Factorization of leading chiral logarithms in the pion form factors

In the recently proposed framework of hard pion chiral perturbation theory, the leading chiral logarithms are predicted to factorize with respect to the energy dependence in the chiral limit. We have scrutinized this assumption in the case of vector and scalar pion form factors FV;S(s) by means of standard chiral perturbation theory and dispersion relations. We show that this factorization property is valid for the elastic contribution to the dispersion integrals for FV;S(s) but it is violated starting at three loops when the inelastic four-pion contributions arise.

Dispersive analysis of the pion transition form factor

We analyze the pion transition form factor using dispersion theory. We calculate the singly-virtual form factor in the time-like region based on data for the e+e−→3π cross section, generalizing previous studies on ω,ϕ→3π decays and γπ→ππ scattering, and verify our result by comparing to e+e−→π0γ data. We perform the analytic continuation to the space-like region, predicting the poorly-constrained space-like transition form factor below 1GeV, and extract the slope of the form factor at vanishing momentum transfer aπ=(30.7±0.6)×10−3. We derive the dispersive formalism necessary for the extension of these results to the doubly-virtual case, as required for the pion-pole contribution to hadronic light-by-light scattering in the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon.

Impact of aerobic exercise capacity and procedure-related factors in lung cancer surgery

Over the past decades, major progress in patient selection, surgical techniques and anaesthetic management have largely contributed to improved outcome in lung cancer surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of post-operative cardiopulmonary morbidity in patients with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s <80% predicted, who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). In this observational study, 210 consecutive patients with lung cancer underwent CPET with completed data over a 9-yr period (2001-2009). Cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 46 (22%) patients, including four (1.9%) deaths. On logistic regression analysis, peak oxygen uptake (peak V'(O₂) and anaesthesia duration were independent risk factors of both cardiovascular and pulmonary complications; age and the extent of lung resection were additional predictors of cardiovascular complications, whereas tidal volume during one-lung ventilation was a predictor of pulmonary complications. Compared with patients with peak V'(O₂) >17 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, those with a peak V'(O₂) <10 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ had a four-fold higher incidence of cardiac and pulmonary morbidity. Our data support the use of pre-operative CPET and the application of an intra-operative protective ventilation strategy. Further studies should evaluate whether pre-operative physical training can improve post-operative outcome.

Plasma leptin and mRNA expression of lipogenesis and lipolysis-related factors in bovine adipose tissue around parturition

The objective was to study changes in plasma leptin concentration parallel to changes in the gene expression of lipogenic- and lipolytic-related genes in adipose tissue of dairy cows around parturition. Subcutaneous fat biopsies were taken from 27 dairy cows in week 8 antepartum (a.p.), on day 1 postpartum (p.p.) and in week 5 p.p. Blood samples were assayed for concentrations of leptin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was analysed for mRNA abundance by real-time qRT-PCR encoding for leptin, adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1), adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2), hormones-sensitive lipase (HSL), perilipin (PLIN), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), acyl-CoA synthase long-chain family member 1 (ACSL1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FASN) and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 2 (GPD2). Body weight and body condition score of the cows were lower after parturition than before parturition. The calculated energy balance was negative in week 1 and 5 p.p., with higher negative energy balance in week 1 p.p. compared with that in week 5 p.p. On day 1 p.p., highest concentrations of NEFA (353.3 mumol/l) were detected compared with the other biopsy time-points (210.6 and 107.7 mumol/l, in week 8 a.p., and week 5 p.p. respectively). Reduced plasma concentrations of leptin during p.p. when compared with a.p. would favour increasing metabolic efficiency and energy conservation for mammary function and reconstitution of body reserves. Lower mRNA abundance of ACC and FASN expression on day 1 p.p. compared with other biopsy time-points suggests an attenuation of fatty acid synthesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue shortly after parturition. Gene expression of AdipoR1, AdipoR2, HSL, PLIN, LPL, ACSL1 and GPD2 was unchanged over time.

Axis I diagnoses and transition to psychosis in clinical high-risk patients EPOS project: prospective follow-up of 245 clinical high-risk outpatients in four countries

In selected samples, a considerable number of patients at clinical high risk of psychosis (CHR) are found to meet criteria for co-morbid clinical psychiatric disorders. It is not known how clinical diagnoses correspond to or even predict transitions to psychosis (TTP). Our aim was to examine distributions of life-time and current Axis I diagnoses, and their association with TTP in CHR patients.

