Precise Measurement of the D^{0} and D^{+} Lifetimes at Belle II

We report a measurement of the D^{0} and D^{+} lifetimes using D^{0}→K^{-}π^{+} and D^{+}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{+} decays reconstructed in e^{+}e^{-}→cc[over ¯] data recorded by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The data, collected at center-of-mass energies at or near the ϒ(4S) resonance, correspond to an integrated luminosity of 72  fb^{-1}. The results, τ(D^{0})=410.5±1.1(stat)±0.8(syst)  fs and τ(D^{+})=1030.4±4.7(stat)±3.1(syst)  fs, are the most precise to date and are consistent with previous determinations.

Comparative analysis of molecular fingerprints in prediction of drug combination effects

Application of machine and deep learning methods in drug discovery and cancer research has gained a considerable amount of attention in the past years. As the field grows, it becomes crucial to systematically evaluate the performance of novel computational solutions in relation to established techniques. To this end, we compare rule-based and data-driven molecular representations in prediction of drug combination sensitivity and drug synergy scores using standardized results of 14 high-throughput screening studies, comprising 64 200 unique combinations of 4153 molecules tested in 112 cancer cell lines. We evaluate the clustering performance of molecular representations and quantify their similarity by adapting the Centered Kernel Alignment metric. Our work demonstrates that to identify an optimal molecular representation type, it is necessary to supplement quantitative benchmark results with qualitative considerations, such as model interpretability and robustness, which may vary between and throughout preclinical drug development projects.

Search for B^{+}→K^{+}νν[over ¯] Decays Using an Inclusive Tagging Method at Belle II

A search for the flavor-changing neutral-current decay B^{+}→K^{+}νν[over ¯] is performed at the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB asymmetric energy electron-positron collider. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 63  fb^{-1} collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance and a sample of 9  fb^{-1} collected at an energy 60 MeV below the resonance. Because the measurable decay signature involves only a single charged kaon, a novel measurement approach is used that exploits not only the properties of the B^{+}→K^{+}νν[over ¯] decay, but also the inclusive properties of the other B meson in the ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] event, to suppress the background from other B meson decays and light-quark pair production. This inclusive tagging approach offers a higher signal efficiency compared to previous searches. No significant signal is observed. An upper limit on the branching fraction of B^{+}→K^{+}νν[over ¯] of 4.1×10^{-5} is set at the 90% confidence level.

The safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolisation with bleomycin for hepatocellular carcinoma unresponsive to doxorubicin: a prospective single-centre study

AIM

To investigate the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) with bleomycin for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) unresponsive to doxorubicin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomised controlled trial was undertaken of HCC patients resistant to TACE with doxorubicin to assess the survival benefits of the experimental group (TACE with bleomycin) compared with the control group (TACE with doxorubicin). One hundred and seventy patients were allocated randomly between December 2015 and December 2017, and 80 patients of each group were analysed. The modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (mRECIST) was used to evaluated the tumour response every 4-6 weeks. The primary endpoint was median progression-free survival (mPFS) and median overall survival (mOS). Safety was assessed by post-procedure complications.

RESULTS

The study was completed in October 2018. Objective response rate (ORR) of the experimental group was 27.5% (22/80), mPFS and mOS was 5.8 and 8.1 months. ORR of the control group was 7.5% (6/80), mPFS and mOS was 2.9 and 4 months. The ORR were significantly different between two groups (χ² = 0.348, p<0.05). The differences of mPFS and mOS between the two groups were statistically significant (χ² = 2.865, p<0.05 and χ² = 0.926, p<0.05, respectively). There were no significant difference in post-procedure complications (p>0.05) and no major complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that TACE with bleomycin is a safe and effective method for HCC and bleomycin can be a second-line chemotherapeutic agent for the HCC patients unresponsive to TACE with doxorubicin.

