Effect of calcium and salicylic acid on quality retention in relation to antioxidative enzymes in radish stored under refrigerated conditions

Effect of post harvest treatments with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and salicylic acid (SA) on physiological and biochemical parameters in relation to activities of antioxidative enzymes were investigated in radish. Radish of variety Punjab Safed Mooli 2 was harvested, washed and treated with CaCl₂ (1, 1.5 and 2%) or SA (1, 1.5 and 2 mM). Treated as well as untreated radish were placed in open trays and stored under refrigerated (5 ± 1 °C, 90% RH) conditions for 42 days. Treatment of radish with CaCl₂ and SA slowed down changes in physiological weight, colour, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, titrable acidity, total phenolics and antioxidant activity. Treated samples exhibited higher enhancement in activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), peroxidase (POD), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydro-ascorbate reductase (MDHAR) than untreated samples. However SA was found to be more effective in slowing down the metabolic activities of radish as compared to CaCl₂ treatment. Among all the treatments, 1.5 mM SA maintained the quality parameters to greater extent probably by reducing the oxidative stress to larger extent due to highest activities of antioxidative enzymes and can be used to enhance the shelf life of radish during refrigerated storage.

Forgotten, Encrusted Ureteral Stents: Removal - Multimodal Endourologic Approach

Ureteral stent placement is a common procedure in urologic practice. Forgotten, encrusted D/J stents represent a difficult problem for urologists. The major complications are infection, impaired renal function, migration, encrustation, stone formation and multiple fragmentation of stent. A consensus on the best therapeutic approach is still lacking. Here we present our experience with endoscopic management of this challenging problem and discuss the multimodal endourologic approaches for treating forgotten, encrusted ureteral stents. In this prospective observational study 29 patients (17 males and 12 females), age ranges from 19 to 57 years with 35 (23 unilateral and 6 bilateral) encrusted ureteral stents, indwelling for 5 to 78 months were treated in the Department of Urology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2011 to December 2015. All patients were evaluated by urine culture and sensitivity, renal function. Stent encrustation and the associated stone burden were estimated by plain radiograph. Treatment decisions were made based on the clinical presentation, degree of encrustation, stone burden and image findings. Patients were followed up to 06 months. The main indications for stenting were pyelolithotomy, ureterolithotomy, ureteroneocystostomy, URS and pyeloplasty. In kidney, mild encrustation was common (48.3%) moderate encrustation (27.6%) was less common; where as in ureter and urinary bladder, moderate encrustation was common (72.4% and 44.8%). Over three-quarters 22(75.9%) of the patients underwent extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) and 10(34.5%) percuteneousnephrostomy preoperatively. Retrograde ureteroscopy with intracorporeal lithotripsy (URS & ICPL) was done in 29 cases and cystolitholapaxy (CLL) in 16(55%) cases. Cystolithotomy & PCNL was rarely done. The mean number of procedures was 2.8 (range: 1-7). Using these multimodal approaches, all stents and associated stones were eventually removed with minor complications. Nine patients developed haematuria, 5 urosepsis and 4 both haematuria & urosepsis. Multimodal endourologic approaches can safely remove forgotten, encrusted D/J stents, if treatment is tailored to the volume of encrustation and associated stone. Imaging evaluation and documentation of negative urine culture are imperative prior to any attempt to remove the stent.

Measurement of the D^{*}(2010)^{+}-D^{+} Mass Difference

We measure the mass difference, Δm_{+}, between the D^{*}(2010)^{+} and the D^{+} using the decay chain D^{*}(2010)^{+}→D^{+}π^{0} with D^{+}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{+}. The data were recorded with the BABAR detector at center-of-mass energies at and near the ϒ(4S) resonance, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of approximately 468  fb^{-1}. We measure Δm_{+}=(140 601.0±6.8[stat]±12.9[syst])  keV. We combine this result with a previous BABAR measurement of Δm_{0}≡m(D^{*}(2010)^{+})-m(D^{0}) to obtain Δm_{D}=m(D^{+})-m(D^{0})=(4824.9±6.8[stat]±12.9[syst])  keV. These results are compatible with and approximately five times more precise than the Particle Data Group averages.

