Decay Widths of Excited Heavy Mesons From QCD Sum Rules at the Leading Order of HQET

The widths for pionic decays of lowest two excited doublets (0^+,1^+) and (1^+,2^+) of heavy mesons are studied with QCD sum rules in the leading order of heavy quark effective theory. The ambiguity due to presence of two distinct 1^+ states are solved. The soft pion approximation is not used.Comment: RevTeX, 16 pages including 1 figure; minor changes, final version to appear in Physical Review

Baicalin-aluminum alleviates necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens by inhibiting virulence factors expression of Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens type A is the main cause of necrotic enteritis (NE) in chickens. Since the use of antibiotics in feed is withdrawn, it is imperative to find out suitable alternatives to control NE. Baicalin-aluminum complex is synthesized from baicalin, a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. The present study investigated the effects of baicalin-aluminum on the virulence-associated traits and virulence genes expression of C. perfringens CVCC2030, it also evaluated the in vivo therapeutic effect on NE. The results showed that baicalin-aluminum inhibited bacterial hemolytic activity, diminished biofilm formation, attenuated cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells, downregulated the expression of genes encoding for clostridial toxins and extracellular enzymes such as alpha toxin (CPA), perfringolysin O (PFO), collagenase (ColA), and sialidases (NanI, NanJ). Additionally, baicalin-aluminum was found to negatively regulate the expression of genes involved in quorum sensing (QS) communication, including genes of Agr QS system (agrB, agrD) and genes of VirS/R two-component regulatory system (virS, virR). In vivo experiments, baicalin-aluminum lightened the intestinal lesions and histological damage, it inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) expression in the jejunal and ileal tissues. Besides, baicalin-aluminum alleviated the upregulation of C. perfringens and Escherichia coli and raised the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the ileal digesta. This study suggests that baicalin-aluminum may be a potential candidate against C. perfringens infection by inhibiting the virulence-associated traits and virulence genes expression

Down-regulation of Toll-like receptor 4 gene expression by short interfering RNA attenuates bone cancer pain in a rat model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study demonstrates a critical role in CNS innate immunity of the microglial Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the induction and maintenance of behavioral hypersensitivity in a rat model of bone cancer pain with the technique of RNA interference (RNAi). We hypothesized that after intramedullary injection of Walker 256 cells (a breast cancer cell line) into the tibia, CNS neuroimmune activation and subsequent cytokine expression are triggered by the stimulation of microglial membrane-bound TLR4.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We assessed tactile allodynia and spontaneous pain in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after intramedullary injection of Walker 256 cells into the tibia. In a complementary study, TLR4 small interfering RNA(siRNA) was administered intrathecally to bone cancer pain rats to reduce the expression of spinal TLR4. The bone cancer pain rats treated with TLR4 siRNA displayed significantly attenuated behavioral hypersensitivity and decreased expression of spinal microglial markers and proinflammatory cytokines compared with controls. Only intrathecal injection of TRL4 siRNA at post-inoculation day 4 could prevent initial development of bone cancer pain; intrathecal injection of TRL4 siRNA at post-inoculation day 9 could attenuate, but not completely block, well-established bone cancer pain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>TLR4 might be the main mediator in the induction of bone cancer pain. Further study of this early, specific, and innate CNS/microglial response, and how it leads to sustained glial/neuronal hypersensitivity, might lead to new therapies for the prevention and treatment of bone cancer pain syndromes.</p

A simulation study on the measurement of D0-D0bar mixing parameter y at BES-III

We established a method on measuring the \dzdzb mixing parameter $y$ for BESIII experiment at the BEPCII $e^+e^-$ collider. In this method, the doubly tagged $\psi(3770) \to D^0 \overline{D^0}$ events, with one $D$ decays to CP-eigenstates and the other $D$ decays semileptonically, are used to reconstruct the signals. Since this analysis requires good $e/\pi$ separation, a likelihood approach, which combines the $dE/dx$, time of flight and the electromagnetic shower detectors information, is used for particle identification. We estimate the sensitivity of the measurement of $y$ to be 0.007 based on a $20fb^{-1}$ fully simulated MC sample.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Actein Inhibits the Proliferation and Adhesion of Human Breast Cancer Cells and Suppresses Migration in vivo

