[Analysis of the incidence of low viral load/low-level viremia and its associated factors in patients with HBV-related primary liver cancer]

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the viral levels and associated factors in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related primary liver cancer (PHC) in real-world settings and further explore the correlation between low viral load (LVL) and/or low-level viremia (LLV) and PHC. Methods: Five hundred twenty-four cases with HBV-related PHC with complete pathologically confirmed data from 2013 to 2020 were included. Percentages (%) were used to express their viral load, antiviral (oral) status, patient compliance, presence or absence of cirrhosis, family history of liver cancer, and others. LVL definition: After excluding detection errors by PCR method, serum HBV DNA <50-2 000 IU/ml, and those who had received antiviral drug treatment were called LLV. Antiviral treatment (AVT) rate definition: As of the confirmed diagnosis of PHC, those who had been regularly treated using oral antiviral drugs for six months or more (≥6 months). Results: General situation: The ratio of male to female enrolled patients was 15.90:1 (493/31). Patients aged >40 years accounted for 91.98% (482 cases). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity condition: The ratio of HBsAg-positive to HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive (HBsAg-/anti-HBc+) PHC patients was 5.89:1 (448/76). Among the 76 HBsAg-/anti-HBc+patients, the ratio of HBsAg-/anti-HBs+/anti-HBc+ to HBsAg-/anti-HBs-/anti-HBc+ patients was 0.95:1 (37/39). Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeA) positivity condition: The ratio of HBeAg-negative to HBeAg-positive cases was 3.23:1 (400/124). HBV DNA level condition: The medical history records of 75.00% of patients (393/524) had traceable HBV DNA test reports. Out of 393 patients, 45.04% (177/393) accounted for undetectable HBV DNA, 13.49% (53/393) accounted for LVL, 41.48% (163/393) accounted for HBV DNA exceeding the upper limit of LVL, and 4.07% (16/393) accounted for LLV. Among HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-/anti-HBc+ patients, the HBV DNA positivity rates were 59.12% (214/362) and 6.45% (2/31), respectively. Antiviral treatment condition: Among the 448 HBsAg-positive PHC patients, the total AVT rate was 18.08% (81/448), of which seven patients did not have their HBV DNA results traced back. Among them, the AVT rate of 148 patients with HBV DNA lower than the lowest detection value was 41.22% (61/148); the AVT rate of 53 patients with LVL was 18.87% (10/53); and the AVT rate of 163 patients with HBV DNA≥LVL upper limit was 1.84% (3/163). Liver cirrhosis and family history condition: 348 patients (66.41%) had liver cirrhosis. 67 patients (12.79%) had a distinct family history of HBV-related liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) condition: 514 patients underwent AFP testing, with 30.93% of the patients had normal AFP levels, and 69.07% had AFP levels exceeding the upper limit of normal values (355/514). Among them, 10 μg/L400 μg/L accounted for 34.44% (177/514) and 34.63% (178/514), respectively. Tissue typing condition: 99.05% (519/524) were hepatocellular carcinoma, and well-differentiated and moderately differentiated cases accounted for only 8.59%. Conclusions: In the real world, comprehensive, timely screening, standardized, and effective antiviral treatment have not yet been achieved for patients with chronic hepatitis B, resulting in the persistence of HBsAg and/or HBV DNA positivity (especially LVL and/or LLV). Although LVL does not account for a high proportion among all HBV-related PHC populations, the vast majority of LVL populations have not received any antiviral treatment. In addition, some PHC populations with HBV DNA>2 000 IU/ml have not received standard antiviral treatment before the onset of the disease, which should be paid attention to. At the same time, HBsAg-/anti-HBc+ populations may have latent HBV infection and may even progress to PHC. Notably, PHC may still occur after HBeAg seronegative conversion.

