Mouse mandible contains distinctive mesenchymal stem cells

Although human orofacial bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells showed differentiation traits distinctly different from those of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from long bone marrow (BMMSCs), mouse MSCs derived from orofacial bone have not been isolated due to technical difficulties, which in turn precludes the use of mouse models to study and cure orofacial diseases. In this study, we developed techniques to isolate and expand mouse orofacial bone/bone-marrow-derived MSCs (OMSCs) from mandibles and verified their MSC characteristics by single-colony formation, multi-lineage differentiation, and in vivo tissue regeneration. Activated T-lymphocytes impaired OMSCs via the Fas/Fas ligand pathway, as occurs in BMMSCs. Furthermore, we found that OMSCs are distinct from BMMSCs with respect to regulating T-lymphocyte survival and proliferation. Analysis of our data suggests that OMSCs are a unique population of MSCs and play an important role in systemic immunity.

ABBREVIATIONS

BMMSC, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell; HA/TCP, hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate; OMSC, orofacial mesenchymal stem cell; OVX, ovariectomized.

Search for f(J)(2220) in radiative J/ψ decays

We present a search for f(J)(2220) production in radiative J/ψ→γf(J)(2220) decays using 460  fb⁻¹ of data collected with the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II e(+)e⁻ collider. The f(J)(2220) is searched for in the decays to K(+)K⁻ and K(S)⁰K(S)⁰. No evidence of this resonance is observed, and 90% confidence level upper limits on the product of the branching fractions for J/ψ→γf(J)(2220) and f(J)(2220)→K(+)K⁻(K(S)⁰K(S)⁰) as a function of spin and helicity are set at the level of 10⁻⁵, below the central values reported by the Mark III experiment.

Observation of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays with the ANITA balloon-borne radio interferometer

We report the observation of 16 cosmic ray events with a mean energy of 1.5 × 10¹⁹ eV via radio pulses originating from the interaction of the cosmic ray air shower with the Antarctic geomagnetic field, a process known as geosynchrotron emission. We present measurements in the 300-900 MHz range, which are the first self-triggered, first ultrawide band, first far-field, and the highest energy sample of cosmic ray events collected with the radio technique. Their properties are inconsistent with current ground-based geosynchrotron models. The emission is 100% polarized in the plane perpendicular to the projected geomagnetic field. Fourteen events are seen to have a phase inversion due to reflection of the radio beam off the ice surface, and two additional events are seen directly from above the horizon. Based on a likelihood analysis, we estimate angular pointing precision of order 2° for the event arrival directions.

Occurrence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotypes in subgingival plaque from United States subjects

This study examined the distribution pattern of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotypes in the subgingival plaque of subjects residing in the United States. A. actinomycetemcomitans was identified in 256 subgingival plaque samples from 161 subjects. For 190 of the 256 samples, the total cultivable bacteria and selected periodontal pathogenic species were determined. A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates were confirmed by a16S rDNA-based PCR analysis, genotyped by arbitrarily-primed PCR, and serotyped by PCR analysis of serotype-specific gene clusters. A total of 82 distinct A. actinomycetemcomitans strains were identified. The serotype distribution pattern of the strains was 21 (25.6%) serotype a, 12 (14.6%) b, 41 (50%) c, 6 (7.3%) e, 1 (1.2%) f, and 1 (1.2%) non-typeable. For 14 subjects where multiple colonies of A. actinomycetemcomitans were identified, 11 subjects (78.6%) were each infected by a single serotype, while the remaining three subjects (21.3%) were each infected by two serotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans. There was an inverse relationship between the level of cultivable A. actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Within subgingival plaque of study cohort A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype c was the dominant serotype and comprised 50% of all strains, followed by (in order of detection frequency) serotypes a and b. Serotypes d, e, and f strains were either not detected or less frequently found. Serotype distribution patterns of subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans may vary among subjects of different race orethnicity.

Evidence for direct CP violation in the measurement of the Cabbibo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle γ with B∓ → D(*)K(*)∓ decays

We report the measurement of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa CP-violating angle γ through a Dalitz plot analysis of neutral D-meson decays to K(S)(0) π+ π- and K(S)(0) K+ K- produced in the processes B∓ → DK∓, B∓ D* K∓ with D* → Dπ(0), Dγ, and B∓ → DK*∓ with K*∓ → K(S)(0) π∓, using 468 million BB pairs collected by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e+ e- collider at SLAC. We measure γ = (68 ± 14 ± 4 ± 3)° (modulo 180°), where the first error is statistical, the second is the experimental systematic uncertainty, and the third reflects the uncertainty in the description of the neutral D decay amplitudes. This result is inconsistent with γ = 0 (no direct CP violation) with a significance of 3.5 standard deviations.

