Iterative technique for third-order differential equation with three-point nonlinear boundary value conditions

In this paper, we study the existence of extremal solutions for a nonlinear third-order differential equation with three-point nonlinear boundary value conditions. By means of the method of upper and lower solutions and different monotone iterative techniques, the sufficient conditions which guarantee the existence of extremal solutions are given. An example illustrates the main results

Recurrence and survival rates of inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal cancer following postoperative chemotherapy: a comparative study

Background and Aim: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Studies have shown tumorigenetic and histomorphological differences between IBD-associated CRC and non-IBD CRC, suggesting differences in tumor behavior and response to treatment. We aimed to compare tumor recurrence and survival rates following postoperative chemotherapy in CRC patients with and without IBD. Methods: Search of the Cleveland Clinic’s CRC database revealed 65 patients who had IBD-associated CRC and received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy between 1994 and 2010. Twenty-one patients were excluded due to incomplete clinical data. Propensity score-matching based on age, surgery intent, CRC site, tumor grade, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage and T stage was used to match IBD and non-IBD patients (1:4). Competing risk and Cox regression models were used to analyze differences in disease-free survival and overall survival, respectively. Results: Forty-four patients with IBD-associated CRC were matched to 176 patients with non-IBD CRC. Among IBD patients, 29 (66%) had ulcerative colitis, 14 (32%) had Crohn’s disease, and one (2%) had indeterminate colitis. Mean IBD diagnosis age was 28.1 ± 14.5 years, and mean IBD duration at time of CRC treatment was 21.5 ± 12.6 years. Ten (23%) IBD patients had tumor recurrence compared with 34 (19%) non-IBD patients (P = .074). There was no significant difference in disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.35–1.05; P = 0.074) or overall survival (HR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.54–1.4; P = 0.58) between IBD and non-IBD patients. Conclusion: Patients with IBD-associated CRC have comparable rates of tumor recurrence and survival following postoperative chemotherapy as CRC patients without IBD. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and guide therapeutic decisions

Exploring the dark matter inelastic frontier with 79.6 days of PandaX-II data

We report here the results of searching for inelastic scattering of dark matter (initial and final state dark matter particles differ by a small mass splitting) with nucleon with the first 79.6-day of PandaX-II data (Run 9). We set the upper limits for the spin independent WIMP-nucleon scattering cross section up to a mass splitting of 300 keV/c$^2$ at two benchmark dark matter masses of 1 and 10 TeV/c$^2$.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Whole exome sequencing of insulinoma reveals recurrent T372R mutations in YY1

Functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) are mainly represented by insulinoma, which secrete insulin independent of glucose and cause hypoglycaemia. The major genetic alterations in sporadic insulinomas are still unknown. Here we identify recurrent somatic T372R mutations in YY1 by whole exome sequencing of 10 sporadic insulinomas. Further screening in 103 additional insulinomas reveals this hotspot mutation in 30% (34/113) of all tumours. T372R mutation alters the expression of YY1 target genes in insulinomas. Clinically, the T372R mutation is associated with the later onset of tumours. Genotyping of YY1, a target of mTOR inhibitors, may contribute to medical treatment of insulinomas. Our findings highlight the importance of YY1 in pancreatic β-cells and may provide therapeutic targets for PNETs

Cyclization reaction of amines with dialkyl carbonates to yield 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones

A number of six-membered cyclic carbamates (oxazinanones) were synthesized from the reaction of a primary amine or hydrazine with a dicarbonate derivative of 1,3-diols in a one-pot reaction, in good yield, short time span, and in the absence of a solvent. The reaction proceeds in two steps: an intermolecular reaction to give a linear intermediate and an intramolecular cyclization to yield the cyclic carbamate. This is the first example of a carbonate reacting selectively and sequentially, firstly at the carbonyl center to form a linear carbamate and then as a leaving group to yield a cyclic carbamate

The risk factors and preventive measures for the recurrence of endometrial polyps

Endometrial polyps (EPs) are a frequently encountered gynecologic disease with abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility being the two common presenting problems, and hysteroscopic polypectomy is an effective method to remove them. The postoperative polyp recurrence might result in reappearance of abnormal uterine bleeding or infertility, whereas factors influencing the postoperative recurrence potential have limited data. Endometrial polyp recurrence remains a concern with recurrence rates of 2.5% to 43.6%. As such, it is critical to identify the risk factors and the preventive measures for endometrial recurrence, especially in reproductive-age women desiring future conception, to aid in clinical counselling and decision making. The recurrence of EPs is related to estrogen stimulation and endometrial hyperplasia. The progesterone-containing drugs are currently the most commonly used method to prevent the recurrence of EPs. In this article, authors aim to discuss the high-risk factors of EPs recurrence and the preventive measures for EPs recurrence. The preventive measures will focus on the combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS)

Dark Matter Results From 54-Ton-Day Exposure of PandaX-II Experiment

We report a new search of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) using the combined low background data sets in 2016 and 2017 from the PandaX-II experiment in China. The latest data set contains a new exposure of 77.1 live day, with the background reduced to a level of 0.8$\times10^{-3}$ evt/kg/day, improved by a factor of 2.5 in comparison to the previous run in 2016. No excess events were found above the expected background. With a total exposure of 5.4$\times10^4$ kg day, the most stringent upper limit on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section was set for a WIMP with mass larger than 100 GeV/c$^2$, with the lowest exclusion at 8.6$\times10^{-47}$ cm$^2$ at 40 GeV/c$^2$.Comment: Supplementary materials at https://pandax.sjtu.edu.cn/articles/2nd/supplemental.pdf version 2 as accepted by PR