Measurement of Azimuthal Asymmetries in Inclusive Charged Dipion Production in e^{+}e^{-} Annihilations at sqrt[s]=3.65 GeV

We present a measurement of the azimuthal asymmetries of two charged pions in the inclusive process e^{+}e^{-}→ππX, based on a data set of 62  pb^{-1} at the center-of-mass energy of 3.65 GeV collected with the BESIII detector. These asymmetries can be attributed to the Collins fragmentation function. We observe a nonzero asymmetry, which increases with increasing pion momentum. As our energy scale is close to that of the existing semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering experimental data, the measured asymmetries are important inputs for the global analysis of extracting the quark transversity distribution inside the nucleon and are valuable to explore the energy evolution of the spin-dependent fragmentation function.

Tea Consumption Reduces the Incidence of Neurocognitive Disorders: Findings from the Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationships between tea consumption habits and incident neurocognitive disorders (NCD) and explore potential effect modification by gender and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.

DESIGN

Population-based longitudinal study.

SETTING

The Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study (SLAS).

PARTICIPANTS

957 community-living Chinese elderly who were cognitively intact at baseline.

MEASUREMENTS

We collected tea consumption information at baseline from 2003 to 2005 and ascertained incident cases of neurocognitive disorders (NCD) from 2006 to 2010. Odds ratio (OR) of association were calculated in logistic regression models that adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 72 incident NCD cases were identified from the cohort. Tea intake was associated with lower risk of incident NCD, independent of other risk factors. Reduced NCD risk was observed for both green tea (OR=0.43) and black/oolong tea (OR=0.53) and appeared to be influenced by the changing of tea consumption habit at follow-up. Using consistent non-tea consumers as the reference, only consistent tea consumers had reduced risk of NCD (OR=0.39). Stratified analyses indicated that tea consumption was associated with reduced risk of NCD among females (OR=0.32) and APOE ε4 carriers (OR=0.14) but not males and non APOE ε4 carriers.

CONCLUSION

Regular tea consumption was associated with lower risk of neurocognitive disorders among Chinese elderly. Gender and genetic factors could possibly modulate this association.

Establishment of a neuroblastoma mouse model by subcutaneous xenograft transplantation and its use to study metastatic neuroblastoma

The aim of this study was to establish a metastatic human neuroblastoma (NB) mouse model by xenograft in order to study the metastatic mechanisms of NB. A human NB cell line was obtained from a 5-year-old patient and cultured in vitro. A suspension of these cells was subcutaneously inoculated into nude mice at the right flank next to the forelimb. The biological characteristics of the developed subcutaneous and metastatic tumors were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression of the tumor marker neuron-specific enolase was determined by immunohistochemistry, and the invasive ability of metastatic tumors was examined by a Matrigel invasion assay. DNA microarray analyses were performed to examine the metastasis-related gene expression. Our results showed that tumors grew in 75% of the mice injected with NB cells and the rate of metastasis was 21%. The xenograft tumors retained the morphological and biological characteristics of the NB specimen from the pediatric patient. Neuron-specific enolase was highly expressed in both subcutaneous and metastatic tumors. The metastatic tumor cells possessed a higher invasive capability than the primary NB cells. The expression of 25 metastasis-related genes was found to be significantly altered in metastatic tumors compared to primary tumors, including RECK, MMP2, VEGF, MMP3, and CXCL12. In conclusion, we successfully established a human NB xenograft model with high tumor-bearing and metastatic rates in nude mice, providing an ideal animal model for the in vivo study of NB.

Combinatorial Treatment of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Regulatory T Cells Improves Glycemia in Streptozotocin-diabetic Mice

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has limited benefits in patients with a long-duration of diabetes. To test whether a T regulatory cells (Tregs) and syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (syn-BMT) co-transplantation regimen will be effective, BMT±Tregs infusion was performed in streptozotocin-diabetic mice with a long-duaration of diabetes. Diabetic status, pancreata morphometry and Tregs/Th17 balancing were tested on day 100 after transplantation. While hyperglycemia relapsed in mice receiving BMT monotherapy about 6 weeks after transplantation, combined therapy with BMT+Tregs improved hyperglycemia and C-peptides, preserved islet cell mass within 100 days after BMT. Although both groups BMT and BMT+Tregs induced Tregs/Th17 rebalancing, combined treatment of BMT+Tregs synergistically elevated TGF-β1 and FoxP3 expression compared with BMT monotherapy. The sustained rebalance of Tregs/Th17 may be one possible explanation for the longer benefits of the combined treatment of BMT+Tregs over BMT monotherapy to mice with a long-duaration of diabetes. This observation of the therapeutic potential of BMCs+Tregs treatment may have important implications for clinical therapy for patients with a long-duration of diabetes.

