The standardized Ginkgo biloba extract Egb-761 protects vascular endothelium exposed to oxidized low density lipoproteins

Dietary antioxidants are frequently proposed as protective agents for the vascular endothelium during the onset of atherosclerosis. This protection may occur at two distinct levels. First, they prevent oxidative modification of atherogenic lipoproteins (LDL). Second, they can provide a cellular protection against oxidized LDL-mediated endothelium dysfunction, although this mechanism remains poorly considered in many instances. To gain insight into the mechanism underlying such cellular protection against oxidized LDL, we examined the impact of a popular traditional medicine, an extract from Ginkgo biloba with well-known antioxidant properties, on two endothelial cells properties: cell adhesion and ionic homeostasis. Cellular lipoperoxides levels were also measured as a marker of cellular oxidative stress. Human umbilical-vein endothelial cells were exposed to native (nat-) or oxidized (ox-) LDL, the latter prepared to be compatible with clinically observed levels of oxidation. Although nat-LDL had little effect, ox-LDL increased endothelial adhesive properties (35%, p<0.01) and lipoperoxidation (45%, p<0.01). Na,K-ATPase activity, a key regulator of ionic homeostasis, was significantly decreased after exposure to nat-LDL (30%, p<0.01) and dramatically depressed after exposure to ox-LDL (65%, p<0.001). The standardized preparation of Ginkgo biloba EGb-761 totally protected adhesive properties and endothelial lipoperoxide levels. Moreover, it limited the decrease in Na,K-ATPase activity induced by ox-LDL to levels similar to nat-LDL. This suggests that EGb-761 protects endothelial adhesive properties and helps prevent the disruption of ionic homeostasis. The EGb-761-mediated inhibition of ox-LDL-induced lipoperoxide levels in endothelial cells appears to be an important mechanism by which Ginkgo biloba extract protects endothelial properties.

MR imaging of familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a blinded and controlled study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The E200K mutation of the PRNP (prion protein) gene is the most common cause of familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (fCJD), which has imaging and clinical features that are similar to the sporadic form. The purpose of this study was to conduct a controlled and blinded evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging in this unique population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared the MR imaging characteristics of 15 early stage familial CJD patients (age, 60 +/- 7 years) with a group of 22 healthy subjects from the same families (age, 61 +/- 8 years). MR imaging included diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T2-weighted fast spin-echo imaging, and a fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence. The scans were rated for abnormalities by an experienced neuroradiologist blind to diagnosis, group assignment, age, and sex.

RESULTS

Thirteen of 15 fCJD subjects had abnormal MR imaging. FLAIR signal intensity abnormality in the caudate or putamen nuclei demonstrated a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 91%. DWI abnormality in the caudate nucleus showed a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 100%. Abnormalities in the thalamus (6 patients), cingulate gyrus (6 patients), frontal lobes (4 patients), and occipital lobes (3 patients) were best detected with DWI. No signal intensity abnormalities were demonstrated in the cerebellum. T2-weighted and T1-weighted sequences were uninformative.

CONCLUSIONS

FLAIR and DWI abnormalities in the caudate nucleus and putamen offer the best sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing fCJD. Our findings support recent recommendations that MR imaging should be added to the diagnostic evaluation of CJD.

Banff schema for grading pancreas allograft rejection: working proposal by a multi-disciplinary international consensus panel

Accurate diagnosis and grading of rejection and other pathological processes are of paramount importance to guide therapeutic interventions in patients with pancreas allograft dysfunction. A multi-disciplinary panel of pathologists, surgeons and nephrologists was convened for the purpose of developing a consensus document delineating the histopathological features for diagnosis and grading of rejection in pancreas transplant biopsies. Based on the available published data and the collective experience, criteria for the diagnosis of acute cell-mediated allograft rejection (ACMR) were established. Three severity grades (I/mild, II/moderate and III/severe) were defined based on lesions known to be more or less responsive to treatment and associated with better- or worse-graft outcomes, respectively. The features of chronic rejection/graft sclerosis were reassessed, and three histological stages were established. Tentative criteria for the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection were also characterized, in anticipation of future studies that ought to provide more information on this process. Criteria for needle core biopsy adequacy and guidelines for pathology reporting were also defined. The availability of a simple, reproducible, clinically relevant and internationally accepted schema for grading rejection should improve the level of diagnostic accuracy and facilitate communication between all parties involved in the care of pancreas transplant recipients.