[Changes and significance of autophagy in rat lung injury induced by gas explosion]

Objective: To explore the changes and significance of autophagy in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by gas explosion in rats. Methods: In February 2018, the gas explosion in underground coal mine was simulated by large tunnel explosion experiment system, SD rats were randomly divided into control group and 6 distance groups (40 m, 80 m, 120 m, 160 m, 200 m, 240 m) with 18 rats in each group. The respiratory function of rats 24 h before and after explosion was detected. Post-explosion rats were anesthetized and sacrificed, histopathological changes of lung were observed by HE staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the in situ expression of autophagy marker protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3B) . The expression levels of autophagy related gene 12 (Atg12) , LC3B, P62, lysosomal associated membrane protein 2 (Lamp2) , B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl2 interaction protein (Beclin-1) were detected by Western blot. Results: After gas explosion, the rats in 80 m distance point group had the hightest mortality (n=13, 72.22%) and the most severe lung injury degree, and the histopathological scores was (4.00±0.00) point. After gas explosion, the minute ventilation volume (MVb) , maximum inspiratory flow rate (PIFb) and maximum expiratory flow rate (PEFb) of rats were lower than before the gas explosion (P<0.05) . The respiratory frequency of rats in 80 m, 200 m, and 240 m distance point groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) . The expression levels of LC3B in 40 m, 80 m, 120 m, 160 m, and 200 m distance point groups were higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) . The relative expression levels of Atg12 and LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ in lung tissues of rats in different distance point groups were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05) . The relative expression levels of Beclin1 in 40 m, 80 m, 120 m, and 160 m distance point groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) . The relative expression levels of P62 in 80 m, 160 m and 200 m distance point groups were lower than that in the control group (P<0.05) . The relative expression levels of Lamp2 and Bcl-2 in lung tissues of rats in all distance groups except 240 m distance group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Gas explosion could induce increased autophagy in lung tissues of ALI rats. Autophagy-related signaling pathway could be involved in the pathophysiological process of ALI in rats caused by gas explosion, then the autophagy and the severity of the lesion showed a significant positive correlation.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of the Lateral Organ Boundaries Domain (LBD) gene family in polyploid wheat and related species

BACKGROUND

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) originated from three different diploid ancestral grass species and experienced two rounds of polyploidization. Exploring how certain wheat gene subfamilies have expanded during the evolutionary process is of great importance. The Lateral Organ Boundaries Domain (LBD) gene family encodes plant-specific transcription factors that share a highly conserved LOB domain and are prime candidates for this, as they are involved in plant growth, development, secondary metabolism and stress in various species.

METHODS

Using a genome-wide analysis of high-quality polyploid wheat and related species genome sequences, a total of 228 LBD members from five Triticeae species were identified, and phylogenetic relationship analysis of LBD members classified them into two main classes (classes I and II) and seven subgroups (classes I a-e, II a and II b).

RESULTS

The gene structure and motif composition analyses revealed that genes that had a closer phylogenetic relationship in the same subgroup also had a similar gene structure. Macrocollinearity and microcollinearity analyses of Triticeae species suggested that some LBD genes from wheat produced gene pairs across subgenomes of chromosomes 4A and 5A and that the complex evolutionary history of TaLBD4B-9 homologs was a combined result of chromosome translocation, polyploidization, gene loss and duplication events. Public RNA-seq data were used to analyze the expression patterns of wheat LBD genes in various tissues, different developmental stages and following abiotic and biotic stresses. Furthermore, qRT-PCR results suggested that some TaLBDs in class II responded to powdery mildew, regulated reproductive growth and were involved in embryo sac development in common wheat.