Search for Invisible Decays of a Dark Photon Produced in e^{+}e^{-} Collisions at BaBar

We search for single-photon events in 53  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B-Factory. We look for events with a single high-energy photon and a large missing momentum and energy, consistent with production of a spin-1 particle A^{'} through the process e^{+}e^{-}→γA^{'}; A^{'}→invisible. Such particles, referred to as "dark photons," are motivated by theories applying a U(1) gauge symmetry to dark matter. We find no evidence for such processes and set 90% confidence level upper limits on the coupling strength of A^{'} to e^{+}e^{-} in the mass range m_{A^{'}}≤8  GeV. In particular, our limits exclude the values of the A^{'} coupling suggested by the dark-photon interpretation of the muon (g-2)_{μ} anomaly, as well as a broad range of parameters for the dark-sector models.

Impact of Adrenocortical Insufficiency on Clinical Parameters in Haemodynamically Stable Cirrhotic Patients with Ascites

Cirrhosis has many complications regardless of the aetiology. Complications include splenomegaly, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome and hepatocellular carcinoma and also linked to abnormalities in the endocrine system, including abnormal sex hormone metabolism, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and, most recently identified, adrenal insufficiency. This prospective cohort study was done to evaluate the impact of adrenocortical insufficiency on clinical parameters in haemodynamically stable cirrhotic patients with ascites and had been performed at the inpatient of GHPD Department, BIRDEM, Dhaka, Bangladesh from April 2011 to March 2012. A total of fifty three (53) patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (patients of normal adrenal function) and Group B (patients of insufficient adrenal function) and those were followed up for the next 6 months. In Group A, the total number of patients was 25(47%) and in Group B it was 28(53%). Between two groups, mean age difference and gender difference were not statistically significant (p value was 0.278 and 0.933, respectively). Group B patients had significant higher CLD duration (p=0.004). Haematemesis and/or maelena was significantly lower in Group B at follow up (p=0.0001) due to significant higher number of band ligation in this group (p=0.009). Hepatic encephalopathy was significantly higher in Group B at enrollment (p=0.028) and at follow up (p<0.001). During the period of follow up, significant higher number of patients had developed hepatic encephalopathy in Group B compared to Group A (p<0.05). There was statistically significant higher number of patients had SBP (p=0.031) in Group B at follow up. During the period of follow up, only 1(4%) patient in Group A and 5(18%) patients in Group B died. There was no significant difference of number of death between two groups (p=0.196). Adrenal insufficient decompensated cirrhotic patients have higher morbidities.

Impact of Adrenocortical Insufficiency on Biochemical Parameters in Haemodynamically Stable Cirrhotic Patients with Ascites

Cirrhosis has many complications regardless of the aetiology. Among them, adrenal insufficiency is recently identified entity. A prospective cohort study was done to evaluate the biochemical impact of adrenocortical insufficiency in haemodynamically stable, non-septic, cirrhotic patients with ascites and had been performed at the inpatient of GHPD department, BIRDEM, Dhaka from April 2011 to March 2012. A total of fifty three (53) patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (patients of normal adrenal function) and Group B (patients of insufficient adrenal function) and those were followed up for the next 6 months. In Group A, the total number of patients was 25(47%) and in Group B it was 28(53%). Between two groups, mean age difference and gender difference were not statistically significant. (p value was 0.278 and 0.933, respectively). At enrollment, there was significant lower mean Hb concentration in Group B (p=0.008). There was no significant difference of means of WBC count and platelet count between two groups (p value was 0.829 and 0.333, respectively). There were significant abnormalities in serum bilirubin, serum albumin, INR, SBP, HRS, Serum Na concentration, TCO2 concentration in Group B patients at follow up after 6 months. Adrenal insufficient decompensated cirrhotic patients have higher biochemical abnormalities, thus higher morbidities.

Accelerated versus conventional radiation fractionation in early stage carcinoma larynx

INTRODUCTION

In our study, we have treated cases of early glottic carcinoma by two different dose-fractionation schedules in relation to overall treatment time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is an analysis of 29 patients with invasive, previously untreated T1and T2squamous cell carcinoma of true vocal cord that was treated by radical radiation therapy.