Mild traumatic brain injury does not predict acute postconcussion syndrome

BACKGROUND

The aetiology of postconcussion syndrome (PCS) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) remains controversial. Identifying acute PCS (within the first 14 days after injury) may optimise initial recovery and rehabilitation, identify those at risk and increase understanding of PCS.

OBJECTIVE

To examine predictors of acute outcome by investigating the relationship between preinjury psychiatric disorder, demographic factors, injury related characteristics, neuropsychological and psychological variables and acute PCS.

METHODS

Prospective study of consecutive trauma admissions to a level 1 trauma hospital. The final sample comprised 90 patients with mTBI and 85 non-brain injured trauma controls. Individuals were administered a PCS checklist, and neuropsychological and psychological measures. Multiple imputation of missing data in multivariable logistic regression and bivariate logistic regressions were used to predict acute PCS at a mean of 4.90 days after injury.

RESULTS

Diagnosis of acute PCS was not specific to mTBI (mTBI 43.3%; controls 43.5%). Pain was associated with acute PCS in mTBI. The strongest effect for acute PCS was a previous affective or anxiety disorder (OR 5.76, 95% CI 2.19 to 15.0). Females were 3.33 times more likely than males to have acute PCS (95% CI 1.20 to 9.21). The effect of acute post-traumatic stress and neuropsychological function on acute PCS was relatively small. Higher IQ was associated with acute PCS.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high rate of acute PCS in both mTBI and non-brain injured trauma patients. PCS was not found to be specific to mTBI. The use of the term PCS may be misleading as it incorrectly suggests that the basis of PCS is a brain injury.

Home administration of lanreotide Autogel by patients with acromegaly, or their partners, is safe and effective

OBJECTIVE

The introduction of ready-to-use lanreotide Autogel has presented the possibility of patients receiving their acromegaly treatment at home. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of patients (or their partners) to administer repeat, unsupervised, injections of lanreotide Autogel without compromising efficacy or safety.

DESIGN

Multicentre (10 UK regional endocrine centres), open-label, nonrandomised, controlled study. Patients elected either to receive/administer unsupervised home injections after injection technique training (Test group) or continued to receive injections from a healthcare professional (Control group). Patients received monthly injections of lanreotide Autogel at their established dose. Effects were monitored for up to 40 weeks.

PATIENTS

Thirty patients (15 per treatment group) with acromegaly treated with a stable dose of lanreotide Autogel (60, 90 or 120 mg) for > or = 4 months before screening. Measurements The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients/partners who successfully administered injections throughout the study.

RESULTS

All Test group patients/partners qualified to administer injections. Fourteen of 15 patients fulfilled all criteria for successful administration of unsupervised injections (95% confidence interval, 70%-99%). Fourteen of 15 Test and 14/15 Control patients maintained growth hormone and IGF-1 control. Local injection tolerability was good for both treatment groups, and safety profiles were similar. All Test group patients continued with unsupervised injections after the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with acromegaly or their partners were able to administer lanreotide Autogel injections with no detrimental effect on efficacy and safety; therefore, unsupervised home injections are a viable alternative to healthcare professional injections for suitably motivated patients.

Aspirin responsiveness in acute brain ischaemia: association with stroke severity and clinical outcome

PURPOSE

Platelets play a critical role in the pathogenesis of acute brain ischaemia. We studied the association between the degree of inhibition of platelet function by aspirin (ASA) and the severity and outcome of acute brain ischaemia.

METHODS

Platelet responsiveness to ASA was assessed in patients with acute brain ischaemia, treated with ASA since hospital admission. The degree of ASA responsiveness was assessed by optical aggregometry and categorized into patients with good response, partial response and complete unresponsiveness to ASA (good responders, partial responders and non-responders, respectively). An additional evaluation of responsiveness to ASA was performed by Impact-R (cone and platelet analyzer). Patients underwent serial clinical assessment during hospitalization, at discharge and during follow-up.

RESULTS

Among 105 patients (mean age 63 +/- 12 years; 66% men), impaired ASA responsiveness at baseline as assessed by aggregometry was associated with increased stroke severity at baseline, unfavourable clinical course, and poor functional outcome during follow-up (p < 0.05 for all). Age-adjusted odds ratios in non-responders compared to good responders were 9.8 for severe stroke on admission (95% CI 2.8-34.9), 3.1 for lack of early clinical improvement (95% CI 1.1-8.8) and 8.6 for poor functional outcome during follow-up (95% CI 2.4-30.4). Less robust trends were observed with the Impact-R.

