Measurement of the Time-Dependent CP Asymmetry in B;{0}-->D_{CP};{(*)}h;{0} Decays

We report a measurement of the time-dependent CP-asymmetry parameters S and C in color-suppressed B{0}-->D{(*)0}h{0} decays, where h{0} is a pi{0}, eta, or omega meson, and the decays to one of the CP eigenstates K+K-, K{S}{0}pi{0}, or K{S}{0}omega. The data sample consists of 383 x 10{6} Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at SLAC. The results are S=-0.56+/-0.23+/-0.05 and C=-0.23+/-0.16+/-0.04, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic.

Production and decay of Omegac0

We present an analysis of inclusive Omega(c)(0) baryon production and decays in 230.5 fb(-1) of data recorded with the BABAR detector. Omega(c)(0) baryons are reconstructed in four final states (Omega(-)pi(+), Omega(-)pi(+)pi(0), Omega(-)pi(+)pi(+)pi(-), Xi(-)K(-)pi(+)pi(+)) and the corresponding ratios of branching fractions are measured. We also measure the momentum spectrum in the e(+)e(-) center-of-mass frame. From the spectrum, we observe Omega(c)(0) production from B decays and in cc events, and extract the two rates of production.

Search for the rare decay B-->pil+ l-

We have performed a search for the flavor-changing neutral-current decays B-->pil+ l-, where l+ l- is either e+ e- or mu+ mu-, using a sample of 230 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector. We observe no evidence of a signal and measure the upper limit on the isospin-averaged branching fraction to be B(B-->pil+ l-)<9.1 x 10(-8) at 90% confidence level. We also search for the lepton-flavor-violating decays B-->pie+/- mu-/+ and measure an upper limit on the isospin-averaged branching fraction of B(B-->pie+/- mu-/+)<9.2 x 10(-8) at 90% confidence level.

Observation of CP violation in B(0) --> K(+)pi(-) and B(0) --> pi(+)pi(-)

We report observations of CP violation in the decays B(0) --> K(+)pi(-) and B(0) --> pi(+)pi(-) in a sample of 383 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S) --> BB[over] events. We find 4372+/-82 B(0) --> K(+)pi(-) decays and measure the direct CP-violating charge asymmetry A(Kpi) = -0.107+/-0.018(stat)(-0.004)(+0.007)(syst), which excludes the CP-conserving hypothesis with a significance of 5.5 standard deviations. In the same sample, we find 1139+/-49 B(0) --> pi(+)pi(-) decays and measure the CP-violating asymmetries S(pipi) = -0.60+/-0.11(stat)+/-0.03(syst) and C(pipi) = -0.21+/-0.09(stat)+/-0.02(syst). CP conservation in B(0) --> pi(+)pi(-) (S(pipi) = C(pipi) = 0) is excluded at a confidence level 1-C.L. = 8 x 10(-8), corresponding to 5.4 standard deviations.

Correlates and determinants of nuclear epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) content in an oropharyngeal cancer tissue microarray

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Background: We have previously reported nuclear localization of EGFR protein in oropharyngeal cancer tissue. Nuclear EGFR levels were inversely correlated with survival and response to radiotherapy. Here, we sought to identify determinants and correlates of nuclear EGFR content. Methods: We analyzed an oropharyngeal cancer tissue microarray for expression of key molecules of EGFR signaling cascade utilizing an automated image analysis technique (AQUA) scored on a scale of 0–255 which permits protein quantitation and subcellular localization. Patients with OSCC treated with radiotherapy (RT) or surgery and RT were eligible. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression with robust standard errors. Results: Of the 95 tumors included in this study, 72 (75%) had sufficient tissue for analysis of nuclear EGFR. Nuclear EGFR levels were associated with membranous/cytoplasmic EGFR levels (rho=0.85, p<0.01), nuclear ERK2 (rho=0.34, p=0.01), tumor cyclin D1 (rho=−0.25, p=0.06) and the proliferation markers Ki-67 (rho=0.24,p=0.06) and PCNA (rho=0.38, p<0.01). Nuclear phosphorylated-Akt, PTEN, p53 levels did not correlate with nuclear EGFR level. In multivariable analysis, only PCNA retained its significant association (p=0.01). Conclusions: Our results are consistent with the preclinical model of translocation of membranous EGFR to the nucleus acting as a transcriptional factor and fostering cell proliferation. Nuclear EGFR may constitute a mechanism of resistance to current EGFR-targeted therapies.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Identification of epigenetic aberrant promoter methylation of RASSF1A in serum DNA and its clinicopathological significance in lung cancer

