Observation of Bs(0)-Bs(0) oscillations

We report the observation of Bs(0)-Bs(0) oscillations from a time-dependent measurement of the Bs(0)-Bs(0) oscillation frequency Deltams. Using a data sample of 1 fb(-1) of pp collisions at square root of s=1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron, we find signals of 5600 fully reconstructed hadronic Bs decays, 3100 partially reconstructed hadronic Bs decays, and 61,500 partially reconstructed semileptonic Bs decays. We measure the probability as a function of proper decay time that the Bs decays with the same, or opposite, flavor as the flavor at production, and we find a signal for Bs(0)-Bs(0) oscillations. The probability that random fluctuations could produce a comparable signal is 8 x 10(-8), which exceeds 5sigma significance. We measure Deltams=17.77 +/- 0.10(stat) +/- 0.07(syst) ps(-1) and extract /V(td)/V(ts)/=0.2060+/-0.0007(Deltams)(-0.0060)(+0.008)(Deltamd+theor).

Alpha-fetoprotein mRNA Detection in Peripheral Blood for Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Liver Transplantation

The aim of this study was to assess the value of alphafeto protein (AFP) mRNA-expressing cells detected in peripheral blood for predicting tumor recurrence after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The test group consisted of 25 patients who underwent LDLT for end-stage liver disease with HCC while the control group consisted of 37 living donors. Quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used for detection of AFP mRNA-expressing cells in peripheral blood. Nine (36%) of 25 patients developed tumor recurrences (four lung; one liver; one peritoneum; two bone; one adrenal gland) during the follow-up period. Perioperatively, AFP mRNA was positive in peripheral blood of eight patients (32.0%) but only in 1 (2.7%) of the control. Preoperative AFP mRNA was positive in three cases. Univariate analyses revealed that preoperative and perioperative AFP mRNA and microscopical vascular invasion were the significant predictors for HCC recurrence (P = .007, .037, and .005, respectively). In the patients with HCC exceeding Milan criteria (n = 15), the presence of AFP mRNA-positive cells in the peripheral blood correlated significantly with HCC recurrence (P = .033). We concluded that the presence of AFP mRNA-expressing cells could be a useful predictor of HCC recurrence in liver transplant patients.

Observation of B(s)0-->K+ K- and measurements of branching fractions of charmless two-body decays of B0 and B(s)0 mesons in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We search for decays of the type B(s)0-->h+ h'- (where h,h' = K or pi) in 180 pb(-1) of pp collisions collected at the Tevatron by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab. We report the first observation of the new mode B(s)0-->K+ K- with a yield of 236+/-32 events, corresponding to (fs/fd) x B(B(s)0-->K+ K-)/B(B0-->K+ pi-) = 0.46+/-0.08stat+/-0.07syst, where fs/fd is the ratio of production fractions of B(s)0 and B0. We find results in agreement with world averages for the B0 modes, and set the following new limits at 90% C.L.: B(B(s)0-->K- pi+) < 5.6 x 10(-6) and B(B(s)0-->pi+ pi-) < 1.7 x 10(-6).

Search for excited and exotic muons in the mugamma decay channel in p-p collisions at sqrt s =1.96 TeV

We search for excited and exotic muon states mu* using an integrated luminosity of 371 pb(-1) of p[over]p collision data at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV. We search for associated production of mumu* followed by the decay mu*-->mugamma. We compare the data to model predictions as a function of the mass of the excited muon M(mu*), the compositeness energy scale Lambda, and the gauge coupling factor f. No signal above the standard model expectation is observed. We exclude 107<M(mu*)<853 GeV/c(2) for Lambda=M(mu*) in the contact interaction model, and 100<M(mu*)<410 GeV/c(2) for f/Lambda=10(-2) GeV-1 in the gauge-mediated model, both at the 95% confidence level.

Search for large extra dimensions in the production of jets and missing transverse energy in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present the results of a search for new physics in the jets plus missing transverse energy data sample collected from 368 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We compare the number of events observed in the data with a data-based estimate of the standard model backgrounds contributing to this signature. We observe no significant excess of events, and we interpret this null result in terms of lower limits on the fundamental Planck scale for a large extra dimensions scenario.

[Bronchoplasty without lung resection for the complete transection of the left main bronchus due to blunt trauma]

Blunt bronchial injury is rare but crucial injury. A 17-year-old female was admitted due to traumatic injury. She was diagnosed with bilateral lung contusion, multiple rib fractures, spleen damage and the suspicion about the complete transection of the left main bronchus on X-ray and computed tomography (CT). She was brought to our hospital at 30 hours later from injury. Bronchoscopy revealed the complete transection and the edema of the left main bronchus. She underwent a resection of the disrupted portion and end-to-end anastomosis of left main bronchus without lung resection. We should be an immediate and accurate diagnosis of tracheobronchial disruption by X-ray, CT and bronchoscopy whenever we evaluate patients with blunt chest trauma.

