Enzymatic synthesis oF L-tryptophan from D,L-2-amino-delta2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid and indole by Pseudomonas sp. TS1138 L-2-amino-delta2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid hydrolase, S-carbamyl-L-cysteine amidohydrolase, and Escherichia coli L-tryptophanase

L-Tryptophan (L-Trp) is an essential amino acid. It is widely used in medical, health and food products, so a low-cost supply is needed. There are 4 methods for L-Trp production: chemical synthesis, extraction, enzymatic synthesis, and fermentation. In this study, we produced a recombinant bacterial strain pET-tnaA of Escherichia coli which has the L-tryptophanase gene. Using the pET-tnaA E. coli and the strain TS1138 of Pseudomonas sp., a one-pot enzymatic synthesis of L-Trp was developed. Pseudomonas sp. TS1138 was added to a solution of D,L-2-amino-delta2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (DL-ATC) to convert it to L-cysteine (L-Cys). After concentration, E. coli BL21 (DE 3) cells including plasmid pET-tnaA, indole, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate were added. At the optimum conditions, the conversion rates of DL-ATC and L-Cys were 95.4% and 92.1%, respectively. After purifying using macroporous resin S8 and NKA-II, 10.32 g of L-Trp of 98.3% purity was obtained. This study established methods for one-pot enzymatic synthesis and separation of L-Trp. This method of producing L-Trp is more environmentally sound than methods using chemical synthesis, and it lays the foundations for industrial production of L-Trp from DL-ATC and indole.

Clinical and virological characteristics of chronic hepatitis B with concurrent hepatitis B E antigen and antibody detection

The concurrent detection of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and its corresponding antibody (anti-HBe) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is well established but the clinical features remain poorly understood. Demographic information, clinical and laboratory data were collected from 1624 consecutive inpatient records of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Viral genotype, basic core promoter and precore mutations were determined by direct sequencing. In vitro HBeAg and anti-HBe binding experiments were conducted with three pairs of HBeAg-positive and anti-HBe-positive serum samples, which were mixed at variable ratios and incubated at 37°C for 3-24h. Of the 1624 chronic patients, 169 (10.4%) had concurrent HBeAg and anti-HBe positivity, and this was associated with intermediate age and HBV-DNA load, higher alanine aminotransferase level and more pronounced liver damage compared with HBeAg-positive or anti-HBe-positive patients alone. HBeAg and anti-HBe titres (median and interquartile range, S/CO) in the concurrent positive group were 4.2 (1.8-9.6) and 0.54 (0.27-0.72), which were closer to their respective cut-off values than those of HBeAg-positive or anti-HBe-positive groups alone. For the cases successfully sequenced, 110/134 (82.1%) harboured T1762/A1764 or/and A1896 mutants. The binding experiments showed that HBeAg and anti-HBe could be concurrently observed provided an optimal ratio (HBeAg to anti-HBe) was chosen. In antiviral treatment-naive patients, concurrence of HBeAg and anti-HBe was not uncommon, and such patients had profound liver disease. An optimal ratio between HBeAg and anti-HBe led to their concurrent detection when sera were tested by sensitive assays.

Preclinical pharmacology of TP1, a novel potent triple reuptake inhibitor with antidepressant properties

Triple reuptake inhibitors (TRIs) that block the dopamine transporter (DAT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), and serotonin transporter (SERT) are being developed as a new class of antidepressant that may have better efficacy and fewer side effects compared with traditional antidepressants. The purpose of this study was to characterize a new chemical entity, 4-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)ethyl] phenyl 4-methoxybenzoate hydrochloride (TP1). TP1 was designed as a prodrug of desvenlafaxine. Competitive radioligand binding assays were performed using cells expressing the human dopamine (DA) transporter (hDAT), the human serotonin (5-HT) transporter (hSERT), and the human norepinephrine (NE) transporter (hNET) with K(i) values for TP1 of 190 nM, 2076 nM, and 1023 nM, respectively. Uptake assays were performed with IC(50) values for TP1 of 712 nM, 521 nM, and 628 nM, respectively. TP1 (0.06 mmol/kg, orally) rapidly penetrated rat brain and hypothalamus, translated into desvenlafaxine within 1 h, and demonstrated higher bioavailability and better pharmacokinetic properties than desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS). TP1 (0.06 mmol/kg, orally) significantly increased extracellular levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT compared with baseline in the rat hypothalamus by microdialysis assay. In dose-response assays, oral administration of TP1 reduced the time of immobility in a dose-dependent manner during tail suspension test and forced swimming test (FST). This antidepressant-like effect manifests in the absence of significant increases in motor activity even at doses of up to 32 mg/kg. The ability of TP1 to inhibit the reuptake of three biogenic amines closely linked to the etiology of depression may result in a therapeutic profile different from antidepressants that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and/or NE.

