An Analysis of the VELNEZ Nasal Pack's Acceptability and Safety for Use During Nasal Surgery: A Prospective Study

The primary function of nasal packs is to modulate the bleeding, prevent adhesions and obstruction, with least discomfort to the subjects without risking secondary infection. However, both packing and removal of the pack is an unpleasant experience, with the latter being extremely painful. Therefore the need of the hour is a dressing which prioritizes subject comfort without compromising other desired nasal pack properties. Twenty subjects were enrolled in this interventional, open label study. The subjects had 10 hospital visits, starting from baseline (Visit 1) to postoperative day 28 (Visit 10), at regular intervals. The proportion of the population with postoperative pain alleviation and bleeding control failure (within 10 min) were the main objectives. Within 10 min of VELNEZ administration, all 20 participants got their bleeding under control. With VELNEZ, the painful nasal pack removal method was totally avoided because it was biodegradable. No moderate/severe pain, infection and adhesions were reported in any of the subjects, but few subjects reported moderate obstruction until Visit 3 (Discharge Day). In the present study, for participants undergoing nasal surgery, VELNEZ proved to be a secure and reliable nasal pack. Trial Registration: CTRI/2021/09/036437, prospectively registered.

Dynamics of soil organic carbon of jhum agriculture land-use system in the heterogeneous hill of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Land-use conversion affects soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. Therefore, an in-depth study of change in SOC, SOC pool, fractions of SOC and enzymatic activities of soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and dehydrogenase (DHA) with the conversion of forest land to jhum, fallow jhum and settle cultivation use has been undertaken on the hills of Arunachal Pradesh of India. Geo-referenced soil samples from eight different locations, each from different land uses were collected at three depth. One part of the soil sample had been used for the analysis of SOC and its carbon fraction. The second portion was kept in a deep freezer for determining SMBC and DHA. The third part was used for the analysis of bulk density. The result revealed that the highest loss of SOC pool was recorded in jhum land (41.8 to 13.4%), and the labile carbon was also found to decrease in jhum land. The highest SMBC was observed on the surface soil of the natural forest; the highest DHA was found in the natural forest; and the lowest DHA was recorded in jhum land. This study found that the converting natural forest to jhum reduces SOC storage, enzymatic activities and C fractions significantly whereas fallow jhum shows sign of recovery because all of these parameters improved when compared to the jhum land-use system. This study also confirms that the fallow period helps restore the initial situation.

An in silico osmotic pressure approach allows characterization of pressure-area isotherms of lipid monolayers at low molecular areas

Surface pressure-area isotherms of lipid monolayers at the air-water interface provide essential information about the structure and mechanical behaviour of lipid membranes. These curves can be readily obtained through Langmuir trough measurements and, as such, have been collected for decades in the field of membrane biochemistry. However, it is still challenging to directly observe and understand nanoscopic features of monolayers through such experiments, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are generally used to provide a molecular view of such interfaces. In MD simulations, the surface pressure-area (Π-A) isotherms are generally computed using the Kirkwood-Irving formula, that relies on the evaluation of the pressure tensor. This approach, however, has intrinsic limitations when the molecular area in the monolayer is low (typically < 60 Ų per lipid). Recently, an alternative method to compute Π-A isotherms of surfactants, based on the calculation of the three-dimensional osmotic pressure via the implementation of semipermeable barriers was proposed. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of this approach for long-chain surfactants such as phospholipids. We identify some discrepancies between the computed values and experimental results, and we propose a semi-empirical correction based on the molecular structure of the surfactants at the monolayer interface. To validate the potential of this new approach, we simulate several phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine lipids at various temperatures using all-atom and coarse-grained force fields, and we compute the corresponding Π-A isotherms. Our results show that the Π-A isotherms obtained using the new method are in very good agreement with experiments and far superior to the canonical pressure tensor-based method at low molecular areas. This corrected osmotic pressure method allows for accurate characterization of the molecular packing in monolayers in various physical phases.

Clinicopathological profile of post-COVID-19 mucormycosis cases: A report from a tertiary care center

Introduction

Mucormycosis is a fatal fungal infection, which is rare but commonly affects immunocompromised patients. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who were immunocompromised, due to comorbid conditions, such as hematological malignancy and diabetes mellitus (DM), and patients on immunosuppressive therapy such as steroid therapy were the important host for mucormycosis infection.

Aim

This study aimed to study the clinicopathological correlation of mucormycosis in post-COVID-19 patients.

Material and Methods

The study was a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, over four months from April 2021 to July 2021, and clinically diagnosed mucormycosis cases were included in this study. Clinical details, histology slides, and blocks were reviewed, and the data were analyzed. Three- to four-micrometer sections were taken from the blocks and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and two more slides were made for each case for periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Grocott methenamine silver (GMS) staining.

Result

In this study, the maximum cases were above the fifth decade of life. Males were more commonly affected than females with a male-to-female ratio of 2.09:1. Of the total of 65 cases, 46 (70.77%) cases were positive for mucormycosis and 19 (29.23%) cases were negative on histopathological examination and special stain PAS and GMS. A significant correlation was found between mucormycosis-positive cases on steroid therapy and oxygen supply during the treatment for COVID-19 with P- values of 0.001 and 0.027, respectively.

Conclusion

For COVID-19 patients with altered glycemic control, receiving steroid therapy and oxygen supply poses a significant threat to the development of mucormycosis.

