Observation of e+e- → γX(3872) at BESIII

With data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring at center-of-mass energies from 4.009 to 4.420 GeV, the process e+e-→ γX(3872) is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 6.3σ. The measured mass of the X(3872) is (3871.9 ± 0.7s tat ± 0.2 syst)  MeV/c(2), in agreement with previous measurements. Measurements of the product of the cross section σ[e+e- → γX(3872)] and the branching fraction B[X(3872)→π+π-J/ψ] at center-of-mass energies 4.009, 4.229, 4.260, and 4.360 GeV are reported. Our measurements are consistent with expectations for the radiative transition process Y(4260) → γX(3872).

Observation of a charged (DD*)± mass peak in e+ e- → πDD* at sqrt[s] = 4.26 GeV

We report on a study of the process e+ e- → π± (DD*)∓ at sqrt[s] = 4.26  GeV using a 525 pb(-1) data sample collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. A distinct charged structure is observed in the (DD*)∓ invariant mass distribution. When fitted to a mass-dependent-width Breit-Wigner line shape, the pole mass and width are determined to be Mpole = (3883.9±1.5(stat)±4.2(syst))  MeV/c2 and Γpole = (24.8±3.3(stat)±11.0(syst))  MeV. The mass and width of the structure, which we refer to as Zc(3885), are 2σ and 1σ, respectively, below those of the Zc(3900) → π± J/ψ peak observed by BESIII and Belle in π+ π- J/ψ final states produced at the same center-of-mass energy. The angular distribution of the πZc(3885) system favors a JP = 1+ quantum number assignment for the structure and disfavors 1- or 0-. The Born cross section times the DD* branching fraction of the Zc(3885) is measured to be σ(e+ e- → π± Zc(3885)∓)×B(Zc(3885)∓ → (DD*)∓) = (83.5±6.6(stat)±22.0(syst))   pb. Assuming the Zc(3885) → DD* signal reported here and the Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ signal are from the same source, the partial width ratio (Γ(Zc(3885) → DD*)/Γ(Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ)) = 6.2±1.1(stat)±2.7(syst) is determined.

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure Zc(4020) and search for the Zc(3900) in e+e-→π+π-hc

We study e+e-→π+π-hc at center-of-mass energies from 3.90 to 4.42 GeV by using data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross sections are measured at 13 energies and are found to be of the same order of magnitude as those of e+e-→π+π-J/ψ but with a different line shape. In the π±hc mass spectrum, a distinct structure, referred to as Zc(4020), is observed at 4.02  GeV/c2. The Zc(4020) carries an electric charge and couples to charmonium. A fit to the π±hc invariant mass spectrum, neglecting possible interferences, results in a mass of (4022.9±0.8±2.7)  MeV/c2 and a width of (7.9±2.7±2.6)  MeV for the Zc(4020), where the first errors are statistical and the second systematic. The difference between the parameters of this structure and the Zc(4025) observed in the D*D[over ¯]* final state is within 1.5σ, but whether they are the same state needs further investigation. No significant Zc(3900) signal is observed, and upper limits on the Zc(3900) production cross sections in π±hc at center-of-mass energies of 4.23 and 4.26 GeV are set.

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure in e+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ at sqrt[s] = 4.26 GeV

We study the process ee+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ at a center-of-mass energy of 4.260 GeV using a 525  pb(-1) data sample collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross section is measured to be (62.9±1.9±3.7)  pb, consistent with the production of the Y(4260). We observe a structure at around 3.9  GeV/c2 in the π(±)J/ψ mass spectrum, which we refer to as the Z(c)(3900). If interpreted as a new particle, it is unusual in that it carries an electric charge and couples to charmonium. A fit to the π(±)J/ψ invariant mass spectrum, neglecting interference, results in a mass of (3899.0±3.6±4.9)  MeV/c2 and a width of (46±10±20)  MeV. Its production ratio is measured to be R = (σ(e+ e- → π(±)Z(c)(3900)(∓) → π+ π- J/ψ)/σ(e+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ)) = (21.5±3.3±7.5)%. In all measurements the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic.