Background and purpose: Metastasis is an important cause of death in breast cancer patients. Anti-metastatic agents are urgently needed since standard chemotherapeutics cannot diminish the metastatic rate. Actein, a cycloartane triterpenoid, has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer activities. Its anti-metastatic activity and underlying mechanisms were evaluated in the present study.Methods: The effects of actein on the proliferation, cell cycle phase distribution, migration, motility and adhesion were evaluated using two human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor-negative) and MCF-7 cells (estrogen receptor-positive) in vitro. Western blots and real-time PCR were employed to examine the protein and mRNA expression of relevant signaling pathways. A human metastatic breast cancer cell xenograft model was established in transparent zebrafish embryos to examine the anti-migration effect of actein in vivo.Results:In vitro results showed that actein treatment significantly decreased cell proliferation, migration and motility. Furthermore, actein significantly caused G1 phase cell cycle arrest and suppressed the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases of MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, actein inhibited breast cancer cell adhesion to collagen, also reduced the expression of integrins. Actein treatment down-regulated the protein expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), AKT and NF-κB signaling proteins. In vivo results demonstrated that actein (60 μM) significantly decreased the number of zebrafish embryos with migrated cells by 74% and reduced the number of migrated cells in embryos.Conclusion: Actein exhibited anti-proliferative, anti-adhesion and anti-migration activities, with the underlying mechanisms involved the EGFR/AKT and NF-kappaB signalings. These findings shed light for the development of actein as novel anti-migration natural compound for advanced breast cancer

Exogenous Melatonin Alleviates Oxidative Damages and Protects Photosystem II in Maize Seedlings Under Drought Stress

The protective role of melatonin in plants against various abiotic stresses have been widely demonstrated, but poorly explored in organ-specific responses and the transmission of melatonin signals across organs. In this study, the effects of melatonin with the root-irrigation method and the leaf-spraying method on the antioxidant system and photosynthetic machinery in maize seedlings under drought stress were investigated. The results showed that drought stress led to the rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS), severe cell death, and degradation of D1 protein, which were mitigated by the melatonin application. The application of melatonin improved the photosynthetic activities and alleviated the oxidative damages of maize seedlings under the drought stress. Compared with the leaf-spraying method, the root-irrigation method was more effective on enhancing drought tolerance. Moreover, maize seedlings made organ-specific physiological responses to the drought stress, and the physiological effects of melatonin varied with the dosage, application methods and plant organs. The signals of exogenous melatonin received by roots could affect the stress responses of leaves, and the melatonin signals perceived by leaves also led to changes in physiological metabolisms in roots under the stress. Consequently, the whole seedlings coordinated the different parts and made a systemic acclimation against the drought stress. Melatonin as a protective agent against abiotic stresses has a potential application prospect in the agricultural industry

Inhibition of Ubc13-mediated ubiquitination by GPS2 regulates multiple stages of B cell development

Non-proteolytic ubiquitin signaling mediated by Lys63 ubiquitin chains plays a critical role in multiple pathways that are key to the development and activation of immune cells. Our previous work indicates that GPS2 (G-protein Pathway Suppressor 2) is a multifunctional protein regulating TNF signaling and lipid metabolism in the adipose tissue through modulation of Lys63 ubiquitination events. However, the full extent of GPS2-mediated regulation of ubiquitination and the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here, we report that GPS2 is required for restricting the activation of TLR and BCR signaling pathways and the AKT/FOXO1 pathway in immune cells based on direct inhibition of Ubc13 enzymatic activity. Relevance of this regulatory strategy is confirmed in vivo by B cell-targeted deletion of GPS2, resulting in developmental defects at multiple stages of B cell differentiation. Together, these findings reveal that GPS2 genomic and non-genomic functions are critical for the development and cellular homeostasis of B cells

Microsurgical vasovasostomy for the treatment of intractable chronic scrotal pain after vasectomy

