Evidence for the eta(b)(1S) meson in radiative Upsilon(2S) decay

We have performed a search for the eta_{b}(1S) meson in the radiative decay of the Upsilon(2S) resonance using a sample of 91.6x10(6) Upsilon(2S) events recorded with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B factory at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. We observe a peak in the photon energy spectrum at Egamma=609.3(-4.5)(+4.6)(stat)+/-1.9(syst) MeV, corresponding to an eta(b)(1S) mass of 9394.2(-4.9)(+4.8)(stat)+/-2.0(syst) MeV/c2. The branching fraction for the decay Upsilon(2S)-->gamma(eta)b(1S) is determined to be [3.9+/-1.1(stat)-0.9+1.1(syst)]x10(-4). We find the ratio of branching fractions B[Upsilon(2S)-->gamma(eta)b(1S)]/B[Upsilon(3S)-->gamma(eta)b(1S)]=0.82+/-0.24(stat)(-0.19)(+0.20)(syst).

Search for dimuon decays of a light scalar boson in radiative transitions Upsilon-->gammaA0

We search for evidence of a light scalar boson in the radiative decays of the Upsilon(2S) and Upsilon(3S) resonances: Upsilon(2S,3S)-->gammaA0, A0-->mu+mu-. Such a particle appears in extensions of the standard model, where a light CP-odd Higgs boson naturally couples strongly to b quarks. We find no evidence for such processes in the mass range 0.212 < or = mA0 < or = 9.3 GeV in the samples of 99 x 10(6) Upsilon(2S) and 122 x 10(6) Upsilon(3S) decays collected by the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II B factory and set stringent upper limits on the effective coupling of the b quark to the A0. We also limit the dimuon branching fraction of the etab meson: B(etab-->mu+mu-)<0.9% at 90% confidence level.

Measurement of semileptonic B decays into orbitally excited charmed mesons

We present a study of B decays into semileptonic final states containing charged and neutral D1(2420) and D_{2};{*}(2460). The analysis is based on a data sample of 208 fb;{-1} collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at SLAC. With a simultaneous fit to four different decay chains, the semileptonic branching fractions are extracted from measurements of the mass difference Deltam=m(D;{**})-m(D) distributions. Product branching fractions are determined to be B(B;{+}-->D_{1};{0}l;{+}nu_{l})xB(D_{1};{0}-->D;{*+}pi;{-})=(2.97+/-0.17+/-0.17)x10;{-3}, B(B;{+}-->D_{2};{*0}l;{+}nu_{l})xB(D_{2};{*0}-->D;{(*)+}pi;{-})=(2.29+/-0.23+/-0.21)x10;{-3}, B(B;{0}-->D_{1};{-}l;{+}nu_{l})xB(D_{1};{-}-->D;{*0}pi;{-})=(2.78+/-0.24+/-0.25)x10;{-3} and B(B;{0}-->D_{2};{*-}l;{+}nu_{l})xB(D_{2};{*-}-->D;{(*)0}pi;{-})=(1.77+/-0.26+/-0.11)x10;{-3}. In addition we measure the branching ratio Gamma(D_{2};{*}-->Dpi;{-})/Gamma(D_{2};{*}-->D;{(*)}pi;{-})=0.62+/-0.03+/-0.02.

Search for second-class currents in tau;{-} --> omegapi;{-}nu_{tau}

We report an analysis of tau;{-} decaying into omegapi;{-}nu_{tau} with omega --> pi;{+}pi;{-}pi;{0} using a data sample containing nearly 320 x 10;{6}tau pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B-Factory. We find no evidence for second-class currents, and we set an upper limit of 0.69% at 90% confidence level for the fraction of second-class currents in this decay mode.

Improved limits on lepton-flavor-violating tau decays to lphi, lrho, lK, and lK

We search for the neutrinoless, lepton-flavor-violating tau decays tau- -->l-}V0, where l is an electron or muon and V0 is a vector meson reconstructed as phi-->K+K-, rho-->pi+pi-, K-->K+pi-, K[over ]-->K-pi+. The analysis has been performed using 451 fb-1 of data collected at an e+e- center-of-mass energy near 10.58 GeV with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II storage rings. The number of events found in the data is compatible with the background expectation, and upper limits on the branching fractions are set in the range (2.6-19)x10-8 at the 90% confidence level.