The temporal pattern of postnatal neurogenesis found in the neocortex of the Göttingen minipig brain

The Göttingen minipig (G-mini) is increasingly used as a non-primate model for human neurological diseases. We applied design-based stereology on five groups of G-minis aged 1 day, 14 days, 30 days, 100 days, and 2 years or older to estimate the pattern of postnatal neuron number development in the neocortex. Two time periods for the postnatal increase of neocortical neuron number were observed from the time of birth to day 14 (P=0.013) and from day 30 to day 100 (P<0.001). No significant change in neuron number was found from day 14 to 30 (P=0.58) and day 100 onward (P=0.39). The average estimated total number of neurons in the neocortex was 236, 274, 264, 338, and 353 million, respectively. Since neurogenesis and neuronal migration in the human neocortex are generally accepted to be complete before term, the application of G-mini as human disease models may be inappropriate before day 100. However, G-mini may serve as a valuable model for the studies of ongoing neurogenesis in the living brain.

Interleukin-21 is upregulated in hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure and associated with severity of liver disease

The immune mechanism(s) that lead to hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HB-ACLF) are poorly understood. Interleukin-21 is a newly discovered cytokine that is involved in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Its potential role in HB-ACLF remains unknown. The serum levels of 12 immune cytokines measured by cytometric bead arrays and the frequency of IL-21-secreting CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) measured by intracellular cytokine staining were compared in moderate chronic hepatitis B (M-CHB, n = 20), severe chronic hepatitis B (S-CHB, n = 20), HB-ACLF (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 10). PBMC from M-CHB patients or healthy subjects were stimulated with rhIL-21 in vitro, and cytokines in supernatants were measured by FlowCytomix. The frequencies of IL-21-secreting CD4+ T cells were higher in HB-ACLF (both P < 0.001) and S-CHB (P = 0.002 and 0.001) as compared to M-CHB patients and controls. Serum IL-21 levels were highest (P < 0.001) in HB-ACLF and positively associated with high MELD score (P = 0.001) and mortality (P = 0.038). Recovery from HB-ACLF was associated with reduced serum IL-21 levels (P = 0.003) and lower CD4+ IL-21(+) T-cell frequency (P = 0.006). The secretions of IL-1β (P < 0.001), IL-6 (P < 0.001), IL-10 (P < 0.001), IFN-γ (P = 0.001) and TNF-α (P = 0.042) from PBMC were significantly increased with rhIL-21 stimulation. In summary, IL-21 has a causal role in the development of severe liver inflammation, which is upregulated in HB-ACLF and associated with severity of liver disease.

Phase III randomized, open-label, multicenter trial (BRIM3) comparing BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib with dacarbazine (DTIC) in patients with V600EBRAF-mutated melanoma

