Effects of β-hydroxybutyricacid on the synthesis and assembly of very low-density lipoprotein in bovine hepatocytes in vitro

β-Hydroxybutyricacid (BHBA) is an important metabolite that involved in the development of ketosis and fatty liver in dairy cows. Dairy cows with fatty liver displayed high blood concentration of BHBA and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) assembly. The effects of BHBA on VLDL synthesis and assembly in hepatocytes of cows were unclear. In this study, bovine hepatocytes were cultured and treated with different concentrations of BHBA. We found that BHBA treatment upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB 100), apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) and showed in a firstly increased and then decreased trend. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein levels of LDLR showed in a reverse trend. Consequently, VLDL content was significantly increased in medium-dose BHBA treatment group, while decreased in high-dose group. These results indicate that the effects of BHBA on the VLDL synthesis showed in a dose-dependent manner that low levels of BHBA increase VLDL synthesis and high levels of BHBA decrease VLDL synthesis.

OsMYB511 encodes a MYB domain transcription activator early regulated by abiotic stress in rice

The MYB-domain proteins exist universally across diverse organisms and regulate numerous processes during the plant life cycle. In the present research, a full-length MYB gene OsMYB511 was identified from rice seedlings through microarray data. Induction of OsMYB511 by cold stress was dramatic in japonica cultivar Jiucaiqing as compared to indica IR26. In addition to cold, OsMYB511 was also markedly induced by osmotic stress, high temperature, and exogenous ABA, suggesting that OsMYB511 is a multiple-stress responsive gene in rice. Tissue-specific expression analysis indicated that OsMYB511 was highly expressed in rice panicles at earlier development stage. Interestingly, OsMYB511 expression is fully subjected to circadian rhythm regulation. The subcellular localization and yeast hybrid assay suggested that OsMYB511 is nucleus-localized transcription activator. Deletion analysis suggested that trans-activation activity of OsMYB511 relied on its C-terminus. Co-expression analysis revealed additional 2 MYB genes co-expressed with OsMYB511, implying that these MYB genes might coordinately regulate stress responses in rice.

Observation of J/ψp Resonances Consistent with Pentaquark States in Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψK^{-}p Decays

Observations of exotic structures in the J/ψp channel, which we refer to as charmonium-pentaquark states, in Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψK^{-}p decays are presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb^{-1} acquired with the LHCb detector from 7 and 8 TeV pp collisions. An amplitude analysis of the three-body final state reproduces the two-body mass and angular distributions. To obtain a satisfactory fit of the structures seen in the J/ψp mass spectrum, it is necessary to include two Breit-Wigner amplitudes that each describe a resonant state. The significance of each of these resonances is more than 9 standard deviations. One has a mass of 4380±8±29 MeV and a width of 205±18±86 MeV, while the second is narrower, with a mass of 4449.8±1.7±2.5 MeV and a width of 39±5±19 MeV. The preferred J^{P} assignments are of opposite parity, with one state having spin 3/2 and the other 5/2.

Observation of the B(s)(0)→η'η' Decay

The first observation of the B(s)(0)→η'η' decay is reported. The study is based on a sample of proton-proton collisions corresponding to 3.0  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected with the LHCb detector. The significance of the signal is 6.4 standard deviations. The branching fraction is measured to be [3.31±0.64(stat)±0.28(syst)±0.12(norm)]×10(-5), where the third uncertainty comes from the B(±)→η'K(±) branching fraction that is used as a normalization. In addition, the charge asymmetries of B(±)→η'K(±) and B(±)→ϕK(±), which are control channels, are measured to be (-0.2±1.3)% and (+1.7±1.3)%, respectively. All results are consistent with theoretical expectations.

Measurement of CP Violation in B0→J/ψK{S}^{0} Decays

Measurements are presented of the CP violation observables S and C in the decays of B(0) and Bover ¯]0 mesons to the J/ψK(S)(0) final state. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb(-1) collected with the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, and contains a total of 41 560 selected B^{0} and B[over ¯]^{0} decays. The analysis of the time evolution of these decays yields S=0.731±0.035(stat)±0.020(syst) and C=-0.038±0.032(stat)±0.005(syst). In the standard model, S equals sin(2β) to a good level of precision. The values are consistent with the current world averages and with the standard model expectations.