Transarterial embolization of traumatic carotid-superior hypophyseal arterial cavernous fistula. A case report

A 26-year-old man presented with symptoms of progressive bilateral exophthalmos and swelling of the eyelids after a severe head injury. Angiography confirmed a direct carotid-superior hypophyseal arterial (SHA) cavernous fistula with petrosal sinus and intracavernous sinus drainage. Successful transarterial coil embolization of the fistula was performed with resolution of the patient's symptoms. To our knowledge, post-traumatic arteriovenous fistula between SHA and the cavernous sinus has not been previously reported. We hereby demonstrate an effective, minimally invasive method of occluding a rare fistula by transarterial embolization.

Measurement of D0-D0 mixing parameters using D0 → K(S)(0)π+ π- and D0 → K(S)(0)K+ K- decays

We report a direct measurement of D0-D0 mixing parameters through a time-dependent amplitude analysis of the Dalitz plots of D(0) → K(S)(0) π+ π- and, for the first time, D0 → K(S)(0)K+ K- decays. The low-momentum pion π(s)(+) in the decay D*+ → D0 π(s)(+) identifies the flavor of the neutral D meson at its production. Using 468.5 fb(-1) of e+ e- colliding-beam data recorded near square root(s)=10.6 GeV by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy collider at SLAC, we measure the mixing parameters x = [1.6 ± 2.3(stat) ± 1.2(syst) ± 0.8(model)] × 10(-3), and y = [5.7 ± 2.0(stat) ± 1.3(syst) ± 0.7(model)] × 10(-3). These results provide the best measurement to date of x and y. The knowledge of the value of x, in particular, is crucial for understanding the origin of mixing.

Allergy and risk of glioma: a meta-analysis

We evaluated the association between allergic conditions and the risk of glioma in case-control and cohort studies published so far on this issue. A total of 12 studies (10 case-control and 2 cohort studies) were included in the analysis, involving 61 090 participants, of whom 6408 had glioma. When compared with non-allergic conditions, the pooled odds ratio (OR) with any allergic conditions for glioma was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.52-0.69, P<0.001), suggesting a significant negative association (protective effect) between allergy and glioma. Subgroup analysis showed that the ORs were 0.70 (95% CI: 0.62-0.79, P<0.001), 0.69 (95% CI: 0.62-0.78, P<0.001), and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.70-0.87, P<0.001) for asthma, eczema, and hay fever, respectively. The significant association remained even after excluding the bias of proxy reporting (OR=0.61; 95% CI: 0.50-0.75, P<0.001). We conclude that allergic conditions may significantly reduce the risk of glioma.

Measurements of charged current lepton universality and |Vus| using tau lepton decays to e- ν(e) ν(τ), μ- ν(μ) ν(τ), π- ν(τ), and K- ν(τ)

Using 467  fb(-1) of e+e- annihilation data collected with the BABAR detector, we measure (B(τ- → μ- ν(μ) ν(τ)))/(B(τ- → e- ν(e) ν(τ))) =(0.9796±0.0016±0.0036), (B(τ- → π- ν(τ)))/(B(τ- → e- ν(e) ν(τ))) = (0.5945±0.0014±0.0061), and (B(τ- → K- ν(τ)))/(B(τ- → e- ν(e) ν(τ))) = (0.03882±0.00032±0.00057), where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. From these precision τ measurements, we test the standard model assumption of μ-e and τ-μ charge current lepton universality and provide determinations of |Vus| experimentally independent of the decay of a kaon.

Differential risk of employment in more physically demanding jobs among a recent cohort of immigrants to Canada

OBJECTIVE

To examine the proportion of a recent cohort of immigrants to Canada who were working in jobs that were more physically demanding than those in which they worked before migration to Canada.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort of immigrants to Canada with occupational position measured before and 2 and 4 years after arrival in Canada.

SUBJECTS

Respondents to Statistics Canada's Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC). The LSIC surveyed a representative sample of immigrants, aged 15 and older, who arrived in Canada between November 2000 and December 2001. For the purpose of this study, the sample was restricted to respondents who had worked before immigrating and were working when re-interviewed 2 (n = 4331) or 4 (n = 4238) years after arrival in Canada.

MAIN OUTCOME

Employment in an occupation with higher physical demands than that employed in before arrival in Canada.

RESULTS

Respondents with less proficiency at speaking English and family class or refugee applicants were the most likely to be employed in occupations with higher physical demands both 2 and 4 years after arrival in Canada.

CONCLUSIONS

Employment in a more physically demanding occupation may pose particular risks of workplace injury. In this sample of immigrants to Canada, respondents with poorer English skills and refugees (factors that may increase this risk) were more likely to be employed in more physically demanding occupations. Greater attention to the prevention of workplace injuries among particular groups of new immigrants to Canada is required.