A per-cent-level determination of the nucleon axial coupling from quantum chromodynamics.

The axial coupling of the nucleon, gA, is the strength of its coupling to the weak axial current of the standard model of particle physics, in much the same way as the electric charge is the strength of the coupling to the electromagnetic current. This axial coupling dictates the rate at which neutrons decay to protons, the strength of the attractive long-range force between nucleons and other features of nuclear physics. Precision tests of the standard model in nuclear environments require a quantitative understanding of nuclear physics that is rooted in quantum chromodynamics, a pillar of the standard model. The importance of gA makes it a benchmark quantity to determine theoretically-a difficult task because quantum chromodynamics is non-perturbative, precluding known analytical methods. Lattice quantum chromodynamics provides a rigorous, non-perturbative definition of quantum chromodynamics that can be implemented numerically. It has been estimated that a precision of two per cent would be possible by 2020 if two challenges are overcome1,2: contamination of gA from excited states must be controlled in the calculations and statistical precision must be improved markedly2-10. Here we use an unconventional method 11 inspired by the Feynman-Hellmann theorem that overcomes these challenges. We calculate a gA value of 1.271 ± 0.013, which has a precision of about one per cent.

Heavy Physics Contributions to Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay from QCD.

Observation of neutrinoless double beta decay, a lepton number violating process that has been proposed to clarify the nature of neutrino masses, has spawned an enormous world-wide experimental effort. Relating nuclear decay rates to high-energy, beyond the standard model (BSM) physics requires detailed knowledge of nonperturbative QCD effects. Using lattice QCD, we compute the necessary matrix elements of short-range operators, which arise due to heavy BSM mediators, that contribute to this decay via the leading order π^{-}→π^{+} exchange diagrams. Utilizing our result and taking advantage of effective field theory methods will allow for model-independent calculations of the relevant two-nucleon decay, which may then be used as input for nuclear many-body calculations of the relevant experimental decays. Contributions from short-range operators may prove to be equally important to, or even more important than, those from long-range Majorana neutrino exchange.

Evidence for a bound H dibaryon from lattice QCD.

We present evidence for the existence of a bound H dibaryon, an I=0, J=0, s=-2 state with valence quark structure uuddss, at a pion mass of m(π)∼389 MeV. Using the results of lattice QCD calculations performed on four ensembles of anisotropic clover gauge-field configurations, with spatial extents of L∼2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.9 fm at a spatial lattice spacing of b(s)∼0.123 fm, we find an H dibaryon bound by B(∞)(H)=16.6±2.1±4.6 MeV at a pion mass of m(π)∼389 MeV.

Deep Learning-Based Software Improves Clinicians' Detection Sensitivity of Aneurysms on Brain TOF-MRA.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The detection of cerebral aneurysms on MRA is a challenging task. Recent studies have used deep learning-based software for automated detection of aneurysms on MRA and have reported high performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incremental value of using deep learning-based software for the detection of aneurysms on MRA by 2 radiologists, a neurosurgeon, and a neurologist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TOF-MRA examinations of intracranial aneurysms were retrospectively extracted. Four physicians interpreted the MRA blindly. After a washout period, they interpreted MRA again using the software. Sensitivity and specificity per patient, sensitivity per lesion, and the number of false-positives per case were measured. Diagnostic performances, including subgroup analysis of lesions, were compared. Logistic regression with a generalized estimating equation was used. RESULTS: A total of 332 patients were evaluated; 135 patients had positive findings with 169 lesions. With software assistance, patient-based sensitivity was statistically improved after the washout period (73.5% versus 86.5%, P < .001). The neurosurgeon and neurologist showed a significant increase in patient-based sensitivity with software assistance (74.8% versus 85.2%, P = .03, and 56.3% versus 84.4%, P < .001, respectively), while the number of false-positive cases did not increase significantly (23 versus 30, P = .20, and 22 versus 24, P = .75, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Software-aided reading showed significant incremental value in the sensitivity of clinicians in the detection of aneurysms on MRA without a significant increase in false-positive findings, especially for the neurosurgeon and neurologist. Software-aided reading showed equivocal value for the radiologist.

Mesenteric Panniculitis Presenting as Fever of Unknown Etiology in a Patient with History of Abdominal Surgery.

Mesenteric panniculitis is characterized by nonspecific fibrous inflammation of the small bowel mesentery, appendix, and mesoappendix. Clinical course is usually benign and outcome is favorable. We report a case of mesenteric panniculitis presenting as fever of unknown etiology in a patient with history of abdominal surgery.

Discovery and biological evaluation of a new family of potent inhibitors of the dual specificity protein phosphatase Cdc25.