The evolution of pseudo-spherical silicon nanocrystals to tetrahedra, mediated by phosphonic acid surfactants

Silicon nanocrystals were synthesized at high temperatures and high pressures by the thermolysis of diphenylsilane using a combination of supercritical carbon dioxide and phosphonic acid surfactants. Size and shape evolution from pseudo-spherical silicon nanocrystals to well-faceted tetrahedral-shaped silicon crystals with edge lengths in the range of 30-400 nm were observed with sequentially decreasing surfactant chain lengths. The silicon nanocrystals were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman scattering spectroscopy.

Study of prenatal and postnatal development of spleen of Gallus Domesticus (deshi chicken)

Spleen is one of the secondary or peripheral lymphoid organs along with cecal tonsils in birds. The growth of the spleen of Gallus Domesticus (deshi chicken) from prenatal embryonic day fifteen (ED15) to postnatal day ninety (D90) were studied. In macroscopic study it was found that the shape of the spleen was rounded with slightly flattened from side to side at its middle part at prenatal period (ED15, ED18) and becomes rounded at postnatal stages of the deshi chicken (D90). Regarding position it lies close to the right side of the junction between proventriculus and gizzard and was similar in prenatal and postnatal stages. The result of the present study revealed that the mean diameter and weight of the spleen in deshi chicken gradually increases with increase of age, which were 2.00+/-0.136mm and 0.007+/-0.00gm respectively at ED15 stage and it reaches upto 10.40+/-0.331mm and .303+/-0.004gm respectively at day 90 (D90). It was observed that the differences of diameter & weight of the spleen between different ages were statistically significant (p<0.01). Histologically the spleen was surrounded by thin capsule in prenatal life, which gradually becomes thicker in postnatal life. The splenic pulps were not differentiated into white and red pulp on 15th day of embryonic life (ED15) but they were gradually differentiated into white and red pulp in the late prenatal (ED18) and postnatal period. The growth and development of spleen at each stage of the study period were found to be significantly high. Present study indicates that chicken splenic cell population, structure and function were similar to human spleen histologically. It was also found that the chicken embryo allows easy experimental access to all the stages of the splenic development, so the present study will be helpful for experimentation on lymphoid organs and to understand pathophysiology of immunological diseases of human.

Kerosene lamp "Kupi": lights the house, but may bring darkness to life

In terms of mortality and morbidity, childhood burn comprises a significant public health problem in Bangladesh, especially in rural poor families who use kerosene-lamp "Kupi" for lighting and traditional mud-made open oven for cooking. They lack optimum safety measures. A total of 100 patients in the age group of 01 to 15 years who got admitted into the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital during the first half of 2005 were enrolled in the study. Data on socio-demographic variables and information on events and consequences of burn were extracted and analyzed. The results identified flame burn from kerosene lamp "Kupi" as the major cause and source of burn in affected children. Both electrical burn and burn by ash were seen to happen in older male and toddler boys respectively. There were 02 deaths in the series; both were females and were the victims of massive flame burn-one from Kupi and other form oven fire during cooking. Pediatric burn imposes stress on the physique, psyche and socio-economic status of the affected personnel and families. Effective measures are needed to prevent this unfortunate injury in children which is preventable to a large extent.

Association of lipid profile with ischemic stroke

This study is an observational case control study conducted in the Neurology department of Dhaka Medical college Hospital (DMCH) to see the relation of ischemic stroke with different components of serum lipids. Cases and controls were selected following certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. Result showed that ischemic stroke was more common after the age of 50 years with mean age of 63.58+/-10.22 years. Male suffered more than female from ischemic stroke (M:F=2.57:1). 80% of the stroke patients belong to middle class economic condition who avail free services of Govt. hospitals. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) were found to be significant risk factors for ischemic stroke (P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively). High level of serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol showed significant risk in ischemic stroke (p<0.05). In contrast, low level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol appeared as a significant risk factor (p<0.01) indicating beneficial effect of HDL cholesterol on atherosclerotic process. Serum triglyceride level showed no significant effect on ischemic stroke (p>0.05).