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Objective: To detect the hypermethylation status of RASSF1A promoter in serum DNA of lung cancer patients and to analyze its correlation with clinicopathological features. Methods: Serum DNA was extracted from peripheral blood from 80 primary lung cancer patients, 35 benign pulmonary disease patients and 15 healthy donors. The methylation status of RASSF1A promoter was determined using methylation-specific PCR technique, and the correlation between methylation profiles and clinicopathological parameters was statistically analyzed. Results: Aberrant methylation of RASSF1A was detected in 27 of the 80 (33.8%) patients with lung cancer but no benign pulmonary disease patients or healthy donors (p<0.001). RASSF1A was preferentially observed in small cell lung cancer (p=0.042), while no statistical difference was found among methylation frequencies of different subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer. The methylation status was also found to be associated with relative poor differentiation (p=0.009) and late stage (p=0.013), but not with gender, age or treatment. Conclusion: RASSF1A promoter is frequently hypermethylated in serum DNA of primary lung cancer patients, and RASSF1A is a promising novel biomarker for lung cancer diagnosis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Ruminal Nitrogen Metabolism: Perspectives for Integration of Microbiology and Nutrition for Dairy

Our objectives are to integrate current knowledge with a future perspective regarding how metagenomics can be used to integrate rumen microbiology and nutrition. Ruminal NH3-N concentration is a crude predictor of efficiency of dietary N conversion into microbial N, but as this concentration decreases below approximately 5 mg/dL (the value most often suggested to be the requirement for optimal microbial protein synthesis), blood urea N transfer into the rumen provides an increasing buffer against excessively low NH3-N concentrations, and the supply of amino N might become increasingly important to improve microbial function in dairy diets. Defaunation typically decreases NH3-N concentration, which should increase the efficiency of blood urea N and protein-derived NH3-N conversion into microbial protein in the rumen. Thus, we explain why more emphasis should be given toward characterization of protozoal interactions with proteolytic and deaminating bacterial populations. In contrast with research evaluating effects of protozoa on N metabolism, which has primarily been done with sheep and cattle with low dry matter intake, dairy cattle have greater intakes of readily available carbohydrate combined with increased ruminal passage rates. We argue that these conditions decrease protozoal biomass relative to bacterial biomass and increase the efficiency of protozoal growth, thus reducing the negative effects of bacterial predation compared with the beneficial effects that protozoa have on stabilizing the entire microbial ecosystem. A better understanding of mechanistic processes altering the production and uptake of amino N will help us to improve the overall conversion of dietary N into microbial protein and provide key information needed to further improve mechanistic models describing rumen function and evaluating dietary conditions that influence the efficiency of conversion of dietary N into milk protein.

