[Sebaceous gland carcinoma of the eyelid co-occurred with other tumors: a report of four cases]

This article reported four cases of sebaceous gland carcinoma of the eyelid with other tumors. Among them, three cases were co-occurred with other ocular tumors, two cases with visceral malignancies, and one case with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Immunohistochemistry and/or whole-exome sequencing confirmed that the two cases with visceral malignancies did not meet the criteria for Muir-Torre syndrome. Additionally, whole-exome sequencing was performed on two cases of sebaceous gland carcinoma of the eyelid, both revealing mutations in the ZNF750 gene. Surgical interventions included excision of the eyelid tumors in three cases and enucleation of orbital tissues and eye removal in one case. Follow-up results showed no recurrence in two cases with eyelid tumors and one case with orbital invasion, while one patient died due to peritoneal metastasis from ovarian cancer.

[Orbital and eyelid inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors: a clinicopathological analysis of 13 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of orbital and eyelid inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted among 13 patients with IMTs treated at Tianjin Eye Hospital between January 2000 and October 2023. The clinicopathological data, immunohistochemical staining characteristics, molecular phenotypes, and follow-up outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: The study cohort comprised 7 males and 6 females. The median age was 44 (22, 68) years. The tumor was observed in the left eye in 6 cases and the right eye in 7 cases. The age at onset ranged from 5 to 76 years, with a disease course of 1 month to 2 years before tumor excision. The tumor was located within the orbit in 10 cases (including one case of a systemic multifocal lesion) and in the eyelid in 3 cases. Pathological characteristics of the tumors were mainly proliferation of spindle or ovoid fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, with varying degrees of mucoid degeneration or collagenization of the mesenchyme, and varying amounts of lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltrated in the background. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Vimentin and α-SMA were positive in all cases (13/13, 13/13), ALK1 was positive in 5 cases (5/11), CK was positive in 1 case (1/1), and Desmin was positive in 1 case (1/6). ALK fluorescence in situ hybridization was positive in 2 out of 3 cases, and EBER in situ hybridization was negative in 6 cases. Nine patients were available for the follow-up of 7 to 139 months. Seven patients remained tumor-free, 2 experienced relapses, and no deaths or metastases were reported. Conclusions: Orbital and eyelid IMTs predominantly occurred in adults, with localized lesions in most cases and favorable prognoses. The disease was histopathologically characterized by proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. The accurate diagnosis depended on a comprehensive assessment of the morphological features of the tumor histopathology as well as immunohistochemical markers such as ALK and α-SMA, and molecular detection.

Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mediated dwarfing mutation provides a basis for CaCO3 accumulation by enhancing photosynthetic performance in Ceratostigma willmottianum Stapf

Ceratostigma willmottianum Stapf is a unique chalk gland (salt-excreting) plant from China, with a salt gland structure that excretes white crystals of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which has potential biomineralization and carbon sequestration functions. Due to the narrow distribution of wild germplasm resources, there is a lack of diversity of new varieties to satisfy commercial development and scientific exploration. Therefore, we used ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis to obtain new dwarf mutant germplasm, and analysed it in terms of morphology, growth, photosynthesis, salt glands, and excretion traits. All four dwarfing mutant strains (DM1, DM2, DM3, and DM4) exhibited extreme dwarfing (62.28%, 62.28%, 74.55% and 61.68% reduction in plant height, respectively), faster growth, increased belowground root biomass, and earlier bud differentiation and flowering. Photosynthetic capacity was enhanced: chlorophyll content, maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), electron transfer rate (ETR), net photosynthesis (Pn), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration (Tr), were significantly higher in leaves of DM mutants. The density of salt glands per unit leaf area and average Ca2+ excretion rate of individual salt glands increased significantly (especially in DM2), and CaCO3 accumulation per unit leaf area was 28.57% higher than that of the wild type. Pearson correlation analysis showed that photosynthetic capacity was significantly and positively correlated with CaCO3 excretion. The above study not only provided enriched new germplasm of C. willmottianum, but also important research material for studying the mechanism of CaCO3 excretion by salt glands and carbon sequestration capacity of biomineralization.

