Branching Ratio and CP Asymmetry of B→ρη(′)B \to \rho \eta^{(\prime)} Decays in the Perturbative QCD Approach

In this paper,we calculate the branching ratios and CP-violating asymmetries for $B^0 \to \rho^0 \eta^{(\prime)}$ and B^+\to \rho^+ \etap decays in the perturbative QCD factorization approach. In this approach, we not only calculate the usual factorizable contributions, but also evaluate the non-factorizable and annihilation type contributions. Besides the current-current operators, the contributions from the QCD and electroweak penguin operators are also taken into account. The theoretical predictions for the branching ratios are $Br(B^+ \to \rho^+ \eta^{(\prime)}) \approx 9 \times 10^{-6}$ and $Br(B^0 \to \rho^0 \eta^{(\prime)}) \approx 5 \times 10^{-8}$, which agree well with the measured values and currently available experimental upper limits. We also predict large CP-violating asymmetries in these decays: $A_{CP}^{dir}(\rho^\pm \eta)\approx -13$, $A_{CP}^{dir}(\rho^\pm \eta^\prime)\approx -18$, $A_{CP}^{dir}(\rho^0 \eta)\approx -41$, $A_{CP}^{dir}(\rho^0 \eta^\prime)\approx -27$, $A_{CP}^{mix}(\rho^0 \eta)\approx +25$, and $A_{CP}^{mix}(\rho^0 \eta^\prime) \approx +11$, which can be tested by the current or future B factory experiments.Comment: 29 pages, 9 ps figures, more phenomenological discussions added, scale dependence of computed observables are considered, typos corrected, the figures and conclusions remain unchange

Computational Identification of Gene Networks as a Biomarker of Neuroblastoma Risk

Neuroblastoma is a common cancer in children, affected by a number of genes that interact with each other through intricate but coordinated networks. Traditional approaches can only reconstruct a single regulatory network that is topologically not informative enough to explain the complexity of neuroblastoma risk. We implemented and modified an advanced model for recovering informative, omnidirectional, dynamic, and personalized networks (idopNetworks) from static gene expression data for neuroblastoma risk. We analyzed 3439 immune genes of neuroblastoma for 217 high-risk patients and 30 low-risk patients by which to reconstruct large patient-specific idopNetworks. By converting these networks into risk-specific representations, we found that the shift in patients from a low to high risk or from a high to low risk might be due to the reciprocal change of hub regulators. By altering the directions of regulation exerted by these hubs, it may be possible to reduce a high risk to a low risk. Results from a holistic, systems-oriented paradigm through idopNetworks can potentially enable oncologists to experimentally identify the biomarkers of neuroblastoma and other cancers

Symmetry‐Induced Selective Excitation of Topological States in Su–Schrieffer–Heeger Waveguide Arrays

The investigation of topological state transition in carefully designed photonic lattices is of high interest for fundamental research, as well as for applied studies such as manipulating light flow in on-chip photonic systems. Herein, the topological phase transition between symmetric topological zero modes (TZM) and antisymmetric TZMs in Su–Schrieffer–Heeger mirror symmetric waveguides is reported. The transition of TZMs is realized by adjusting the coupling ratio between neighboring waveguide pairs, which is enabled by selective modulation of the refractive index in the waveguide gaps. Bidirectional topological transitions between symmetric and antisymmetric TZMs can be achieved with proposed switching strategy. Selective excitation of topological edge mode is demonstrated owing to the symmetry characteristics of the TZMs. The flexible manipulation of topological states is promising for on-chip light flow control and may spark further investigations on symmetric/antisymmetric TZM transitions in other photonic topological frameworks

Symmetry induced selective excitation of topological states in SSH waveguide arrays

The investigation of topological state transition in carefully designed photonic lattices is of high interest for fundamental research, as well as for applied studies such as manipulating light flow in on-chip photonic systems. Here, we report on topological phase transition between symmetric topological zero modes (TZM) and antisymmetric TZMs in Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) mirror symmetric waveguides. The transition of TZMs is realized by adjusting the coupling ratio between neighboring waveguide pairs, which is enabled by selective modulation of the refractive index in the waveguide gaps. Bi-directional topological transitions between symmetric and antisymmetric TZMs can be achieved with our proposed switching strategy. Selective excitation of topological edge mode is demonstrated owing to the symmetry characteristics of the TZMs. The flexible manipulation of topological states is promising for on-chip light flow control and may spark further investigations on symmetric/antisymmetric TZM transitions in other photonic topological frameworks

Involvement of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase in FcεRI-dependent Mast Cell Degranulation and Cytokine Production

We investigated the role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) in FcεRI-dependent activation of mouse mast cells, using xid and btk null mutant mice. Unlike B cell development, mast cell development is apparently normal in these btk mutant mice. However, mast cells derived from these mice exhibited significant abnormalities in FcεRI-dependent function. xid mice primed with anti-dinitrophenyl monoclonal IgE antibody exhibited mildly diminished early-phase and severely blunted late-phase anaphylactic reactions in response to antigen challenge in vivo. Consistent with this finding, cultured mast cells derived from the bone marrow cells of xid or btk null mice exhibited mild impairments in degranulation, and more profound defects in the production of several cytokines, upon FcεRI cross-linking. Moreover, the transcriptional activities of these cytokine genes were severely reduced in FcεRI-stimulated btk mutant mast cells. The specificity of these effects of btk mutations was confirmed by the improvement in the ability of btk mutant mast cells to degranulate and to secrete cytokines after the retroviral transfer of wild-type btk cDNA, but not of vector or kinase-dead btk cDNA. Retroviral transfer of Emt (= Itk/Tsk), Btk's closest relative, also partially improved the ability of btk mutant mast cells to secrete mediators. Taken together, these results demonstrate an important role for Btk in the full expression of FcεRI signal transduction in mast cells

