Observation of Transverse Λ/Λ[over ¯] Hyperon Polarization in e^{+}e^{-} Annihilation at Belle

We report the first observation of the spontaneous polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons transverse to the production plane in e^{+}e^{-} annihilation, which is attributed to the effect arising from a polarizing fragmentation function. For inclusive Λ/Λ[over ¯] production, we also report results with subtracted feed-down contributions from Σ^{0} and charm. This measurement uses a dataset of 800.4  fb^{-1} collected by the Belle experiment at or near a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV. We observe a significant polarization that rises with the fractional energy carried by the Λ/Λ[over ¯] hyperon.

Improved survival with radiotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma with major vascular invasion: A propensity-matched analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database

Objectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with major vascular invasion is an advanced stage disease with an extremely poor prognosis and low survival rate. Our study evaluated the survival benefit of radiotherapy (RT) in HCC patients with major vascular invasion through Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

Methods

We analyzed 3181 HCC patients with major vascular invasion cases diagnosed from 2004 to 2013. Patients (N = 308) who underwent RT and patients (N = 2873) who did not receive RT were compared. We successfully analyzed patients using propensity score matching (PSM). Kaplan‐Meier and Cox‐regression analyses were applied to assess prognosis.

Results

The median survival time in radiation‐treated group was longer compared to the control group (7 months vs 3 months; P < 0.001) in the overall sample and 3 months longer compared to the control group (7 months vs 4 months; P < 0.001) in a PSM cohort. Cox‐regression analyses showed that radiation‐treated patients in propensity‐matched sample had a significantly lower risk of mortality (HR: 0.625, 95% CI: 0.522‐0.749, P < 0.001) compared with untreated patients. The radiation‐treated groups had better survival rate than untreated group. Subgroup analysis revealed that the survival time of patients in radiation‐treated group was significantly longer than that in the untreated group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.026, respectively). The subgroup analysis also revealed that RT provides a survival benefit regardless of race, marital status, and tumor size after PSM.

Conclusions

Radiotherapy provides improves survival in HCC patients with major vascular invasion, especially for tumor(s) confined to one lobe and not on surface of liver.

Search for a Light CP-odd Higgs Boson and Low-Mass Dark Matter at the Belle Experiment

We report on the first Belle search for a light CP-odd Higgs boson, A^{0}, that decays into low mass dark matter, χ, in final states with a single photon and missing energy. We search for events produced via the dipion transition ϒ(2S)→ϒ(1S)π^{+}π^{-}, followed by the on-shell process ϒ(1S)→γA^{0} with A^{0}→χχ, or by the off-shell process ϒ(1S)→γχχ. Utilizing a data sample of 157.3×10^{6} ϒ(2S) decays, we find no evidence for a signal. We set limits on the branching fractions of such processes in the mass ranges M_{A^{0}}<8.97  GeV/c^{2} and M_{χ}<4.44  GeV/c^{2}. We then use the limits on the off-shell process to set competitive limits on WIMP-nucleon scattering in the WIMP mass range below 5  GeV/c^{2}.

First Evidence for cos2β>0 and Resolution of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa Quark-Mixing Unitarity Triangle Ambiguity

We present first evidence that the cosine of the CP-violating weak phase 2β is positive, and hence exclude trigonometric multifold solutions of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) Unitarity Triangle using a time-dependent Dalitz plot analysis of B^{0}→D^{(*)}h^{0} with D→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} decays, where h^{0}∈{π^{0},η,ω} denotes a light unflavored and neutral hadron. The measurement is performed combining the final data sets of the BABAR and Belle experiments collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance 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. The results of the measurement are sin2β=0.80±0.14(stat)±0.06(syst)±0.03(model) and cos2β=0.91±0.22(stat)±0.09(syst)±0.07(model). The result for the direct measurement of the angle β of the CKM Unitarity Triangle is β=[22.5±4.4(stat)±1.2(syst)±0.6(model)]°. The measurement assumes no direct CP violation in B^{0}→D^{(*)}h^{0} decays. The quoted model uncertainties are due to the composition of the D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} decay amplitude model, which is newly established by performing a Dalitz plot amplitude analysis using a high-statistics e^{+}e^{-}→cc[over ¯] data sample. CP violation is observed in B^{0}→D^{(*)}h^{0} decays at the level of 5.1 standard deviations. The significance for cos2β>0 is 3.7 standard deviations. The trigonometric multifold solution π/2-β=(68.1±0.7)° is excluded at the level of 7.3 standard deviations. The measurement resolves an ambiguity in the determination of the apex of the CKM Unitarity Triangle.

Observation of ϒ(2S)→γη_{b}(1S) Decay

We report the observation of ϒ(2S)→γη_{b}(1S) decay based on an analysis of the inclusive photon spectrum of 24.7  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collisions at the ϒ(2S) center-of-mass energy collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We measure a branching fraction of B[ϒ(2S)→γη_{b}(1S)]=(6.1_{-0.7-0.6}^{+0.6+0.9})×10^{-4} and derive an η_{b}(1S) mass of 9394.8_{-3.1-2.7}^{+2.7+4.5}  MeV/c^{2}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The significance of our measurement is greater than 7 standard deviations, constituting the first observation of this decay mode.

