PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to S Kumar.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Observation of double cć production in e+e- annihilation at squareroot[s] approximately 10.6 GeV.

We report the observation of prompt J/psi via double cc; production from the e+e- continuum. In this process one cc; pair fragments into a J/psi meson while the remaining pair either produces a charmonium state or fragments into open charm. Both cases have been experimentally observed. We find cross sections of sigma[e+e- -->J/psieta(c)(gamma)]xB(eta(c)-->>or=4 charged)=(0.033(+0.007)(-0.006)+/-0.009) pb and sigma(e+e- -->J/psiD(*+)X)=(0.53(+0.19)(-0.15)+/-0.14) pb and infer sigma(e+e- -->J/psicc;)/sigma(e+e- -->J/psiX)=0.59(+0.15)(-0.13)+/-0.12. These results are obtained from a 46.2 fb(-1) data sample collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance, with the Belle detector at the KEKB collider.

Journal Article↗

Salt-tolerant mutants in glycophytic salinity response (GSR) genes in Catharanthus roseus.

The periwinkle Catharanthus roseus shares glycophytic properties of crop plants. To contribute towards an understanding of the glycophytic response to salinity, large populations of M(2) seeds having an origin in nitroso-methyl urea and ethyl methane sulphonate treatments were screened for germination with 250 mM of NaCl. Out of the nine mutant lines so recovered, which tolerated salt stress due to loss of the normal glycophytic salinity response ( GSR), the characteristics of six gsr mutants are reported here. All six, gsr-1 to gsr-6, differed from the wild-type in both seedling and adult-plant morphological characters beside being salt tolerant. The mutations in them were inherited as monogenic recessive alleles at the corresponding wild-type loci. The trans-complementation tests revealed that the gsr-1 to gsr-6 mutants specified six complementation groups. The mutant seedlings generally accumulated more proline and glycine betaine, constitutively, than the wild-type. The mutant plants transpired lower amounts of water and accumulated higher amounts of proline under drought stress. It was inferred that the products of the six GSR genes defined here are involved in the regulation of salt stress, as well as cell division, developmental and/or morphogenetic pathway(s), in C. roseus.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Identification of immunoreactive polypeptides of Babesia equi parasite during immunization.

This study was carried out to identify immunoreactive polypeptides in Babesia equi merozoite antigen. Three fractions of killed B. equi merozoite antigen viz.; whole merozoite (WM), cell membrane (CM) and high speed supernatant (HSS) antigens were prepared from the parasite infected erythrocytes. These antigenic preparations along with ghost antigen from non-infected erythrocytes were fractionated on 12% sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotted with sera showing high antibody titres. On SDS-PAGE, 16 polypeptides with molecular weight (Mr) in the range of 112-17kDa were obtained from the WM and CM antigens. But only six polypeptides were detected (96.5-28kDa) in the HSS antigen. On immunoblotting with high titred serum collected from donkeys following two immunizations with a killed B. equi merozoite immunogen, 11 polypeptides were observed in the WM and CM antigens (Mr 112-18kDa). Of these, four polypeptides (Mr 112, 45, 33 and 18kDa) were identified as most immunoreactive. Besides these, a 28kDa was observed as strong immunoreactive protein in WM and CM antigens. The HSS antigen showed only six polypeptides and one peptide (28kDa) was identified as immunoreactive. When high titred serum collected from immunized donkeys following challenge with B. equi infected blood and was used for immunoblotting, the protein profile of WM and CM antigens remained the same. However, three additional polypeptides (Mr 81, 54.5 and 39kDa) were detected in HSS antigen.

Animals↗

Observation of the eta(c)(2S) in Exclusive B-->KK(S)K-pi(+) Decays.

We report the observation of a narrow peak in the K(S)K-pi(+) invariant mass distribution in a sample of exclusive B-->KK(S)K-pi(+) decays collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. The measured mass of the peak is M=3654+/-6(stat)+/-8(syst) MeV/c(2), and we place a 90% confidence level upper limit on the width of Gamma<55 MeV/c(2). The properties agree with heavy-quark potential model expectations for the eta(c)(2S) meson, the n=2 singlet S charmonium state.

Journal Article↗

Observation of chi(c2) production in B meson decay.