Effects of embryo injected with ochratoxin A on growth performance, jejunal morphology and barrier of ducklings

1. This trial investigated the effect on embryo injected with ochratoxin A (OTA) and the growth performance, jejunal morphology and barrier of ducklings to 21 d old.2. Two hundred forty, fertilised eggs were individually weighed and randomly assigned to two groups, a control (CON) and the OTA treatment, according to average egg weight. On d 13 of embryonic development, the treatment group was injected with 8 ng OTA/g egg and the CON group was injected with NaHCO3 solution as a placebo. All newly hatched ducklings were assigned to the CON or OTA group based on the different treatments. Each treatment consisted of six replicates and each included 10 ducklings and the experiment lasted until 21 d of age.3. The results showed that embryos injected with OTA affected the 21 d body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) of ducklings (p < 0.05). OTA exposure increased the relative weights of the liver, pancreas, gizzard, proventriculus and jejunum (p < 0.05); and decreased the relative length of the jejunum of ducklings (p < 0.05). Moreover, jejunal crypt depth increased (p < 0.05) and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (Vh/Cd) decreased in the OTA-injected group (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the CON group, the mRNA expression of Zonula Occludens-1; (ZO-1) (p = 0.0582) and Occludin; (p = 0.0687) in the OTA treatment group was downregulated.4. The findings demonstrated that a single low-dose injection of OTA increased body weight and daily gain in ducklings. Moreover, embryo exposure to OTA had negative effects with increased relative weight of organs and the jejunal crypt depth, decreased relative length of the intestine and mRNA expression of tight junctions (ZO-1, Occludin).

Observation of New Charmonium or Charmoniumlike States in B^{+}→D^{*±}D^{∓}K^{+} Decays

A study of resonant structures in B^{+}→D^{*+}D^{-}K^{+} and B^{+}→D^{*-}D^{+}K^{+} decays is performed, using proton-proton collision data at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV recorded by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. A simultaneous amplitude fit is performed to the two channels with contributions from resonances decaying to D^{*-}D^{+} and D^{*+}D^{-} states linked by C parity. This procedure allows the C parities of resonances in the D^{*±}D^{∓} mass spectra to be determined. Four charmonium or charmoniumlike states are observed decaying into D^{*±}D^{∓}: η_{c}(3945), h_{c}(4000), χ_{c1}(4010), and h_{c}(4300), with quantum numbers J^{PC} equal to 0^{-+}, 1^{+-}, 1^{++}, and 1^{+-}, respectively. At least three of these states have not been observed previously. In addition, the existence of the T_{c[over ¯]s[over ¯]0}^{*}(2870)^{0} and T_{c[over ¯]s[over ¯]1}^{*}(2900)^{0} resonances in the D^{-}K^{+} mass spectrum, already observed in the B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} decay, is confirmed in a different production channel.

Search for Time-Dependent CP Violation in D^{0}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0} Decays

A measurement of time-dependent CP violation in D^{0}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0} decays using a pp collision data sample collected by the LHCb experiment in 2012 and from 2015 to 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.7  fb^{-1}, is presented. The initial flavor of each D^{0} candidate is determined from the charge of the pion produced in the D^{*}(2010)^{+}→D^{0}π^{+} decay. The decay D^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{0} is used as a control channel to validate the measurement procedure. The gradient of the time-dependent CP asymmetry ΔY in D^{0}→π^{+}π^{-}π^{0} decays is measured to be ΔY=(-1.3±6.3±2.4)×10^{-4}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic, which is compatible with CP conservation.