[Impact of aortic root morphology on the implantation depth of aortic valve prosthesis during trans-catheter aortic valve replacement in patients with native bicuspid aortic valve stenosis]

Objective: To investigate the impact of aortic root morphology on the implantation depth of aortic valve prosthesis during trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in bicuspid aortic valve patients. Methods: Clinical data of 40 patients with native bicuspid aortic valve stenosis who underwent TAVR using the self-expandable prosthesis (the Venus A-valve) from 2014 to 2017 in Fuwai Hospital was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into non-deep implantation group (implant depth ≤10 mm by instant angiogram after implantation,29 cases) and deep implantation group (implant depth> 10 mm by instant angiogram after implantation,11 cases).Pre-procedural aortic root characteristics (e.g. calcification, angle and dimensions) were assessed by CT. The impact of aortic root morphology on the implantation depth and clinical outcomes were also evaluated. Results: The age was (75.1±5.9) years with equal representation from the raphe-type and non-raphe type (52.5%(21/40) and 47.5%(19/40)).The bigger aorta angle ((56.5±4.5)° vs. (47.4±9.4)°, P=0.004),more frequent mild-calcification (HU850, <200 mm(3)) or severe-calcification(HU850, >1 000 mm(3)) of aortic leaflets (7/11 vs. 4/29, P=0.006), as well as higher ratio of left ventricular outflow tract perimeter to annulus perimeter ((109.2±7.5)% vs. (101.5±6.5)%, P=0.004) were found in the deep implantation group compared to the non-deep implantation group. The new in-hospital onset of bundle-branchheart-block or atrioventricular block conduction disturbance rate was higher in the deep implantation group than in the non-deep implantation group (6/11 vs. 2/29, P=0.030).Left ventricular ejection fraction was similar between deep implantation group and non-deep implantation group at baseline((49.9±8.9)% vs. (55.8±10.4)%, P=0.117), and was significantly lower in the deep implantation group than in the non-deep implantation group at 30 days after implantation ((51.6±12.8)% vs. (60.9±8.1)%, P=0.020). Conclusion: Aortic root morphology of bicuspid aortic valve patients is associated with implantation depth of the prosthesis during TAVR, which affects the conduction system and left ventricular function during and post TAVR.

Observation of the Semileptonic Decay D^{0}→a_{0}(980)^{-}e^{+}ν_{e} and Evidence for D^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{0}e^{+}ν_{e}

Using an e^{+}e^{-} collision data sample of 2.93  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV by the BESIII detector at BEPCII, we report the observation of D^{0}→a_{0}(980)^{-}e^{+}ν_{e} and evidence for D^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{0}e^{+}ν_{e} with significances of 6.4σ and 2.9σ, respectively. The absolute branching fractions are determined to be B(D^{0}→a_{0}(980)^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})×B(a_{0}(980)^{-}→ηπ^{-})=[1.33_{-0.29}^{+0.33}(stat)±0.09(syst)]×10^{-4} and B(D^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{0}e^{+}ν_{e})×B(a_{0}(980)^{0}→ηπ^{0})=[1.66_{-0.66}^{+0.81}(stat)±0.11(syst)]×10^{-4}. This is the first time the a_{0}(980) meson has been measured in a D^{0} semileptonic decay, which would open one more interesting page in the investigation of the nature of the puzzling a_{0}(980) states.

Observation of ϒ(4S)→η^{'}ϒ(1S)

We report the first observation of the hadronic transition ϒ(4S)→η^{'}ϒ(1S), using 496  fb^{-1} data collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We reconstruct the η^{'} meson through its decays to ρ^{0}γ and to π^{+}π^{-}η, with η→γγ. We measure B(ϒ(4S)→η^{'}ϒ(1S))=[3.43±0.88(stat)±0.21(syst)]×10^{-5}, with a significance of 5.7σ.

Observation of an Excited Ω^{-} Baryon

Using data recorded with the Belle detector, we observe a new excited hyperon, an Ω^{*-} candidate decaying into Ξ^{0}K^{-} and Ξ^{-}K_{S}^{0} with a mass of 2012.4±0.7(stat)±0.6(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of Γ=6.4_{-2.0}^{+2.5}(stat)±1.6(syst)  MeV. The Ω^{*-} is seen primarily in ϒ(1S),ϒ(2S), and ϒ(3S) decays.

Search for B^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} Decays at the Belle Experiment

We report the results of a search for the rare, purely leptonic decay B^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} performed with a 711  fb^{-1} data sample that contains 772×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] pairs, collected near the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The signal events are selected based on the presence of a high momentum muon and the topology of the rest of the event showing properties of a generic B-meson decay, as well as the missing energy and momentum being consistent with the hypothesis of a neutrino from the signal decay. We find a 2.4 standard deviation excess above background including systematic uncertainties, which corresponds to a branching fraction of B(B^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ})=(6.46±2.22±1.60)×10^{-7} or a frequentist 90% confidence level interval on the B^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} branching fraction of [2.9,10.7]×10^{-7}.