Integrating an Algorithmic and Health Systems Thinking Approach to Improve the Uptake of Government Antenatal Nutrition Services in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh (India), 2018 to 2021

In 2018, the Government of Madhya Pradesh initiated the feasibility testing of integrating an algorithmic approach (assess, give, counsel, treat) to strengthen antenatal nutrition services in routine government-funded programmes coupled with a health system thinking approach to strengthen the health service delivery platform. Implementation Phases included - (i) evidence review and stakeholder consultations (April 2018), (ii) health systems strengthening preparedness phase (May-December 2018), pilot testing in Vidisha district (January-December 2019) covering ~54,100 pregnant women, 237 antenatal contact points through 241 Government Auxiliary Nurse Midwives/Staff nurses. During 2020-21, feasibility testing was expanded to additional seven districts. We used programme registers of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives Registers (2019-21) and National Family Health Survey data for 2016 and 2021 to show changes in the Vidisha district and seven expansion districts. We compare the performance of Vidisha district with Ashok Nagar district, where no such intervention occurred. Comparing 2016 and 2021 data, the Vidisha district showed improvements in receipt of antenatal care in the first trimester (29 % to 85%) and four antenatal visits (17% to 54%). Using the difference-in-difference approach, a 42% net increase in first-trimester antenatal checkups in Vidisha as compared to Ashok Nagar is observed. There was also an improvement in the maternal nutrition budget of the state from USD 8.5 million to USD 17.8 million during this period. The Vidisha initiative offers several lessons on time-effective workflow to deliver all constituents of nutrition services at various antenatal contact points through and via routine government health systems. Continued execution of the algorithm for screening, with longitudinal data on the management of all nutrition risks, will be critical to show its long-term impact on maternal morbidities and birth outcomes. Integrating an Algorithmic and Health Systems Thinking Approach to Improve Uptake of Government's Antenatal Nutrition Services in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh (India), 2018 to 2021.

Schwannoma of the Nasal Septum: A Rare Clinicopathological Case Report in an 18-Year-Old Female

Schwannoma, a benign tumor, arise from schwann cells of myelin sheath; occur anywhere in the body but commonly occur on flexor aspect of extremities. Nasal septum being the rarer site. We report a case of nasal septum schwannoma in an 18-year-old female presented with intermittent epistaxis and progressively increasing nasal obstruction for 2-year duration. The differential diagnosis of juvenile angiofibroma, pyogenic granuloma, and pleomorphic adenoma was made and complete surgical excision was done. Histopathological examination revealed ciliated stratified columnar epithelium, underlying tumor area with two distinct patterns, mainly hypercellular and few hypocellular areas. The cells have spindle shaped pointed basophilic nuclei with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Overall feature was suggestive of nasal septum schwannoma. For confirmation, immunohistochemical staining with S-100 was done and tumor was found positive. Herein, we report the clinicopathological features of nasal septum schwannoma in an 18-year-old female.

Assessing the SpO2 in a random population - Looking for the best among fingers

Context

Pulse oximetry is one of the most revolutionary methods used to monitor the patients in the clinical setting, particularly intensive care and anesthesia. We usually use the index or middle finger to measure SpO₂ values, but little is known about the inter-digital differences that exist between the fingers.

Aim

We aim to compare the peripheral capillary oxygen saturation among fingers of both hands. A total of 93 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 50 years participated in the study.

Materials and Methods

Their SpO₂ values were recorded from each finger with at least 1 minute of resting interval. Their blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature were recorded as well.

Result

A total of 930 measurements were obtained from 93 volunteers. The highest average SpO₂ value of right-handed volunteers was measured from the left little finger (98.48 ± 0.62) of right-handed volunteers, and it was statistically significant when compared with the right ring finger, right little finger, left thumb, left index, left middle finger, and left ring finger. The highest average SpO₂ from left-handed volunteers was obtained from the right index finger, but it was statistically insignificant.

Conclusion

We assume ethnic and climatic differences to play a role in contradictory results noted from previous studies conducted, and this needs to be investigated further. It is recommended that multiple readings may be obtained from other fingers as well before coming to any conclusion as inter-finger variability cannot be ignored.

An Extremely Rare Case of Granular Cell Tumour of Right Nasal Vestibule

Granular Cell Tumour (GCT) of nasal and paranasal area is an extremely rare entity, while the most common site is the tongue in oral cavity. GCT was first time described by Abrikossoff in 1926, which occurs in 3rd to 5th decades of life and most frequently involving the head and neck region. Abrikossoff in 1926, first time described GCT, to be derived from smooth muscle and gave the term myoblastomas, also known as Abrikossoff’s tumours. Schwann cell origin of GCT was demonstrated on immunohistochemistry through positive S100 protein identification. Herein, the authors report a case of GCT arising from right nasal vestibule in a 28- year-old female who presented with swelling since three months. On gross examination, the specimen revealed firm red and white pieces of tissue measuring 0.8x0.8x0.5cm. Diagnosis was made by histopathological examination which was confirmed by PAS special stain and S100 immunohistochemistry. Author also abridge the clinical information, microscopic features, treatment and patient status after follow-up. This case is believed to be the 7th reported case of GCT as primary lesion at this location.

Glimpse into the Lifestyle of Doctors

Background

Lifestyle disorders are on rise world over. Also, the role of doctors as leaders in propagating healthy lifestyles needs to get a reality check. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of lifestyle disorders, eating habits, nutrition patterns, and lifestyle of doctors by assessing health-related behaviours considering gender and other relevant demographic parameters. The objectives of the present study are to find out the relationship of lifestyle disorders among doctors and to study lifestyle disorders and related behaviour among male and female doctors and other subgroups.