LBA4

Background: About 50% of melanomas have an activating V600EBRAF mutation which led to the hypothesis that inhibition of the mutated BRAF kinase may be of clinical benefit. Phase I and II trials with vemurafenib (previously PLX4032/RO5185426), an orally available inhibitor of oncogenic BRAF kinase, showed response rates (RR; CR+PR) >50% in V600EBRAF- mutated melanoma patients (pts). We conducted a phase III trial to determine if vemurafenib improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in melanoma pts with V600EBRAF mutation. Methods: Pts with previously untreated, unresectable stage IIIC or stage IV melanoma that tested positive for V600EBRAF mutation by the cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test were randomized (1:1) to vemurafenib (960 mg po bid) or DTIC (1,000 mg/m2, IV, q3w). Randomization was stratified by PS, stage, LDH, and geographic region. Pts were assessed for tumor responses after weeks 6, 12, and then q9 weeks. Co-primary endpoints were OS and PFS on the intent-to-treat population; secondary endpoints included RR, response duration, and safety. Final analysis was planned at 196 deaths. Results: 675 pts were enrolled at 103 centers worldwide between Jan and Dec 2010. Treatment cohorts were well-balanced. At the pre-planned interim analysis (50% of deaths needed for final analysis), the hazard ratios for OS and PFS were 0.37 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.55; p<0.0001) and 0.26 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.33; p<0.0001), respectively, both in favor of vemurafenib. The confirmed RR was 48.4% and 5.5% to vemurafenib and DTIC, respectively, among the 65% of pts evaluable for RR to date. Benefit in OS, PFS, and RR was seen in all subgroups examined. Due to these data, the DTIC cohort has been allowed to cross over to vemurafenib. At the time of data analysis, 66% of vemurafenib pts and 25% DTIC pts were still on treatment. The most common toxicities of vemurafenib were: diarrhea, rash, alopecia, photosensitivity, fatigue, arthralgia, and keratoacanthoma/skin squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: Vemurafenib is associated with significantly improved OS and PFS compared to DTIC in pts with previously untreated, V600EBRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma.

Influence of season on some skin properties: winter vs. summer, as experienced by 354 Shanghaiese women of various ages

The facial skin of 354 women, aged 18-80, living in Shanghai, was investigated over two successive 6-month periods, summer and winter. Results from clinical assessments indicate that aging signs, such as wrinkling and sagging, are unaffected over such period. However, physical measurements revealed alterations in some functional criteria of the skin, such as sebum output, skin colour, melanin content of pigmented spots, skin hydration, all being increased during summer. The relationships between all criteria, as well as technical or applied inferences/consequences from this study, are discussed.

Phosphatidylserine exposure and procoagulant activity in acute promyelocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) frequently causes disseminated intravascular coagulation that can worsen with cytotoxic chemotherapy but improve with the therapeutic differentiating agents, all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)). APL cells display tissue factor but the relationship of tissue factor and other procoagulant activity to phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure is largely unknown.

METHODS

Lactadherin, a milk protein with stereospecific binding to phosphatidyl-L-serine, was used as a probe for PS exposure on an immortalized APL cell line (NB4) and on the cells of eight patients with APL. PS exposure was evaluated with flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, coagulation assays, and purified prothrombinase and factor (F) Xase assays.

RESULTS

Plasma procoagulant activity of NB4 and APL cells increased approximately 15-fold after exposure to etoposide or daunorubicin and decreased 80% after treatment with ATRA or As(2)O(3). Procoagulant activity corresponded to exposed PS on viable APL cells. PS exposure decreased after treatment with ATRA or As(2)O(3) and increased after treatment with daunorubicin or etoposide. Excess lactadherin inhibited 80-85% of intrinsic FXase, FVIIa-tissue factor and prothrombinase activities on both NB4 cells and APL cells. Confocal microscopy identified membrane patches that stained with lactadherin, but not annexin V, demonstrating focal, low-level PS exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

PS is exposed on viable APL cells and is necessary for approximately 80% of procoagulant activity.

A polysaccharopeptide complex and a condensed tannin with antioxidant activity from dried rose (Rosa rugosa) flowers

In this study, the fraction (P) from an aqueous extract of dried rose (Rosa rugosa) flowers was obtained by ethanol precipitation. P was chromatographed on DEAE-cellulose. The components retained on DEAE-cellulose were eluted with a linear gradient of 0–2 m NaCl solution. Two fractions, eluted at concentrations of 0.5 m NaCl and 1 m NaCl, respectively, were obtained. These two components were designated as P1 and P2, respectively. P1 was further purified using gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. P1 yielded two peaks, and the two components were designated as P1-a and P1-b, respectively. P1-a was a polysaccharide-peptide complex, and P1-b exhibited chemical properties of a condensed tannin as revealed by FTIR and NMR assay of carbohydrate and protein contents and HPLC-ESI-MS. The molecular masses of P1-a and P1-b were 150kDa and 8kDa, respectively. Both P1-a and P1-b possessed antioxidant activity, with the activity of P1-b higher than that of P1-a. This study demonstrated that different components from rose flowers exhibited antioxidant activity.

