Platelet count evaluation using three automated haematology analysers compared with the immunoplatelet reference method, and estimation of possible inadequate platelet transfusion

The accuracy of three automated haematology analysers [Sysmex XE-2100 (both optical and impedance mode), Bayer Advia 120, and Beckman Coulter LH-750] was compared with the immunoplatelet reference method for platelet measurement. A total of 165 blood specimens were obtained from patients and platelet counts were determined using the four-automated haematology analyser methods and the immunoplatelet reference method. The coefficients of determination (R(2)) between the automated haematology analyser methods and the immunoplatelet reference method for the overall platelet range were >0.98. A bias study, however, showed some disagreement. The use of a coincidence correction calculation for the immunoplatelet method did not improve the correlation between the immunoplatelet method and the automated haematology analyser methods. To estimate the possibility of inadequate platelet transfusion, the number of prophylactic platelet transfusion indications determined by the automated haematology analyser platelet counts were compared with the number of transfusion indications according to the platelet counts determined by the immunoplatelet method. An additional 48 blood specimens were included in this analysis. All of the automated haematology analysers showed some disagreement in the transfusion indications when compared with the immunoplatelet method, suggesting the possibility of inadequate platelet transfusion.

Pretransplant donor-specific interferon-gamma ELISPOT assay predicts acute rejection episodes in renal transplant recipients

Interferon (IFN)-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay is a powerful tool for measuring the frequency of alloantigen-specific T cells, reflecting cellular immunity. We correlated the pretransplant frequencies of donor-specific and third-party-specific IFN-gamma ELISPOT tests, with the posttransplant outcomes of 45 recipients of living donor renal transplantations. The mean frequency of pretransplant donor-specific ELISPOT was significantly greater among patients with acute rejection episodes (ARE) than those without ARE (18.0 [12 to 50] versus 8.8 [5 to 30.4]) spots per 200,000 peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs; P=.024). A cutoff level of 12 spots per 200,000 PBLs on the donor-specific ELISPOT identified an ARE-positive patient with a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 64.7%. The recipients with pretransplant donor-specific ELISPOT+showed higher serum creatinine levels and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 6 posttransplant months (P<.05). Although the pretransplant third-party-specific ELISPOT results correlated with the donor-specific ELISPOT results (r=.783; P<.001), there was no significant difference in the third-party ELISPOT results between the ARE-positive and ARE-negative recipients. In conclusion, an analysis of pretransplant donor-specific IFN-gamma ELISPOT may identify the posttransplant risk of developing ARE and displaying decreased GFR at 6 months.

Cross-section-constrained top-quark mass measurement from dilepton events at the Tevatron

We report the first top-quark mass measurement that uses a cross-section constraint to improve the mass determination. This measurement is made with a dilepton tt event candidate sample collected with the Collider Detector II at Fermilab. From a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.2 fb(-1), we measure a top-quark mass of 170.7(-3.9)(+4.2)(stat)+/-2.6(syst)+/-2.4(theory) GeV/c(2). The measurement without the cross-section constraint is 169.7(-4.9)(+5.2)(stat)+/-3.1(syst) GeV/c(2).

Gastric schwannomas: radiological features with endoscopic and pathological correlation

AIM

To describe the radiological, endoscopic, and pathological findings of gastric schwannomas in 16 patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The radiological, endoscopic, and pathological findings of 16 surgically proven cases of gastric schwannoma were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) and four patients were evaluated with upper gastrointestinal series. Two radiologists reviewed the CT and upper gastrointestinal series images by consensus with regard to tumour size, contour, margin, and growth pattern, the presence or absence of ulcer, cystic change, and the CT enhancement pattern. Endoscopy was performed in eight of these 16 patients. Six patients underwent endoscopic ultrasonography. Pathological specimens were obtained from and reviewed in all 16 patients. Immunohistochemistry was performed for c-kit, CD34, smooth muscle actin, and S-100 protein.

RESULTS

On radiographic examination, gastric schwannomas appeared as submucosal tumours with the CT features of well-demarcated, homogeneous, and uncommonly ulcerated masses. Endoscopy with endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated homogeneous, submucosal masses contiguous with the muscularis propria in all six examined cases. On pathological examination, gastric schwannomas appeared as well-circumscribed and homogeneous tumours in the muscularis propria and consisted microscopically of interlacing bundles of spindle cells. Strong positivity for S-100 protein was demonstrated in all 16 cases on immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSION

Gastric schwannomas appear as submucosal tumours of the stomach and have well-demarcated and homogeneous features on CT, endoscopic ultrasonography, and gross pathology. Immunohistochemistry consistently reveals positivity for S-100 protein in the tumours.