Measurement of the tt production cross section in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present a measurement of the top quark pair production cross section in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV using 318 pb(-1) of data collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We select tt[over ] decays into the final states enu+jets and mu nu+ jets, in which at least one b quark from the t-quark decays is identified using a secondary vertex-finding algorithm. Assuming a top quark mass of 178 GeV/c2, we measure a cross section of 8.7 +/- 0.9(stat)(-0.9)+1.1(syst) pb. We also report the first observation of tt[over ] with significance greater than 5sigma in the subsample in which both b quarks are identified, corresponding to a cross section of 10.1(-1.4)+1.6(stat)(-1.3)+2.0(syst) pb.

Search for a neutral Higgs boson decaying to a W boson pair in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present the results of a search for standard model Higgs boson production with decay to WW*, identified through the leptonic final states e+ e- nu nu,+/-mu -/+nu nu and mu+ mu- nu nu. This search uses 360 pb -1 of data collected from pp collisions at square root of s =1.96 TeV by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF II). We observe no signal excess and set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio for the Higgs boson to WW* or any new scalar particle with similar decay products. These upper limits range from 5.5 to 3.2 pb for Higgs boson masses between 120 and 200 GeV/c2.

Risk factors for graft dysfunction after adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for graft dysfunction after adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Thirty-nine adults with chronic cirrhosis underwent LDLT between 1999 and 2004. Their postoperative courses were uneventful with no vascular or bile duct complications early after LDLT, except one mild hepatic artery stenosis. The preoperative MELD scores were significantly higher in the failed graft group (n=5) than the functioning graft group (n=34; P=.004), while the graft liver weight/standard liver volume ratio was similar between these groups. We concluded that a high preoperative MELD score was associated with postoperative graft failure and that graft size had little impact on graft outcome. Although large grafts would seem intuitively more suitable for sick recipients, we did not show a benefit among this cohort; the MELD score was the best predictor, a finding that is also most consistent with donor safety.

Measurement of the Bs0-Bs0 oscillation frequency

We present the first precise measurement of the Bs0-Bs0 oscillation frequency Deltams. We use 1 fb-1 of data from pp collisions at sqrts=1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The sample contains signals of 3600 fully reconstructed hadronic Bs decays and 37,000 partially reconstructed semileptonic Bs decays. We measure the probability as a function of proper decay time that the Bs decays with the same, or opposite, flavor as the flavor at production, and we find a signal consistent with Bs0-Bs0 oscillations. The probability that random fluctuations could produce a comparable signal is 0.2%. Under the hypothesis that the signal is due to Bs0-Bs0 oscillations, we measure Deltams=17.31(-0.18)+0.33(stat)+/-0.07(syst) ps-1 and determine |Vtd/Vts|=0.208(-0.002)+0.001(expt)-0.006(+0.008)(theor).

A cooperative action of endothelin-1 with prostaglandin F(2alpha) on luteal function in the cow

Prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) is the primary luteolysin in the cow, and luteal endothelin-1 (ET-1) interacts with PGF(2alpha) during the process of luteolysis. In contrast, a developing corpus luteum (CL) is refractory to exogenous administration of PGF(2alpha). Thus, the present study was aimed to investigate the functional relationship between ET-1 and PGF(2alpha) in the mid-CL (PGF(2alpha)-sensitive) and early-CL (PGF(2alpha)-refractory). In the mid-CL model, cows (n = 6/treatment) were assigned to receive one of five types of treatments on day 10 of the estrous cycle: (1) an injection of saline; control, (2) a 500 microg of PGF(2alpha) analogue (sufficient dose to induce luteolytis); full-PG, (3) an intraluteal injection of 0.25 mg ET-1; ET-1, (4) a 125 micro g of PGF(2alpha) (insufficient dose to induce luteolytis); 1/4PG or (5) an intraluteal injection of 0.25 mg ET-1 after administration of a insufficient dose of PGF(2alpha) analogue; 1/4PG/ET. In the early-CL model, cows were assigned to receive one of two types of treatments on day 5 of the estrous cycle: (1) a sufficient dose of PGF(2alpha) analogue; PG (n = 5) or (2) an intraluteal injection ET-1 after a sufficient dose of PGF(2alpha); PG/ET (n = 7). In the mid-CL model, 1/4PG/ET resulted in a rapid reduction of progesterone (P) concentrations similar to that in full-PG from the next day. However, the levels of P in 1/4PG/ET (1.5-2.5 ng/ml) kept significantly higher than that in full-PG (< 0.5 ng/ml). ET-1 or 1/4PG did not decrease plasma P concentrations (4-6 ng/ml). The plasma ET-1 levels increased with the full-PG administration. In the early-CL model, both treatments had no effect on plasma P increase and ET-1 levels. The overall results indicate that the intraluteal ET-1 injection after administration of insufficient dose of PGF(2alpha) induces the depression of P secretion in vivo during the mid luteal phase in the cow, supporting the concept that ET-1 is one of a local mediator of functional luteolysis in the cow. The result further indicates that the early-CL is not only PG-refractory but also ET-1-refractory.

