Skin reactions at the application site of rivastigmine patch (4.6 mg/24 h, 9.5 mg/24 h or 13.3 mg/24 h): a qualitative analysis of clinical studies in patients with Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Rivastigmine patch is approved for the treatment of all stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Application site reactions may be a concern to clinicians and we used two large clinical trial databases to investigate the incidence of skin reactions in patients receiving rivastigmine patch.

METHODS

Data from a 24-week, randomised, double-blind (DB) evaluation of 13.3 vs. 4.6 mg/24 h rivastigmine patch in severe AD (ACTION) and a 72- to 96-week study comprising an initial open-label (IOL) phase followed by a 48-week randomised, DB phase (13.3 vs. 9.5 mg/24 h rivastigmine patch) in declining patients with mild-to-moderate AD (OPTIMA) were analyzed. The incidence, frequency, severity, management and predictors of application site reactions were assessed.

RESULTS

Application site reactions were mostly mild or moderate in severity and reported by similar proportions in each treatment group (

ACTION

13.3 mg/24 h, 24.5% and 4.6 mg/24 h, 24.2%; OPTIMA: IOL 9.5 mg/24 h, 22.9%; DB 13.3 mg/24 h, 11.4% and 9.5 mg/24 h, 12.0%); none were rated serious. In both studies, <9% of patients required treatment for application site reactions. Application site reactions led to discontinuation of 1.7% and 2.5% of the 13.3 mg/24 h and 4.6 mg/24 h groups, respectively, in ACTION, 8.7% in OPTIMA IOL and 1.8% and 3.5% of the 13.3 mg/24 h and 9.5 mg/24 h groups, respectively, in OPTIMA DB.

CONCLUSIONS

Application site reactions were experienced by <25% of patients in both studies, with no notable effect of dose. No reactions qualified as serious and skin reactions were uncommon as a reason for study discontinuation.

[The gene expression of the protein SLAWD, mediating the toxic effect of destruxin A on Spodoptera litura larvae, in procaryotic cells: purification and characterization]

Spodoptera litura is one of the most destructive phytophagous pest infesting cotton, vegetable, oilseed and ber crops around the world. Dextruxin A (DA), is a one of a kind microbial insecticide, which has potent toxins with bioactivity against S. litura larvae. An abnormal wing disc (AWD) protein was identified as a DA toxic effect protein in S. litura SL-1 cells. To better understand the role of the AWD gene of S. litura (SLAWD) it was purified and characterized. The entire coding region of the SLAWD gene was cloned into a pET-32a(+) expression vector and transformed into competent Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. SDS-PAGE and western blotting analysis and western blotting showed that the best induction conditions were 1 mmol mL(-1) isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) for 6 h at 37°C; the molecular weight of the fusion protein was 35.0 kDa. The production of polyclonal antibodies and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the titer of antiserum was 1:25,600; western blotting analysis showed that the recombinant SLAWD was recognized by the anti-SLAWD polyclonal antibody. AWD is a key protein involved in wing development in insects. These tools will assist in the further characterization of SLAWD and studies on the mechanism of action of destruxin A.

Fingolimod first-dose effects in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis concomitantly receiving selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), commonly administered for depression and anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis, are associated with QT interval prolongation. Fingolimod (FTY720; Gilenya(®), Novartis Pharma AG) is a first-in-class sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Fingolimod first-dose administration is associated with a transient, generally asymptomatic, slowing of heart rate, which may also prolong QT interval. This posthoc analysis compared cardiac outcomes in over 3300 patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis who were or were not receiving SSRIs during fingolimod treatment initiation, including a subset of patients receiving citalopram or escitalopram. Vital signs were recorded hourly for 6h, and electrocardiograms were obtained pre-dose and 6 h post-dose. Changes in mean hourly heart rate from baseline (pre-dose) to 6 h post-dose were similar among patients not receiving SSRIs (fingolimod 0.5 mg, -7.5 bpm; placebo, 0.0 bpm) and those receiving SSRIs (fingolimod 0.5 mg, -6.6 bpm; placebo, 0.3 bpm). In patients treated with fingolimod 0.5 mg, the mean change in corrected QT interval from baseline to 6 h after treatment initiation was under 10 ms, and few patients had absolute corrected QT intervals of over 450 ms (men) or 470 ms (women), calculated according to Bazett׳s or Fridericia׳s correction methods, irrespective of whether or not they were receiving an SSRI; similar findings were reported in the placebo group. Co-administration of SSRIs and fingolimod was not associated with an increased incidence of any electrocardiogram findings compared with fingolimod therapy alone, and the majority of patients receiving fingolimod (83-86%) were discharged from first-dose monitoring at 6 h irrespective of whether they were also receiving SSRIs. These analyses provide reassurance that concomitant use of SSRIs does not affect cardiac outcomes associated with fingolimod treatment initiation.

