This study demonstrates the characteristics of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Double-Moment 6-Class (WDM6) Microphysics scheme for representing precipitating moist convection in 3D platforms, relative to the WSM6 scheme that has been widely used in the WRF community. For a case study of convective system over the Great Plains, the WDM6 scheme improves the evolutionary features such as the bow-type echo in the leading edge of the squall line. We also found that the WRF with WDM6 scheme removes spurious oceanic rainfall that is a systematic defect resulting from the use of the WSM6 scheme alone. The simulated summer monsoon rainfall in East Asia is improved by weakening (strengthening) light (heavy) precipitation activity. These changes can be explained by the fact that the WDM6 scheme has a wider range in cloud and rain number concentrations than does the WSM6 scheme.

We performed a case-control study to determine the association of BK plasma viremia with hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Thirty cases of HC (14 of which occurred after platelet engraftment with documented BK viruria [BK-HC]) were compared with matched controls. Weekly plasma samples were tested for BK virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). BK viremia detected before or during the disease was independently associated with HC (adjusted odds ratio ‫؍‬ 30, P < .001); BK viremia was even important before clinical symptoms of HC occurred (odds ratio ‫؍‬ 11, P < .001). Cases of HC and BK-HC had a significantly higher peak of BK plasma viral load than controls. IntroductionIn hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) occurring after engraftment has been correlated with presence of BK virus in urine, 1,2 and high viral load of BK virus in urine has been associated with a higher risk of BK-associated HC. 3 However, viruria is common even in asymptomatic immunocompromised patients, making a direct causative role of BK virus difficult to establish. 4 Presence of viral DNA in plasma of latent viruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus, and EpsteinBarr virus has been shown to be a reliable marker of clinical disease in different transplant settings. 5,6 While BK viremia is a sensitive and specific indicator of BK nephritis in solid organ transplants, 7 BK viremia has been reported to occur in asymptomatic HCT recipients. 8 We conducted a matched case-control study to assess whether plasma BK DNA viral load was associated with HC following hematopoietic cell transplantation. Study designAll patients who underwent their first allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) from January 1979 to October 2003 and who had frozen plasma samples available for retrospective testing of BK virus DNA were included in the study. The study received institutional review board approval at FHCRC. Each patient included in the study had previously signed an informed consent form allowing the storage and the use of their blood products for future research. We identified patients with grade 2 to 4 HC from the FHCRC database, reviewed their medical records, and collected the clinical data relevant to hematuria. HC was divided into 4 categories according to the severity of hematuria. 4 Patients were required to have at least one sample within 3 weeks before and one week after onset of HC. Each patient except one had plasma samples available before HC. There were 6 patients who had samples available only during HC. At least 2 controls per patient, matched by age (exact) and decade of transplantation, were used. The matched controls had available samples drawn during the corresponding time interval. Patients with HC who underwent a bladder biopsy were retrospectively tested for BK virus by in situ hybridization (ISH). The laboratory records of cases were reviewed for presence of adenovirus (culture or direct ...

These initial data suggest that rh-Endo has measurable effects on tumor blood flow and metabolism and induces endothelial and tumor cell apoptosis even in the absence of demonstrable anticancer effects. Further study and validation of these biomarkers in the context of antiangiogenic therapy will be required.