Observation of excited Λ(b)(0) baryons

Using pp collision data corresponding to 1.0 fb(-1) integrated luminosity collected by the LHCb detector, two narrow states are observed in the Λ(b)(0)π(+)π(-) spectrum with masses 5911.97±0.12(stat)±0.02(syst)±0.66(Λ(b)(0) mass) MeV/c(2) and 5919.77±0.08(stat)±0.02(syst)±0.66(Λ(b)(0) mass) MeV/c(2). The significances of the observations are 5.2 and 10.2 standard deviations, respectively. These states are interpreted as the orbitally excited Λ(b)(0) baryons, Λ(b)(*0)(5912) and Λ(b)(*0)(5920).

Measurement of the B¯(s)(0) effective lifetime in the J/ψf0(980) final state

The effective lifetime of the B ¯(s)(0) meson in the decay mode B¯(s)(0)→J/ψf(0)(980) is measured using 1.0 fb(-1) of data collected in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV with the LHCb detector. The result is 1.700±0.040±0.026 ps, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. As the final state is CP-odd, and CP violation in this mode is measured to be small, the lifetime measurement can be translated into a measurement of the decay width of the heavy B¯(s)(0) mass eigenstate, Γ(H)=0.588±0.014±0.009 ps(-1).

Elastographic Imaging of the Strain Distribution at the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and ACL-Bone Insertions

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) functions as a mechanical stabilizer in the tibiofemoral joint. Over 250,000 Americans each year suffer ACL ruptures and tears, making the ACL the most commonly injured knee ligament. Methods which permit the in situ monitoring of changes in ACL graft mechanical properties during healing are needed. A long term goal in ACL reconstruction is to regenerate the ACL-bone interface. To this end, an understanding of mechanical properties of the ligament-bone interface is needed. However, experimental determination has been difficult due the small length scale (<1 mm) involved and limited resolution of standard techniques. The current study uses elastography to characterize the functional properties of the ACL and the ACL-bone interface under applied load. In a first experiment, bovine joints were excised, cast in an agar gel matrix and externally compressed. In a second experiment, tibiofemoral joints were mounted on a MTS 858 Bionix Testing System. The ACL was loaded at different strain rates and tested to failure while RF data was collected at 5 MHz. For both tensile and compression testing, axial elastograms between successive RF frames were generated using cross-correlation and recorrelation techniques. When the ACL-bone complex was tested in the tibial alignment on the MTS system, compressive strains were found to dominate at the tibial insertion. Compressive strains were observed in the ligament proper when the transducer beam was aligned with respect to the insertion during loading.

Observation of B0→D¯(0)K(+)K(-) and evidence for B(s)(0)→D¯(0)K(+)K(-)

The first observation of the decay B0→D¯(0)K(+)K(-) is reported from an analysis of 0.62 fb(-1) of pp collision data collected with the LHCb detector. Its branching fraction is measured relative to that of the topologically similar decay B(0)→D ¯(0)π(+)π(-) to be (B(B(0)→D¯(0)K(+)K(-))/B(B(0)→D¯(0)π(+)π(-))=0.056±0.011±0.007,where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The significance of the signal is 5.8σ. Evidence, with 3.8σ significance, for B(s)(0)→D¯(0)K(+)K(-) decays is also presented. The relative branching fraction is measured to be B(B(s)(0)→D¯(0)K(+)K(-))/B(B(0)→D¯(0)K(+)K(-))=0.90±0.27±0.20. These channels are of interest to study the mechanisms behind hadronic B decays, and open new possibilities for CP violation analyses with larger data sets.

6-micron interaction length electro-optic modulation based on lithium niobate photonic crystal cavity

We report on electro-optic modulation using a Lithium Niobate (LN) Photonic Crystal (PC) cavity structure. The compact device (6 μm in length) consists of a 2D photonic crystal cavity made on an Annealed Proton Exchange (APE) LN waveguide with vertical deposited electrodes. Experimental results show a tunability of 0.6 nm/V. This compact design opens a way towards micro and nano-scale tunable photonic devices with low driving electrical power.

The association of plasma free amino acids with liver enzymes in Type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

Elevated γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) could predict the risk of Type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the reason for their elevation was unclear. GGT and ALT mediated the metabolism of many amino acids (AA). Up to now, it was not investigated whether abnormal AA concentration was associated with elevated liver enzymes.

AIM

This study was to investigate the status of AA in T2D and their relationship with liver enzymes.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 132 T2D patients and 137 healthy controls were recruited. Plasma free AA were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The contribution of individual AA to liver enzymes was assessed by stepwise linear regression.

RESULTS

a) The levels of alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine, glutamate, and lysine were higher while the level of glycine was lower in T2D than in controls (all p<0.01). b) Glutamate contributed to GGT in T2D, and its contribution was even greater than that of waist circumference. Leucine, lysine, and glutamate contributed to ALT.

