Electronic stripe patterns near the fermi level of tetragonal Fe(Se,S).

FeSe1-xSx remains one of the most enigmatic systems of Fe-based superconductors. While much is known about the orthorhombic parent compound, FeSe, the tetragonal samples, FeSe1-xSx with x > 0.17, remain relatively unexplored. Here, we provide an in-depth investigation of the electronic states of tetragonal FeSe0.81S0.19, using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/S) measurements, supported by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and theoretical modeling. We analyze modulations of the local density of states (LDOS) near and away from Fe vacancy defects separately and identify quasiparticle interference (QPI) signals originating from multiple regions of the Brillouin zone, including the bands at the zone corners. We also observe that QPI signals coexist with a much stronger LDOS modulation for states near the Fermi level whose period is independent of energy. Our measurements further reveal that this strong pattern appears in the STS measurements as short range stripe patterns that are locally two-fold symmetric. Since these stripe patterns coexist with four-fold symmetric QPI around Fe-vacancies, the origin of their local two-fold symmetry must be distinct from that of nematic states in orthorhombic samples. We explore several aspects related to the stripes, such as the role of S and Fe-vacancy defects, and whether they can be explained by QPI. We consider the possibility that the observed stripe patterns may represent incipient charge order correlations, similar to those observed in the cuprates.

Enhanced charge density wave coherence in a light-quenched, high-temperature superconductor.

Superconductivity and charge density waves (CDWs) are competitive, yet coexisting, orders in cuprate superconductors. To understand their microscopic interdependence, a probe capable of discerning their interaction on its natural length and time scale is necessary. We use ultrafast resonant soft x-ray scattering to track the transient evolution of CDW correlations in YBa2Cu3O6+x after the quench of superconductivity by an infrared laser pulse. We observe a nonthermal response of the CDW order characterized by a near doubling of the correlation length within ≈1 picosecond of the superconducting quench. Our results are consistent with a model in which the interaction between superconductivity and CDWs manifests inhomogeneously through disruption of spatial coherence, with superconductivity playing the dominant role in stabilizing CDW topological defects, such as discommensurations.

Which cancer survivors are at risk for a physically inactive and sedentary lifestyle? Results from pooled accelerometer data of 1447 cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity has beneficial effects on the health of cancer survivors. We aimed to investigate accelerometer-assessed physical activity and sedentary time in cancer survivors, and describe activity profiles. Additionally, we identify demographic and clinical correlates of physical activity, sedentary time and activity profiles. METHODS: Accelerometer, questionnaire and clinical data from eight studies conducted in four countries (n = 1447) were pooled. We calculated sedentary time and time spent in physical activity at various intensities using Freedson cut-points. We used latent profile analysis to identify activity profiles, and multilevel linear regression analyses to identify demographic and clinical variables associated with accelerometer-assessed moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time, the highly active and highly sedentary profile, adjusting for confounders identified using a directed acyclic graph. RESULTS: Participants spent on average 26 min (3%) in MVPA and 568 min (66%) sedentary per day. We identified six activity profiles. Older participants, smokers and participants with obesity had significantly lower MVPA and higher sedentary time. Furthermore, men had significantly higher MVPA and sedentary time than women and participants who reported less fatigue had higher MVPA time. The highly active profile included survivors with high education level and normal body mass index. Haematological cancer survivors were less likely to have a highly active profile compared to breast cancer survivors. The highly sedentary profile included older participants, males, participants who were not married, obese, smokers, and those < 12 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer survivors engage in few minutes of MVPA and spend a large proportion of their day sedentary. Correlates of MVPA, sedentary time and activity profiles can be used to identify cancer survivors at risk for a sedentary and inactive lifestyle.

Does obesity modify the relationship between physical activity and breast cancer risk?

PURPOSE: With only 5-10% of breast cancer cases attributed to genetic inheritance, prevention efforts have focused on modifiable risk factors. Physical activity plays a role in reducing breast cancer risk; however, the interaction between physical activity and other modifiable risk factors, such as obesity, has received little attention. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of studies examining the relationship between physical activity and breast cancer and how it may be modified by body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: A total of 29 papers were included: 18 were cohort and 11 were case-control studies. Overall, a significant reduction in the relative risk of breast cancer was found in postmenopausal women with high versus low levels of physical activity for women with a BMI <25 kg/m2 (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.79, 0.92) and ≥25 kg/m2 (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81, 0.93) but not ≥30 kg/m2 (RR: 0.93, 95% CI 0.76, 1.13). Physical activity was not associated with a significant reduction in risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women in any BMI group. CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that physical activity is associated with a larger breast cancer risk reduction among women who are normal weight or overweight than among women who are obese. Since the included studies used diverse methods for assessment of physical activity and categories of BMI, results should be interpreted with caution and additional work is needed.

