Characterization of angiotensin-converting enzyme expression during epidermis morphogenesis in humans: a potential marker for epidermal stem cells

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence has revealed that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) participates in cutaneous wound healing and contributes to the pathophysiological process of some skin diseases. However, little is known about the role of ACE in epidermis morphogenesis during development.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the expression pattern of ACE during embryonic development of human skin.

METHODS

Skin samples were obtained from aborted fetuses at different gestational ages and from healthy individuals. Localization of ACE, together with beta(1)-integrin, keratin 19 (K19) and p63 was examined by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

In human fetal skin, at 11-13 weeks of gestation, ACE-positive cells were observed in the primitive epidermis. As the fetuses developed, ACE-positive cells appeared in all the epidermal layers. From 21 weeks of gestation, ACE expression was largely restricted to the basal layer of the fetal epidermis. In contrast, ACE-positive cells were found only in the adult skin basal layer which harbours epidermal stem cells. To explore the possible link between ACE and epidermal stem cells, we further examined the expression of beta(1)-integrin, K19 and p63, the putative markers for epidermal stem cells. Consistent with the results of ACE expression, from 21 weeks of gestation, the expression of beta(1)-integrin, K19 and p63 was mainly confined to the basal layer. Immunofluorescent double labelling revealed that ACE-positive cells substantially overlapped with beta(1)-integrin-, K19- and p63-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that ACE may play a role in human epidermis morphogenesis during fetal life and serve as an unrecognized marker for keratinocyte progenitor cells.

Exclusive branching-fraction measurements of semileptonic tau decays into three charged hadrons, into phipi(-)nu tau, and into phi K(-)nu tau

Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 342 fb(-1) collected with the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II electron-positron storage ring operating at a center-of-mass energy near 10.58 GeV, we measure B(tau(-)--> pi(-)pi(-)pi+nu(tau)(ex.K(S0))=(8.83+/-0.01+/-0.13)%, B(tau(-) -->K(-)pi(-)pi+nu tau(ex.K(S0))=(0.273+/-0.002+/-0.009)%, B(tau(-) -->K(-)pi(-)K+nu tau)=(0.1346+/-0.0010+/-0.0036)%, and B(tau(-) -->K(-)K(-)K+nu tau)=(1.58+/-0.13+/-0.12)x10;{-5}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. These include significant improvements over previous measurements and a first measurement of B(tau(-) -->K(-)K(-)K+nu tau) in which no resonance structure is assumed. We also report a first measurement of B(tau(-) -->var phi(-)nu tau)=(3.42+/-0.55+/-0.25)x10(-5), a new measurement of B(tau(-) -->var phi K(-)nu tau)=(3.39+/-0.20+/-0.28)x10(-5) and a first upper limit on B(tau(-) -->K(-)K(-)K+nu tau(ex.var phi)).

Association of polymorphisms of human leucocyte antigen-DQA1 and DQB1 alleles with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese

To investigate whether human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II DQA1 and DQB1 gene polymorphisms are associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and development of HBV-related liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we detected the DQA1 and DQB1 allele polymorphisms in 168 HBV carriers (including 48 chronic hepatitis B, 42 LC and 78 HCC patients) and 100 controls who had recovered from HBV infection by using polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). Our data suggest that DQA1*0102 and DQA1*0104 were associated with protection from chronic HBV infection (P(c) = 0.003) and development of LC (P(c) = 0.001), respectively, whereas DQB1*0201 conferred susceptible effect on chronic HBV infection (P(c) = 0.008). We also found that DQA1*0601, DQB1*0601 and DQA1*0201 showed some susceptible effect on chronic HBV infection and LC, respectively, however, these associations were no longer significant after Bonferroni correction (P(c) = 0.390, P(c) = 0.475 and P(c) = 0.140, respectively). No significant association has been found between DQA1 and DQB1 alleles and development of HCC. These results indicate that different subtypes of HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 are associated with development of chronic HBV infection and LC, respectively, in Han Chinese population.