Observation of two new N* resonances in the decay ψ(3686)→ppπ0

Based on 106×10(6)ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII facility, a partial wave analysis of ψ(3686)→ppπ0 is performed. The branching fraction of this channel has been determined to be B(ψ(3686)→ppπ0)=(1.65±0.03±0.15)×10(-4). In this decay, 7 N* intermediate resonances are observed. Among these, two new resonances, N(2300) and N(2570) are significant, one 1/2+ resonance with a mass of 2300(-30-0)(+40+109)  MeV/c2 and width of 340(-30-58)(+30+110)  MeV/c2, and one 5/2- resonance with a mass of 2570(-10-10)(+19+34)  MeV/c2 and width of 250(-24-21)(+14+69)  MeV/c2. For the remaining 5 N* intermediate resonances [N(1440), N(1520), N(1535), N(1650) and N(1720)], the analysis yields mass and width values that are consistent with those from established resonances.

Evidence for the direct two-photon transition from ψ(3686) to J/ψ

The two-photon transition ψ(3686)→γγJ/ψ is studied in a sample of 1.06×10(8) ψ(3686) decays collected by the BESIII detector. The branching fraction is measured to be (3.1±0.6(stat)(-1.0)(+0.8)(syst))×10(-4) using J/ψ→e(+)e(-) and J/ψ→μ(+)μ(-) decays, and its upper limit is estimated to be 4.5×10(-4) at the 90% confidence level. This work represents the first measurement of a two-photon transition among charmonium states. The orientation of the ψ(3686) decay plane and the J/ψ polarization in this decay are also studied. In addition, the product branching fractions of sequential E1 transitions ψ(3686)→γχ(cJ) and χ(cJ)→γJ/ψ(J=0,1,2) are reported.

First observation of the M1 transition ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S)

Using a sample of 106×10(6) ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring, we have made the first measurement of the M1 transition between the radially excited charmonium S-wave spin-triplet and the radially excited S-wave spin-singlet states: ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S). Analyses of the processes ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S) with η(c)(2S)→K(S)(0)K(±)π(∓) and K(+)K(-)π(0) give an η(c)(2S) signal with a statistical significance of greater than 10 standard deviations under a wide range of assumptions about the signal and background properties. The data are used to obtain measurements of the η(c)(2S) mass (M(η(c)(2S))=3637.6±2.9(stat)±1.6(syst) MeV/c(2)), width (Γ(η(c)(2S))=16.9±6.4(stat)±4.8(syst) MeV), and the product branching-fraction (B(ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S))×B(η(c)(2S)→KKπ)=(1.30±0.20(stat)±0.30(syst))×10(-5)). Combining our result with a BABAR measurement of B(η(c)(2S)→KKπ), we find the branching fraction of the M1 transition to be B(ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S))=(6.8±1.1(stat)±4.5(syst))×10(-4).

Analysis of vibrational behaviors of microtubules embedded within elastic medium by Pasternak model

Microtubules in living cells are very important component for various cellular functions as well as to maintain the cell shape. Mechanical properties of microtubules play a vital role in their functions and structure. To understand the mechanical properties of microtubules in living cells, we developed an orthotropic-Pasternak model and investigated the vibrational behavior when microtubules are embedded in surrounding elastic medium. We considered microtubules as orthotropic elastic shell and its surrounding elastic matrix as Pasternak foundation. We found that due to mechanical coupling of microtubules with elastic medium, the flexural vibration is increased with the stiffening of elastic medium. We noticed that foundation modulus (H) and shear modulus (G) have more effect on radial vibrational mode as compared to longitudinal vibrational mode and torsional vibrational mode.

Measurements of the mass and width of the η(c) using the decay ψ(3686)→γη(c)

The mass and width of the lowest-lying S-wave spin singlet charmonium state, the η(c), are measured using a data sample of 1.06×10(8) ψ(3686) decays collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. We use a model that incorporates full interference between the signal reaction, ψ(3686)→γη(c), and a nonresonant radiative background to describe the line shape of the η(c) successfully. We measure the η(c) mass to be 2984.3±0.6±0.6 MeV/c(2) and the total width to be 32.0±1.2±1.0 MeV, where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic.

Molecular cloning and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of IGF2a genes in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

We studied whether two IGF2 transcripts in common carp are similar to those found in zebrafish. The full-length IGF2a cDNA contains a 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 105 bp, a 3'-terminal UTR of 1358 bp and an open reading frame of 612 bp, which encodes a 206-amino acid protein. A 6614-bp full-length IGF2a DNA molecule, including the 5'-flanking region, was isolated. Genomic DNA structure analysis revealed that the IGF2a gene contains four exons and three introns. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the proteins encoded by IGF2a genes in common carp have one signal peptide and one apparent transmembrane region. Bootstrapping was performed 1000 times to obtain support values for each branch. The common carp IGF2a were clustered in one group, while the outgroup (common carp IGF1) clustered in another group. We identified two new single nucleotide polymorphisms in intron 2 of the gene. One polymorphism, A/N, can be found only in the Huanghe carp. The other polymorphism, C/N, can be found in both male Huanghe carp × female Heilongjiang carp and male Huanghe carp × female Jian carp. The second polymorphism, C/N, is primarily transferred from the male and may be related to heterosis.

