No abstract

Dust storms in northern China strongly affect the living and health of people there and the dusts could travel a full circle of the globe in a short time. Historically, more frequent dust storms occurred during cool periods, particularly the Little Ice Age (LIA), generally attributed to the strengthened Siberian High. However, limited by chronological uncertainties in proxy records, this mechanism may not fully reveal the causes of dust storm frequency changes. Here we present a late Holocene dust record from the Qaidam Basin, where hydrological changes were previously reconstructed, and examine dust records from northern China, including the ones from historical documents. The records, being broadly consistent, indicate the onset of frequent dust storms at ~AD 1100. Further, peaked dust storm events occurred at episodes of high total solar irradiance or warm-dry conditions in source regions, superimposed on the high background of frequent dust storms within the cool LIA period. We thus suggest that besides strong wind activities, the centennial-scale dust storm events over the last 1000 years appear to be linked to the increased availability of dust source. With the anticipated global warming and deteriorating vegetation coverage, frequent occurrence of dust storms in northern China would be expected to persist.

Binding of [123I]ADAM to SERT in midbrain can be quantified with a single scan starting 200 min after injection. However, the variability of estimated occupancy values may be too high for critical assessment of occupancy of SERT by SSRI.

3013 Background: The release of tumor-associated antigens may enhance the response to immunotherapy. BGB-A317, a humanized IgG4 variant monoclonal antibody engineered to have no Fc gamma receptor binding, targets the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor. It is being developed in solid and hematologic malignancies at a dose of 200 mg IV Q3W. BGB-290, a potent inhibitor of PARP 1/2, is hypothesized to promote neoantigen release that will potentially increase the efficacy of BGB-A317. A phase 1 study identified 60mg BID as the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) for BGB-290. This study consists of initial dose escalation to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), safety, PK profile, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of the combination, followed by expansion into ovarian, breast, prostate, gastric, bladder, pancreatic and small cell lung cancers. Methods: Cohorts of 6 -12 pts with advanced solid tumors were treated in each of 5 planned dose levels (DLs). In DLs 1-3, BGB-290 doses ranged between 20-60mg PO BID with BGB-A317 2mg/kg IV Q3W. In DLs 4 - 5, BGB-290 doses were 40 or 60 mg BID; A317 was given at 200 mg IV Q3W based on PK data from a single agent Phase 1 study. Results: As of 16 Jan 2017, 38 pts [median age 59 years (34-75)] were treated in DLs 1-4; enrollment to DL5 is ongoing. One DLT of persistent Gr 2 nausea was reported in DL 4. The most common adverse event (AE) considered related to both study drugs was fatigue (10.5%). Immune-related AEs were Gr 3 hypophysitis (n = 1), Gr 3 or 4 autoimmune hepatitis(n = 2), and Gr 2 elevated AST/ALT (n = 1). Decreases in tumor burden have been observed in 16 pts; 7 achieved a PR (5 with ovarian and one each with uterine and pancreatic cancer) and one CR was observed in ovarian cancer. Six pts had SD for > 6 months including 2 pts with pancreatic cancer who received BGB-A317+BGB-290 for 189 and 281 days. Plasma/serum exposure of BGB-290 and BGB-A317 were consistent with those in single-agent trials. Conclusions: BGB290 and BGB-A317 can be combined. Dose expansion in multiple tumor types is planned to commence in 2017 once the RP2D is determined. Clinical trial information: NCT02660034.