Epitope specificity of cross-clade neutralizing sera from Chinese HIV-1-positive individuals

Induction of broadly neutralizing antibody is considered important for an effective HIV-1 vaccine. Identification and characterization of broadly neutralizing antibodies in HIV-1-infected patients will facilitate our understanding of the immune correlates to protection and the design of an effective prophylactic vaccine. A number of studies to probe the specificity of antibodies in broadly neutralizing sera in the United States and Europe have been reported. However, little is known about and would be interesting to investigate the immunological characteristics of HIV-1-positive sera in China where non-clade B viruses are prevalent and the circulating viral subtypes are distinct and more complex than both the United States and Europe. Here, we screened 80 Chinese HIV-1-positive sera against a minipanel of pseudoviruses representing various circulating HIV-1 subtypes in China and identified 8 cross-clade neutralizing sera (CNsera). Immunological characterization of the sera showed that gp120-targeting antibodies with multiple epitope specificities contributed to the cross-clade neutralizing activity of these CNsera. V3-directed antibodies were prevalent in these CNsera, but did not mainly contribute to their neutralization breath and potency while CD4bs-specific, 2F5- and 4E10-like antibodies were rarely detected. 2G12-like neutralizing antibodies were more frequently detected in HIV-1 patients from China where recombinant subtype viruses are prevalent than in United States and Europe. One broadly neutralizing serum (Serum 45) was identified to contain antibodies with unknown epitope specificities that were sensitive to terminal glycan modifications on virus Env and insensitive to N160K mutagenesis, and correlated with the cross-clade neutralization activity of Serum 45.

Measurement of the differential cross section dσ/d(cosθ(t)) for Top-Quark Pair Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV

We report a measurement of the differential cross section dσ/d(cosθ(t)) for top-quark pair production as a function of the top-quark production angle in proton-antiproton collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV. This measurement is performed using data collected with the CDF II detector at the Tevatron, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.4 fb(-1). We employ the Legendre polynomials to characterize the shape of the differential cross section at the parton level. The observed Legendre coefficients are in good agreement with the prediction of the next-to-leading-order standard-model calculation, with the exception of an excess linear-term coefficient a(1) = 0.40 ± 0.12, compared to the standard-model prediction of a(1)=0.15(-0.03)(+0.07).

Expression profile analysis reveals putative prostate cancer-related microRNAs

Annotation of prostate cancer (PC) genomes provides a foundation for discoveries that can improve the understanding and treatment of the disease. Therefore, in the present study, we used the Student t-test to identify differentially expressed PC-related mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs). Then, we performed interrelated mapping of miRNA target genes between abnormally expressed mRNAs and miRNAs, and explored mRNA-target miRNA interrelated pairs to explain the biological functions of miRNA during the progression of PC, thus revealing the occurrence of miRNA-mediated PC. After Gene Set Functional Similarity analysis, we obtained 20 abnormal PC-related candidate miRNAs, including hsa-miR-26a, hsa-miR-152, hsa-miR-19a, hsa-miR-30c, hsa-miR-19b, and hsa-miR-146b-5p, among others. These results suggest that it may be possible to predict the clinical behavior of prostate cancer based on gene expression analysis.

Measurement of the cross section for direct-photon production in association with a heavy quark in pp[over ¯] collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

We report on a measurement of the cross section for direct-photon production in association with a heavy quark using the full data set of sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV proton-antiproton collisions corresponding to 9.1  fb-1 of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The measurements are performed as a function of the photon transverse momentum, covering a photon transverse momentum between 30 and 300 GeV, photon rapidities |yγ|<1.0, a heavy-quark-jet transverse momentum pTjet>20  GeV, and jet rapidities |yjet|<1.5. The results are compared with several theoretical predictions.

Search for pair production of strongly interacting particles decaying to pairs of jets in pp collisions at √s=1.96 TeV

We present a search for the pair production of a narrow nonstandard-model strongly interacting particle that decays to a pair of quarks or gluons, leading to a final state with four hadronic jets. We consider both nonresonant production via an intermediate gluon as well as resonant production via a distinct nonstandard-model intermediate strongly interacting particle. We use data collected by the CDF experiment in proton-antiproton collisions at √[s]=1.96 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6.6 fb(-1). We find the data to be consistent with nonresonant production. We report limits on σ(pp[over ¯]→jjjj) as a function of the masses of the hypothetical intermediate particles. Upper limits on the production cross sections for nonstandard-model particles in several resonant and nonresonant processes are also derived.