Yeast mixture supplementation modulates faecal microbiota and ileum morphology of weaning pigs

Different yeast strains benefit postweaning piglets by promoting intestinal health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a yeast mixture containing Kluyveromyces marxianus fragilis, Pichia guilliermondii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Vetoquinol italia s.r.l., Italy) on gut health parameters and growth performance traits of weaned piglets. Forty-eight postweaning castrated male piglets (27 ± 1.7 days, 7.19 ± 0.54 kg) were randomly allocated to two homogeneous experimental groups and involved in a 28-day trial. Both the groups received a basal diet with (yeast mixture, YM) or without (control, CTR) the inclusion of 0.8% yeast mixture during weeks 1 and 2, and 0.6% during weeks 3 and 4. Individual BW and box feed intake were determined on days 0, 14, and 28, and average daily gain and Gain:Feed ratio were subsequently calculated for each administration period (0-14, 14-28). Individual faecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis on days 4, 14, 21, and 28, and faecal score was evaluated on the same days. At the end of the trial, 12 piglets for each group were sacrificed, and ileal tissue was sampled for morphological analysis and the evaluation of mucins profile, using Alcian-Blue/Periodic Acid-Shiff (PAS) staining. On ileum samples, dividing and differentiated epithelial cells were also identified using proliferating cell nuclear antigen and alkaline phosphatase expression, respectively. Differences in the means between the experimental groups were determined by ANOVA, while the metataxonomics analyses were performed by sequencing for V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Growth performance traits were not different among the two experimental groups when considering the whole trial period, while treated animals showed increased faecal consistency on weeks 1 and 4 (P = 0.036 and 0.021, respectively). Yeast mixture administration increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium (P = 0.006) and Coprococcus 2 (P = 0.015), and decreased Clostridium Sensu Stricto 1 (P = 0.019) at all the considered timepoints. Ileum villous height, villous width, and crypt depth were significantly increased by yeast mixture supplementation (P = 0.019; P = 0.013; P = 0.036, respectively), while no differences were observed for the villous:crypt ratio among the groups. The mucin profile showed no differences among experimental groups for acid and neutral glycoconjugates. However, a higher presence of PAS-positive mucins was highlighted in the villi of YM piglets (P < 0.001) compared to CTR. Overall, the administration of a yeast mixture to postweaning piglets showed positive effects on gut health when compared to piglets not receiving the tested product, improving beneficial genera and intestinal morphology.

[Mendelian randomization analysis of the causal relationship between asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis]

Objective: To explore the causal relationship between asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and chronic sinusitis (CRS), using two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, thereby providing foundational evidences for the pathogenesis and treatment of CRS. Methods: The genetic variations in AR and asthma were used as instrumental variables, with genetic data from the Integrated Epidemiology Unit (IEU) Open database. A total of 14 283 asthma and 18 934 AR cases were included, with 98 300 and 64 595 corresponding normal control cases, respectively. For CRS, there were 3 236 CRSwNP and 8 524 CRSsNP, respectively, with 167 849 and 167 849 corresponding normal control cases, respectively. The genetic data were analyzed using the inverse variance weighting method (IVW), MR Egger method, weighted median method, and Cochran's Q-test. Results: The IVW analysis showed that asthma increased the risk of both CRSwNP (OR=482.8, 95%CI: 57.18-4 077.78, P<0.001) and CRSsNP (OR=25.73, 95%CI: 9.79-67.56, P<0.001); AR significantly increased the risk of CRSsNP (OR=5.40, 95%CI: 1.68-17.26, P=0.004), but not CRSwNP (OR=7.38, 95%CI: 0.80-67.73, P=0.077). Conversely, neither CRSwNP nor CRSsNP increased the risk of asthma or AR. Conclusion: According to Mendelian genetic laws, asthma is a risk factor for CRSwNP and CRSsNP, while AR is a risk factor for CRSsNP.