ClyA enhances LPS-induced IL-1β secretion in human macrophages through TLR4 and NLRP3 signaling

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays an important role in tumor suppression by activating macrophages. After macrophages activation, a trail of cytokines was secreted, including IL-1β. Previous studies reported that the anti-tumor function of IL-1β is concentration-dependent, and increasing the level of IL-1β will enhance its anti-tumor effect. Cytolysin A (ClyA), a member of the protein family called pore-forming toxins (PFTs), is secreted by Gram-negative bacteria, which has a potential role in enhancing the secretion of IL-1β. In this study, the function of Cytolysin A was evaluated by investigating its ability to induce innate immune responses in macrophages and the signaling pathway(s) involved in LPS-induced production of IL-1β. The production of IL-1β was highly enhanced when the macrophages were treated with LPS and ClyA together. The production of IL-1β was regulated by TLR4-MyD88-IL-1β pathway and NLRP3-ASC-Caspase1-IL1β pathway. By treating the colon cancer cell line CT26 with the conditioned medium, the proliferation of CT26 cells was inhibited and the apoptosis of CT26 cells was increased. In conclusion, this study indicated that ClyA enhances the production of IL-1β induced by LPS in human macrophages. The proliferation of CT26 cells was inhibited and the apoptosis was increased when being treated with the macrophage-conditioned media, which provides a feasible treatment for colon tumor.

Test of Lepton-Flavor Universality in B→K^{*}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} Decays at Belle

We present a measurement of R_{K^{*}}, the branching fraction ratio B(B→K^{*}μ^{+}μ^{-})/B(B→K^{*}e^{+}e^{-}), for both charged and neutral B mesons. The ratio for the charged case R_{K^{*+}} is the first measurement ever performed. In addition, we report absolute branching fractions for the individual modes in bins of the squared dilepton invariant mass q^{2}. The analysis is based on a data sample of 711  fb^{-1}, containing 772×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] events, recorded at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The obtained results are consistent with standard model expectations.

Retinal Organoid Induction System for Derivation of 3D Retinal Tissues from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Retinal degenerative diseases are the main causes of irreversible blindness without effective treatment. Pluripotent stem cells that have the potential to differentiate into all types of retinal cells, even mini-retinal tissues, hold huge promises for patients with these diseases and many opportunities in disease modeling and drug screening. However, the induction process from hPSCs to retinal cells is complicated and time-consuming. Here, we describe an optimized retinal induction protocol to generate retinal tissues with high reproducibility and efficiency, suitable for various human pluripotent stem cells. This protocol is performed without the addition of retinoic acid, which benefits the enrichment of cone photoreceptors. The advantage of this protocol is the quantification of EB size and plating density to significantly enhance the efficiency and repeatability of retinal induction. With this method, all major retinal cells sequentially appear and recapitulate the main steps of retinal development. It will facilitate downstream applications, such as disease modeling and cell therapy.

Peripheral blood T-cell receptor repertoire as a predictor of clinical outcomes in gastrointestinal cancer patients treated with PD-1 inhibitor

BACKGROUND

Identifying valid biomarkers for patient selection impressively promotes the success of anti-PD-1 therapy. However, the unmet need for biomarkers in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remains significant. We aimed to explore the predictive value of the circulating T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire for clinical outcomes in GI cancers who received anti-PD-1 therapy.

METHODS

137 pre- and 79 post-treated peripheral blood samples were included. The TCR repertoire was evaluated by sequencing of complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) in the TRB gene. The Shannon index was used to measure the diversity of the TCR repertoire, and Morisita's overlap index was used to determine TCR repertoire similarities between pre- and post-treated samples.

RESULTS

Among all enrolled patients, 76 received anti-PD-1 monotherapy and 61 received anti-PD-1 combination therapy. In the anti-PD-1 monotherapy cohort, patients with higher baseline TCR diversity exhibited a significantly higher disease control rate (77.8% vs. 47.2%; hazard ratio [HR] 3.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-13.48; P = 0.030) and a longer progression-free survival (PFS) (median: 6.47 months vs. 2.77 months; HR 2.10; 95% CI 1.16-3.79; P = 0.014) and overall survival (OS) (median: NA vs. 8.97 months; HR 3.53; 95% CI 1.49-8.38; P = 0.004) than those with lower diversity. Moreover, patients with a higher TCR repertoire similarity still showed a superior PFS (4.43 months vs. 1.84 months; HR 13.98; 95% CI 4.37-44.68; P < 0.001) and OS (13.40 months vs. 6.12 months; HR 2.93; 95% CI 1.22-7.03; P = 0.016) even in the cohort with lower baseline diversity. However, neither biomarker showed predictive value in the anti-PD-1 combination therapy cohort. Interestingly, the combination of TCR diversity and PD-L1 expression can facilitate patient stratification in a pooled cohort.