Search for standard model Higgs bosons produced in association with W bosons

We report on the results of a search for standard model Higgs bosons produced in association with W bosons from pp[over] collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV. The search uses a data sample corresponding to approximately 1 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity. Events consistent with the W-->lnu and H-->bb[over] signature are selected by triggering on a high-p(T) electron or muon candidate and tagging one or two of the jet candidates as having originated from b quarks. A neural network filter rejects a fraction of tagged charm and light-flavor jets, increasing the b-jet purity in the sample. We observe no excess lnubb[over] production beyond the background expectation, and we set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching fraction sigma(pp[over]-->WH)Br(H-->bb[over]) ranging from 3.9 to 1.3 pb, for specific Higgs boson mass hypotheses in the range 110 to 150 GeV/c2, respectively.

First observation of the decay Bs0-->Ds-Ds+ and measurement of its branching ratio

We report the observation of the exclusive decay Bs0-->Ds-Ds+ at the 7.5 standard deviation level using 355 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron. We measure the relative branching ratio B(Bs0-->Ds-Ds+)/B(B0-->D-Ds+)=1.44(-0.44)(+0.48). Using the world average value for B(B0-->D-Ds+), we find B(Bs0-->Ds-Ds+)=(9.4(-4.2)(+4.4))x10(-3). This provides a lower bound DeltaGammasCP/Gammas>or=2B(Bs0-->Ds-Ds+)>1.2x10(-2) at 95% C.L.

Genistein and daidzein prevent diabetes onset by elevating insulin level and altering hepatic gluconeogenic and lipogenic enzyme activities in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice

BACKGROUND

Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice are regarded as being excellent animal models of human type 1 diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM). This study investigated the beneficial effects of genistein and daidzein on IDDM, an autoimmune disease.

METHODS

Female NOD mice were divided into control, genistein (0.02%, w/w) and daidzein (0.02%, w/w) groups. Blood glucose level, plasma biomarkers, hepatic glucose and lipid regulating enzyme activities and pancreas immunohistochemistry analysis were examined after a 9-week experimental period.

RESULTS

Blood glucose levels of genistein and daidzein groups were 40 and 36% of control value at the end of study (9th week). The genistein and daidzein supplements increased insulin/glucagon ratio and C-peptide level with preservation of insulin staining beta-cell of pancreas in the NOD mice. In the liver, genistein and daidzein supplements resulted in lowering glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activities, while increasing two lipogenic enzymes activities, malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), compared to the control group. Significantly, genistein and daidzein supplementation lowered the activities of fatty acid beta-oxidation and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) in these mice. Genistein and daidzein also improved plasma triglyceride and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that genistein and daidzein play important roles in regulation of glucose homeostasis in type 1 diabetic mice by down-regulating G6Pase, PEPCK, fatty acid beta-oxidation and CPT activities, while up-regulating malic enzyme and G6PD activities in liver with preservation of pancreatic beta-cells. The supplementation of genistein and daidzein are seemingly helpful for preventing IDDM onset.

Search for exclusive gammagamma production in Hadron-Hadron collisions

We have searched for exclusive gammagamma production in proton-antiproton collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV, using 532 pb(-1) of integrated luminosity taken by the run II Collider Detector at Fermilab. The event signature requires two electromagnetic showers, each with transverse energy E(T)>5 GeV and pseudorapidity |eta|<1.0, with no other particles detected in the event. Three candidate events are observed. We discuss the consistency of the three events with gammagamma, pi(0)pi(0), or eta eta production. The probability that other processes fluctuate to >or=3 events is 1.7x10(-4). An upper limit on the cross section of pp-->p + gammagamma + p production is set at 410 fb with 95% confidence level.

Observation of the Heavy Baryons Sigma b and Sigma b*

We report an observation of new bottom baryons produced in pp collisions at the Tevatron. Using 1.1 fb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector, we observe four Lambda b 0 pi+/- resonances in the fully reconstructed decay mode Lambda b 0-->Lambda c + pi-, where Lambda c+-->pK* pi+. We interpret these states as the Sigma b(*)+/- baryons and measure the following masses: m Sigma b+=5807.8 -2.2 +2.0(stat.)+/-1.7(syst.) MeV/c2, m Sigma b- =5815.2+/-1.0(stat.)+/-1.7(syst.) MeV/c2, and m(Sigma b*)-m(Sigma b)=21.2-1.9 +2.0(stat.)-0.3+0.4(syst.) MeV/c2.