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired responsiveness to ASA in acute brain ischaemia is common and is associated with worse neurological deficits at stroke onset, early clinical deterioration and poorer functional outcome. The clinical significance of these findings requires further evaluation in larger longitudinal studies.

Ethnicity, equity and public benefit: a critical evaluation of public umbilical cord blood banking in Australia

Over the past decade umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been increasingly used as a source of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for patients who require a HSC transplant but do not have an HLA-matched donor. It was anticipated that using UCB as an alternative source of HSCs would increase the chance of finding a donor, particularly for the otherwise underrepresented ethnic minority groups. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Australian public UCB banks to increase the ethnic diversity of available HSC donations, this paper analyses the ethnic diversity of the Sydney Cord Blood Bank (SCBB), comparing this diversity to that of the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR). It also examines the ethnic diversity of those patients who, after requesting a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the 2-year period between 2003 and 2005, managed to find a suitably matched bone marrow or UCB donor. We show that the ethnic mix of donors to the SCBB has remained generally broad in source, is comparative to the Australian population, and is more diverse than the ABMDR. This, however, may still not be sufficient to substantially increase the likelihood of finding a donor for some ethnic minority groups.

Correlation between immunohistochemical biomarker expression and in vitro drug response factors in stage III-IV ovarian cancer

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Background: The reliability of molecular biomarkers as predictors of treatment outcome remains unclear and, in relation to drug resistance even less is known. Immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of biomarkers and in vitro drug resistance (IVDR) relative to clinical outcome were evaluated in patients with stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) who received combination carboplatin (CAR) plus paclitaxel (TAX) chemotherapy. Methods: We correlated clinical outcome with histopathology and biomarker expression of MIB-1, p53, BCL2, EGFR, ER and PR in 98 OC patients with tumors tested for IVDR by extreme drug resistance (EDR) assay. IVDR was determined following exposures to single agents CAR, cisplatin (CP), TAX, taxotere (TXT), gemcitabine (GCB), topotecan (TP), liposomil doxorubicin, and cytoxan (CT). Percentage cell growth inhibition (PCI) for each drug was compared with PCI from untreated control cultures. Results: Tumors with prior chemotherapy (n=29) were more resistant to CAR (unpaired t-test, p=0.046), and CT (p=0.038), and more sensitive to liposomil doxorubicin (p=0.009), compared to treatment naive tumors (n=53). For 65 tumors, there was a positive relationship between MIB-1 vs p53 (r=0.419; p=0.001), and between ER vs PR (r=0.339; p=0.011). Correlation between biomarkers and drug response showed a significantly inverse relationship between MIB-1 vs liposomil doxorubicin, p53 vs liposomil doxorubicin, EGFR vs CAR, CP, GCB and TAX; and between ER vs TXT and CT, and PR vs CT and TP. With a 53% (33/61) response rate to CAR+TAX, time to progression (TTP) for responders (R) with EGFR+ tumors was longer (median TTP 15.6 mo); and shorter for R with EGFR- tumors (p=0.008). For R and non-R, BCL2+ tumors had longer overall survival (OS) (median OS 23.3 mo; p=0.006). No other significant correlations were seen. Conclusion: Prior chemotherapy increased IVDR to CAR and CT, and increased sensitivity to liposomil doxorubicin. Increased expression of proliferation biomarkers, particularly EGFR, correlated with resistance to several chemotherapeutic agents. EGFR expression in responders was associated with longer TTP. The significance of in vitro correlates of prognostic biomarker expression and IVDR for predicting chemoresistance warrants prospective studies to assess its value in clinical settings.

