Deficiency of the minor spliceosome component U4atac snRNA secondarily results in ciliary defects in human and zebrafish

In the human genome, about 750 genes contain one intron excised by the minor spliceosome. This spliceosome comprises its own set of snRNAs, among which U4atac. Its noncoding gene, RNU4ATAC, has been found mutated in Taybi-Linder (TALS/microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type 1), Roifman (RFMN), and Lowry-Wood (LWS) syndromes. These rare developmental disorders, whose physiopathological mechanisms remain unsolved, associate ante- and post-natal growth retardation, microcephaly, skeletal dysplasia, intellectual disability, retinal dystrophy, and immunodeficiency. Here, we report bi-allelic RNU4ATAC mutations in five patients presenting with traits suggestive of the Joubert syndrome (JBTS), a well-characterized ciliopathy. These patients also present with traits typical of TALS/RFMN/LWS, thus widening the clinical spectrum of RNU4ATAC-associated disorders and indicating ciliary dysfunction as a mechanism downstream of minor splicing defects. Intriguingly, all five patients carry the n.16G>A mutation, in the Stem II domain, either at the homozygous or compound heterozygous state. A gene ontology term enrichment analysis on minor intron-containing genes reveals that the cilium assembly process is over-represented, with no less than 86 cilium-related genes containing at least one minor intron, among which there are 23 ciliopathy-related genes. The link between RNU4ATAC mutations and ciliopathy traits is supported by alterations of primary cilium function in TALS and JBTS-like patient fibroblasts, as well as by u4atac zebrafish model, which exhibits ciliopathy-related phenotypes and ciliary defects. These phenotypes could be rescued by WT but not by pathogenic variants-carrying human U4atac. Altogether, our data indicate that alteration of cilium biogenesis is part of the physiopathological mechanisms of TALS/RFMN/LWS, secondarily to defects of minor intron splicing.

Mutations in the non-coding RNU4ATAC gene affect the homeostasis and function of the Integrator complex

Various genetic diseases associated with microcephaly and developmental defects are due to pathogenic variants in the U4atac small nuclear RNA (snRNA), a component of the minor spliceosome essential for the removal of U12-type introns from eukaryotic mRNAs. While it has been shown that a few RNU4ATAC mutations result in impaired binding of essential protein components, the molecular defects of the vast majority of variants are still unknown. Here, we used lymphoblastoid cells derived from RNU4ATAC compound heterozygous (g.108_126del;g.111G>A) twin patients with MOPD1 phenotypes to analyze the molecular consequences of the mutations on small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) formation and on splicing. We found that the U4atac108_126del mutant is unstable and that the U4atac111G>A mutant as well as the minor di- and tri-snRNPs are present at reduced levels. Our results also reveal the existence of 3'-extended snRNA transcripts in patients' cells. Moreover, we show that the mutant cells have alterations in splicing of INTS7 and INTS10 minor introns, contain lower levels of the INTS7 and INTS10 proteins and display changes in the assembly of Integrator subunits. Altogether, our results show that compound heterozygous g.108_126del;g.111G>A mutations induce splicing defects and affect the homeostasis and function of the Integrator complex.

New insights into minor splicing-a transcriptomic analysis of cells derived from TALS patients

Minor intron splicing plays a central role in human embryonic development and survival. Indeed, biallelic mutations in RNU4ATAC, transcribed into the minor spliceosomal U4atac snRNA, are responsible for three rare autosomal recessive multimalformation disorders named Taybi-Linder (TALS/MOPD1), Roifman (RFMN), and Lowry-Wood (LWS) syndromes, which associate numerous overlapping signs of varying severity. Although RNA-seq experiments have been conducted on a few RFMN patient cells, none have been performed in TALS, and more generally no in-depth transcriptomic analysis of the ∼700 human genes containing a minor (U12-type) intron had been published as yet. We thus sequenced RNA from cells derived from five skin, three amniotic fluid, and one blood biosamples obtained from seven unrelated TALS cases and from age- and sex-matched controls. This allowed us to describe for the first time the mRNA expression and splicing profile of genes containing U12-type introns, in the context of a functional minor spliceosome. Concerning RNU4ATAC-mutated patients, we show that as expected, they display distinct U12-type intron splicing profiles compared to controls, but that rather unexpectedly mRNA expression levels are mostly unchanged. Furthermore, although U12-type intron missplicing concerns most of the expressed U12 genes, the level of U12-type intron retention is surprisingly low in fibroblasts and amniocytes, and much more pronounced in blood cells. Interestingly, we found several occurrences of introns that can be spliced using either U2, U12, or a combination of both types of splice site consensus sequences, with a shift towards splicing using preferentially U2 sites in TALS patients' cells compared to controls.