Materials and Methods

Online survey was conducted using Googledoc in June to August 2021. Descriptive statistical analysis has been carried out in the present study. The student's t-test (two tailed, independent) has been used.

Results

About 50% rated a happiness quotient of 7 and 8. Surgeons had more diabetes and hypertension than physicians. Prevalence of hypertension was more in self-employed males versus males in job. About two-third participants scored ≥ 80% on healthy lifestyle score.

Conclusion

Our results call for a well-thought strategy to overcome the financial and technological hindrances to accurately identify health risk factors and plan corrective interventions. A healthy lifestyle both in terms of diet and exercise should be incorporated into the schedules of doctors.

Mucormycosis During Second Wave Of COVID-19 in India: Exploratory Analysis From Tertiary Care Centre Of Uttar Pradesh

Background: In April and May 2021, India faced massive second wave of COVID-19 pandemic and then became the hotspots of mucormycosis across globe. Hence, we planned the first analysis of mucormycosis in Uttar Pradesh. Aim and Objectives: coThe objectives were to explore the epidemiology, vaccination status, clinical features, microbiological findings, treatment of mucormycosis and outcome. Material and Methods: This was an observational study of mucormycosis at tertiary care centre of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India from 20 May 2021 to 15 July 2021. Results: 98 patients’ data with mucormycosis was analyzed. Patients had median age of 55 years. COVID-19 infection was present in 69.4% of participants and diabetes mellitus was present as underlying co-morbid condition in more than 85% of patients. 91.8 % of cases were unvaccinated with steroid consumption in almost 60% of patients. R. arrhizus was among the most common agent while we found less commonly reported fungi like R.homothallicus, Apophysomyces, Cunninghamella. 41.8% of cases were successfully treated and 16.3% of cases expired. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus was labeled as major predisposing factor and most patients were unvaccinated. Awareness about fungal infections, rigorous monitoring of chronic diseases, judicious use of drugs, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is decisive for better outcome.

Predictors of no-reflow phenomenon following percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

No reflow during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a complex issue with serious outcomes. Multiple studies have studied predictors of no-reflow during primary PCI, but data on patients with the late presentation is sparse, which constitutes the majority of patients in peripheral centers. This study aimed to determine predictors of no-reflow during PCI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 7 days.

METHODS

It was a single-center prospective case-control study performed at a tertiary care center and included 958 patients with STEMI who underwent PCI within 7 days of symptom onset. Baseline and angiographic data of patients undergoing PCI were recorded and patients divided into reflow and no-reflow group.

RESULTS

Of 958 who underwent PCI, 182 (18.9%) showed no-reflow by myocardial blush grade (MBG)<2. No-reflow group had a higher mean age (66.46±10.71 vs. 61.36±9.94 years), lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) on admission (100.61±26.66 vs. 112.23±24.35, P<0.0001), a higher level of peak Troponin I level (9.37±2.81 vs. 7.66±3.11ng/dL, P<0.0001), low left ventricular ejection fraction (36.71±3.89 vs. 39.58±4.28% respectively P<0.0001). Among angiographic data and procedural features, multivariable logistic regression analysis identified that advanced age, reperfusion time>6hours, SBP<100mmHg on admission, functional status of Killip class for heart failure≥3, lower EF (≤35%), low initial myocardial blush grade (≤1) before PCI, long target lesion length, larger reference diameter of vessel (>3.5mm) and high thrombus burden on angiography were found to be independent predictors of no-reflow (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

No-reflow phenomenon after PCI for STEMI is complex and multifactorial and can be identified by simple clinical, angiographic, and procedural features. Preprocedural characters of the lesion and early perfusion decides the fate of the outcome.

Clinical outcomes of using remdesivir in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19: A prospective randomised study

Background and Aims:

When the world was frantically searching for a drug effective against the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, remdesivir, a broad-spectrum anti-viral medication, became a part of the COVID treatment. We planned a study to evaluate improvement in clinical outcomes with remdesivir treatment for five days.

Methods:

Participants more than 40-years old and with moderate to severe COVID-19 but not on mechanical ventilation were randomly assigned into two groups-remdesivir group (34 cases) to receive the study drug intravenous (IV) remdesivir for five days plus the standard care (SC) and non-remdesivir group (36 cases) to receive the SC but not to receive the study drug. Follow-up was continued for 12 days after the beginning of treatment or until discharge/death. Patient's clinical status was assessed by laboratory investigations and physical examination (from day 1 to day 12 on a 4-point ordinal scale and from day 12 to 24 on a 6-point ordinal scale). Oxygen support requirements and adverse events were recorded. The data were entered and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0.

Results:

High-flow oxygen support and non-invasive ventilation was required at baseline by lesser patients in the remdesivir group. In the end, both groups had similar outcomes after adjustment for baseline clinical status. There was no statistical difference in mortality between the two groups (p = 0.749). Patients in both groups had an equal time to recovery. There was no difference in the occurrence of adverse effects of remdesivir between the two groups.

Conclusion:

Remdesivir therapy for five days did not produce improvement in clinical outcomes in moderate to severe COVID-19 cases.

Post-rewarming Developmental Competence of in vitro Produced Buffalo (Bubalis Bubalis) Embryos Vitrified Using the Solid Surface Technique

BACKGROUND

Vitrification is an ultra-rapid freezing technique for germplasm preservation under high salt concentration with very short exposure time.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the post-thawed developmental potential of in vitro-produced buffalo embryos vitrified by solid surface technique using different concentrations of cryoprotectants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The slaughterhouse derived oocytes were in vitro matured and fertilized with epididymal sperm. IVF embryos at the morula stage were vitrified under two protocols; (i) Protocol-1: ethylene glycol (35%) (ii) Protocol-2: ethylene glycol (15%) and dimethyl sulfoxide (15%). The vitrified-thawed embryos were in vitro cultured up to the blastocyst stage.

