Indication of electron neutrino appearance from an accelerator-produced off-axis muon neutrino beam

The T2K experiment observes indications of ν(μ) → ν(e) appearance in data accumulated with 1.43×10(20) protons on target. Six events pass all selection criteria at the far detector. In a three-flavor neutrino oscillation scenario with |Δm(23)(2)| = 2.4×10(-3)  eV(2), sin(2)2θ(23) = 1 and sin(2)2θ(13) = 0, the expected number of such events is 1.5±0.3(syst). Under this hypothesis, the probability to observe six or more candidate events is 7×10(-3), equivalent to 2.5σ significance. At 90% C.L., the data are consistent with 0.03(0.04) < sin(2)2θ(13) < 0.28(0.34) for δ(CP) = 0 and a normal (inverted) hierarchy.

An intervention strategy for workplace stress

This article explores a range of sources of workplace stress and a three-prong intervention strategy for managing pressures at work. The three approaches highlighted are primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention interventions. Primary is concerned with stressor reduction, secondary with stress management and tertiary with remedial support. In addition, a number of wider policy issues are suggested, such as risk assessment, economic incentives, and specific measures to help small- and medium-sized workplaces in managing workplace stress.

A new clinical-anatomic staging system for evaluating prognosis and treatment of prostatic cancer

Because the existing systems of staging for prostatic cancer depend exclusively on the extent of anatomic spread, the stages do not demarcate distinctive patterns of survival, particularly in patients with extremely good or poor prognoses. In this research, we demonstrate that the evaluation of prognosis and therapy can be improved if anatomic staging is augmented by various features of the patients' clinical severity. In 280 patients with prostatic cancer, we first created rating scales for severity of three distinct clinical variables: symptoms referable to cancer; host factors unrelated to cancer; and overall level of function. In univariate analysis each of these clinical variables substantially affected 5-year survival for patients with similar anatomic stages, but in multivariate analysis, only the first two (symptoms and host factors) remained impressive. Retaining the anatomic stages and adding the two most important clinical variables, we then created a composite new staging system, containing four clinical-anatomic (C-A) categories. The new C-A categories were statistically more distinctive than conventional anatomic stages, and demarcated patients with more extreme high (91%) and low (8%) 5-year survival rates. In addition to the increased prognostic precision, the new C-A staging system demonstrated an important distinction in treatment. Although radical radiotherapy seemed superior to palliative therapy within conventional anatomic stages, the survival differences disappeared within the C-A stages.

Observation of electron neutrino appearance in a muon neutrino beam

The T2K experiment has observed electron neutrino appearance in a muon neutrino beam produced 295 km from the Super-Kamiokande detector with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV. A total of 28 electron neutrino events were detected with an energy distribution consistent with an appearance signal, corresponding to a significance of 7.3σ when compared to 4.92±0.55 expected background events. In the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata mixing model, the electron neutrino appearance signal depends on several parameters including three mixing angles θ12, θ23, θ13, a mass difference Δm(32)(2) and a CP violating phase δ(CP). In this neutrino oscillation scenario, assuming |Δm(32)(2)|=2.4×10(-3)  eV(2), sin(2)θ(23)=0.5, and Δm322>0 (Δm(32)(2)<0), a best-fit value of sin(2)2θ(13)=0.140(-0.032)(+0.038) (0.170(-0.037)(+0.045)) is obtained at δ(CP)=0. When combining the result with the current best knowledge of oscillation parameters including the world average value of θ(13) from reactor experiments, some values of δ(CP) are disfavored at the 90% C.L.

The [14C]-aminopyrine breath test. A comparison of different forms of analysis

1 Following ingestion of [14C]-aminopyrine, breath 14CO2 data were analysed from normal individuals, patients with hepatic disease, epileptics receiving anticonvulsant therapy and volunteers before and after treatment with glutethimide. 2 The 'standard' 2 h [14C]-aminopyrine breath test discriminated successfully between the main groups but failed to detect the change in microsomal enzyme function produced by glutethimide. 3 A 'modified' form of the 2 h breath test calculated from the area under the breath specific activity curve detected the increase in demethylation following glutethimide. 4 The breath elimination constant (Kb) derived from the breath 14CO2 disappearance curve was as sensitive as the 'modified' 2 h breath test and was simpler to compute. 5 Glutethimide 500 mg/day for 14 days resulted in a 42% increase in the metabolic clearance of antipyrine and a 26% increase in demethylation of [14C]-aminopyrine.