Precision Study of η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} Decay Dynamics

Using a low background data sample of 9.7×10^{5}  J/ψ→γη^{'}, η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} events, which are 2 orders of magnitude larger than those from the previous experiments, recorded with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, the decay dynamics of η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} are studied with both model-dependent and model-independent approaches. The contributions of ω and the ρ(770)-ω interference are observed for the first time in the decays η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} in both approaches. Additionally, a contribution from the box anomaly or the ρ(1450) resonance is required in the model-dependent approach, while the process specific part of the decay amplitude is determined in the model-independent approach.

Cytocompatibility of Biodentine and iRoot FS with human periodontal ligament cells: an in vitro study

AIM

To evaluate the cytocompatibility of Biodentine and iRoot FS with human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs).

METHODOLOGY

Human periodontal ligament cells were characterized by flow cytometry and immunocytochemical analysis. Human periodontal ligament cell adhesion was assessed by scanning electron microscopy at day 3; proliferation by live/dead assay at days 1, 3 and 7; and osteogenic differentiation by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity staining, ALP quantification analysis and qRT-PCR at days 7 and 14. Data were analysed with anova and independent sample t-tests with SPSS 21.0.

RESULTS

Both iRoot FS and Biodentine increased the adhesion of hPDLCs at day 3. Compared to Biodentine, iRoot FS positively increased hPDLC proliferation on days 3 (P = 0.03) and 7 (P = 0.00). Osteogenic marker ALP was observed consistently in all samples, with iRoot FS having significantly higher ALP activity at day 14 (P = 0.00). Compared with Biodentine, iRoot FS significantly increased the mRNA level of ALP, COL1 and Runx2, and OCN increased only on day 14 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

iRoot FS had a positive effect on the adhesion, proliferation and biomineralization of hPDLCs compared with Biodentine.

Non-invasive predictive model for hepatic venous pressure gradient based on a 3-dimensional computed tomography volume rendering technology

Portal hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis may cause a number of life-threatening complications. The rupture of gastroesophageal varices is associated with a high mortality rate of 15–30%. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is an accurate reflection of disease severity, however this can only be assessed via an invasive interventional procedure. The aim of the present study was to explore a non-invasive method based on 3D computed tomography (CT) volume rendering technology to accurately predict HVPG. A total of 77 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis underwent HVPG examination in the present study and the appropriate clinical and radiological data were retrospectively reviewed. A 3D liver and spleen volume rendering was constructed for volume measurements. All non-invasive parameters were tested using univariate analysis and the resulting variables that were statistically significant (P<0.20) were used in the multivariate linear regression model. The HVPG predictive model was as follows: HVPG = 18.726 - 0.324 (albumin) + 1.57 (aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index) + 0.004 (liver volume) (multivariate regression analysis, P=0.006). The corresponding area under receiver operating characteristic curve to identify clinically significant portal hypertension defined as HVPG ≥10 mmHg was 0.810 (95% confidence interval; 0.705–0.891), with an optimal cut-off value of 12.84, yielding a sensitivity of 80.36% a specificity of 76.19%. The results of the present study indicate that 3D CT volume rendering technology may have the potential to be used for non-invasive prediction of HVPG.

Granny Smith apple procyanidin extract upregulates tight junction protein expression and modulates oxidative stress and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-induced Caco-2 cells

Granny Smith apple procyanidin extracts upregulate tight junction protein expression, probably acting via the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-induced Caco-2 cells.

Evidence for Isospin Violation and Measurement of CP Asymmetries in B→K^{*}(892)γ

We report the first evidence for isospin violation in B→K^{*}γ and the first measurement of the difference of CP asymmetries between B^{+}→K^{*+}γ and B^{0}→K^{*0}γ. This analysis is based on the data sample containing 772×10^{6}BB[over ¯] pairs that was collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e^{+}e^{-} collider. We find evidence for the isospin violation with a significance of 3.1σ, Δ_{0+}=[+6.2±1.5(stat)±0.6(syst)±1.2(f_{+-}/f_{00})]%, where the third uncertainty is due to the uncertainty on the fraction of B^{+}B^{-} to B^{0}B[over ¯]^{0} production in ϒ(4S) decays. The measured value is consistent with predictions of the standard model. The result for the difference of CP asymmetries is ΔA_{CP}=[+2.4±2.8(stat)±0.5(syst)]%, consistent with zero. The measured branching fractions and CP asymmetries for charged and neutral B meson decays are the most precise to date. We also calculate the ratio of branching fractions of B^{0}→K^{*0}γ to B_{s}^{0}→ϕγ.