Calcium depletion enhances nectin-1 expression and herpes oncolytic therapy of squamous cell carcinoma

Attenuated, replication-competent, oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) are effective at infecting and lysing many human malignancies in preclinical studies. Nectin-1 is a cell-surface receptor for HSV-1 envelope glycoprotein D (gD) that also forms a component of intercellular adherens junctions (AJs). We sought to determine if the disruption of AJs in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) through calcium depletion could be utilized to increase nectin-1 exposure and enhance HSV therapy. NV1023 is a single copy gamma(1)34.5-deleted, lacZ-expressing, oncolytic HSV-1. Calcium depletion caused cell separation and increased nectin-1 expression for three SCC cell lines growing at confluence. NV1023 viral entry, soluble gD protein binding and NV1023 cytotoxicity were all significantly enhanced for these cell lines at low calcium conditions. The increase in NV1023 entry at low calcium conditions was abrogated by nectin-1 antibody blockade. Murine SCC flank tumors treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) showed increased nectin-1 expression and increased susceptibility to NV1023 infection. Combined NV1023 and EDTA intratumoral injections demonstrated significantly enhanced tumor regression as compared to NV1023 alone. These findings establish, as proof-of-principle, that herpes viral receptor expression may be modulated on cancer cells to enhance oncolytic therapy. This strategy might have future application toward improving therapy with a variety of herpes vectors.

Evidence of a broad structure at an invariant mass of 4.32 GeV/c2 in the reaction e+e- --> pi+pi-psi(2S) measured at BABAR

We present a measurement of the cross section of the process e(+)e(-)-->pi(+)pi(-)psi(2S) from threshold up to 8 GeV center-of-mass energy using events containing initial-state radiation, produced at the SLAC PEP-II e(+)e(-) storage rings. The study is based on 298 fb(-1) of data recorded with the BABAR detector. A structure is observed in the cross section not far above threshold, near 4.32 GeV. We also investigate the compatibility of this structure with the Y(4260) previously reported by this experiment.

Measurement of branching fractions and mass spectra of B-->Kpipigamma

We present a measurement of the partial branching fractions and mass spectra of the exclusive radiative penguin processes B-->Kpipigamma in the range m(Kpipi)<1.8 GeV/c(2). We reconstruct four final states: K(+)pi(-)pi(+)gamma, K(+)pi(-)pi(0)gamma, K(S)(0)pi(-)pi(+)gamma, and K(S)(0)pi(+)pi(0)gamma, where K(S)(0)-->pi(+)pi(-). Using 232 x 10(6) e(+)e(-)-->BB events recorded by the BABAR experiment at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric-energy storage ring, we measure the branching fractions B(B(+)-->K(+)pi(-)pi(+)gamma)=[2.95+/-0.13(stat)+/-0.20(syst)] x 10(-5), B(B(0)-->K(+)pi(-)pi(0)gamma)=[4.07+/-0.22(stat)+/-0.31(syst)] x 10(-5), B(B(0)-->K(0)pi(+)pi(-)gamma)=[1.85+/-0.21(stat)+/-0.12(syst)] x 10(-5), and B(B(+)-->K(0)pi(+)pi(0)gamma)=[4.56+/-0.42(stat)+/-0.31(syst)] x 10(-5).

Evidence for D0-D0 mixing

We present evidence for D0-D(0) mixing in D(0)-->K(+)pi(-) decays from 384 fb(-1) of e(+)e(-) colliding-beam data recorded near square root s=10.6 GeV with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II storage rings at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. We find the mixing parameters x('2)=[-0.22+/-0.30(stat)+/-0.21(syst)] x 10(-3) and y(')=[9.7+/-4.4(stat)+/-3.1(syst)] x 10(-3) and a correlation between them of -0.95. This result is inconsistent with the no-mixing hypothesis with a significance of 3.9 standard deviations. We measure R(D), the ratio of doubly Cabibbo-suppressed to Cabibbo-favored decay rates, to be [0.303+/-0.016(stat)+/-0.010(syst)]%. We find no evidence for CP violation.