DOSE AND FRACTIONATION

All patients were treated with a continuous course of radiation therapy with once-daily fractionation. All the patients were treated 5 days a week from Monday to Friday. The fractionation regime was either: (1) 62.5 Gy/25fractions/5 weeks at 2.5 Gy fractions (Regimen 1), (2) 70 Gy/35 fractions/7 weeks at 2 Gy/fraction (Regimen 2). Regimen 1 included 15/29 patients (51.72%) and Regimen 2 included 14/29 patients (48.27%). Patients were evaluated for: (1) Locoregional control, (2) acute and late radiation toxicities, (3) quality of voice.

RESULTS AND OBSERVATION

There was no significant difference in terms of locoregional control rate, acute and late radiation toxicities in both groups. Voice quality during and after radiation was comparable in both arms.

CONCLUSION

Use of high dose per fraction schedule with shorter duration of treatment results in comparable local control as well as the quality of voice to the protracted course of radiotherapy without increase in treatment-related toxicities. Shorter overall treatment time can be of great advantage in terms of time, cost, comfort, and acceptability by the patients.

Search for B^{+}→K^{+}τ^{+}τ^{-} at the BaBar Experiment

We search for the rare flavor-changing neutral current process B^{+}→K^{+}τ^{+}τ^{-} using data from the BABAR experiment. The data sample, collected at the center-of-mass energy of the ϒ(4S) resonance, corresponds to a total integrated luminosity of 424  fb^{-1} and to 471×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] pairs. We reconstruct one B meson, produced in the ϒ(4S)→B^{+}B^{-} decay, in one of many hadronic decay modes and search for activity compatible with a B^{+}→K^{+}τ^{+}τ^{-} decay in the rest of the event. Each τ lepton is required to decay leptonically into an electron or muon and neutrinos. Comparing the expected number of background events with the data sample after applying the selection criteria, we do not find evidence for a signal. The resulting upper limit, at the 90% confidence level, is B(B^{+}→K^{+}τ^{+}τ^{-})<2.25×10^{-3}.

Comparison of two different radiation fractionation schedules with concurrent chemotherapy in head and neck malignancy

INTRODUCTION

The worldwide incidence of head and neck malignancy exceeds half a million cases annually. In radiotherapy (RT), conventional fractionation comprises giving five fractions per week from Monday to Friday. Accelerated RT includes administration of six fractions per week is being advocated. It gives better locoregional control and the median overall treatment time is 39 days as compared to 46 days in conventional group. Our study involved comparison of conventional versus accelerated RT with concurrent chemotherapy, in evaluation of local control and toxicity in the two arms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma head and neck region were studied. All the patients received cisplatin (30 mg/m2) weekly during the therapy. The patients received RT dose of 70 Gray (Gy) in 35 fractions (#). The patients were randomly assorted into two groups: Group 1 - Study group (n = 30) - Six fractions RT per week (Monday-Saturday). Group 2 - Control group (n = 30) - Five fractions RT per week (Monday-Friday). During and after the treatment, locoregional control, acute and late radiation toxicity were assessed. Results and Observation: There was no significant difference between the two schedules regarding locoregional control rate. The Grade 3 or higher acute toxicities were significantly higher in the accelerated arm although there was no significant difference in late toxicities between the two arms.

CONCLUSION

Accelerated fractionation regimen was not more efficacious than conventional fractionation in the treatment of previously untreated head and neck carcinoma.

Extrusion and Extruded Products: Changes in Quality Attributes as Affected by Extrusion Process Parameters: A Review

Extrusion of foods is an emerging technology for the food industries to process and market a large number of products of varying size, shape, texture, and taste. Extrusion cooking technology has led to production of wide variety of products like pasta, breakfast cereals, bread crumbs, biscuits, crackers, croutons, baby foods, snack foods, confectionery items, chewing gum, texturized vegetable protein (TVP), modified starch, pet foods, dried soups, dry beverage mixes etc. The functional properties of extruded foods plays an important role for their acceptability which include water absorption, water solubility, oil absorption indexes, expansion index, bulk density and viscosity of the dough. The aim of this review is to give the detailed outlines about the potential of extrusion technology in development of different types of products and the role of extrusion-operating conditions and their effect on product development resulting in quality changes i.e physical, chemical, and nutritional, experienced during the extrusion process.

