Suppression of back-to-back hadron pairs at forward rapidity in d+Au collisions at √s(NN)=200 GeV

Back-to-back hadron pair yields in d+Au and p+p collisions at √s(NN)=200 GeV were measured with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Rapidity separated hadron pairs were detected with the trigger hadron at pseudorapidity |η|<0.35 and the associated hadron at forward rapidity (deuteron direction, 3.0<η<3.8). Pairs were also detected with both hadrons measured at forward rapidity; in this case, the yield of back-to-back hadron pairs in d+Au collisions with small impact parameters is observed to be suppressed by a factor of 10 relative to p+p collisions. The kinematics of these pairs is expected to probe partons in the Au nucleus with a low fraction x of the nucleon momenta, where the gluon densities rise sharply. The observed suppression as a function of nuclear thickness, p(T), and η points to cold nuclear matter effects arising at high parton densities.

Associations of lifestyle-related factors, hsa-miR-149 and hsa-miR-605 gene polymorphisms with gastrointestinal cancer risk

To explore the associations of SNPs within hsa-miR-605 (rs2043556) and hsa-miR-149 (rs2292832) and lifestyle-related factors with gastrointestinal cancer, a case-control study including 762 cases and 757 controls was conducted. Marginally significant associations were found both for hsa-miR-149 rs2292832 with gastric cancer risk (TC + CC vs. TT, OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.44-1.04) and for hsa-miR-605 rs2043556 with colorectal cancer risk (AG + GG vs. AA, OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.48-1.02) in males. Tea drinking showed a protective effect on gastric cancer risk (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13-0.60), while smoke inhalation increased the risk of gastric cancer (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.08-3.47). Irritability was found to be a risk factor for both colorectal cancer (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02-2.53) and gastric cancer (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.17-3.29). Among those that engaged in smoke inhalation, miR-149 CT/CC and miR-605 AG/GG genotype carriers had increased susceptibilities to colorectal cancer (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.11-3.25) and gastric cancer (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.03-3.42), respectively. Among the tea drinkers, there exists a marginally protective effect of miR-605 AG/GG genotypes on colorectal cancer incidence (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.47-1.06) and a significantly protective effect of miR-149 CT/CC on gastric cancer incidence (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.29-0.77). The SNPs of rs2292832 and rs2043556 might be able to modify the susceptibility to male gastric and colorectal cancers, respectively. Tea drinking is a protective factor, while smoke inhalation is a risk factor for gastric cancer, and they might have the potential to modify the associations between miR-149 and miR-605 polymorphisms with gastrointestinal cancer risk. In addition, irritability was shown to be a risk factor for both gastric and colorectal cancers.

A review of SA aneurysms with a small subsection on aneurysms arising from a splenomesenteric trunk

SA aneurysm (SAA) accounts for up to 50% to 75% of all visceral artery aneurysms associated with a high mortality rate of 25% in case of aneurysm rupture. It is the third most common intra-abdominal aneurysm following those of the aorta and the iliac arteries. The incidence of SAA varies from 0.1 to 10.4% in the general population. It has anatomic variations in about 10% of the population, 1% of which emerging from the superior mesenteric artery. Accordingly, SAA arising from a spleno-mesenteric trunk is very rare. To our best knowledge, there are only a few cases reported in the literature up to date. This is a review of literature and reported cases with anomalous SAAs arising from a spleno-mesenteric trunk, which had been diagnosed by ultrasound (US), computed tomography angiography (CTA), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and managed by open surgery.

Cold nuclear matter effects on J/ψ yields as a function of rapidity and nuclear geometry in d+A collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV

We present measurements of J/ψ yields in d+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200  GeV recorded by the PHENIX experiment and compare them with yields in p+p collisions at the same energy per nucleon-nucleon collision. The measurements cover a large kinematic range in J/ψ rapidity (-2.2<y<2.4) with high statistical precision and are compared with two theoretical models: one with nuclear shadowing combined with final state breakup and one with coherent gluon saturation effects. In order to remove model dependent systematic uncertainties we also compare the data to a simple geometric model. The forward rapidity data are inconsistent with nuclear modifications that are linear or exponential in the density weighted longitudinal thickness, such as those from the final state breakup of the bound state.

Single spin asymmetries in charged pion production from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering on a transversely polarized 3He Target at Q2 = 1.4-2.7 GeV2

We report the first measurement of target single spin asymmetries in the semi-inclusive (3)He(e,e'π(±))X reaction on a transversely polarized target. The experiment, conducted at Jefferson Lab using a 5.9 GeV electron beam, covers a range of 0.16 < x < 0.35 with 1.4 < Q(2) < 2.7 GeV(2). The Collins and Sivers moments were extracted from the azimuthal angular dependence of the measured asymmetries. The π(±) Collins moments for (3)He are consistent with zero, except for the π(+) moment at x = 0.35, which deviates from zero by 2.3σ. While the π(-) Sivers moments are consistent with zero, the π(+) Sivers moments favor negative values. The neutron results were extracted using the nucleon effective polarization and measured cross section ratios of proton to (3)He, and are largely consistent with the predictions of phenomenological fits and quark model calculations.