Consumption of a whey protein-enriched diet may prevent hepatic steatosis associated with weight gain in elderly women

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Protein consumption has been associated with cardio-metabolic benefits, including weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, and may have potential benefits for individuals with fatty liver disease (FLD). We investigated the effect of increasing dietary protein intake from whey relative to carbohydrate on hepatic steatosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A two-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 30 g/day whey protein-supplemented beverage (protein) or an energy-matched low-protein high-carbohydrate beverage (control) for cardio-metabolic and bone health in 219 healthy elderly women, recruited from the Western Australian general population. Hepatic steatosis was quantified using computed tomographic liver-to-spleen (L/S) ratio. FLD was defined as liver-to-spleen difference <10 Hounsfield units. At baseline, FLD prevalence was 11.4%. Control and protein groups were similar in body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, L/S ratio and FLD prevalence at baseline. At two-years, dietary protein increased by 20 g in the protein, but not the control, group. Total energy intake and physical activity remained similar between groups. At two-years, BMI and FLD prevalence increased in both groups, with no between group differences. L/S ratio increased in control, but not protein, group at two-years, with no between group differences. In a within group comparison, change in BMI correlated with changes in L/S ratio in control (r = 0.37, P = 0.0007), but not with protein group (r = 0.04, P = 0.73).

CONCLUSION

Increasing dietary protein intake from whey relative to carbohydrate does not reduce weight, hepatic steatosis or the prevalence of FLD in elderly women. However, it may prevent worsening of hepatic steatosis associated with weight gain.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Registration no. ACTRN012607000163404).

Oncogenic c-Myc-induced lymphomagenesis is inhibited non-redundantly by the p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and RP-Mdm2-p53 pathways

The multifaceted oncogene c-Myc plays important roles in the development and progression of human cancer. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that the p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and the ribosomal protein (RP)-Mdm2-p53 pathways are both essential in preventing oncogenic c-Myc-induced tumorigenesis. Disruption of each pathway individually by p19Arf deletion or by Mdm2(C305F) mutation, which disrupts RP-Mdm2 binding, accelerates Eμ-myc transgene-induced pre-B/B-cell lymphoma in mice at seemingly similar paces with median survival around 10 and 11 weeks, respectively, compared to 20 weeks for Eμ-myc transgenic mice. Because p19Arf can inhibit ribosomal biogenesis through its interaction with nucleophosmin (NPM/B23), RNA helicase DDX5 and RNA polymerase I transcription termination factor (TTF-I), it has been speculated that the p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and the RP-Mdm2-p53 pathways might be a single p19Arf-RP-Mdm2-p53 pathway, in which p19Arf activates p53 by inhibiting RP biosynthesis; thus, p19Arf deletion or Mdm2(C305F) mutation would result in similar consequences. Here, we generated mice with concurrent p19Arf deletion and Mdm2(C305F) mutation and investigated the compound mice for tumorigenesis in the absence and the presence of oncogenic c-Myc overexpression. In the absence of Eμ-myc transgene, the Mdm2(C305F) mutation did not elicit spontaneous tumors in mice, nor did it accelerate spontaneous tumors in mice with p19Arf deletion. In the presence of Eμ-myc transgene, however, Mdm2(C305F) mutation significantly accelerated p19Arf deletion-induced lymphomagenesis and promoted rapid metastasis. We found that when p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and RP-Mdm2-p53 pathways are independently disrupted, oncogenic c-Myc-induced p53 stabilization and activation is only partially attenuated. When both pathways are concurrently disrupted, however, c-Myc-induced p53 stabilization and activation are essentially obliterated. Thus, the p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and the RP-Mdm2-p53 are non-redundant pathways possessing similar capabilities to activate p53 upon c-Myc overexpression.