CONCLUSION

There were significant differences in plasma AA profile between T2D and controls. Abnormal AA might contribute to elevated liver enzymes. The interaction between AA, liver enzymes, and the risk of T2D should be further investigated by prospective studies.

Measurement of relative branching fractions of B decays to ψ(2S) and J/ψ mesons

The relative rates of B-meson decays into J/ψ and ψ(2S) mesons are measured for the three decay modes in pp collisions recorded with the LHCb detector. The ratios of branching fractions ([Formula: see text]) are measured to be [Formula: see text] where the third uncertainty is from the ratio of the ψ(2S) and J/ψ branching fractions to μ⁺μ^-.

Measurement of ψ(2S) meson production in pp collisions at [Formula: see text]

The differential cross-section for the inclusive production of ψ(2S) mesons in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] has been measured with the LHCb detector. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb^-1. The ψ(2S) mesons are reconstructed in the decay channels ψ(2S)→μ⁺μ^- and ψ(2S)→J/ψπ⁺π^-, with the J/ψ meson decaying into two muons. Results are presented both for promptly produced ψ(2S) mesons and for those originating from b-hadron decays. In the kinematic range p_T(ψ(2S))≤16 GeV/c and 2<y(ψ(2S))≤4.5 we measure [Formula: see text] where the last uncertainty on the prompt cross-section is due to the unknown ψ(2S) polarization. Recent QCD calculations are found to be in good agreement with our measurements. Combining the present result with the LHCb J/ψ measurements we determine the inclusive branching fraction [Formula: see text] where the last uncertainty is due to the [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] branching fraction uncertainties.

Ipilimumab in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line therapy in extensive-disease-small-cell lung cancer: results from a randomized, double-blind, multicenter phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody, demonstrated survival benefit in melanoma with immune-related (ir) adverse events (irAEs) managed by the protocol-defined guidelines. This phase 2 study evaluated ipilimumab+paclitaxel (Taxol)/carboplatin in extensive-disease-small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC).

DESIGN

Patients (n=130) with chemotherapy-naïve ED-SCLC were randomized 1: 1: 1 to receive paclitaxel (175 mg/m2)/carboplatin (area under the curve=6) with either placebo (control) or ipilimumab 10 mg/kg in two alternative regimens, concurrent ipilimumab (ipilimumab+paclitaxel/carboplatin followed by placebo+paclitaxel/carboplatin) or phased ipilimumab (placebo+paclitaxel/carboplatin followed by ipilimumab+paclitaxel/carboplatin). Treatment was administered every 3 weeks for a maximum of 18 weeks (induction), followed by maintenance ipilimumab or placebo every 12 weeks. End points included progression-free survival (PFS), irPFS, best overall response rate (BORR); irBORR, overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

Phased ipilimumab, but not concurrent ipilimumab, improved irPFS versus control [HR (hazard ratio)=0.64; P=0.03]. No improvement in PFS (HR=0.93; P=0.37) or OS (HR=0.75; P=0.13) occurred. Phased ipilimumab, concurrent ipilimumab and control, respectively, were associated with median irPFS of 6.4, 5.7 and 5.3 months; median PFS of 5.2, 3.9 and 5.2 months; median OS of 12.9, 9.1 and 9.9 months. Overall rates of grade 3/4 irAEs were 17, 21 and 9% for phased ipilimumab, concurrent ipilimumab and control, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest further investigation of ipilimumab in ED-SCLC.

T cells producing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 regulate allergen-specific Th2 responses in human airways

BACKGROUND

Murine models suggest a critical functional role for the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in local regulation of allergic airways inflammation. There is little corresponding information on human airway cells. This study aimed to investigate whether local IL-10 production regulates responses by respiratory mucosal leucocytes isolated from nasal polyps.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nasal polyp tissue was harvested from 24 patients sensitised to aeroallergens with chronic rhinitis and polyposis undergoing routine polypectomy. Cells were isolated by matrix proteolysis. Cytokine production by polyp cells was determined by cytometric bead array (CBA) and intracellular cytokine analysis. Surface marker expression by polyp cells was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Allergen stimulation significantly enhanced production of IL-10, but not IL-5 or IFN-γ by nasal polyp cell suspensions. Under the same conditions, neutralisation of IL-10 significantly increased allergen-specific IL-5 and IFN-γ production by nasal polyp cells. Cell depletion experiments showed that T cells themselves were primarily responsible for IL-10 production or for inducing its production by other cells. Intracellular cytokine staining confirmed production of IL-10 in the absence of IL-2 production by T cells in response to allergen.

CONCLUSION

T cells within the human respiratory mucosa produce IL-10, which is capable of inhibiting pro-inflammatory Th2 and Th1 cytokine production in an antigen-specific fashion.