Search for CP Violation and Measurement of the Branching Fraction in the Decay D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}

We report a study of the decay D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} using 921  fb^{-1} of data collected at or near the ϒ(4S) and ϒ(5S) resonances with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The measured time-integrated CP asymmetry is A_{CP}(D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0})=(-0.02±1.53±0.02±0.17)%, and the branching fraction is B(D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0})=(1.321±0.023±0.036±0.044)×10^{-4}, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the normalization mode (D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0}). These results are significantly more precise than previous measurements available for this mode. The A_{CP} measurement is consistent with the standard model expectation.

[Safety and feasibility of sheathless transfemoral aortic valve implantation]

Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of sheathless transfemoral aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: In this prospective study, we enrolled 23 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who were inoperable or at high-risk for surgical aortic valve replacement operation in Fuwai hospital From September 2012 to June 2015. Multislice spiral CT and angiography of femoral artery showed that all patients had minimal femoral artery diameters (<6.5 mm) and severe calcification which was not suitable for transfemoral TAVR through sheath. We attempted to apply the sheathless transfemoral TAVR using Venus-A prosthesis without sheath insertion, and procedure related complication during the procedure and hospital stay were observed. Results: The 6 mm×30 mm balloon was used for femoral artery predilation in 1 patient with iliofemoral artery stenosis before delivery system was transported. In the other 22 patients, the delivery system was transported directly. A total of 21 patients finished TAVR with transfemoral sheathless technique. In 2 patients, prosthesis was unable to fully expand after release due to severe valve calcification, and patients received urgent surgical aortic valve replacement. One patient had valve dislocation into the ascending aorta that was not related to the sheathless replacement technique, and delivery system and Venus-A valve were removed after femoral artery was opened surgically, and repeated sheathless TAVR implantation was performed and was successful. Moderate aortic regurgitation occurred in 2 patients immediately after procedure, and trace or mild aortic regurgitation was detected in rest of the patients. One patient had puncture site rupture and bleeding after procedure, and was successfully treated by balloon compression without blood transfusion. Complete atrioventricular block occurred in 3 patients within 24 hours after procedure and lasted after 48-72 hours, permanent pacemakers were implanted in these patients. Conclusion: The sheathless transfemoral technique in TAVR is safe and feasible in severe aortic stenosis patients with small access vessel diameter.

Determination of the Spin and Parity of the Z_{c}(3900)

The spin and parity of the Z_{c}(3900)^{±} state are determined to be J^{P}=1^{+} with a statistical significance larger than 7σ over other quantum numbers in a partial wave analysis of the process e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ. We use a data sample of 1.92  fb^{-1} accumulated at sqrt[s]=4.23 and 4.26 GeV with the BESIII experiment. When parametrizing the Z_{c}(3900)^{±} with a Flatté-like formula, we determine its pole mass M_{pole}=(3881.2±4.2_{stat}±52.7_{syst})  MeV/c^{2} and pole width Γ_{pole}=(51.8±4.6_{stat}±36.0_{syst})  MeV. We also measure cross sections for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(3900)^{+}π^{-}+c.c.→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-} and determine an upper limit at the 90% confidence level for the process e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(4020)^{+}π^{-}+c.c.→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}.

Extracellular diffusion quantified by magnetic resonance imaging during rat C6 glioma cell progression

Solution reflux and edema hamper the convection-enhanced delivery of the standard treatment for glioma. Therefore, a real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method was developed to monitor the dosing process, but a quantitative analysis of local diffusion and clearance parameters has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to compare diffusion into the extracellular space (ECS) at different stages of rat C6 gliomas, and analyze the effects of the extracellular matrix (ECM) on the diffusion process. At 10 and 20 days, after successful glioma modeling, gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) was introduced into the ECS of rat C6 gliomas. Diffusion parameters and half-life of the reagent were then detected using MRI, and quantified according to the mathematical model of diffusion. The main ECM components [chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), collagen IV, and tenascin C] were detected by immunohistochemical and immunoblot analyses. In 20-day gliomas, Gd-DTPA diffused more slowly and derived higher tortuosity, with lower clearance rate and longer half-life compared to 10-day gliomas. The increased glioma ECM was associated with different diffusion and clearance parameters in 20-day rat gliomas compared to 10-day gliomas. ECS parameters were altered with C6 glioma progression from increased ECM content. Our study might help better understand the glioma microenvironment and provide benefits for interstitial drug delivery to treat brain gliomas.

Measurement of the τ Lepton Polarization and R(D^{*}) in the Decay B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ}

We report the first measurement of the τ lepton polarization P_{τ}(D^{*}) in the decay B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ} as well as a new measurement of the ratio of the branching fractions R(D^{*})=B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}ℓ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{ℓ}), where ℓ^{-} denotes an electron or a muon, and the τ is reconstructed in the modes τ^{-}→π^{-}ν_{τ} and τ^{-}→ρ^{-}ν_{τ}. We use the full data sample of 772×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] pairs recorded with the Belle detector at the KEKB electron-positron collider. Our results, P_{τ}(D^{*})=-0.38±0.51(stat)_{-0.16}^{+0.21}(syst) and R(D^{*})=0.270±0.035(stat)_{-0.025}^{+0.028}(syst), are consistent with the theoretical predictions of the standard model.