Lack of aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus is associated with reduced fungal growth and delayed expression of aflatoxin pathway genes

Aflatoxins, produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, are the most toxic fungal secondary metabolites that contaminate agricultural commodities such as peanuts, cotton and maize. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of crop resistance to fungal infection is an important step for plant breeders to develop better and improved crop varieties for safe production of human food and animal feed. Infection studies have identified a resistant (R) peanut line, GT-C20, which is able to decrease aflatoxin contamination. The mycelial growth of A. flavus NRRL3357 on the R peanut line was much lower than that on the susceptible (S) peanut line, Tifrunner. Besides reducing fungal growth, the R line compared to the S line inhibited aflatoxin production completely. Real-time RT-PCR assays of both the R and S lines infected by A. flavus showed that expression of five aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway genes, the aflR regulatory gene and the aflD, aflM, aflP and aflQ structural genes, was not reduced but was significantly delayed on the R line. The results suggested that resistance factors of the R line acted negatively on A. flavus growth and also altered fungal development. The dysfunction in development changed the timing and the pattern of aflatoxin gene expression, which in part rendered A. flavus unable to produce aflatoxins.

A new tumor biomarker, serum protein peak at 3,144 m/z, in patients with node-positive breast cancer

Purpose

To explore the association between the 3,144 m/z protein peak and the clinicopathological features and prognosis in breast cancer.

Methods

Using SELDI–TOF MS, we analyzed serum protein peak at 3,144 m/z in 283 patients with node-positive breast cancer, its relationship with clinicopathological features and their prognosis evaluating value of survival.

Results

3,144 m/z positive rate was higher in elderly patients (42.8 % in ≥50-year-old vs. 31.2 % in <50, P = 0.04). However, no correlation was observed between 3,144 m/z and other clinicopathological features (body mass index, menstrual status, family history, TNM, molecular subtypes, vascular invasion, neural invasion, p53 and CA15-3). However, the positive rate of 3,144 m/z was higher than that of CA15-3 (35.5 vs. 11.4 %, McNemar χ² test, p < 0.001). 3,144 m/z-negative patients (n = 177) had a better 3-year overall survival (OS) than 3,144 m/z-positive patients (n = 106) (89.8 vs. 81.2 %, P = 0.045). Younger patients (P = 0.016), postmenopausal status (P = 0.019), small tumor (P < 0.001), less positive nodes (P < 0.001), early stage (P < 0.001), favorable molecular subtype (P = 0.007), normal CA15-3 (P = 0.003) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.001) predicted better survival. Cox analysis showed that T3–4 (95 % CI 1.419–8.057, P = 0.006), lymph node metastasis (95 % CI 1.242–3.632, P = 0.006) and p53 mutation (95 % CI 1.088–6.378, P = 0.032) were independent adverse prognostic factors. But childbirth ≥2 (95 % CI 0.163–0.986, P = 0.046), adjuvant chemotherapy (95 % CI 0.062–0.921, P = 0.038) and adjuvant radiotherapy (95 % CI 0.148–0.928, P = 0.034) were the independent factors in reducing risk of death in breast cancer patients. Combination testing of 3,144 m/z and CA15-3 will improve the prognosis value of 3-year survival (P = 0.011); patients with CA153−/3144− were characterized by the longest survival (89.8 %) and the CA153+/3144+ patients by the shortest.

Conclusions

Serum protein peak at 3,144 m/z is a new biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis and showed a higher positive rate than serum CA15-3. Combining 3,144 m/z and CA15-3 testing may improve prognosis of longer survival in breast cancer patients.