The association between different night shiftwork factors and breast cancer: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Research on the possible association between shiftwork and breast cancer is complicated because there are many different shiftwork factors, which might be involved including: light at night, phase shift, sleep disruption and changes in lifestyle factors while on shiftwork (diet, physical activity, alcohol intake and low sun exposure). METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Western Australia from 2009 to 2011 with 1205 incident breast cancer cases and 1789 frequency age-matched controls. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors and lifetime occupational history and a telephone interview was used to obtain further details about the shiftwork factors listed above. RESULTS: A small increase in risk was suggested for those ever doing the graveyard shift (work between midnight and 0500 hours) and breast cancer (odds ratio (OR)=1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.97-1.39). For phase shift, we found a 22% increase in breast cancer risk (OR=1.22, 95% CI=1.01-1.47) with a statistically significant dose-response relationship (P=0.04). For the other shiftwork factors, risks were marginally elevated and not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We found some evidence that some of the factors involved in shiftwork may be associated with breast cancer but the ORs were low and there were inconsistencies in duration and dose-response relationships.

Lifestyle factors associated with survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Aside from tumour stage and treatment, little is known about potential factors that may influence survival in colorectal cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between physical activity, obesity and smoking and disease-specific and overall mortality after a colorectal cancer diagnosis. METHODS: A cohort of 879 colorectal cancer patients, diagnosed in Western Australia between 2005 and 2007, were followed up to 30 June 2012. Cox's regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) for colorectal cancer-specific and overall mortality associated with self-reported pre-diagnosis physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and smoking. RESULTS: Significantly lower overall and colorectal cancer-specific mortality was seen in females who reported any level of recent physical activity than in females reporting no activity. The colorectal cancer-specific mortality HR for increasing levels of physical activity in females were 0.34 (95% CI=0.15, 0.75), 0.37 (95% CI=0.17, 0.81) and 0.41 (95% CI=0.18, 0.90). Overweight and obese women had almost twice the risk of dying from any cause or colorectal cancer compared with women of normal weight. Females who were current smokers had worse overall and colorectal cancer-specific mortality than never smokers (overall HR=2.64, 95% CI=1.18, 5.93; colorectal cancer-specific HR=2.70, 95% CI=1.16, 6.29). No significant associations were found in males. CONCLUSION: Physical activity, BMI and smoking may influence survival after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, with more pronounced results found for females than for males.

A case of duodenal rupture secondary to massive inguino-scrotal hernia.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical intervention for giant inguino-scrotal herniae in the acute setting is high risk with significantly increased incidence of morbidity and mortality. While uncommon in modern practise, there are several surgical issues and approaches that need to be considered when this problem presents. CASE REPORT AND DISCUSSION: We describe the unusual occurrence of acute duodenal rupture as a direct result of a giant inguino-scrotal hernia. The literature on the operative management of giant inguino-scrotal hernia is also reviewed. CONCLUSION: Giant inguino-scrotal herniae are best managed electively with full preoperative work up and assessment. Surgery in the acute patient is fraught with difficulty leading to increased morbidity.

Hypotheses for mechanisms linking shiftwork and cancer.

Shift work has been associated with various adverse health outcomes. In particular, there has been a recent flourish in investigating potential cancer risk associated with working night shifts and other shift schedules. Epidemiologic studies have revealed generally weak associations due to several methodological challenges such as lack of standard classifications of shift or night work. The field also has been hindered by a lack of clarity about the possible mechanisms by which shiftwork could have an effect on cancer risk. One possible mechanism is reduced production of melatonin caused by exposure to light at night. Although there is a growing body of evidence that provides some support for this mechanism, several other mechanisms also make sense from a biological point of view. Further, the relatively weak magnitude of the associations between light at night and melatonin level suggests that multiple factors may be operating along the pathway between shift work and adverse health consequences (including cancer risk). Here we propose four additional mechanisms that should be considered for a comprehensive investigation of these potential pathways. These are: phase shift; sleep disruption; lifestyle factors (such as poor quality diets, less physical activity and higher BMI); and lower vitamin D. Consideration of all these mechanisms is necessary in order to design effective preventative workplace strategies. In developed countries, approximately 20% of the population undertake shiftwork and, while we are unlikely to be able to eliminate shiftwork from current work practices, there are aspects of shiftwork that can be modified and there may be facets of individual susceptibility that we may be able to identify and target for prevention.