Characterization of circRNA expression profiles associated with non-Mendelian inheritance in feather growth of chickens

1. Non-coding RNAs, such as miRNAs, play a crucial role in chicken feather growth rate. However, circular RNA (circRNA) expression profiles in fast- and slow-feathering chickens that follow and do not follow Mendelian inheritance are unclear.2. The circRNA expression profiles was analysed by RNA sequencing of hair follicles of slow-feathering chickens that follow genetic rules and fast-feathering chickens that did not follow genetic rules. Differentially expressed circRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was then constructed and the key factors and regulation mechanisms controlling feather growth rate were identified.3. The results revealed that 67 circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in hens, including 22 up-regulated and 45 down-regulated circRNAs in non-Mendelian inheritance-mediated fast-feathering hens compared with Mendelian inheritance-mediated slow-feathering hens. In addition, 16 significantly differentially expressed circRNAs were identified in cockerels, including nine up-regulated and seven down-regulated circRNAs in non-Mendelian inheritance-mediated fast- compared with Mendelian inheritance-mediated slow-feathering cocks. Moreover, circRNA-mediated ceRNA regulation of hair follicle formation was particularly abundant in the Jak-STAT, Wnt and Toll-like receptor signalling pathways. Furthermore, circABI3BP was seen to be a crucial circRNA in regulating feather growth rate, by binding with gga-miR-1649-5p to regulate SSTR2 expression.4. In conclusion, this study analysed circRNA expression profiles in fast- and slow-feathering chickens that follow and do not follow Mendelian inheritance, which laid the foundation for understanding the role of circRNA in chicken feather growth rate.

[Therapeutic effectiveness of modified endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy for acute appendicitis of different severities in children]

Objective: To investigate the effects of modified endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (mERAT) on the treatment of children with different severities of acute appendicitis. Methods: This study was a case-control study. A total of 586 children with acute appendicitis, who were admitted to the Pediatric Department of Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University between January 2019 and November 2023, were selected as the research subjects. According to the severity of the disease, the patients were divided into simple appendicitis group, suppurative appendicitis group and perforated appendicitis group. The baseline data, hospitalization treatment and costs, outcomes, and recurrence in each group were analyzed, and the difference in the effectiveness of mERAT between the groups were compared by Kruskal-Wallis H test and χ2 test. Results: Among 586 children, there were 338 males and 248 females. The age at onset was 7.0 (4.6, 9.4) years. There were 475 cases of simple appendicitis, 78 cases of suppurative appendicitis, and 33 cases of perforated appendicitis. There were no significant differences in age and gender among the three groups (F=0.59, χ2=3.31, both P>0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in body temperature, white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, nausea or vomiting, right lower abdominal pain, umbilical pain, right lower abdominal tenderness, and right lower abdominal rebound pain (H=7.56, 161.52, 169.11, and 169.61, χ2=12.05, 13.82, 12.05, 7.74, 20.35, and 94.61, all P<0.05). Also, the treatment time, postoperative hospital stay, total hospital stay, and cost showed statistically significant differences (H=4.70, 33.66, 34.99, 30.37, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the initial treatment success rate (98.1% (466/475) vs. 98.7% (77/78) vs. 90.9% (30/33), P=0.057). During the 30 (23, 36) months of follow-up, the recurrence rate was 7.9% (35/433) in the simple appendicitis group, 20.8% (15/72) in the suppurative appendicitis group, and 30.0% (9/30) in the perforated appendicitis group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2=23.56, P<0.001). Among the children with recurrent appendicitis, 15 cases still chose mERAT, of them 11 cases (31.2%) had simple appendicitis, 2 cases (2/15) had suppurative appendicitis, and 2 cases (2/9) had perforated appendicitis.The latest time to recurrence in the 3 groups was 32, 35 and 10 months, respectively. Conclusion: Treatment with mERAT has a good effect in pediatric simple appendicitis, but has a higher recurrence rate despite a better initial treatment success rate in suppurative appendicitis and perforated appendicitis.

Modification of χ_{c1}(3872) and ψ(2S) Production in pPb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

The LHCb Collaboration measures production of the exotic hadron χ_{c1}(3872) in proton-nucleus collisions for the first time. Comparison with the charmonium state ψ(2S) suggests that the exotic χ_{c1}(3872) experiences different dynamics in the nuclear medium than conventional hadrons, and comparison with data from proton-proton collisions indicates that the presence of the nucleus may modify χ_{c1}(3872) production rates. This is the first measurement of the nuclear modification factor of an exotic hadron.

