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COMPASS is a multi-purpose fixed-target experiment at CERN’s M2 beam line aimed at studying the structure and spectrum of hadrons. It has collected the so far world’s largest data set on diffractive production of the K − π − π + final state, which in principle gives access to all strange mesons. Based on this data set, we performed an elaborate partial-wave analysis. It reveals signals in the mass region of well-known states, such as the K * 2 (1430). In addition, we found indications for a resonance-like signal in the mass region of the K (1630). This state would be a supernumerary state and hence could be a candidate for an exotic strange meson. The partial-wave analysis is limited in some areas by the limited kinematic coverage of the final-state particle identification of the COMPASS setup. To overcome this limitation, we propose a new high-precision strange-meson spectroscopy measurement at the AMBER experiment, which will be located at CERN’s M2 beam line.

Night sky brightness (NSB) measurements inform both the selection of new ground-based optical and near-infrared astronomical observatory sites and the management of night-time conditions near existing facilities. NSB modelling supports site characterization in cases where obtaining in situ measurements is difficult and provides additional information about the photic environment. Models of NSB conventionally assume Mie scattering, but we show that predominantly at low-altitude sites contaminated by artificial light, this assumption may result in significant errors up to a factor of ~2.5. This effect introduces systematic bias to models of anthropogenic skyglow, but more realistic modelling approaches tend to be computationally intensive. We demonstrate the significance of these effects by simulating NSB while accounting for increasingly realistic populations of aerosol components. The use of approximate scattering phase functions reduces computing time while yielding results that reasonably match field observations. This approach can speed up models used to predict NSB while increasing their accuracy.Models for night sky brightness are used to characterize sites for astronomical observatories, but in the presence of artificial light pollution, certain assumptions regarding aerosol shapes mean that the estimates are systematically underestimated, particularly at low altitudes.

Background: Malignant melanoma cells are known to have altered expression of growth factors compared with normal human melanocytes. These changes most likely favour tumour growth and progression, and influence tumour environment. The induction of transforming growth factor beta1, 2 and 3 as well as BMP4 and BMP7 expression in malignant melanoma has been reported before, whereas the expression of an important modulator of these molecules, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), has not been investigated in melanomas until now. Methods: Expression of CTGF was analysed in melanoma cell lines and tissue samples by qRT–PCR and immunohistochemistry. To determine the regulation of CTGF expression in malignant melanoma, specific siRNA was used. Additionally, migration, invasion and attachment assays were carried out. Results: We were able to demonstrate that CTGF expression is upregulated in nine melanoma cell lines and in primary and metastatic melanoma in situ . The transcription factor HIF-1 α was revealed as a positive regulator for CTGF expression. Melanoma cells, in which CTGF expression is diminished, show a strong reduction of migratory and invasive properties when compared with controls. Further, treatment of normal human epidermal melanocytes with recombinant CTGF leads to an increase of migratory and invasive behaviour of these cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that CTGF promotes melanoma cell invasion and migration and, therefore, has an important role in the progression of malignant melanoma.

Skeletal muscle is under inhibitory homeostatic regulation by multiple ligands of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) superfamily. Follistatin is a secreted protein that promotes muscle growth and function by sequestering these ligands extracellularly. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of ACE-083 – a locally acting, follistatin-based fusion protein – as a novel therapeutic agent for focal or asymmetric myopathies. Characterization of ACE-083 in vitro revealed its high affinity for heparin and extracellular matrix while surface plasmon resonance and cell-based assays confirmed that ACE-083 binds and potently neutralizes myostatin, activin A, activin B and growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11). Intramuscular administration of ACE-083 caused localized, dose-dependent hypertrophy of the injected muscle in wild-type mice and mouse models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, with no evidence of systemic muscle effects or endocrine perturbation. Importantly, ACE-083 also increased the force of isometric contraction in situ by the injected tibialis anterior muscle in wild-type mice and disease models and increased ankle dorsiflexion torque in CMT mice. Our results demonstrate the potential of ACE-083 as a therapeutic agent for patients with CMT, muscular dystrophy and other disorders with focal or asymmetric muscle atrophy or weakness.

Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is a rare cause of abdominal acute or subacute complaints. Diagnosis of PEA is made when computed tomography (CT) reveals a characteristic lesion. We report on contrast-enhanced CT images of a patient with PEA and regression of inflammation and the reduction in size of the inflamed appendage over the time period of 4 months. Patients with PEA usually recover without medication or surgical treatment within a few weeks. However, due to continuing bloating and irregular bowel movements we investigated carbohydrate malabsorption and diagnosed a fructose malabsorption. Bloating and irregular bowel movements in this patient with PEA were correlated to carbohydrate malabsorption and were treated successfully with a diet free of culprit carbohydrates.

