Observation of an Anomalous Line Shape of the η^{'}π^{+}π^{-} Mass Spectrum near the pp[over ¯] Mass Threshold in J/ψ→γη^{'}π^{+}π^{-}

Using 1.09×10^{9} J/ψ events collected by the BESIII experiment in 2012, we study the J/ψ→γη^{'}π^{+}π^{-} process and observe a significant abrupt change in the slope of the η^{'}π^{+}π^{-} invariant mass distribution at the proton-antiproton (pp[over ¯]) mass threshold. We use two models to characterize the η^{'}π^{+}π^{-} line shape around 1.85  GeV/c^{2}: one that explicitly incorporates the opening of a decay threshold in the mass spectrum (Flatté formula), and another that is the coherent sum of two resonant amplitudes. Both fits show almost equally good agreement with data, and suggest the existence of either a broad state around 1.85  GeV/c^{2} with strong couplings to the pp[over ¯] final states or a narrow state just below the pp[over ¯] mass threshold. Although we cannot distinguish between the fits, either one supports the existence of a pp[over ¯] moleculelike state or bound state with greater than 7σ significance.

Evaluation of bone matrix gelatin/fibrin glue and chitosan/gelatin composite scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering

This study was designed to evaluate bone matrix gelatin (BMG)/fibrin glue and chitosan/gelatin composite scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. Chondrocytes were isolated from costal cartilage of Sprague-Dawley rats and seeded on BMG/fibrin glue or chitosan/gelatin composite scaffolds. After different in vitro culture durations, the scaffolds were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and toluidine blue staining, anti-collagen II and anti-aggrecan immunohistochemistry, and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) analysis. After 2 weeks of culture, chondrocytes were distributed evenly on the surfaces of both scaffolds. Cell numbers and the presence of extracellular matrix components were markedly increased after 8 weeks of culture, and to a greater extent on the chitosan/gelatin scaffold. The BMG/fibrin glue scaffold showed signs of degradation after 8 weeks. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed higher levels of collagen II and aggrecan using the chitosan/gelatin scaffold. SEM revealed that the majority of cells on the surface of the BMG/fibrin glue scaffold demonstrated a round morphology, while those in the chitosan/gelatin group had a spindle-like shape, with pseudopodia. Chitosan/gelatin scaffolds appear to be superior to BMG/ fibrin glue constructs in supporting chondrocyte attachment, proliferation, and biosynthesis of cartilaginous matrix components.

[Association between β-arrestin2 genetic polymorphism and response to methadone maintenance treatment in heroin-dependent patients in Han population in Hunan province]

OBJECTIVE

To study the distributions of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in β-arrestin2 (ARRB2) which including rs3786047, rs1045280 and rs2036657 and to elucidate the relationship between these SNPs and response to methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) among heroin-dependent patients of Han ethnicity population in Hunan.

METHODS

Han MMT patients were recruited in four random-chosen MMT clinics from Hunan province. Demographics, history of drug-use and MMT were recorded. ARRB2 SNPs were genotyped to determine the association between SNPs and response to MMT.

RESULTS

Distributions of the three SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both groups (responders vs. non-responders). There was no statistical significance in the distribution frequency of genotype on rs3786047 (χ(2)=0.486 2, P=0.784), rs1045280 (χ(2)=1.591 9, P=0.451) and rs2036657 (χ(2)=1.061 5, P=0.588) in ARRB2 among the responders or the non-responders.

CONCLUSION

Associations between the ARRB2 genotypes, rs3786047, rs1045280 and rs2036657, and MMT response in Han MMT patients in Hunan province did not appear.

Observation of h_{c} Radiative Decay h_{c}→γη^{'} and Evidence for h_{c}→γη

A search for radiative decays of the P-wave spin singlet charmonium resonance h_{c} is performed based on 4.48×10^{8} ψ^{'} events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. Events of the reaction channels h_{c}→γη^{'} and γη are observed with a statistical significance of 8.4σ and 4.0σ, respectively, for the first time. The branching fractions of h_{c}→γη^{'} and h_{c}→γη are measured to be B(h_{c}→γη^{'})=(1.52±0.27±0.29)×10^{-3} and B(h_{c}→γη)=(4.7±1.5±1.4)×10^{-4}, respectively, where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic uncertainties.

[Security analysis of implanting drug-eluting stents for unprotected left main coronary artery disease patients with chronic kidney disease]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical characteristics and prognosis of unprotected left main (ULM) coronary artery disease patients with chronic kidney disease after drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation.