Transcriptional Reprogramming of Pea Leaves at Early Reproductive Stages

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important source of dietary proteins. Nutrient recycling from leaves contributes to the accumulation of seed proteins and is a pivotal determinant of protein yields in this grain legume. The aim of this study was to unveil the transcriptional regulations occurring in pea leaves before the sharp decrease in chlorophyll breakdown. As a prelude to this study, a time-series analysis of ¹⁵N translocation at the whole plant level was performed, which indicated that nitrogen recycling among organs was highly dynamic during this period and varied depending on nitrate availability. Leaves collected on vegetative and reproductive nodes were further analyzed by transcriptomics. The data revealed extensive transcriptome changes in leaves of reproductive nodes during early seed development (from flowering to 14 days after flowering), including an up-regulation of genes encoding transporters, and particularly of sulfate that might sustain sulfur metabolism in leaves of the reproductive part. This developmental period was also characterized by a down-regulation of cell wall-associated genes in leaves of both reproductive and vegetative nodes, reflecting a shift in cell wall structure. Later on, 27 days after flowering, genes potentially switching the metabolism of leaves toward senescence were pinpointed, some of which are related to ribosomal RNA processing, autophagy, or transport systems. Transcription factors differentially regulated in leaves between stages were identified and a gene co-expression network pointed out some of them as potential regulators of the above-mentioned biological processes. The same approach was conducted in Medicago truncatula to identify shared regulations with this wild legume species. Altogether the results give a global view of transcriptional events in leaves of legumes at early reproductive stages and provide a valuable resource of candidate genes that could be targeted by reverse genetics to improve nutrient remobilization and/or delay catabolic processes leading to senescence.

The Medical Data Processing System of the Surgical Department, University of Lausanne

This article describes the application of a computer to the control of activities of the surgical department of Cantonal Hospital, Lausanne. Descriptions of the various data forms, the use of the optical reader and the construction of the punchcard files are given. Diagrams and lists illustrate the processing of the data. Experience encountered in implementing the system and the advantages realized from its use are discussed.

CyclinD-CDK4/6 complexes phosphorylate CDC25A and regulate its stability

The phosphatase CDC25A is a key regulator of cell cycle progression by dephosphorylating and activating cyclin-CDK complexes. CDC25A is an unstable protein expressed from G1 until mitosis. CDC25A overexpression, which can be caused by stabilization of the protein, accelerates the G1/S and G2/M transitions, leading to genomic instability and promoting tumorigenesis. Thus, controlling CDC25A protein levels by regulating its stability is a critical mechanism for timing cell cycle progression and to maintain genomic integrity. Herein, we show that CDC25A is phosphorylated on Ser40 throughout the cell cycle and that this phosphorylation is established during the progression from G1 to S phase. We demonstrate that CyclinD-CDK4/CDK6 complexes mediate the phosphorylation of CDC25A on Ser40 during G1 and that these complexes directly phosphorylate this residue in vitro. Importantly, we also find that CyclinD1-CDK4 decreases CDC25A stability in a ßTrCP-dependent manner and that Ser40 and Ser88 phosphorylations contribute to this regulation. Thus our results identify cyclinD-CDK4/6 complexes as novel regulators of CDC25A stability during G1 phase, generating a negative feedback loop allowing control of the G1/S transition.

p27Kip1 represses the Pitx2-mediated expression of p21Cip1 and regulates DNA replication during cell cycle progression

The tumor suppressor p21 regulates cell cycle progression and peaks at mid/late G1. However, the mechanisms regulating its expression during cell cycle are poorly understood. We found that embryonic fibroblasts from p27 null mice at early passages progress slowly through the cell cycle. These cells present an elevated basal expression of p21 suggesting that p27 participates to its repression. Mechanistically, we found that p27 represses the expression of Pitx2 (an activator of p21 expression) by associating with the ASE-regulatory region of this gene together with an E2F4 repressive complex. Furthermore, we found that Pitx2 binds to the p21 promoter and induces its transcription. Finally, silencing Pitx2 or p21 in proliferating cells accelerates DNA replication and cell cycle progression. Collectively, these results demonstrate an unprecedented connection between p27, Pitx2 and p21 relevant for the regulation of cell cycle progression and cancer and for understanding human pathologies associated with p27 germline mutations.

