Facile synthesis of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles with tunable magnetic and sensing properties

Nanoparticles (NPs) and colloidal nanocrystal clusters (CNCs) of ZnFe2O4 were synthesized by using a solvothermal method in a controlled manner through simply adjusting the solvents. When a glycerol/water mixture was used as the solvent, ZnFe2O4 NPs were obtained. However, using ethylene glycol solvent yielded well-dispersed ZnFe2O4 CNCs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data confirmed that the ZnFe2O4 NPs were a single crystalline phase with tunable sizes ranging from 12 to 20 nm, while the ZnFe2O4 CNCs of submicrometer size consisted of single-crystalline nanosheets. Magnetic measurement results showed that the ZnFe2O4 NPs were ferromagnetic with a very small hysteresis loop at room temperature. However, CNCs displayed a superparamagnetic behavior due to preferred orientations of the nanosheets. Electrochemical sensing properties showed that both the size of the NPs and the structure of the CNCs had a great influence on their electrochemical properties in the reduction of H2O2. Based on the experimental results, the formation mechanisms of both the ZnFe2O4 CNCs and NPs as well as their structure-property relationship were discussed.

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure in e+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ at sqrt[s] = 4.26 GeV

We study the process ee+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ at a center-of-mass energy of 4.260 GeV using a 525  pb(-1) data sample collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross section is measured to be (62.9±1.9±3.7)  pb, consistent with the production of the Y(4260). We observe a structure at around 3.9  GeV/c2 in the π(±)J/ψ mass spectrum, which we refer to as the Z(c)(3900). If interpreted as a new particle, it is unusual in that it carries an electric charge and couples to charmonium. A fit to the π(±)J/ψ invariant mass spectrum, neglecting interference, results in a mass of (3899.0±3.6±4.9)  MeV/c2 and a width of (46±10±20)  MeV. Its production ratio is measured to be R = (σ(e+ e- → π(±)Z(c)(3900)(∓) → π+ π- J/ψ)/σ(e+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ)) = (21.5±3.3±7.5)%. In all measurements the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic.

CD19+CD24highCD38high B cells exhibit higher ability in TGF-β and IL-10 secretion and suppressing of CD4+ T cell proliferation but are quantitatively decreased in G-BM of healthy donors (P2146)

In this study, we investigated the alteration of B cell compartment before and after treating healthy donors with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and the principal role of CD19+CD24highCD38high B cells in suppressing T cell proliferation. Our studies revealed that G-CSF-primed bone marrow (G-BM) contains significantly lower numbers of CD19+CD24highCD38high B cells than that of steady-state bone marrow (SS-BM) (P=0.001). Compared to SS-BM, the expression of L-selectin, LFA-1, and ICAM-1 on CD19+CD24highCD38high B cells was significantly lower than that of SS-BM (P=0.019, 0.001, 0.015, respectively). The percentages of interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transform growth factor-β (TGF-β) producing CD19+CD24highCD38high B cells were significantly higher in G-BM than those in SS-BM (P=0.011, and 0.001, respectively). The concentration of IL-10 and TGF-β in cultural supernatant of purified bone marrow B cells in G-BM was also significantly higher than those of SS-BM (P<0.05 for all). Ability in suppression of CD4+CD25- T cell proliferation by activated bone marrow B cells in G-BM was significantly higher than that of SS-BM (P=0.001). Our results suggest that CD19+CD24highCD38high B cells in G-BM of healthy donors exhibit higher ability in TGF-β and IL-10 secretion and suppressing of CD4+ T cell proliferation but are quantitatively decreased. ** Address for Correspondence: Xiao-Jun. Huang, MD E-mail: huangxiaojun@bjmu.edu.cn

Observation of two new N* resonances in the decay ψ(3686)→ppπ0

Based on 106×10(6)ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII facility, a partial wave analysis of ψ(3686)→ppπ0 is performed. The branching fraction of this channel has been determined to be B(ψ(3686)→ppπ0)=(1.65±0.03±0.15)×10(-4). In this decay, 7 N* intermediate resonances are observed. Among these, two new resonances, N(2300) and N(2570) are significant, one 1/2+ resonance with a mass of 2300(-30-0)(+40+109)  MeV/c2 and width of 340(-30-58)(+30+110)  MeV/c2, and one 5/2- resonance with a mass of 2570(-10-10)(+19+34)  MeV/c2 and width of 250(-24-21)(+14+69)  MeV/c2. For the remaining 5 N* intermediate resonances [N(1440), N(1520), N(1535), N(1650) and N(1720)], the analysis yields mass and width values that are consistent with those from established resonances.