The Cdc25 dual specificity phosphatases have central roles in coordinating cellular signaling processes and cell proliferation, but potent and selective inhibitors are lacking. We experimentally examined the 1990 compound National Cancer Institute Diversity Set and then computationally selected from their 140 000 compound repository 30 quinolinediones of which 8 had in vitro mean inhibitory concentrations <1 microM. The most potent was 6-chloro-7-(2-morpholin-4-ylethylamino)quinoline-5,8-dione (NSC 663284), which was 20- and 450-fold more selective against Cdc25B(2) as compared with VHR or PTP1B phosphatases, respectively. NSC 663284 exhibited mixed competitive kinetics against Cdc25A, Cdc25B(2), and Cdc25C with K(i) values of 29, 95, and 89 nM, respectively. As compared with NSC 663284, the regioisomer 7-chloro-6-(2-morpholin-4-ylethylamino)quinoline-5,8-dione was 3-fold less active against Cdc25B(2) in vitro and less potent as a growth inhibitor of human breast cancer cells. Computational electrostatic potential mapping suggested the need for an electron-deficient 7-position for maximal inhibitor activity. Using a chemical complementation assay, we found that NSC 663284 blocked cellular Erk dephosphorylation caused by ectopic Cdc25A expression.

The mechanism of action of coculture on embryo development in the mouse model: direct embryo-to-cell contact and the removal of deleterious components.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the mechanism for the mode of action of coculture by the use of a coculture system for mouse one-cell embryos with human oviductal epithelial cells. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled in vitro experimental study. SETTING: Academic research laboratory. ANIMAL(S): Female ICR strain mice aged between 6 and 8 weeks. INTERVENTION(S): Flushed one-cell embryos were cultured in human tubal fluid medium alone (control), in coculture system with human oviductal cells, in five kinds of conditioned media, and in a contactless coculture system using a cell-culture insert. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The percentage of the embryos developed to hatching blastocyst stage and the level of superoxide anion in the supernatant from each culture condition. RESULT(S): The rates of embryo development to the hatching blastocyst stage were significantly higher in the coculture group (43%) than in the control group (none) (P <.05). The embryo development rate in the control group was similar to that of the embryos in the five kinds of conditioned media. The effects of coculture on embryo development disappeared in the contactless coculture group. The level of superoxide anion was significantly reduced in the coculture group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION(S): The present coculture system overcomes the two-cell block in vitro and improves the embryo development. The beneficial effect may be a result of direct cell-to-cell contact between the embryo and helper cells and the removal of deleterious components from medium, rather than a result of embryotrophic factors.

The effects of particle size distribution on the settleability of CSOs pollutants.

Over the past decades, flocculation and/or sedimentation processes have been adopted to remove pollutants from CSOs. It has been learned that major factors affecting settlement of pollutants are the particle size distribution, their settling velocities and their specific gravity. It is, therefore, a good idea to analyze the particle size distribution and settleability of CSOs pollutants in order to develop details in designing a process. Discussed in this study are pollutant characteristics of CSOs such as particle size distribution and settleability of pollutants. The power law function is applied and is found to be an effective and reliable index for expressing the particle size distribution of pollutants in CSOs. Based on the particle size spectrum analysis, the tendency toward settling and simultaneous flocculation-settling phenomenon of CSOs pollutants is described. Based on the regression analysis it is observed that the derived constants of curves representing settling velocity profile are proportional to the initial concentration of particles and to the beta-values of power law distributions. It is also revealed that the simultaneous flocculation-settling processes are effectively described by the changes of the average particle diameter and of the beta-values of power law distributions.

Cephalometric variables as predictors of Class II treatment outcome.

Cephalometric analysis of skeletodental features is accepted as an integral part of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. This assumes that diagnostic cephalometric variables affect prognosis and thus help reduce malocclusion severity, which is the aim of orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of 41 commonly used cephalometric parameters with regard to pretreatment severity and treatment outcomes. Pretreatment severity was assessed by using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) occlusal index, an instrument that has been shown to be valid and reliable. Treatment outcomes consisted of (1) posttreatment malocclusion severity (post-PAR), (2) relative improvement (percent PAR reduction), and (3) treatment duration. Complete records, including cephalograms, of 223 treated Class II cases were analyzed by means of separate multiple linear regression models. Each of the outcome variables and the pretreatment severity served as the respective dependent variables, and the cephalometric parameters served as the independent or predictor variables. The cephalometric parameters explained 39.2% of the pretreatment severity variance, 17. 9% of posttreatment severity variance, 15.7% of relative treatment improvement variance, and 20.0% of treatment duration variance.

Relationships between concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide in follicular fluid and oocyte quality.