[Table: see text]

Competing causes of death in NCIC CTG MA.17, a placebo-controlled trial of letrozole as extended adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients

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Background: Risk of death from other malignancies (OM) and other causes (OC) than breast cancer (BC) increases with age. Effects of baseline factors on type of death were assessed with competing risks analyses. Methods: In NCIC CTG MA.17, 5,187 women free of recurrent breast cancer after 5 years of tamoxifen were randomized to letrozole (L, 2,593 women) or placebo (P, 2,594 women). The primary endpoint was disease free survival (DFS), and secondary, overall survival (OS). Follow-up was to October 9, 2005: median 3.9 years, range <0.1 to 7.0 years. Effects of competing risks were examined for endpoints of BC, OM, and OC for 11 baseline trial factors: treatment, age, menopausal status, duration of prior tamoxifen, adjuvant radiotherapy, bone fracture, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, hormone receptor status, nodal status, adjuvant chemotherapy. Lagakos’ hierarchical method (Lagakos, Appl. Statist. 1978; 27:235–241) was used to test for differential effects of baseline factors on type of death (BC, OM, OC). Results: Rate of censoring was 97.8%, with 256 deaths (BC, 102; OM, 50; OC, 100; unknown, 4). Non-breast cancer deaths accounted for 60% of known deaths; 72%, for those ≥70 years; and 48%, for those <70 years. Two baseline factors differentially affected type of death. Women with cardiovascular disease were more likely to die from OC (p=0.02), while those with osteoporosis were more likely to die of OM (p=0.03). Age and nodal status had directionally similar effects. Older women had shorter survival from all 3 causes of death (p=0.01). Lymph node positivity was associated with worse survival (p=0.003). Conclusions: Extended L provides similar proportional benefit in improving DFS for all ages of women (Muss ref abstract SABCS 2006). However, the magnitude of competing non-breast cancer, and non-treatment related, causes of death needs to be considered more frequently, since with early detection and improved therapies, breast cancer patients may increasingly be expected to survive their disease to die from another cause. The novel association between baseline osteoporosis and other malignancies is being explored quantitatively.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

MSBase: an international, online registry and platform for collaborative outcomes research in multiple sclerosis

Observational cohort studies are a powerful tool to assess the long-term outcome in chronic diseases. This study design has been utilized in local and regional outcome studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) and has yielded invaluable epidemiological information. The World Wide Web now provides an excellent opportunity for an international, collaborative cohort study of MS outcomes. A web platform--MSBase--has been designed to collect prospective data on patients with MS. It is purely observational, enabling participating neurologists to contribute data on diagnosis, treatment and progress, to review anonymous aggregate data and to benchmark their patient population against other patient subsets or the entire dataset. MSBase facilitates collaborative research by allowing the online creation of investigator-initiated regional, national and international substudies. The registry aims to answer epidemiological questions that can only be addressed by prospective assessments of large patient cohorts. The registry is funded through the independent MSBase Foundation, and governed by an International Scientific Advisory Board. The MSBase Foundation commenced operations in July 2004 and since then, 22 neurologists from 11 countries have joined MSBase and are contributing 2400 patients to the total data pool.

Observation of B(s)0-->K+ K- and measurements of branching fractions of charmless two-body decays of B0 and B(s)0 mesons in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We search for decays of the type B(s)0-->h+ h'- (where h,h' = K or pi) in 180 pb(-1) of pp collisions collected at the Tevatron by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab. We report the first observation of the new mode B(s)0-->K+ K- with a yield of 236+/-32 events, corresponding to (fs/fd) x B(B(s)0-->K+ K-)/B(B0-->K+ pi-) = 0.46+/-0.08stat+/-0.07syst, where fs/fd is the ratio of production fractions of B(s)0 and B0. We find results in agreement with world averages for the B0 modes, and set the following new limits at 90% C.L.: B(B(s)0-->K- pi+) < 5.6 x 10(-6) and B(B(s)0-->pi+ pi-) < 1.7 x 10(-6).

Search for excited and exotic muons in the mugamma decay channel in p-p collisions at sqrt s =1.96 TeV

We search for excited and exotic muon states mu* using an integrated luminosity of 371 pb(-1) of p[over]p collision data at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV. We search for associated production of mumu* followed by the decay mu*-->mugamma. We compare the data to model predictions as a function of the mass of the excited muon M(mu*), the compositeness energy scale Lambda, and the gauge coupling factor f. No signal above the standard model expectation is observed. We exclude 107<M(mu*)<853 GeV/c(2) for Lambda=M(mu*) in the contact interaction model, and 100<M(mu*)<410 GeV/c(2) for f/Lambda=10(-2) GeV-1 in the gauge-mediated model, both at the 95% confidence level.