Evidence for the direct two-photon transition from ψ(3686) to J/ψ

The two-photon transition ψ(3686)→γγJ/ψ is studied in a sample of 1.06×10(8) ψ(3686) decays collected by the BESIII detector. The branching fraction is measured to be (3.1±0.6(stat)(-1.0)(+0.8)(syst))×10(-4) using J/ψ→e(+)e(-) and J/ψ→μ(+)μ(-) decays, and its upper limit is estimated to be 4.5×10(-4) at the 90% confidence level. This work represents the first measurement of a two-photon transition among charmonium states. The orientation of the ψ(3686) decay plane and the J/ψ polarization in this decay are also studied. In addition, the product branching fractions of sequential E1 transitions ψ(3686)→γχ(cJ) and χ(cJ)→γJ/ψ(J=0,1,2) are reported.

First observation of the M1 transition ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S)

Using a sample of 106×10(6) ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring, we have made the first measurement of the M1 transition between the radially excited charmonium S-wave spin-triplet and the radially excited S-wave spin-singlet states: ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S). Analyses of the processes ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S) with η(c)(2S)→K(S)(0)K(±)π(∓) and K(+)K(-)π(0) give an η(c)(2S) signal with a statistical significance of greater than 10 standard deviations under a wide range of assumptions about the signal and background properties. The data are used to obtain measurements of the η(c)(2S) mass (M(η(c)(2S))=3637.6±2.9(stat)±1.6(syst) MeV/c(2)), width (Γ(η(c)(2S))=16.9±6.4(stat)±4.8(syst) MeV), and the product branching-fraction (B(ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S))×B(η(c)(2S)→KKπ)=(1.30±0.20(stat)±0.30(syst))×10(-5)). Combining our result with a BABAR measurement of B(η(c)(2S)→KKπ), we find the branching fraction of the M1 transition to be B(ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S))=(6.8±1.1(stat)±4.5(syst))×10(-4).

Measurements of the mass and width of the η(c) using the decay ψ(3686)→γη(c)

The mass and width of the lowest-lying S-wave spin singlet charmonium state, the η(c), are measured using a data sample of 1.06×10(8) ψ(3686) decays collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. We use a model that incorporates full interference between the signal reaction, ψ(3686)→γη(c), and a nonresonant radiative background to describe the line shape of the η(c) successfully. We measure the η(c) mass to be 2984.3±0.6±0.6 MeV/c(2) and the total width to be 32.0±1.2±1.0 MeV, where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic.

First observation of η(1405) decays into f(0)(980)π0

The decays J/ψ → γ π+ π- π0 and J/ψ → γ π0 π0 π0 are analyzed using a sample of 225×10(6) J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector. The decay of η(1405) → f(0)(980)π0 with a large isospin violation is observed for the first time. The width of the f(0)(980) observed in the dipion mass spectra is anomalously narrower than the world average. Decay rates for three-pion decays of the η' are also measured precisely.

Plasma level of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein is indicative of acute graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is the major cause of non-relapse mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. To date, there are no consensus specific plasma biomarkers for aGVHD. We recently identified several candidates differentially expressed in aGVHD patients. Here, we have validated one such candidate: lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP). We detected plasma LBP level by ELISA in 73 patients and performed correlation analysis with the progression and severity of aGVHD. We found that plasma LBP level increased during the period of aGVHD and decreased markedly as aGVHD was resolved. LBP level in patients with moderate aGVHD (25-50 % skin rash area of grade 1 and grade 2) was higher than in patients with no, little (skin rash area <25 % of grade 1), or severe aGVHD (grade 3-4). Higher LBP level indicated higher probability of aGVHD. Multivariate analysis showed that LBP level above 15000 ng/ml was significantly associated with an increased risk of aGVHD (HR 2.43; 95 % CI 1.29-4.58; P = 0.006). If LBP level exceeded 15000 ng/ml at d7 and d14 after HSCT, the subsequent probability of aGVHD increased markedly, especially at the time point of d14. There was no correlation between LBP level and the site of aGVHD. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that an elevated LBP level of >15000 ng/ml may serve as a biomarker for the prediction and monitoring of aGVHD.