Comparative efficacy of combined nebulized salbutamol with ipratropium bromide and nebulized adrenaline to treat children with acute bronchiolitis

As the efficacy of combined nebulized salbutamol & ipratropium bromide as well as L-adrenaline to treat acute bronchiolitis is not well studied among the Bangladeshi infants, this study was carried out to see their efficacy in acute bronchiolitis and to compare their effectiveness. This randomized clinical trial was done among 60 children aged less than 02 years, admitted in the department of Pediatrics, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, during January through December 2005 with acute bronchiolitis. After a quick initial assessment, nebulization were done twice at 6 hours interval with the mentioned drugs, group wise (one group with salbutamol plus ipratropium bromide and other group with L-adrenaline alone) and the outcomes were assessed after 30 minutes of each nebulization in respect to oxygen saturation and clinical modified respiratory distress assessment instrument (MRDAI) scores. The results were analyzed by using SPSS version 10.0 and at a p value of </=0.05, the test was considered significant. The clinical characteristics were similar in both the groups. After 02 doses of nebulizations by the studied drugs, a significant improvement in respect to oxygen saturation and MRDAI score were noted among the children in both the groups, compared to their baseline status (p=0.000). However, L-adrenaline showed more efficacy (MRDAI, p=0.021; SaO2, p=0.034) than combined Salbutamol & Ipratropium bromide. Both L-adrenaline and combined salbutamol & ipratropium bromide were found effective in acute bronchiolitis but L-adrenaline was found more effective. A large multi-centre clinical trial is recommended.

First Report of Chickpea Wilt Caused by Clonostachys rhizophaga in Syria

In 2007 and 2008, disease symptoms were observed on four cultivars of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), including two of the most popular cultivars grown in Syria (Ghab 3 and Ghab 4), in a replicated on-farm trial conducted in the fertile Al Ghab Plains. Affected plants exhibited chlorosis of the foliage, vascular discoloration, and death. In both years, plant mortality reached 100% in plots of cvs. ICC 12004, Ghab 3, and Ghab 4, but only 60% in plots of cv. ILC 97-706. Five monosporic isolates obtained from surface-disinfested stems and roots were identified morphologically. All micromorphological characteristics indicated that the isolated fungi fit the description of Clonostachys rhizophaga Schroers (1). Wilting of chickpea was widespread in the area, and fungal isolations from a random sample of diseased plants in neighboring farmers' fields revealed the presence of C. rhizophaga. In culture, isolates formed dimorphic, Verticillium-like (primary) or penicillate (secondary) conidiophores and ovoidal to elongate, slightly curved or asymmetrical, 5 to 9 μm long and 2.5 to 3.5 μm wide conidia showing a slightly laterally displaced hilum. The identification of the five isolates as C. rhizophaga was supported by sequencing approximately 600 bp of the β-tubulin gene (tub2). Two representative sequences have been deposited under GenBank, Accession No. FJ593882 for strain CBS 124507 and No. FJ593883 for CBS 124511. Both were 100% similar to the sequence of C. rhizophaga strain CBS 361.77 (GenBank Accession No. AF358158) but differed by a deletion of 2 nucleotides relative to the ex-type strain of C. rhizophaga, CBS 202.37 (GenBank Accession No. AF358156). Two methods were used to inoculate plants and complete Koch's postulates. Method 1 used a 10-mm-diameter mycelial plug to inoculate healthy 3-day-old seedlings grown on 40 ml of Hoagland nutrient agar medium in a glass tube (one seedling per tube). The plug was placed mycelial-side down on the surface of the medium, and the fungus subsequently colonized the medium and penetrated the plant roots. Method 2 involved mixing autoclaved seed that had been colonized by each isolate with sterilized soil (1:12 vol/vol) prior to transplanting healthy seedlings into the soil mix. Thirty plants of each cultivar were tested per isolate per method, and controls received sterile agar plugs or autoclaved chickpea seed only. Irrespective of inoculation method, all five isolates caused wilt and plant death of all cultivars within 15 days (method 1) or 2 months (method 2) postinoculation. Symptoms were similar to those originally observed in the field and controls remained healthy. C. rhizophaga was recovered from all affected plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. rhizophaga as a pathogen of chickpea. In an earlier report, C. rhizophaga (as Verticillium rhizophagum Tehon & Jacobs, nom. invalid.) was identified as the causal agent of a disastrous disease of Ulmus americana in Ohio (2). C. rhizophaga has been reported from Chile, Ecuador, the United States, and Switzerland (1). References: (1) H.-J. Schroers. Stud. Mycol. 46:85, 2001. (2) L.-R. Tehon and H. L. Jacobs. Bull. Davey Tree Expert Company, Kent, OH. 6:3, 1936.