Observation of a Neutral Structure near the DD[over ¯]^{*} Mass Threshold in e^{+}e^{-}→(DD[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} at sqrt[s]=4.226 and 4.257 GeV

A neutral structure in the DD[over ¯]^{*} system around the DD[over ¯]^{*} mass threshold is observed with a statistical significance greater than 10σ in the processes e^{+}e^{-}→D^{+}D^{*-}π^{0}+c.c. and e^{+}e^{-}→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{*0}π^{0}+c.c. at sqrt[s]=4.226 and 4.257 GeV in the BESIII experiment. The structure is denoted as Z_{c}(3885)^{0}. Assuming the presence of a resonance, its pole mass and width are determined to be [3885.7_{-5.7}^{+4.3}(stat)±8.4(syst)]  MeV/c^{2} and [35_{-12}^{+11}(stat)±15(syst)]  MeV, respectively. The Born cross sections are measured to be σ[e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(3885)^{0}π^{0},Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→DD[over ¯]^{*}]=[77±13(stat)±17(syst)]  pb at 4.226 GeV and [47±9(stat)±10(syst)]  pb at 4.257 GeV. The ratio of decay rates B[Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→D^{+}D^{*-}+c.c.]/B[Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{*0}+c.c.] is determined to be 0.96±0.18(stat)±0.12(syst), consistent with no isospin violation in the process, Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→DD[over ¯]^{*}.

Measurement of the Absolute Branching Fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}

We report the first measurement of the absolute branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}. This measurement is based on 567  pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data produced at sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV, which is just above the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} threshold. The data were collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage rings. The branching fraction is determined to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e})=[3.63±0.38(stat)±0.20(syst)]%, representing a significant improvement in precision over the current indirect determination. As the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e} is the benchmark for those of other Λ_{c}^{+} semileptonic channels, our result provides a unique test of different theoretical models, which is the most stringent to date.

Observation of a Neutral Charmoniumlike State Z_{c}(4025)^{0} in e^{+}e^{-}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0}

We report a study of the process e^{+}e^{-}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} using e^{+}e^{-} collision data samples with integrated luminosities of 1092 pb^{-1} at sqrt[s]=4.23 GeV and 826 pb^{-1} at sqrt[s]=4.26 GeV collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. We observe a new neutral structure near the (D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0} mass threshold in the π^{0} recoil mass spectrum, which we denote as Z_{c}(4025)^{0}. Assuming a Breit-Wigner line shape, its pole mass and pole width are determined to be (4025.5_{-4.7}^{+2.0}±3.1) MeV/c^{2} and (23.0±6.0±1.0) MeV, respectively. The Born cross sections of e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(4025)^{0}π^{0}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} are measured to be (61.6±8.2±9.0) pb at sqrt[s]=4.23 GeV and (43.4±8.0±5.4) pb at sqrt[s]=4.26 GeV. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

Elevated TrkA receptor expression is associated with all-trans retinoic acid-induced neuroblastoma differentiation

Neuroblastoma is the most common and one of the deadliest among pediatric tumors; however, a subset of infants with neuroblastoma display spontaneous regression. The mechanism of spontaneous regression remains to be elucidated. TrkA plays an essential role in the differentiation and functionality of neurons; abundant TrkA expression is associated with favorable prognosis of neuroblastoma. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a first-line drug for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treatment, has been shown to induce differentiation and inhibit cell growth. Neuroblastoma tissues in our hospital inpatient were collected, primary cell culture was performed, and the cells were separated and purified to be cell line. Trypan blue exclusion was used to count the numbers of cells alive, morphological changes were observed under the phase-contrast microscope. RT-PCR was used to determine the expression level of TrkA. In this study, a human neuroblastoma cell line was successfully established; in addition, we demonstrated that ATRA induces growth arrest and promotes the differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. In addition, ATRA was shown to significantly increase the levels of TrkA mRNA expression. Therefore, we concluded that the elevated expression of the TrkA receptor is associated with ATRA-induced growth arrest and differentiation o neuroblastoma cells. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of differentiation-inducing ATRA for neuroblastoma therapy.