Meat consumption and cooking practices and the risk of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The association between meat consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been controversial. One of the difficulties in determining this association has been measurement of different attributes of meat consumption, including cooking methods and level of doneness. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We investigated the association between meat consumption and cooking practices and the risk of CRC in a population-based case-control study in the Western Australian Bowel Health Study. From July 2005 to February 2007, 567 incident CRC cases and 713 controls, who were frequency matched to cases for age- and sex, completed questionnaires on lifestyle and meat consumption. Estimated odds ratios (ORs) comparing meat consumption quartile groups were obtained from multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: The amount of red baked meat consumed had a statistically significant inverse trend of association with CRC (Q4 OR=0.73 95% confidence interval 0.53-1.01). When frequency was multiplied by serving size and by doneness, the association remained protective but was no longer statistically significant. The protective trends for red pan-fried meat were also borderline statistically significant. There were no other statistically significant or meaningful associations with any of the types of meat cooked by any method and the risk of CRC. CONCLUSIONS: Our data do not support the hypothesis that meat consumption is a risk factor for CRC.

Perioperative diagnosis of the positive axilla in breast cancer: a safe, time efficient algorithm.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the combined role of axillary ultrasound (Ax US), fine needle aspiration (FNAC) and intraoperative frozen section analysis of the sentinel node (FS SN) in a practical, time efficient algorithm to reduce the requirement for reoperation for axillary clearance in breast cancer in a busy tertiary unit. METHODS: Between October 2007 and June 2009 188 women underwent Ax US as a first investigation for nodal status. Suspicious nodes were biopsied, negative axillae proceeded to FS SN at time of primary breast surgery. All confirmed positive cases proceeded to immediate axillary clearance. RESULTS: 93 women had positive axillary nodes at final histology. Ax US + FNAC identified 59 positive axillae and had a sensitivity of 63.4% and specificity of 100%. FS SN identified a further 26 cases with a sensitivity of 76.5% and specificity of 100%. Overall, only 8 women required reoperation for axillary clearance. Sensitivity for the combined procedures was 91.4%. Commencement of adjuvant therapy was significantly less in those women identified earlier compared to those requiring a second operation (23.3 days vs 49.0 days, p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: 95.7% of cases were diagnosed accurately in the perioperative period, preventing delay to triage to definitive oncological care and reducing requirement for costly reoperation.

Metabolic syndrome, central obesity and insulin resistance are associated with adverse pathological features in postmenopausal breast cancer.

AIMS: Obesity is associated with both an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer and increased mortality rates. The mechanism is unclear, and central (visceral) obesity, insulin resistance, altered sex steroids and altered adipokines are mooted as possible factors. These features may cluster in the so-called metabolic syndrome. The relevance of metabolic syndrome to the biology of breast cancer is unknown, and this was the focus of the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed breast cancer (n=105) were recruited. A detailed clinical history was carried out, as well as a body composition analysis, metabolic screen and measurement of adipokines and inflammatory markers. RESULTS: The median age was 68 years (40-94 years) and the mean body mass index was 28.3+/-5.2 kg/m2, with 87% of patients centrally obese. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 39% of patients, and was significantly associated with central obesity (P<0.005) and increased inflammation, with C-reactive protein levels doubling in metabolic syndrome patients compared with non-metabolic syndrome patients (10.3 vs 5.8 mg/l; P=0.084). Patients with a later pathological stage (II-IV) were significantly more likely to be obese (P=0.007), centrally obese (P=0.009), hyperglycaemic (P=0.047) and hyperinsulinaemic (P=0.026); 51% had metabolic syndrome compared with 12% for early stage disease. Patients with node-positive disease were significantly more likely to be hyperinsulaemic (P=0.030) and have metabolic syndrome (P=0.028) than patients with node-negative disease. DISCUSSION: The data suggest that metabolic syndrome and central obesity are common in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, and that metabolic syndrome may be associated with a more aggressive tumour biology.

The excessive cost of baseline diagnostic imaging in early breast cancer.

