Measurement of B --> K*gamma branching fractions and charge asymmetries

The branching fractions of the exclusive decays B0-->K(*0)gamma and B+-->K(*+)gamma are measured from a sample of (22.74+/-0.36)x10(6) BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. We find B (B0-->K(*0)gamma) = [4.23+/-0.40(stat)+/-0.22(syst)]x10(-5), B(B+-->K(*+)gamma) = [3.83+/-0.62(stat)+/-0.22(syst)]x10(-5) and constrain the CP-violating charge asymmetry to be -0.170<A(CP)(B-->K(*)gamma)<0.082 at 90% C.L.

Search for the decay B0-->gammagamma

We present a limit on the branching fraction for the decay B0-->gammagamma using data collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric energy e+e- collider. Based on the observation of one event in the signal region, out of a sample of 21.3x10(6) e+e--->Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays, we establish an upper limit on the branching fraction of B(B0-->gammagamma)<1.7x10(-6) at the 90% confidence level. This result substantially improves upon existing limits.

Measurement of the B--> J/psiK*(892) decay amplitudes

We present a measurement of the decay amplitudes in B-->J/psiK*(892) channels using 20.7 fb(-1) of data collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at PEP-II. We measure a P-wave fraction R(perpendicular) = (16.0 +/- 3.2 +/- 1.4)% and a longitudinal polarization fraction (59.7 +/- 2.8 +/- 2.4)%. The measurement of a relative phase that is neither 0 nor pi, phi = 2.50 +/- 0.20 +/-0.08 radians, favors a departure from the factorization hypothesis. Although the decay B-->/psiK(pi) proceeds mainly via K*(892), there is also evidence for K2*(1430) and K(pi) S-wave contributions.

Carbon allocation to volatiles and other reproductive components in male Ficus carica (Moraceae)

Volatile compounds are often mediators of plant-pollinator interactions. Their emission is presumed to be costly, but this cost has seldom been quantified. Figs of Ficus carica (a dioecious species) release volatile compounds when receptive, thus attracting the agaonid wasp Blastophaga psenes. In dioecious fig species, wasps lay eggs inside male figs and pollinate female ones. For a male tree, we estimated carbon allocation to reproduction using the annual growth module (AGM) as the unit of measurement. Over the growing season, leaf and fig carbon exchange and construction costs were measured, as well as carbon investment in stamens, provisioning pollinators, and biosynthesis and release of volatile compounds. Representativity of the tree studied was evaluated by measuring some of these parameters on seven other male fig trees. The results show that 7.6-16.4% of the carbon assimilated by leaves and figs was invested in reproduction. Of the carbon invested in reproduction, pollinator attraction and feeding represented only 0.08-0.12% and 1.84-2.33%, respectively, while pollinator sheltering (fig construction and respiration) represented 97.6-98.0%. In this strict and coevolved plant-pollinator association, the main male reproductive investment was thus in the structures sheltering the associated pollinators.

Lack of emergence of cytomegalovirus UL97 mutations conferring ganciclovir (GCV) resistance following preemptive GCV therapy in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients

Fifty allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients were enrolled in a prospective cytomegalovirus pp65 antigenemia-guided preemptive therapy trial. Among these, 10 of 34 patients who received ganciclovir exhibited sustained and/or recurrent antigenemia despite treatment. Thirteen leukocyte preparations from these 10 subjects were screened for the presence of the most frequent cytomegalovirus UL97 mutations conferring ganciclovir resistance. None of these mutations were detected after mean and median ganciclovir exposures of 31.6 and 28.0 days, respectively.

Measurements of the branching fractions of exclusive charmless B meson decays with eta(') or omega mesons

We present the results of searches for B decays to charmless two-body final states containing eta(') or omega mesons, based on 20.7 fb(-1) of data collected with the BABAR detector. We find the branching fractions Beta(B(+)-->eta(')K(+)) = (70+/-8+/-5) x 10(-6), Beta(B(0)-->eta(')K(0)) = (42(+13)(-11) +/- 4) x 10(-6), and Beta(B(+)-->omega pi(+)) = (6.6(+2.1)(-1.8) +/- 0.7) x 10(-6), where the first error quoted is statistical and the second is systematic. We give measurements of four additional modes for which the 90% confidence level upper limits are Beta(B(+)-->eta(')pi(+)) < 12 x 10(-6), Beta(B(+)-->omega K(+)) < 4 x 10(-6), Beta(B(0)-->omega K(0)) < 13 x 10(-6), and Beta(B(0)-->omega pi(0)) < 3 x 10(-6).