[Dynamics of F1 antibody responses to Yersinia pestis infection in Rhombomys opimus]

Objective: To observe the dynamics of antibody response in great gerbils infected with Yersinia pestis in experiment. Method: A total of 211 great gerbils were captured in the southern margin of plague natural focus of Junggar Basin of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2011. Among them, there were 167 great gerbils without infection of Y. pestis and 44 great gerbils infected by Y.pestis. Y.pestis No. 2504 was employed for this experimental strain, which was strong toxic strain with negativity in the reduction experiment of nitrate. 35 great gerbils without the infection of Y. pestis were divided randomly and averagely into 7 groups including 6 experimental groups and 1 control group. Great gerbils in the 1st to 6th experimental groups were exposed first with 1 × 10(6)-1 × 10(11) CFU/ml of bacterial fluid with 10 times of gradient dilution; groin areas of great gerbils in the control group were injected subcutaneously with physiological saline; and the amount of infection was all 1 ml. 17 great gerbils infected with Y. pestis and the first detection of F1-antibody titer in 1∶256-1∶4 096 were grouped according to F1-antibody titer: group 1∶4 096 (n=4), group 1∶2 048 (n=4), group 1∶1 024 (n=3), group 1∶512 (n=3) and group 1∶256 (n=3); and blood in caudal regions was collected in asepsis for the detection of F1-antibody, with a total of 5 times. 9 great gerbils which were selected from the remaining great gerbils infected with Y. pestis and detected F1-antibody negative 2 times were exposed 1×10(6) CFU/ml of bacterial fluid for the second infection, with the amount of infection being 1 ml. Blood in caudal regions of great gerbils after the first and second infection were collected for the detection of plague F1-antibody on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 15th, 30th, 60th, 90th and 120th day after infection. Declined regression models for great gerbils' antibodies were established with unary linear regression equation; declined change diagrams for the antibodies were drawn to observe the declined F1-antibody after great gerbils were exposed to Y. pestis. Results: In great gerbils with the first infection of Y. pestis, antibodies were detected in the 1 × 10(6)-1 × 10(8) CFU/ml of group on the 30th, 15th and 15th day, respectively; the positive rates of antibody were 1/4, 3/4 and 4/5, respectively; the group 1×10(7) and 1× 10(8) CFU/ml reached to the highest antibody titer with 1∶256 on the 120th day; antibodies were revealed in the group 1×10(9), 1×10(10) and 1×10(11) CFU/ml from the 5th to 7th day when the seroconversion of all antibodies was observed; group 1×10(11) CFU/ml reached to the highest antibody titer on the 120th day with 1∶4 096. In the great gerbils with the second exposure to Y.pestis, positive antibodies were detected on the 3rd day with the positive rate being 2/9; and the highest antibody titer with 1∶2 048 was noted on the 90th day. Unary linear regression equation of declined F1 antibody of great gerbils was y=0.045x- 0.321 (F=115.40, P< 0.001), and the shortest duration for F1-antibody titer declining from 1∶4 096 to 0 was 140 d and the longest duration 200 d. Conclusion: Great gerbils infected with the high concentration of Y. pestis fluid show shorter duration in producing F1-antibody, the antibody positive rate is also higher, and the highest antibody titer can reach 1∶4 096. The great gerbils could hold the plague F1 antibodies for a long time which was about 140 to 200 days from the highest titer.

Lepton-Flavor-Dependent Angular Analysis of B→K^{*}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-}

We present a measurement of angular observables and a test of lepton flavor universality in the B→K^{*}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} decay, where ℓ is either e or μ. The analysis is performed on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 711  fb^{-1} containing 772×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs, collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider KEKB. The result is consistent with standard model (SM) expectations, where the largest discrepancy from a SM prediction is observed in the muon modes with a local significance of 2.6σ.

Observation of Λ_{c}^{+}→nK_{S}^{0}π^{+}

We report the first direct measurement of decays of the Λ_{c}^{+} baryon involving the neutron. The analysis is performed using 567  pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data collected at sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. We observe the decay Λ_{c}^{+}→nK_{S}^{0}π^{+} and measure the absolute branching fraction to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→nK_{S}^{0}π^{+})=[1.82±0.23(stat)±0.11(syst)]%. A comparison to B[Λ_{c}^{+}→p(K[over ¯]π)^{0}] provides an important test of isospin symmetry and final state interactions.