Refining the phenotypical and mutational spectrum of Taybi-Linder syndrome

Taybi-Linder syndrome (TALS, OMIM 210710) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder belonging to the group of microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfisms (MOPD). This syndrome is characterized by short stature, skeletal anomalies, severe microcephaly with brain malformations and facial dysmorphism, and is caused by mutations in RNU4ATAC. RNU4ATAC is transcribed into a non-coding small nuclear RNA which is a critical component of the minor spliceosome. We report here four foetuses and four unrelated patients with RNU4ATAC mutations. We provide antenatal descriptions of this rare syndrome including unusual features found in two twin foetuses with compound heterozygosity for two rare mutations who presented with mild intrauterine growth retardation and atypical dysmorphic facial features. We also carried out a literature review of the patients described up to now with RNU4ATAC mutations, affected either with TALS or Roifman syndrome, a recently described allelic disorder.

Transcriptional and metabolic alternations rebalance wheat grain storage protein accumulation under variable nitrogen and sulfur supply

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain storage proteins (GSPs) are major determinants of flour end-use value. Biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the developmental and nutritional determination of GSP accumulation in cereals are as yet poorly understood. Here we timed the accumulation of GSPs during wheat grain maturation relative to changes in metabolite and transcript pools in different conditions of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) availability. We found that the N/S supply ratio modulated the duration of accumulation of S-rich GSPs and the rate of accumulation of S-poor GSPs. These changes are likely to be the result of distinct relationships between N and S allocation, depending on the S content of the GSP. Most developmental and nutritional modifications in GSP synthesis correlated with the abundance of structural gene transcripts. Changes in the expression of transport and metabolism genes altered the concentrations of several free amino acids under variable conditions of N and S supply, and these amino acids seem to be essential in determining GSP expression. The comprehensive data set generated and analyzed here provides insights that will be useful in adapting fertilizer use to variable N and S supply, or for breeding new cultivars with balanced and robust GSP composition.

Functional variants of POC5 identified in patients with idiopathic scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is a spine deformity that affects approximately 3% of the population. The underlying causes of IS are not well understood, although there is clear evidence that there is a genetic component to the disease. Genetic mapping studies suggest high genetic heterogeneity, but no IS disease-causing gene has yet been identified. Here, genetic linkage analyses combined with exome sequencing identified a rare missense variant (p.A446T) in the centriolar protein gene POC5 that cosegregated with the disease in a large family with multiple members affected with IS. Subsequently, the p.A446T variant was found in an additional set of families with IS and in an additional 3 cases of IS. Moreover, POC5 variant p.A455P was present and linked to IS in one family and another rare POC5 variant (p.A429V) was identified in an additional 5 cases of IS. In a zebrafish model, expression of any of the 3 human IS-associated POC5 variant mRNAs resulted in spine deformity, without affecting other skeletal structures. Together, these findings indicate that mutations in the POC5 gene contribute to the occurrence of IS.

Measurement of dijet angular distributions and search for quark compositeness in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Dijet angular distributions are measured over a wide range of dijet invariant masses in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV, at the CERN LHC. The event sample, recorded with the CMS detector, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb⁻¹. The data are found to be in good agreement with the predictions of perturbative QCD, and yield no evidence of quark compositeness. With a modified frequentist approach, a lower limit on the contact interaction scale for left-handed quarks of Λ⁺ = 5.6 TeV (Λ⁻ = 6.7 TeV) for destructive (constructive) interference is obtained at the 95% confidence level.

Search for pair production of second-generation scalar leptoquarks in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A search for pair production of second-generation scalar leptoquarks in the final state with two muons and two jets is performed using proton-proton collision data at √s = 7 TeV collected by the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 34 pb⁻¹. The number of observed events is in good agreement with the predictions from the standard model processes. An upper limit is set on the second-generation leptoquark cross section times β² as a function of the leptoquark mass, and leptoquarks with masses below 394 GeV are excluded at a 95% confidence level for β = 1, where β is the leptoquark branching fraction into a muon and a quark. These limits are the most stringent to date.

Search for pair production of first-generation scalar leptoquarks in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A search for pair production of first-generation scalar leptoquarks is performed in the final state containing two electrons and two jets using proton-proton collision data at √s = 7 TeV. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 33 pb⁻¹ collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The number of observed events is in good agreement with the predictions for the standard model background processes, and an upper limit is set on the leptoquark pair production cross section times β² as a function of the leptoquark mass, where β is the branching fraction of the leptoquark decay to an electron and a quark. A 95% confidence level lower limit is set on the mass of a first-generation scalar leptoquark at 384 GeV for β = 1, which is the most stringent direct limit to date.