Search for new physics in lepton+photon+X events with 305 pb(-1) of pp collisions at [square root of s] = 1.96 TeV

We present results of a search for anomalous production of events containing a charged lepton (l, either e or mu) and a photon (gamma), both with high transverse momentum, accompanied by additional signatures X, including missing transverse energy (ET) and additional leptons and photons. We use the same selection criteria as in a previous CDF search but with a substantially larger data set, 305 pb(-1), a pp collision energy of 1.96 TeV, and the CDF II detector. We find 42 lgammaET events versus an expectation of 37.3+/-5.4 events. We observe 31 llgamma+X events versus an expectation of 23.0+/-2.7 events. We find no events similar to the run I eegammagammaET event.

Measurement of the Bc+ meson lifetime using the decay mode Bc+ --> J/Psie+nue

We present a measurement of the Bc+ meson lifetime in the decay mode Bc+ --> J/Psie+nue using the Collider Detector at Fermilab II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. From a sample of about of 360 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV, we reconstruct J/Psie+ pairs with invariant mass in the kinematically allowed range 4< M(J/Psie) < 6 GeV/c2. A fit to the decay-length distribution of 238 signal events yields a measured Bc+ meson lifetime of 0.463(-0.065)(+0.073)(stat) +/- 0.036(syst) ps.

The letrozole (L), exemestane (E), and anastrozole (A) pharmacodynamics (LEAP) trial: A direct comparison of bone biochemical measurements between aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in healthy postmenopausal women

555

Background: The LEAP trial is an open, randomized, multicenter, Phase I pharmacodynamic study comparing the effects of the AIs L, E and A on safety parameters, such as serum markers of bone formation and resorption, lipid profiles, and adrenal function in healthy postmenopausal women with normal bone mineral density at the spine and hip. Elevated bone biochemical levels indicate high turnover of bone, and correlate with a loss in bone mineral density. It has been suggested that there are differences between the effect of the steroidal AIs (E) and non-steroidal AIs (A and L) on bone turnover, with steroidal AIs having a less negative effect. Methods: Healthy volunteersfrom the UK and Hungarywere randomized to receive A (1 mg/day), L (2.5 mg/day), or E (25 mg/day) orally, once daily for 24 weeks. Changes from baseline in log-transformed bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum C-telopeptide crosslinks (CTX), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) at 24 weeks on A, were compared with those on L and E by ANCOVA, adjusting for treatment, baseline measurement, BMI, smoking status and baseline estradiol. No adjustments were made for multiple comparisons. Results: A total of 102 healthy volunteers were recruited, with 90 participants evaluable at 24 weeks (29 A, 29 L, 32 E). Participant demographics were similar between the treatment groups in terms of age, years since menopause, and history of hysterectomy and oophorectomy. Bone biochemical measurement changes are presented in the table . With the exception of PTH, where there is a greater decrease in PTH with E than with A (p=0.04), there were no statistically significant differences between the AIs. Conclusions: The steroidal and non-steroidal AIs appear to have similar effects on bone biochemical measurements, and thus bone turnover. All three licensed AIs result in increases in bone turnover.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Long-term outocomes of preoperative chemoradiation therapy with gemcitabine and accelerated hyperfractionated radiation for respectable pancreatic cancer