Compressive force regulates ephrinB2 and EphB4 in osteoblasts and osteoclasts contributing to alveolar bone resorption during experimental tooth movement

Objective

To investigate the involvement of ephrinB2 in periodontal tissue remodeling in compression areas during orthodontic tooth movement and the effects of compressive force on EphB4 and ephrinB2 expression in osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Methods

A rat model of experimental tooth movement was established to examine the histological changes and the localization of ephrinB2 in compressed periodontal tissues during experimental tooth movement. RAW264.7 cells and ST2 cells, used as precursor cells of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, respectively, were subjected to compressive force in vitro. The gene expression of EphB4 and ephrinB2, as well as bone-associated factors including Runx2, Sp7, NFATc1, and calcitonin receptor, were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Histological examination of the compression areas of alveolar bone from experimental rats showed that osteoclastogenic activities were promoted while osteogenic activities were inhibited. Immunohistochemistry revealed that ephrinB2 was strongly expressed in osteoclasts in these areas. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that mRNA levels of NFATc1, calcitonin receptor, and ephrinB2 were increased significantly in compressed RAW264.7 cells, and the expression of ephrinB2, EphB4, Sp7, and Runx2 was decreased significantly in compressed ST2 cells.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that compressive force can regulate EphB4 and ephrinB2 expression in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which might contribute to alveolar bone resorption in compression areas during orthodontic tooth movement.

Measurement of differential cross sections for the production of a pair of isolated photons in pp collisions at [Formula: see text]

A measurement of differential cross sections for the production of a pair of isolated photons in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0[Formula: see text] collected with the CMS detector. A data-driven isolation template method is used to extract the prompt diphoton yield. The measured cross section for two isolated photons, with transverse energy above 40 and 25[Formula: see text] respectively, in the pseudorapidity range [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and with an angular separation [Formula: see text], is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]. Differential cross sections are measured as a function of the diphoton invariant mass, the diphoton transverse momentum, the azimuthal angle difference between the two photons, and the cosine of the polar angle in the Collins-Soper reference frame of the diphoton system. The results are compared to theoretical predictions at leading, next-to-leading, and next-to-next-to-leading order in quantum chromodynamics.

Evidence of b-jet quenching in PbPb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

The production of jets associated to bottom quarks is measured for the first time in PbPb collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 2.76 TeV per nucleon pair. Jet spectra are reported in the transverse momentum (p(T)) range of 80-250  GeV/c, and within pseudorapidity |η|<2. The nuclear modification factor (R(AA)) calculated from these spectra shows a strong suppression in the b-jet yield in PbPb collisions relative to the yield observed in pp collisions at the same energy. The suppression persists to the largest values of p(T) studied, and is centrality dependent. The R(AA) is about 0.4 in the most central events, similar to previous observations for inclusive jets. This implies that jet quenching does not have a strong dependence on parton mass and flavor in the jet p(T) range studied.

Measurement of jet multiplicity distributions in [Formula: see text] production in pp collisions at [Formula: see text]

The normalised differential top quark-antiquark production cross section is measured as a function of the jet multiplicity in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7[Formula: see text] at the LHC with the CMS detector. The measurement is performed in both the dilepton and lepton+jets decay channels using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.0[Formula: see text]. Using a procedure to associate jets to decay products of the top quarks, the differential cross section of the [Formula: see text] production is determined as a function of the additional jet multiplicity in the lepton+jets channel. Furthermore, the fraction of events with no additional jets is measured in the dilepton channel, as a function of the threshold on the jet transverse momentum. The measurements are compared with predictions from perturbative quantum chromodynamics and no significant deviations are observed.

Search for invisible decays of Higgs bosons in the vector boson fusion and associated ZH production modes

A search for invisible decays of Higgs bosons is performed using the vector boson fusion and associated ZH production modes. In the ZH mode, the Z boson is required to decay to a pair of charged leptons or a [Formula: see text] quark pair. The searches use the 8 [Formula: see text] pp collision dataset collected by the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of up to 19.7 [Formula: see text]. Certain channels include data from 7 [Formula: see text] collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 [Formula: see text]. The searches are sensitive to non-standard-model invisible decays of the recently observed Higgs boson, as well as additional Higgs bosons with similar production modes and large invisible branching fractions. In all channels, the observed data are consistent with the expected standard model backgrounds. Limits are set on the production cross section times invisible branching fraction, as a function of the Higgs boson mass, for the vector boson fusion and ZH production modes. By combining all channels, and assuming standard model Higgs boson cross sections and acceptances, the observed (expected) upper limit on the invisible branching fraction at [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] is found to be 0.58 (0.44) at 95 % confidence level. We interpret this limit in terms of a Higgs-portal model of dark matter interactions.