Search for large extra dimensions in the production of jets and missing transverse energy in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present the results of a search for new physics in the jets plus missing transverse energy data sample collected from 368 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We compare the number of events observed in the data with a data-based estimate of the standard model backgrounds contributing to this signature. We observe no significant excess of events, and we interpret this null result in terms of lower limits on the fundamental Planck scale for a large extra dimensions scenario.

The genome of black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa (Torr. & Gray)

We report the draft genome of the black cottonwood tree, Populus trichocarpa. Integration of shotgun sequence assembly with genetic mapping enabled chromosome-scale reconstruction of the genome. More than 45,000 putative protein-coding genes were identified. Analysis of the assembled genome revealed a whole-genome duplication event; about 8000 pairs of duplicated genes from that event survived in the Populus genome. A second, older duplication event is indistinguishably coincident with the divergence of the Populus and Arabidopsis lineages. Nucleotide substitution, tandem gene duplication, and gross chromosomal rearrangement appear to proceed substantially more slowly in Populus than in Arabidopsis. Populus has more protein-coding genes than Arabidopsis, ranging on average from 1.4 to 1.6 putative Populus homologs for each Arabidopsis gene. However, the relative frequency of protein domains in the two genomes is similar. Overrepresented exceptions in Populus include genes associated with lignocellulosic wall biosynthesis, meristem development, disease resistance, and metabolite transport.

Measurement of the tt production cross section in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present a measurement of the top quark pair production cross section in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV using 318 pb(-1) of data collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We select tt[over ] decays into the final states enu+jets and mu nu+ jets, in which at least one b quark from the t-quark decays is identified using a secondary vertex-finding algorithm. Assuming a top quark mass of 178 GeV/c2, we measure a cross section of 8.7 +/- 0.9(stat)(-0.9)+1.1(syst) pb. We also report the first observation of tt[over ] with significance greater than 5sigma in the subsample in which both b quarks are identified, corresponding to a cross section of 10.1(-1.4)+1.6(stat)(-1.3)+2.0(syst) pb.

K isomers in 254No: probing single-particle energies and pairing strengths in the heaviest nuclei

We have identified two isomers in 254No, built on two- and four-quasiparticle excitations, with quantum numbers K pi = 8- and (14+), as well as a low-energy 2-quasiparticle Kpi = 3+ state. The occurrence of isomers establishes that K is a good quantum number and therefore that the nucleus has an axial prolate shape. The 2-quasiparticle states probe the energies of the proton levels that govern the stability of superheavy nuclei, test 2-quasiparticle energies from theory, and thereby check their predictions of magic gaps.

Search for a neutral Higgs boson decaying to a W boson pair in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present the results of a search for standard model Higgs boson production with decay to WW*, identified through the leptonic final states e+ e- nu nu,+/-mu -/+nu nu and mu+ mu- nu nu. This search uses 360 pb -1 of data collected from pp collisions at square root of s =1.96 TeV by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF II). We observe no signal excess and set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio for the Higgs boson to WW* or any new scalar particle with similar decay products. These upper limits range from 5.5 to 3.2 pb for Higgs boson masses between 120 and 200 GeV/c2.

Measurement of the Bs0-Bs0 oscillation frequency

We present the first precise measurement of the Bs0-Bs0 oscillation frequency Deltams. We use 1 fb-1 of data from pp collisions at sqrts=1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The sample contains signals of 3600 fully reconstructed hadronic Bs decays and 37,000 partially reconstructed semileptonic Bs decays. We measure the probability as a function of proper decay time that the Bs decays with the same, or opposite, flavor as the flavor at production, and we find a signal consistent with Bs0-Bs0 oscillations. The probability that random fluctuations could produce a comparable signal is 0.2%. Under the hypothesis that the signal is due to Bs0-Bs0 oscillations, we measure Deltams=17.31(-0.18)+0.33(stat)+/-0.07(syst) ps-1 and determine |Vtd/Vts|=0.208(-0.002)+0.001(expt)-0.006(+0.008)(theor).

Search for new physics in lepton+photon+X events with 305 pb(-1) of pp collisions at [square root of s] = 1.96 TeV

We present results of a search for anomalous production of events containing a charged lepton (l, either e or mu) and a photon (gamma), both with high transverse momentum, accompanied by additional signatures X, including missing transverse energy (ET) and additional leptons and photons. We use the same selection criteria as in a previous CDF search but with a substantially larger data set, 305 pb(-1), a pp collision energy of 1.96 TeV, and the CDF II detector. We find 42 lgammaET events versus an expectation of 37.3+/-5.4 events. We observe 31 llgamma+X events versus an expectation of 23.0+/-2.7 events. We find no events similar to the run I eegammagammaET event.