RESULTS

Post-thawed development of embryos vitrified under Protocol-1 was significantly higher in terms of compact morula formation as compared to Protocol-2. However, blastocyst developmental rates were not significantly different between the two protocols. The developmental rates of the non-vitrified control were significantly higher than embryos vitrified by either protocols.

CONCLUSION

The process of cryopreservation, under both protocols, significantly affected the developmental potential of pre-implant embryos as compared to fresh embryos. Hence the nature and concentrations of cryoprotectants needs to be optimized for efficient, viable embryonic development.

Extended H-Bonding through Protic Ionic Liquids Facilitates the Growth and Stability of Water Domains in Hydrophobic Environment

Discrete water domains in hydrophobic environment find relevance in aerosols, oil refinery, the human body, etc. The interfacial microstructure plays a crucial role in the stability of such water domains. Over the decades, the amphiphile-induced electrostatic interaction is considered to be the major stabilizing factor operating at these interfaces. Here we take the representative water/AOT/oil microemulsion to show that creating a strong H-bonding network through suitable additive, such as protic ionic liquid (IL) at the interface, helps both the growth and stability of water domains in the hydrophobic phase. On the other hand, common electrolytes and aprotic ILs fail to replicate such behavior as seen by Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and electron microscopy measurements. Experimental results are further supported by the all-atomic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that showed extended H-bonding mediated by the protic IL cations that were localized at the interface. High temperature DLS and rheology studies have shown greater thermal stability and mechanical strengths of our biocompatible microemulsions, which have potential to become suitable templates for in situ synthesis of nanoparticle and various organic compounds.

Poultry-origin extraintestinal Escherichia coli strains carrying the traits associated with urinary tract infection, sepsis, meningitis and avian colibacillosis in India

AIM

In-depth 'One Health' risk assessment of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strains carrying the traits of urinary tract infection, sepsis, meningitis and avian colibacillosis in poultry of India.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 230 E. coli isolates were recovered from chicken samples representing the different sources (faeces vs caeca), stages (poultry farms vs retails butcher shop) or environments (rural vs urban) of poultry in India. Among all poultry-origin E. coli isolates, 49 (21·1%) strains were identified as ExPEC possessing multiple virulence determinants regardless of their association with any specific phylogenetic lineages. Of particular, potentially virulent ExPEC pathotypes, that is, uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC, 20·4%), avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC, 34·6%), septicaemia-associated E. coli (SEPEC, 47·0%) and neonatal meningitis-causing E.39 coli (NMEC, 2·0%) were also detected among all ExPEC strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is the first to assess ExPEC strains circulating in the different settings of poultry in India and significantly demonstrates their potential ability to cause multiple extraintestinal infections both in humans and animals.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The data of our study are in favour of the possibility that poultry-origin putative virulent ExPEC pathotypes consequently constitute a threat risk to 'One Health' or for food safety and a great concern for poultry production of India.

Development and optimization of nanoemulsion based gel for enhanced transdermal delivery of nitrendipine using box-behnken statistical design

Objective: The purpose of present research was to develop and statistically optimize nitrendipine nanoemulsion gel for transdermal delivery using box-behnken statistical design.Method: The nanoemulsion formulations bearing nitrendipine were prepared by application of ternary phase diagram and spontaneous emulsification method. Box-behnken design was employed for the optimization of nitrendipine loaded nanoemulsion. The independent variables were oil, surfactant and co-surfactant while globule size, drug content and zeta potential were dependent variables. The optimized nanoemulsion formulation was incorporated into gel and evaluated for in-vitro release, ex-vivo permeation studies, confocal laser scanning microscopy, skin irritation and histopathological studies.Results: The optimized formulation through box-behnken statistical design showed globule size of 20.43 ± 1.50 nm, drug content of 97.05 ± 1.77% and zeta potential of -15.45 ± 0.35 mV. The ex-vivo study confirmed the enhanced delivery of nitrendipine from nanoemulsion gel than compare to drug solution by virtue of better permeation and solubility. Nanoemulsion gel was proved significantly superior by confocal laser scanning microscopy for satisfactory permeation and distribution of gel, deep into the rat skin. The optimized gel was found with no allergic dermal effects and was proved safe by histopathological studies for transdermal application.Conclusions: Results reveals that developed nitrendipine nanoemulsion gel overcomes the limitation of low penetration and accentuate permeation through albino Wistar rat skin. It was concluded that nanoemulsion gel could be utilized as a potential carrier for transdermal delivery of nitrendipine.

Composition dependent structural phase transition and optical band gap tuning in InSe thin films

Bulk alloys of In _x Se_100-x (x = 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50) are prepared using melt quenching technique. Thin films having thickness ~750 nm of these prepared bulk alloys are fabricated using thermal evaporation technique on glass substrate. The as-deposited In _x Se_100-x thin films with x ≤ 40 are amorphous and In₅₀Se₅₀ thin film is crystalline in nature verified from X-ray diffraction (XRD). The change in morphology of deposited thin films with indium content also verifies structural phase transition and found that the phase transition started with x = 40 which is not detected in XRD pattern. The drastic change in transmission is found with 50% indium content. In₅₀Se₅₀ thin film has less than 30% transmission whereas other films are highly transparent. Optical band gap is calculated using Tauc's plot and decrease in optical band gap is observed with indium content. The variation of optical band gap from 1.88 eV to 1.12 eV is achieved with indium content of 5%-50%. The structural transition and change in optical band gap depict that InSe thin films are potential candidates in various technological applications.

