this study elucidated the ultrasonographic and clinical characteristics of HOCs, which provide useful information to differentiate HOCs from organic masses and help to avoid unnecessary laparotomy.

Increased plasma adrenomedullin in women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vascular changes and uterine perfusion in women with recurrent pregnancy loss. METHODS: We measured plasma levels of adrenomedullin of 100 pregnant women in the midluteal phase of a nonpregnant cycle (control group: n = 62; recurrent pregnancy loss group: n = 38). We measured the pulsatility index (PI) in the uterine arteries by transvaginal pulsed Doppler ultrasonography at the same time. RESULTS: The plasma level of adrenomedullin in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (5.6 +/- 1.9, mean +/- standard deviation) was significantly higher (P >.001) than that in control women (3.6 +/- 1.7). Uterine arterial PI of women with recurrent pregnancy loss (2.70 +/- 0.47) was significantly higher (P >.001) than that in control women (2.09 +/- 0.39). Plasma level of adrenomedullin had a significant positive correlation with uterine arterial PI both in the control group (r =.58, P <.001) and in the recurrent pregnancy loss group (r =.78, P <.001). Both plasma adrenomedullin concentration (7.2 +/- 2.3) and uterine arterial PI (3.06 +/- 0.36) were significantly high in women with antiphospholipid antibodies. CONCLUSION: Plasma adrenomedullin may serve as a useful biochemical marker for recurrent pregnancy loss caused by impaired uterine perfusion.

Evaluation of the neurotoxicity of paclitaxel and carboplatin by current perception threshold in ovarian cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: Combination chemotherapy consisting of paclitaxel and carboplatin has recently started to be given as the regimen of first choice for epithelial ovarian cancer. One of its side effects, however, is neurotoxicity, and this neurotoxicity has been reported to be the dose-limiting factor. Since it is necessary to measure the severity of the neurotoxicity objectively and quantitatively, we evaluated it on the basis of current perception threshold (CPT) values, which is easy and non-invasive. METHOD: Sixteen patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were given paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2), 3 hours) and carboplatin (area under the curve of 5) every three weeks, and the CPT values were measured at two sites on the day before and several times after administration. RESULTS: All patients exhibited mild neurotoxicity, but it was never so severe that chemotherapy could not be continued. The CPT values peaked on day 4 during one course of chemotherapy, but decreased thereafter and returned almost to the baseline by three weeks, in the same way as the patients' complaints. The CPT values decreased with the number of courses, and patients' complaints gradually increased. The CPT values increased more in the cases previously treated with cisplatin than in the other cases. These changes were seen at 2,000 Hz, which generally corresponds to large, myelinated nerves. CONCLUSION: There were correlations between the changes in the patients' CPT values and their degree of neurotoxicity. We expect to be able to predict severe neurotoxicity and evaluate the effect of drug therapy for neurotoxicity by measuring CPT values.

Involvement of peroxynitrite in LPS-induced apoptosis of trophoblasts.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether or not peroxynitrite was involved in trophoblastic apoptosis induced by a bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Levels of nitrite/nitrate, stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NO), in culture medium of trophoblasts, were determined using Griess reagents. Trophoblastic apoptosis was identified morphologically and confirmed using in situ nick end labeling technique. The amount of nitrotyrosine, a footprint of peroxynitrite, was quantified by dot blotting. Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA. RESULTS: Treatment of trophoblasts with LPS leads to apoptosis accompanied by formation of NO and nitrotyrosine. Aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), reduced peroxynitrite formation and prevented apoptosis. Scavengers of peroxynitrite also prevented apoptosis in this culture model. CONCLUSION: Peroxynitrite was involved in trophoblastic apoptosis induced by LPS. Peroxynitrite scavengers or inhibitors of NOS may thus be candidate therapeutic agents for infectious diseases, which is associated with overproduction of NO and peroxynitrite.