First observation of η(1405) decays into f(0)(980)π0

The decays J/ψ → γ π+ π- π0 and J/ψ → γ π0 π0 π0 are analyzed using a sample of 225×10(6) J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector. The decay of η(1405) → f(0)(980)π0 with a large isospin violation is observed for the first time. The width of the f(0)(980) observed in the dipion mass spectra is anomalously narrower than the world average. Decay rates for three-pion decays of the η' are also measured precisely.

Preparation and characterization of poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles for sustained release of pyridostigmine bromide

A novel pyridostigmine bromide poly (lactic acid) nanoparticles (PBPNPs) was prepared to obtain sustained release characteristics of PB. A central composite design approach was employed for process optimization. The in vitro release studies were carried out by dialysis method and conducted using four different dissolution media. Similar factor method was investigated for dissolution profile comparison. Multiple linear regression analysis for process optimization revealed that the optimal PBPNPs were obtained where the values of the amount of PB (X1, mg), PLA concentration (X2, % w:v), and PVA concentration (X3, % w:v) were 49.20 mg, 3.31% and 3.41%, respectively. The average particle size and zeta potential of PBPNPs with the optimized formulation were 722.9 +/- 4.3 nm, and -25.12 +/- 1.2 mV, respectively. PBPNPs provided an initial burst of drug release followed by a very slow release over an extended period of time (72 h). Compared with free PB, PBPNPs had a significantly lower release rate of PB in vitro. The in vitro release profile of the PBPNPs could be described by Weibull models, regardless of type of dissolution medium. Statistical significance of similarity between every two dissolution profiles of PBPNPs in different dissolution media was found, and the difference between the curves of PBPNPs and pure PB was statistically significant.

Spin-parity analysis of pp¯ mass threshold structure in J/ψ and ψ(3686) radiative decays

A partial wave analysis of the pp¯ mass-threshold enhancement in the reaction J/ψ→γpp¯ is used to determine its J(PC) quantum numbers to be 0(-+), its peak mass to be below threshold at M=1832(-5)(+19)(stat)(-17)(+18)(syst)±19(model) MeV/c(2), and its total width to be Γ<76 MeV/c(2) at the 90% C.L. The product of branching ratios is measured to be BR[J/ψ→γX(pp¯)]BR[X(pp¯)→pp¯]=[9.0(-1.1)(+0.4)(stat)(-5.0)(+1.5)(syst)±2.3(model)]×10(-5). A similar analysis performed on ψ(3686)→γpp¯ decays shows, for the first time, the presence of a corresponding enhancement with a production rate relative to that for J/ψ decays of R=[5.08(-0.45)(+0.71)(stat)(-3.58)(+0.67)(syst)±0.12(model)]%.

First Report of Charcoal Rot Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina on Mungbean in China