A method to efficiently and rapidly approximate the vectorial fields generated by large area metasurfaces

In order to calculate the electromagnetic fields that are produced after light passes through a metasurface, simulation methods such as the Finite-Difference Time-Domain method are often employed. While these provide a good approximation to the fields, the level of detail at which the volume of space that the light is propagating in needs to be modelled and the time for which simulations need to run, mean that as the area of the metasurface is increased these simulations rapidly become unwieldy. In this paper we show how the result of a FDTD simulation of a unit cell can be used to generate a good approximation of the vectorial field that large area metasurfaces will generate, but using a fraction of the computational resources. This approach can provide an intermediate design step, allowing potentially interesting designs to be rapidly identified or discarded.

[Effect of ground cage use on Oncomelania hupensis spread]

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of ground cage use on Oncomelania hupensis spread, so as to provide insights into precision snail control.

METHODS

Twenty ground cages that were frequently used to capture rice field eels were purchased, including 11 packaging tape-made cages, 7 plastic cages and 2 nylon rope-made cages. The eel-capturing activity was mimicked, and 20 ground cages were assigned in settings with relatively high (1.00 snail/0.1 m2 and higher) and low snail densities (< 1.00 snail/0.1 m2) in Xindai Township, Pinghu City, Zhejiang Province during the period from 15 : 00 to 8 : 00 of the following day on April 13, 26 and 28. The numbers of snails carried by different types of ground cages were compared in settings with different types of snail densities using the rank-sum test.

RESULTS

A total of 11 cage-times were assigned in settings with a high snail density, and a total of 77 snails were captured, with a mean number of 7 snails in each cage-time and 2.15 snails in 0.1 m2 ground cage. The mean numbers of snails carried by packaging tape-made and plastic cages were 2.47 snails/0.1 m2 cage and 0.37 snails/0.1 m2 cage, respectively. A total of 24 cage-times were assigned in settings with a low snail density, and a total of 8 snails were captured, with a mean number of 0.33 snails in each cage-time and 0.09 snails in 0.1 m2 ground cage. The mean numbers of snails carried by packaging tape-made cages were 0.12 snails/0.1 m2 cage; however, no snails were carried by plastic or nylon rope-made cages. The number of snails carried by ground cages was higher in settings with a high snail density than in settings with a low snail density (Z = -4.019, P < 0.01), and the number of snails carried by packaging tape-made cages was higher in settings with a high snail density than in settings with a low snail density (Z = -4.086, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found in the numbers of snails carried by different types of ground cages.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ground cage in snail habitats is a contributor to snail spread.

[Technical exploration and early results of two-port total thoracoscopic aortic-mitral double-valve replacement]

Objective: To examine the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing total thoracoscopic aortic-mitral double-valve replacement. Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 50 patients who underwent double-valve replacement under a total thoracoscopic two-port approach from November 2021 to August 2022 in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 males and 18 females, with an age of (55.3±8.8) years (range: 21 to 62 years). Among them, 36 cases had rheumatic heart disease and 14 cases had infective endocarditis. The 3rd intercostal space between the right anterior axillary line and the midclavicular line was selected as the main operating hole, the total thoracoscopic double-valve replacement were successfully carried out. Baseline data, intraoperative information, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications were collected for all patients. Results: The cardiopulmonary bypass time was (168.2±30.9) minutes (range: 125 to 187 minutes), the aortic cross-clamping time was (118.8±16.5) minutes (range: 96 to 147 minutes). Five patients received bioprosthetic valves, and 45 received mechanical prosthetic valves. Postoperative mechanical ventilation lasted (9.6±3.4) hours (range: 5.1 to 14.2 hours), the ICU stay was (24.8±7.3) hours (range: 16.3 to 30.1 hours), and the postoperative hospital stay was (6.5±1.2) days (range: 5.0 to 8.0 days). Four patients received red blood cell transfusions of (2.7±0.9) units (range: 2 to 4 units), and the postoperative chest drainage volume was (222.1±56.3) ml (range: 175 to 289 ml). No deaths occurred intraoperatively or in the early postoperative period. One patient required reoperation due to bleeding in the aortic incision. Three patients had mild to moderate paravalvular leakage around the prosthetic aortic valve, with no cases of third-degree atrioventricular block or conversions to median sternotomy. Conclusions: The early outcomes of total thoracoscopic double valve replacement surgery are satisfactory, demonstrating safety and efficacy. This surgical approach expands the scope of total thoracoscopic cardiac surgery, which warrants further investigation and research.