Search for chargino-neutralino production in pp collisions at sq rt[s] = 1.96 TeV

We present a search for associated production of the chargino and neutralino supersymmetric particles using up to 1.1 fb{-1} of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF II experiment at the Tevatron pp collider at sq rt[s]=1.96 TeV. We analyze events with a large transverse momentum imbalance and either three charged leptons or two charged leptons of the same electric charge. The numbers of observed events are consistent with standard model expectations. Upper limits on the production cross section are derived in different theoretical models.

Precise measurement of the top-quark mass in the lepton+jets topology at CDF II

We present a measurement of the mass of the top quark from proton-antiproton collisions recorded at the CDF experiment in Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron. We analyze events from the single lepton plus jets final state (tt-->W(+)bW(-)b-->lnubqq'b). The top-quark mass is extracted using a direct calculation of the probability density that each event corresponds to the tt final state. The probability is a function of both the mass of the top quark and the energy scale of the calorimeter jets, which is constrained in situ by the hadronic W boson mass. Using 167 events observed in 955 pb(-1) of integrated luminosity, we achieve the single most precise measurement of the top-quark mass, 170.8+/-2.2(stat.)+/-1.4(syst.) GeV/c(2).

Search for new physics in high-mass electron-positron events in pp[over] collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV

We report the results of a search for a narrow resonance in electron-positron events in the invariant mass range of 150-950 GeV/c(2) using 1.3 fb(-1) of pp[over] collision data at square root s = 1.96 TeV collected by the CDF II detector at Fermilab. No significant evidence of such a resonance is observed and we interpret the results to exclude the standard-model-like Z' with a mass below 923 GeV/c(2) and the Randall-Sundrum graviton with a mass below 807 GeV/c(2) for k/M[over](pl) = 0.1, both at the 95% confidence level. Combining with diphoton data excludes the Randall-Sundrum graviton for masses below 889 GeV/c(2) for k/M[over](pl) = 0.1.

Search for high-mass diphoton states and limits on Randall-Sundrum gravitons at CDF

We have performed a search for new particles which decay to two photons using 1.2 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity from pp[over] collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV collected using the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We find the diphoton mass spectrum to be in agreement with the standard model expectation, and set limits on the cross section times branching ratio for the Randall-Sundrum graviton, as a function of diphoton mass. We subsequently derive lower limits for the graviton mass of 230 GeV/c(2) and 850 GeV/c(2), at the 95% confidence level, for coupling parameters (k/M[over](Pl)) of 0.01 and 0.1, respectively.

First measurement of the W-boson mass in run II of the Tevatron

We present a measurement of the W-boson mass using 200 pb{-1} of data collected in pp[over ] collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV by the CDF II detector at run II of the Fermilab Tevatron. With a sample of 63 964 W-->enu candidates and 51 128 W-->munu candidates, we measure M_{W}=80 413+/-34{stat}+/-34{syst}=80,413+/-48 MeV/c;{2}. This is the most precise single measurement of the W-boson mass to date.

Polarizations of J/psi and psi(2S) mesons produced in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV

We have measured the polarizations of J/psi and psi(2S) mesons as functions of their transverse momentum p(T) when they are produced promptly in the rapidity range |y| < 0.6 with p(T) > or =5 GeV/c. The analysis is performed using a data sample with an integrated luminosity of about 800 pb(-1) collected by the CDF II detector. For both vector mesons, we find that the polarizations become increasingly longitudinal as p(T) increases from 5 to 30 GeV/c. These results are compared to the predictions of nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics and other contemporary models. The effective polarizations of J/psi and psi(2S) mesons from B-hadron decays are also reported.

Search for heavy long-lived particles that decay to photons at CDF II

We present the first search for heavy, long-lived particles that decay to photons at a hadron collider. We use a sample of gamma + jet + missing transverse energy events in pp[over] collisions at square root[s] = 1.96 TeV taken with the CDF II detector. Candidate events are selected based on the arrival time of the photon at the detector. Using an integrated luminosity of 570 pb(-1) of collision data, we observe 2 events, consistent with the background estimate of 1.3+/-0.7 events. While our search strategy does not rely on model-specific dynamics, we set cross section limits in a supersymmetric model with [Formula: see text] and place the world-best 95% C.L. lower limit on the [Formula: see text] mass of 101 GeV/c(2) at [Formula: see text].

Observation and mass measurement of the baryon Xib-

We report the observation and measurement of the mass of the bottom, strange baryon Xi(b)- through the decay chain Xi(b)- -->J/psiXi-, where J/psi-->mu+mu-, Xi- -->Lambdapi-, and Lambda-->ppi-. A signal is observed whose probability of arising from a background fluctuation is 6.6 x 10(-15), or 7.7 Gaussian standard deviations. The Xi(b)- mass is measured to be 5792.9+/-2.5(stat) +/- 1.7(syst) MeV/c2.