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.), an important leguminous food crop in China, is popularly grown in arid regions. The total area of mungbean production is 8.0 × 105 ha. In August and September 2010, wilted symptoms were observed in mungbean plants in Yulin, Shaanxi Province and Datong, Shanxi Province. Infected plants had silvery gray coloration of stems and lateral branching with senesced leaves still attached to the plant. Dark brown necrotic areas were observed on the exterior of the taproot underneath the epidermis and in the pith of the lower stems of wilted plants. Black spherical microsclerotia, 43.9 μm, were present in infected plant tissues. Six fungal isolates were cultured on potato dextrose agar at 25°C and the mycelium was initially hyaline but later became gray. Black microsclerotia, 60 to 80 × 75 to 123 μm, were observed in culture after 2 to 7 days of incubation. On the basis of field symptoms, colony color, and the size of microsclerotia, the fungus was identified as Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid (3). To confirm the morphological identification, the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the six isolates were amplified with universal primers ITS1 and ITS4. The resulting ITS sequences of the six isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. HQ660589, HQ660590, HQ660591, HQ660592, HQ660593, and HQ660594) were aligned in GenBank, which showed 97 to 99% identity with 60 M. phaseolina isolates (e.g., Accession Nos. GU046867, FJ415067, and FJ960441). Using the PCR primers MpKF1 (5'-CCGCCAGAGGACTATCAAAC-3') and MaKR1 (5'-CGTCCGAAGCGAGGTGTATT-3') specific for M. phaseolina (1), a 350-bp PCR fragment was obtained, indicating that these isolates were M. phaseolina. Pathogenicity tests of six isolates were performed by inoculation of 3-week-old seedlings of cv. Zhonglv 8 using the hypocotyl inoculation technique, respectively (2). Each isolate was transferred to petri dishes containing PDA 2 days prior to inoculation. On the day of inoculation, an inoculum slurry was prepared by cutting agar with the pathogen into small strips and passing the strips through a 5-syringe until uniform. A small quantity of inoculum extruded into the vertical cut in each hypocotyl of at least eight seedlings in each pot, and the PDA was used as the control to extrude into the vertical cut in each hypocotyl of at least eight seedlings in another pot. The inoculated and control plants were incubated in the mist chamber at 25°C and 90 to 100% relative humidity for 48 h before growing in a greenhouse at 30°C. Six days after inoculation, all inoculated plants, wilted or dead, showed dark brown-toblack lesions. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. For each isolate tested, M. phaseolina was reisolated from inoculated plants, but was not isolated from the control plants. The fungus has been detected in 29 plant species of 23 genera in China, including the major crops Arachis hypogaea, Helianthus annuus, and Glycine max. Although M. phaseolina has caused great yield reduction of mungbean in many areas of Asia, to our knowledge, this fungus as a causal agent of mungbean charcoal rot has not previously been reported in China. Reference: (1) B. K. Babu et al. Mycologia 99:797, 2007. (2) D. L. Pazdernik et al. Plant Dis. 81:1112, 1997. (3) G. S. Smith and T. D.Wyllie. Charcoal rot. Page 29 in: Compendium of Soybean Diseases. 4th ed. G. L. Hartmann et al., eds. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1999.

Genetic variation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha gene (PPARA) in chickens bred for different purposes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA) is involved in fatty acid oxidation by upregulating the expression of acyl-coenzyme A oxidase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase. In this study, PPARA gene variations in four chicken breeds (Guyuan, Wenchang, Tibetan, and Hisex) were detected by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing. The results indicated six genotypes (AA-EF). When compared with the PPARA reference sequence (GenBank accession no. AF163809), the nucleotide sequences of genotypes AA, BB, AB, and CC revealed silent mutations in the three Chinese breeds. The nucleotide sequences of genotypes DD and EF in Hisex showed several frame-shift mutations, implying variations involving five alleles of the PPARA gene in chicken breeds. In addition, the distribution of genotype frequency within the PPARA gene was significantly different in the four breeds studied, implying that this locus would probably be an effective marker in marker-assisted selection for layer, meat-and-egg, and broiler breeds.

Stochastic vagal modulation of cardiac pacemaking may lead to erroneous identification of cardiac "chaos"

Fluctuations in the time interval between two consecutive R-waves of electrocardiogram during normal sinus rhythm may result from irregularities in the autonomic drive of the pacemaking sinoatrial node (SAN). We use a biophysically detailed mathematical model of the action potentials of rabbit SAN to quantify the effects of fluctuations in acetylcholine (ACh) on the pacemaker activity of the SAN and its variability. Fluctuations in ACh concentration model the effect of stochastic activity in the vagal parasympathetic fibers that innervate the SAN and produce varying rates of depolarization during the pacemaker potential, leading to fluctuations in cycle length (CL). Both the estimated maximal Lyapunov exponent and the noise limit of the resultant sequence of fluctuating CLs suggest chaotic dynamics. Apparently chaotic heart rate variability (HRV) seen in sinus rhythm can be produced by stochastic modulation of the SAN. The identification of HRV data as chaotic by use of time series measures such as a positive maximal Lyapunov exponent or positive noise limit requires both caution and a quantitative, predictive mechanistic model that is fully deterministic.