Measurement of WZ and ZZ production in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] in final states with b-tagged jets

Measurements are reported of the WZ and ZZ production cross sections in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] in final states where one Z boson decays to b-tagged jets. The other gauge boson, either W or Z, is detected through its leptonic decay (either [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], or [Formula: see text]). The results are based on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 18.9 fb[Formula: see text] collected with the CMS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The measured cross sections, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], are consistent with next-to-leading order quantum chromodynamics calculations.

Measurement of the cosmic microwave background polarization lensing power spectrum with the POLARBEAR experiment

Gravitational lensing due to the large-scale distribution of matter in the cosmos distorts the primordial cosmic microwave background (CMB) and thereby induces new, small-scale B-mode polarization. This signal carries detailed information about the distribution of all the gravitating matter between the observer and CMB last scattering surface. We report the first direct evidence for polarization lensing based on purely CMB information, from using the four-point correlations of even- and odd-parity E- and B-mode polarization mapped over ∼30 square degrees of the sky measured by the POLARBEAR experiment. These data were analyzed using a blind analysis framework and checked for spurious systematic contamination using null tests and simulations. Evidence for the signal of polarization lensing and lensing B modes is found at 4.2σ (stat+sys) significance. The amplitude of matter fluctuations is measured with a precision of 27%, and is found to be consistent with the Lambda cold dark matter cosmological model. This measurement demonstrates a new technique, capable of mapping all gravitating matter in the Universe, sensitive to the sum of neutrino masses, and essential for cleaning the lensing B-mode signal in searches for primordial gravitational waves.

Hepatocyte growth factor upregulates nexilin gene expression in cardiomyocytes via JNK pathway

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a protective factor in myocardial injury, but its mechanisms of action have not yet been fully elucidated. Nexilin, which locates specifically to the Z-disc, is a novel Z-disc protein that enables the Z-discs to persistently withstand the extreme mechanical forces generated during muscle contraction. Therefore, we investigated the role of HGF in modulating nexilin expression in hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R)-treated cardiomyocytes. We cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes and treated them with HGF. The mRNA and protein levels of nexilin were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. H/R treatment decreased nexilin mRNA expression and nexilin protein levels in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, treatment with HGF upregulated nexilin expression and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 partly inhibited HGF-induced nexilin upregulation. In conclusion, our results suggest that ischemia-reperfusion injury may downregulate nexilin expression in cardiomyocytes, and HGF may exert its protective role during myocardial ischemic injury through upregulation of nexilin expression in cardiomyocytes.

Human umbilical cord blood cell transplantation improves cardiac function in a myoardial infarction rat model but induces intestinal graft versus host disease

Human umbilical cord blood cell (HUCBC) has low immunity. In the present study we investigated intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) induced by HUCBC transplantation in a myocardial infarction (MI) rat model. MI was established by using left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. HUCBCs were injected into the animals 5 days post MI. Four weeks after the HUCBC transplantation, histology changes in small intestine were observed under an optical microscope. In addition, cardiac functions were tested. Further, factor VIII, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the myocardium and small intestine were assayed. The HUCBC transplantation significantly induced intestinal GVHD in the MI rats. The HUCBC implantation remarkably improved ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), and dp/dtmax in the MI rats (P<0.05). In the myocardium, the capillary density was larger in the small intestine of the HUCBC-transplanted rats compared to the controls. Real-time PCR and western blotting revealed that VEGF mRNA and protein levels in the myocardium and the small intestine dramatically significantly upregulated in the HUCBC-transplanted rats (P<0.05). The HUCBC transplantation significantly improves aggravated cardiac function of MI rats, but it induces intestinal GVHD.

Observation of the associated production of a single top quark and a W boson in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV

The first observation of the associated production of a single top quark and a W boson is presented. The analysis is based on a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 12.2 fb(-1) of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC. Events with two leptons and a jet originating from a b quark are selected. A multivariate analysis based on kinematic and topological properties is used to separate the signal from the dominant tt background. An excess consistent with the signal hypothesis is observed, with a significance which corresponds to 6.1 standard deviations above a background-only hypothesis. The measured production cross section is 23.4 ± 5.4 pb, in agreement with the standard model prediction.