First measurement of the ratio of central-electron to forward-electron W partial cross sections in pp[over] collisions at (square root)s =1.96 TeV

We present a measurement of sigma(pp[over] --> W) x B(W --> e nu) at (square root)s = 1.96 TeV, using electrons identified in the forward region (1.2 < |eta| < 2.8) of the CDF II detector, in 223 pb(-1) of data. We measure sigma x B = 2796 +/- 13(stat)(-90)(+95)(syst) +/- 162(lum) pb. Combining this result with a previous CDF measurement obtained using electrons in the central region (|eta| approximately < 1), we present the first measurement of the ratio of central-electron to forward-electron W partial cross sections R(exp) = 0.925 +/- 0.006(stat) +/- 0.032(syst), consistent with theoretical predictions using Coordinated Theoretical-Experimental Project on QCD (CTEQ) and Martin-Roberts-Stirling-Thorne (MRST) parton distribution functions.

A prospective comparison study for predicting circumferential resection margin between preoperative MRI and whole mount sections in mid-rectal cancer: significance of different scan planes

AIM

The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prediction of circumferential resection margin (CRM) and to determine whether each different MRI scan plane provides an accurate CRM assessment.

METHOD

Fifty-seven consecutive patients with mid-rectal cancer were enrolled prospectively. The CRM measurement from each MRI plane according to tumor location was compared with CRM measurement on whole-mount sections with the definition of threatened CRM as 2 mm in distance. The difference in performance among the sagittal, axial and oblique MR images was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (A(z)).

RESULTS

For anterior tumors (n = 17), the A(z) of the sagittal, axial and oblique MR planes were 0.66, 0.83 and 0.79, respectively. For lateral tumors (n = 17), the A(z) of the sagittal, axial and oblique MR planes were 0.53, 0.66 and 0.78, respectively. For posterior tumors (n = 23), the A(z) of the sagittal, axial and oblique MR planes were 0.76, 0.82 and 0.97, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

MRI provides an accurate prediction of preoperative CRM. There exist differences in diagnostic accuracy according to each different scan plane of MRI and tumor location within the rectum.

Measurement of sigma chi c2 B(chi c2-->J/psi gamma)/sigma chi c1 B(chi c1 -->J/psi gamma) in pp collisions at square root s=1.96 TeV

We measure the ratio of cross section times branching fraction, Rp=sigma chi c2 B(chi c2-->J/psi gamma)/sigma chi c1 B(chi c1-->J/psi gamma), in 1.1 fb(-1) of pp collisions at square root s=1.96 TeV. This measurement covers the kinematic range pT(J/psi)>4.0 GeV/c, |eta(J/psi)<1.0, and pT(gamma)>1.0 GeV/c. For events due to prompt processes, we find Rp=0.395+/-0.016(stat)+/-0.015(syst). This result represents a significant improvement in precision over previous measurements of prompt chi c1,2 hadro production.

Inclusive search for new physics with like-sign dilepton events in pp collisions at square root of s =1.96 TeV

We describe a search for anomalous production of events with two leptons (e or mu) of the same electric charge in pp[over ] collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. Many extensions to the standard model predict the production of two leptons of the same electric charge. This search has a significant increase in sensitivity compared to earlier searches. Using a data sample corresponding to 1 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity recorded by the CDF II detector, we observe no significant excess in an inclusive selection (expect 33.2+/-4.7 events, observe 44) or in a supersymmetry-optimized selection (expect 7.8+/-1.1 events, observe 13.).

Calcified endobronchial leiomyoma

We report a case of calcified endobronchial leiomyoma in the left main bronchus. Leiomyoma of the airways is a rare benign tumour, usually described as a solitary lesion and located in the membranous portion of the lower third of the trachea and rarely in the bronchi. Chest CT showed a well-defined, calcified, polypoid endobronchial mass with a broad stalk in the left main bronchus.

Observation of WZ production

We report the first observation of the associated production of a W boson and a Z boson. This result is based on 1.1 fb;-1 of integrated luminosity from pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe 16 WZ candidates passing our event selection with an expected background of 2.7+/-0.4 events. A fit to the missing transverse energy distribution indicates an excess of events compared to the background expectation corresponding to a significance equivalent to 6 standard deviations. The measured cross section is sigma(pp-->WZ)=5.0(-1.6)(+1.8) pb, consistent with the standard model expectation.