Measurements of CP-violating asymmetries in B0-->a1+/-(1260)pi-/+ decays

We present measurements of CP-violating asymmetries in the decay B(0)-->a(1)(+/-)(1260)pi(-/+) with a(1)(+/-)(1260)-->pi(-/+)pi(+/-)pi(+/-). The data sample corresponds to 384x10(6) BB[over ] pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B factory at SLAC. We measure the CP-violating asymmetry A(CP)(a(1)pi)=-0.07+/-0.07+/-0.02, the mixing-induced CP violation parameter S(a(1)pi)=0.37+/-0.21+/-0.07, the direct CP violation parameter C(a(1)pi)=-0.10+/-0.15+/-0.09, and the parameters DeltaC(a(1)pi)=0.26+/-0.15+/-0.07 and DeltaS(a(1)pi)=-0.14+/-0.21+/-0.06. From these measured quantities we determine the angle alpha(eff)=78.6 degrees +/-7.3 degrees.

The LIM-only factor LMO4 regulates expression of the BMP7 gene through an HDAC2-dependent mechanism, and controls cell proliferation and apoptosis of mammary epithelial cells

The nuclear LIM-only protein 4 (LMO4) is upregulated in breast cancer, especially estrogen receptor-negative tumors, and its overexpression in mice leads to hyperplasia and tumor formation. Here, we show that deletion of LMO4 in the mammary glands of mice leads to impaired lobuloalveolar development due to decreased epithelial cell proliferation. With the goal of discovering potential LMO4-target genes, we also developed a conditional expression system in MCF-7 cells for both LMO4 and a dominant negative (DN) form of its co-regulator, cofactor of LIM domains (Clim/Ldb/Nli). We then used DNA microarrays to identify genes responsive to LMO4 and DN-Clim upregulation. One of the genes common to both data sets was bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7), whose expression is also significantly correlated with LMO4 transcript levels in a large dataset of human breast cancers, suggesting that BMP7 is a bona fide target gene of LMO4 in breast cancer. Inhibition of BMP7 partially blocks the effects of LMO4 on apoptosis, indicating that BMP7 mediates at least some functions of LMO4. Gene transfer studies show that LMO4 regulates the BMP7 promoter, and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies show that LMO4 and its cofactor Clim2 are recruited to the BMP7 promoter. Furthermore, we demonstrate that HDAC2 recruitment to the BMP7 promoter is inhibited by upregulation of LMO4 and that HDAC2 knockdown upregulates the promoter. These studies suggest a novel mechanism of action for LMO4: LMO4, Clim2 and HDAC2 are part of a transcriptional complex, and increased LMO4 levels can disrupt the complex, leading to decreased HDAC2 recruitment and increased promoter activity.

Branching fraction measurements of B+-->rho+gamma, B0-->rho0gamma, and B0-->omegagamma

We present a study of the decays B+-->rho+gamma, B0-->rho0gamma, and B0-->omegagamma. The analysis is based on data containing 347 x 10(6) BB[over ] events recorded with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B factory. We measure the branching fractions B(B+-->rho+)gamma)=(1.10_(-0.33)(+0.37)+/-0.09)x10(-6) and B(B0-->rho0gamma)=(0.79(-0.20)(+0.22)+/-0.06)x10(-6), and set a 90% C.L. upper limit B(B0-->omegagamma)<0.78 x 10(-6). We also measure the isospin-averaged branching fraction B(B-->(rho/omega)gamma)=(1.25(-0.24)(+0.25)+/-0.09)x10(-6), from which we determine |Vtd/Vts|=0.200(-0.020)(+0.021)+/-0.015, where the first uncertainty is experimental and the second is theoretical.

Measurement of the pseudoscalar decay constant fDs using charm-tagged events in e+e- collisions at square root s=10.58 GeV

Using 230.2 fb-1 of e+e- annihilation data collected with the BABAR detector at and near the peak of the Upsilon(4S) resonance, 489+/-55 events containing the pure leptonic decay Ds+-->micro;+numicro have been isolated in charm-tagged events. The ratio of partial widths Gamma(D+-->micro+numicro)/Gamma(Ds+-->phipi+) is measured to be 0.143+/-0.018+/-0.006 allowing a determination of the pseudoscalar decay constant fDs=(283+/-17+/-7+/-14) MeV. The errors are statistical, systematic, and from the Ds+-->phipi+ branching ratio, respectively.