Assessing the Rehabilitation of Achilles Tendon Ruptures using Modified Teuffer and Lindholm Technique

The aim of this study is to assess the optimum rehabilitation and the functional outcome of open repaired Achilles tendon ruptures. This study was conducted for the 18 consecutive patients of complete ruptures at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from 2012 to 2013. Two groups were considered during 6 to 18 months post-operative observation and each group consist 9 patients. In the Group I, modified Teuffer's and in Group II, Lindholm operative methods were employed for the open repair of Achille tendon. The post operative outcomes were assessed for both of the groups through the modified Thermann's scores. In this study the patients median age was seen 39 years with 72.2% male and 27.8% female. The Thompson test was found positive in pre-operative and negative in post-operative outcome. The results shown that Achilles tendon ruptures occurred in 4 to 6cm rupture site, where the rupture side was 61.1% left and 38.9% right. The subjective overall assessment of total Thermann's scores were found very good (91 to 96) in 4 cases and (90 to 98) in 3 cases for Group I and Group II, respectively. Both of the operative techniques were found accountable results for rehabilitation. Therefore, based on the further statistical evidence of higher correlations and errors it may be concluded that Achilles tendon ruptures can be treated by modified Teuffer's or Lindholm technique.

Effect of different staking methods and stem pruning on yield and quality of summer tomato

The study was carried out during summer of 2012 with BARI hybrid tomato 4, planted in the Olericulture farm of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh to find out the response of plants to some staking and pruning treatments on yield, fruit quality and cost of production. A two factor experiment consisting of three staking methods and four level of pruning, laid out in complete block design with three repetitions. Plants were staked on inverted „V? shaped staking, high platform and string. The plants were pruned to two stem, three stem, four stem and no pruning as control. Results showed that significantly the highest total number of fruits per plant (37.1), marketable fruits per plant (33.7), yield per plant (1.68 kg) and total yield (44.6 t/ha) were produced by the plants having the treatment string staking with four stem. The highest fruit set (43.50%) was found in the plants staking with string having three stems. Plants grown on string staking allowing two stem gave the maximum length (4.71 cm), diameter (4.83 cm) and weight (53.4g) of single fruit as well as maximum fruit firmness (3.43 kg-f cm-2). From the economic point of view, it was apparent that summer tomato produced by string staking with four stem pruning exhibited better performance compared to other treatment combinations in relation to net return and BCR (2.10).Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(3): 419-432, September 2016

The rapidly convergent solutions of strongly nonlinear oscillators

Based on the harmonic balance method (HBM), an approximate solution is determined from the integral expression (i.e., first order differential equation) of some strongly nonlinear oscillators. Usually such an approximate solution is obtained from second order differential equation. The advantage of the new approach is that the solution converges significantly faster than that obtained by the usual HBM as well as other analytical methods. By choosing some well known nonlinear oscillators, it has been verified that an n-th (n ≥ 2) approximate solution (concern of this article) is very close to (2n − 1)-th approximations obtained by usual HBM.

Effect of storage duration on the stored pupae of parasitoid Bracon hebetor (Say) and its impact on parasitoid quality

The ecto-endo larval parasitoid, Bracon hebetor (Say) is an important biocontrol agent. Effective storage methods for B. hebetor are essential for raising its success as a commercial bio-control agent against lepidopteran pests. The study was undertaken to determine the effect of storage duration on the pupae of Bracon hebetor in terms of pupal survival, adult emergence, percent parasitism, female and male longevity, female fecundity and sex ratio. Three to four days old pupae were stored for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 weeks at 4 ± 1oC. The ranges of time for adult emergence from stored pupae, production of total adult, survivability of pupae, parasitism of host larvae by the parasitoid, longevity of adult female and male and fecundity were 63.0 -7.5 days, 6.8-43.8/50 host larvae, 13.0-99.5%, 0.0 -97.5%, 0.00-20.75 days, 0.00-17.25 days and 0.00- 73.00/50 female, respectively. The time of adult emergence and mortality of pupae increased but total number of adult emergence, survivability of pupae, longevity of adult female and male decreased gradually with the progress of storage period of B. hebetor pupae. The prevalence of male was always higher than that of female. Therefore, short-term storage of B. hebetor pupae could be stored for up to 4 weeks without disturbing the functioning of the parasitoid. It is important for sustaining and accumulating large numbers of parasitoids in mass rearing programs and subsequent use of field application.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(2): 297-310, June 2016