Dijet azimuthal decorrelations in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Measurements of dijet azimuthal decorrelations in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV using the CMS detector at the CERN LHC are presented. The analysis is based on an inclusive dijet event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb⁻¹. The results are compared to predictions from perturbative QCD calculations and various Monte Carlo event generators. The dijet azimuthal distributions are found to be sensitive to initial-state gluon radiation.

Measurement of the B(+) production cross section in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

Measurements of the total and differential cross sections dσ/dp(T)(B) and dσ/dy(B) for B(+) mesons produced in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7  TeV are presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.8  pb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment operating at the LHC. The exclusive decay B(+)→J/ψK(+), with J/ψ→μ(+)μ(-), is used to detect B(+) mesons and to measure the production cross section as a function of p(T)(B) and y(B). The total cross section for p(T)(B)>5  GeV and |y(B)|<2.4 is measured to be 28.1±2.4±2.0±3.1  μb, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the last is from the luminosity measurement.

Measurement of the isolated prompt photon production cross section in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

The differential cross section for the inclusive production of isolated prompt photons has been measured as a function of the photon transverse energy E(T)(γ) in pp collisions at √s=7  TeV using data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9  pb(-1). Photons are required to have a pseudorapidity |η(γ)|<1.45 and E(T)(γ)>21  GeV, covering the kinematic region 0.006<x(T)<0.086. The measured cross section is found to be in agreement with next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD calculations.

Search for stopped Gluinos in pp collisions at square root s=7 TeV

The results of the first search for long-lived gluinos produced in 7 TeV pp collisions at the CERN Large Hadron Collider are presented. The search looks for evidence of long-lived particles that stop in the CMS detector and decay in the quiescent periods between beam crossings. In a dataset with a peak instantaneous luminosity of 1×10(32) cm-2 s-1, an integrated luminosity of 10 pb-1, and a search interval corresponding to 62 hours of LHC operation, no significant excess above background was observed. Limits at the 95% confidence level on gluino pair production over 13 orders of magnitude of gluino lifetime are set. For a mass difference mg - mχ1(0) >100 GeV/c2, and assuming BR(g→gχ1(0))=100%, mg < 370 GeV/c2 are excluded for lifetimes from 10 μs to 1000 s.

Search for quark compositeness with the dijet centrality ratio in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search for quark compositeness in the form of quark contact interactions, based on hadronic jet pairs (dijets) produced in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV, is described. The data sample of the study corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb(-1) collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The dijet centrality ratio, which quantifies the angular distribution of the dijets, is measured as a function of the invariant mass of the dijet system and is found to agree with the predictions of the standard model. A statistical analysis of the data provides a lower limit on the energy scale of quark contact interactions. The sensitivity of the analysis is such that the expected limit is 2.9 TeV; because the observed value of the centrality ratio at high invariant mass is below the expectation, the observed limit is 4.0 TeV at the 95% confidence level.

Search for dijet resonances in 7 TeV pp collisions at CMS

A search for narrow resonances in the dijet mass spectrum is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb⁻¹ collected by the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Upper limits at the 95% confidence level are presented on the product of the resonance cross section, branching fraction into dijets, and acceptance, separately for decays into quark-quark, quark-gluon, or gluon-gluon pairs. The data exclude new particles predicted in the following models at the 95% confidence level: string resonances, with mass less than 2.50 TeV, excited quarks, with mass less than 1.58 TeV, and axigluons, colorons, and E6 diquarks, in specific mass intervals. This extends previously published limits on these models.

First measurement of Bose-Einstein correlations in proton-proton collisions at √s=0.9 and 2.36 TeV at the LHC

Bose-Einstein correlations have been measured using samples of proton-proton collisions at 0.9 and 2.36 TeV center-of-mass energies, recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The signal is observed in the form of an enhancement of pairs of same-sign charged particles with small relative four-momentum. The size of the correlated particle emission region is seen to increase significantly with the particle multiplicity of the event.

Surface recombination velocity measurements of efficiently passivated gold-catalyzed silicon nanowires by a new optical method

The past decade has seen the explosion of experimental results on nanowires grown by catalyzed mechanisms. However, few are known on their electronic properties especially the influence of surfaces and catalysts. We demonstrate by an optical method how a curious electron-hole thermodynamic phase can help to characterize volume and surface recombination rates of silicon nanowires (SiNWs). By studying the electron-hole liquid dynamics as a function of the spatial confinement, we directly measured these two key parameters. We measured a surface recombination velocity of passivated SiNWs of 20 cm s(-1), 100 times lower than previous values reported. Furthermore, the volume recombination rate of gold-catalyzed SiNWs is found to be similar to that of a high-quality three-dimensional silicon crystal; the influence of the catalyst is negligible. These results advance the knowledge of SiNW surface passivation and provide essential guidance to the development of efficient nanowire-based devices.

Transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in pp collisions at square root of s = 7 TeV

Charged-hadron transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions in proton-proton collisions at square root of s = 7  TeV are measured with the inner tracking system of the CMS detector at the LHC. The charged-hadron yield is obtained by counting the number of reconstructed hits, hit pairs, and fully reconstructed charged-particle tracks. The combination of the three methods gives a charged-particle multiplicity per unit of pseudorapidity dN(ch)/dη|(|η|<0.5) = 5.78 ± 0.01(stat) ± 0.23(syst) for non-single-diffractive events, higher than predicted by commonly used models. The relative increase in charged-particle multiplicity from square root of s = 0.9 to 7 TeV is [66.1 ± 1.0(stat) ± 4.2(syst)]%. The mean transverse momentum is measured to be 0.545 ± 0.005(stat) ± 0.015(syst)  GeV/c. The results are compared with similar measurements at lower energies.

Recombination dynamics of spatially confined electron-hole system in luminescent gold catalyzed silicon nanowires

We study by time-resolved low temperature photoluminescence (PL) experiments of the electronic states of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) grown by gold catalyzed chemical vapor deposition and passivated by thermal SiO(2). The typical recombination line of free carriers in gold-catalyzed SiNWs (Au-SiNWs) is identified and studied by time-resolved experiments. We demonstrate that intrinsic Auger recombination governs the recombination dynamic of the dense e-h plasma generated inside the NW. In a few tens of nanoseconds after the pulsed excitation, the density of the initial electronic system rapidly decreases down to reach that of a stable electron-hole liquid phase. The comparison of the PL intensity decay time of Au-SiNWs with high crystalline quality and purity silicon layer allows us to conclude that the Au-SiNW electronic properties are highly comparable to those of bulk silicon crystal.

Direct electron imaging in electron microscopy with monolithic active pixel sensors

A new imaging device for dynamic electron microscopy is in great demand. The detector should provide the experimenter with images having sufficient spatial resolution at high speed. Immunity to radiation damage, accumulated during exposures, is critical. Photographic film, a traditional medium, is not adequate for studies that require large volumes of data or rapid recording and charge coupled device (CCD) cameras have limited resolution, due to phosphor screen coupling. CCD chips are not suitable for direct recording due to their extreme sensitivity to radiation damage. This paper discusses characterization of monolithic active pixel sensors (MAPS) in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The tested devices were two versions of the MIMOSA V (MV) chip. This 1M pixel device features pixel size of 17 x 17 microm(2) and was designed in a 0.6 microm CMOS process. The active layer for detection is a thin (less than 20 microm) epitaxial layer, limiting the broadening of the electron beam. The first version of the detector was a standard imager with electronics, passivation and interconnection layers on top of the active region; the second one was bottom-thinned, reaching the epitaxial layer from the bottom. The electron energies used range from a few keV to 30 keV for SEM and from 40 to 400 keV for TEM. Deterioration of the image resolution due to backscattering was quantified for different energies and both detector versions.

[p27Kip1 independently promotes neuronal differentiation and migration in the cerebral cortex]

The generation of glutamatergic neurons by stem and progenitor cells is a complex process involving the tight coordination of multiple cellular activities, including cell cycle exit, initiation of neuronal differentiation and cell migration. The mechanisms that integrate these different events into a coherent program are not well understood. Here we show that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 plays an important role in neurogenesis in the mouse cerebral cortex, by promoting the differentiation and radial migration of cortical projection neurons. Importantly, p27Kip1 promotes neuronal differentiation and neuronal migration via two distinct mechanisms, which are themselves independent of the cell cycle regulatory function of p27Kip1. p27Kip1 inactivation by gene targeting or RNA interference results in neuronal differentiation and radial migration defects, demonstrating that p27Kip1 regulates cell migration in vivo. The differentiation defect, but not the migration defect, is rescued by overexpression of the proneural gene Neurogenin 2. p27Kip1 acts by stabilizing Neurogenin 2 protein, an activity carried by the N-terminal half of the protein. The migration defect resulting from p27Kp1 inactivation is rescued by blocking RhoA signalling, an activity that resides in the c-terminal half of p27Kip1. Thus, p27Kip1 plays a key role in cortical development, acting as a modular protein that independently regulates and couples multiple cellular pathways contributing to neurogenesis.