Diabetes-related parameters and periodontal conditions in children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The relationship between diabetes and periodontal diseases is well established. Our aim in this study was to explore the diabetes-related parameters that are associated with accelerated periodontal destruction in diabetic youth.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three-hundred and fifty 6-18-year-old children with diabetes received a periodontal examination. Data on important diabetes-related variables were collected. Analyses were performed using logistic regression, with gingival/periodontal disease as the dependent variable, for the whole cohort and separately for two subgroups (6-11 and 12-18 years of age).

RESULTS

Regression analyses, adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, frequency of prior dental visits, dental plaque, and dental examiner, revealed a strong positive association between mean hemoglobin A1c over the 2 years prior to inclusion in the study and periodontitis (odds ratio = 1.31, p = 0.030). This association approached significance in the younger subgroup (odds ratio = 1.56, p = 0.052, n = 183). There was no significant relationship between diabetes duration or body mass index-for-age and measures of gingival/periodontal disease in this cohort.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that accelerated periodontal destruction in young people with diabetes is related to the level of metabolic control. Good metabolic control may be important in addressing periodontal complications in young patients with diabetes, similarly to what is well established for other systemic complications of this disease.

Killing time: Treatment delay and breast cancer survival

6589

Introduction: Treatment delay is commonly associated with reduced breast cancer survival. Inadequate or delayed follow-up for positive findings is the most common reason for breast cancer-related litigation in the U.S. The United Kingdom has made improvements in the delivery of breast cancer services a priority for resources with the aim of reducing delays. Yet, the evidence for the association of delay and breast cancer survival is mixed. Most studies rely on small, non-representative cohorts, treatment approaches have changed over the time since the the most widely-cited review. Studies cite wide variations in delay, and some research is subject to publication or lead time bias. Aims. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of 3-month breast cancer treatment delay on survival using a large, longitudinal, population-based dataset to provide more definitive findings. Methods: Subjects were 43,359 female Medicare enrollees age 65 and older who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1992 and 1999 and identified by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program for whom treatment delay information could be obtained. Billing claims from inpatient, outpatient and provider visits were used. Mortality from breast cancer was assessed through SEER linkage with death certificates. Using propensity scores to balance the comparison groups, the association between treatment delays of three months or more and cancer survival time were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models with gamma frailty to account for the clustering effect due to census tract. To account for known predictors of breast cancer survival, in addition to the propensity scores, we adjusted for cancer stage, comorbidity, marital status, tumor characteristics, location, detection by screening or diagnostic mammography, and the average number of health provider visits during the study period. Results: Subjects who had over a three month delay in receiving any treatment had a 34% increased risk of breast cancer death by comparison to women with delays less than three months (adjusted Hazard ratio 1.34, 1.01–1.77). Discussion: Three-month delays in accessing breast cancer treatment have a clear relationship to survival. Rapid access to treatment is recommended for all women with breast cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Evidence of a broad structure at an invariant mass of 4.32 GeV/c2 in the reaction e+e- --> pi+pi-psi(2S) measured at BABAR

We present a measurement of the cross section of the process e(+)e(-)-->pi(+)pi(-)psi(2S) from threshold up to 8 GeV center-of-mass energy using events containing initial-state radiation, produced at the SLAC PEP-II e(+)e(-) storage rings. The study is based on 298 fb(-1) of data recorded with the BABAR detector. A structure is observed in the cross section not far above threshold, near 4.32 GeV. We also investigate the compatibility of this structure with the Y(4260) previously reported by this experiment.

Measurement of branching fractions and mass spectra of B-->Kpipigamma

We present a measurement of the partial branching fractions and mass spectra of the exclusive radiative penguin processes B-->Kpipigamma in the range m(Kpipi)<1.8 GeV/c(2). We reconstruct four final states: K(+)pi(-)pi(+)gamma, K(+)pi(-)pi(0)gamma, K(S)(0)pi(-)pi(+)gamma, and K(S)(0)pi(+)pi(0)gamma, where K(S)(0)-->pi(+)pi(-). Using 232 x 10(6) e(+)e(-)-->BB events recorded by the BABAR experiment at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric-energy storage ring, we measure the branching fractions B(B(+)-->K(+)pi(-)pi(+)gamma)=[2.95+/-0.13(stat)+/-0.20(syst)] x 10(-5), B(B(0)-->K(+)pi(-)pi(0)gamma)=[4.07+/-0.22(stat)+/-0.31(syst)] x 10(-5), B(B(0)-->K(0)pi(+)pi(-)gamma)=[1.85+/-0.21(stat)+/-0.12(syst)] x 10(-5), and B(B(+)-->K(0)pi(+)pi(0)gamma)=[4.56+/-0.42(stat)+/-0.31(syst)] x 10(-5).