Inhalation of recombinant adenovirus expressing granulysin protects mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Granulysin is a cytolytic molecule with perforin and granzymes that is expressed by activated human CTLs, NK and γδ T cells, and it has broad antimicrobial activity, including to drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We hypothesized that approaches facilitating the expression of granulysin in M. tuberculosis-infected host cells in the lung may provide a novel treatment strategy for pulmonary TB. In this study, a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus serotype 5-based rAdhGLi was constructed that expressed human granulysin in the cytosol of the U937 and RAW264.7 macrophage-like cell lines as confirmed by western blotting and co-localization technology using indirect immunofluorescence staining. Ninety-six hours after both cell lines were infected with M. tuberculosis, acid-fast staining and enumeration demonstrated that rAdhGLi-treated cells had a lower colony-forming units (CFU) of intracellular bacteria than culture medium or AdNull controls. Granulysin was only expressed in the lung and not in other organs following inhalation of rAdhGLi. In particular, immunocompetent BALB/c mice or SCID mice intranasally infected with ~200 CFU of virulent M. tuberculosis H37Rv intranasally were treated with rAdhGLi, and they showed decreased bacterial loads in the lung when compared with phosphate-buffered saline or AdNull controls. Importantly, a clear dose-dependent rAdhGLi treatment efficacy was found in infected BALB/c mice, with the most significant reduction in lung bacteria obtained in BALB/c mice treated with 10(9) plaque-forming units of rAdhGLi without any pathological changes. Our study indicates that rAdhGLi may be used as a novel and efficient treatment strategy with the capability to directly kill intracellular M. tuberculosis.

Measurement of the [Formula: see text] production cross-section in proton-proton collisions via the decay [Formula: see text]

The production of the [Formula: see text] state in proton-proton collisions is probed via its decay to the [Formula: see text] final state with the LHCb detector, in the rapidity range [Formula: see text] and in the meson transverse-momentum range [Formula: see text]. The cross-section for prompt production of [Formula: see text] mesons relative to the prompt [Formula: see text] cross-section is measured, for the first time, to be [Formula: see text] at a centre-of-mass energy [Formula: see text] using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.7 fb[Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] using 2.0 fb[Formula: see text]. The uncertainties quoted are, in order, statistical, systematic, and that on the ratio of branching fractions of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] decays to the [Formula: see text] final state. In addition, the inclusive branching fraction of [Formula: see text]-hadron decays into [Formula: see text] mesons is measured, for the first time, to be [Formula: see text], where the third uncertainty includes also the uncertainty on the [Formula: see text] inclusive branching fraction from [Formula: see text]-hadron decays. The difference between the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] meson masses is determined to be [Formula: see text].

A randomised trial comparing a short and a standard-length metaphyseal engaging cementless femoral stem using radiostereometric analysis

This was a randomised controlled trial studying the safety of a new short metaphyseal fixation (SMF) stem. We hypothesised that it would have similar early clinical results and micromovement to those of a standard-length tapered Synergy metaphyseal fixation stem. Using radiostereometric analysis (RSA) we compared the two stems in 43 patients. A short metaphyseal fixation stem was used in 22 patients and a Synergy stem in 21 patients. No difference was found in the clinical outcomes pre- or post-operatively between groups. RSA showed no significant differences two years post-operatively in mean micromovement between the two stems (except for varus/valgus tilt at p = 0.05) (subsidence 0.94 mm (sd 1.71) vs 0.32 mm (sd 0.45), p = 0.66; rotation 0.96° (sd 1.49) vs 1.41° (sd 2.95), p = 0.88; and total migration 1.09 mm (sd 1.74) vs 0.73 mm (sd 0.72), p = 0.51). A few stems (four SMF and three Synergy) had initial migration > 1.0 mm but stabilised by three to six months, with the exception of one SMF stem which required revision three years post-operatively. For most stems, total micromovement was very low at two years (subsidence < 0.5 mm, rotation < 1.0°, total migration < 0.5 mm), which was consistent with osseous ingrowth. The small sample makes it difficult to confirm the universal applicability of or elucidate the potential contraindications to the use of this particular new design of stem.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:595–602.

Search for long-lived particles decaying to jet pairs

A search is presented for long-lived particles with a mass between 25 and 50 [Formula: see text] and a lifetime between 1 and 200[Formula: see text] in a sample of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.62 [Formula: see text], collected by the LHCb detector. The particles are assumed to be pair-produced by the decay of a standard model-like Higgs boson. The experimental signature of the long-lived particle is a displaced vertex with two associated jets. No excess above the background is observed and limits are set on the production cross-section as a function of the long-lived particle mass and lifetime.