Precise Measurement of the e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ Cross Section at Center-of-Mass Energies from 3.77 to 4.60 GeV

The cross section for the process e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ is measured precisely at center-of-mass energies from 3.77 to 4.60 GeV using 9  fb^{-1} of data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. Two resonant structures are observed in a fit to the cross section. The first resonance has a mass of (4222.0±3.1±1.4)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of (44.1±4.3±2.0)  MeV, while the second one has a mass of (4320.0±10.4±7.0)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of (101.4_{-19.7}^{+25.3}±10.2)  MeV, where the first errors are statistical and second ones are systematic. The first resonance agrees with the Y(4260) resonance reported by previous experiments. The precision of its resonant parameters is improved significantly. The second resonance is observed in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ for the first time. The statistical significance of this resonance is estimated to be larger than 7.6σ. The mass and width of the second resonance agree with the Y(4360) resonance reported by the BABAR and Belle experiments within errors. Finally, the Y(4008) resonance previously observed by the Belle experiment is not confirmed in the description of the BESIII data.

Evidence of Two Resonant Structures in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}h_{c}

The cross sections of e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}h_{c} at center-of-mass energies from 3.896 to 4.600 GeV are measured using data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The cross sections are found to be of the same order of magnitude as those of e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ and e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ(2S), but the line shape is inconsistent with the Y states observed in the latter two modes. Two structures are observed in the e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}h_{c} cross sections around 4.22 and 4.39  GeV/c^{2}, which we call Y(4220) and Y(4390), respectively. A fit with a coherent sum of two Breit-Wigner functions results in a mass of (4218.4_{-4.5}^{+5.5}±0.9)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of (66.0_{-8.3}^{+12.3}±0.4)  MeV for the Y(4220), and a mass of (4391.5_{-6.8}^{+6.3}±1.0)  MeV/c^{2} and a width of (139.5_{-20.6}^{+16.2}±0.6)  MeV for the Y(4390), where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones systematic. The statistical significance of Y(4220) and Y(4390) is 10σ over one structure assumption.

Abstract P3-04-15: The PI3K-inhibitor, copanlisib, has selective activity in luminal breast cancer cell lines and shows robust combined activity with hormonal blockade and CDK-4/6 inhibition in ER+ breast cancer cell line xenografts

Background: Genetic and epigenetic alterations in the PI3K/mTOR and cyclin D:CDK-4/6:Rb signaling axes occur frequently in breast cancer and have been attributed to resistance to both ER- and HER2-directed therapeutics. Pharmacologically targeting CDK-4/6 in combination with hormonal blockade provides clinical benefit in patients with advanced ER+ breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated the activity of the pan-class I PI3K inhibitor, copanlisib (BAY-80-6946), with potent alpha and delta activity as a single agent or in combination with CDK-4/6 inhibition and hormonal blockade in a panel of breast cancer cell lines.

Methods: The growth inhibitory activity of copanlisib was evaluated against a large panel of 48 breast cancer cell lines molecularly characterized by genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiling. IC50 values were determined from direct cell counts using a Z1-particle counter. The activity of copanlisib in combination with hormone blockade and CDK-4/6 inhibition, by palbociclib, was assessed in two cell line xenograft models of ER+ breast cancer; MCF7(PIK3CA-E545K) and ZR751(PIK3CA WT). For xenograft studies, tumor bearing mice were treated once weekly (BID) by intravenous injection with clinically achievable doses of copanlisib (10 mg/kg) as single agent or in combination with tamoxifen or fulvestrant with or without 75 mg/kg daily palbociclib for 21 days.

Results: A broad range of IC50 values (0.491-895 nM), with a high degree of separation between sensitive and resistant histologically defined subgroups were determined for copanlisib, indicating the potential for a wide therapeutic window. Luminal subtype, the presence of activating mutations in PIK3CA, high levels of ER, HER2, HER3 and EGFR protein enriched for sensitivity to copanlisib. Activating mutations of KRAS and BRAF were associated with resistance to copanlisib. Single agent copanlisib induced significant tumor growth inhibition (TGI) relative to vehicle control in each of the xenograft models. Modest increases in anti-tumor activity were achieved when copanlisib was combined with hormonal blockade by either tamoxifen or fulvestrant. However, robust tumor regressions were observed with the triple combinations of copanlisib-palbociclib-tamoxifen and copanlisib-palbociclib-fulvestrant. Furthermore, these triple combinations achieved a statistically significant improvement in anti-tumor activity over the standard of care combination of palbociclib plus fulvestrant. Each of the single agent and treatment combinations tested were well tolerated in animals.

Discussion: These preclinical data illustrate the potent and selective activity of the pan class I PI3K inhibitor copanlisib in luminal breast cancers and support the clinical investigation of copanlisib in combination with CDK-4/6 inhibition and hormonal blockade in ER+ breast cancer.

Citation Format: O'Brien NA, Conklin D, Luo T, Ayala R, Issakhanian S, Kalous O, Von Euw E, Politz O, Wilhelm S, Childs BH, Hurvitz SA, Slamon DJ. The PI3K-inhibitor, copanlisib, has selective activity in luminal breast cancer cell lines and shows robust combined activity with hormonal blockade and CDK-4/6 inhibition in ER+ breast cancer cell line xenografts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-04-15.