Development of antimicrobial and scar preventive chitosan hydrogel wound dressings

Antimicrobial and scar preventive wound dressings were developed by coating a blend of chitosan (CS), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl pyrolidone (PVP) on the cotton fabric and subsequent freeze drying. The miscibility of blend systems and functional group interaction were investigated by attenuated total reflectance-infra red spectroscopy. The scanning electron microscopy of the coated fabric revealed porous structure. The porosity of the material was 54-70% and the pore size was in the range of 75-120μm depending on the blend composition. The air permeability diminished as the PVP content increased. The water vapour transmission rate was in the range of 2000-3500g/m(2)day which may offer to be proper material for the wound dressing with moderate exudate absorption. Tetracycline hydrochloride was used as model drug within the hydrogel matrix. The cumulative release of drug was found to be ∼80% of the total loading after ∼48h. The drug loaded dressings showed good antimicrobial nature against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. In vivo wound healing and tissue compatibility studies were carried out over a period of 21 days on full-thickness skin wounds created on male Wistar rats. Fast healing was observed in drug loaded dressing treated wounds with minimum scarring, as compared to the other groups. These results suggest that drug loaded dressing could provide scar preventive wound healing.

Drug loaded composite oxidized pectin and gelatin networks for accelerated wound healing

Biocomposite interactive wound dressings have been designed and fabricated using oxidized pectin (OP), gelatin and nonwoven cotton fabric. Due to their inherent virtues of antimicrobial activity and cytocompatibility, these composite structures are capable of redirecting the healing cascade and influencing cell attachment and proliferation. A novel in situ reduction process has been followed to synthesize oxidized pectin-gelatin-nanosilver (OP-Gel-NS) flower like nanohydrocolloids. This encapsulation technology controls the diffusion and permeation of nanosilver into the surrounding biological tissues. Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride has also been incorporated into the OP-Gel matrix to produce OP-Gel-Cipro dressings. While OP-Gel-NS dressings exhibited 100% antimicrobial activity at extremely low loadings of 3.75μg/cm(2), OP-Gel-Cipro dressings were highly antimicrobial at 1% drug loading. While NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts proliferated remarkably well when cultured with OP-Gel and OP-Gel-Cipro dressings, OP-Gel-NS hindered cell growth and Bactigras(®) induced complete lysis. Full thickness excisional wounds were created on C57BL/6J mice and the wound healing potential of the OP-Gel-NS dressings led to accelerated healing within 12days, while OP-Gel-Cipro dressings healed wounds at a rate similar to that of Bactigras(®). Histological examination revealed that OP-Gel-NS and OP-Gel-Cipro treatment led to organized collagen deposition, neovascularization and nuclei migration, unlike Bactigras(®). Therefore, the OP-Gel-NS and OP-Gel-Cipro biocomposite dressings exhibiting good hydrophilicity, sustained antimicrobial nature, promote cell growth and proliferation, and lead to rapid healing, can be considered viable candidates for effective management.