Validation of SYBR green I based closed tube loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and simplified direct-blood-lysis (DBL)-LAMP assay for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL)

Background

The World Health Organization has targeted elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Indian subcontinent (ISC) by 2020. Despite distinctive decline seen in the number of VL cases in ISC, there is still a quest for development of a diagnostic test which has the utility for detection of active infection and relapse cases and as a test of cure. The present study validated the sensitivity and specificity of SYBR Green I based closed tube LAMP assay reported by us for diagnosis of VL.

Methodology

The validation study was carried out at two endemic sites in India, located at Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna and Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. Standard operating protocols were provided at the two sites for applying LAMP assay on confirmed VL cases. The diagnostic accuracy of LAMP assay was evaluated by Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis. Furthermore, a simplified LAMP assay based on direct blood lysis, DBL-LAMP, was developed and verified for its diagnostic accuracy.

Principal findings

A total of 267 eligible participants were included in the study which comprised of 179 VL cases and 88 controls. Sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP assay were 98.32% (95% C.I– 95.2–99.7%) and 96.59% (95% C.I.-90.4–99.3%), respectively. ROC curve analysis depicted no significant difference between area under curve (AUC_ROC) for LAMP assay and rK39 RDT, indicative of LAMP as an excellent diagnostic test. DBL-LAMP assay, performed on 67 VL and 100 control samples, yielded a sensitivity of 93.05% (95% C.I- 84.75–97%) and specificity of 100% (95% C.I.- 96.30–100%).

Conclusions/Significance

The validated closed tube LAMP for diagnosis of VL will provide impetus to the ongoing VL elimination programme in ISC. The assay based on direct blood lysis promotes its scope for application in field settings by further reducing time and cost.

Definitive diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis(VL) by demonstration of amastigotes by microscopy is invasive and risky. Serology based diagnosis using rK39 rapid diagnostic test(RDT) has excellent sensitivity of~97% when combined with clinical symptoms but is inconclusive for detection of active infection and relapses due to persistence of anti-leishmanial antibodies. The developed SYBR Green I based closed tube LAMP assay overcomes these constraints and further, direct blood lysis (DBL)-LAMP, makes it more suitable for field application. The study involved validation of LAMP assay at two endemic sites in India, on a total of 179 VL patients confirmed by rK39 RDT and/ or microscopy and 88 controls. The assay was highly sensitive (98.32%) and specific (96.59%). Further, DBL-LAMP assay yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 93.05% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, the study has validated the field potential of LAMP assay for diagnosis of VL which will provide momentum to ongoing VL elimination in the Indian subcontinent (ISC).

Phenotypic and virulence traits of Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains isolated from vegetables and fruits from India

AIMS

The present study was designed to assess the phenotypic traits and virulence determinants of vegetable-/fruit-origin Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 520 fresh vegetables/fruits samples were analysed for the presence of E. coli, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and Salmonella. The vegetable-/fruit-origin E. coli and Salmonella strains were further assessed for antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation, extracellular matrix production and in vitro invasion/intracellular survivability assays. A total of 73 E. coli, including four STEC, and 26 Salmonella strains were recovered from vegetables/fruits in the present study. Most of the E. coli and Salmonella isolates were able to form biofilm with higher production of cellulose/curli-fimbriae. Furthermore, more resistance was observed in E. coli isolates (61·6%) than in Salmonella isolates (38·5%) against tested antimicrobials. Additionally, invasion/intracellular survival results showed that majority of the E. coli and Salmonella isolates were able to efficiently invade/replicate intracellularly in the human epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that vegetable-/fruit-origin E. coli and Salmonella significantly exhibited distinct phenotypic/virulence traits which could be linked to their plant-associated lifestyle with food safety issues.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The present study provides valuable baseline information that E. coli and Salmonella may use plants as an alternative host with significant clinical importance.

Epitope-Binding Characteristics for Risk versus Protective DRB1 Alleles for Visceral Leishmaniasis

HLA-DRB1 is the major genetic risk factor for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). We used SNP2HLA to impute HLA-DRB1 alleles and SNPTEST to carry out association analyses in 889 human cases and 977 controls from India. NetMHCIIpan 2.1 was used to map epitopes and binding affinities across 49 Leishmania vaccine candidates, as well as across peptide epitopes captured from dendritic cells treated with crude Leishmania Ag and identified using mass spectrometry and alignment to amino acid sequences of a reference Leishmania genome. Cytokines were measured in peptide-stimulated whole blood from 26 cured VL cases and eight endemic healthy controls. HLA-DRB1*1501 and DRB1*1404/DRB1*1301 were the most significant protective and risk alleles, respectively, with specific residues at aa positions 11 and 13 unique to protective alleles. We observed greater peptide promiscuity in sequence motifs for 9-mer core epitopes predicted to bind to risk (*1404/*1301) compared with protective (*1501) DRB1 alleles. There was a higher frequency of basic amino acids in DRB1*1404/*1301-specific epitopes compared with hydrophobic and polar amino acids in DRB1*1501-specific epitopes at anchor residues pocket 4 and pocket 6, which interact with residues at DRB1 positions 11 and 13. Cured VL patients made variable, but robust, IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-10 responses to 20-mer peptides based on captured epitopes, with peptides based on DRB1*1501-captured epitopes resulting in a higher proportion (odds ratio 2.23, 95% confidence interval 1.17-4.25, p = 0.017) of patients with IFN-γ/IL-10 ratios > 2-fold compared with peptides based on DRB1*1301-captured epitopes. Our data provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underpinning the association of HLA-DRB1 alleles with risk versus protection in VL in humans.