Dear Editor, We present herein two rare cases of intractable chronic scrotal pain after vasectomy. The patients were effectively treated with microsurgical vasovasostomy (MVV). We also discuss the possible aetiologies of the pain and other surgical options. Vasectomy was once the most common method of permanent contraception for men in both China and worldwide. One particularly distressing complication after vasectomy is chronic scrotal pain, which is defined as intermittent or constant, unilateral or bilateral scrotal pain for o3 months. The pain is intense enough to interfere with the patient&apos;s daily activities and prompts him to seek medical attention. 1 Although its aetiology remains unclear, epididymal congestion, painful sperm granulomas, vascular stasis and nerve impingement have been postulated as possible aetiologic factors. 2 Non-surgical options have been used successfully to treat chronic scrotal pain after vasectomy, including scrotal support, thermal therapy, limiting activity, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotic analgesics, antibiotics, neuroleptics, spermatic cord nerve block, biofeedback and psychiatric evaluation. Surgical options include reversal of the vasectomy, microsurgical spermatic cord denervation, granuloma excision, epididymectomy and orchidectomy. The microsurgical techniques used for vasectomy reversal have changed significantly in the past decade, culminating in the standard surgical procedures used today, and its indications include a desire to have more children (remarriage or after the death of a child), treatment of post-vasectomy pain and treatment of obstructive azoospermia due to traumatic or iatrogenic injury of vas deferens. 3 To our knowledge, we report the first cases of the use of MVV for the treatment of intractable chronic scrotal pain after vasectomy in a Chinese hospital. The 72-year-old and 49-year-old men presented with a more than 20-year history of intractable, chronic scrotal pain after vasectomy. They had consulted various urologists and had undergone numerous attempted therapies in other hospitals. They reported a history of vasectomy more than 30 years and 20 years previously, respectively. They did not have any histories of haematuria, haematospermia, lower urinary tract symptoms, epididymitis, prostatitis or testicular trauma. Their physical examination was unremarkable, and both the secondary sexual characteristics and genital examination were normal. The testes were descended bilaterally and normal in size and consistency. The caput epididymides exhibited dilatation and tenderness. The vasa deferentia were palpated for painful lumps at the vasectomy sites. Digital rectal examination was unremarkable for prostatic abnormalities. Each patient underwent Doppler ultrasonography of the testes and urinary tract, urinalysis, urine culture and spermiogram to exclude primary or secondary causes of pain, including intratesticular infection, tumours and ureteral lithiasis. At our initial consultation, the patients were asked to complete a pain and psychological questionnaire, which included pain, depression and anxiety scores. The pain score (Visual Analogue Scale) was in the form of an 11-point numerical rating score with 0 representing &apos;no pain&apos; and 10 representing the &apos;worst possible pain&apos;. The patients&apos; preoperative pain scores were 5 and 6 points, respectively. The depression scores (Self-rating Depression Scale) were in the form of an 80-point numerical rating score; a score less than 50 indicated &apos;normal&apos;, and a score greater than 50 indicated &apos;depression&apos;. The depression scores of the two patients were 35 and 38 points, respectively. The anxiety scores (Self-rating Anxiety Scale) were in the form of an 80-point numerical rating score; scores less than 50 were considered to indicate &apos;normal&apos;, whereas scores greater than 50 indicated &apos;anxiety&apos;. The anxiety scores of the two patients were 33 and 32 points, respectively. Spermatic cord block was performed once for each patient with 6 ml of 1% lidocaine and 1 ml of methylprednisolone (40 mg). The patients had 3 and 7 days of complete pain relief after the blockade, respectively. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, and informed consent was signed by the patients. The patients were offered MVV as a more permanent solution in March and July 2012, respectively. Scrotal exploration was performed with the patients under combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia. The left-side incision (3 cm) of the scrotum through the tunica vaginalis was made, and the left vas deferens was delivered through this incision. The painful lumps and nerveimpinging tissue at the vasectomy site were thoroughly resected by electrocautery. Distal patency was confirmed by infusing diluted methylene blue through the abdominal side of the vas deferens, resulting in blue colouring of the urine. A 123 to 153 operating microscope (Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG, Heerbrugg, Switzerland) was use

Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy in FePt Patterned Media Employing a CrV Seed Layer

A thin FePt film was deposited onto a CrV seed layer at 400°C and showed a high coercivity (~3,400 Oe) and high magnetization (900–1,000 emu/cm3) characteristic of L10 phase. However, the magnetic properties of patterned media fabricated from the film stack were degraded due to the Ar-ion bombardment. We employed a deposition-last process, in which FePt film deposited at room temperature underwent lift-off and post-annealing processes, to avoid the exposure of FePt to Ar plasma. A patterned medium with 100-nm nano-columns showed an out-of-plane coercivity fivefold larger than its in-plane counterpart and a remanent magnetization comparable to saturation magnetization in the out-of-plane direction, indicating a high perpendicular anisotropy. These results demonstrate the high perpendicular anisotropy in FePt patterned media using a Cr-based compound seed layer for the first time and suggest that ultra-high-density magnetic recording media can be achieved using this optimized top-down approach