14004

Background: Gemcitabine (GEM) is recognized as an effective chemotherapeutic agent for non-curative pancreatic cancer and has an activity for radiosensitizer. Although preoperative chemoradiation therapy (preCRT) with GEM is one of the promising adjuvant therapies for potentially curative pancreatic cancer, the clinical significance of the treatment remains to obscure. Methods: Potentially resectable pancreatic cancer patients were recruited in this study from September 2001 through August 2004. Patients were randomly divided into preCRT group and a control group. Patients in preCRT group received GEM (400 mg/m2 or 800 mg/m2 on day 1 and 7) and concomitant accelerated hyperfractionated irradiation (1.5 Gy ×2/day, 5 days/weeks, total dose 30Gy or 36 Gy). After 3–4 weeks’ rest of the preCRT, patients were re-evaluated for resectability. Patients who underwent R0 resection did not received any postoperative adjuvant treatment until recurrence. Results: There were 23 patients in preCRT group and were 19 patients in control group. After re-evaluation, 4 patients (17%) were considered as unresectable due to the progressed disease. 19 patients (83%) in preCRT group and 19 patients (100%) in control group underwent laparotomy. Sixteen patients (70%) in preCRT group and 17 patients (89%) in control group underwent R0 resection. Median survival times were 17.6 months in preCRT group and 16.7 months in control group, respectively (p=0.65). Among patients underwent R0 resection, one and three-years survival rate were 81.2% and 27.1% in preCRT group, while these were 70.6% and 15.4% in the control group (p=0.26). Local recurrence was observed in 4 (25%) of 16 patients who underwent R0 resection in preCRT group and in 7 (41%) of 17 patients who underwent R0 resection in control group, while recurrence at distant organs (liver, lung, peritoneum, bone) were observed in 8 patients (50%) of preCRT group and 8 patients (47%) in control group. Conclusions: Although the preoperative chemoradiation therapy with GEM and accelerated hyperfractionated radiation for potentially curative pancreatic cancer is likely to be promising against local recurrence after R0 resection, survival benefit of the therapy was unsatisfactory.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

High efficacy of paclitaxel (P), carboplatin (C) and concurrent thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

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Background: Combined modality therapy with P, C and radiation for locally advanced NSCLC is active, but its clinical data are limited in Japan. The aim of this study is to evaluate feasibility and efficacy of the therapy in a Japanese general hospital. Methods: Patients with previously untreated and locally advanced NSCLC with stage IIIA and IIIB (PS 0–1, weight loss less than 5% over past 3 months) were treated with P (40 mg/m2 on days 1,8,15, 22, 29, 36, 43), C (AUC 2 on days 1,8,15, 22, 29, 36, 43) and TRT (66 Gy/33fr over 6.5 weeks starting on day1). Results: Fifteen evaluable patients entered this study between December 2001 and March 2005. They were 12 males, 3 females, with median age 67 (57–76); 6 patients with ECOG PS 0, 9 with PS 1, 8 with stage IIIA, and 7 with IIIB. Chemotherapeutic agents were administered a median of 6 cycles (4–7) and 66 Gy of TRT done in 14 patients. It achieved 13 PRs, 1 SD and 1 PD with a response rate of 86.7%. Survival was 85.5% at 1 year, 66.0% at 2 year and 66.0% at 3 year. Eleven patients are still alive. A relapse occurred in 10 patients (66.7%) and 5 were disease-free (33.3%). The site of first relapse was distant in 5 patients, local in 3, and both local and distant in 2. Toxicity was mild: grade 3 neutropenia in 2 patients, grade 3 nausea in 1, and grade 3 esophagitis in 1. No grade 3/4 pneumonitis was observed. After completion of chemoradiotherapy scheduled, 2 patients received additional chemotherapy of PC and 1 underwent lobectomy. Conclusion: Although the number of patients is small in this study, concurrent PC and TRT for locally advanced NSCLC is feasible and highly effective for Japanese patients with good PS and minimal weight loss.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Observation of B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi and measurement of the ratio of branching fractions Beta(B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi)/Beta(B(0)(s)-->J/PsiPhi)

We report the first observation of B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi decay in p(p_) collisions at square root of 8=1.96 TeV using 360 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe 20.2 +/- 5.0 and 12.3 +/- 4.1 B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi candidates, in Psi(2S)-->mu(+)mu(-) and Phi(2S)-->J/Phipi(+)pi(-) decay modes, respectively. We present a measurement of the relative branching fraction Beta(B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi)/Beta(B(0)(s)-->J/PsiPhi)=0.52 +/- 0.13(stat) +/- 0.04(syst) +/- 0.06(BR) using the Psi(2S)-->mu(+)mu(-) decay mode.

Search for Z' --> e+ e- using dielectron mass and angular distribution

We search for Z' bosons in dielectron events produced in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV, using 0.45 fb(-1) of data accumulated with the Collider Detector at Fermilab II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. To identify the Z' --> e+ e- signal, both the dielectron invariant mass distribution and the angular distribution of the electron pair are used. No evidence of a signal is found, and 95% confidence level lower limits are set on the Z' mass for several models. Limits are also placed on the mass and gauge coupling of a generic Z', as well as on the contact-interaction mass scales for different helicity structure scenarios.