Aggregation behaviour of biocompatible choline carboxylate ionic liquids and their interactions with biomolecules through experimental and theoretical investigations

The self-assembly of long-chain choline carboxylates accompanied by their interaction with BSA protein were investigated with focus on environmental sustainability.

An assessment of benzimidazole resistance against caprine nematodes in Central India

Current status of resistance to benzimidazole (BZ) group of anthelmintic drugs against caprine nematodes in Central India at Amanala goat farm, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (M. P.), was systematically investigated using faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test and egg hatch test (EHT). Besides, allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) was deployed to ascertain the susceptible genotype (alleles) especially of the Haemonchus contortus. Randomly selected 30 goats, irrespective of age and sex, were divided into three groups of 10 each, to serve as treated and untreated controls. It was ensured that the animals were not administered with an anthelmintic drug for the past 3 months prior to undertaking the study, and faecal egg counts were estimated. FECR test evidenced fenbendazole resistance by partial elimination (24.90%) copro-egg counts in the treated group of animals vis-à-vis controls with a lower confidence interval of -26%. Further, EHT revealed ED-50 value of 0.335 μg of thiabendazole/ml, confirming benzimidazole resistance in the animals of that farm. AS-PCR showed that 62% of H. contortus larvae were homozygous resistant (rr), 24% heterozygous (rS) and 14% homozygous susceptible (SS). The genotypic frequencies of three genotypes (rr, rS and SS) were significantly (P < 0.01) different. The prevalence of benzimidazole resistance allele (r) was also significantly (P < 0.01) higher (74%) as compared to susceptible allele (S) (26%). The resistance to benzimidazole has been discussed while emphasizing improved managemental practices designed to reduce exposure of the goat population to parasites, minimize frequency of anthelmintic use at optimum dose and rotational use of different chemical groups of medicines with different mode of action, so as to overcome and combat the upcoming problem in the field.

How water manifests the structural regimes in ionic liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) are being considered as greener alternatives to the conventional organic solvents. However, highly viscous nature of ILs often limits their applications. Hence studies on IL/water binary mixtures have received tremendous attention. These mixtures exhibit much lower viscosity, but almost similar density, compressibility and other properties as that of the neat ILs, up to certain water content. Hence, determining the IL-water ratio till which the solution behaves like IL and subsequently changes to a state of solute IL dissolved in continuous water phase is of paramount importance. Noting the very different and characteristic behaviours of neat ILs and pure water over a temperature range, herein, we measured the various thermophysical properties of the binary mixtures of tetramethylguanidinium benzoate/water and tetramethylguanidinium salicylate/water with water content varying from 20 wt% to 95 wt% for a temperature range of 298 K to 343 K. The results show that similar to neat ILs, the measured densities and compressibility of these mixtures display a linear change, and viscosity decreases rapidly as temperature is increased for water content up to 50 wt%. At higher water concentrations, the measured density and compressibility exhibit nonlinear behaviour and the decrease in viscosity with increased temperature is minute, mimicking the behaviour of bulk water. MD simulations were carried out to explain the experimental observations. Simulation results show a greater temperature-induced disintegration of IL ion-water interactions in dense systems, explaining the rapid decay of the properties with temperature. The results also exhibit the presence of a neat, IL-like, H-bond mediated expanded structure in concentrated solution versus a collapsed IL structure in dilute solution.

Enhanced stability and water solubilizing capacity of water-in-oil microemulsions based on protic ionic liquids

In view of this limited research on pILs in microemulsions, here we study the formation and characterization of a series of pIL–water/oil microemulsions with specific questions on the effect of pILs on water uptake capacity and thermal stability of W/O microemulsions.

Environmentally benign tetramethylguanidinium cation based ionic liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) are being considered as greener alternatives to conventional organic solvents.

Studies on alterations of clinical and hemato-biochemical parameters before and after treatment in calves naturally infected with theileriosis

Aim:

The aim was to determine hemato-biochemical alterations and to determine the better treatment of theileriosis in naturally infected calves.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 74 Holstein crossbred calves below 6 months of age, of either sex were included for present investigation in Bikaner. Based on the clinical examinations and laboratory results, 20 calves included for hemato-biochemical studies (before and after treatment) and divided into two groups (having 10 calves each).

Results:

The clinical examination of these calves revealed weakness, ticks infestations, high fever above 104°F, pronounced swelling of prescapular, prefemoral, parotid lymph nodes, loss of elasticity of skin, anemia, lacrimal discharges, pulpy cornea, tachycardia, and dyspnea. There was highly significant decrease (p<0.01) in hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume and total leukocyte count, serum glucose, total protein, globulin and albumin level and highly significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase level as compared to healthy control animals in Group I and II. The animals of Group II treated with buparvaquone along with single blood transfusion shows better recovery then animals of Group I treated with bupavaqone and hematinic.

Conclusions:

Significant changes were found in hemato-biochemical parameters in theileria affected calves before treatment as compare to healthy control calves. Significant improvement was observed in hemato-biochemical parameters in buparvaquone and single blood transfusion treated calves as compare to another group, so it is concluded that buparvaquone and single blood transfusion is better combination for treatment of theileriosis.

Identifying factors affecting age at first semen freezing and age at first semen use in Sahiwal bulls

Aim:

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of non-genetic factors on reproduction traits viz. age at first semen freezing and age at first semen use of breeding bulls in Sahiwal bulls by fitting least-squares analysis.