Comparison of computed versus acquired readout-segmented diffusion-weighted imaging in visualizing scrotal or testicular lesions

PURPOSE

Combining computed diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with readout-segmented echo-planar-imaging may shorten acquisition time and improve imaging quality. This study aimed to compare computed vs. acquired DWI qualitatively and quantitatively in visualizing scrotal or testicular lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 57 consecutive men who underwent scrotal MRI. Four computed DWI sets (cDWI800, cDWI1000, cDWI1200, and cDWI1400) were generated from acquired DWI with two lower b-values (150 and 600 s/mm2). Acquired DWI (DWI800 and DWI1000) and computed DWI were compared through qualitative (susceptibility artifact, signal loss artifact, anatomic clarity, and lesion conspicuity) and quantitative assessment (signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and lesion-to-testicular parenchyma contrast ratio (CR)).

RESULTS

Computed DWI was prone to signal loss artifact and slightly lower assessment scores in terms of anatomic clarity and lesion conspicuity, comparing with acquired DWI. The SNR of computed and acquired DWI decreased with increasing b value. Under the same b-values (800 and 1,000 s/mm2), there was no difference in the median SNR and CR between computed and acquired DWI. The median CR of cDWI1400 was significantly higher than that of the other DWI sets excepting cDWI1200 (P=1.000). The median CNR tended to be lower for computed vs. acquired DWI, while no significant difference (P=0.233).

CONCLUSIONS

Computed and acquired DWI were nearly equivalent in both qualitative and quantitative evaluations at the b values of 800 and 1,000 s/mm2. Computed DWI could enhance the contrast of scrotal or testicular lesions.

Double low-dose computed tomography (CT) angiography of craniocervical arteries using a test bolus of diluted contrast medium and a personalized contrast protocol

AIM

To prospectively assess the value of a test bolus of diluted contrast medium (CM) combined with a personalized contrast protocol in craniocervical computed tomography angiography (cc-CTA) with low radiation and CM doses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-six consecutive subjects were divided into two groups at random (43 in each one): group A: 100/Sn140 kVp, filtered back-projection reconstruction, iopromide (370 mgI/ml) 50 ml; group B: 80/Sn140 kVp, iterative reconstruction, iodixanol (270 mgI/ml). In group B, the test bolus contained 27 ml of diluted CM, a personalized protocol with low-concentration CM was used for angiography, and the test bolus injection duration in angiography remained the same. Artery values over 200 Hounsfield units were considered significant.

RESULTS

Image quality for all cases was found to be diagnostic. No significant differences were found in the arterial densities of the ascending aorta or basilar artery between the groups. The values of the common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, and middle cerebral artery in group B were significantly lower. The effective dose and average iodine uptake were significantly lower in group B.

CONCLUSION

With double-low-dose cc-CTA, test bolus scanning based on diluted CM combined with a personalized contrast protocol can yield diagnostic-quality images and significantly reduce the radiation and CM doses.

Ferroptosis Induction Enhances Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy for OLK

Oral leukoplakia (OLK) is the most representative oral potentially malignant disorder, with a high risk of malignant transformation and unclear mechanisms of occurrence. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has exhibited great potential in the treatment of OLK. However, the efficacy of PDT is difficult to predict and varies from person to person. Ferroptosis-related pathways are upregulated in many cancers, and ferroptosis induction is considered to be a potential synergistic strategy for various antitumor therapies, but its role in OLK treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether ferroptosis induction can enhance the efficacy of PDT in OLK treatment. Our study revealed that solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), a component of a crucial amino acid transporter and a key negative regulator of ferroptosis, was found to be highly expressed in OLK patients with no response to PDT. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-PDT is known to cause apoptosis and necrosis, but ferroptosis also occurred under ALA-PDT in OLK cells in our study. Using erastin to induce ferroptosis enhanced the efficacy of ALA-PDT on OLK cells by disrupting the antioxidant system and further elevating intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, leading to increased apoptosis. Furthermore, this combined modality also enhanced the efficacy of ALA-PDT on 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO)-induced OLK lesions in mice. In summary, ferroptosis induction may serve as a potential strategy to enhance the efficacy of ALA-PDT for OLK treatment.