Search for high-mass resonances decaying to emu in pp collisions at square root = 1.69 TeV

We describe a general search for resonances decaying to a neutral emu final state in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. Using a data sample representing 344 pb(-1) of integrated luminosity recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab II experiment, we compare standard model predictions with the number of observed events for invariant masses between 50 and 800 GeV/c2. Finding no significant excess (5 events observed vs 7.7 +/- 0.8 expected for M(emu) > 100 GeV/c2 ), we set limits on sneutrino and Z' masses as functions of lepton family number violating couplings.

Measurement of the tt production cross section in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV using missing E(T) + jets events with secondary vertex b tagging

We present a measurement of the tt production cross section in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV which uses events with an inclusive signature of significant missing transverse energy and jets. This is the first measurement which makes no explicit lepton identification requirements, so that sensitivity to W --> tau nu decays is maintained. Heavy flavor jets from top quark decay are identified with a secondary vertex tagging algorithm. From 311 pb(-1) of data collected by the Collider Detector at Fermilab, we measure a production cross section of 5.8 +/- 1.2(stat)(-0.7)(+0.9)(syst) pb for a top quark mass of 178 GeV/c2, in agreement with previous determinations and standard model predictions.

Direct search for Dirac magnetic monopoles in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV

We search for pair-produced Dirac magnetic monopoles in 35.7 pb(-1) of proton-antiproton collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV with the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF). We find no monopole candidates corresponding to a 95% confidence-level cross-section limit sigma < 0.2 pb for a monopole with mass between 200 and 700 GeV/c2. Assuming a Drell-Yan pair-production mechanism, we set a mass limit m > 360 GeV/c2.

Measurement of bottom-quark hadron masses in exclusive J/psi decays with the CDF detector

We measure the masses of b hadrons in exclusively reconstructed final states containing a J/psi --> mu-mu+ decay using 220 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II experiment. We find: m(B+) = 5279.10 +/- 0.41(stat.) +/- 0.36(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B0) = 5279.63 +/- 0.53(stat.) +/- 0.33(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B(s)0) = 5366.01 +/- 0.73(stat.) +/- 0.33(sys.) MeV/c2, m(lambda(b)0) = 5619.7 +/- 1.2(stat.) +/- 1.2(sys.) MeV/c2. m(B+) - m(B0) = -0.53 +/- 0.67(stat.) +/- 0.14(sys.) MeV/c2, m(B(s)0) - m(B0) = 86.38 +/- 0.90(stat.) +/- 0.06(sys.) MeV/c2, m(lambda(b)0) - m(B0) = 339.2 +/- 1.4(stat.) +/- 0.1(sys.) MeV/c2. The measurements of the B(s)0, lambda(b)0 mass, m(B(s)0) - m(B0) and m(lambda(b)0) - m(B0) mass difference are of better precision than the current world averages.

Measurement of the ratios of branching fractions and

We report an observation of the decay B(O)(S) --> D(-)(s)pi(+) in pp collisions at radical S = 1.96 TeV using 115 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe 83 +/- 11(stat) B(O)(s) --> D(-)(s)pi(+) candidates, representing a large increase in statistics over previous measurements and the first observation of this decay at a pp collider. We present the first measurement of the relative branching fraction Beta(B(O)(s) --> D(-)(s)pi(+))/Beta(B(0) --> D(-)(pi)(+)) = 1.32 +/- 0.18(stat) +/- 0.38(syst). We also measure Beta(B(+) --> D(0)pi(+))/Beta(B(0) -->D(-)pi(+)) = 1.97 +/- 0.10(stat) +/- 0.21(syst), which is consistent with previous measurements.

Search for scalar bottom quarks from gluino decays in collisions at

We searched for scalar bottom quarks 156 pb(-1) of pp collisions at radicalS = 1.96 recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab II experiment at the Tevatron. Scalar bottom quarks can be produced from gluino decays in -parity conserving models of supersymmetry when the mass of the gluino exceeds that of the scalar bottom quark. Then, a scalar bottom quark can decay into a bottom quark and a neutralino. To search for this scenario, we investigated events with large missing transverse energy and at least three jets, two or more of which were identified as containing a secondary vertex from the hadronization of quarks. We found four candidate events, where 2.6 +/- 0.7 are expected from standard model processes, and placed 95% confidence level lower limits on gluino and scalar bottom quark masses of up to 280 and 240 GeV/c(2), respectively.