METHODS

267 ULM coronary artery disease patients who has implanted DES were included in the study from January 2005 to March 2010. Patients were divided into two groups according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): eGFR <60 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) (77 patients), and eGFR≥ 60 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) (190 patients) . The clinical parameters and prognosis of ULM patients treated with DES in different eGFR groups were retrospectively compared.

RESULTS

In higher eGFR group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and morbidity of coronary ostial lesions were higher than the other group. Cerebrovascular diseases (13.0% vs 5.3%), chronic total occlusion (CTO, 28.6% vs 12.1%), hypertension (70.1% vs 53.2%) were more common in lower eGFR patients(all P<0.05). Total mortality and cardiac mortality were higher in eGFR<60 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) group (P=0.016, 0.006, respectively). Low eGFR level was an independent risk factor after adjusting multiple factors.

CONCLUSION

For the ULM disease patients with reduction in kidney function (eGFR<60 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2)), DES should be selected with a careful study considering its increasing risk of death. Chronic renal insufficiency is a risk factor and may predict poor prognosis for patients with ULM after DES implantation.

Effects of the balance between type 1 and type 2 T helper cells on ovarian cancer

The balance between type 1 and type 2 T helper cells (the Th1-Th2 balance) is closely correlated with cancer, but the correlation in ovarian cancer remains unconfirmed. We investigated the Th1-Th2 balance for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of ovarian cancer. Fifty healthy subjects and 50 ovarian cancer patients were recruited. The levels of various cytokines were determined in sera and ovarian cancer tissues using a Th1-Th2 human cytokine array. The usefulness of TNFα, IFNγ, TNFα/IL-4, and IFNγ/IL-4 for ovarian cancer diagnosis was assessed based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The relationship between the TNFα/IL-4 level and survival time was investigated based on a survival curve. In the ovarian cancer patients, the levels of Th1 factors (IL-2, IFNγ, TNFα, and IL-13) increased significantly in the sera, and IFNγ and TNFα increased significantly in the ovarian cancer tissues. The levels of Th2 factors (IL-5 and IL-6) increased in the sera, but the level of IL-6 decreased significantly in the ovarian cancer tissues. Serum TNFα/IL-4 and IFNγ/IL-4 levels increased significantly in the peripheral blood of the ovarian cancer patients. ROC curve analysis revealed that TNFα, IFNγ, TNFα/IL-4, and IFNγ/IL-4 levels are useful for ovarian cancer diagnosis, with area under the curve values of 0.831, 0.753, 0.846, and 0.803, respectively. The TNFα/IL-4 level in the ovarian cancer patients was positively correlated with survival time, and the Th1-Th2 balance shifted toward Th1 in the ovarian cancer patients. The TNFα/IL-4 ratio might be useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer.

[Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with dilated-hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]

OBJECTIVE

To define the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with dilated-hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (D-HCM).

METHODS

Clinical data of HCM patients hospitalized from January 2002 to December 2015 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into D-HCM and classic HCM patients. The D-HCM patients were followed up by phone.

RESULTS

A total of 616 consecutive HCM patients were evaluated. Twenty one patients (3.4%) were diagnosed with D-HCM (average age(58.8±10.4) years, 13 males). It took (14.2±7.1)years for classic HCM patients to develop D-HCM. Compared to classic HCM patients, D-HCM patients were younger at the time of first HCM diagnosis ((39.7±10.4) years old vs. (48.5±9.5) years old, P<0.001) and had higher ratio of sudden cardiac death family history (19.0%(4/21) vs. 2.5%(14/558), P=0.003), more patients of future D-HCM patients had ventricular tachycardia (38.1%(8/21) vs. 5.7%(32/558), P<0.001) and higher Troponin-I(66.7%(14/21) vs. 9.3%(52/558), P<0.001) before the left ventricular cavity enlargement. Moreover, MLVWH ((24.8±4.2) mm vs. (17.2±3.5) mm, P<0.001) was significantly thicker and LAD ((39.8±5.9) mm vs. (35.2±3.3) mm, P<0.001) was significantly larger in D-HCM patients than in classical HCM patients. During the(3.8±1.9) years follow up period, 12 out of 21 D-HCM patients died (57.1%), 5 cases(23.8%)died of severe heart failure and 7 cases(33.3%) died of sudden cardiac death. One patient received heart transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Few classical HCM patients progressed into D-HCM in this cohort. Patients diagnosed as HCM at young age, HCM patients with abnormal Troponin I and ventricular tachycardia are at higher risk of developing D-HCM. The prognosis of D-HCM is very poor, and heart failure and sudden cardiac death are the main causes of death.