The prior use and age make refurbished products a less desirable option because they are perceived to be of lower quality, to have a reduced performance and a less attractive appearance. This research investigates one strategy on how to enhance the appearance of refurbished products and thereby encourage circular consumption via refurbishment. In 21 in-depth interviews, we explore whether embodying refurbished products in a timeless design can serve as a potential strategy to influence consumer acceptance of refurbished products. Specifically, we examined two design styles that were proposed as timeless: the neo-retro design style, which evokes nostalgia and benefits from associations with the past, and the simplistic design style, that is independent of cultural or time-related cues. Our findings provided qualitative support that the neo-retro and the simplistic design styles can improve consumers’ evaluations of refurbished products. Both design styles were considered to be timeless and elicited favorable associations in consumers. While refurbished products, following a neo-retro design style, evoked positive associations with old products, such as feelings of nostalgia and the good quality of the past, simplistic products benefited from associations with durability and associations with high-quality brands.

Weight cycling may cause a redistribution of body fat to the upper body fat compartments. We investigated the distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in 30 overweight women with a history of weight-cycling and age-matched controls (167 normal weight and 97 overweight subjects). Measurements of SAT were performed using an optical device, the Lipometer. The SAT topography describes the thicknesses of SAT layers at 15 anatomically well-defined body sites from neck to calf. The overweight women with a history of weight cycling had significantly thicker SAT layers on the upper body compared to the overweight controls, but even thinner SAT layers on their legs than the normal weight women. An android fat pattern was attributed to overweight females and, even more pronounced, to the weight cyclers. The majority of normal weight women showed a gynoid fat pattern. Using stepwise discriminant analysis, 89.0% of all weight cyclers and overweight controls could be classified correctly into the two groups. These findings show the importance of normal weight maintenance as a health-promoting factor.

The human gene Hugl-1 (Llgl/Lgl1) has significant homology to the Drosophila tumor suppressor gene lethal(2)giant larvae ( lgl) . The lgl gene codes for a cortical cytoskeleton protein, Lgl, that is involved in maintaining cell polarity and epithelial integrity. We speculate that Hugl-1 might play a role in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and that loss of Hugl-1 expression plays a role in the development or progression of malignant melanoma. Thus, we evaluated melanoma cell lines and tissue samples of malignant melanoma for loss of Hugl-1 transcription. We found that Hugl-1 was downregulated or lost in all cell lines and in most of the tumor samples analysed, and that these losses were associated with advanced stage of the disease. Reduced Hugl-1 expression occurred as early as in primary tumors detected by both immunohistochemical and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) analysis. Functional assays with stable Hugl-1 -transfected cell lines revealed that Hugl-1 expression increased cell adhesion and decreased cell migration. Further, downregulation of MMP2 and MMP14 (MT1-MMP) and re-expression of E-cadherin was found in the Hugl-1-expressing cell clones supporting a role of Hugl-1 in EMT. Our studies thus indicate that loss of Hugl-1 expression contributes to melanoma progression.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of a standardised training programme focusing on maintenance of fat free mass during weight reduction by energy reduction in obese children. DESIGN Randomised trial of physical training programme and dietary advice (group A) versus dietary advice alone (group B). SUBJECTS Thirty obese children and adolescents (14 group A, 16 group B) participated in the 12 week long programme; 20 children (10 group A, 10 group B) were also reassessed after one year. MEASUREMENTS Fat free mass was estimated from the resistance index, obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline, after four, eight, and 12 weeks in all subjects, and after one year in 20 subjects. RESULTS The mean (SD) change in fat free mass was significantly different between the two groups after 12 weeks (group A, 2.68 (3.74) kg; group B, 0.43 (1.65) kg). The change in body weight after one year was inversely correlated with the change in fat free mass after 12 weeks (r = −0.44), as assessed in the 20 subjects. CONCLUSIONS A standardised training programme as used in this study can prevent reduction in fat free mass during weight loss in obese children. Reduction in fat free mass during weight reduction might be a risk factor for regain of weight.

Follow-up MRI after 5 days revealed extension of the left cerebellar infarction ( fig 1B ) and few small new cortical ischaemic lesions in the left cerebral hemisphere. [...]ongoing embolism from vertebral and left internal carotid arteries was suspected. Sudden emotional stress has been identified as a precipitating factor; other reported initiating events include acute medical illness or surgery, acute brain injury and aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. 5 Patients commonly present with ST-segment elevation in precordial leads, chest pain, minor elevation of cardiac enzyme and biomarker levels, and transient systolic left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease. 5 In published case series, this condition comprises 2.2% of ST-segment elevation and 1.5% of Q-wave acute coronary syndromes, respectively. 5 Acute heart failure, as found in our case, has been reported to occur in 3-46% of patients in previous case series of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. 5 In-hospital mortality is reported to range from 0 to 8%.