Measurement of the B(0) and B(+) meson lifetimes with fully reconstructed hadronic final states

The B(0) and B(+) meson lifetimes have been measured in e(+)e(-) annihilation data collected in 1999 and 2000 with the BABAR detector at center-of-mass energies near the Upsilon(4S) resonance. Events are selected in which one B meson is fully reconstructed in a hadronic final state while the second B meson is reconstructed inclusively. A combined fit to the B(0) and the B(+) decay time difference distributions yields tau(B(0)) = 1.546+/-0.032(stat)+/-0.022(syst) ps, tau(B(+)) = 1.673+/-0.032(stat)+/-0.023(syst) ps, and tau(B(+))/tau(B(0)) = 1.082+/-0.026(stat)+/-0.012(syst).

Allogeneic transplantation for multiple myeloma: further evidence for a GVHD-associated graft-versus-myeloma effect

We report a series of 37 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who received an allograft between 1990 and 2000 at our institution. Median age was 47 years, and nearly 70% of patients were Durie-Salmon stage III. A median of five cycles of chemotherapy were given before transplant, with a median interval between diagnosis and transplant of 9.3 months. We report a nonrelapse mortality rate of 22% with a median follow-up period of 40 months, whereas complete remission (CR) rate at 12 months is estimated at 57%. Treatment failure rate and overall survival at 40 months are estimated at 52% and 32%, respectively. The number of chemotherapy cycles prior to allotransplantation achieved borderline statistical significance as a poor prognosis factor for overall survival (P = 0.05), while the presence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) was significantly correlated with CR achievement (P = 0.036). Our study confirms that early allografting in MM can yield toxicity rates significantly lower than those associated with historical cohorts, and supports the hypothesis that cumulative chemotoxicity has a negative influence on mortality and survival rates. More importantly, our study clearly demonstrates an association between cGVHD and CR and brings further evidence in favor of a graft-versus-myeloma effect.

Measurement of J/psi production in continuum e(+)e(-) annihilations near square root of s = 10.6 GeV

The production of J/psi mesons in continuum e(+)e(-) annihilations has been studied with the BABAR detector at energies near the Upsilon(4S) resonance. The mesons are distinguished from J/psi production in B decays through their center-of-mass momentum and energy. We measure the cross section e(+)e(-)-->J/psi X to be 2.52+/-0.21+/-0.21 pb. We set a 90% C.L. upper limit on the branching fraction for direct Upsilon(4S)-->J/psi X decays at 4.7 x 10(-4).

Measurement of the decays B--> phiK and B--> phiK*

We have observed the decays B--> phiK and phiK(*) in a sample of over 45 million B mesons collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II collider. The measured branching fractions are B(B+--> phiK+) = (7.7(+1.6)(-1.4)+/-0.8)x10(-6), B(B0--> phiK0) = (8.1(+3.1)(-2.5)+/-0.8)x10(-6), B(B+--> phiK(*+)) = (9.7(+4.2)(-3.4)+/-1.7)x10(-6), and B(B0--> phiK(*0)) = (8.7(+2.5)(-2.1)+/-1.1)x10(-6). We also report the upper limit B(B+--> phipi(+))<1.4x10(-6) ( 90% C.L.).