Association of ovarian tumor epithelium coexpressing HLA-DR and CA-125 antigens with tumor infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Understanding of the relationship between tumor infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD 8(+)TILs) and tumor cells as well as tumor-associated antigens is important and may reflect the extent of immune response of the patient to the tumor, thus providing a useful clue relevant to the prognosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the expression of HLA-DR and CA-125 antigens and the presence of CD 8(+)TILs with regard to the established clinicopathological factors of ovarian carcinomas using immunohistochemical methods. Thirty-one ovarian carcinomas consisting of 20 serous, 7 mucinous, and 4 clear cell types were examined. Of these, 18 (58%) and 22 (71%) were positive for HLA-DR and CA-125 antigens respectively, and the overall mean number of the CD 8(+)TILs was 7.2+/-2.9. A significant association was observed between the mean number of CD8(+)TILs and tumor grade (P=0.01), disease stage (P=0.003), and patient outcome (P=0.01). The mean number of CD 8(+)TILs in HLA-DR positive (8.6+/-2.2) or CA-125 positive (8.4+/-2.1) tumors was significantly higher than that in HLA-DR negative (5.2+/-2.5; P=0.0003) or CA-125 negative (4.2+/-2.2; P=0.00002) tumors. These significant levels were further enhanced by one order of magnitude when the mean number of CD 8(+)TILs in tumors positive for both HLA-DR and CA-125 antigens (9.1+/-1.7) was compared to that in HLA-DR negative or CA-125 negative tumors. The frequency of cancer-related deaths in HLA-DR and CA-125 positive tumors was significantly lower than in the negative tumors (P=0.01). These data suggest that concurrent expression of HLA-DR and CA-125 antigens may augment the immune response of the patient to the tumor, thus providing a potential clue relevant to the prognosis.

Impaired uterine arterial blood flow in pregnant women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate uterine perfusion, which regulates uterine receptivity, in women with recurrent pregnancy loss. METHODS: We evaluated the blood flow resistance in the uterine arteries of 104 pregnant women at 4 to 5 weeks' gestation by transvaginal pulsed Doppler ultrasonography (control group, n = 52; and recurrent pregnancy loss group, n = 52). Blood tests for antinuclear and antiphospholipid antibodies were also performed. RESULTS: The uterine arterial pulsatility index in the recurrent pregnancy loss group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Women with antinuclear or antiphospholipid antibodies had an elevated pulsatility index in the uterine artery, which is prominent in women with recurrent pregnancy loss. Coagulopathy and vascular dysfunction caused by autoantibodies may impair uterine perfusion. However, the uterine arterial pulsatility index in the recurrent pregnancy loss group was significantly higher than that in the control group even among women without antinuclear antibodies or among women without antiphospholipid antibodies. This observation strongly suggests that the uterine artery pulsatility index may be an independent index for recurrent pregnancy loss. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of pulsed Doppler ultrasonography has provided the means for noninvasive evaluation of uterine impedance and may identify patients with recurrent pregnancy loss associated with impaired uterine perfusion.

Bisphenol A stimulates NO synthesis through a non-genomic estrogen receptor-mediated mechanism in mouse endothelial cells.

Biological actions of bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental chemical, have not been fully elucidated. We studied effect of BPA on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in the murine endothelial cell line, MSS31. BPA (1-100 microM) increased nitrite/nitrate, a stable metabolites of NO, levels in culture medium of MSS31. However, Western blotting showed that the level of endothelial NO synthase protein was not increased by 16 h of treatment with BPA (10 microM). ICI 182,780 (10 microM), an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, suppressed BPA-induced NO synthesis while actinomycin D (1 microg/ml), a transcription inhibitor, or cycloheximide (40 microM), a protein synthesis inhibitor, exhibited no effect on BPA-induced NO synthesis. These results indicate that BPA stimulates NO synthesis through a non-genomic ER-mediated mechanism. Short-term effects of BPA on NO synthesis were weak but similar to 17beta-estradiol.

The biological effects of antiadhesion agents on activated RAW264.7 macrophages.

The objective of this study is to determine the biological effects of various antiadhesion agents on macrophages, which play an essential role in wound healing and adhesion. To determine these effects, RAW264.7 macrophages were activated with lipopolysaccharide in the presence of antiadhesion agents: oxidized regenerated cellulose (oxyC), sodium hyaluronate (HA), dexamethasone (Dex), or chondroitin sulfate (CS). The release of nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), or matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) from RAW264.7 was measured. We found that oxyC reduced the release of NO, IL-6, MMP-2, and MMP-9, whereas it enhanced the release of VEGF. HA reduced the release of MMP-2, whereas it enhanced the release of VEGF and NO. HA exhibited no significant effect on the release of IL-6 or MMP-9. Dex reduced the release of NO, VEGF, IL-6, MMP-2, and MMP-9. CS reduced the release of VEGF, IL-6, and MMP-2, although it had no significant effect on the release of NO and MMP-9. Antiadhesion agents, which have been clinically used as physical barriers, modulated the functions of macrophages.