Measurement of the Bc+ meson lifetime using the decay mode Bc+ --> J/Psie+nue

We present a measurement of the Bc+ meson lifetime in the decay mode Bc+ --> J/Psie+nue using the Collider Detector at Fermilab II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. From a sample of about of 360 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV, we reconstruct J/Psie+ pairs with invariant mass in the kinematically allowed range 4< M(J/Psie) < 6 GeV/c2. A fit to the decay-length distribution of 238 signal events yields a measured Bc+ meson lifetime of 0.463(-0.065)(+0.073)(stat) +/- 0.036(syst) ps.

Observation of B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi and measurement of the ratio of branching fractions Beta(B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi)/Beta(B(0)(s)-->J/PsiPhi)

We report the first observation of B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi decay in p(p_) collisions at square root of 8=1.96 TeV using 360 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe 20.2 +/- 5.0 and 12.3 +/- 4.1 B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi candidates, in Psi(2S)-->mu(+)mu(-) and Phi(2S)-->J/Phipi(+)pi(-) decay modes, respectively. We present a measurement of the relative branching fraction Beta(B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi)/Beta(B(0)(s)-->J/PsiPhi)=0.52 +/- 0.13(stat) +/- 0.04(syst) +/- 0.06(BR) using the Psi(2S)-->mu(+)mu(-) decay mode.

Search for Z' --> e+ e- using dielectron mass and angular distribution

We search for Z' bosons in dielectron events produced in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV, using 0.45 fb(-1) of data accumulated with the Collider Detector at Fermilab II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. To identify the Z' --> e+ e- signal, both the dielectron invariant mass distribution and the angular distribution of the electron pair are used. No evidence of a signal is found, and 95% confidence level lower limits are set on the Z' mass for several models. Limits are also placed on the mass and gauge coupling of a generic Z', as well as on the contact-interaction mass scales for different helicity structure scenarios.

Search for high-mass resonances decaying to emu in pp collisions at square root = 1.69 TeV

We describe a general search for resonances decaying to a neutral emu final state in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. Using a data sample representing 344 pb(-1) of integrated luminosity recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab II experiment, we compare standard model predictions with the number of observed events for invariant masses between 50 and 800 GeV/c2. Finding no significant excess (5 events observed vs 7.7 +/- 0.8 expected for M(emu) > 100 GeV/c2 ), we set limits on sneutrino and Z' masses as functions of lepton family number violating couplings.

Measurement of the tt production cross section in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV using missing E(T) + jets events with secondary vertex b tagging

We present a measurement of the tt production cross section in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV which uses events with an inclusive signature of significant missing transverse energy and jets. This is the first measurement which makes no explicit lepton identification requirements, so that sensitivity to W --> tau nu decays is maintained. Heavy flavor jets from top quark decay are identified with a secondary vertex tagging algorithm. From 311 pb(-1) of data collected by the Collider Detector at Fermilab, we measure a production cross section of 5.8 +/- 1.2(stat)(-0.7)(+0.9)(syst) pb for a top quark mass of 178 GeV/c2, in agreement with previous determinations and standard model predictions.

Direct search for Dirac magnetic monopoles in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV

We search for pair-produced Dirac magnetic monopoles in 35.7 pb(-1) of proton-antiproton collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV with the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF). We find no monopole candidates corresponding to a 95% confidence-level cross-section limit sigma < 0.2 pb for a monopole with mass between 200 and 700 GeV/c2. Assuming a Drell-Yan pair-production mechanism, we set a mass limit m > 360 GeV/c2.

Measurement of bottom-quark hadron masses in exclusive J/psi decays with the CDF detector

We measure the masses of b hadrons in exclusively reconstructed final states containing a J/psi --> mu-mu+ decay using 220 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II experiment. We find: m(B+) = 5279.10 +/- 0.41(stat.) +/- 0.36(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B0) = 5279.63 +/- 0.53(stat.) +/- 0.33(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B(s)0) = 5366.01 +/- 0.73(stat.) +/- 0.33(sys.) MeV/c2, m(lambda(b)0) = 5619.7 +/- 1.2(stat.) +/- 1.2(sys.) MeV/c2. m(B+) - m(B0) = -0.53 +/- 0.67(stat.) +/- 0.14(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B(s)0) - m(B0) = 86.38 +/- 0.90(stat.) +/- 0.06(sys.) MeV/c2, m(lambda(b)0) - m(B0) = 339.2 +/- 1.4(stat.) +/- 0.1(sys.) MeV/c2. The measurements of the B(s)0, lambda(b)0 mass, m(B(s)0) - m(B0) and m(lambda(b)0) - m(B0) mass difference are of better precision than the current world averages.