Prognostic prediction model for salivary gland carcinoma based on machine learning

Although rare overall, salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) are among the most common oral and maxillofacial malignancies. The aim of this study was to develop a machine learning-based model to predict the survival of patients with SGC. Patients in whom SGC was confirmed by histological testing and who underwent primary extirpation at the authors' institution between 1963 and 2014 were identified. Demographic and clinicopathological data with complete follow-up information were collected for analysis. Feature selection methods were used to determine the correlation between prognosis-related factors and survival in the collected patient data. The collected clinicopathological data and multiple machine learning algorithms were used to develop a survival prediction model. Three machine learning algorithms were applied to construct the prediction models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and accuracy were used to measure model performance. The best classification performance was achieved with a LightGBM algorithm (AUC = 0.83, accuracy = 0.91). This model enabled prognostic prediction of patient survival. The model may be useful in developing personalized diagnostic and treatment strategies and formulating individualized follow-up plans, as well as assisting in the communication between doctors and patients, facilitating a better understanding of and compliance with treatment.

Enhancing acute stroke assessment: evaluating the clinical utility of the "Real" one-stop-shop scan protocol combining brain computed tomography perfusion and head-and-neck computed tomography angiography using a 512-slice detector computed tomography scanner

AIM

To assess the efficiency and diagnostic value of the "real" one-stop-shop protocol integrating the computed tomography angiography (CTA) sequence of the head and neck into the computed tomography perfusion (CTP) acquisition using a 512-slice detector CT scanner in patients who suffered from acute ischemic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 100 patients suspected of acute ischemic stroke. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n=50) who underwent the traditional protocol (brain CTP and head-and-neck CTA examination separately) and the experimental group (n=50) who underwent a one-stop-shop protocol (combined brain CT perfusion and head-and-neck CTA, the CTA triggering time determined by a low-dose test bolus injection). The examination time, contrast-agent dosage, radiation dose, postprocessing time, and image quality were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the experimental group had a significantly lower total iodine contrast-agent dosage (80 vs. 100 ml, P<0.001) and shorter scan time (3.23 [3.13, 3.35] vs. 2.32 [2.17, 2.45] min, P<0.001). Additionally, the radiation dose exposure was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (5129.00 [5173, 5232] vs. 4681.35 [4555.12, 4822.95] mGy-cm, P<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of postprocessing time, head-and-neck CTA, and CTP imaging quality.

CONCLUSION

The one-stop-shop protocol enables effective detection of lesions, providing clear visualization of the location and degree of stenosis in the head-and-neck vessels. It achieves this with lower costs in scan time, contrast-agent dosage, and radiation dose compared to the traditional protocol and is thus worth considering as the first examination for patients who suffer from acute ischemic stroke.

[Therapeutic results of three-dimensional aortic valve anatomic repair for regurgitant bicuspid aortic valve]

Objective: To explore the surgical technique and results of three-dimensional aortic valve anatomic repair for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with aortic regurgitation (AR). Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. From August 2021 to December 2023, 130 consecutive patients with BAV-AR underwent aortic valve anatomic repair at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University,and the data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 115 males and 15 females, aged (38.6±11.7) years (range: 15 to 67 years). All patients received modified aortic root reconstruction, to do three-dimensional root remodeling, including the basal ring, sinus of Valsalva and sino-tubular junction simultaneously. Perioperative and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed using independent samples t-test, Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test, or χ² test. Results: No patient transferred to valve replacement during the operation. The cardiopulmonary bypass time (M(IQR)) was 109(34) minutes (range:67 to 247 minutes), and the aortic cross-clamp time was 76(26) minutes (range: 32 to 158 minutes). Preoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed 123 patients (94.6%) presented with moderate or severe regurgitation. Immediately postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed no regurgitation in 22 patients (16.9%), trace regurgitation in 81 patients (62.3%) and mild regurgitation in 27 patients (20.8%). Follow up was completed in all patients, with a follow-up of 5.5(9.4) months (range: 0.1 to 27.6 months). No mortality was observed during follow-up. Echocardiography was obtained in 112 patients at the latest follow-up, including no regurgitation in 4 patients (3.6%), trace regurgitation in 58 patients (51.8%), mild regurgitation in 45 patients (40.2%), moderate regurgitation in 4 patients (3.6%), and severe regurgitation in 1 patient (0.9%). Conclusion: For patients with BAV-AR who have good valve quality and no severe aortic sinus dilation, the recent outcomes of three-dimensional anatomical repair technique, focusing on overall remodeling of the aortic root, are satisfactory.

