We study B --> K(*)l+l- decays (l = e, mu) based on a data sample of 657 x 10(6) BB pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- collider. We report the differential branching fraction, ...isospin asymmetry, K* polarization, and the forward-backward asymmetry (A(FB)) as functions of q2 = M(ll)(2)c2. The fitted A(FB) spectrum exceeds the standard model expectation by 2.7 standard deviations. The measured branching fractions are B(B --> K*l+l-) = (10.7(-1.0)(+1.1) +/- 0.9) x 10(-7) and B(B --> Kl+l-) = (4.8(-0.4)(+0.5) +/- 0.3) x 10(-7), where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic, with the muon to electron ratios R(K*) = 0.83 +/- 0.17 +/- 0.08 and R(K) = 1.03 +/- 0.19 +/- 0.06.
Single photon sensitive detectors used in high energy physics are, in some applications, required to cover areas the size of several m2, and more specifically in very strong demand with15 an ever ...finer imaging and timing capability for Cherenkov Ring Imaging Detector (RICH) configurations. We are evaluating the Large Area Picosecond Photo-detector (LAPPD) produced by INCOM company, as a possible candidate for future RICH detector upgrades. In this work we perform tests on the second generation device, which is capacitively coupled to a custom designed anode back plane, consisting of various pixels and strips varying in size, that allows for connecting various readout systems such as standard laboratory equipment, as well as the TOFPET2 ASIC from PETsys company. Our aim is to evaluate what can be achieved by merging currently available technology, in order to find directions for future developments adapted for specific uses.
Background: The prognostic significance of DNA ploidy and the S‐phase fraction (SPF) have been extensively studied in breast cancer, but their clinical utility remains controversial. The type of ...tumour material can substantially influence flow cytometric DNA measurements. Material obtained by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is very suitable for flow cytometric DNA analysis because it contains a low proportion of non‐tumour cells and less debris than tissue samples.
Methods: The prognostic significance of DNA ploidy and SPF, determined on FNA samples, was analysed in 770 breast cancer patients, diagnosed between 1992 and 1997. DNA ploidy and SPF were determined at the time of diagnosis as part of the diagnostic work‐up. The median follow‐up was 90 months. Survival analysis included overall cancer specific survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS) and survival after recurrence (SAR). Other variables included in survival analyses were age, histological grade, histological type, lymph node status and tumour size. Disease free interval and the site of recurrence were also included in SAR analysis.
Results: DNA ploidy and SPF correlated with tumour type, size, lymph node involvement and, especially, tumour grade. In a univariate analysis, both aneuploidy and high SPF were associated with shorter OS, DFS and SAR, but only SPF retained its independent prognostic significance in multivariate analyses. Independent prognostic variables for OS were node status, histological grade, SPF and tumour size. Node status, histological grade and SPF were independent predictors of DFS, while the site of recurrence, SPF, histological grade, disease free interval and age were independent predictors of SAR.
Conclusions: DNA ploidy and SPF can be efficiently and routinely determined on FNA samples. High SPF is independently associated with a worse clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer. Although SPF and histological grade share prognostic information to some degree, SPF provides additional, less subjective prognostic information. The prognostic value of SPF determined on FNA samples could be even more relevant in neoadjuvant settings and for patients not amenable for surgical treatment, when histological grade cannot be assessed.
Adjuvant treatments reduce the risk for recurrence and death from breast cancer; but even 10-15 years after diagnosis, these risks persist. The aim of our study was to identify prognostic factors for ...relapse and death in the second decade after primary surgery. Patients with early breast cancer treated from 1983-1987 (n=1035) were included. Patients' characteristics, tumor prognostic factors, treatments, data on recurrence and death were obtained from patients' charts and our cancer registry. Median follow-up was 17 (1-23) years. At 10 years after surgery, 515 (49.8%) patients were alive and of them 432 (41.7%) were relapse-free. Of the 432 patients being alive and relapse-free at 10 years 153 (35.4%) had an event thereafter, of them 38 (25%, 9% of all) had a relapse of breast cancer. For this period only the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and positive estrogen receptors (ER) were found as independent unfavorable prognostic factors for relapse-free (HR 2.09, p=0.007; HR 1.50, p=0.021, respectively) and overall survival (HR 2.15, p=0.006; HR 1.41, p=0.05, respectively) while tumor size, grade and nodal status had no prognostic significance. Positive ER and LVI are independent prognostic factors for relapse and death in the second decade after surgery in patients with early breast cancer.
Off-ice predictors of skating performance have not been investigated for women's hockey players. The purpose of this study was to identify the off-ice variables associated with high-performance ...skating acceleration, speed, agility, and on-ice anaerobic capacity and power in women's ice hockey players. Sixty-one women's ice hockey players between the ages of 8 and 16 years (x age = 12.18 +/- 2.05 years, x playing experience = 4.68 +/- 2.69 years) participated in the study. Subjects were 1-4 months postseason. Some players were continuing to play once per week during the off-season. Skating tests (ST) included (a) 6.10-m acceleration, (b) 47.85-m speed, (c) agility cornering S turn, and (d) modified repeat skate test (MRS). Two trials of each ST were measured with a photoelectric timing system (except MRS, which was measured with 1 trial). The off-ice variables that were evaluated included age, years of playing experience, height, body mass, predicted fat percentage, sit-and-reach flexibility, vertical jump height, 40-yd dash time, and 1-minute timed sit-ups and push-ups. The results of this study show that 40-yd dash time is the strongest predictor of skating speed in women's hockey players ages 8-16 years old. From the regression procedure the best prediction equation was speed = 4.913 - (0.0107 x kilograms) + (0.4356 x 40-yd dash time).
The cross section for e(+)e(-)-->pi(+)pi(-)J/psi between 3.8 and 5.5 GeV/c(2) is measured using a 548 fb(-1) data sample collected on or near the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at ...KEKB. A peak near 4.25 GeV/c(2), corresponding to the so called Y(4260), is observed. In addition, there is another cluster of events at around 4.05 GeV/c(2). A fit using two interfering Breit-Wigner shapes describes the data better than one that uses only the Y(4260), especially for the lower-mass side of the 4.25 GeV enhancement.
The cross section for e+ e- --> pi+ pi- psi(2S) between threshold and sqrts=5.5 GeV is measured using 673 fb(-1) of data on and off the Upsilon(4S) resonance collected with the Belle detector at ...KEKB. Two resonant structures are observed in the pi+ pi- psi(2S) invariant-mass distribution, one at 4361 +/- 9 +/- 9 MeV/c2 with a width of 74 +/- 15 +/- 10 MeV/c2, and another at 4664 +/- 11 +/- 5 MeV/c2 with a width of 48 +/- 15 +/- 3 MeV/c2, if the mass spectrum is parametrized with the coherent sum of two Breit-Wigner functions. These values do not match those of any of the known charmonium states.
Hereby, we present the case of a 50-year-old woman with 5-year history of chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis who was referred to our institution after she had noted a lump in the breast. Histological ...examination of the lesion removed from her left breast yielded the diagnosis of extramedullary hematopoiesis in the breast. On the basis of our experience in this particular patient and on the basis of the data in the literature, we discuss the value of different more or less invasive diagnostic procedures, such as sonography, mammography, fine needle aspiration biopsy and surgical excision with histological examination of removed tissue in obtaining the diagnosis of myeloid metaplasia in breast.
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