Predictive values of clinical and pathological parameters for malignancy of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) possess a wide spectrum of biological properties, from indolent to highly aggressive. In this study, we evaluated a set of clinical and pathological parameters for their predicative values for malignancy of GISTs by retrospective reviews of tumor specimens and their relevant medical records from 840 patients. All GIST cases were first assigned as malignant if they met any of the following criteria: gross spreads, including liver metastassis and/or peritoneal dissemination, microscopic spreads, including lymph node metastasis, infiltrations to vascular, fat, nerve and muscularis mucosal tissues, or relapse. The remaining cases were recorded as biological behavior uncertain. This initial assignment revealed a set of five morphological features to be associated with malignancy. They were: mitotic counts greater than 10 per 50HPFs (P<0.0001), muscularis propria infiltration (P<0.0001), coagulative necrosis (P<0.0001), perivascular growth pattern (P=0.005), and severe nuclear atypia (P=0.014). Therefore, a new classification system, including criteria of 2 gross spreads, 5 microscopic spreads, and 5 histopathological parameters was developed. All the GIST cases were re-classified into a group of 485 malignant tumors, and a group of 355 nonmalignant tumors. Patient follow-up data revealed 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates as high as 99.3% and 100% for the nonmalignant group, but low rates of 43.9% and 59.7% for the malignant group. These results demonstrated a correlation of the new classification with clinical outcomes. Therefore, this set of 12 parameters has predictive values for malignancy of GISTs, and is potentially useful in the grading of the tumors.

The effect of Malononitrilamides (FK778) on phenotypic properties of human peripheral dendritic cells

BACKGROUND

FK778, a malononitrilamide analogue of lefunomide, is currently a promising immunosuppressive drug. Because the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of FK778 are not entirely clarified. We studied its effects on human peripheral dendritic cells.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 12 healthy volunteers were isolated by density separation over Ficoll solution. After resuspension in adaptive immunotherapy medium (AIM)-V medium, they were cultured without exogenous growth factors. The study group was treated with FK 778 (50 microg/mL) or Rapamycin (10 ng/mL). The phenotype of dendritic cell was ascertained by indirect immunoflurescence for analysis by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Compared with the Rapamycin-treated controls, the expressions of CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-DA, CD54, CD62, CCR5, and CCR7 in the FK778-treated myeloid dendritic cells and the expression of CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-DA, and CD54 in the FK778-treated plasmacytoid dendritic cells were significantly down-regulated.

CONCLUSION

FK778 inhibited the differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells.

Stimulatory effect of components of rose flowers on catalytic activity and mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase and catalase in erythrocytes

In the present study, two antioxidant components (polysaccharopeptide complex P(1-a) and condensed tannin P(1-b)) from rose (Rosa rugosa) flowers were each incubated with mouse erythrocytes to investigate their effect on erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities. It was found that the activities of Cu, Zn-SOD and CAT were markedly increased after incubation for 3h with rose flower fractions at the concentration of 500μg/ml. Similar changes were also observed in the erythrocyte gene expression of SOD and CAT. These results show that P(1-a) and P(1-b) are effective antioxidants that increase the activity and the gene expression of SOD and CAT in mouse erythrocytes.

Association between plasma osteoprotegerin concentrations and urinary albumin excretion in Type 2 diabetes

AIMS

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a recently identified inhibitor of bone resorption. Recent studies indicate that OPG is also associated with endothelial dysfunction in Type 2 diabetes. The aim was to investigate the relationship between plasma OPG levels and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in Type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS

This study included 154 newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients and 46 healthy subjects. Plasma OPG and 24-h UAE were measured. High-resolution ultrasound was used to measure flow-mediated (endothelium-dependent arterial) dilation (FMD).

