Evaluation of two sets of immunohistochemical and Western blot confirmatory methods in the detection of typical and atypical BSE cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Three distinct forms of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), defined as classical (C-), low (L-) or high (H-) type, have been detected through ongoing active and passive surveillance systems for the disease.</p> <p>The aim of the present study was to compare the ability of two sets of immunohistochemical (IHC) and Western blot (WB) BSE confirmatory protocols to detect C- and atypical (L- and H-type) BSE forms.</p> <p>Obex samples from cases of United States and Italian C-type BSE, a U.S. H-type and an Italian L-type BSE case were tested in parallel using the two IHC sets and WB methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The two IHC techniques proved equivalent in identifying and differentiating between C-type, L-type and H-type BSE. The IHC protocols appeared consistent in the identification of PrP^Scdistribution and deposition patterns in relation to the BSE type examined. Both IHC methods evidenced three distinct PrP^Scphenotypes for each type of BSE: prevailing granular and linear tracts pattern in the C-type; intraglial and intraneuronal deposits in the H-type; plaques in the L-type.</p> <p>Also, the two techniques gave comparable results for PrP^Scstaining intensity on the C- and L-type BSE samples, whereas a higher amount of intraglial and intraneuronal PrP^Scdeposition on the H-type BSE case was revealed by the method based on a stronger demasking step.</p> <p>Both WB methods were consistent in identifying classical and atypical BSE forms and in differentiating the specific PrP^Scmolecular weight and glycoform ratios of each form.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study showed that the IHC and WB BSE confirmatory methods were equally able to recognize C-, L- and H-type BSE forms and to discriminate between their different immunohistochemical and molecular phenotypes. Of note is that for the first time one of the two sets of BSE confirmatory protocols proved effective in identifying the L-type BSE form. This finding helps to validate the suitability of the BSE confirmatory tests for BSE surveillance currently in place.</p

Study of production and cold nuclear matter effects in pPb collisions at=5 TeV

Production of mesons in proton-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy = 5 TeV is studied with the LHCb detector. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.6 nb(-1). The mesons of transverse momenta up to 15 GeV/c are reconstructed in the dimuon decay mode. The rapidity coverage in the centre-of-mass system is 1.5 < y < 4.0 (forward region) and -5.0 < y < -2.5 (backward region). The forward-backward production ratio and the nuclear modification factor for (1S) mesons are determined. The data are compatible with the predictions for a suppression of (1S) production with respect to proton-proton collisions in the forward region, and an enhancement in the backward region. The suppression is found to be smaller than in the case of prompt J/psi mesons

Measurement of J/ψ production in pp collisions at s√=2.76TeV

The production of J/ψ mesons is studied with the LHCb detector using data from pp collisions at s√=2.76 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 71 nb−1. The differential cross-section for inclusive J/ψ production is measured as a function of its transverse momentum p T. The cross-section in the fiducial region 0 &#60; p T  &#60; 12 GeV/c and rapidity 2.0 &#60; y &#60;4.5 is measured to be 5.6 ± 0.1 (stat) ± 0.4 (syst) μb, with the assumption of unpolarised J/ψ production. The fraction of J/ψ production from b-hadron decays is measured to be (7.1 ± 0.6 (stat) ± 0.7 (syst))%