Observation of Z_{c}(3900)^{0} in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{0}π^{0}J/ψ

Using a data sample collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, we observe a new neutral state Z_{c}(3900)^{0} with a significance of 10.4σ. The mass and width are measured to be 3894.8±2.3±3.2  MeV/c^{2} and 29.6±8.2±8.2  MeV, respectively, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. The Born cross section for e^{+}e^{-}→π^{0}π^{0}J/ψ and the fraction of it attributable to π^{0}Z_{c}(3900)^{0}→π^{0}π^{0}J/ψ in the range E_{c.m.}=4.19-4.42  GeV are also determined. We interpret this state as the neutral partner of the four-quark candidate Z_{c}(3900)^{±}.

Sequence variation and bioinformatics analysis of Toxoplasma gondii GRA16 Gene

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It is anopportunistic zoonosis in warm-blooded animals and humans, with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein 16 (TgGRA16) can modulate some functions in host cells and is considered a significant virulent factor of the parasite. The present study reports sequence variation in TgGRA16 gene among T. gondii strains from different hosts and geographical locations, and the construction of phylogenetic relationships of these T. gondii strains based on sequences of TgGRA16, and analysis of B cell epitopes in TgGRA16. Our results showed that all TgGRA16 gene sequences were 1518 bp and the C+G contents ranged from 52.17% to 52.59%. Sequence variation in the TgGRA16 gene was 0-1.51%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TgGRA16 gene sequence could not be used to differentiate the different T. gondii genotypes. Six B cell epitopes were predicted in TgGRA16. These results indicated that TgGRA16 gene is not an ideal marker for studying genetic relationships of T. gondii isolates, but may represent a good vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.

Observation and Spin-Parity Determination of the X(1835) in J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η

We report an observation of the process J/ψ→γX(1835)→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η at low K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} mass with a statistical significance larger than 12.9σ using a data sample of 1.31×10^{9} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector. In this region of phase space the K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} system is dominantly produced through the f_{0}(980). By performing a partial wave analysis, we determine the spin parity of the X(1835) to be J^{PC}=0^{-+}. The mass and width of the observed X(1835) are 1844±9(stat)_{-25}^{+16}(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and 192_{-17}^{+20}(stat)_{-43}^{+62}(syst)  MeV, respectively, which are consistent with the results obtained by BESIII in the channel J/ψ→γπ^{+}π^{-}η^{'}.

Observation of the ψ(1 3D2) State in e+e-→π+π-γχc1 at BESIII

We report the observation of the X(3823) state in the process e+e-→π+π-X(3823)→π+π-γχc1 with a statistical significance of 6.2σ, in data samples at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=4.230, 4.260, 4.360, 4.420, and 4.600 GeV collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII electron positron collider. The measured mass of the X(3823) state is (3821.7±1.3±0.7)  MeV/c2, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic, and the width is less than 16 MeV at the 90% confidence level. The products of the Born cross sections for e+e-→π+π-X(3823) and the branching ratio B[X(3823)→γχc1,c2] are also measured. These measurements are in good agreement with the assignment of the X(3823) state as the ψ(1 3D2) charmonium state.

Study of e(+)e(-)→ωχ(cJ) at center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider at nine center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV, we search for the production of e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{cJ} (J=0, 1, 2). The process e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c0} is observed for the first time, and the Born cross sections at sqrt[s]=4.23 and 4.26 GeV are measured to be (55.4±6.0±5.9) and (23.7±5.3±3.5)  pb, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The ωχ_{c0} signals at the other seven energies and the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} signals are not significant, and the upper limits on the cross sections are determined. By examining the ωχ_{c0} cross section as a function of center of mass energy, we find that it is inconsistent with the line shape of the Y(4260) observed in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ. Assuming the ωχ_{c0} signals come from a single resonance, we extract the mass and width of the resonance to be (4230±8±6)  MeV/c^{2} and (38±12±2)  MeV, respectively, and the statistical significance is more than 9σ.

Association between macrophage migration inhibitory factor rs1007888 and GDM

We investigated the association between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) rs1007888 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and the genetic susceptibility to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 240 GDM pregnant women (GDM group) and 330 healthy pregnant women (control group) were included in the study. Differences in the MIF rs1007888 genotype and allele frequencies and differences between fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-insulin resistance, and HOMA-b levels of pregnant women with different genotypes were compared. MIF genotype distributions were significantly different in the GDM group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the allele distributions of MIF rs1007888 between the GDM group and control group (P > 0.05). GDM patients had higher fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-insulin resistance levels, but lower HOMA-b levels than normal gestational women (P < 0.05). Fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-insulin resistance in pregnant women with the GG genotype were significantly higher than those with GA and AA genotypes, while HOMA-b in pregnant women with the GG genotype was lower (all P < 0.05). Our findings demonstrated the associations among MIF polymorphism rs1007888, insulin resistance, and pancreatic β cell functions in GDM patients. The GG genotype of MIF rs1007888 may be a genetic susceptibility factor in the pathogenesis of GDM.