[Semiparametric analysis of nonparametric proportional hazards models with mixed dependent censored data]

OBJECTIVE

To construct a nonparametric proportional hazards (PH) model for mixed informative interval-censored failure time data for predicting the risks in heart transplantation surgeries.

METHODS

Based on the complexity of mixed informative interval-censored failure time data, we considered the interdependent relationship between failure time process and observation time process, constructed a nonparametric proportional hazards (PH) model to describe the nonlinear relationship between the risk factors and heart transplant surgery risks and proposed a two-step sieve estimation maximum likelihood algorithm. An estimation equation was established to estimate frailty variables using the observation process model. Ⅰ-spline and B-spline were used to approximate the unknown baseline hazard function and nonparametric function, respectively, to obtain the working likelihood function in the sieve space. The partial derivative of the model parameters was used to obtain the scoring equation. The maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters was obtained by solving the scoring equation, and a function curve of the impact of risk factors on the risk of heart transplantation surgery was drawn.

RESULTS

Simulation experiment suggested that the estimated values obtained by the proposed method were consistent and asymptotically effective under various settings with good fitting effects. Analysis of heart transplant surgery data showed that the donor's age had a positive linear relationship with the surgical risk. The impact of the recipient's age at disease onset increased at first and then stabilized, but increased against at an older age. The donor-recipient age difference had a positive linear relationship with the surgical risk of heart transplantation.

CONCLUSION

The nonparametric PH model established in this study can be used for predicting the risks in heart transplantation surgery and exploring the functional relationship between the surgery risks and the risk factors.

Amplitude Analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decay

An amplitude analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} decay is presented using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. For the first time, the coefficients associated to short-distance physics effects, sensitive to processes beyond the standard model, are extracted directly from the data through a q^{2}-unbinned amplitude analysis, where q^{2} is the μ^{+}μ^{-} invariant mass squared. Long-distance contributions, which originate from nonfactorizable QCD processes, are systematically investigated, and the most accurate assessment to date of their impact on the physical observables is obtained. The pattern of measured corrections to the short-distance couplings is found to be consistent with previous analyses of b- to s-quark transitions, with the largest discrepancy from the standard model predictions found to be at the level of 1.8 standard deviations. The global significance of the observed differences in the decay is 1.4 standard deviations.

Fraction of χ_{c} Decays in Prompt J/ψ Production Measured in pPb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

The fraction of χ_{c1} and χ_{c2} decays in the prompt J/ψ yield, F_{χ_{c}→J/ψ}=σ_{χ_{c}→J/ψ}/σ_{J/ψ}, is measured by the LHCb detector in pPb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV. The study covers the forward (1.5 Collapse

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Reversing immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment of fibrolamellar carcinoma via PD-1 and IL-10 blockade

Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare liver tumor driven by the DNAJ-PKAc fusion protein that affects healthy young patients. Little is known about the immune response to FLC, limiting rational design of immunotherapy. Multiplex immunohistochemistry and gene expression profiling were performed to characterize the FLC tumor immune microenvironment and adjacent non-tumor liver (NTL). Flow cytometry and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing were performed to determine the phenotype of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the extent of T cell clonal expansion. Fresh human FLC tumor slice cultures (TSCs) were treated with antibodies blocking programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), with results measured by cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. Immune cells were concentrated in fibrous stromal bands, rather than in the carcinoma cell compartment. In FLC, T cells demonstrated decreased activation and regulatory T cells in FLC had more frequent expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 than in NTL. Furthermore, T cells had relatively low levels of clonal expansion despite high TCR conservation across individuals. Combination PD-1 and IL-10 blockade signficantly increased cell death in human FLC TSCs. Immunosuppresion in the FLC tumor microenvironment is characterized by T cell exclusion and exhaustion, which may be reversible with combination immunotherapy.

Observation of Cabibbo-Suppressed Two-Body Hadronic Decays and Precision Mass Measurement of the Ω_{c}^{0} Baryon

The first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+} and Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} decays is reported, using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector between 2016 and 2018. The branching fraction ratios are measured to be B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[6.08±0.51(stat)±0.40(syst)]%,B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[15.81±0.87(stat)±0.44(syst)±0.16(ext)]%. In addition, using the Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+} decay channel, the Ω_{c}^{0} baryon mass is measured to be M(Ω_{c}^{0})=2695.28±0.07(stat)±0.27(syst)±0.30(ext)  MeV, improving the precision of the previous world average by a factor of 4.

Enhanced Production of Λ_{b}^{0} Baryons in High-Multiplicity pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The production rate of Λ_{b}^{0} baryons relative to B^{0} mesons in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=13  TeV is measured by the LHCb experiment. The ratio of Λ_{b}^{0} to B^{0} production cross sections shows a significant dependence on both the transverse momentum and the measured charged-particle multiplicity. At low multiplicity, the ratio measured at LHCb is consistent with the value measured in e^{+}e^{-} collisions, and increases by a factor of ∼2 with increasing multiplicity. At relatively low transverse momentum, the ratio of Λ_{b}^{0} to B^{0} cross sections is higher than what is measured in e^{+}e^{-} collisions, but converges with the e^{+}e^{-} ratio as the momentum increases. These results imply that the evolution of heavy b quarks into final-state hadrons is influenced by the density of the hadronic environment produced in the collision. Comparisons with several models and implications for the mechanisms enforcing quark confinement are discussed.

[Progress in platelets and tuberculosis]

Platelets are important cells in hemostatic and coagulative reactions. Interestingly, platelets-related immunopathological mechanism and clinical research have become one of the hot research topics in tuberculosis at home and abroad in recent years. Platelets get involved in host chronic inflammation and pulmonary immune response, thus playing a negative regulatory role in tuberculosis. This is achieved through direct internalization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and indirect interaction with immune cells. In addition, patients with tuberculosis often have thrombocytosis, and there is increasing evidence that anti-platelet therapy as a host-directed therapy has demonstrable clinical benefit in tuberculosis control. Platelet inhibition may be an emerging therapeutic strategy for tuberculosis. This review aims to highlight the research progress in platelets and tuberculosis.

Improved Measurement of CP Violation Parameters in B_{s}^{0}→J/ψK^{+}K^{-} Decays in the Vicinity of the ϕ(1020) Resonance

The decay-time-dependent CP asymmetry in B_{s}^{0}→J/ψ(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K^{+}K^{-} decays is measured using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. Using a sample of approximately 349 000 B_{s}^{0} signal decays with an invariant K^{+}K^{-} mass in the vicinity of the ϕ(1020) resonance, the CP-violating phase ϕ_{s} is measured, along with the difference in decay widths of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the B_{s}^{0}-B[over ¯]_{s}^{0} system, ΔΓ_{s}, and the difference of the average B_{s}^{0} and B^{0} meson decay widths, Γ_{s}-Γ_{d}. The values obtained are ϕ_{s}=-0.039±0.022±0.006  rad, ΔΓ_{s}=0.0845±0.0044±0.0024  ps^{-1}, and Γ_{s}-Γ_{d}=-0.0056_{-0.0015}^{+0.0013}±0.0014  ps^{-1}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. These are the most precise single measurements to date and are consistent with expectations based on the Standard Model and with the previous LHCb analyses of this decay. These results are combined with previous independent LHCb measurements. The phase ϕ_{s} is also measured independently for each polarization state of the K^{+}K^{-} system and shows no evidence for polarization dependence.

