Reduced risk of synovial sarcoma in females: X-chromosome inactivation?

Synovial sarcoma shows a characteristic t(X;18) translocation but not the expected female predominance in incidence. We speculate that, among females, one X-chromosome is inactivated and that only the translocation to an active X-chromosome leads to development of synovial sarcoma. Population-based cancer registry data from the SEER program support this hypothesis

A simplified study of trans-mitral Doppler patterns

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Trans-mitral Doppler produces complex patterns with a great deal of variability. There are several confusing numerical measures and indices to study these patterns. However trans-mitral Doppler produces readymade data visualization by pattern generation which could be interpreted by pattern analysis. By following a systematic approach we could create an order and use this tool to study cardiac function.</p> <p>Presentation of the hypothesis</p> <p>In this new approach we eliminate the variables and apply pattern recognition as the main criterion of study. Proper terminologies are also devised to avoid confusion. In this way we can get some meaningful information.</p> <p>Testing the hypothesis</p> <p>Trans-mitral Doppler should be seen as patterns rather than the amplitude. The hypothesis can be proven by logical deduction, extrapolation and elimination of variables. Trans-mitral flow is also analyzed <it>vis-à-vis </it>the Starling's Law applied to the left atrium.</p> <p>Implications of the hypothesis</p> <p>Trans-mitral Doppler patterns are not just useful for evaluating diastolic function. They are also useful to evaluate systolic function. By following this schema we could get useful diagnostic information and therapeutic options using simple pattern recognition with minimal measurements. This simplified but practical approach will be useful in day to day clinical practice and help in understanding cardiac function better. This will also standardize research and improve communication.</p

Hadronic Mass Moments in Inclusive Semileptonic B Meson Decays

We have measured the first and second moments of the hadronic mass-squared distribution in B -> X_c l nu, for P(lepton) > 1.5 GeV/c. We find <M_X^2 - M_D[Bar]^2> = 0.251 +- 0.066 GeV^2, )^2 > = 0.576 +- 0.170 GeV^4, where M_D[Bar] is the spin-averaged D meson mass. From that first moment and the first moment of the photon energy spectrum in b -> s gamma, we find the HQET parameter lambda_1 (MS[Bar], to order 1/M^3 and beta_0 alpha_s^2) to be -0.24 +- 0.11 GeV^2. Using these first moments and the B semileptonic width, and assuming parton-hadron duality, we obtain |V_cb| = 0.0404 +- 0.0013.Comment: 11 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS, submitted to PR

Observation of the Ωc0\Omega_{c}^{0} Charmed Baryon at CLEO

The CLEO experiment at the CESR collider has used 13.7 fb$^{-1}$ of data to search for the production of the $\Omega_c^0$ (css-ground state) in $e^{+}e^{-}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} \simeq 10.6$ {\rm GeV}. The modes used to study the $\Omega_c^0$ are $\Omega^- \pi^+$, $\Omega^- \pi^+ \pi^0$, $\Xi^- K^- pi^+ \pi^+$, $\Xi^0 K^- pi^+$, and $\Omega^- \pi^+ \pi^- \pi^+$. We observe a signal of 40.4$\pm$9.0(stat) events at a mass of 2694.6$\pm$2.6(stat)$\pm$1.9(syst) {\rm MeV/$c^2$}, for all modes combined.Comment: 10 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth in women with multiple pregnancies: the AMPHIA trial

Contains fulltext : 53264.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: 15% of multiple pregnancies ends in a preterm delivery, which can lead to mortality and severe long term neonatal morbidity. At present, no generally accepted strategy for the prevention of preterm birth in multiple pregnancies exists. Prophylactic administration of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHPC) has proven to be effective in the prevention of preterm birth in women with singleton pregnancies with a previous preterm delivery. At present, there are no data on the effectiveness of progesterone in the prevention of preterm birth in multiple pregnancies. METHODS/DESIGN: We aim to investigate the hypothesis that 17OHPC will reduce the incidence of the composite neonatal morbidity of neonates by reducing the early preterm birth rate in multiple pregnancies. Women with a multiple pregnancy at a gestational age between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation will be entered in a placebo-controlled, double blinded randomised study comparing weekly 250 mg 17OHPC intramuscular injections from 16-20 weeks up to 36 weeks of gestation versus placebo. At study entry, cervical length will be measured. The primary outcome is composite bad neonatal condition (perinatal death or severe morbidity). Secondary outcome measures are time to delivery, preterm birth rate before 32 and 37 weeks, days of admission in neonatal intensive care unit, maternal morbidity, maternal admission days for preterm labour and costs. We need to include 660 women to indicate a reduction in bad neonatal outcome from 15% to 8%. Analysis will be by intention to treat. We will also analyse whether the treatment effect is dependent on cervical length. DISCUSSION: This trial will provide evidence as to whether or not 17OHPC-treatment is an effective means of preventing bad neonatal outcome due to preterm birth in multiple pregnancies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN40512715