Anticipitated and Surprising effect of IL-17-producing CD4+ T Cells on chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease after Unmanipulated Allogeneic Blood and Marrow Transplantation (126.17)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Th17 cells on chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) in patients who had undergone allogeneic transplantation. Allograft from 41 patients were analyzed for Th17 with respect to cGVHD. Seven patients with cGVHD onset and after those achieved complete remission (CR) were monitored for the Th17 in the peripheral blood (PB). RNA was isolated from PB mononuclear cells to detect the transcript levels of STAT5, T-bet, Foxp3 and RORγ. There were significantly differences in Th17 dose in allograft between patients with and without cGVHD (p=0.012), especially with local or pure cGVHD (p=0.001). Patients received a higher Th17 dose in allograft (&gt;1.67×106/kg, p=0.018,n=20) exhibited a higher incidence of cGVHD compared to those received lower Th17 dose (n=21). Th17 cells were highly increased when cGVHD onset and decreased drastically following CR (p=0.018). Patients received a higher Th17 dose exhibited a trend to have the lower incidence of transplantation related mortality (p=0.084) and relapse (p=0.181), and achieved higher incidence of overall survival (p=0.082) and leukemia free survival (p=0.026). No differences in the transcript levels of STAT, T-bet, Foxp3 and RORγwere found between patients with cGVHD onset and after CR. These results suggested that Th17 cells contributed to cGVHD, especially skin cGVHD, and might account for the anti-leukemia effect, therefore increasing the leukemia free survival.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells mobilized by G-CSF in allografts correlate with low risk of acute graft-versus host disease in patients undergoing unmanipulated allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (126.18)

Introduction:The aim of this study was to investigate the association of donor myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in allografts with acute graft-versus host disease(aGVHD) in patients who had undergone granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cell (G-PBPC) and G-CSF-primed bone marrow (G-BM) transplantation. Methods: Unmanipulated allografts from 71 patients were prospectively analyzed for MDSCs with respect to aGVHD, in which 23 patients got HLA-matched donors and 48 patients had haploidentical donors. Results: Median numbers (range) of monocytic/ granulocytic/ promyelocytic MDSCs were:3.43(0.31-10.65)×106/kg, 8.23(0.85-16.2 )×106/kg , 1.11(0.51-3.53)×107/kg ,respectively in G-BM and these of monocytic/ granulocytic MDSCs were:1.64(0.28-4.3)×107/kg , 1.96(0.62-6.2)×107/kg , respectively in G-PBPC. The incidence of grades II-IV aGVHD was 29.6%, and there was no difference between the HLA-matched and haploidentical transplantation group. Patients who received a higher dose of promyelocytic MDSCs(&gt;0.82×107/kg, p&lt;0.001) in G-BM or a higher total dose of monocytic MDSCs in G-BM and G-PBPC (&gt;1.23×107/kg, p&lt;0.001) exhibited a lower incidence of grades II-IV aGVHD. Conclusion: Our results suggest that a high number of MDSCs infused were associated with decreased risk of aGVHD in allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation, which may reflect the immune suppressive function of MDSCs in allogeneic transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in China: where we are and where to go

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an effective and sometimes the only curative therapy for patients with certain hematological diseases. Allo-HSCT has been practiced in China for approximately 30 years, and great improvements have been made within the past decade, particularly in fields such as the haploidentical HSCT system, strategies to overcome relapse and GVHD, and modified HSCT for elderly patients. This review will describe the current situation and provide a prospective of these unique aspects of Allo-HSCT in China.

Spin-parity analysis of pp¯ mass threshold structure in J/ψ and ψ(3686) radiative decays

A partial wave analysis of the pp¯ mass-threshold enhancement in the reaction J/ψ→γpp¯ is used to determine its J(PC) quantum numbers to be 0(-+), its peak mass to be below threshold at M=1832(-5)(+19)(stat)(-17)(+18)(syst)±19(model) MeV/c(2), and its total width to be Γ<76 MeV/c(2) at the 90% C.L. The product of branching ratios is measured to be BR[J/ψ→γX(pp¯)]BR[X(pp¯)→pp¯]=[9.0(-1.1)(+0.4)(stat)(-5.0)(+1.5)(syst)±2.3(model)]×10(-5). A similar analysis performed on ψ(3686)→γpp¯ decays shows, for the first time, the presence of a corresponding enhancement with a production rate relative to that for J/ψ decays of R=[5.08(-0.45)(+0.71)(stat)(-3.58)(+0.67)(syst)±0.12(model)]%.