Oral supplementation of heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 relieves gastrointestinal discomfort and alters the gut microecology in academically stressed students

Stress significantly affects gastrointestinal and mental health, and the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in this process. Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 (EC-12) is a lactic acid bacterium that has several health benefits. To investigate the impact of oral supplementation with heat-killed EC-12 on the discomfort caused by stress, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with students under academic stress taking EC-12 (n = 14) or a placebo (n = 13) daily for one week. Improvement in the students' symptoms was assessed using the visual analogue scale. Faecal microbiota was characterised by next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, and faecal metabolites and short-chain fatty acids were analysed using a GC-MS metabolomics approach. Significant improvements in abdominal pain and rumbling of the stomach were found in the EC-12 group compared to the placebo group, but no changes were observed in mental symptoms or salivary cortisol levels. The relative abundance of E. faecalis significantly increased in the EC-12 group after the trial; however, the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota did not change significantly. Functional analysis of the gut microbiota suggested that EC-12 intake alters specific metabolic pathways. Although the levels of faecal short-chain fatty acids did not change between the groups before and after the trial, EC-12 intake altered the composition of faecal metabolites, with a significant increase in tryptamine levels. The ratio of students with improved symptoms to those with increased tryptamine levels was calculated based on the number of students with elevated faecal tryptamine levels who showed symptomatic improvements. The ratio of improved rumbling stomach was higher than that of other types of digestive discomfort. These results suggest that oral supplementation with EC-12 has a potentially beneficial effect on stress-induced gastrointestinal discomfort, which may occur through alterations in gut microbiota composition and metabolism. This study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Center (UMIN) under the UMIN ID: UMIN000048184.

[Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small cell lung cancer transformed into small-cell lung cancer after treatment]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with sensitive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations who developed small cell lung cancer (SCLC) transformation after treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Methods: We conducted a retrospective collection of clinical data for 21 patients with advanced EGFR mutant NSCLC who developed SCLC transformation after EGFR-TKI treatment at Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2015 to December 2021. The clinical characteristics were summarized and the prognosis analysis was conducted. Patients were followed up until February 2024. The efficacy was evaluated using Solid Tumor Response Evaluation Criteria, and survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to compare the differences in survival time (OS) between limited stage and extensive stage in transformed SCLC patients. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the influencing factors of survival after SCLC transformation. Results: Among the 21 patients, there were 5 males and 16 females, with an age range of 33-74 years old [(58.9±2.6) years old]. All 21 patients were adenocarcinoma with sensitive EGFR mutations. There were 18 cases (85.7%) with EGFR gene 19del mutation, including 1 case of 19del+anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation, and 3 cases of L858R mutation. Among the transformed SCLC, there were 11 cases of pure SCLC and 10 cases of mixed SCLC (coexisting of adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma components). The median time from diagnosis of NSCLC to SCLC transformation was 12.0 months (95%CI: 7.6-16.3 months). Among the 21 cases of SCLC transformation, there were 13 cases with the extensive stage and 8 cases with the limited stage. Among them, 16 patients received systemic chemotherapy based on etoposide, of which 13 cases could be evaluated for efficacy, 11 cases could be calculated for PFS. Five cases had partial remission, 5 cases were stable, 3 cases had disease progression, and 3 cases cloud not be evaluated. The median progression free survival time (PFS) was 4.8 months (95%CI: 2.8-6.8 months). The median survival time (OS) after SCLC transformation in 21 patients was 10.6 months (95%CI: 7.0-14.2 months), with a median OS of 8.8 months (95%CI: 6.3-11.4 months) for patients with the extensive stage and 27.5 months (95%CI: 9.6-34.4 months) for patients with the limited stage, with statistically significant differences (P=0.002). Cox proportional hazards model analysis showed that the limited stage after SCLC transformation was a protective factor for OS (HR=0.32, 95%CI: 0.12-0.73, P=0.010). The median OS of 21 patients from the diagnosis of lung cancer was 24.9 months (95%CI: 13.0-36.7 months). Conclusions: NSCLC patients with SCLC transformation are all adenocarcinomas, and the proportion of EGFR19del mutations is relatively high. After SCLC transformation, the standard chemotherapy regimen for SCLC is generally used for treatment. The OS after SCLC transformation is related to the stage, and the prognosis is better in the limited stage.