Measurement of branching fractions and search for CP-violating charge asymmetries in charmless two-body B decays into pions and kaons

We present measurements, based on a sample of approximately 23x10(6) BB pairs, of the branching fractions and a search for CP-violating charge asymmetries in charmless hadronic decays of B mesons into two-body final states of kaons and pions. We find the branching fractions B(B0-->pi(+)pi(-)) = (4.1+/-1.0+/-0.7)x10(-6), B(B0-->K+pi(-)) = (16.7+/-1.6+/-1.3)x10(-6), B(B+-->K+pi(0)) = (10.8(+2.1)(-1.9)+/-1.0)x10(-6), B(B+-->K0pi(+)) = (18.2(+3.3)(-3.0)+/-2.0)x10(-6), B(B0-->K0pi(0)) = (8.2(+3.1)(-2.7)+/-1.2)x10(-6). We also report 90% confidence level upper limits for B meson decays to the pi(+)pi(0), K+K-, and K0K+ final states. In addition, charge asymmetries have been found to be consistent with zero, where the statistical precision is in the range of +/-0.10 to +/-0.18, depending on the decay mode.

Cultural requirements for in vitro seed germination, protocorm growth and seedling development of Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr

Effects of different nutrient solutions, organic supplements and plant growth regulators on in vitro seed germination and protocorm development of Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr. were studied. Seed germination was very high (up to 96%) in all the basal media, with Knudson's C and half-strength Murashige & Skoog being slightly more productive than Vacin & Went. Application of organic supplements and NAA had little effect on germination, but BAP proved inhibitory. After germination, protocorms exhibited a clear preference for peptone and NAA for much faster growth, while BAP resulted in stunted growth. Beside normal development, disorganisation of protocorms, followed by callusing occurred in presence of peptone and NAA. The calli were compact with limited growth and frequently regenerated protocorm like bodies. Development of seedlings was preceded by an intermediary rhizome phase. Growth of rhizomes was slow in the plant growth regulator free medium and about 15 months of culture was required for seedling formation. However, it was possible to hasten the process by 8-10 months with the employment of NAA, which also enhanced the number of seedlings per protocorm through axillary branching. Combined application of high BAP and low NAA was also useful for high rate of seedling formation.

Observation of CP violation in the B(0) meson system

We present an updated measurement of time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in neutral B decays with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B Factory at SLAC. This result uses an additional sample of Upsilon(4S) decays collected in 2001, bringing the data available to 32 x 10(6) BB macro pairs. We select events in which one neutral B meson is fully reconstructed in a final state containing charmonium and the flavor of the other neutral B meson is determined from its decay products. The amplitude of the CP-violating asymmetry, which in the standard model is proportional to sin2 beta, is derived from the decay time distributions in such events. The result sin2 beta = 0.59+/-0.14(stat)+/-0.05(syst) establishes CP violation in the B(0) meson system. We also determine absolute value of lambda = 0.93+/-0.09(stat)+/-0.03(syst), consistent with no direct CP violation.

Negative inotropic and chronotropic effects of oxytocin

We have previously shown that oxytocin receptors are present in the heart and that perfusion of isolated rat hearts with oxytocin results in decreased cardiac flow rate and bradycardia. The mechanisms involved in the negative inotropic and chronotropic effects of oxytocin were investigated in isolated dog right atria in the absence of central mechanisms. Perfusion of atria through the sinus node artery with 10(-6) mol/L oxytocin over 5 minutes (8 mL/min) significantly decreased both beating rate (-14.7+/-4.9% of basal levels, n=5, P<0.004) and force of contraction (-52.4+/-9.1% of basal levels, n=5, P<0.001). Co-perfusion with 10(-6) mol/L oxytocin receptor antagonist (n=3) completely inhibited the effects of oxytocin on frequency (P<0.04) and force of contraction (P<0.004), indicating receptor specificity. The effects of oxytocin were also totally inhibited by co-perfusion with 5x10(-8) mol/L tetrodotoxin (P<0.02) or 10(-6) mol/L atropine (P<0.03) but not by 10(-6) mol/L hexamethonium, which implies that these effects are neurally mediated, primarily by intrinsic parasympathetic postganglionic neurons. Co-perfusion with 10(-6) mol/L NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) significantly inhibited oxytocin effects on both beating rate (-1.85+/-1.27% versus -14.7+/-4.9% in oxytocin alone, P<0.05) and force of contraction (-24.9+/-4.4% versus -52.4+/-9.1% in oxytocin alone, n=4, P<0.04). The effect of oxytocin on contractility was further inhibited by L-NAME at 10(-4) mol/L (-8.1+/-1.8%, P<0.01). These studies imply that the negative inotropic and chronotropic effects of oxytocin are mediated by cardiac oxytocin receptors and that intrinsic cardiac cholinergic neurons and NO are involved in these actions.