Measurement of dijet azimuthal decorrelations at central rapidities in pp collisions at sqrt s =1.96 TeV

Correlations in the azimuthal angle between the two largest transverse momentum jets have been measured using the D0 detector in p (-)p collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV. The analysis is based on an inclusive dijet event sample in the central rapidity region corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 150 pb(-1). Azimuthal correlations are stronger at larger transverse momenta. These are well described in perturbative QCD at next-to-leading order in the strong coupling constant, except at large azimuthal differences where contributions with low transverse momentum are significant.

Search for supersymmetry with gauge-mediated breaking in diphoton events at D0

We report the results of a search for supersymmetry (SUSY) with gauge-mediated breaking in the missing transverse energy distribution of inclusive diphoton events using 263 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in 2002-2004. No excess is observed above the background expected from standard model processes, and lower limits on the masses of the lightest neutralino and chargino of about 108 and 195 GeV, respectively, are set at the 95% confidence level. These are the most stringent limits to date for models with gauge-mediated SUSY breaking with a short-lived neutralino as the next-to-lightest SUSY particle.

Measurement of the B0s lifetime in the exclusive decay channel B0s-->J/psiphi

Using the exclusive decay B0s-->J/psi(mu+mu-)phi(K+K-), we report the most precise single measurement of the B0s lifetime. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of approximately 220 pb(-1) collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in 2002-2004. We reconstruct 337 signal candidates, from which we extract the B0s lifetime, tau(B0s)=1.444(+0.098)(-0.090)(stat)+/-0.020(sys) ps. We also report a measurement for the lifetime of the B0 meson using the exclusive decay B0-->J/psi(mu+mu-)K*0(892)(K+pi-). We reconstruct 1370 signal candidates, obtaining tau(B0)=1.473(+0.052)(-0.050)(stat)+/-0.023(sys) ps, and the ratio of lifetimes, tau(B0s)/tau(B0)=0.980(+0.076)(-0.071)(stat)+/-0.003(sys).

Observation and properties of the X(3872) decaying to J/psipi(+)pi(-) in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

We report the observation of the X(3872) in the J/psipi(+)pi(-) channel, with J/psi decaying to mu(+)mu(-), in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV. Using approximately 230 pb(-1) of data collected with the Run II D0 detector, we observe 522+/-100 X(3872) candidates. The mass difference between the X(3872) state and the J/psi is measured to be 774.9+/-3.1(stat)+/-3.0(syst) MeV/c(2). We have investigated the production and decay characteristics of the X(3872) and find them to be similar to those of the psi(2S) state.

Search for doubly charged higgs boson pair production in the decay to mu(+)mu(+)mu(-)mu(-) in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

A search for pair production of doubly charged Higgs bosons in the process pp -->H(++)H(--) -->mu(+)mu(+)mu(-)mu(-) is performed with the D0 run II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The analysis is based on a sample of inclusive dimuon data collected at an energy of sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 113 pb(-1). In the absence of a signal, 95% confidence level mass limits of M(H(+/-+/-)(L))>118.4 GeV/c(2) and M(H(+/-+/-)(R))>98.2 GeV/c(2) are set for left-handed and right-handed doubly charged Higgs bosons, respectively, assuming 100% branching into muon pairs.

A precision measurement of the mass of the top quark

The standard model of particle physics contains parameters--such as particle masses--whose origins are still unknown and which cannot be predicted, but whose values are constrained through their interactions. In particular, the masses of the top quark (M(t)) and W boson (M(W)) constrain the mass of the long-hypothesized, but thus far not observed, Higgs boson. A precise measurement of M(t) can therefore indicate where to look for the Higgs, and indeed whether the hypothesis of a standard model Higgs is consistent with experimental data. As top quarks are produced in pairs and decay in only about 10(-24) s into various final states, reconstructing their masses from their decay products is very challenging. Here we report a technique that extracts more information from each top-quark event and yields a greatly improved precision (of +/- 5.3 GeV/c2) when compared to previous measurements. When our new result is combined with our published measurement in a complementary decay mode and with the only other measurements available, the new world average for M(t) becomes 178.0 +/- 4.3 GeV/c2. As a result, the most likely Higgs mass increases from the experimentally excluded value of 96 to 117 GeV/c2, which is beyond current experimental sensitivity. The upper limit on the Higgs mass at the 95% confidence level is raised from 219 to 251 GeV/c2.