Does Education Have Any Influence on Symptom Score of IBS Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

Despite much research, the pathophysiology of IBS remains poorly understood. So it is very difficult to treat. There is no standard treatment for IBS. Because IBS symptoms can be elicited or exacerbated by diet and stress, this suggests that patient education regarding his or her illness might be beneficial to patients in managing their symptoms. This study was done to see the short term effects of outpatient education in relation to change of symptom score in IBS patients. This is a prospective randomized comparative study. In this study a total of 80 patients were included. Forty patients were given only pharmacological management with Mebevarine hydrochloride 135mg thrice daily half an hour before meal and Amitryptline 10mg at night for six months and another forty were given education in addition to the same pharmacological treatment. In both the study group [medical management only versus medical management with education] changes of symptoms and quality of life of patients of IBS were assessed by using previously used, specially designed symptoms scoring system and a validated IBS-QOL instrument. There was no significant difference in severity of symptoms between only drug treatment group (118.973) and education plus drug treatment group (119.57) before treatment. The difference of improvement between the education group and without education group was not statistically significant (P>0.05), though the subsidence of pain in both the group before and after treatment was statistically significant (P<0.01).

Comparative Study between Pentoxifylline and Pioglitazone in the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Newly Detected Glucose Intolerant Patients

This quasi experimental study was carried out to compare the efficacy of Pentoxifylline versus Pioglitazone in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among newly detected glucose intolerant patients attended at GHPD, BIRDEM, Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 2011 to May 2012. Sixty patients with newly detected abnormal glucose tolerance, naive to any antidiabetic drugs were randomly selected, with the findings of USG changes of fatty liver and raised ALT. Patients were divided into Group A (51.7%; mean age - 44.45±7.34 years, BMI - 26.76±3.65kg/m(2)) receiving Pioglitazone 30mg/day and Group B (48.3%; mean age - 43.97±10.13 years, BMI - 27.52±4.44kg/m(2)) receiving Pentoxifylline 1200mg/day along with dietary and lifestyle modification. Baseline, follow up 1 & follow up 2: Serum AST in Group A (66.58±40.78U/L, 45.00±19.43U/L and 33.25±9.92U/L) respectively and in Group B (54.13±20.11U/L, 38.31±12.90U/L and 30.62±9.63U/L) respectively. Serum ALT in Group A (113.48±61.38U/L, 61.16±19.45U/L and 42.45±13.84U/L) respectively & in Group B (99.13±37.95U/L, 50.27±15.95U/L and 37.24±9.51U/L) respectively. No patient with normal USG finding was included in the study. Baseline USG finding: Grade I - Group A (35.5%), Group B (27.6%); Grade II - Group A (54.8%), Group B (48.3%); Grade III - Group A (9.7%), Group B (24.1%). Final Follow up: Normal - Group A (16.1%), Group B (10.3%); Grade I - Group A (38.7%), Group B (34.5%); Grade II - Group A (41.9%), Group B (44.8%); Grade III - Group A (3.2%), Group B (10.3%). Within groups findings were statistically significant (P<0.001) but between groups not significant (P>0.001). Biochemical and USG grading were improved in follow ups in both the groups. Such findings were observed due to synergistic effect of both therapeutic intervention along with supplementary dietary and lifestyle modification. Both Pioglitazone and Pentoxifylline have similar therapeutic outcome combined with supplementary dietary and lifestyle modification.

Guanosine radical reactivity explored by pulse radiolysis coupled with transient electrochemistry

We follow the reactivity of a guanosine radical created by a radiolytic electron pulse both by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. This original approach allows us to demonstrate that there is a competition between oxidation and reduction of these intermediates, an important result to further analyse the degradation or repair pathways of DNA bases.

Observation of B→D(*) π^(+)π^(-)ℓ^(-)ν Decays in e^(+)e^(-) Collisions at the Υ(4S) Resonance

We report on measurements of the decays of B¯ mesons into the semileptonic final states B¯→D^(*)π^(+)π^(-)ℓ^(-)ν¯, where D^(*) represents a D or D^(*) meson and ℓ^(-) is an electron or a muon. These measurements are based on 471×10^(6) BB ¯ pairs recorded with the BABAR detector at the SLAC asymmetric B factory PEP-II. We determine the branching fraction ratios R_{π^{+}π^{-}}^{(*)}=B(B[over ¯]→D^{(*)}π^{+}π^{-}ℓ^{-}ν[over ¯])/B(B[over ¯]→D^{(*)}ℓ^{-}ν[over ¯]) using events in which the second B meson is fully reconstructed. We find R_{π^{+}π^{-}}=0.067±0.010±0.008 and R_{π^{+}π^{-}}^{*}=0.019±0.005±0.004, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. Based on these results and assuming isospin invariance, we estimate that B[over ¯]→D^{(*)}ππℓ^{-}ν[over ¯] decays, where π denotes either a π^{±} and π^{0} meson, account for up to half the difference between the measured inclusive semileptonic branching fraction to charm hadrons and the corresponding sum of previously measured exclusive branching fractions.