Materials and Methods:

The information on reproduction traits of 43 Sahiwal breeding bulls belonging to 8 sets of Sahiwal breeding program at Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR-NDRI), Karnal (Haryana), India during 27 years (1987-2013) were analyzed using fixed linear model. The information was collected from AI records, reproduction sheets, and bull AI register maintained at different sections of Institute viz. record room of Dairy Cattle Breeding Division (DCB), Cattle Yard, Artificial Breeding Research Centre, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal.

Results:

The average age at first semen freezing and age at first semen use of Sahiwal breeding bulls was estimated as 3.17±0.01 years and 5.35±0.01 years, with the coefficient of variation 18.93% and 20%, respectively. The overall least-squares mean for age at first semen freezing and age at first semen use was estimated as 3.14±0.09 years and 5.25±0.02 years, respectively, in Sahiwal breeding bulls. Period of freezing/use had significant effects on reproductive traits (p<0.01). Season had no significant effect on any of the traits considered in this study.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that management inputs such as nutrition, breeding, and optimum environment should be taken care of to optimize age at first semen freezing and age at first semen use for better utilization of superior germplasm.

Optimizing age of bull at first use in relation to fertility of Murrah breeding bulls

Aim:

The aim of the present investigation was to optimize the age at first use (AAFU) of semen of Murrah breeding bulls, which will help in early selection of bulls under progeny testing program for improving the reproductive performance in the herd.

Materials and Methods:

The data on AAFU, conception rate based on first A.I. (CRFAI), overall conception rate (OCR), and birth weight (B.WT) of 57 Murrah bulls during 1993-2014 at NDRI center pertaining to 14 sets of Network Project on Buffalo Improvement at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India were adjusted for significant environmental influences and subsequently analyzed. Simple and multiple regression models were used for prediction of CRFAI and OCR of Murrah breeding bulls. Comparative evaluation of three developed models (I-III) showed that Model III, having AAFU and B.WT, fulfill the accuracy of model as revealed by high coefficient of determination, low mean sum of squares due to error, low conceptual predictive value, and low Bayesian information criterion.

Results:

The results revealed that the average predicted CRFAI was highest (39.95%) at <3.5 years and lowest (34.87%) at >4.5 years of age at first A.I/use. Similarly, average predicted OCR was highest (41.05%) at <3.5 years and lowest (39.42%) at >4.5 years of age at first A.I/use of Murrah bulls.

Conclusion:

In organized herd under progeny testing program, Murrah bulls should be used at young age, i.e. prior to 3.5 years, which is expected to result in 5.08% better CRFAI and 1.63% better OCR in comparison to Murrah bulls used after 4.5 years of age.

Incidence and profile of C3 Glomerulopathy: A single center study

C3 glomerulopathy has recently been described as a distinct entity. The underlying mechanism is unregulated activation of the alternate pathway of the complement system. The most common presentation is with an acute nephritic syndrome. The diagnosis is made on immunofluoroscence by the presence of isolated or dominant C3 staining. In this retrospective study, renal biopsy data were collected from 2010 to 2013 patients with C3 glomerulopathy identified and their clinical and biochemical parameters analyzed. Out of 514 biopsies available for analysis, the incidence of C3 glomerulopathy was 1.16% (n = 6). The mean age of the presentation was 26 years and the average estimated glomerular filtration rate was 30.65 ml/min/1.73 m(2). The most common histopathological pattern was membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (n = 4).

Aspergillus flavus induces granulomatous cerebral aspergillosis in mice with display of distinct cytokine profile

Aspergillus flavus is one of the leading Aspergillus spp. resulting in invasive aspergillosis of central nervous system (CNS) in human beings. Immunological status in aspergillosis of central nervous system remains elusive in case of both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Since cytokines are the major mediators of host response, evaluation of disease pathology along with cytokine profile in brain may provide snapshots of neuro-immunological response. An intravenous model of A. flavus infection was utilized to determine the pathogenicity of infection and cytokine profile in the brain of male BALB/c mice. Enumeration of colony forming units and histopathological analyses were performed on the brain tissue at distinct time periods. The kinetics of cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12/IL-23p40, IL-6, IL-23, IL-17A and IL-4) was evaluated at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96h post infection (hPI) in brain homogenates using murine cytokine specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Histological analysis exhibited the hyphae with leukocyte infiltrations leading to formation of granulomata along with ischemia and pyknosis of neurons in the brain of infected mice. Diseased mice displayed increased secretion of IFN-γ, IL-12p40 and IL-6 with a concomitant reduction in the secretion of Th2 cytokine IL-4, and Th17 promoting cytokine, IL-23 during the late phase of infection. A.flavus induced inflammatory granulomatous cerebral aspergillosis in mice, characterized by a marked increase in the Th1 cytokines and neurons undergoing necrosis. A marked increase in necrosis of neurons with concurrent inflammatory responses might have led to the host mortality during late phase of infection.

Divergent trend in density versus viscosity of ionic liquid/water mixtures: a molecular view from guanidinium ionic liquids

Ionic liquids (ILs) have shown great potential in the dissolution and stability of biomolecules when a low-to-moderate quantity of water is added.

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.

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.

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.