Inverted duplication pattern in anaphase bridges confirms the breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycle model for 11q13 amplification

The homogeneously staining region (hsr) involving chromosome band 11q13 includes amplified genes from this chromosome segment and carries a relatively poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), with shorter time to recurrence and reduced overall survival. We previously identified an inverted duplication pattern of genes within the 11q13 hsr in OSCC cells, supporting a breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycle model for gene amplification. To validate our hypothesis that 11q13 gene amplification in OSCC occurs via BFB cycles, we carried out fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes for band 11q13 on 29 OSCC cell lines. We demonstrate that all OSCC cell lines with 11q13 amplification express a significantly higher frequency of anaphase bridges containing 11q13 sequences compared to cell lines without amplification, providing further experimental evidence that 11q13 gene amplification in OSCC cells occurs via BFB cycles. Elucidation of mechanisms responsible for initiating and promoting gene amplification provides opportunities to identify new biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer, and may be useful for developing novel therapeutic strategies for patients with OSCC.

Photoluminescence and lasing from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) thin films doped with sulforhodamine

Thin solid films of salmon deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) have been fabricated by treatment with a surfactant and used as host for the laser dye sulforhodamine (SRh). The DNA films have an absorption peak at approximately 260 nm owing to absorption by the nitrogenous aromatic bases. The SRh molecules in the DNA films have absorption and emission peaks at 578 and 602 nm, respectively. The maximum emission was obtained at approximately 1 wt. % SRh in DNA, equivalent to approximately 100 DNA base pairs per SRh molecule. A distributed feedback grating structure was fabricated on a SiO(2)-Si substrate using interference lithography. The grating period of 437 nm was selected, corresponding to second-order emission at the amplified spontaneous emission wavelength of 650 nm. Lasing was obtained by pumping with a doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm. The lasing threshold was 3 microJ, corresponding to approximately 30 microJ/cm(2) or 4 kW/cm(2). The emission linewidth decreased from approximately 30 nm in the amplified spontaneous emission mode to <0.4 nm (instrument limited) in the lasing mode. The slope efficiency of the lasing was approximately 1.2%.

Evidence for B(0) --> rho(0)rho(0) decays and implications for the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle alpha

We search for the decays B(0) --> rho(0)rho(0), B(0) --> rho(0)f(0)(980), and B(0) --> f(0)(980)f(0)(980) in a sample of about 384 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S) --> BB[over] decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. We find evidence for B(0) --> rho(0)rho(0) with 3.5 sigma significance and measure the branching fraction B = (1.07 +/- 0.33 +/- 0.19) x 10(-6) and longitudinal polarization fraction f(L) = 0.87 +/- 0.13 +/- 0.04, where the first uncertainty is statistical, and the second is systematic. The uncertainty on the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark-mixing matrix unitarity angle alpha due to penguin contributions in B --> rho rho decays is 18 degrees at the 1 sigma level. We also set upper limits on the B(0) --> rho(0)f(0)(980) and B(0) --> f(0)(980)f(0)(980) decay rates.

Measurement of the B0-->pi(-l)(+nu) form-factor shape and branching fraction, and determination of /Vub/ with a loose neutrino reconstruction technique

We report the results of a study of the exclusive charmless semileptonic decay, B0-->pi(-l)(+nu), undertaken with approximately 227 x 10(6) BB pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector. The analysis uses events in which the signal B decays are reconstructed with an innovative loose neutrino reconstruction technique. We obtain partial branching fractions in 12 bins of q2, the momentum transfer squared, from which we extract the f + (q2) form-factor shape and the total branching fraction B(B0-->pi(-l)(+nu))=(1.46+/-0.07stat+/-0.08syst) x 10(-4). Based on a recent unquenched lattice QCD calculation of the form factor in the range q2>16 GeV2, we find the magnitude of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element /Vub/ to be (4.1+/-0.2stat +/- 0.2syst(+0.6)-0.4_{FF}) x 10(-3), where the last uncertainty is due to the normalization of the form factor.