Measurement of the ratios of branching fractions and

We report an observation of the decay B(O)(S) --> D(-)(s)pi(+) in pp collisions at radical S = 1.96 TeV using 115 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe 83 +/- 11(stat) B(O)(s) --> D(-)(s)pi(+) candidates, representing a large increase in statistics over previous measurements and the first observation of this decay at a pp collider. We present the first measurement of the relative branching fraction Beta(B(O)(s) --> D(-)(s)pi(+))/Beta(B(0) --> D(-)(pi)(+)) = 1.32 +/- 0.18(stat) +/- 0.38(syst). We also measure Beta(B(+) --> D(0)pi(+))/Beta(B(0) -->D(-)pi(+)) = 1.97 +/- 0.10(stat) +/- 0.21(syst), which is consistent with previous measurements.

Search for scalar bottom quarks from gluino decays in collisions at

We searched for scalar bottom quarks 156 pb(-1) of pp collisions at radicalS = 1.96 recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab II experiment at the Tevatron. Scalar bottom quarks can be produced from gluino decays in -parity conserving models of supersymmetry when the mass of the gluino exceeds that of the scalar bottom quark. Then, a scalar bottom quark can decay into a bottom quark and a neutralino. To search for this scenario, we investigated events with large missing transverse energy and at least three jets, two or more of which were identified as containing a secondary vertex from the hadronization of quarks. We found four candidate events, where 2.6 +/- 0.7 are expected from standard model processes, and placed 95% confidence level lower limits on gluino and scalar bottom quark masses of up to 280 and 240 GeV/c(2), respectively.

Low 1-Year Cyclosporine Microemulsion Doses Are Associated With Better 5-Year Renal Graft Function: An Insight From MOST, a Multinational Observational Study

BACKGROUND

In earlier registry analyses, cyclosporine at doses of < 3 mg/kg/d at 1 year post-renal transplantation has been associated with significant graft loss or reduction in renal function. Improvements in cyclosporine formulation with increased bioavailability, plus the use of more efficient comedications, may now confer better outcomes. To determine the effect of the 1-year cyclosporine microemulsion (CsA-ME) dose on renal allograft function at 5 years, we analyzed data collected from 2889 patients with documented graft survival to year 5 in a prospective, multinational, observational study-Neoral MOST.

RESULTS

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at year 1 was 63 +/- 20 mL/min and 59 +/- 22 mL/min at year 5. The multivariate analysis including year 1 CsA-ME dose as factor and GFR at 1 year as covariate revealed the most significant factors affecting GFR at year 5 were 1-year GFR, donor age > 60 years, and CsA-ME dose at 1 year. Risk factors associated with reduction in 5-year GFR (<65 mL/min) included donor or recipient age >60 years, delayed graft function, cadaveric donor, previous graft, and acute rejection. CsA-ME dose <3 mg/kg/d was found to protect GFR. Analysis of GFR at each year posttransplantation (Wilcoxon model) found 1-year CsA-ME (cutoff 3 mg/kg/d) had a significant effect at each time point.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to higher doses, CsA-ME <3 mg/kg/d at year 1 posttransplantation is associated with increased preservation of renal allograft function at year 5.

Top-quark mass measurement from dilepton events at CDF II

We report a measurement of the top-quark mass using events collected by the CDF II detector from pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron. We calculate a likelihood function for the top-quark mass in events that are consistent with tt --> bl(-)nu(l)bl'+ nu'(l) decays. The likelihood is formed as the convolution of the leading-order matrix element and detector resolution functions. The joint likelihood is the product of likelihoods for each of 33 events collected in 340 pb(-1) of integrated luminosity, yielding a top-quark mass M(t) = 165.2 +/- 6.1(stat) +/- 3.4(syst) GeV/c2. This first application of a matrix-element technique to tt --> bl+ nu(l)bl'- nu(l') decays gives the most precise single measurement of M(t) in dilepton events. Combined with other CDF run II measurements using dilepton events, we measure M(t) = 167.9 +/- 5.2(stat) +/- 3.7(syst) GeV/c2.