Single-mode hollow-core photonic crystal fiber made from soft glass

We demonstrate the first soft-glass hollow core photonic crystal fiber. The fiber is made from a high-index lead-silicate glass (Schott SF6, refractive index 1.82 at 500 nm). Fabricated by the stack-and-draw technique, the fiber incorporates a 7-cell hollow core embedded in a highly uniform 6-layer cladding structure that resembles a kagomé-like lattice. Effective single mode guidance of light is observed from 750 to 1050 nm in a large mode area (core diameter ~30 µm) with a low loss of 0.74 dB/m. The underlying guidance mechanism of the fiber is investigated using finite element modeling. The fiber is promising for applications requiring single mode guidance in a large mode area, such as particle guidance, fluid and gas filled devices.

Proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells on akermanite and β-TCP bioceramics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of akermanite as compared to β-TCP on attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and actin filament labeling were used to reveal attachment and growth of hPDLCs seeded on β-TCP and akermanite ceramic. Cell proliferation was tested by lactic acid production and MTT analysis, while osteogenic differentiation was assayed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on markers of osteopontin (OPN), dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein-1 (DMP-1), and osteocalcin (OCN), and further detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis (ELISA) analysis for OCN expression. Besides, the ions released from akermanite and their effect on hPDLCs was also measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), MTT analysis, ALP expression and real-time PCR analysis. hPDLCs attached well on both ceramics, but showed better spreading on akermanite. hPDLCs proliferated more rapidly on akermanite than β-TCP. Importantly, osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs was enhanced on akermanite compared to β-TCP. Besides, Ca, Mg and Si ions were released from akermanite, while only Ca ions were released from β-TCP. Moreover, more pronounced proliferation and higher osteogenic gene expression for hPDLCs cultured with akermanite extract were detected as compared to cells cultured on akermanite. Therefore, akermanite ceramic showed an enhanced effect on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs, which might be attributed to the release of ions containing Ca, Mg and Si from the material. It is suggested that akermanite ceramics may serve as a potential material for periodontal bone regeneration.

In vitro study of enhanced osteogenesis induced by HIF-1α-transduced bone marrow stem cells

OBJECTIVES

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is a pivotal regulator of hypoxic and ischaemic vascular responses that drives transcriptional activation of hundreds of genes involved in vascular reactivity, angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Previous reports based on gene knockout technology have demonstrated that HIF-1α can promote osteogenesis. However, this protein is easily degraded in a normoxic state, which makes in vitro studies of HIF-1α-induced mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) osteogenesis difficult. For better understanding of HIF-1α promoting osteogenesis, the role of HIF-1α-induced MSC osteogenesis in the normoxic state has been investigated here.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HIF-1α was made to overexpress using a lentiviral vector, and its effects on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) osteogenesis were investigated. Real-time quantitative and western blotting (to assess expression levels of angiogenic and osteogenic related genes regulated by Lenti-HIF-1α), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red-S staining analyses, were performed.

RESULTS

In HIF-1α gene-transfected BMSCs, expression levels of angiogenic, cartilaginous and osteogenic genes were all increased significantly compared to Lenti LacZ-transfected cells, at both mRNA and protein levels. ALP activity and alizarin red-S staining were significantly enhanced in HIF-1α transduced cells compared to control cells, on day 21.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that Lenti-HIF-1α can induce BMSC overexpression levels of angiogenic and osteogenic genes in vitro in the normoxic state. Further study will be focused on whether HIF-1α can also improve bone repair in vivo.

Interleukin-21 is upregulated in hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure and associated with severity of liver disease