Search for the rare hadronic decay Bs0→ppˉB_s^0\to p \bar{p}

A search for the rare hadronic decay Bs0→pp¯ is performed using proton-proton collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb-1. No evidence of the decay is found and an upper limit on its branching fraction is set at B(Bs0→pp¯)&lt;4.4(5.1)×10-9 at 90% (95%) confidence level; this is currently the world’s best upper limit. The decay mode B0→pp¯ is measured with very large significance, confirming the first observation by the LHCb experiment in 2017. The branching fraction is determined to be B(B0→pp¯)=(1.27±0.15±0.05±0.04)×10-8, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third is due to the external branching fraction of the normalization channel B0→K+π-. The combination of the two LHCb measurements of the B0→pp¯ branching fraction yields B(B0→pp¯)=(1.27±0.13±0.05±0.03)×10-8.A search for the rare hadronic decay $B_s^0\to p \bar{p}$ is performed using proton-proton collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6 fb$^{-1}$. No evidence of the decay is found and an upper limit on its branching fraction is set at ${\cal B}(B_s^0\to p \bar{p}) < 4.4~(5.1) \times 10^{-9}$ at 90% (95%) confidence level; this is currently the world's best upper limit. The decay mode $B^0\to p \bar{p}$ is measured with very large significance, confirming the first observation by the LHCb experiment in 2017. The branching fraction is determined to be ${\cal B}(B^0\to p \bar{p}) = \rm (1.27 \pm 0.15 \pm 0.05 \pm 0.04) \times 10^{-8}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third is due to the external branching fraction of the normalization channel $B^0\to K^+\pi^-$. The combination of the two LHCb measurements of the $B^0\to p \bar{p}$ branching fraction yields ${\cal B}(B^0\to p \bar{p}) = \rm (1.27 \pm 0.13 \pm 0.05 \pm 0.03) \times 10^{-8}$

Observation of sizeable ω\omega contribution to χc1(3872)→π+π−J/ψ\chi_{c1}(3872) \to \pi^+\pi^- J/\psi decays

Resonant structures in the dipion mass spectrum from $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\pi^+\pi^- J/\psi$ decays, produced via $B^+\to K^+\chi_{c1}(3872)$ decays, are analyzed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{-1}$. A sizeable contribution from the isospin conserving $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\omega J/\psi$ decay is established for the first time, $(21.4\pm2.3\pm2.0)\%$, with a significance of more than $7.1\sigma$. The amplitude of isospin violating decay, $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\rho^0 J/\psi$, relative to isospin conserving decay, $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\omega J/\psi$, is properly determined, and it is a factor of six larger than expected for a pure charmonium state.Resonant structures in the dipion mass spectrum from χc1(3872)→π+π-J/ψ decays, produced via B+→K+χc1(3872) decays, are analyzed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb-1. A sizeable contribution from the isospin conserving χc1(3872)→ωJ/ψ decay is established for the first time, (21.4±2.3±2.0)%, with a significance of more than 7.1σ. The amplitude of isospin violating decay, χc1(3872)→ρ0J/ψ, relative to isospin conserving decay, χc1(3872)→ωJ/ψ, is properly determined, and it is a factor of 6 larger than expected for a pure charmonium state.Resonant structures in the dipion mass spectrum from $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\pi^+\pi^- J/\psi$ decays, produced via $B^+\to K^+\chi_{c1}(3872)$ decays, are analyzed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 $fb^{-1}$. A sizeable contribution from the isospin conserving $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\omega J/\psi$ decay is established for the first time, $(21.4\pm2.3\pm2.0)\%$, with a significance of more than $7.1\sigma$. The amplitude of isospin violating decay, $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\rho^0 J/\psi$, relative to isospin conserving decay, $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\omega J/\psi$, is properly determined, and it is a factor of six larger than expected for a pure charmonium state

Nuclear modification factor of neutral pions in the forward and backward regions in ppPb collisions