Observation of the Singly Cabibbo-Suppressed Decay D^{+}→ωπ^{+} and Evidence for D^{0}→ωπ^{0}

Based on 2.93  fb^{-1} e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken at center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV by the BESIII detector, we report searches for the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D^{+}→ωπ^{+} and D^{0}→ωπ^{0}. A double tag technique is used to measure the absolute branching fractions B(D^{+}→ωπ^{+})=(2.79±0.57±0.16)×10^{-4} and B(D^{0}→ωπ^{0})=(1.17±0.34±0.07)×10^{-4}, with statistical significances of 5.5σ and 4.1σ, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Measurements of Absolute Hadronic Branching Fractions of the Λ_{c}^{+} Baryon

We report the first measurement of absolute hadronic branching fractions of Λ_{c}^{+} baryon at the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} production threshold, in the 30 years since the Λ_{c}^{+} discovery. In total, 12 Cabibbo-favored Λ_{c}^{+} hadronic decay modes are analyzed with a double-tag technique, based on a sample of 567  pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collisions at sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV recorded with the BESIII detector. A global least-squares fitter is utilized to improve the measured precision. Among the measurements for twelve Λ_{c}^{+} decay modes, the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+} is determined to be (5.84±0.27±0.23)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. In addition, the measurements of the branching fractions of the other 11 Cabibbo-favored hadronic decay modes are significantly improved.

Transcriptional analysis of atrial and ventricular muscles from rats

Previous studies have used microarray technology to explore gene expression differences between the atrium and the ventricle. However, selection criteria for the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) based only on either the fold change or the P value in these studies. Here, we aim to further identify the DEGs by setting a P value threshold of <0.05 and a fold change of >2, which may yield more specific gene expression differences between the atrium and the ventricle. Gene expression profiling of the atrial appendages and the ventricular free walls in 13 normal male Sprague Dawley rats were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus data base (accession No.: GSE5266). DEGs between the atrial and the ventricular samples were screened using the microarray significance analysis. The underlying functions of DEGs were predicted by gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses. In addition, we also constructed protein interactions networks, and analyzed the function modules of the interacting proteins by MCODE. A total of 757DEGs between the atria and the ventricles were found. The genes highly expressed in the ventricular myocytes were associated with muscle contraction (e.g., Myl1, Myl2, Myl3, and Myh7) and energy production (e.g., Acadm and Acsl6), while the genes preferentially expressed in the atrial myocytes were involved in the integration of neurohumoral signals (e.g., Cldn1). These conclusions were confirmed by pathway enrichment and function module analyses. Our present study provides an overview of the transcript level differences between the atrium and the ventricle, which may be useful for determination of potential biomarkers.

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.

Combination of the Manifold Dimensionality Reduction Methods with Least Squares Support vector machines for Classifying the Species of Sorghum Seeds

This study was carried out for rapid and noninvasive determination of the class of sorghum species by using the manifold dimensionality reduction (MDR) method and the nonlinear regression method of least squares support vector machines (LS-SVM) combing with the mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) techniques. The methods of Durbin and Run test of augmented partial residual plot (APaRP) were performed to diagnose the nonlinearity of the raw spectral data. The nonlinear MDR methods of isometric feature mapping (ISOMAP), local linear embedding, laplacian eigenmaps and local tangent space alignment, as well as the linear MDR methods of principle component analysis and metric multidimensional scaling were employed to extract the feature variables. The extracted characteristic variables were utilized as the input of LS-SVM and established the relationship between the spectra and the target attributes. The mean average precision (MAP) scores and prediction accuracy were respectively used to evaluate the performance of models. The prediction results showed that the ISOMAP-LS-SVM model obtained the best classification performance, where the MAP scores and prediction accuracy were 0.947 and 92.86%, respectively. It can be concluded that the ISOMAP-LS-SVM model combined with the MIRS technique has the potential of classifying the species of sorghum in a reasonable accuracy.