CONCLUSION

The circulating TCR repertoire can serve as a predictor of clinical outcomes in anti-PD-1 therapy in GI cancers.

CT phenotypes in mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: difference before and after the age of 60 years

AIM

To investigate the pulmonary phenotype of mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using quantitative computed tomography CT analysis techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-three patients with stable-phase mild-to-moderate COPD and 78 healthy controls, categorised as those aged <60 (28 and 40 patients, respectively) and ≥60 years (35 and 38, respectively), underwent chest low-dose respiratory dual-phase CT and pulmonary function test. Automatic software was used to measure the proximal airway parameters, and the emphysema and air-trapping indices were recorded. The intergroup differences in each parameter were assessed by one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

At <60 years of age, the mean Pi10WA (Wall area of a hypothetical airway with an internal perimeter of 10 mm) was greater in the mild-to-moderate COPD group than in the healthy control group (17.04 ± 1.63 versus 16.03 ± 1.16 mm²; p=0.004). Mild or moderate air-trapping was observed in the mild-to-moderate COPD group aged <60 years. There was no significant difference in the proximal airway parameters and inspiratory VI_-950 (percent voxels less than -950 HU) between the two groups at age ≥60 years (all p>0.05); however, the expiratory VI_-856 (percent voxels less than -856 HU) and mean lung density expiratory/inspiratory ratio (MLD_E/I) were higher in the mild-to-moderate COPD group than those in the healthy control group (26.02 [30.23] versus 6.45 [11.16]; 0.88 ± 0.05 versus 0.84 ± 0.04; p<0.001 and p=0.024).

CONCLUSION

For patients with mild-to-moderate COPD, the CT phenotype was predominantly the "airway remodelling" type at <60 years of age, and the "air-trapping" type at ≥60 years of age. Thus, pulmonary CT phenotypes of mild-to-moderate COPD patients of different age groups are different.

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective Observational studies have shown that vitamin D levels are inversely related to rheumatoid arthritis activity, yet evidence from population interventions remains inconsistent. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases were searched for studies published before June 2020. Information was collected about the pain visual analog scale (VAS), Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), serum vitamin D level, tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) research data. Results: Six studies (n = 438) were included in the meta-analysis. Vitamin D supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in the DAS28 (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -0.41, 95% CI (-0.59, -0.23), P < 0.001), ESR (WMD = -3.40, 95% CI (-6.62, -0.18), P = 0.04) and TJC (WMD = -1.44, 95% CI (-2.74, -0.14), P = 0.03) but not in other outcomes. According to the subgroup analyses, VAS and serum vitamin D were improved in the European ethnic subgroups. TJC and serum vitamin D were improved in the Asian ethnic subgroups. TJC and serum vitamin D were improved in the duration ≤ 12 w subgroups, and the VAS and DAS28 in the duration > 12 w subgroup were different from those of the control group. With a vitamin D dose ≤50,000 IU, only serum vitamin D and TJC improved, and with a vitamin D dose> 50,000 IU, the VAS and DAS28 improved. Conclusions: Compared with placebo control interventions, vitamin D supplementation seemed to be an effective intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Different doses of vitamin D and durations of intervention produce different effects.