[Experimental observation on the histopathological and ultrastructural pathology of Great Gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) in the Junggar Basin by subcutaneous injecting of Yersinia pestis]

Objective: To understand the histopathological and ultrastructural pathology changes of great gerbils in the Junggar Basin to Yersinia pestis infection. Methods: Forty captured great gerbils from the Junggar Basin that tested negative for anti-F1 antibodies were infected. The Y. pestis strain 2504, isolated from a live great gerbil in the natural plague foci of the Junggar Basin in 2005 with a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of <10 CFU/ml, was used in this study. Forty great gerbils were divided into seven infection groups and were subcutaneously infected with 7.4×10(5), 7.4×10(6), 7.4×10(7), 7.4×10(8), 7.4×10(9), 7.4×10(10), or 3.0×10(11) CFU/ml of 2504. One milliliter of physiological saline was injected in the noninfected group as a control. We collected the liver, spleen, heart, and lung from all animals for histopathologic and ultrastructural pathology examination. Results: Great gerbils in the 7.4×10(8)-3.0×10(11) CFU/ml groups did not survive and exhibited pathological changes and altered ultrastructural pathology. The liver tissue of infected great gerbils showed spotty necrosis and fatty degeneration, intranuclear canaliculi with increased hepatocytes, and uneven distribution of organelles. Additionally, reactive proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the spleen, blood sinusoid lacunae with neutrophil infiltration, and phagocytosed bacteria in phagocyte cells were observed. Myocardial fiber hypertrophy and interstitial indistinction, nuclear matrices decreased in cardiac myocytes, and loose arrangement of myogenic fibers in myocardial cells were also observed. Angiectasia, capillary congestion, and tissue necrosis were found in the lung. No significant difference in histopathological and ultrastructural pathology in the parenchymal organ was observed between the 7.4×10(5)-7.4×10(7) CFU/ml groups and the 7.4×10(8)-3.0×10(11) CFU/ml groups, and no specific death caused by Y. pestis infection was apparent in the 7.4×10(5)-7.4×10(7) CFU/ml groups. Conclusion:Y. pestis infection altered tissue and ultrastructural pathology in the parenchyma apparatus of great gerbils. In particular, the liver and spleen appeared to be the primary site of Y. pestis infection in great gerbils.

Amplitude Analysis of the Decays η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0} and η^{'}→π^{0}π^{0}π^{0}

Based on a sample of 1.31×10^{9}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, an amplitude analysis of the isospin-violating decays η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0} and η^{'}→π^{0}π^{0}π^{0} is performed. A significant P-wave contribution from η^{'}→ρ^{±}π^{∓} is observed for the first time in η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0}. The branching fraction is determined to be B(η^{'}→ρ^{±}π^{∓})=(7.44±0.60±1.26±1.84)×10^{-4}, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third model dependent. In addition to the nonresonant S-wave component, there is a significant σ meson component. The branching fractions of the combined S-wave components are determined to be B(η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0})_{S}=(37.63±0.77±2.22±4.48)×10^{-4} and B(η^{'}→π^{0}π^{0}π^{0})=(35.22±0.82±2.54)×10^{-4}, respectively. The latter one is consistent with previous BESIII measurements.

Consumption of a single serving of red raspberries per day reduces metabolic syndrome parameters in high-fat fed mice

Intake of one daily serving of raspberry ameliorates the symptoms of metabolic syndrome in a high fat diet fed C57BL/6J mouse model.

Measurement of Singly Cabibbo Suppressed Decays Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K^{-}

Using 567  pb^{-1} of data collected with the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV, near the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} threshold, we study the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K^{-}. By normalizing with respect to the Cabibbo-favored decay Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+}, we obtain ratios of branching fractions: [B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-})/B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})]=(6.70±0.48±0.25)%, [B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pϕ)/B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})]=(1.81±0.33±0.13)%, and [B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K_{non-ϕ}^{-})/B(Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})]=(9.36±2.22±0.71)×10^{-3}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The absolute branching fractions are also presented. Among these measurements, the decay Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{+}π^{-} is observed for the first time, and the precision of the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{+}K_{non-ϕ}^{-} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pϕ is significantly improved.

The physics for the formation of cell-in-cell structures

The formations of cell-in-cell structures have been found in several important biological processes. Recent studies have shed light on the biochemical signaling pathways as well as the quantitative understandings of the underlying physics. Multiple new features that regulate the cellular engulfment have been identified. However, the driving forces promoting the structural formation are still under debate. This review focuses on the recent progress and discusses the potential significance of the existing physical models.

Energy Scan of the e^{+}e^{-}→h_{b}(nP)π^{+}π^{-} (n=1, 2) Cross Sections and Evidence for ϒ(11020) Decays into Charged Bottomoniumlike States

Using data collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider, we measure the energy dependence of the e^{+}e^{-}→h_{b}(nP)π^{+}π^{-} (n=1, 2) cross sections from thresholds up to 11.02 GeV. We find clear ϒ(10860) and ϒ(11020) peaks with little or no continuum contribution. We study the resonant substructure of the ϒ(11020)→h_{b}(nP)π^{+}π^{-} transitions and find evidence that they proceed entirely via the intermediate isovector states Z_{b}(10610) and Z_{b}(10650). The relative fraction of these states is loosely constrained by the current data: The hypothesis that only Z_{b}(10610) is produced is excluded at the level of 3.3 standard deviations, while the hypothesis that only Z_{b}(10650) is produced is not excluded at a significant level.