Bounds on the CP asymmetry in b --> sgamma decays

We have measured the CP asymmetry A(CP) identical with[gamma(b-->sgamma)-gammab-->sgamma)]/[gamma(b-->sgamma)+gamma(b-->sgamma)] to be A(CP) = (-0.079+/-0.108+/-0.022) (1.0+/-0.030), implying that, at 90% confidence level, A(CP) lies between -0.27 and +0.10. These limits rule out some extreme non-standard-model predictions, but are consistent with most, as well as with the standard model.

Study of tau decays to six pions and a neutrino

The tau decays to six-pion final states have been studied with the CLEO detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring. The measured branching fractions are B(tau(-)-->2pi(-)pi(+)3pi(0)nu(tau)) = (2.2+/-0.3+/-0.4)x10(-4) and B(tau(-)-->3pi(-)2pi(+)pi(0)nu(tau)) = (1.7+/-0.2+/-0.2)x10(-4). A search for substructure in these decays shows that they are saturated by intermediate states with eta or omega mesons. We present the first observation of the decay tau(-)-->2pi(-)pi(+)omega(nu)tau and the branching fraction is measured to be (1.2+/-0.2+/-0.1)x10(-4). The measured branching fractions are in good agreement with the isospin expectations but somewhat below the conserved-vector-current predictions.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene expression in human T cells is regulated by phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activity. Involvement of NF-kappaB, Ets, and palindromic interferon-gamma-responsive element-binding sites

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in adhesion phenomena involved in the immune response. The strength of adhesion has been shown to be modulated by changes in ICAM-1 gene expression. In T cells, signaling pathways are intimately regulated by an equilibrium between protein-tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP). The use of bis-peroxovanadium (bpV) compounds, a class of potent PTP inhibitors, enabled us to investigate the involvement of phosphotyrosyl phosphatases in the regulation of ICAM-1 gene expression in human T cells. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that inhibition of PTP results in an increase of ICAM-1 surface expression on both human T lymphoid and primary mononuclear cells. The crucial role played by the NF-kappaB-, Ets-, and pIgammaRE-binding sites in bpV[pic]-mediated activation of ICAM-1 was demonstrated using various 5' deletion and site-specific mutants of the ICAM-1 gene promoter driving the luciferase reporter gene. Co-transfection experiments with trans-dominant mutants and electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed the importance of constitutive and inducible transcription factors that bind to specific responsive elements in bpV-dependent up-regulation of ICAM-1 surface expression. Altogether, these observations suggest that expression of ICAM-1 in human T cells is regulated by phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activity through NF-kappaB-, Ets-, and STAT-1-dependent signaling pathways.

Diclofenac sodium injection sterilized by autoclave and the occurrence of cyclic reaction producing a small amount of impurity

A known impurity is formed in the production of a parenteral dosage form of diclofenac sodium if terminally sterilized by autoclave. This impurity has been detected as 1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl) indolin-2qone, which is also an intermediate from which diclofenac sodium is generally synthesized. It is only the condition of the autoclave method (i.e., 123 +/- 2 degrees C) that enforces the intramolecular cyclic reaction of diclofenac sodium forming the indolinone derivative and sodium hydroxide. The formation of this impurity has been found to depend on the initial pH of the formulation. The reaction follows first-order kinetics, and the energy of activation is 5.34 kcal/mol. The other excipients in the formulation do not have a role in this reaction. The concentration of the impurity in the resultant product in the ampule goes beyond the limit of the raw materials in the pharmacopoeias. It is thus preferable to use an alternative sterilization method; that is, an aseptic filtration method in which the formation of this impurity can be avoided.

Search for B --> tau(nu) and B --> K(nu)nu

We report results of a search for B-->tau(nu) in a sample of 9.7 x 10(6) charged B meson decays. We exclusively reconstruct the companion B decay to suppress background. We set an upper limit on the branching fraction B(B-->tau(nu))<8.4 x 10(-4) at 90% confidence level. We also establish B(B+/--->K+/-nu(nu))<2.4 x 10(-4) at 90% confidence level.