RESULTS

Compared with the normoalbuminuric subgroup, OPG levels in the microalbuminuric subgroup were significantly higher, and OPG levels in macroalbuminuria subgroup were significantly higher than those in the normoalbuminuria and albuminuria subgroups. Multiple regression analysis showed that only FMD (r = -0.26), C-reactive protein (r = 0.23), fasting blood glucose (r = 0.25), 2-h blood glucose (r = 0.21), HbA(1c) (r = 0.28), UAE (r = 0.27) and retinopathy (r = 0.27) were significant factors associated with OPG. Pearson's correlation analyses showed a positive correlation between OPG and logUAE (r = 0.440) and negative correlations between OPG and FMD (r = -0.284), and between FMD and logUAE (r = -0.602).

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma OPG levels are significantly associated with UAE in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Full-term development of rabbit embryos produced by ICSI with sperm frozen in liquid nitrogen without cryoprotectants

The aim of the present study was to establish the technology of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in rabbit by using the sperm frozen without cryoprotectants. Observation under an electron microscope revealed that the rabbit spermatozoa frozen without cryoprotectants had severe damage especially in the plasma membrane and junction between head and tail. However, after being injected into the oocytes, the sperm frozen without cryoprotectants retained the capability of supporting the cleavage and development of the ICSI oocytes, with no significant difference from that of fresh sperm, although the development of ICSI embryos derived from either frozen sperm or fresh sperm is much lower than that of in vivo-fertilized zygotes. When additional artificial activation was applied following ICSI, the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation of ICSI oocytes were significantly increased when compared with the oocytes without additional activation. Yet, the cell numbers in blastocysts were not significantly different between the activation and non-activation group. After embryo transfer, four offspring were obtained from the oocytes microinjected with the sperm frozen without cryoprotectants. The technology established by this study may facilitate exploring the ICSI-based transgenic method in rabbit and broaden the application of ICSI technique in related field.

239 CANINE OOCYTES CAN BE SPONTANEOUSLY PARTHENOGENERATED AND DEVELOPED TO 2-CELL TO 8-CELL STAGE PARTHENOGENERATED EMBRYOS IN COCULTURE SYSTEM WHICH THEY WERE COCULTURED WITH OVIDUCT CELLS OR OVIDUCT EXTRACTS

The objective of this study was to coculture canine oocytes with oviduct cells or oviduct extracts in modified M199 culture medium to improve the MII rate. The canine oocytes were collected from the local slaughterhouse and were cultured in three culture systems while in the same culture medium. In culture system A, canine oocytes were cocultured with ‘small-round’ oviduct cells and ‘big-round’ oviductal cells which based on cell volume and morphology for 96 h. In culture system B, canine oocytes were cultured with in the modified M199 medium with 10% canine follicle fluid (in the CEF group) or without canine follicle fluid (in the compared group) for the first 6 h; following this, they were cocultured with ‘small-round’ oviductal cells for another 90 h, which were preblanced at least 2 h. In the culture system C, the canine oocytes were cocultured with canine estrous oviduct extracts for 96 h (in the compared group) or were cocultured with granulosa cells together with canine estrous oviduct extracts (in the G + CEOE group) for 96 h. These results demonstrated that, in culture system A, one 2-cell and one 8-cell stage parthenogenerated embryo in the small-round group and one 2-cell stage parthenogenerated embryo in the compared group were achieved after in vitro culture for 96 h. Meanwhile, the MII rates were greater in small-round group (47.1%) than that in big-round group (36.1%) and the compared group (32.4%). In the culture system B, one 3-cell stage parthenogenerated embryo was detected in CEF group. The MII rates were almost equal in CEF group (28.0%) and in the compared group (26.1%). In culture system C, one 2-cell stage parthenogenerated embryo was found in the compared group. The MII rate were almost equal in CEOE group (25.8%) and in the G + CEOE group (23.5%). It is concluded that some unidentified factors secreted by the oviductal cells or oviduct extracts may promote the development of canine oocytes in vitro and parthenogenerate the canine oocytes beyond 2-cell stage parthenogenerated embryos. The culture system in which the canine oocytes were cocultured with oviducts or oviductal cells has been improved to date.