Patient-centred measurement of recovery from day-case surgery using wrist worn accelerometers: a pilot and feasibility study

This pilot and feasibility study evaluated wrist-worn accelerometers to measure recovery from day-case surgery in comparison with daily quality of recovery-15 scores. The protocol was designed with extensive patient and public involvement and engagement, and delivered by a research network of anaesthesia trainees. Forty-eight patients recruited through pre-operative assessment clinics wore wrist accelerometers for 7 days before (pre-operative) and immediately after elective surgery (early postoperative), and again at 3 months (late postoperative). Validated activity and quality of recovery questionnaires were administered. Raw accelerometry data were archived and analysed using open source software. The mean (SD) number of valid days of accelerometer wear per participant in the pre-operative, early and late postoperative periods were 5.4 (1.7), 6.6 (1.1) and 6.6 (1.0) days, respectively. On the day after surgery, Euclidian norm minus one (a summary measure of raw accelerations), step count, light physical activity and moderate/vigorous physical activity decreased to 57%, 47%, 59% and 35% of baseline values, respectively. Activity increased progressively on a daily basis but had not returned to baseline values by 7 days. Patient questionnaires suggested subjective recovery by postoperative day 3 to 4; however, accelerometry data showed that activity levels had not returned to baseline at this point. All activity measures had returned to baseline by 3 months. Wrist-worn accelerometery is acceptable to patients and feasible as a surrogate measure for monitoring postoperative recovery from day-case surgery. Our results suggest that patients may overestimate their rate of recovery from day-case surgery, which has important implications for future research.

Electron Microprobe/SIMS Determinations of Al in Olivine: Applications to Solar Wind, Pallasites and Trace Element Measurements

Electron probe microanalyzer measurements of trace elements with high accuracy are challenging. Accurate Al measurements in olivine are required to calibrate SIMS implant reference materials for measurement of Al in the solar wind. We adopt a combined EPMA/SIMS approach that is useful for producing SIMS reference materials as well as for EPMA at the ~100 μg g^-1 level. Even for mounts not polished with alumina photoelectron spectroscopy shows high levels of Al surface contamination. In order to minimize electron beam current density, a rastered 50 × 100 μm electron beam was adequate and minimized sensitivity to small Al-rich contaminants. Reproducible analyses of eleven SIMS-cleaned spots on San Carlos olivine agreed at 69.3 ± 1.0 μg g^-1• The known Al mass fraction was used to calibrate an Al implant into San Carlos. Accurate measurements of Al were made for olivines in the pallasites: lmilac, Eagle Station and Springwater. Our focus was on Al in olivine, but our technique could be refined to give accurate electron probe measurements for other contamination-sensitive trace elements. For solar wind, it is projected that the Al/Mg abundance ratio can be determined to 6%, a factor of 2 more precise than the solar spectroscopic ratio.

Effect of salt concentration on microbial communities, physicochemical properties and metabolite profile during spontaneous fermentation of Chinese northeast sauerkraut

AIM

The aim of this study was to study the effects of salt concentrations on the microbial communities, physicochemical properties, metabolome profiles and sensory characteristics during the fermentation of traditional northeast sauerkraut.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Northeast sauerkraut was spontaneously fermented under four salt concentrations (0·5, 1·5, 2·5 and 3·5%, w/w). The result of microbiological analysis showed that the population of lactic acid bacteria in 2·5%-salted sauerkraut was significantly higher than that in the other samples. Correspondingly, the speed of decrease in pH and accumulation of acids were the highest in 2·5%-salted sauerkraut. The glucose (analysed by HPLC) in 2·5%-salted sauerkraut was consumed more completely to produce higher levels of organic acids compared to those in the other samples. Principle component analysis showed clear differences in the metabolites of sauerkraut according to different salt concentrations. A higher level of volatiles (detected by HS-SPME/GC-MS) was identified in 2·5%-salted sauerkraut, and sensory evaluation demonstrated that 2·5%-salted sauerkraut had the best sensory characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The best quality of sauerkraut was obtained from fermented under 2·5% salt concentration.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study facilitated the understanding of the effects of salt on the sauerkraut fermentation and may be useful for developing the quality of sauerkraut.

Effects of Baduanjin exercise on essential hypertension: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the influence of Baduanjin exercise on blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials were identified in Chinese and English databases to study the impact of Baduanjin exercise on essential hypertension. Qualified trials were selected and methodologic quality was critically evaluated. Two reviewers selected studies independently of each other.