Measurement of Bc+ Production in Proton-Proton Collisions at √[s]=8 TeV

Production of Bc+ mesons in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV is studied with data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0  fb-1 recorded by the LHCb experiment. The ratio of production cross sections times branching fractions between the Bc+→J/ψπ+ and B+→J/ψK+ decays is measured as a function of transverse momentum and rapidity in the regions 0<pT<20  GeV/c and 2.0<y<4.5. The ratio in this kinematic range is measured to be (0.683±0.018±0.009)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.

Observation of two new Ξ(b)(-) baryon resonances

Two structures are observed close to the kinematic threshold in the Ξ(b)(0)π(-) mass spectrum in a sample of proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb(-1), recorded by the LHCb experiment. In the quark model, two baryonic resonances with quark content bds are expected in this mass region: the spin-parity J(P)=(1/2)(+) and J(P)=(3/2)(+) states, denoted Ξ(b)('-) and Ξ(b)(*-). Interpreting the structures as these resonances, we measure the mass differences and the width of the heavier state to be m(Ξ(b)('-))-m(Ξ(b)(0))-m(π(-))=3.653±0.018±0.006  MeV/c(2), m(Ξ(b)(*-))-m(Ξ(b)(0))-m(π(-))=23.96±0.12±0.06  MeV/c(2), Γ(Ξ(b)(*-))=1.65±0.31±0.10  MeV, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The width of the lighter state is consistent with zero, and we place an upper limit of Γ(Ξ(b)('-))<0.08  MeV at 95% confidence level. Relative production rates of these states are also reported.

Precision measurement of CP violation in B(S)(0)→J/ΨK+K- decays

The time-dependent CP asymmetry in B(s)(0)→J/ψK+K- decays is measured using pp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb-1, collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. In a sample of 96,000 B(s)(0)→J/ψK+K- decays, the CP-violating phase ϕs is measured, as well as the decay widths ΓL and ΓH of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the B(s)(0)-B[over ¯]s0 system. The values obtained are ϕs=-0.058±0.049±0.006  rad, Γs≡(ΓL+ΓH)/2=0.6603±0.0027±0.0015  ps-1, and ΔΓs≡ΓL-ΓH=0.0805±0.0091±0.0032  ps-1, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second, systematic. These are the most precise single measurements of those quantities to date. A combined analysis with Bs0→J/ψπ+π- decays gives ϕs=-0.010±0.039  rad. All measurements are in agreement with the standard model predictions. For the first time, the phase ϕs is measured independently for each polarization state of the K+K- system and shows no evidence for polarization dependence.

Measurement of the semileptonic CP asymmetry in B0-B[over ¯]0 mixing

The semileptonic CP asymmetry in B0-B[over ¯]0 mixing, a(sl)(d), is measured in proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb-1, recorded by the LHCb experiment. Semileptonic B0 decays are reconstructed in the inclusive final states D-μ+ and D*-μ+, where the D- meson decays into the K+π-π- final state and the D*- meson into the D[over ¯]0(→K+π-)π- final state. The asymmetry between the numbers of D(*)-μ+ and D(*)+μ- decays is measured as a function of the decay time of the B0 mesons. The CP asymmetry is measured to be a(sl)(d)=(-0.02±0.19±0.30)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This is the most precise measurement of a(sl)(d) to date and is consistent with the prediction from the standard model.

Precision measurement of the mass and lifetime of the Ξb⁻ baryon

We report on measurements of the mass and lifetime of the Ξ(b)⁻ baryon using about 1800 Ξ(b)⁻ decays reconstructed in a proton-proton collision data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb⁻¹ collected by the LHCb experiment. The decays are reconstructed in the Ξ(b)⁻→Ξ(c)⁰π⁻, Ξ(c)⁰→pK⁻K⁻π⁺ channel and the mass and lifetime are measured using the Λ(b)⁰→Λ(c)⁺π⁻ mode as a reference. We measure M(Ξ(b)⁻)-M(Λ(b)⁰)=178.36±0.46±0.16  MeV/c², (τ(Ξ(b)⁻)/τ(Λ(b)⁰)=1.089±0.026±0.011, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. These results lead to a factor of 2 better precision on the Ξ(b)⁻ mass and lifetime compared to previous best measurements, and are consistent with theoretical expectations.