Возможности фотодинамической терапии при эритроплазии Кейра

The review is dedicated to the analysis of the effectiveness of the treatment of erythroplasia of Queyrat (EQ) using photodynamic therapy (PDT). Particular attention is paid to the relationship between EQ and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The data of various researchers are presented, confirming the correlation between the development of the EQ and the HPV infection, however, it is noted that due to the small number of studies it is difficult to draw reliable conclusions on the presence and strength of this connection. The mechanisms of PDT involved in the implementation of both the antitumor effect in the treatment of EQ and the antiviral effect against HPV are considered. The data of 12 clinical studies and observations of the results of PDT of the EQ conducted in recent years are analyzed. An analysis of literature data showed that in the treatment of EQ, one of the two photosensitizers is usually used locally: 5-aminolevulinic acid or 5-aminolevulinic acid methyl ester. The treatment parameters in all the analyzed studies were similar: exposure to the ointment for 3–5 hours followed by irradiation with a light dose of 37–105 J/cm2. The number of PDT courses in different studies varied from 1 to 19. The effectiveness of treatment varied widely in different studies and clinical observations. Most studies have demonstrated high efficacy of PDT with complete regression in 36–83% (100% in one study) and a relapse-free follow-up period of up to 51 months. However, there were also individual clinical observations of patients in whom the treatment with the method of PDT was ineffective. It is possible that the described results were associated with improperly selected regimes of PDT or a large lesion area. Most authors especially note a very good cosmetic effect and a complete absence of scars after the treatment. Thus, PDT is an effective and promising method for the treatment of EQ that requires, however, a more thorough development of the application regimen and a deeper study of the antitumor and antiviral components of the mechanism of action.Обзор посвящен анализу эффективности лечения эритроплазии Кейра методом фотодинамической терапии (ФДТ). Особое внимание уделено вопросам взаимосвязи эритроплазии Кейра с инфицированием вирусом папилломы человека (ВПЧ). Приведены данные исследований, подтверждающие корреляцию между развитием заболевания и инфицированием ВПЧ, отмечено, что в связи с небольшим количеством исследований сложно делать достоверные выводы о наличии и силе этой связи. Рассмотрены механизмы ФДТ, участвующие в реализации как противоопухолевого эффекта при лечении эритроплазии Кейра, так и противовирусного действия в отношении ВПЧ. Проанализированы данные 12 клинических исследований и наблюдений результатов ФДТ при эритроплазии Кейра, проведенных в последние годы. Установлено, что при лечении заболевания, как правило, используют местно один из двух фотосенсибилизаторов: 5-аминолевулиновую кислоту (5-АЛК) или ее метиловый эфир. Параметры лечения во всех исследованиях были близки: экспозиция мази продолжительностью от 3 до 5 ч с последующим облучением со световой дозой 37 - 105 Дж/см2 . Количество курсов ФДТ в разных исследованиях составляло от 1 до 19. Эффективность лечения широко варьировала в разных исследованиях и клинических наблюдениях. Большинство исследований демонстрировало высокую эффективность ФДТ с полной регрессией образования в 36 - 83% наблюдений и продолжительностью безрецидивного периода до 51 мес. Имелись и отдельные клинические наблюдения, в которых ФДТ оказалась неэффективна. Возможно, описанные результаты были связаны с неправильно подобранными режимами ФДТ или большой площадью поражения. Большинство авторов отмечают хороший косметический эффект ФДТ и полное отсутствие рубцов после проведенного лечения. Таким образом, ФДТ является эффективным и перспективным методом лечения эритроплазии Кейра, однако, требующим тщательной отработки режимов применения и более глубокого изучения противоопухолевого и противовирусного компонентов механизма действия

Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Conceptual Design Report Volume 2: The Physics Program for DUNE at LBNF

The Physics Program for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) at the Fermilab Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) is described

Genetic Diversity of the ORF5 Gene of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Isolates in Southwest China from 2007 to 2009

To gain insight into the molecular epidemiology and possible mechanisms of genetic variation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in Yunnan Province of China, the ORF5 gene of 32 PRRSV isolates from clinical samples collected from 2007 to 2009 were sequenced and analyzed. Nucleotide and amino acid analyses were carried out on 32 isolates and representative strains of the North American genotype, European genotype and two representative Chinese isolates. Results revealed that these isolates share 86.9–99.0% nucleotide and 87.5–98.0% amino acid identity with VR-2332 the prototypical North American PRRSV, 61.7–62.9% and 54.3–57.8% with Lelystad virus (LV) the representative strain of European genotype, 91.2–95.4% and 90.0–94.5% with CH-1a that was isolated in mainland China in 1996, 88.1–99.3% and 85.5–99.0% with JX-A1 the representative strain of High pathogenic PRRSV in China, and 86.2–99.8% and 85.5–100.0% between isolated strains of different years, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all 32 PRRSV isolates belonged to the North American genotype and were further divided into two different subgenotypes. Subgenotype 1 comprised twenty two Yunnan isolates which divided into two branches. Subgenotype 2 comprised ten isolates which closely related to the RespPRRS vaccine and its parent strain VR-2332. The functional domains of GP5 such as the signal peptide, ectodomain, transmembrane regions and endodomain were identified and some motifs in GP5 with known functions, such as primary neutralizing epitope (PNE) and decoy epitope were also further analyzed. Our study shown the great genetic diversity of PRRSV in southwest China, rendering the guide for control and prevention of this disease