Comparative analysis of whole saliva proteomes for the screening of biomarkers for oral lichen planus

OBJECTIVE

To screen possible biomarkers in whole saliva from oral lichen planus (OLP) patients by proteomic techniques.

METHODS

Two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry were applied to whole saliva of OLP patients and controls, and the differential protein components were analyzed with peptide mass fingerprinting and database searching.

RESULTS

A total of 31 protein spots representing 14 proteins with at least two-fold difference in abundance between OLP and controls were identified. Among these, the expression of urinary prokallikrein was increased while short palate, lung and nasal epithelium carcinoma associated protein (PLUNC) was decreased in all samples of OLP.

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary prokallikrein and PLUNC may be the new biomarkers which play a role in inflammation and immune response of OLP.

Measurement of the pseudoscalar decay constant fDs using charm-tagged events in e+e- collisions at square root s=10.58 GeV

Using 230.2 fb-1 of e+e- annihilation data collected with the BABAR detector at and near the peak of the Upsilon(4S) resonance, 489+/-55 events containing the pure leptonic decay Ds+-->micro;+numicro have been isolated in charm-tagged events. The ratio of partial widths Gamma(D+-->micro+numicro)/Gamma(Ds+-->phipi+) is measured to be 0.143+/-0.018+/-0.006 allowing a determination of the pseudoscalar decay constant fDs=(283+/-17+/-7+/-14) MeV. The errors are statistical, systematic, and from the Ds+-->phipi+ branching ratio, respectively.

Observation of decays B0-->Ds(*)+ pi- and B0-->Ds(*)- K+

We report the observation of decays B{0}-->D{s}{(*)+}pi- and B{0}-->D{s}{(*)-}K+ in a sample of 230 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB[over] events recorded with the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric-energy e+ e- storage ring. We measure the branching fractions B(B{0}-->D{s}{+}pi-)=(1.3+/-0.3(stat)+/-0.2(syst))x10(-5), B(B{0}-->D{s}{-} K+)=(2.5+/-0.4(stat)+/-0.4(syst))x10(-5), B(B{0}-->D{s}{*+}pi-)=(2.8+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.5(syst))x10(-5), and B(B{0}-->D{s}{*-}K+)=(2.0+/-0.5(stat)+/-0.4(syst))x10(-5). The significances of the measurements to differ from zero are 5, 9, 6, and 5 standard deviations, respectively. This is the first observation of B{0}-->D{s}{+}pi-, B{0}-->D{s}{*+}pi-, and B{0}-->D{s}{*-}K+ decays.

High-resolution myocardial perfusion imaging at 3 T: comparison to 1.5 T in healthy volunteers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate high-resolution (HR) myocardial first-pass perfusion in healthy volunteers at 3 T compared to a typical clinical imaging protocol at 1.5 T, with respect to overall image quality and the presence of subendocardial dark rim artifacts. Myocardial first-pass rest perfusion studies were performed at both field strengths using a T1-weighted saturation-recovery segmented k-space gradient-echo sequence combined with parallel imaging (Gd-DTPA 0.05 mmol/kg). Twenty-six healthy volunteers underwent (1) a HR perfusion scan at 3 T(pixel size 3.78 mm(2)) and (2) a standard perfusion approach at 1.5 T(pixel size 9.86 mm(2)). The contrast enhancement ratio (CER) and overall image quality (4-point grading scale: 4: excellent; 1: non-diagnostic) were assessed, and a semiquantitative analysis of dark rim artifacts was performed for all studies. CER was slightly higher (1.31 +/- 0.32 vs. 1.14 +/- 0.34; p<0.01), overall image quality was significantly improved (3.03 +/- 0.43 vs. 2.37 +/- 0.39; p<0.01), and the number of dark rim artifacts (139 +/- 2.09 vs. 243 +/- 2.33; p<0.01) was significantly reduced for HR perfusion imaging at 3 T compared to the standard approach at 1.5 T. HR myocardial rest perfusion at 3 T is superior to the typical clinical perfusion protocol performed at 1.5 T with respect to the overall image quality and presence of subendocardial dark rim artifacts.