Changes in mandibular angle and intergonial width after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy or bimaxillary surgery with/without counterclockwise rotation

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the morphological changes in the mandibular angle area after orthognathic surgery with or without mandibular counterclockwise rotation in Class II deformity patients, and to investigate the associated factors. Computed tomography scans obtained preoperatively (T0), within 1 month postoperatively (T1), and 6 months postoperatively (T2) were collected from 58 patients who underwent either bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (group I), bimaxillary surgery with mandibular counterclockwise rotation (group II), or bimaxillary surgery without mandibular counterclockwise rotation (group III). The intergonial width increased after surgery, by 2.78 ± 2.02 mm in group I, 2.86 ± 2.81 mm in group II, and 2.53 ± 2.42 mm in group III (all P < 0.001). The mandibular angle (MA) increased in group I (ΔMA 4.76 ± 2.79°; P < 0.001) and group III (ΔMA 3.50 ± 2.58°; P < 0.001); however no significant increase was observed in group II. The increase in intergonial width was positively correlated with the lateral displacement of the proximal segment. Counterclockwise rotation of the proximal segment resulted in an increase in MA, while counterclockwise rotation resulted in a reduction in this increasing trend. The results indicate that reducing the displacement and rotation of the proximal segments is key to minimizing changes in the mandibular angle area.

Search for the Z Boson Decay to ττμμ in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The first search for the Z boson decay to ττμμ at the CERN LHC is presented, based on data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1}. The data are compatible with the predicted background. For the first time, an upper limit at the 95% confidence level of 6.9 times the standard model expectation is placed on the ratio of the Z→ττμμ to Z→4μ branching fractions. Limits are also placed on the six flavor-conserving four-lepton effective-field-theory operators involving two muons and two tau leptons, for the first time testing all such operators.

Search for Light Long-Lived Particles in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV Using Displaced Vertices in the ATLAS Inner Detector

A search for long-lived particles (LLPs) using 140  fb^{-1} of pp collision data with sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is presented. The search targets LLPs with masses between 5 and 55 GeV that decay hadronically in the ATLAS inner detector. Benchmark models with LLP pair production from exotic decays of the Higgs boson and models featuring long-lived axionlike particles (ALPs) are considered. No significant excess above the expected background is observed. Upper limits are placed on the branching ratio of the Higgs boson to pairs of LLPs, the cross section for ALPs produced in association with a vector boson, and, for the first time, on the branching ratio of the top quark to an ALP and a u/c quark.

Search for the Exclusive W Boson Hadronic Decays W^{±}→π^{±}γ, W^{±}→K^{±}γ and W^{±}→ρ^{±}γ with the ATLAS Detector

A search for the exclusive hadronic decays W^{±}→π^{±}γ, W^{±}→K^{±}γ, and W^{±}→ρ^{±}γ is performed using up to 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collisions recorded with the ATLAS detector at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV. If observed, these rare processes would provide a unique test bench for the quantum chromodynamics factorization formalism used to calculate cross sections at colliders. Additionally, at future colliders, these decays could offer a new way to measure the W boson mass through fully reconstructed decay products. The search results in the most stringent upper limits to date on the branching fractions B(W^{±}→π^{±}γ)<1.9×10^{-6}, B(W^{±}→K^{±}γ)<1.7×10^{-6}, B(W^{±}→ρ^{±}γ)<5.2×10^{-6} at 95% confidence level.