Association between serrated polyps and the risk of synchronous advanced colorectal neoplasia in average-risk individuals

BACKGROUND

Serrated polyps of the colorectum have distinct histological features and malignant potential.

AIM

To assess the association between the presence of serrated polyps and synchronous advanced colorectal neoplasia.

METHODS

Among 4989 asymptomatic Chinese individuals aged 50-70 years who underwent screening colonoscopy, 281 cases with advanced neoplasia (adenoma ≥1 cm, with tubulovillous/villous histology, with high-grade dysplasia, or invasive adenocarcinoma) were compared with 4708 controls without advanced neoplasia for age, sex, smoking history, body mass index, family history of colorectal cancer and the presence of serrated polyps. Independent predictors of advanced neoplasia were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of advanced neoplasia and serrated polyps (excluding small distal hyperplastic polyps) was 5.7% and 5.6%, respectively. 3.7% and 0.4% subjects had proximal and large (≥10 mm) serrated polyps, respectively. Independent predictors of synchronous advanced colorectal neoplasia were the presence of sessile serrated adenomas (OR: 4.52; 95% CI: 2.40-8.49), proximal serrated polyps (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.38-3.60), large serrated polyps (OR: 59.25; 95% CI: 18.85-186.21), hyperplastic polyps (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.03-2.67), three or more serrated polyps (OR: 4.86; 95% CI: 1.24-19.15) and one or more non-advanced tubular adenomas (OR: 3.58, 95% CI: 2.59-4.96).

CONCLUSION

Detection of proximal, sessile and/or large serrated polyps at screening colonoscopy is independently associated with an increased risk for synchronous advanced neoplasia.

Superoxide anions in the paraventricular nucleus mediate cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in insulin resistance rats

AIM

Cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) participates in sympathetic over-excitation. Superoxide anions and angiotensin II (Ang II) mechanisms are associated with sympathetic outflow and CSAR in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). This study was designed to investigate whether PVN superoxide anions mediate CSAR and Ang II-induced CSAR enhancement response in fructose-induced insulin resistance (IR) rats.

METHODS

CSAR was evaluated with the changes of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to the epicardial application of capsaicin (CAP) in anaesthetized rats.

RESULTS

Compared with Control rats, IR rats showed that CSAR, PVN NAD(P)H oxidase activity, superoxide anions, malondialdehyde (MDA), Ang II and AT1 receptor levels were significantly increased, whereas PVN superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were decreased. In Control and IR rats, PVN microinjection of superoxide anions scavengers tempol, tiron and PEG-SOD (an analogue of endogenous superoxide dismutase) or inhibition of PVN NAD(P)H oxidase with apocynin caused significant reduction of CSAR, respectively, but DETC (a superoxide dismutase inhibitor) strengthened the CSAR. PVN pre-treatment with tempol abolished, whereas DETC potentiated, Ang II-induced CSAR enhancement response. Moreover, PVN pre-treatment with tempol or losartan prevented superoxide anions increase caused by Ang II in IR rats.

CONCLUSION

PVN superoxide anions mediate CSAR and Ang II-induced CSAR response in IR rats. In IR state, increased NAD(P)H oxidase activity and decreased SOD and CAT activities in the PVN promote superoxide anions increase to involve in CSAR enhancement. Ang II may increase NAD(P)H oxidase activity via AT1 receptor to induce superoxide anion production.

Observation of e(+)e(-)→π(0)π(0)hc and a neutral charmoniumlike structure Zc(4020)(0)

Using data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=4.23, 4.26, and 4.36 GeV, we observe e(+)e(-)→π(0)π(0)hc for the first time. The Born cross sections are measured and found to be about half of those of e(+)e(-)→π(+)π(-)hc within less than 2σ. In the π(0)hc mass spectrum, a structure at 4.02  GeV/c(2) is found. It is most likely to be the neutral isospin partner of the Zc(4020)(±) observed in the process of e(+)e(-)→π(+)π(-)hc being found. A fit to the π(0)hc invariant mass spectrum, with the width of the Zc(4020)(0) fixed to that of its charged isospin partner and possible interferences with non-Zc(4020)(0) amplitudes neglected, gives a mass of (4023.9±2.2±3.8)  MeV/c(2) for the Zc(4020)(0), where the first error is statistical and the second systematic.