The immune mechanism(s) that lead to hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HB-ACLF) are poorly understood. Interleukin-21 is a newly discovered cytokine that is involved in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Its potential role in HB-ACLF remains unknown. The serum levels of 12 immune cytokines measured by cytometric bead arrays and the frequency of IL-21-secreting CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) measured by intracellular cytokine staining were compared in moderate chronic hepatitis B (M-CHB, n = 20), severe chronic hepatitis B (S-CHB, n = 20), HB-ACLF (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 10). PBMC from M-CHB patients or healthy subjects were stimulated with rhIL-21 in vitro, and cytokines in supernatants were measured by FlowCytomix. The frequencies of IL-21-secreting CD4+ T cells were higher in HB-ACLF (both P < 0.001) and S-CHB (P = 0.002 and 0.001) as compared to M-CHB patients and controls. Serum IL-21 levels were highest (P < 0.001) in HB-ACLF and positively associated with high MELD score (P = 0.001) and mortality (P = 0.038). Recovery from HB-ACLF was associated with reduced serum IL-21 levels (P = 0.003) and lower CD4+ IL-21(+) T-cell frequency (P = 0.006). The secretions of IL-1β (P < 0.001), IL-6 (P < 0.001), IL-10 (P < 0.001), IFN-γ (P = 0.001) and TNF-α (P = 0.042) from PBMC were significantly increased with rhIL-21 stimulation. In summary, IL-21 has a causal role in the development of severe liver inflammation, which is upregulated in HB-ACLF and associated with severity of liver disease.

Inhibitory effects of enterococci on the production of hydrogen sulfide by hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria in raw meat

AIMS

Applying competitive exclusion micro-organisms to control hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas produced by hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria (SPB) in chicken meat.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Five SPB strains, isolated from animal by-products, were used for screening lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that can inhibit the production of H₂S by SPB in trypticase soy broth supplemented with L-cysteine (TSB-L-cys). A sensitive and accurate test strip method was developed for H₂S determination in real time. One LAB strain, isolate L86, from cheese whey, demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity against the production of H₂S by SPB. The isolate L86 was confirmed as Enterococcus faecium that does not possess genes encoding for vancomycin resistance based on PCR analysis. Enterococcus faecium strain L86 reduced (P < 0·05) the yield of H₂S upto 51·2% in 10 h at 35°C in TSB-L-cys medium. In fresh chicken meat, the yield of H₂S produced by the artificially inoculated SPB was reduced (P < 0·05) by 48·6, 49·7 and 69·8% in 10 h at 35, 30 and 25°C, respectively. Enterococcus faecium strain L86 also reduced (P < 0·05) by 53·8% on the yield of H₂S produced by the indigenous SPB in partially spoiled chicken meat at 35°C for 10 h.

CONCLUSIONS

Enterococcus faecium strain L86 is effective on inhibiting the production of H₂S by SPB.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The application of this biological agent to raw animal by-products will provide a safer working environment in rendering processing plants and produce higher-quality rendered products.

Apparent diffusion coefficients of metabolites in patients with MELAS using diffusion-weighted MR spectroscopy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

DW-MR spectroscopy can detect the diffusion coefficients of NAA, Cr, PCr, and Cho and can, therefore, provide some useful information. The aims of this study were to probe the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of MELAS and to see whether DW-MR spectroscopy is a useful technique for other diseases besides cerebral infarction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen healthy volunteers and 10 patients with MELAS were enrolled in the study. All were scanned on a 3T whole-body MR imaging scanner. Fifteen ADCs of the singlet metabolites in the gray matter of the healthy subjects, 10 ADCs of the singlet metabolites in the lesions, and 8 ADCs of the singlet metabolites in the nonaffected areas were used in the statistical analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

The metabolite ADCs of the nonaffected areas and the lesions in the patients were higher than those of the frontal gray matter in the healthy controls. There were significant differences between the metabolite ADCs of the nonaffected areas in patients and those in the healthy controls, and it was the same with the metabolite ADCs of the lesions and those of the healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased ADC values of the metabolites reveal that MELAS is a mitochondrial neuronopathy and involves the entire brain. DW-MR spectroscopy is a very useful noninvasive technique, which can show some valuable information that conventional MR imaging cannot display. Thus, it can be applied to brain diseases besides cerebral infarction.

Cross section and parity-violating spin asymmetries of W± boson production in polarized p + p collisions at sqrt[s] = 500 GeV

Large parity-violating longitudinal single-spin asymmetries A(L)(e+) = -0.86(-0.14) (+0.30) and A(L)(e-) = 0.88(-0.71) (+0.12) are observed for inclusive high transverse momentum electrons and positrons in polarized p+p collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s] = 500 GeV with the PHENIX detector at RHIC. These e± come mainly from the decay of W± and Z0 bosons, and their asymmetries directly demonstrate parity violation in the couplings of the W± to the light quarks. The observed electron and positron yields were used to estimate W± boson production cross sections for the e± channels of σ(pp → W+ X) × BR(W+ → e+ ν(e)) = 144.1 ± 21.2(stat)(-10.3) (+3.4) (syst) ± 21.6(norm)  pb, and σ(pp → W- X) × BR(W- → e- ν[over ¯](e)) = 31.7 ± 12.1(stat)(-8.2) (+10.1) (syst) ± 4.8(norm)  pb.