RESULTS

Twelve trials were included. There was a significant difference between the Baduanjin exercise intervention and control groups with regard to the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) [SMD = - 1.80, 95% CI (- 2.86, - 0.73), P = .0009] and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) [SMD = -0.22, 95% CI (-2.00, -0.57), P = .0004]. Taking into account the subgroup analyses, the combined results showed that Baduanjin plus Antihypertensive drugs significantly reduced both SBP and DBP over a period > 12 weeks in all studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with control interventions, Baduanjin exercise seems to be an effective physical exercise in treating essential hypertension. Different training durations can lead to different effects.

Effects of Tai Chi on essential hypertension and related risk factors: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Physical exercise is an important part of hypertension management. The impact of different training styles and durations of tai chi on essential hypertension has not been evaluated to date.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the influence of tai chi on blood pressure and related risk factors in patients with essential hypertension.

METHODS

A systematic review to assess the existing literature on the impact of tai chi in patients with essential hypertension. Randomized controlled trials were identified in Chinese and English databases to study the impact of tai chi on essential hypertension. Two reviewers selected studies independently of each other. Qualified trials were selected and their methodological quality critically evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirteen trials were included in the analysis. Following tai chi there was a significant difference between intervention and control groups with regard to change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (weighted mean difference  = -6.58, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) (-8.14, -5.02), p = 0.005) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (standardized mean difference = -0.57, 95% CI (-0.77, -0.37), p < 0.0001). Taking into account the subgroup analyses, the combined results showed that 24-movement or yang-style tai chi significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over a period <  12 weeks or >  12 weeks in all studies. However, other styles of tai chi did not significantly reduce systolic or diastolic blood pressure after a duration ≤  12 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Tai chi is an effective physical exercise in treating essential hypertension compared with control interventions. Different training durations and styles have different effects. Further randomized controlled trials are needed into the use of tai chi for the treatment and prevention of essential hypertension and other related chronic diseases.

Molecular genetic analysis in 21 Chinese families with congenital insensitivity to pain with or without anhidrosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSANs) are a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurological disorders characterized by sensory dysfunctions. Here, 21 affected Chinese families are reported, including 19 with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA; namely HSAN IV) and two with congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP; namely HSAN IID) caused by biallelic variations in NTRK1 and SCN9A, respectively, aiming to identify causative variants in these families and compare how different variants in NTRK1 affect the function of tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA).

METHODS

Recombinant plasmids harboring the wild-type and six mutant alleles (p.Gln216*, p.Glu584Lys, p.Leu595Arg, p.Pro684Leu, p.Val709Leu and p.Arg765Cys) of NTRK1 cDNA were constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells.

RESULTS

The results suggested that the five missense variants only presented a subtle influence on the expression level and glycosylation of TrkA but compromised the receptor phosphorylation. Our findings also suggested that a synonymous variant c.219C>T in NTRK1 may cause aberrant splicing, indicating a potential novel pathogenic mechanism of CIPA. Furthermore, gross deletion of SCN9A was first associated with CIP.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified multiple forms of variants responsible for CIPA/CIP in the Chinese population and might provide new insights into the pathogenesis of CIPA.

Measurement of R(D) and R(D^{*}) with a Semileptonic Tagging Method

The experimental results on the ratios of branching fractions R(D)=B(B[over ¯]→Dτ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]→Dℓ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{ℓ}) and R(D^{*})=B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}ℓ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{ℓ}), where ℓ denotes an electron or a muon, show a long-standing discrepancy with the standard model predictions, and might hint at a violation of lepton flavor universality. We report a new simultaneous measurement of R(D) and R(D^{*}), based on a data sample containing 772×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] events recorded at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider. In this analysis the tag-side B meson is reconstructed in a semileptonic decay mode and the signal-side τ is reconstructed in a purely leptonic decay. The measured values are R(D)=0.307±0.037±0.016 and R(D^{*})=0.283±0.018±0.014, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. These results are in agreement with the standard model predictions within 0.2, 1.1, and 0.8 standard deviations for R(D), R(D^{*}), and their combination, respectively. This work constitutes the most precise measurements of R(D) and R(D^{*}) performed to date as well as the first result for R(D) based on a semileptonic tagging method.