Many patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer undergo multiple staging investigations. We aimed to assess the use and yield of baseline diagnostic imaging in early-stage breast cancer. A review of all patients diagnosed with breast cancer over five years at a single institution was carried out. 781 patients were included. At diagnosis 266 (34%) patients underwent a bone scan, which showed metastases in 42 (15.8%), of whom 26 (61.9%) were symptomatic with pain. Only two asymptomatic patients had incidental skeletal metastases detected at an estimated cost of euro 50,850 per case. 261 (33.4%) patients underwent hepatic ultrasonography, which showed metastases in 23 (8.8%), of whom 19 (82.6%) had abnormal liver blood tests. Only two patients had incidental hepatic metastases detected at an estimated cost of euro 29,400 per case. The routine use of these imaging modalities to detect metastases in asymptomatic early-stage breast cancer patients is not justified.

Intrinsic electronic transitions of the absorption spectrum of (OPy)2Ti(TAP)2: implications toward photostructural modifications.

Theoretical calculations based on time-dependent density functional theory are used to characterize the electronic absorption spectrum of a heteroleptic Ti-alkoxide molecule, (OPy)(2)Ti(TAP)(2) [OPy = pyridine carbinoxide, TAP = 2,4,6 tris(dimethylamino)phenoxide] under investigation as a photosensitive precursor for use in optically initiated solution synthesis of the metal oxide. Computational results support the assignment of UV absorption features observed in solid-state precursor films to key intrinsic ground-state transitions that involve ligand-to-metal charge transfer and pi-pi* transitions within the cyclic ligand moieties present. The nature of electron density redistribution associated with these transitions provides early insight into the excitation wavelength dependence of photostructural modification previously observed in this precursor system.

Babies behind bars; an Irish perspective.

In the Irish Prison service prison is not deemed suitable for babes. Rarely are mothers separated from their children in Ireland as they get temporary release renewed weekly to keep her at home with her baby. The governor explained the system of the prison which I detail below. The women's prison is now known as the Dochas Centre meaning hope, named so by the women themselves. We found that 14 babies lived in the centre with their mothers in the last 4 years. Their length of stay ranged from 2 days to 3 months. Of the 14 babies in prison, five were born to women who were pregnant on admission and the other nine brought their babies with them. Six women are separated from their children, in total 24, due to her incarceration. The implications are that a formal system is needed to plan the baby's admission, stay and discharge with formal links with HSE health and child protection systems where necessary. The HSE and the Irish prison's service are looking at further amalgamation or integration of health care into the prison system.

Structural diversity of lithium neopentoxide compounds.

The reaction of LiN(SiMe(3))(2) with 1 equiv of HOCH(2)CMe(3) (HONep) in toluene led to the formation of [Li(mu3-ONep)](8) (1). The complex adopts a novel dual-edge fused hexagon-square prismatic structure with a C(2v) axis of rotation that relates the top and bottom eight-membered rings. Substituting the noncoordinating solvent toluene for a Lewis basic solvent (THF or py) led to the isolation of compounds of the general formula [Li(mu3)-ONep)](4)(solv)(3), where solv = THF (2) or py (3). The cube structures of 2 and 3 have one Li which is not solvated because of steric crowding of the ONep ligands. Multinuclear solid-state ((6)Li, (7)Li, and (13)C) MAS and solution-state ((1)H, (7)Li, and (13)C) NMR studies were undertaken to verify the identity of the bulk powder and to determine the solution behavior of these compounds.

Enols as potent antibacterial agents.

This paper describes the discovery of alpha-trifluoroketoacetamides as potent antibacterial agents against Gram-positive organisms. The initial SAR indicates that the aryl ethyl side chain is essential in maintaining antibacterial activity. The SAR observations have been utilized to design a bioisostere for the alpha-trifluoroketoacetamide with good activity against Gram-positive organisms.

Human apolipoprotein E4 accelerates beta-amyloid deposition in APPsw transgenic mouse brain.