Hepatitis C in a sample of pregnant women in Switzerland: seroprevalence and socio-demographic factors

PRINCIPLES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection in a sample of pregnant women living in Switzerland in 1990-1991, in order to complement existing data in various populations. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from women from consecutive births in obstetric wards in public hospitals of 23 Swiss cantons over a one-year period. They were tested, among other things, for the presence of hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV). Statistical analyses were done to explore the association of demographic variables with anti-HCV. RESULTS: The study included a total of 9,057 women of whom 64 tested positive for anti-HCV, resulting in a crude prevalence of 0.71%. Prevalence varied by age and was highest in the 25-29-year age-group (0.90%). 43/5,685 Swiss women were HCV seropositive (0.76%) compared with 21/3,372 non-Swiss women (0.62%). Stratified analysis showed a significant association between anti-HCV and anti-HBc antibody positivity in Swiss (adjusted OR [aOR] 23, 95% CI 12-43) and non-Swiss nationals (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3-8.3). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in the early 1990s was <1% in this sample of pregnant women in Switzerland and was associated with age, nationality and the presence of anti-HBc antibodies, a marker of exposure to hepatitis B virus. These results are in accordance with those from other published European studies. If an effective intervention to prevent vertical transmission becomes available, information on the current prevalence of HCV in pregnant women would be needed in order to assess how screening recommendations should be modified.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF binding proteins, and other endocrine factors in milk: role in the newborn

The role of colostrum and milk in the neonate has been chiefly recognized as a comprehensive nutrient foodstuff. In addition, the provision of colostrum-the first milk-for early immune capacity has been well documented for several species. Colostrum is additionally a rich and concentrated source of various factors that demonstrate biological activity in vitro. Three hypotheses have been proposed for the phenotypic function of these secreted bioactive components: (1) only mammary disposal, (2) mammary cell regulation, and (3) neonatal function [gastrointestinal tract (GIT) or systemic]. Traditionally, it was assumed that the development of the GIT is preprogrammed and not influenced by events occurring in the intestinal lumen. However, a large volume of research has demonstrated that colostrum (or milk-borne) bioactive components can basically contribute to the regulation of GIT growth and differentiation, while their role in postnatal development at physiological concentrations has remained elusive. Much of our current understanding is derived from cell culture and laboratory animals, but experimentation with agriculturally important species is taking place. This chapter provides an overview of work conducted primarily in neonatal calves and secondarily in other species on the effects on neonates of selected peptide endocrine factors (hormones, growth factors, in part cytokines) in colostrum. The primary focus will be on insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) and other bioactive peptides, but new interest and concern about steroids (especially estrogens) in milk are considered as well.

Dendritic cells and macrophages form a transepithelial network against foreign particulate antigens

Fine particles (0.1-2.5 microm in diameter) may cause increased pulmonary morbidity and mortality. We demonstrate with a cell culture model of the human epithelial airway wall that dendritic cells extend processes between epithelial cells through the tight junctions to collect particles in the "luminal space" and to transport them through cytoplasmic processes between epithelial cells across the epithelium or to transmigrate through the epithelium to take up particles on the epithelial surface. Furthermore, dendritic cells interacted with particle-loaded macrophages on top of the epithelium and with other dendritic cells within or beneath the epithelium to take over particles. By comparing the cellular interplay of dendritic cells and macrophages across epithelial monolayers of different transepithelial electrical resistance, we found that more dendritic cells were involved in particle uptake in A549 cultures showing a low transepithelial electrical resistance compared with dendritic cells in16HBE14o cultures showing a high transepithelial electrical resistance 10 min (23.9% versus 9.5%) and 4 h (42.1% versus 14.6%) after particle exposition. In contrast, the macrophages in A549 co-cultures showed a significantly lower involvement in particle uptake compared with 16HBE14o co-cultures 10 min (12.8% versus 42.8%) and 4 h (57.4% versus 82.7%) after particle exposition. Hence we postulate that the epithelial integrity influences the particle uptake by dendritic cells, and that these two cell types collaborate as sentinels against foreign particulate antigen by building a transepithelial interacting cellular network.