The nuclear modification factor of neutral pions is measured in proton-lead collisions collected at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon of $8.16$ TeV with the LHCb detector. The $\pi^0$ production cross section is measured differentially in transverse momentum ($p_{T}$) for 1.5π0 production cross section is measured differentially in transverse momentum (pT) for 1.5<pT<10.0  GeV and in center-of-mass pseudorapidity (ηc.m.) regions 2.5<ηc.m.<3.5 (forward) and -4.0<ηc.m.<-3.0 (backward) defined relative to the proton beam direction. The forward measurement shows a sizable suppression of π0 production, while the backward measurement shows the first evidence of π0 enhancement in proton-lead collisions at the LHC. Together, these measurements provide precise constraints on models of nuclear structure and particle production in high-energy nuclear collisions.The nuclear modification factor of neutral pions is measured in proton-lead collisions collected at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon of 8.16~{\rm TeV}$with the LHCb detector. The$\pi^0$production cross section is measured differentially in transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) for$1.5<p_{\rm T}<10.0~{\rm GeV}$and in center-of-mass pseudorapidity ($\eta_{\rm c.m.}$) regions$2.5<\eta_{\rm c.m.}<3.5$(forward) and$-4.0<\eta_{\rm c.m.}<-3.0$(backward) defined relative to the proton beam direction. The forward measurement shows a sizable suppression of$\pi^0$production, while the backward measurement shows the first evidence of$\pi^0$ enhancement in proton-lead collisions at the LHC. Together, these measurements provide precise constraints on models of nuclear structure and particle production in high-energy nuclear collisions

Measurement of CP asymmetries in D(s)+→ηπ+ {D}_{(s)}^{+}\to \eta {\pi}^{+} and D(s)+→η′π+ {D}_{(s)}^{+}\to {\eta}^{\prime }{\pi}^{+} decays

Searches for CP violation in the decays ${D}_{(s)}^{+}\to \eta {\pi}^{+}$ and ${D}_{(s)}^{+}\to {\eta}^{\prime }{\pi}^{+}$ are performed using pp collision data corresponding to 6 fb$^{−1}$ of integrated luminosity collected by the LHCb experiment. The calibration channels ${D}_{(s)}^{+}\to \phi {\pi}^{+}$ are used to remove production and detection asymmetries. The resulting CP-violating asymmetries are${\displaystyle \begin{array}{l}{\mathcal{A}}^{CP}=\left({D}^{+}\to \eta {\pi}^{+}\right)=\left(0.34\pm 0.66\pm 0.16\pm 0.05\right)\%,\\ {}{\mathcal{A}}^{CP}=\left({D}_s^{+}\to \eta {\pi}^{+}\right)=\left(0.32\pm 0.51\pm 0.12\right)\%,\\ {}\begin{array}{l}{\mathcal{A}}^{CP}=\left({D}^{+}\to {\eta}^{\prime }{\pi}^{+}\right)=\left(0.49\pm 0.18\pm 0.06\pm 0.05\right)\%,\\ {}{\mathcal{A}}^{CP}=\left({D}_s^{+}\to {\eta}^{\prime }{\pi}^{+}\right)=\left(0.01\pm 0.12\pm 0.08\right)\%,\end{array}\end{array}}$where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third, relevant for the D$^{+}$ channels, is due to the uncertainty on ${\mathcal{A}}^{CP}=\left({D}^{+}\to \phi {\pi}^{+}\right)$. These measurements, currently the most precise for three of the four channels considered, are consistent with the absence of CP violation. A combination of these results with previous LHCb measurements is presented.[graphic not available: see fulltext]Searches for $CP$ violation in the decays $D^+_{(s)}\rightarrow \eta \pi^+$ and $D^+_{(s)}\rightarrow \eta^{\prime} \pi^+$ are performed using $pp$ collision data corresponding to 6 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity collected by the LHCb experiment. The calibration channels $D^+_{(s)}\rightarrow \phi \pi^+$ are used to remove production and detection asymmetries. The resulting $CP$-violating asymmetries are $A^{CP}(D^+ \rightarrow \eta \pi^+) = (0.34 \pm 0.66 \pm 0.16 \pm 0.05)\%$, $A^{CP}(D^+_s \rightarrow \eta \pi^+) = (0.32 \pm 0.51 \pm 0.12)\%$, $A^{CP}(D^+ \rightarrow \eta^{\prime} \pi^+) = (0.49 \pm 0.18 \pm 0.06 \pm 0.05)\%$, $A^{CP}(D^+_s \rightarrow \eta^{\prime} \pi^+) = (0.01 \pm 0.12 \pm 0.08)\%$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third, relevant for the $D^+$ channels, is due to the uncertainty on $A^{CP}(D^+ \to \phi \pi^+)$. These measurements, currently the most precise for three of the four channels considered, are consistent with the absence of $CP$ violation. A combination of these results with previous LHCb measurements is presented