The human apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) isoform is associated with genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. To assess the effects of different ApoE isoforms on amyloid plaque formation, human ApoE3 and ApoE4 were expressed in the brains of transgenic mice under the control of the human transferrin promoter. Mice were crossed with transgenic mice expressing human amyloid precursor protein containing the Swedish mutation (APPsw), which facilitates amyloid beta peptide (A beta) production. The following progeny were selected for characterization: APPsw+/- x ApoE3+/- and APPsw+/-, APPsw+/- x ApoE4+/- and APPsw+/- littermates. All mice analyzed were wild type for the endogenous mouse APP and ApoE genes. Mice expressing ApoE4 in combination with APPsw have accelerated A beta deposition in the brain as assessed by enzyme immunoassay for A beta40 and A beta42 extractable in 70% formic acid, by assessment of amyloid plaque formation using thioflavin-S staining, and by immunohistochemical staining with antibodies specific for A beta40 or A beta42 and the 4G8 monoclonal or 162 polyclonal antibody. No difference in the rate of A beta deposition in the brain was seen in mice expressing ApoE3 in combination with APPsw. Thus, our data are consistent with the observation in Alzheimer's disease that ApoE4 is associated with increased accumulation of A beta in the brain relative to ApoE3.

3-Arylpiperidines as potentiators of existing antibacterial agents.

Important resistance patterns in Gram-negative pathogens include active efflux of antibiotics out of the cell via a cellular pump and decreased membrane permeability. A 3-arylpiperidine derivative (1) has been identified by high-throughput assay as a potentiator with an IC(50) approximately 90 microM. This report details the evaluation of the tether length, aryl substitution and the importance of the fluorine on antibiotic accumulation. Evaluation of various tether lengths demonstrated that the two-carbon tethered analogues are optimal. Removal of the fluorine has a modest effect on antibiotic accumulation and the defluorinated analogue 17 is equally potent to the original lead 1.

Clinically evident fat necrosis in women treated with high-dose-rate brachytherapy alone for early-stage breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence of and variables associated with clinically evident fat necrosis in women treated on a protocol of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy alone without external-beam whole-breast irradiation for early-stage breast carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From 6/1997 until 8/1999, 30 women diagnosed with Stage I or II breast carcinoma underwent surgical excision and postoperative irradiation via HDR brachytherapy implant as part of a multi-institutional clinical Phase I/II protocol. Patients eligible included those with T1, T2, N0, N1 (< or = 3 nodes positive), M0 tumors of nonlobular histology with negative surgical margins, no extracapsular lymph-node extension, and a negative postexcision mammogram. Brachytherapy catheters were placed at the initial excision, re-excision, or at the time of axillary sampling. Direct visualization, surgical clips, ultrasound, or CT scans assisted in delineating the target volume defined as the excision cavity plus 2-cm margin. High activity (192)Ir (3-10 Ci) was used to deliver 340 cGy per fraction, 2 fractions per day, for 5 consecutive days to a total dose of 34 Gy to the target volume. Source position and dwell times were calculated using standard volume optimization techniques. Dosimetric analyses were performed with three-dimensional postimplant dose and volume reconstructions. The median follow-up of all patients was 24 months (range, 12-36 months). RESULTS: Eight patients (crude incidence of 27%) developed clinically evident fat necrosis postimplant in the treated breast. Fat necrosis was determined by clinical presentation including pain and swelling in the treated volume, computed tomography, and/or biopsy. All symptomatic patients (7 of 8 cases) were successfully treated with 3 to 12 months of conservative management. Continuous variables that were found to be associated significantly with fat necrosis included the number of source dwell positions (p = 0.04), and the volume of tissue which received fractional doses of 340 cGy, 510 cGy, and 680 cGy (p = 0.03, p = 0.01, and p = 0.01, respectively). Other continuous variables including patient age, total excised tissue volume, tumor size, number of catheters, number of days the catheters were in place, planar separation, dose homogeneity index (DHI), and uniformity index (UI) were not significant. Discrete variables including the presence/absence of DCIS, sentinel versus full axillary nodal assessment, receptor status, presence/absence of diabetes, and the use of chemotherapy or hormone therapy were not found to have a significant association with the risk of fat necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of HDR brachytherapy of the breast tumor excision cavity plus margin, treatment was planned and delivered in accordance with the dosimetric parameters of the protocol resulting in a high degree of target volume dose homogeneity. Nonetheless, at a median follow-up of 24 months, a high rate of clinically definable fat necrosis occurred. The overall implant volume as reflected in the number of source dwell positions and the volume of breast tissue receiving fractional doses of 340, 510, and 680 cGy were significantly associated with fat necrosis. Future dosimetric optimization algorithms for HDR breast brachytherapy will need to include these factors to minimize the risk of fat necrosis.