Measurement of the inclusive jet cross section using the kT algorithm in pp collisions at (square root s)=1.96 TeV

We report on a measurement of the inclusive jet production cross section as a function of the jet transverse momentum in pp collisions at (square root s)=1.96 TeV using data collected with the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab in run II, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 385 pb-1. The measurement is carried out for jets with rapidity 0.1</yjet/<0.7 and transverse momentum in the range 54<pjetT<700 GeV/c. Next-to-leading order perturbative QCD predictions are in good agreement with the measured cross section after the necessary nonperturbative parton-to-hadron corrections are included.

Measurement of the dipion mass spectrum in decays

We measure the dipion mass spectrum in X(3872)--> J/psipi(+) pi(-) decays using 360 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root s= 1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector. The spectrum is fit with predictions for odd C-parity ((3)S(1), (1)P(1), and (3)D(J)) charmonia decaying to J/psipi(+) pi(-), as well as even C-parity states in which the pions are from rho(0) decay. The latter case also encompasses exotic interpretations, such as a D(0)D(*0) molecule. Only the (3)S(1) and J/psirho hypotheses are compatible with our data. Since (3)S(1) is untenable on other grounds, decay via J/psirho is favored, which implies C= +1 for the X(3872). Models for J/psi - rho different angular momenta L are considered. Flexibility in the models, especially the introduction of rho - omega interference, enables good descriptions of our data for both L = 0 and 1.

Search for Higgs bosons decaying to bb and produced in association with W bosons in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present a search for Higgs bosons decaying into bb and produced in association with W bosons in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV. This search uses 320 pb(-1) of the data set accumulated by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab. Events are selected that have a high-transverse momentum electron or muon, missing transverse energy, and two jets, at least one of which is consistent with the hadronization of a b quark. Both the number of events and the dijet mass distribution are consistent with standard model background expectations, and we set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio for the Higgs boson or any new particle with similar decay kinematics. These upper limits range from 10 pb for mH = 110 GeV/c2 to 3 pb for mH = 150 GeV/c2.

Evidence for the exclusive decay B(c)+- --> J/psi pi+- and measurement of the mass of the B(c)+- meson

We report the first evidence for a fully reconstructed decay mode of the B(c)+- meson in the channel B(c)+- --> J/psi pi+-, with J/psi --> mu+ mu-. The analysis is based on an integrated luminosity of 360 pb(-1) in pp collisions at 1.96 TeV center of mass energy collected by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We observe 14.6 +/- 4.6 signal events with a background of 7.1 +/- 0.9 events, and a fit to the J/psi pi+-mass spectrum yields a B(c)+- mass of 6285.7 +/- 5.3(stat) +/- 1.2(syst) MeV/c2. The probability of a peak of this magnitude occurring by random fluctuation in the search region is estimated as 0.012%.

Search for charged Higgs bosons from top quark decays in pp collisions at square root s=1.96 TeV

We report the results of a search for a charged Higgs boson in the decays of top quarks produced in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. We use a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 193 pb-1 collected by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab. No evidence for charged Higgs production is found, allowing 95% C.L. upper limits to be placed on BR(t-->H+b) for different charged Higgs decay scenarios. In addition, we present in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (mH+/-, tanbeta) plane the first exclusion regions with radiative and Yukawa coupling corrections.

Precision top-quark mass measurement in the lepton+jets topology in p p collisions at square root s=1.96 TeV

We report two measurements of the top-quark mass M(top) using the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in a 318 pb(-1) data sample of tt events in the lepton+jets final state. One method uses an event-based likelihood technique resulting in M(top) = 173.2(-2.4)(+2.6)(stat) +/- 3.2(syst) GeV/c2 or 173.2(-4.0)(+4.1) GeV/c2. The second method reconstructs a top-quark mass in each event using the measured invariant mass of the hadronically decaying W boson to constrain the jet energy scale to obtain a value for M(top)of 173.5(-3.6)(+3.7)(stat) +/- 1.3(syst) GeV/c2 or 173.5(-3.8)(+3.9) GeV/c2 . We take the latter, which is more precise, as our result.