Search for lepton flavor violating decays tau(+/-) --> l(+/-)pi0, l(+/-)eta, l(+/-)eta'

A search for lepton flavor violating decays of the tau lepton to a lighter mass lepton and a pseudoscalar meson has been performed using 339 fb;{-1} of e;{+}e;{-} annihilation data collected at a center-of-mass energy near 10.58 GeV by the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II storage ring. No evidence of a signal has been found, and upper limits on the branching fractions are set at the 10;{-7} level.

Vector-tensor and vector-vector decay amplitude analysis of B0-->phiK*0

We perform an amplitude analysis of the decays B(0)-->phiK*(2)(1430)(0), phiK*(892)(0), and phi(Kpi)(0)(S-wave) with a sample of about 384x10(6) BB[over ] pairs recorded with the BABAR detector. The fractions of longitudinal polarization f(L) of the vector-tensor and vector-vector decay modes are measured to be 0.853(-0.069+0.061)+/-0.036 and 0.506+/-0.040+/-0.015, respectively. Overall, twelve parameters are measured for the vector-vector decay and seven parameters for the vector-tensor decay, including the branching fractions and parameters sensitive to CP violation.

Measurement of the CP asymmetry and branching fraction of B0-->rho0K0

We present a measurement of the branching fraction and time-dependent CP asymmetry of B(0)-->rho0K0. The results are obtained from a data sample of 227x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. From a time-dependent maximum likelihood fit yielding 111+/-19 signal events, we find B(B(0)-->rho0K0)=(4.9+/-0.8+/-0.9)x10(-6), where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. We report the measurement of the CP parameters S(rho)(0)K(0)S=0.20+/-0.52+/-0.24 and C(rho)(0)K(0)S=0.64+/-0.41+/-0.20.

Observation of B-->eta'K* and evidence for B+-->eta'rho+

We present an observation of B-->eta'K*. The data sample corresponds to 232x10(6) BB[over ] pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. We measure the branching fractions (in units of 10(-6)) B(B(0)-->eta'K*0)=3.8+/-1.1+/-0.5 and B(B+-->eta'K*+)=4.9(1.7)(+1.9)+/-0.8, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. A simultaneous fit results in the observation of B-->eta'K* with B(B-->eta'K*)=4.1(-0.9)(+1.0)+/-0.5. We also search for B-->eta'rho and eta'f(0)(980)(f(0)-->pi+pi-) with results and 90% confidence level upper limits B(B+-->eta'rho+)=8.7(-2.8-1.3)(+3.1+2.3) (<14), B(B(0)-->eta'rho0)<3.7, and B(B(0)-->eta'f(0)(980)(f(0)-->pi+pi-))<1.5. Charge asymmetries in the channels with significant yields are consistent with zero.

Observation of CP violation in B --> eta'K0 decays

We present measurements of the time-dependent CP-violation parameters S and C in B(0) --> eta(')K(0) decays. The data sample corresponds to 384 x 10(6) BB pairs produced by e(+)e(-) annihilation at the Upsilon(4S). The results are S=0.58+/-0.10+/-0.03 and C=-0.16+/-0.07+/-0.03. We observe mixing-induced CP violation with a significance of 5.5 standard deviations in this b --> s penguin dominated mode.