[Auditory characteristics and disease progression trends of patients with common recessive deafness genes GJB2 and SLC26A4]

Patients who aged≥6 years and had hearing loss due to GJB2 or SLC26A4 mutation from the Chinese Deafness Genome Project between January 2020 and December 2023 were included. A total of 43 patients with GJB2 mutation were detected, including 25 males and 18 females, with a mean age of (20.4±11.4) years. There were 20 patients with SLC26A4 mutation, including 9 males and 11 females, with a mean age of (15.7±9.1) years. The mean hearing threshold of GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutation patients was 54.1 (95%CI: 49.1-59.1) decibel hearing level (dB HL) and 66.1 (95%CI: 58.6-73.6) dB HL, respectively. The hearing threshold of GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutation patients increased at a rate of 0.21 (95%CI:-0.15-0.57) dB HL/year and 2.22 (95%CI: 1.46-2.99) dB HL/year, respectively. The current study indicates that patients with SLC26A4 mutation show a progressive trend of hearing decline with the increase of age.

Exploring Distribution and Evolution of Pi-ta Haplotypes in Rice Landraces across Different Rice Cultivation Regions in Yunnan

Background: Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, seriously damages the yield and quality of rice worldwide. Pi-ta is a durable resistance gene that combats M. oryzae carrying AVR-Pita1. However, the distribution of the Pi-ta gene in rice germplasms in Yunnan Province has been inadequately studied. Methods: We analyzed the potential molecular evolution pattern of Pi-ta alleles by examining the diversity in the coding sequence (CDS) among rice varieties. Results: The results revealed that 95% of 405 rice landraces collected from different ecological regions in Yunnan Province carry Pi-ta alleles. We identified 17 nucleotide variation sites in the CDS regions of the Pi-ta gene across 385 rice landraces. These variations led to the identification of 28 Pi-ta haplotypes, encoding 12 novel variants. Among these, 5 Pi-ta haplotypes (62 rice landraces) carried R alleles. The evolutionary cluster and network of the Pi-ta haplotypes suggested that the Pi-ta S alleles were the ancestral alleles, which could potentially evolve into R variants through base substitution. Conclusions: This study suggests that Pi-ta alleles are diverse in the rice landraces in Yunnan, and the Pi-ta sites resistant to blast evolved from the susceptible plants of the rice landraces. These results provide the basis for breeding resistant varieties.

Observation of the Λ b 0 → J / ψ Ξ - K + decay

Using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb - 1 collected by the CMS experiment ats = 13 Te V , theΛ b 0 → J / ψ Ξ - K + decay is observed for the first time, with a statistical significance exceeding 5 standard deviations. The relative branching fraction, with respect to theΛ b 0 → ψ ( 2 S ) Λ decay, is measured to be B ( Λ b 0 → J / ψ Ξ - K + ) / B ( Λ b 0 → ψ ( 2 S ) Λ ) = [ 3.38 ± 1.02 ± 0.61 ± 0.03 ] % , where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is related to the uncertainties in B ( ψ ( 2 S ) → J / ψ π + π - ) and B ( Ξ - → Λ π - ) .

Prevalence of COVID-19 and Long COVID by industry and occupation: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2022

BACKGROUND

Workers in healthcare and other essential occupations had elevated risks for COVID-19 infection early in the pandemic. No survey of U.S. workers to date has comprehensively assessed the prevalence of both COVID-19 and Long COVID across industries and occupations (I&O) at a detailed level.

METHODS

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for 2022 from 39 states, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were used to estimate prevalence of self-reported history of COVID-19 and Long COVID, as well as the prevalence of Long COVID among those reporting prior COVID-19, by broad and detailed I&O. Adjusted prevalence ratios were used to compare outcome prevalence in each I&O to prevalence among all other workers combined.