Flesh color association with polymorphism of the tyrosinase gene in different Chinese chicken breeds

In order to study genetic variation of tyrosinase gene in four different flesh color chicken breeds selected from special districts including Guyuan, Wenchang, Tibetan and Hisex chicken, five loci of the TYR gene exon-1 and one locus of 5' flanking region were analyzed in PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing. The results indicated that there were polymorphisms only at TYR1 and TYR3 locus. At TYR1 locus located in exon-1, there were three genotypes (TT, CC, TC), respectively, in three Chinese chicken breeds, and Genotype CC had not been detected in Hisex chicken. At TYR3 locus located in 5' flanking region, there were three genotypes (GG, AA and GA) in Chinese local chicken breeds and genotype AA had not been detected in Hisex chicken breed. It was concluded that there were many variations of TYR gene in Chinese local chicken breeds. DNA sequencing of PCR products for different genotypes showed that there were two mutation sites, respectively, C to T at TYR1 locus and G to A at TYR3 locus. Mutation at TYR1 locus did not cause any amino acid variation. The chi-square analysis revealed that there were significant statistical differences generally between flesh color and the two loci among four chicken populations (P < 0.01). Our results suggested that the flesh color was related to genotype of TYR gene in Chinese chicken breeds. This study provided original information for elucidating the possible roles of exon-1 of TYR gene and 5' flanking region in chickens with different flesh color chicken.

[Testis necrosis following repeated misdiagnosis of testicular torsion: a case report and literature review]

OBJECTIVE

To improve clinicians' ability of diagnosing testicular torsion.

METHODS

We reviewed the data of a case of testicular torsion that resulted in necrosis because of delayed presentation and repeated misdiagnosis, and analyzed its anatomic features, clinical manifestations, ultrasound results, the causes of misdiagnosis and relevant literature.

RESULTS

The patient presented 5 hours after the onset of symptoms, complaining of severe paroxysmal pain in the lower left abdomen, accompanied with nausea and vomiting, and was twice misdiagnosed as having enterospasm or ureteral calculus at two different hospitals. Fifteen hours later, surgical exploration revealed an about 900-degree testicular torsion in the spermatic cord, which necessitated orchiectomy for non viability of the testis. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed testicular necrosis and diffused hemorrhage in the testis and epididymis.

CONCLUSION

Timely presentation, correct diagnosis and proper treatment are keys to saving the affected testis. Color Doppler ultrasound is an ideal option for the definite diagnosis of acute scrotal diseases, and it offers a valuable guidance for related surgery as well.

Preparation and Characterization of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Silibinin

The study describes the development of stealth solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) as colloidal carriers for silibinin, a drug with very low solubility. Stealth SLNs were constituted mainly of bioacceptable and biodegradable lipids, such as stearic acid and surfactant Brij 78 (polyoxyethylene 20 stearyl ether) and can incorporate amounts of silibinin up to 7.55%. Stealth-loaded SLNs were in the nanometer size range. Thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry) showed that silibinin was dispersed in the stealth SLNs at an amorphous state. Release of silibinin from stealth SLNs was very slow. Stealth SLNs were stable without precipitation of silibinin on storage conditions and can be proposed for their parenteral administration.

HydroCoil occlusion for treatment of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula: preliminary experience

OBJECTIVE

To summarize our preliminary experiences regarding HydroCoil occlusion for the treatment of carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF), and to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment.

METHODS

From January 2006 to June 2007, 15 patients with traumatic CCF who were treated using HydroCoil occlusion were included in this study. All the patients presented with symptoms such as intracranial pulsatile noise, bulbar conjunctival hyperemia, and pulsatile exophthalmia. Cerebral angiography revealed that the fistula was located in the right internal carotid-cavernous segment in 6 cases, in the left internal carotid-cavernous segment in 8 cases, and on both sides in 1 case.

RESULTS

After CCF procedure, in 15 patients, the fistula was no longer visualized, the internal carotid artery on the affected side remained patent, and intracranial noise disappeared immediately. The preoperative symptoms exophthalmia, bulbar conjunctival hyperemia, etc., returned to normal 1 week after the operation. Vision recovered to varying extents. In the 9 patients who underwent 1-3 months of follow-up cerebral angiography, CCF recurrences and neurological complications were not observed.

CONCLUSION

Intravascular occlusion has been widely used for CCF treatment, and detachable balloon embolization remains the preferred treatment. In the case of failure of detachable balloon embolization because the patient cannot tolerate the procedure or internal carotid artery occlusion on the affected side is contraindicated, HydroCoil occlusion is a safe and effective though expensive alternative and a stable method of maintaining high carotid artery patency.

Identification of a novel HLA-A allele, HLA-A*9216

The new human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*9216 differs from A*02010101 by a nonsynonymous nucleotide change at condon 76 (GTG>CTG).