Search for narrow tt resonances in pp collisions at square root of (s)=1.8 TeV

A search for narrow resonances that decay into tt pairs has been performed using 130 pb(-1) of data in the lepton + jets channel collected by the Dphi detector in pp collisions at square root of (s)=1.8 TeV. There is no significant deviation observed from the standard-model predictions at a top-quark mass of 175 GeV/c2. We therefore present upper limits at the 95% confidence level on the product of the production cross section and branching fraction to tt for narrow resonances as a function of the resonance mass MX. These limits are used to exclude the existence of a leptophobic top-color particle with mass MX<560 GeV/c2, using a theoretical cross section for a width GammaX=0.012MX.

Search for large extra dimensions in the monojet+E(T) channel with the DØ detector

We present a search for large extra dimensions (ED) in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.8 TeV using data collected by the DØ detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in 1994-1996. Data corresponding to 78.8+/-3.9 pb(-1) are examined for events with large missing transverse energy, one high-p(T) jet, and no isolated muons. There is no excess observed beyond expectation from the standard model, and we place lower limits on the fundamental Planck scale of 1.0 and 0.6 TeV for 2 and 7 ED, respectively.

Search for the production of single sleptons through R-parity violation in pp; collisions at square root (s) =1.8 TeV

We report the first search for supersymmetric particles via s-channel production and decay of smuons or muon sneutrinos at hadronic colliders. The data for the two-muon and two-jets final states were collected by the D0 experiment and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 94+/-5 pb(-1). Assuming that R parity is violated via the single coupling lambda'211, the number of candidate events is in agreement with expectation from the standard model. Exclusion contours are given in the (m(0),m(1/2)) and (m(x),m(v)) planes for lambda(')(211)=0.09, 0.08, and 0.07.

[Retraining in dento-facial orthopedics. An orthodontist's viewpoint]

In dentofacial orthopedics, rehabilitation concerns the performance of the orofacial functions. Orthodontists will therefore speak of rehabilitation of functions, or functional therapy. Orofacial functions seem to obey a hierarchical system in accordance with their physiological importance; the impact of their disorders on both muscular behavior and facial morphogenesis, proportionally to their physiological importance. Therefore, priority will be given at a very early stage to the rehabilitation of respiration: restoring nasal ventilation is indeed an essential condition to obtain balanced oral functions because oral ventilation conditions both muscular posture and the performance of other functions. A little later, affective immaturity symptoms closely linked to various persisting bad suction habits will be looked after. At last, the rehabilitation of phonation and chewing both affected by the previous dysfunctions will participate in acquiring correct lingual position. The age for intervention will before all depend on the dysfunctional etiopathogeny. The morphological context, the importance of the malocclusion, and some orthodontic appliances also play a role in the the dysfunctional requests and the alterations of oral behavior.

Search for R-parity violating supersymmetry in two-muon and four-jet topologies

We present results of a search for R-parity-violating decay of the neutralino chi;01, taken as the lightest supersymmetric particle, to a muon and two jets. The decay proceeds through a lepton-number violating coupling lambda(')(2jk) (j=1,2; k=1,2,3), with R-parity conservation in all other production and decay processes. In the absence of candidate events from 77.5+/-3.9 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.8 TeV, and with an expected background of 0.18+/-0.03+/-0.02 events, we set limits on squark and gluino masses within the framework of the minimal low-energy supergravity-supersymmetry model.

Search for leptoquark pairs decaying into nunu+jets in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV

We present the results of a search for leptoquark (LQ) pairs in (85.2+/-3.7) pb(-1) of pp* collider data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe no evidence for leptoquark production and set a limit on sigma(pp*-->LQLQ-->nunu+jets) as a function of the mass of the leptoquark (m(LQ)). Assuming the decay LQ-->nuq, we exclude scalar leptoquarks for m(LQ) < 98 GeV/c(2), and vector leptoquarks for m(LQ) < 200 GeV/c(2) and coupling which produces the minimum cross section, at a 95% confidence level.

Search for the scalar top quark in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV

We have performed a search for scalar top quark (stop) pair production in the inclusive electron-muon-missing transverse energy final state, using a sample of pp events corresponding to 108.3 pb(-1) of data collected with the D0 detector at Fermilab. The search is done in the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model assuming that the sneutrino is the lightest supersymmetric particle. For the dominant decays of the lightest stop, t-->b chi+1 and t-->blnu, no evidence for signal is found. We derive cross-section limits as a function of stop ( t ), chargino ( chi+1), and sneutrino ( nu) masses.