Giant current-perpendicular-to-plane magnetoresistance in multilayer graphene as grown on nickel

Strong magnetoresistance effects are often observed in ferromagnet-nonmagnet multilayers, which are exploited in state-of-the-art magnetic field sensing and data storage technologies. In this work we report a novel current-perpendicular-to-plane magnetoresistance effect in multilayer graphene as grown on a catalytic nickel surface by chemical vapor deposition. A negative magnetoresistance effect of ∼10(4)% has been observed, which persists even at room temperature. This effect is correlated with the shape of the 2D peak as well as with the occurrence of D peak in the Raman spectrum of the as-grown multilayer graphene. The observed magnetoresistance is extremely high as compared to other known materials systems for similar temperature and field range and can be qualitatively explained within the framework of "interlayer magnetoresistance" (ILMR).

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.

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.

Searches for new physics using the tt¯ invariant mass distribution in pp collisions at √s=8 TeV

Searches for anomalous top quark-antiquark production are presented, based on pp collisions at √s=8 TeV. The data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb(-1), were collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The observed tt¯ invariant mass spectrum is found to be compatible with the standard model prediction. Limits on the production cross section times branching fraction probe, for the first time, a region of parameter space for certain models of new physics not yet constrained by precision measurements.

Existence of orbital order and its fluctuation in superconducting Ba(Fe(1-x)Co(x))2As2 single crystals revealed by x-ray absorption spectroscopy

We performed temperature dependent x-ray linear dichroism (XLD) experiments on an iron pnictide system, Ba(Fe(1-x)Co(x))2As2 with x=0.00, 0.05, 0.08, and 0.10 to experimentally verify the existence of orbital ordering (OO). Substantial XLD was observed in polarization dependent x-ray absorption spectra of Fe L edges. By exploiting the difference in the temperature dependent behaviors, OO, and structure contributions to XLD could be clearly separated. The observed OO signal indicates different occupation numbers for d(yz) and d(zx) orbitals and supports the existence of ferro-OO. The results are also consistent with the theoretical prediction. Moreover, we find substantial OO signal well above the structural and magnetic transition temperatures, which suggests the existence of strong OO fluctuations up to high temperatures.

Fuzzy classifier for fault diagnosis in analog electronic circuits

Many studies have presented different approaches for the fault diagnosis with fault models having ± 50% variation in the component values in analog electronic circuits. There is still a need of the approaches which provide the fault diagnosis with the variation in the component value below ± 50%. A new single and multiple fault diagnosis technique for soft faults in analog electronic circuit using fuzzy classifier has been proposed in this paper. This technique uses the simulation before test (SBT) approach by analyzing the frequency response of the analog circuit under faulty and fault free conditions. Three signature parameters peak gain, frequency and phase associated with peak gain, of the frequency response of the analog circuit are observed and extracted such that they give unique values for faulty and fault free configuration of the circuit. The single and double fault models with the component variations from ± 10% to ± 50% are considered. The fuzzy classifier along the classification of faults gives the estimated component value under faulty and faultfree conditions. The proposed method is validated using simulated data and the real time data for a benchmark analog circuit. The comparative analysis is also presented for both the validations.

Measurement of the Bs(0)→μ+ μ- branching fraction and search for B(0)→μ+ μ- with the CMS experiment

Results are presented from a search for the rare decays Bs(0)→μ+ μ- and B(0)→μ+ μ- in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 and 8 TeV, with data samples corresponding to integrated luminosities of 5 and 20  fb(-1), respectively, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. An unbinned maximum-likelihood fit to the dimuon invariant mass distribution gives a branching fraction B(Bs(0)→μ+ μ-)=(3.0(-0.9)(+1.0))×10(-9), where the uncertainty includes both statistical and systematic contributions. An excess of Bs(0)→μ+ μ- events with respect to background is observed with a significance of 4.3 standard deviations. For the decay B(0)→μ+ μ- an upper limit of B(B(0)→μ+ μ-)<1.1×10(-9) at the 95% confidence level is determined. Both results are in agreement with the expectations from the standard model.

Inclusive search for supersymmetry using razor variables in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

An inclusive search is presented for new heavy particle pairs produced in √s=7 TeV proton-proton collisions at the LHC using 4.7±0.1 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity. The selected events are analyzed in the 2D razor space of M(R), an event-by-event indicator of the heavy particle mass scale, and R, a dimensionless variable related to the missing transverse energy. The third-generation sector is probed using the event heavy-flavor content. The search is sensitive to generic supersymmetry models with minimal assumptions about the superpartner decay chains. No excess is observed in the number of events beyond that predicted by the standard model. Exclusion limits are derived in the CMSSM framework as well as for simplified models. Within the CMSSM parameter space considered, gluino masses up to 800 GeV and squark masses up to 1.35 TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level depending on the model parameters. The direct production of pairs of top or bottom squarks is excluded for masses as high as 400 GeV.

Measurement of associated production of vector bosons and top quark-antiquark pairs in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

The first measurement of vector-boson production associated with a top quark-antiquark pair in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7  TeV is presented. The results are based on a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.0  fb(-1), recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC in 2011. The measurement is performed in two independent channels through a trilepton analysis of ttZ events and a same-sign dilepton analysis of ttV (V = W or Z) events. In the trilepton channel a direct measurement of the ttZ cross section σ(ttZ) = 0.28(-0.11)(+0.14) (stat)(-0.03)(+0.06) (syst)  pb is obtained. In the dilepton channel a measurement of the ttV cross section yields σ(ttV) = 0.43(-0.15)(+0.17) (stat)(-0.07)(+0.09) (syst)  pb. These measurements have a significance, respectively, of 3.3 and 3.0 standard deviations from the background hypotheses and are compatible, within uncertainties, with the corresponding next-to-leading order predictions of 0.137(-0.016)(+0.012) and 0.306(-0.053)(+0.031)  pb.