3D reconstruction of elastin fibres in coronary adventitia

A 3D reconstruction of individual fibres in vascular tissue is necessary to understand the microstructure properties of the vessel wall.  The objective of this study is to determine the 3D microstructure of elastin fibres in the adventitia of coronary arteries.  Quantification of fibre geometry is challenging due to the complex interwoven structure of the fibres.  In particular, accurate linking of gaps remains a significant challenge, and complex features such as long gaps and interwoven fibres have not been adequately addressed by current fibre reconstruction algorithms.  We use a novel line Laplacian deformation method, which better deals with fibre shape uncertainty to reconstruct elastin fibres in the coronary adventitia of five swine. A cost function, based on entropy and Euler Spiral, was used in the shortest path search. We find that mean diameter of elastin fibres is 1.67 ± 1.42 μm and fibre orientation is clustered around two major angles of 8.9˚ and 81.8˚.  Comparing with CT-FIRE, we find that our method gives more accurate estimation of fibre width.  To our knowledge, the measurements obtained using our algorithm represent the first investigation focused on the reconstruction of full elastin fibre length.  Our data provide a foundation for a 3D microstructural model of the coronary adventitia to elucidate the structure-function relationship of elastin fibres.

Observation of an Anomalous Line Shape of the η^{'}π^{+}π^{-} Mass Spectrum near the pp[over ¯] Mass Threshold in J/ψ→γη^{'}π^{+}π^{-}

Using 1.09×10^{9} J/ψ events collected by the BESIII experiment in 2012, we study the J/ψ→γη^{'}π^{+}π^{-} process and observe a significant abrupt change in the slope of the η^{'}π^{+}π^{-} invariant mass distribution at the proton-antiproton (pp[over ¯]) mass threshold. We use two models to characterize the η^{'}π^{+}π^{-} line shape around 1.85  GeV/c^{2}: one that explicitly incorporates the opening of a decay threshold in the mass spectrum (Flatté formula), and another that is the coherent sum of two resonant amplitudes. Both fits show almost equally good agreement with data, and suggest the existence of either a broad state around 1.85  GeV/c^{2} with strong couplings to the pp[over ¯] final states or a narrow state just below the pp[over ¯] mass threshold. Although we cannot distinguish between the fits, either one supports the existence of a pp[over ¯] moleculelike state or bound state with greater than 7σ significance.

Observation of h_{c} Radiative Decay h_{c}→γη^{'} and Evidence for h_{c}→γη

A search for radiative decays of the P-wave spin singlet charmonium resonance h_{c} is performed based on 4.48×10^{8} ψ^{'} events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. Events of the reaction channels h_{c}→γη^{'} and γη are observed with a statistical significance of 8.4σ and 4.0σ, respectively, for the first time. The branching fractions of h_{c}→γη^{'} and h_{c}→γη are measured to be B(h_{c}→γη^{'})=(1.52±0.27±0.29)×10^{-3} and B(h_{c}→γη)=(4.7±1.5±1.4)×10^{-4}, respectively, where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic uncertainties.

Observation of the Decay B_{s}^{0}→K^{0}K[over ¯]^{0}

We measure the decay B_{s}^{0}→K^{0}K[over ¯]^{0} using data collected at the ϒ(5S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 121.4  fb^{-1}. We measure a branching fraction B(B_{s}^{0}→K^{0}K[over ¯]^{0})=[19.6_{-5.1}^{+5.8}(stat)±1.0(syst)±2.0(N_{B_{s}^{0}B[over ¯]_{s}^{0}})]×10^{-6} with a significance of 5.1 standard deviations. This measurement constitutes the first observation of this decay.

Molecular detection and extraction of pyrene in plasma and tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats

In this paper, an efficient method for determination of total pyrene concentration in the biological samples including plasma, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated and established using steady-state fluorescence method. Equilibrium dialysis method was applied to determine plasma protein binding rate of pyrene. The results illustrated that the protein binding rate depends on the concentration of pyrene in plasma. Extraction of pyrene in plasma was studied by using biomedical nanopartical which was prepared from synthesized associating polymer poly(ethylene glycol) end-capped by hexadecane. The Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) of the polymeric micelle in aqueous solution was determined to equal 0.0063 mg/mL using 1-pyrenemethanol as a fluorescent probe. The distribution of free pyrene and pyrene loaded nanoparticals in blood were determined. The results showed that over 95% of the free pyrene was distributed into the erythrocyte, and the pyrene-loaded nanoparticles were less distributed in to the erythrocyte than free pyrene, but it was higher than 60%. This study provides an efficient method to detect pyrene in different tissues as well as an extraction method at the molecular level, which might contribute to the development of modern molecular diagnosis and identification in vivo.