Bortezomib-based treatment of acute antibody-mediated rejection: a case report

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is an important factor affecting survival after renal transplantation. A highly selective proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, clears activated plasma cells from the body and has important therapeutic effect on AMR. We investigated the effects of bortezomib on AMR in a patient after a second renal transplant. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of mixed cellular rejection and AMR. Bortezomib was administered on day 1 (1.3 mg/m(2)), day 4 (1.0 mg/m(2)), and day 8 (1.0 mg/m(2)). On the same days, 250 mg methylprednisolone was administered once, and cyclosporine dose (5 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)) was reduced by 50%. Oral mycophenolate mofetil and steroid were withdrawn on day 1 of bortezomib treatment. Intermittent double-filtration plasmapheresis was also performed. We monitored parameters, including T lymphocyte subsets, CD139 and CD19 expression, panel reactive antibody (PRA), and serum creatinine concentration. At follow-up 6 months after bortezomib treatment, we observed: 1) serum creatinine stabilized at 130 μM from a peak level of 337 μM; 2) PRA decreased from a maximum of 66.7 to 0%; 3) blood plasma cell percentage rebounded after significantly decreasing following the first dose of bortezomib; 4) in renal allograft biopsy, immunohistochemical staining for C4d shifted from strongly positive to negative, and cellular rejection shifted from type IIA to borderline; and 5) adverse effects such as platelet suppression, hypotension, and grade 3 peripheral neuropathy emerged. Bortezomib effectively treated antibody-mediated renal transplantation rejection in this case study, but clinical trials with large sample sizes are still needed to explore clinical safety and tolerability.

Edge multi-energy soft x-ray diagnostic in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak

A multi-energy soft x-ray (ME-SXR) diagnostic has been built for electron temperature profile in the edge plasma region in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) after two rounds of campaigns. Originally, five preamplifiers were mounted inside the EAST vacuum vessel chamber attached to five vertically stacked compact diode arrays. A custom mechanical structure was designed to protect the detectors and electronics under constraints of the tangential field of view for plasma edge and the allocation of space. In the next experiment, the mechanical structure was redesigned with a barrel structure to absolutely isolate it from the vacuum vessel. Multiple shielding structures were mounted at the pinhole head to protect the metal foils from lithium coating. The pre-amplifiers were moved to the outside of the vacuum chamber to avoid introducing interference. Twisted copper cooling tube was embedded into the back-shell near the diode to limit the temperature of the preamplifiers and diode arrays during vacuum vessel baking when the temperature reached 150 °C. Electron temperature profiles were reconstructed from ME-SXR measurements using neural networks.

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.

Bioinformatic analysis of potential candidates for therapy of inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) increased the risk for developing colorectal cancer. However, there is no effective therapy for IBDs. The aim of this study was to identify potential therapeutic targets for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and explore the possible mechanism underlying this disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gene expression profile GSE6731 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database, which included 9 UC samples and 19 CD samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between affected colon tissues and non-affected tissues were identified in UC and CD group. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis of DEGs were performed. Modules in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were identified, and significant node genes were selected.

RESULTS

Total 619 DEGs including 285 up-regulated genes and 334 down-regulated genes were identified in UC group and total 1159 DEGs of CD including 585 up-regulated genes and 574 down-regulated genes were selected. Module was selected from PPI network. From the PPI network and module, DEGs of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), N-myc downstream regulated 1 (NDRG1) and major histocompatibility complex, class II, DR alpha (HLA-DRA) have high degree.

CONCLUSIONS

MAPK3, NDRG1 and HLA-DRA may play key roles in the progression and development of IBD. They may be used as specific therapeutic targets in the treatment of IBD. However, further experiments are still needed to confirm our results.

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.

Breeding of a target genotype variety based on identified chalkiness marker-QTL associations in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The aim of this study was to breed a target genotype variety based on the identified chalkiness marker-QTL (quantitative trait locus) associations in rice. First, a permanent mapping population of rice that consisted of 525 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), which were derived from Zhenshan 97/Minghui 63, was used to identify QTLs with additive effects for rice quantitative traits and percentage of grain chalkiness (PGC). Subsequently, based on the identified QTLs in rice, the molecular marker 68923-PGC was selected to screen the low chalkiness rice line. Then, using the integration of molecular marker breeding and traditional breeding, we analyzed the genotype and phenotype of inbred lines from 525 RILs; we identified one rice variety with particularly high yields, good taste, and broad adaptability. The new variety was temporarily named RIL10, which was a high quality, high yield, and broadly adaptable variety, and it is predominantly a feature that has contributed to its geographical adaptability, which would be planted from 35°E to 18°E in Chinain China, where 2/3 of rice production occurs. RIL10 was a marker-assisted selection breeding achievement for producing a high quality, high yield, and broadly adaptable rice variety.

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)^{±}.