Direct search for charged higgs bosons in decays of top quarks

We present a search for charged Higgs bosons in decays of pair-produced top quarks in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV recorded by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. With no evidence for signal, we exclude most regions of the ( M(H+/-),tan(beta)) parameter space where the decay t--> H(+)b has a branching fraction >0.36 and B(H+/--->tau(nu)(tau)) is large.

Ratio of isolated photon cross sections in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 630 and 1800 GeV

The inclusive cross section for production of isolated photons has been measured in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 630 GeV with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The photons span a transverse energy (E(T)) range from 7-49 GeV and have pseudorapidity absolute value of eta < 2.5. This measurement is combined with the previous D0 result at square root of s = 1800 GeV to form a ratio of the cross sections. Comparison of next-to-leading-order QCD with the measured cross section at 630 GeV and the ratio of cross sections show satisfactory agreement in most of the E(T) range.

Search for new physics using QUAERO: a general interface to D0 event data

We describe QUAERO, a method that (i) enables the automatic optimization of searches for physics beyond the standard model, and (ii) provides a mechanism for making high energy collider data generally available. We apply QUAERO to searches for standard model WW, ZZ, and t t macro production, to searches for these objects produced through a new heavy resonance, and to the first direct search for W'-->WZ. Through this interface, we make three data sets collected by the D0 experiment at square root of [s] = 1.8 TeV publicly available.

Astrocytes attenuate oligodendrocyte death in vitro through an alpha(6) integrin-laminin-dependent mechanism

Oligodendrocyte (OL) death occurs in many disorders of the CNS, including multiple sclerosis and brain trauma. Factors reported to induce OL death include deprivation of growth factors, elevation of cytokines, oxidative stress, and glutamate excitotoxicity. Because astrocytes produce a large amount of growth factors and antioxidants and are a major source of glutamate uptake, we tested the hypothesis that astrocytes may have a protective role for OL survival. We report that when OLs from the adult mouse brain were initiated into tissue culture, DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation resulted, indicative of apoptosis. OL death was significantly reduced in coculture with astrocytes, but not with fibroblasts, which provided a similar monolayer of cells as astrocytes. The protection of OL demise by astrocytes was not reproduced by its conditioned medium and was not accounted for by several neurotrophic factors. In contrast, interference with the alpha(6) integrin subunit, but not the alpha(1), alpha(2), alpha(3), alpha(4), alpha(5), or alpha(v) integrin chains, negated astrocyte protection of OLs. Furthermore, a function-blocking antibody to alpha(6)beta(1) integrin reduced the ability of astrocytes to promote OL survival. The extracellular matrix ligand for alpha(6)beta(1) is laminin, which is expressed by astrocytes. Significantly, neutralizing antibodies to laminin-2 and laminin-5 inhibited the astrocyte mediation of OL survival. These results implicate astrocytes in promoting OL survival through a mechanism involving the interaction of alpha(6)beta(1) integrin on OLs with laminin on astrocytes. Enhancing this interaction may provide for OL survival in neurological injury.

Differential activation of ERKs to focal adhesions by PKC epsilon is required for PMA-induced adhesion and migration of human glioma cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases involved in the transduction of a variety of signals. There is increasing evidence to indicate that specific PKC isoforms are involved in the regulation of distinct cellular processes. In glioma cells, PKC alpha was found to be a critical regulator of proliferation and cell cycle progression, while PKC epsilon was found to regulate adhesion and migration. Herein, we report that specific PKC isoforms are able to differentially activate extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) in distinct cellular locations: while PKC alpha induces the activation of nuclear ERK, PKC epsilon induces the activation of ERK at focal adhesions. Inhibition of the ERK pathway completely abolished the PKC-induced integrin-mediated adhesion and migration. Thus, we present the first evidence that PKC epsilon is able to activate ERK at focal adhesions to mediate glioma cell adhesion and motility, providing a molecular mechanism to explain the different biological functions of PKC alpha and epsilon in glioma cells.

Search for heavy particles decaying into electron-positron pairs in pp collisions

We present results of searches for technirho (rho(T)), techniomega (omega(T)), and Z' particles, using the decay channels rho(T),omega(T),Z'-->e(+)e(-). The search is based on 124.8 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron during 1992-1996. In the absence of a signal, we set 95% C.L. upper limits on the cross sections for the processes pp-->rho(T),omega(T),Z'-->e(+)e(-) as a function of the mass of the decaying particle. For certain model parameters, we exclude the existence of degenerate rho(T) and omega(T) states with masses below about 200 GeV. We exclude a Z' with mass below 670 GeV, assuming that it has the same couplings to fermions as the Z boson.