Evidence of New States Decaying into Ξc′π\Xi^{\prime}_{c}\pi

Using 13.7 $fb^{-1}$ of data recorded by the CLEO detector at CESR, we report evidence for two new charmed baryons: one decaying into $\Xi_c^{0 \prime}\pi^+$ with the subsequent decay $\Xi_c^{0 \prime} \to \Xi_c^0 \gamma$, and its isospin partner decaying into $\Xi_c^{+ \prime} \pi^-$ followed by $\Xi_c^{+\prime} \to \Xi_c^+\gamma$. We measure the following mass differences for the two states: $M(\Xi_c^0 \gamma \pi^+)-M(\Xi_c^0)$=318.2+-1.3+-2.9 MeV, and $M(\Xi_c^+ \gamma \pi^-)-M(\Xi_c^+)$=324.0+-1.3+-3.0 MeV. We interpret these new states as the $J^P = 1/2^- \Xi_{c1}$ particles, the charmed-strange analogs of the $\Lambda_{c1}^+(2593)$.Comment: 10 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Observation of B→ϕKB\to \phi K and B→ϕK∗B\to \phi K^{*}

We have studied two-body charmless hadronic decays of $B$ mesons into the final states phi K and phi K^*. Using 9.7 million $B\bar{B}$ pairs collected with the CLEO II detector, we observe the decays B- -> phi K- and B0 -> phi K*0 with the following branching fractions: BR(B- -> phi K-)=(5.5 +2.1-1.8 +- 0.6) x 10^{-6} and BR(B0 -> phi K*0)=(11.5 +4.5-3.7 +1.8-1.7) x 10^{-6}. We also see evidence for the decays B0 -> phi K0 and B- -> phi K*-. However, since the statistical significance is not overwhelming for these modes we determine upper limits of <12.3 x 10^{-6} and <22.5 x 10^{-6} (90% C.L.) respectively.Comment: 9 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Measurement of the Relative Branching Fraction of Υ(4S)\Upsilon(4S) to Charged and Neutral B-Meson Pairs

We analyze 9.7 x 10^6 B\bar{B}$ pairs recorded with the CLEO detector to determine the production ratio of charged to neutral B-meson pairs produced at the Y(4S) resonance. We measure the rates for B^0 -> J/psi K^{(*)0} and B^+ -> J/psi K^{(*)+} decays and use the world-average B-meson lifetime ratio to extract the relative widths f+-/f00 = Gamma(Y(4S) -> B+B-)/Gamma(Y(4S) -> B0\bar{B0}) = = 1.04 +/- 0.07(stat) +/- 0.04(syst). With the assumption that f+- + f00 = 1, we obtain f00 = 0.49 +/- 0.02(stat) +/- 0.01(syst) and f+- = 0.51 +/- 0.02(stat) +/- 0.01(syst). This production ratio and its uncertainty apply to all exclusive B-meson branching fractions measured at the Y(4S) resonance.Comment: 11 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

First Observation of B -> D(*) rho', rho' -> omega pi-

We report on the observation of B-> D(*) pi+ pi- pi- pi^o decays. The branching ratios for D*+ and D*o are (1.72+/-0.14+/-0.24)% and (1.80+/-0.24+/-0.27)%, respectively. Each final state has a D* omega pi- component, with branching ratios (0.29+/-0.03+/-0.04)% and (0.45+/-0.10+/-0.07)% for the D*+ and D*o modes, respectively. We also observe B -> D omega pi- decays. The branching ratios for D+ and Do are (0.28+/-0.05+/-0.04)% and (0.41+/-0.07+/-0.06)%, respectively. A spin parity analysis of the D omega pi- final state prefers a wide 1^- resonance. A fit to the omega pi- mass spectrum finds a central mass of (1349+/-25^{+10}_{-5}) MeV and width of (547+/-86^{+46}_{-45}) MeV. We identify this object as the rho(1450) or the \rho'.Comment: 42 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS, To Appear in PR