Heat stress and immune response phenotype affect DNA methylation in blood mononuclear cells from Holstein dairy cows

Heat stress negatively affects health and production in cows. Examining the cellular response to heat stress could reveal underlying protective molecular mechanisms associated with superior resilience and ultimately enable selection for more resilient cattle. This type of investigation is increasingly important as future predictions for the patterns of heat waves point to increases in frequency, severity, and duration. Cows identified as high immune responders based on High Immune Response technology (HIR) have lower disease occurrence compared to their average and low immune responder herd-mates. In this study, our goal was to identify epigenetic differences between high and low immune responder cows in response to heat stress. We examined genome-wide DNA methylation of blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) isolated from high and low cows, before and after in vitro heat stress. We identified differential methylation of promoter regions associated with a variety of biological processes including immune function, stress response, apoptosis, and cell signalling. The specific differentially methylated promoter regions differed between samples from high and low cows, and results revealed pathways associated with cellular protection during heat stress.

Comparison and evaluation of four serological tests for detection of antibodies to Aujeszky's disease virus

Four methods used for the detection of antibodies to Aujeszky's disease virus in porcine sera were compared. The serum neutralisation test, countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis test, micro-immunodiffusion test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) were assessed with particular regard to their use in large scale screening of porcine serum samples. The Elisa test was found to be the most suitable on the grounds of sensitivity, speed and cost.

Selective involvement of the spinal trigeminal nucleus in the conditioned nictitating membrane reflex of the rabbit

These experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that a region associated with the trigeminal nuclear complex is selectively involved in mediating the classically conditioned nictitating membrane reflex in the rabbit. Microinjections of Lidocaine were used to produce a temporary, localized block of neural activity following the conditioning of the reflex using a standard tone/air puff-paired stimulus paradigm. Data indicate that the injection of Lidocaine at the medial pars oralis/reticular formation junction results in a selective suppression of the conditioned reflex.

Evaluation of a novel Surgicric® cricothyroidotomy device for emergency tracheal access in a porcine model

A can't intubate, can't ventilate scenario can result in morbidity and death. Although a rare occurrence (1:50 000 general anaesthetics), it is crucial that anaesthetists maintain the skills necessary to perform cricothyroidotomy, and are well-equipped with appropriate tools. We undertook a bench study comparing a new device, Surgicric(®) , with two established techniques; the Melker Emergency Cricothyroidotomy, and a surgical technique. Twenty-five anaesthetists performed simulated emergency cricothyroidotomy on a porcine model, with the primary outcome measure being insertion time. Secondary outcomes included success rate, tracheal trauma and ease of use. The surgical technique was fastest. The median (IQR [range]) was 81 (62-126 [37-300]) s, followed by the Melker 124 (100-217 [71-300]) s, and the Surgicric 127 (68-171 [43-300]), p = 0.003. The Surgicric device was the most traumatic, as evaluated by a blinded Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon. Subsequently, the authors contacted the device manufacturer, who has now modified the kit in the hope that its clinical application might be improved. Further studies are required to evaluate the revised model.

Search for CP Violation in Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations by the T2K Experiment with 2.2×10^{21} Protons on Target

The T2K experiment measures muon neutrino disappearance and electron neutrino appearance in accelerator-produced neutrino and antineutrino beams. With an exposure of 14.7(7.6)×10^{20} protons on target in the neutrino (antineutrino) mode, 89 ν_{e} candidates and seven anti-ν_{e} candidates are observed, while 67.5 and 9.0 are expected for δ_{CP}=0 and normal mass ordering. The obtained 2σ confidence interval for the CP-violating phase, δ_{CP}, does not include the CP-conserving cases (δ_{CP}=0, π). The best-fit values of other parameters are sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.526_{-0.036}^{+0.032} and Δm_{32}^{2}=2.463_{-0.070}^{+0.071}×10^{-3}  eV^{2}/c^{4}.

Atopic asthma: differential activation phenotypes among memory T helper cells

BACKGROUND

T cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic asthma. We have previously shown that memory T helper cells (CD4+CD45RO+) are preferentially activated relative to naïve T helper cells (CD4+CD45RA+) after bronchial allergen challenge. However, specific T helper subpopulations that are activated in atopy and/or asthma remain undefined.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the T helper subpopulations and activation phenotypes relevant to acute and stable asthma that may be common with or distinct from atopy.

METHODS

Two groups of atopic asthmatics (ten acute and nine stable asthmatics) and two non-asthmatic groups (14 non-asthmatic atopics and eight normal non-atopic controls) were analysed. Ten acute asthmatics were assessed in the emergency room during an acute episode (FEV1 43.6% +/- 18.4). Nine stable asthmatics were assessed during a symptom-free period (FEV1 85% +/- 6). Using multiple colour flow cytometry we analysed T cell subpopulations and the expression of IL-2-receptor (IL-2R) and MHC-class II antigens (MHC II) on naïve and memory T helper cells in the peripheral blood of asthmatic and non-asthmatic groups.