Anomalous line shape of the cross section for e{+}e{-}--> hadrons in the center-of-mass energy region between 3.650 and 3.872 GeV

We observe an obvious anomalous line shape of the e;{+}e;{-}--> hadrons total cross sections in the energy region between 3.700 and 3.872 GeV. It is inconsistent with the explanation for only one simple psi(3770) resonance with a statistical significance of 7sigma. The anomalous line shape may be explained by two possible enhancements of the inclusive hadron production near the center-of-mass energies of 3.764 and 3.779 GeV, indicating that either there is likely a new structure in addition to the psi(3770) resonance around 3.773 GeV, or there are some physics effects reflecting the DD[over ] production dynamics.

Tailored regimen of interferon alpha for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: a prospective controlled study

The response to interferon-alpha treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B under the current protocol is not satisfactory. The aim of this study was to try an alternative approach to improve treatment outcome. Of 374 HBeAg-positive patients, 127 of them received 5 million units of interferon-alpha thrice weekly for 6 months and constituted the control group, while 247 in the study group received the same dosage but the duration of treatment was tailored. The study protocol provided for continuation of treatment if HBV DNA levels were continuously decreasing. The treatment ended when viral, antigenic and biochemical endpoints were reached or when HBV DNA levels were no longer decreasing. The median length of tailored treatment was 10 (range 6-24) months. The end-of-treatment response rates were 39.3% and 23.6% (P = 0.002), and after 12-month, follow-up, the sustained response rates were 40.5% and 28.3% (P = 0.013) in the study and control groups, respectively. Excluding the patients who dropped out, 228 and 115 completed a median of 40- and 44-month-long follow-up; the long-term response was thus 45.3% and 33.1% (P = 0.014) in the respective groups. Interferon-alpha treatment tailored in length demonstrated significantly increased efficacy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Effect of 2-mercaptoethanol and cysteine supplementation during in vitro maturation on the developmental competence of oocytes from hormone-stimulated lambs

The objective was to determine the effect of 2-mercaptoethanol and cysteine on in vitro developmental competence of oocytes from lambs (4-8-week old) stimulated with eCG and pFSH. Oocytes were matured in medium (TCM199) with no supplement (Control group) or with 100 microM 2-mercaptoethanol and 600 microM cysteine (GSH group). Oocytes from adult sheep were also included (Adult group). The addition of 2-mercaptoethanol and cysteine did not improve nuclear maturation or microtubule configuration 12, 15, 18, or 24 h after placement in maturation medium. Sperm head decondensation and male pronucleus formation were evaluated at 6, 12, and 18 h after commencement of IVF; sperm decondensation appeared earlier in the GSH group (6h after the start of IVF). There were differences (P<0.05) between the Control group and the GSH and Adult groups for: fertilization rate at both 12 h (55.4, 77.0, and 80.6%, respectively) and 18 h (67.9, 86.9, and 88.7%); parthenogenesis rate at both 12 h (25.0, 10.8, and 5.6%) and 18 h (28.3, 9.8, and 4.5%); and polyspermy rate at 18 h (26.4, 4.9, and 5.7%). Blastocyst rate at 7d was higher in the GSH group than the Control group (23.9% vs. 14.9%, P<0.05), but both were lower (P<0.05) than the Adult group (38.3%). The addition of 2-mercaptoethanol and cysteine improved sperm decondensation and rates of fertilization and the blastocyst development to 7d, with no effect on blastocyst rate at 9 d.

Search for the invisible decay of J/psi in psi(2S) --> pi(+)pi(-) J/psi

Using psi(2S) --> pi(+)pi(-) J/psi events in a sample of 14.0 x 10(6) psi(2S) decays collected with the BES-II detector, a search for the decay of the J/psi to invisible final states is performed. No signal is found, and an upper limit at the 90% confidence level is determined to be 1.2 x 10(-2) for the ratio B(J/psi --> invisible)/B(J/psi-->mu(+)mu(-)). This is the first search for J/psi decays to invisible final states.