Observation of decays B0-->Ds(*)+ pi- and B0-->Ds(*)- K+

We report the observation of decays B{0}-->D{s}{(*)+}pi- and B{0}-->D{s}{(*)-}K+ in a sample of 230 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB[over] events recorded with the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric-energy e+ e- storage ring. We measure the branching fractions B(B{0}-->D{s}{+}pi-)=(1.3+/-0.3(stat)+/-0.2(syst))x10(-5), B(B{0}-->D{s}{-} K+)=(2.5+/-0.4(stat)+/-0.4(syst))x10(-5), B(B{0}-->D{s}{*+}pi-)=(2.8+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.5(syst))x10(-5), and B(B{0}-->D{s}{*-}K+)=(2.0+/-0.5(stat)+/-0.4(syst))x10(-5). The significances of the measurements to differ from zero are 5, 9, 6, and 5 standard deviations, respectively. This is the first observation of B{0}-->D{s}{+}pi-, B{0}-->D{s}{*+}pi-, and B{0}-->D{s}{*-}K+ decays.

Search for lepton flavor violating decays tau(+/-) --> l(+/-)pi0, l(+/-)eta, l(+/-)eta'

A search for lepton flavor violating decays of the tau lepton to a lighter mass lepton and a pseudoscalar meson has been performed using 339 fb;{-1} of e;{+}e;{-} annihilation data collected at a center-of-mass energy near 10.58 GeV by the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II storage ring. No evidence of a signal has been found, and upper limits on the branching fractions are set at the 10;{-7} level.

Vector-tensor and vector-vector decay amplitude analysis of B0-->phiK*0

We perform an amplitude analysis of the decays B(0)-->phiK*(2)(1430)(0), phiK*(892)(0), and phi(Kpi)(0)(S-wave) with a sample of about 384x10(6) BB[over ] pairs recorded with the BABAR detector. The fractions of longitudinal polarization f(L) of the vector-tensor and vector-vector decay modes are measured to be 0.853(-0.069+0.061)+/-0.036 and 0.506+/-0.040+/-0.015, respectively. Overall, twelve parameters are measured for the vector-vector decay and seven parameters for the vector-tensor decay, including the branching fractions and parameters sensitive to CP violation.

Measurement of the CP asymmetry and branching fraction of B0-->rho0K0

We present a measurement of the branching fraction and time-dependent CP asymmetry of B(0)-->rho0K0. The results are obtained from a data sample of 227x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. From a time-dependent maximum likelihood fit yielding 111+/-19 signal events, we find B(B(0)-->rho0K0)=(4.9+/-0.8+/-0.9)x10(-6), where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. We report the measurement of the CP parameters S(rho)(0)K(0)S=0.20+/-0.52+/-0.24 and C(rho)(0)K(0)S=0.64+/-0.41+/-0.20.

Observation of B-->eta'K* and evidence for B+-->eta'rho+

We present an observation of B-->eta'K*. The data sample corresponds to 232x10(6) BB[over ] pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. We measure the branching fractions (in units of 10(-6)) B(B(0)-->eta'K*0)=3.8+/-1.1+/-0.5 and B(B+-->eta'K*+)=4.9(1.7)(+1.9)+/-0.8, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. A simultaneous fit results in the observation of B-->eta'K* with B(B-->eta'K*)=4.1(-0.9)(+1.0)+/-0.5. We also search for B-->eta'rho and eta'f(0)(980)(f(0)-->pi+pi-) with results and 90% confidence level upper limits B(B+-->eta'rho+)=8.7(-2.8-1.3)(+3.1+2.3) (<14), B(B(0)-->eta'rho0)<3.7, and B(B(0)-->eta'f(0)(980)(f(0)-->pi+pi-))<1.5. Charge asymmetries in the channels with significant yields are consistent with zero.