PURPOSE: Our objective was to explain a relationship between concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) in follicular fluid, oocyte quality, and outcomes of in vitro fertilization--embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: The concentrations of TNF-alpha and NO were measured in 115 follicular fluid samples collected from 43 patients undergoing IVF-ET program, due to tubal obstruction, some with endometriosis (8 patients) or hydrosalpinx (5 patients). A correlation of these factors concentrations and the oocyte quality, the oocyte maturity, and infertility-associated diseases was analyzed. RESULTS: No correlation was found between concentrations of NO and TNF-alpha in follicular fluid. NO concentrations in follicular fluids were significantly higher in patients with endometriosis (P < 0.001) or hydrosalpinx (P < 0.01) compared to the patients with just tubal obstruction. Follicular NO concentration differences according to oocyte maturity and oocyte quality were not found. In contrast, TNF-alpha concentrations in follicular fluids were significantly higher in poor quality oocytes (P < 0.05) but were not associated with infertility-associated diseases, such as hydrosalphinx or endometriosis,and the oocyte maturity. No significant differences in follicular levels of NO and TNF-alpha as well as IVF-ET parameters of pregnant and nonpregnant groups were revealed. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant correlation between the concentrations of NO and TNF-alpha in follicular fluid. NO levels in follicular fluid are altered in infertility-associated diseases. However, TNF-alpha levels but not NO levels influence oocyte quality. These results suggest that the production of NO and TNF-alpha in follicular fluid may be regulated via different pathways and can be tempered with infertility-associated diseases, thereby influencing oocyte quality locally.

The effect of nitric oxide on sperm cell function and embryo development.

PROBLEM: Nitric oxide (NO) has been known to have multifunctional roles both in the male and female reproductive systems. We investigated the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-dependent NO release on sperm cell function and embryo development to elucidate the mechanisms of action of NO. METHOD OF STUDY: Semen samples from 20 healthy men were processed by the swim-up method. Sperm motility, hyperactivation, and acrosome reaction were examined following incubation with various concentrations of SNP. The concentration of 10 nM to 1 mM was used for sperm motility and hyperactivation measurement and 1 microM to 1 mM for examining the effect on acrosome reaction. Embryo development to blastocyst stage was assessed using 100 nM to 1 mM of SNP added before transferring the mouse embryos into the culture medium. Finally, to understand the mechanism of action of NO, changes in embryo development were examined after zygotes were treated with various concentrations ranging up to 1 mM of 8-bromo-cGMP, an analog of cGMP. RESULTS: Both sperm motility and hyperactivation were significantly reduced at 100 microM and 1 mM concentrations of SNP after 6 hr of incubation. After 24 hr of incubation, they were greatly decreased with all, except the 10 nM concentration of SNP. The percentage of acrosomal-reacted spermatozoa was increased with the increasing concentration of SNP following incubation with 10 microM and 1 mM of SNP. Embryo development was arrested since the two-cell embryonic stage with all except the 100 nM concentration of SNP, and inhibited by 200 microM of SNP regardless of SNP treatment stage. However, embryo development was not influenced by 8-bromo-cGMP. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that SNP-inhibited sperm cell function and embryo development in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effect on embryo development, may not be a stage-specific treatment mediated via a cGMP-independent pathway. This result suggests that NO may be enough to affect the fecundity potential in vivo.

Cumulus cells apoptosis as an indicator to predict the quality of oocytes and the outcome of IVF-ET.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to establish an evaluation system for oocyte quality based on the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis and to examine the effect of coculture, using autologous cumulus cells, on the outcome of IVF-ET according to proliferative activities of helper cells and the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis. METHODS: Cumulus cell masses were collected from 91 mature oocytes among 330 oocytes retrieved from a total of 34 IVF-ET cycles with tubal infertility and unexplained infertility. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells was assessed by apoptosis detection kit fluorescein. On ovum pick up, 2nd day embryos were cocultured with autologous cumulus cells. Prior to coculture, in vitro proliferative activity of cumulus cells was evaluated. RESULTS: Cumulus cells from patient groups over 40 years old had a significantly increased apoptosis incidence, a lower fertilization rate, and the decreased number of oocytes retrieved compared to the other age groups (P < .05). The incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis was significantly lower when the number of oocytes retrieved was 5 or less (P < .05). Cumulus cells from fertilized oocytes (0.43 +/- 0.07%) and those from patients who became pregnant (0.44 +/- 0.11%) following IVF-ET showed a significantly lower incidence of apoptosis compared to those of unfertilized oocytes (1.80 +/- 0.35%; P < .001) and the nonpregnant group (0.81 +/- 0.10%; P < .05). Embryo quality also had a negative correlation with the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis. Coculture of fertilized oocytes with cumulus cells with high proliferative activity resulted in improved rates of implantation and pregnancy compared to that with poor active cumulus cells. No significant difference was found between the in vitro proliferative activity of cumulus cells and the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis (P < .063). CONCLUSIONS: The age of women might influence the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells, and the increased incidence of apoptosis is associated with the number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate, and the pregnancy outcome following IVF-ET. These results suggest that the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis can be used in predicting oocyte quality, outcome of IVF-ET, and age-related decline in fertility.