Survival impact of post-operative immunotherapy in resected stage III cutaneous melanomas in the checkpoint era

BACKGROUND

Checkpoint inhibitors have shown improvement in recurrence-free survival in the post-operative setting for node-positive melanoma and were first approved in late 2015. However, single-agent checkpoint therapies have yet to show benefit to overall survival (OS) for lower-risk stage III cancers. We evaluated the OS benefit of post-operative immunotherapy in the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patient cases were selected from the NCDB 2020 Participant Use File. Patients diagnosed with stage III cutaneous melanoma between 2016 and 2019 who underwent definitive resection for their melanoma were included. OS between those who received post-operative immunotherapy within 84 days of surgery and those who did not was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared via Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

14 978 patients with stage III melanoma were included. Of those, 34.9% (n = 5234) received post-operative immunotherapy and 65.1% (n = 9744) did not. Using the American Joint Committee on Cancer version 8 (AJCCv8) staging, 36-month survival was significantly higher in patients who received post-operative immunotherapy compared to no post-operative systemic therapy in those diagnosed with stage IIIB (88.0% versus 84.7%, P = 0.011), IIIC (75.6% versus 68.1%, P < 0.001), or IIID (59.2% versus 48.4%, P = 0.002). No significant improvement in 36-month survival was seen in patients who received post-operative immunotherapy in patients with stage IIIA disease (93.0% versus 92.2%, P = 0.218).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-operative immunotherapy had an OS benefit in patients with AJCCv8 stage IIIB, IIIC, and IIID disease, but had no significant survival benefit for patients with stage IIIA melanomas.

Menopausal hormone therapy and coronary heart disease: the roller-coaster history

In the USA it is estimated that more than one million women become menopausal each year. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality in menopausal woman globally. The majority of perimenopausal to postmenopausal women experience bothersome symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood liability, sleep disturbances, irregular bleeding and sexual dysfunction. While menopausal hormone therapy (HT) effectively treats most of these symptoms, use of HT has become confusing, especially related to CHD risk. Despite years of observational and retrospective studies supporting a CHD benefit and improved survival among HT users, the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) and the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) raised doubts about this long-held premise. The timing hypothesis has since emerged and states that when HT is initiated in younger women, soon after menopause onset, there may be cardiovascular benefit. The following review discusses the roller-coaster history of HT use as it pertains to CHD in postmenopausal women. Studies that highlight HT's CHD benefit are reviewed and provide reassurance that HT utilized in appropriately selected younger postmenopausal women close to the onset of menopause is safe from a cardiovascular perspective, in line with consensus recommendations.

Measurement of CP Violation in B^{0}→ψ(→ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-})K_{S}^{0}(→π^{+}π^{-}) Decays

A measurement of time-dependent CP violation in the decays of B^{0} and B[over ¯]^{0} mesons to the final states J/ψ(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0}, ψ(2S)(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0} and J/ψ(→e^{+}e^{-})K_{S}^{0} with K_{S}^{0}→π^{+}π^{-} is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the LHCb detector. The CP-violation parameters are measured to be S_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.717±0.013(stat)±0.008(syst) and C_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.008±0.012(stat)±0.003(syst). This measurement of S_{ψK_{S}^{0}} represents the most precise single measurement of the CKM angle β to date and is more precise than the current world average. In addition, measurements of the CP-violation parameters of the individual channels are reported and a combination with the LHCb Run 1 measurements is performed.