Observation of a Charmed Baryon Decaying to D;{0}p at a Mass Near 2.94 GeV/c;{2}

A search for charmed baryons decaying to D(0)p reveals two states: the Lambdac(2880)+ baryon and a previously unobserved state at a mass of [2939.8+/-1.3(stat)+/-1.0(syst)] MeV/c2 and with an intrinsic width of [17.5+/-5.2(stat)+/-5.9(syst)] MeV. Consistent and significant signals are observed for the K(-)pi(+) and K(-)pi(+)pi(-)pi(+) decay modes of the D0 in 287 fb(-1) annihilation data recorded by the BABAR detector at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV. There is no evidence in the D+p spectrum of doubly charged partners. The mass and intrinsic width of the Lambdac(2880)+ baryon and relative yield of the two baryons are also measured.

Measurements of branching fraction, polarization, and charge asymmetry of B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)rho(0) and a search for B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)f(0)(980)

We measure the branching fraction (B), polarization (f(L)), and CP asymmetry (A(CP)) of B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)rho(0) decays and search for the decay B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)f(0)(980) based on a data sample of 231.8 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory. In B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)rho(0) decays we measure B=(16.8+/-2.2+/-2.3) x 10(-), f(L)=0.905+/-0.042(-0.027)(+0.023), and A(CP)=-0.12+/-0.13+/-0.10, and find an upper limit on the branching fraction of B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)f(0)(980)(-->pi(+)pi(-)) decays of 1.9 x 10(-6) at 90% confidence level.

Observation of B(+)-->phiphiK(+) and evidence for B(0)-->phiphiK(0) below eta(c) threshold

We report measurements of the decays B(+)-->phiphiK(+) and B(0)-->phiphiK(0) using a sample of 231 x 10(6) BB pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The branching fractions are measured to be B(B(+)-->phiphiK(+))=(7.5+/-1.0(stat)+/-0.7(syst)) x 10(-6) and B(B(0)-->phiphiK(0))=(4.1(-1.4)(+1.7)(stat)+/-0.4(syst)) x 10(-6) for a phiphi invariant mass below 2.85 GeV/c(2).

Observation of an excited charm baryon Omega c* decaying to Omega c0gamma

We report the first observation of an excited singly charmed baryon Omega c* (css) in the radiative decay Omega c0gamma, where the Omega c0 baryon is reconstructed in the decays to the final states Omega(-)pi+, Omega(-)pi+pi0, Omega(-)pi+pi(-)pi+, and Xi(-)K(-)pi+pi+. This analysis is performed using a data set of 230.7 fb(-1) collected by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The mass difference between the Omega c* and the Omega c0 baryons is measured to be 70.8+/-1.0(stat)+/-1.1(syst) MeV/c2. We also measure the ratio of inclusive production cross sections of Omega c* and Omega c0 in e+e(-) annihilation.

Search for D0-D0 mixing and branching-ratio measurement in the decay D0-->K+ pi- pi0

We analyze 230.4 fb;{-1} of data collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II e;{+}e;{-} collider at SLAC to search for evidence of D0-D[over ];{0} mixing using regions of phase space in the decay D;{0}-->K;{+}pi;{-}pi;{0}. We measure the time-integrated mixing rate R_{M}=(0.023_{-0.014};{+0.018}(stat.)+/-0.004(syst.))%, and R_{M}<0.054% at the 95% confidence level, assuming CP invariance. The data are consistent with no mixing at the 4.5% confidence level. We also measure the branching ratio for D;{0}-->K;{+}pi;{-}pi;{0} relative to D;{0}-->K;{-}pi;{+}pi;{0} to be (0.214+/-0.008(stat.)+/-0.008(syst.))%.

Observation of a new Ds meson decaying to DK at a mass of 2.86 GeV/c2

We observe a new D_{s} meson with mass (2856.6+/-1.5_{stat}+/-5.0_{syst}) MeV/c;{2} and width (48+/-7_{stat}+/-10_{syst}) MeV/c;{2} decaying into D0K+ and D;{+}K_{S};{0}. In the same mass distributions, we also observe a broad structure with mass (2688+/-4_{stat}+/-3_{syst}) MeV/c;{2} and width (112+/-7_{stat}+/-36_{syst}) MeV/c;{2}. To obtain this result, we use 240 fb;{-1} of data recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e;{+}e;{-} storage rings at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center running at center-of-mass energies near 10.6 GeV.