Composite wound dressings of pectin and gelatin with aloe vera and curcumin as bioactive agents

Aloe vera and curcumin loaded oxidized pectin-gelatin (OP-Gel) matrices were used as antimicrobial finishes on nonwoven cotton fabrics to produce composite wound care devices. The drug release characteristics of the biocomposite dressings indicated that curcumin is released through a biphasic mechanism - erosion of the polymeric matrix, followed by diffusion, while aloe vera is released upon leaching of the polymeric matrix. A 50/50 composition of aloe vera/curcumin was used to fabricate OP-Gel-Aloe Curcumin dressings. However, contrary to our expectations, OP-Gel-Aloe Curcumin dressings exhibited lesser antimicrobial activity compared to OP-Gel-Aloe and OP-Gel-Curcumin dressings. The cytocompatibility of the fabricated dressings was evaluated using NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. OP-Gel-Aloe treated fibroblasts had the highest viability, with the matrices providing a substrate for good cell attachment and proliferation. On the other hand, OP-Gel-Curcumin and OP-Gel-Aloe Curcumin seemed to have induced apoptosis in NIH3T3 cells. In vivo wound healing analysis was carried out using an excisional splint wound model on C57BL/6J mice. OP-Gel-Aloe treated wounds exhibited very rapid healing with 80% of the wound healing in just 8 days. Furthermore, aloe vera exerted a strong anti-inflammatory effect and prominent scar prevention. Histological examination revealed that an ordered collagen formation and neovascularization could be observed along with migration of nuclei. Therefore, OP-Gel-Aloe biocomposite dressings are proposed as viable materials for effective wound management.

First Observation of CP Violation in B[over ¯]^{0}→D_{CP}^{(*)}h^{0} Decays by a Combined Time-Dependent Analysis of BABAR and Belle Data

We report a measurement of the time-dependent CP asymmetry of B[over ¯]^{0}→D_{CP}^{(*)}h^{0} decays, where the light neutral hadron h^{0} is a π^{0}, η, or ω meson, and the neutral D meson is reconstructed in the CP eigenstates K^{+}K^{-}, K_{S}^{0}π^{0}, or K_{S}^{0}ω. The measurement is performed combining the final data samples collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance by the BABAR and Belle experiments at the asymmetric-energy B factories PEP-II at SLAC and KEKB at KEK, respectively. The data samples contain (471±3)×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs recorded by the BABAR detector and (772±11)×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs recorded by the Belle detector. We measure the CP asymmetry parameters -η_{f}S=+0.66±0.10(stat)±0.06(syst) and C=-0.02±0.07(stat)±0.03(syst). These results correspond to the first observation of CP violation in B[over ¯]^{0}→D_{CP}^{(*)}h^{0} decays. The hypothesis of no mixing-induced CP violation is excluded in these decays at the level of 5.4 standard deviations.

Search for Long-Lived Particles in e+ e- Collisions

We present a search for a neutral, long-lived particle L that is produced in e+ e- collisions and decays at a significant distance from the e+ e- interaction point into various flavor combinations of two oppositely charged tracks. The analysis uses an e+ e- data sample with a luminosity of 489.1  fb(-1) collected by the BABAR detector at the ϒ(4S), ϒ(3S), and ϒ(2S) resonances and just below the ϒ(4S). Fitting the two-track mass distribution in search of a signal peak, we do not observe a significant signal, and set 90% confidence level upper limits on the product of the L production cross section, branching fraction, and reconstruction efficiency for six possible two-body L decay modes as a function of the L mass. The efficiency is given for each final state as a function of the mass, lifetime, and transverse momentum of the candidate, allowing application of the upper limits to any production model. In addition, upper limits are provided on the branching fraction B(B→XsL), where Xs is a strange hadronic system.