Probing color coherence effects in pp collisions at [Formula: see text]

A study of color coherence effects in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7[Formula: see text] is presented. The data used in the analysis were collected in 2010 with the CMS detector at the LHC and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb[Formula: see text]. Events are selected that contain at least three jets and where the two jets with the largest transverse momentum exhibit a back-to-back topology. The measured angular correlation between the second- and third-leading jet is shown to be sensitive to color coherence effects, and is compared to the predictions of Monte Carlo models with various implementations of color coherence. None of the models describe the data satisfactorily.

Study of the production of charged pions, kaons, and protons in pPb collisions at [Formula: see text]5.02[Formula: see text]

Spectra of identified charged hadrons are measured in pPb collisions with the CMS detector at the LHC at [Formula: see text]. Charged pions, kaons, and protons in the transverse-momentum range [Formula: see text]-1.7[Formula: see text] and laboratory rapidity [Formula: see text] are identified via their energy loss in the silicon tracker. The average [Formula: see text] increases with particle mass and the charged multiplicity of the event. The increase of the average [Formula: see text] with charged multiplicity is greater for heavier hadrons. Comparisons to Monte Carlo event generators reveal that Epos Lhc, which incorporates additional hydrodynamic evolution of the created system, is able to reproduce most of the data features, unlike Hijing and Ampt. The [Formula: see text] spectra and integrated yields are also compared to those measured in pp and PbPb collisions at various energies. The average transverse momentum and particle ratio measurements indicate that particle production at LHC energies is strongly correlated with event particle multiplicity.

Measurement of inclusive W and Z boson production cross sections in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV

A measurement of total and fiducial inclusive W and Z boson production cross sections in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV is presented. Electron and muon final states are analyzed in a data sample collected with the CMS detector corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 18.2 ± 0.5 pb(-1). The measured total inclusive cross sections times branching fractions are σ(pp → WX)×B(W → ℓν) = 12.21 ± 0.03(stat) ± 0.24(syst) ± 0.32(lum) nb and σ(pp → ZX) × B(Z → ℓ+ℓ-) = 1.15 ± 0.01(stat) ± 0.02(syst) ± 0.03(lum) nb for the dilepton mass in the range of 60-120 GeV. The measured values agree with next-to-next-to-leading-order QCD cross section calculations. Ratios of cross sections are reported with a precision of 2%. This is the first measurement of inclusive W and Z boson production in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV.

Measurements of tt spin correlations and top-quark polarization using dilepton final states in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

Spin correlations and polarization in the top quark-antiquark system are measured using dilepton final states produced in pp collisions at the LHC at sqrt[s]=7  TeV. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.0  fb(-1) collected with the CMS detector. The measurements are performed using events with two oppositely charged leptons (electrons or muons), a significant imbalance in transverse momentum, and two or more jets, where at least one of the jets is identified as originating from a b quark. The spin correlations and polarization are measured through asymmetries in angular distributions of the two selected leptons, unfolded to the parton level. All measurements are found to be in agreement with predictions of the standard model.

Search for top-quark partners with charge 5/3 in the same-sign dilepton final state

A search for the production of heavy partners of the top quark with charge 5/3 is performed in events with a pair of same-sign leptons. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 fb(-1) and was collected at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV by the CMS experiment. No significant excess is observed in the data above the expected background, and the existence of top-quark partners with masses below 800 GeV is excluded at a 95% confidence level, assuming they decay exclusively to tW. This is the first limit on these particles from the LHC, and it is significantly more restrictive than previous limits.

Search for flavor-changing neutral currents in top-quark decays t → Zq in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV

A search for flavor-changing neutral currents in top-quark decays t → Zq is performed in events produced from the decay chain tt → Zq+Wb, where both vector bosons decay leptonically, producing a final state with three leptons (electrons or muons). A data set collected with the CMS detector at the LHC is used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb(-1) of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. No excess is seen in the observed number of events relative to the standard model prediction; thus, no evidence for flavor-changing neutral currents in top-quark decays is found. A combination with a previous search at 7 TeV excludes a t → Zq branching fraction greater than 0.05% at the 95% confidence level.