Amplitude analysis of the Λc+→pK−π+\Lambda^+_c\to pK^-\pi^+ decay and Λc+\Lambda^+_c baryon polarization measurement in semileptonic beauty hadron decays

An amplitude analysis of $\Lambda^+_c \to pK^-\pi^+$ decays together with a measurement of the $\Lambda^+_c$ polarization vector in semileptonic beauty hadron decays is presented. A sample of $400\,000$ candidates is selected from proton-proton collisions recorded by the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. An amplitude model is developed and the resonance fractions as well as two- and three-body decay parameters are reported. The mass and width of the $\Lambda(2000)$ state are also determined. A significant $\Lambda^+_c$ polarization is found. A large sensitivity of the $\Lambda^+_c \to pK^-\pi^+$ decay to the polarization is seen, making the amplitude model suitable for $\Lambda^+_c$ polarization measurements in other systems.An amplitude analysis of Λc+→pK-π+ decays together with a measurement of the Λc+ polarization vector in semiōleptonic beauty hadron decays is presented. A sample of 400 000 candidates is selected from proton-proton collisions recorded by the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. An amplitude model is developed and the resonance fractions as well as two- and three-body decay parameters are reported. The mass and width of the Λ(2000) state are also determined. A significant Λc+ polarization is found. A large sensitivity of the Λc+→pK-π+ decay to the polarization is seen, making the amplitude model suitable for Λc+ polarization measurements in other systems.An amplitude analysis of $\Lambda^+_c \to pK^-\pi^+$ decays together with a measurement of the $\Lambda^+_c$ polarization vector in semileptonic beauty hadron decays is presented. A sample of $400\,000$ candidates is selected from proton-proton collisions recorded by the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. An amplitude model is developed and the resonance fractions as well as two- and three-body decay parameters are reported. The mass and width of the $\Lambda(2000)$ state are also determined. A significant $\Lambda^+_c$ polarization is found. A large sensitivity of the $\Lambda^+_c \to pK^-\pi^+$ decay to the polarization is seen, making the amplitude model suitable for $\Lambda^+_c$ polarization measurements in other systems

Search for CPCP violation using T^\hat{T}-odd correlations in B0→ppˉK+π−B^{0} \to p \bar p K^{+} \pi^{-} decays

A search for $CP$ and $P$ violation in charmless four-body $B^{0} \to p \bar p K^{+} \pi^{-}$ decays is performed using triple-product asymmetry observables. It is based on proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of $7$, $8$ and $13$ TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of $8.4$ fb$^{-1}$. The $CP$- and $P$-violating asymmetries are measured both in the integrated phase space and in specific regions. No evidence is seen for $CP$ violation. $P$-parity violation is observed at a significance of 5.8 standard deviations.A search for CP and P violation in charmless four-body B0→pp¯K+π- decays is performed using triple-product asymmetry observables. It is based on proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 8.4  fb-1. The CP- and P-violating asymmetries are measured both in the integrated phase space and in specific regions. No evidence is seen for CP violation. P-parity violation is observed at a significance of 5.8 standard deviations.A search for $CP$ and $P$ violation in charmless four-body $B^{0} \to p \bar p K^{+} \pi^{-}$ decays is performed using triple-product asymmetry observables. It is based on proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of $7$, $8$ and $13$ TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of $8.4$ fb$^{-1}$. The $CP$- and $P$-violating asymmetries are measured both in the integrated phase space and in specific regions. No evidence is seen for $CP$ violation. $P$-parity violation is observed at a significance of 5.8 standard deviation