MicroRNA and transcription factor co-regulatory network analysis reveals miR-19 inhibits CYLD in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy. The understanding of its gene expression regulation and molecular mechanisms still remains elusive. Started from experimentally verified T-ALL-related miRNAs and genes, we obtained 120 feed-forward loops (FFLs) among T-ALL-related genes, miRNAs and TFs through combining target prediction. Afterwards, a T-ALL miRNA and TF co-regulatory network was constructed, and its significance was tested by statistical methods. Four miRNAs in the miR-17–92 cluster and four important genes (CYLD, HOXA9, BCL2L11 and RUNX1) were found as hubs in the network. Particularly, we found that miR-19 was highly expressed in T-ALL patients and cell lines. Ectopic expression of miR-19 represses CYLD expression, while miR-19 inhibitor treatment induces CYLD protein expression and decreases NF-κB expression in the downstream signaling pathway. Thus, miR-19, CYLD and NF-κB form a regulatory FFL, which provides new clues for sustained activation of NF-κB in T-ALL. Taken together, we provided the first miRNA-TF co-regulatory network in T-ALL and proposed a model to demonstrate the roles of miR-19 and CYLD in the T-cell leukemogenesis. This study may provide potential therapeutic targets for T-ALL and shed light on combining bioinformatics with experiments in the research of complex diseases.

Endovascular treatment of ruptured and unruptured vertebral artery aneurysms

This paper analyzes the success of endovascular management of ruptured and unruptured vertebral artery aneurysms. Sixty-three patients with 65 vertebral (both acute dissection and chronic larger aneurysms are included) treated at our hospital form the basis of the analysis. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale. Angiographic follow-up data was obtained for 44 patients (69.8%) for periods ranging from three to 16 months (mean, eight months). Based on the Hunt and Hess grading scale, the patient population included 34 patients (54.0%) with unruptured aneurysms, 28 (44.4%) with Grade 1 aneurysms, one (1.6%) with Grade 2 aneurysms. The locations of the aneurysms included 25 (38.5%) at the distal to posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), 22 (33.8%) at the proximal to PICA and 18 (27.7%) at the vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery (VA-PICA). Of the 63 patients, 12 (19%) were women and 51 (81%) were men. The mean age at treatment was 41.7 years (range, six-77 yrs). Follow-up angiograms were obtained in 44 (69.8%) out of 63 patients. Complete or virtually complete thrombosis was confirmed on early posttreatment angiography in 39 (88.6%) out of 44 patients. A slight reduction in the size of the lesion was noted in three patients and there was a significant residual lesion in two (4.5%) patients. Clinical follow-up revealed 90.5% patients in the mRS 0-2 category, 4.8% patients in the mRS>2 category, and 4.8% patients had died (mRS 6). Three patients died of rebleeding (n=1) or progressive mass effect/brainstem ischemia (n=2). Ruptured and unruptured aneurysms of the vertebral artery can be well treated using endovascular techniques, overall long-term results were good in 90.5% of patients.

An oncogenic role of miR-142-3p in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) by targeting glucocorticoid receptor-α and cAMP/PKA pathways

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of 19-24 nucleotide non-coding RNAs with posttranscriptional regulatory functions. The involvement of miRNAs in normal hematopoiesis implies that deregulated miRNAs might contribute to leukemogenesis. To date, although certain miRNAs have been established a clear oncogenic role in hematological malignancies, other individual miRNAs potentially involved in human leukemogenesis still remain elusive. In this report, we showed that miR-142-3p was upregulated in human T-leukemic cell lines and primary T-leukemic cells isolated from T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients and its expressive levels were correlated with patients' prognosis. Such an oncogenic role of miR-142-3p could be explained by its targeting cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) and glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRα). High levels of miR-142-3p resulted in low levels of cAMP and weak activity of PKA, thus relieving the inhibitory effect of PKA on T-leukemic cell proliferation. Meanwhile, miR-142-3p decreased GRα protein expression by directly targeting the 3'-untranslational region of GRα mRNA, leading to glucocorticoid resistance. Transfection of the miR-142-3p inhibitor effectively converted glucocorticoid resistance, because of the resultant increase of GRα expression and PKA activity. These findings suggest that miR-142-3p is critical in T-cell leukemogenesis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in T-ALL patients.