RESULTS

Atopic asthmatics (acute and stable) had an increased percentage of memory T helper cells expressing IL-2R compared with normal non-atopics (mean SD 16.1 +/- 6%, 12.4 +/- 2% and 7.7 +/- 1.8%, P < 0.05) but not compared with non-asthmatic atopics (10 +/- 3.5%). Naïve T helper cells had low expression of IL-2R and MHC II in all four groups. MHC II antigen expression was increased in memory T helper cells of asthmatics (acute and stable) compared with normal non-atopics (13.9 +/- 7.5, 10.6 +/- 5 and 4.9 +/- 2.5, P < 0.05) but not compared with non-asthmatic atopics (7.92 4). A novel finding was that IL-2R and the MHC II molecules were mainly expressed in non-overlapping populations and coexpression was found predominantly on memory T helper cells. Asthmatics (acute and stable) had higher proportion of double positive memory T helper cells (IL-2R+MHC II+) compared with both non-asthmatic groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate a differential expression of IL-2R+ and MCH II+ on CD45RO+ T helper cells that would suggest that there are three subsets of activated memory T helper cells in asthmatics. Two non-overlapping IL-2R+ or MHC II+ CD45RO+ T helper cells and a third subpopulation of activated cells that coexpress IL-2R and MHC II (double positives). This latter subpopulation is significantly higher in asthmatics (acute or stable) compared with both non-asthmatic groups, suggesting a specific T helper activation phenotype distinct to atopic asthmatics as compared with atopic non-asthmatics.

Short communication: Prevalence of digital dermatitis in Canadian dairy cattle classified as high, average, or low antibody- and cell-mediated immune responders

Lameness is a major animal welfare issue affecting Canadian dairy producers, and it can lead to production, reproduction, and health problems in dairy cattle herds. Although several different lesions affect dairy cattle hooves, studies show that digital dermatitis is the most common lesion identified in Canadian dairy herds. It has also been shown that dairy cattle classified as having high immune response (IR) have lower incidence of disease compared with those animals with average and low IR; therefore, it has been hypothesized that IR plays a role in preventing infectious hoof lesions. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of digital dermatitis in Canadian dairy cattle that were classified for antibody-mediated (AMIR) and cell-mediated (CMIR) immune response. Cattle (n = 329) from 5 commercial dairy farms in Ontario were evaluated for IR using a patented test protocol that captures both AMIR and CMIR. Individuals were classified as high, average, or low responders based on standardized residuals for AMIR and CMIR. Residuals were calculated using a general linear model that included the effects of herd, parity, stage of lactation, and stage of pregnancy. Hoof health data were collected from 2011 to 2013 by the farm's hoof trimmer using Hoof Supervisor software (KS Dairy Consulting Inc., Dresser, WI). All trim events were included for each animal, and lesions were assessed as a binary trait at each trim event. Hoof health data were analyzed using a mixed model that included the effects of herd, stage of lactation (at trim date), parity (at trim date), IR category (high, average, and low), and the random effect of animal. All data were presented as prevalence within IR category. Results showed that cows with high AMIR had significantly lower prevalence of digital dermatitis than cattle with average and low AMIR. No significant difference in prevalence of digital dermatitis was observed between high, average, and low CMIR cows. These results indicate that having more robust AMIR is associated with lower prevalence of digital dermatitis hoof lesions.

Precise measurement of the neutrino mixing parameter θ23 from muon neutrino disappearance in an off-axis beam

New data from the T2K neutrino oscillation experiment produce the most precise measurement of the neutrino mixing parameter θ23. Using an off-axis neutrino beam with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV and a data set corresponding to 6.57×10(20) protons on target, T2K has fit the energy-dependent νμ oscillation probability to determine oscillation parameters. The 68% confidence limit on sin(2)(θ23) is 0.514(-0.056)(+0.055) (0.511±0.055), assuming normal (inverted) mass hierarchy. The best-fit mass-squared splitting for normal hierarchy is Δm32(2)=(2.51±0.10)×10(-3)  eV(2)/c(4) (inverted hierarchy: Δm13(2)=(2.48±0.10)×10(-3)  eV(2)/c(4)). Adding a model of multinucleon interactions that affect neutrino energy reconstruction is found to produce only small biases in neutrino oscillation parameter extraction at current levels of statistical uncertainty.