High precision wavelength estimation method for integrated optics

A novel and simple approach to optical wavelength measurement is presented in this paper. The working principle is demonstrated using a tunable waveguide micro ring resonator and single photodiode. The initial calibration is done with a set of known wavelengths and resonator tunings. The combined spectral sensitivity function of the resonator and photodiode at each tuning voltage was modeled by a neural network. For determining the unknown wavelengths, the resonator was tuned with a set of heating voltages and the corresponding photodiode signals were collected. The unknown wavelength was estimated, based on the collected photodiode signals, the calibrated neural networks, and an optimization algorithm. The wavelength estimate method provides a high spectral precision of about 8 pm (5 · 10(-6) at 1550 nm) in the wavelength range between 1549 nm to 1553 nm. A higher precision of 5 pm (3 · 10(-6)) is achieved in the range between 1550.3 nm to 1550.8 nm, which is a factor of five improved compared to a simple lookup of data. The importance of our approach is that it strongly simplifies the optical system and enables optical integration. The approach is also of general importance, because it may be applicable to all wavelength monitoring devices which show an adjustable wavelength response.

Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution study of paclitaxel liposome in Sprague-Dawley rats and Beagle dogs by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Lipusu is the first paclitaxel liposome preparation approved in the world and has been widely used in China for the treatment of ovary, breast and non-small cell lung cancer. In present study we evaluated the pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution characteristics of paclitaxel liposome in Sprague-Dawley rats and Beagle dogs. A rapid and simple liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay was developed for the determination of paclitaxel in plasma and tissues. The plasma concentrations of paclitaxel in both rats and dogs initially declined steeply, followed by slow elimination after intravenous administration of Lipusu at 5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters calculated by a non-compartmental method in rats and dogs were as follows: AUC0-24: 3 566.5±1 366.1 and 443.2±165.7 μg · h/L, CL: 1.5±0.5 and 2.1±0.6 L/h/kg, Vd: 20.0±7.8 and 38.4±12.5 L/kg, t1/2: 9.3±2.9 and 14.1±6.9 h, respectively. Biodistribution results in rats showed that except for brain and testis, liposomal paclitaxel was extensively distributed into various tissues, especially highly in liver and spleen.

Search for supersymmetry with like-sign lepton-tau events at CDF

We present a search for chargino-neutralino associated production using like electric charge dilepton events collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in proton-antiproton collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV. One lepton is identified as the hadronic decay of a tau lepton, while the other is an electron or muon. In data corresponding to 6.0 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity, we obtain good agreement with standard model predictions and set limits on the chargino-neutralino production cross section for simplified gravity- and gauge-mediated models. As an example, assuming that the chargino and neutralino decays to taus dominate, in the simplified gauge-mediated model we exclude cross sections greater than 300 fb at 95% credibility level for chargino and neutralino masses of 225 GeV/c(2). This analysis is the first to extend the LHC searches for electroweak supersymmetric production of gauginos to high tanβ and slepton next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle scenarios.

Pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies of ibuprofen suspension after a single-dose administration in healthy Chinese volunteers

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assessed the pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence of 2 formulations of ibuprofen suspension.

METHOD

20 healthy volunteers were enrolled into this random, single-dose, 2-way crossover, open-label, single-centre, pharmacokinetic study. After overnight fasting, 2 formulations (test and reference) of ibuprofen (400 mg ibuprofen/20 mL suspension) were administered as a single dose on 2 treatment days separated by a 7-day washout period. After dosing, blood samples were drawn for a period of 12 h. The plasma samples were analyzed for the presence of ibuprofen by HPLC with ultraviolet detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from plasma concentrations for both formulations.

RESULTS

The main pharmacokinetics parameters of test and reference were as follows: t1/2 was (1.94±0.38) h and (1.95±0.28) h; Cmax was (33.41±7.83) μg · mL- 1 and (31.08±9.30) μg · mL- 1; AUC0-12 was (91.44±19.26) μg · mL-1 · h and (84.75±24.45) μg · mL-1 · h; AUC0-∞ was (92.82±19.94) μg · mL-1 · h and (85.97±24.99) μg · mL-1 · h; median Tmax was 0.5 h (range, 0.25, 2) and 0.5 h (range, 0.25, 1.5). The 90% confidence intervals of the test/reference treatment ratios for Cmax, AUC0-12 and AUC0-∞ were observed to be within the predetermined acceptable interval of 80-125%.

CONCLUSION

This single-dose study in healthy Chinese fasted volunteers was shown that the ibuprofen test and reference met the requirement of the State Food and Drug Administration, and the test and reference were bioequivalent.

Search for resonant top-antitop production in the lepton plus jets decay mode using the full CDF data set

This Letter reports a search for a narrow resonant state decaying into two W bosons and two b quarks where one W boson decays leptonically and the other decays into a quark-antiquark pair. The search is particularly sensitive to top-antitop resonant production. We use the full data sample of proton-antiproton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.45 fb(-1). No evidence for resonant production is found, and upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio for a narrow resonant state are extracted. Within a specific benchmark model, we exclude a Z' boson with mass, M(Z'), below 915 GeV/c(2) decaying into a top-antitop pair at the 95% credibility level assuming a Z' boson decay width of Γ(Z') = 0.012 M(Z'). This is the most sensitive search for a narrow qq-initiated tt resonance in the mass region below 750 GeV/c(2).