We report the first observation of chi(c2) production in B meson decays. We find an inclusive B-->chi(c2)X branching fraction of (1.80(+0.23)(-0.28)+/-0.26) x 10(-3). The data set, collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider, consists of 31.9 x 10(6) BB events. We also present branching fractions and momentum spectra for both chi(c1) and chi(c2) production.

Journal Article↗

Splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura: long-term results and treatment of postsplenectomy relapses.

Information regarding prognostic determinants of outcome after splenectomy for adult immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and the management of postsplenectomy relapse is limited. Among 140 adult patients with ITP who had therapeutic splenectomy at our institution, 88% achieved either a complete (platelets > 150 x 10(9)/l) or a partial (platelets > or = 50 x 10(9)/l) response that was sustained for at least 1 month. At 3, 6, and 12 months after splenectomy, time-adjusted complete response rates were 77%, 71%, and 74%, respectively. The 5-year relapse-free survival was 75%; all but three relapses occurred within 2 years of splenectomy. In multivariate analysis, younger age and higher peak postsplenectomy platelet counts were significantly associated with a favorable response to splenectomy. None of several preoperative or perioperative variables was predictive of a relapse after an initial response to splenectomy. Corticosteroids, danazol, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide were often effective in the treatment of patients who were either refractory to or had a relapse after splenectomy. One patient responded to rituximab after not responding to corticosteroids, azathioprine, and vincristine. After a median follow-up of 37.5 months (range: 0-183) from splenectomy, there were 25 deaths, including 2 from postoperative complications, 1 from gastrointestinal bleeding related to thrombocytopenia, and 1 from overwhelming sepsis related to the splenectomized state. The current study provides additional data on both the long-term outcome of splenectomy in adults with ITP and the management of postsplenectomy relapse.

Adolescent↗

Observation of B(+/-) --> p(-)pK(+/-).

We report the observation of the decay mode B(+/-) --> p(-)pK(+/-)based on an analysis of 29.4 fb(-1) of data collected by the Belle detector at KEKB. This is the first example of a b-->s transition with baryons in the final state. The p(-)p mass spectrum in this decay is inconsistent with phase space and is peaked at low mass. The branching fraction for this decay is measured to be B(B+/--->p(-)pK+/-) = [4.3(+1.1)(-0.9)(stat)+/-0.5(syst)]x 10(-6). We also report upper limits for the decays B(0)-->p(-)pK(S) and B(+/-)-->p(-)p pi(+/-).

Journal Article↗

Precise measurement of B meson lifetimes with hadronic decay final states.

The lifetimes of the B(0) and B- mesons are extracted from 29.1 fb(-1) of data collected with the Belle detector at the KEK B factory. A fit to the decay length differences of neutral and charged B meson pairs, measured in events where one of the B mesons is fully reconstructed in several hadronic modes, yields tau(B(0)) = 1.554+/-0.030(stat)+/-0.019(syst) ps, tau(B-) = 1.695+/-0.026(stat)+/-0.015(syst) ps, and tau(B-)/tau(B(0)) = 1.091+/-0.023(stat)+/-0.014(syst).

Journal Article↗

Measurement of the lifetime difference in D0 meson decays.

We report a measurement of the D0-D macro(0) mixing parameter y(CP) using 23.4 fb(-1) of data collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at KEKB. y(CP) is measured from the lifetime difference of D0 mesons decaying into the K(-)pi(+) state and the CP-even eigenstate K(-)K(+). We find y(CP) = (-0.5+/-1.0(+0.7)(-0.8))x10(-2), where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic, corresponding to a 95% confidence interval -0.030<y(CP)<0.020.

Journal Article↗

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia associated with Klinefelter syndrome: a case report.

Klinefelter syndrome is the most commonly diagnosed sex chromosome disorder among males. It is usually associated with 47 chromosomes, including two Xs and one Y. The formal cytogenetic designation for Klinefelter syndrome is 47, XXY; the extra sex chromosome is due to meiotic chromosomal nondisjunction. Increased risk of various malignant diseases has been recognized among patients with different congenital chromosomal abnormalities. Since the early 1960s, numerous reports have appeared of an increased risk of malignant neoplasms among patients with Klinefelter syndrome. Evidence suggests a correlation with increased incidences of germ cell tumors and breast cancers. Whether these patients are at an increased risk of hematologic malignant disease, especially acute leukemia, is still uncertain. This report describes a patient with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia and Klinefelter syndrome, an association not previously reported.