Sapphire-based graphene saturable absorber for long-time working femtosecond lasers

We report a long-time working femtosecond laser using metal-free sapphire-based graphene as a saturable absorber (SA). The sapphire-based graphene yielded excellent nonlinear saturable absorption properties and was demonstrated to be suitable as an SA for an ultrafast solid-state laser. Stable mode-locked pulses of 325 fs were obtained at a central wavelength of 1032 nm with a repetition rate of 66.3 MHz. At pump power of 8.23 W the average output power was 1.78 W and the highest pulse energy reached 26.8 nJ with a peak power of 72.6 kW. Our work opens up a facile route for making reliable graphene SA in the mode-locking technique and also displays an exciting prospect in making low-cost and ultrafast lasers.

Search for top squark and Higgsino production using diphoton Higgs boson decays

Results are presented of a search for a "natural" supersymmetry scenario with gauge mediated symmetry breaking. It is assumed that only the supersymmetric partners of the top quark (the top squark) and the Higgs boson (Higgsino) are accessible. Events are examined in which there are two photons forming a Higgs boson candidate, and at least two b-quark jets. In 19.7  fb-1 of proton-proton collision data at s=8  TeV, recorded in the CMS experiment, no evidence of a signal is found and lower limits at the 95% confidence level are set, excluding the top squark mass below 360 to 410 GeV, depending on the Higgsino mass.

Measurement of the top-quark mass in all-jets [Formula: see text] events in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV

The mass of the top quark is measured using a sample of [Formula: see text] candidate events with at least six jets in the final state. The sample is selected from data collected with the CMS detector in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV in 2011 and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.54 [Formula: see text]. The mass is reconstructed for each event employing a kinematic fit of the jets to a [Formula: see text] hypothesis. The top-quark mass is measured to be [Formula: see text] GeV. A combination with previously published measurements in other decay modes by CMS yields a mass of [Formula: see text] GeV.

Evidence for gravitational lensing of the cosmic microwave background polarization from cross-correlation with the cosmic infrared background

We reconstruct the gravitational lensing convergence signal from cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization data taken by the Polarbear experiment and cross-correlate it with cosmic infrared background maps from the Herschel satellite. From the cross spectra, we obtain evidence for gravitational lensing of the CMB polarization at a statistical significance of 4.0σ and indication of the presence of a lensing B-mode signal at a significance of 2.3σ. We demonstrate that our results are not biased by instrumental and astrophysical systematic errors by performing null tests, checks with simulated and real data, and analytical calculations. This measurement of polarization lensing, made via the robust cross-correlation channel, not only reinforces POLARBEAR auto-correlation measurements, but also represents one of the early steps towards establishing CMB polarization lensing as a powerful new probe of cosmology and astrophysics.

Molecular screening and predation evaluation of the key predators of Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Gracilariidae) in litchi orchards

Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Gracilariidae) is one of the major fruit borer pests of litchi and longan in Southern China. Although chemical control is effective, alternative, biorational strategies are preferable, and should be developed. Predators play an important role in the biological control of agricultural pests, but an accurate method for the evaluation of predation in agriculture has not yet been developed. Here, we report a new, specific primer pair to amplify a C. sinensis cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence fragment that can be used to detect consumption of C. sinensis by its predators. C. sinensis DNA was found in several arthropods collected in the field, including the important C. sinensis predators M enochilus sexmaculata (Coccinellidae), Leucauge magnifica (Tetragnathidae), Propylea japonica (Coccinellidae), and Oxyopes sertatus (Oxyopidae). The detection rates of C. sinensis COI DNA in these predators were 39.3, 36.4, 27.3, and 27.2%, respectively. Laboratory consumption and hunting capacity analysis of M. sexmaculata and P. japonica adults indicated that they exhibit a Holling type II functional response on C. sinensis eggs under field temperatures. A polymerase chain reaction digestion analysis of M. sexmaculata and P. japonica adults after consumption of a single C. sinensis egg indicated that positive detection decreased with the extension of digestion time, and estimated prey DNA half-lives were 16.3 h in M. sexmaculata and 6.0 h in P. japonica. These data serve to characterize two major predators of C. sinensis with potential for biological control of C. sinensis in litchi orchards.