RESULTS

By broad I&O, workers in healthcare, protective services, and education had elevated prevalences of COVID-19. The prevalence of Long COVID was elevated in healthcare and protective service but not education workers. Detailed I&O with significantly elevated prevalences of COVID-19 but not Long COVID included Dairy Product Manufacturing industry workers and subsets of mining workers. Both COVID-19 and Long COVID were elevated among bartenders/drinking places and personal care and appearance workers. The prevalence of Long COVID was elevated among farmworkers who reported having had COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Industries and occupations with elevated levels of COVID-19 or Long COVID in this study may warrant increased measures to prevent transmission of airborne respiratory viruses. Accommodations are a key component for supporting workers in all workplaces. This new information about the distribution of Long COVID by I&O suggests where employer understanding and implementation of tailored workplace supports and accommodations are most needed to support continued employment of affected workers.

[Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of microsecretory adenocarcinoma in salivary gland]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic characteristics of microsecretory adenocarcinoma (MSA) of the salivary gland, and to improve the understanding of this rare tumor. Methods: Cases originally diagnosed as MSA at the Department of Oral Pathology, the Ninth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were retrospectively collected. The cases of polymorphous adenocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified from January 2000 to January 2020 were reviewed to identify potential misdiagnosed MSA cases. Clinicopathological analysis and follow-up of all confirmed MSA cases were performed, and relevant literature was reviewed. Results: A total of 4 MSA cases were identified, including 2 screened from the polymorphous adenocarcinoma cohort. Of the 4 MSA patients, 3 were male and 1 was female, with an average age of 53 years (range, 37-67 years). Three cases occurred in the palate, and one in the buccal region. The clinical manifestation was usually a slow-growing painless mass. Tumors were generally small, with a maximum diameter ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 cm (average, 1.2 cm). Microscopically, the tumor was unencapsulated and showed an infiltrative growth pattern. The tumor cells appeared small in size and showed bland, cubic and flattened cytological features, forming microcystic lumens and glandular tubes. Significant basophilic secretions were seen in the lumens. Between the tumor nests there was fibro-myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemistry showed diffusely or partially positive staining for cytokeratin 7, S-100, SOX-10, p63 and vimentin and negative staining for p40, mammaglobin, and calponin. The proliferation index of Ki-67 was relatively low (1%-3%). Four MSA cases all harbored SS18 gene rearrangement as shown by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), including 2 cases with MEF2C::SS18 fusion gene through RNA-targeted next generation sequencing. All 4 patients underwent surgical resection without any adjuvant treatments. Three patients were followed up for a period of 2 to 203 months. No tumor recurrence, metastasis, or disease-related death was found. Conclusions: Salivary gland MSA is a novel and rare low-grade carcinoma with unique and consistent histological morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular changes. Immunohistochemical staining and SS18 break apart FISH are useful for the diagnosis of the tumor with atypical morphology and high-grade transformation.

[The characteristics of pediatric primary retroperitoneal teratoma and the influencing factors of perioperative complications]

To explore the characteristics of pediatric primary retroperitoneal teratoma and the influencing factors of perioperative complications. The clinical data, imaging data, pathology results, perioperative complications, etc of patients with primary retroperitoneal teratoma admitted and treated at Shanxi Children's Hospital from March 2013 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into no complication group and complication group according to whether there were perioperative complications. The differences between the two groups were compared, and the influencing factors of complications were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model. A total of 33 patients were included in this study, including 7 males and 26 females, with an age of [M (Q1, Q3), 9.0 (4.0, 24.0)] months. Nineteen cases had tumors located in the left upper abdomen and 14 cases in the right upper abdomen, among which 17 cases grew across the midline, with the maximum tumor diameter of (12.9±4.5) cm. All patients had anatomical displacement of retroperitoneal vessels and organs: the number of anatomical displaced arteries was 3 (3, 4), the number of anatomical displaced veins was 4 (3, 5), the number of anatomical displaced organs was 5 (4, 6). Pathologic examination revealed 28 mature teratomas (Grade 0 and Grade 1) and 5 immature teratomas (Grade 2 and Grade 3). There were 18 cases in no complication group and 15 cases in the complication group. The incidence of perioperative complications was 45.5% (15/33). The number of tumors crossing the midline (6/18 vs 11/15, P=0.037), the number of tumors adhering closely to the surrounding tissues (7/18 vs 12/15, P=0.033), the number of anatomical displaced veins [4 (3, 4) vs 5 (4, 5), P=0.001], and the number of anatomical displaced organs [4 (3, 5) vs 6 (5, 6), P=0.001] were significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that the number of anatomical displaced organs (OR=8.781, 95%CI: 2.155-35.784, P=0.002) was the influencing factor for perioperative complications of pediatric primary retroperitoneal teratoma.