Cytogenetic Analysis↗

Observation of the color-suppressed decay B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0).

We report the first observation of color-suppressed B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0), D(*0)pi(0), D0eta, and D0omega decays, and evidence for B( 0)-->D(*0)eta and D(*0)omega. The branching fractions are B(B( 0)-->D0pi(0)) = (3.1 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.5)x10(-4), B(B( 0) -->D(*0)pi(0)) = (2.7(+0.8+0.5)(-0.7-0.6))x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0eta) = (1.4(+0.5)(-0.4) +/- 0.3)x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0omega) = (1.8 +/- 0.5(+0.4)(-0.3))x10(-4), and we set 90% confidence level upper limits of B(B( 0) --> D(*0)eta)<4.6 x 10(-4) and B(B( 0)-->D(*0)omega)<7.9 x 10(-4). The analysis is based on a data sample of 21.3 fb(-1) collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider.

Journal Article↗

Production of prompt charmonia in e(+)e(-) annihilation at square root of s approximately equals 0.6 GeV.

The production of prompt J/psi, psi(2S), chi(c1), and chi(c2) is studied using a 32.4 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at Upsilon(4S) and at 60 MeV below the resonance. The yield of prompt J/psi mesons in the Upsilon(4S) sample is compatible with that of continuum production; we set an upper limit B(Upsilon(4S)-->J/psiX) < 1.9 x 10(-4) at the 95% confidence level, and find sigma(e(+)e(-)-->J/psiX) = 1.47 plus/minus 0.10 plus/minus 0.13 pb. The cross sections for prompt psi(2S) and direct J/psi are measured. The J/psi momentum spectrum, production angle distribution, and polarization are studied.

Journal Article↗

Resistin, central obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Resistin, an adipocyte-derived cytokine, causes insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in mice. We investigated whether resistin expression was higher in human abdominal adipose tissue than other adipose tissue depots. We extracted RNA from 32 adipose tissue samples (13 subcutaneous abdominal, seven omentum, six thigh, and six breast). Quantitative PCR was used to determine resistin mRNA expression. Resistin mRNA concentrations were similar in both the subcutaneous abdominal and omental depots. The abdominal depots showed a 418% increase in resistin mRNA expression compared with the thigh. Increased resistin expression in abdominal fat could explain the increased risk of type 2 diabetes associated with central obesity.

Adipose Tissue↗

Observation of B+ --> chi(c0)K+.

Using a sample of 31.3x10(6) BB pairs collected with the Belle detector at the Upsilon(4S) resonance, we make the first observation of the charged B meson decay to chi(c0) and a charged kaon. The measured branching fraction is B(B+-->chi(c0)K+) = (6.0(+2.1)(-1.8)+/-1.1)x10(-4), where the first error is statistical, and the second is systematic.

Journal Article↗

Ultrasound-guided umbilical cord occlusion using bipolar diathermy for Stage III/IV twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate bipolar diathermy as a technique for selective fetocide in the treatment of advanced (Stage III/IV) twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). METHODS: A prospective observational study in two tertiary referral fetal medicine centres: Queen Charlotte's Hospital, London, UK and Haemek Hospital, Afula, Israel. Fifteen cases of TTTS (14 twins and one triplet pregnancy) were treated by selective occlusion of either the donor (n=8) or recipient's (n=7) umbilical cord using ultrasound-guided bipolar diathermy. Following each procedure, patients were scanned serially for fetal growth, liquor volume and umbilical Doppler measurements. Procedural complications and obstetric outcome were recorded. Postnatal placental injection studies were performed. RESULTS: Overall co-twin survival in Stage III/IV TTTS was 13/14 (93%). There were no treatment failures. The incidence of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) within 3 weeks of the procedure was 3/15 (20%). In those cases where pre-procedure umbilical artery Dopplers were abnormal, the Doppler findings normalised post-procedure in all non-cord-occluded fetuses. Growth velocities of surviving donors were similar to those of surviving recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar diathermy appears an effective technique for the selective reduction of monochorionic twins complicated by severe as well as preterminal TTTS, with recipient and donor fetuses being equally appropriate choices for fetocide. We suggest that for advanced-stage disease where the parents can contemplate this option, cord occlusion as a single preemptive procedure maximises the opportunity for intact survival of a single survivor.

Diathermy↗