Observation of Enhanced Long-Range Elliptic Anisotropies Inside High-Multiplicity Jets in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search for collective effects inside jets produced in proton-proton collisions is performed via correlation measurements of charged particles using the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The analysis uses data collected at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1}. Jets are reconstructed with the anti-k_{T} algorithm with a distance parameter of 0.8 and are required to have transverse momentum greater than 550 GeV and pseudorapidity |η^{jet}|<1.6. Two-particle correlations among the charged particles within the jets are studied as functions of the particles' azimuthal angle and pseudorapidity separations (Δϕ^{*} and Δη^{*}) in a jet coordinate basis, where particles' η^{*}, ϕ^{*} are defined relative to the direction of the jet. The correlation functions are studied in classes of in-jet charged-particle multiplicity up to N_{ch}^{j}≈100. Fourier harmonics are extracted from long-range azimuthal correlation functions to characterize azimuthal anisotropy for |Δη^{*}|>2. For low-N_{ch}^{j} jets, the long-range elliptic anisotropic harmonic, v_{2}^{*}, is observed to decrease with N_{ch}^{j}. This trend is well described by Monte Carlo event generators. However, a rising trend for v_{2}^{*} emerges at N_{ch}^{j}≳80, hinting at a possible onset of collective behavior, which is not reproduced by the models tested. This observation yields new insights into the dynamics of jet evolution in the vacuum.

Effects of complex probiotics on intestinal function and its regulatory mechanism in patients with constipation

Chronic constipation is a multi-symptomatic, multifactorial, and heterogeneous gastrointestinal disorder. Current pharmacological treatments for chronic constipation are limited and might negatively impact the patients' quality of life. Although probiotics have been shown to improve constipation symptoms, their specific regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study sought to explore how probiotic complexes may affect chronic constipation by improving patients' defecation habits. Furthermore, microbial profiles and non-targeted metabolites were assessed to explore the metabolic pathways involved in the improvement of constipation by probiotics. Patients with chronic constipation were treated using a single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial design. The experimental group was administered Lactobacillus powder prepared from 15 probiotic products, and maltodextrin was used as a placebo. Samples were collected twice daily for 4 weeks, and faecal samples were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolic histology. Probiotic treatment changed the makeup of the gut microbiota, enhanced the quantity of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and markedly reduced clinical symptoms. The 16S rRNA analysis revealed that the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Prevotella increased while that of Thickettsia declined. Moreover, there was a decrease in the abundance of Faecalibacterium and Roseburia. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified several differential metabolites, including succinic acid, fumaric acid, cholesterol, xanthurenic acid, 3-alpha,7-alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestan-26-oic, and N-methyltryptamine. KEGG analysis showed that these metabolites were mainly associated with metabolic pathways such as primary bile acid biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and propanoate metabolism. In this study, gut microbiome and non-targeted metabolome analyses were performed on collected faecal samples to compare characteristic microorganisms and differential metabolites to provide new insights and references for probiotic intervention in constipation. Trial registered at chictr.org.cn under number: ChiCTR2200056274.

Determination of the Relative Sign of the Higgs Boson Couplings to W and Z Bosons Using WH Production via Vector-Boson Fusion with the ATLAS Detector

The associated production of Higgs and W bosons via vector-boson fusion is highly sensitive to the relative sign of the Higgs boson couplings to W and Z bosons. In this Letter, two searches for this process are presented, using 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The first search targets scenarios with opposite-sign couplings of the W and Z bosons to the Higgs boson, while the second targets standard model-like scenarios with same-sign couplings. Both analyses consider Higgs boson decays into a pair of b quarks and W boson decays with an electron or muon. The data exclude the opposite-sign coupling hypothesis with a significance beyond 5σ, and the observed (expected) upper limit set on the cross section for vector-boson fusion WH production is 9.0 (8.7) times the standard model value at 95% confidence level.