Search for an Invisibly Decaying Z^{'} Boson at Belle II in e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}(e^{±}μ^{∓}) Plus Missing Energy Final States

Theories beyond the standard model often predict the existence of an additional neutral boson, the Z^{'}. Using data collected by the Belle II experiment during 2018 at the SuperKEKB collider, we perform the first searches for the invisible decay of a Z^{'} in the process e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}Z^{'} and of a lepton-flavor-violating Z^{'} in e^{+}e^{-}→e^{±}μ^{∓}Z^{'}. We do not find any excess of events and set 90% credibility level upper limits on the cross sections of these processes. We translate the former, in the framework of an L_{μ}-L_{τ} theory, into upper limits on the Z^{'} coupling constant at the level of 5×10^{-2}-1 for M_{Z^{'}}≤6  GeV/c^{2}.

[Influence of dietary patterns on type 2 diabetes mellitus in local residents aged 40 years and above in Songjiang district, Shanghai]

Objective: To evaluate the association between dietary pattern and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in local residents aged 40 years and above in Songjiang district of Shanghai. Methods: Data was obtained from the baseline investigation of Shanghai Peak-Plan cohort. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected people with T2DM as the case group, and people without T2DM as controls, matched with gender, age and alcohol intake status. Dietary patterns were established by factor analysis. Conditional logistic regression model (CLRM) was used to explore the relationship between different dietary patterns and T2DM, as well as the association between multiplicative interactions of dietary patterns and T2DM. Results: We used factor analysis to obtain six dietary patterns: including meat, desserts-coarse cereals, condiment-egg, beverage, cereals-tubers and fruit-vegetable. Data from multivariate condition logistic regression suggested that condiment-egg patterns as (OR=0.543, 95%CI: 0.377-0.781), beverage (OR=0.590, 95%CI: 0.409-0.852), cereals-tubers (OR=0.592, 95%CI: 0.414-0.848), fruit-vegetable (OR=0.604, 95%CI: 0.417-0.876) were associated with the reduced risks for T2DM. After analyzing the multiplicative interactions between dietary patterns, there were three interaction items associated with T2DM with statistical significances: the multiplicative interaction between meat pattern and condiments-egg pattern was related with the increased risk for T2MD, and the multiplicative interactions between cereal-tubers pattern, meat pattern between cereal-tubers pattern and fruit-vegetable pattern were related with the reduced risks for T2MD. Conclusions: In the six dietary pattern under study, cereals-tubers pattern undwr studly, fruit-vegetable pattern might be more practical in preventing T2DM. In addition, the dietary pattern with cereals and potatos as the main ingredients, appropriate meat and reduced condiment intake might also play positive roles in reducing the risk for T2DM.

Effects of vitamin C supplementation on essential hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Vitamin C as a supplement to treat hypertension has been proposed. However, it remains controversial whether vitamin C can improve blood pressure in patients with primary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the effect of vitamin C (VitC) supplementation on systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

METHODS

We searched the Chinese Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, WANFANG Data, Cochrane Library, National Library of Medicine's PubMed, EMBASE, and other databases until June 2019. Eight RCTs involving 614 participants were analyzed. SBP and DBP before and after VitC supplementation were compared between the intervention and control groups. The risk of bias of individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Two reviewers selected studies independently of each other. The Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager 5.3 was used to perform the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the change of SBP (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -4.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] -5.56, -2.62; P < .001) and DBP (WMD = -2.30; 95% CI -4.27, -.331; P = .02) between the groups. Further, there was a significant difference in the SBP (WMD = -3.75, 95% CI -6.24, -1.26, P = .003) and DBP (WMD = -3.29, 95% CI -5.98, -.60, P = .02) for the subgroup with an age ≥60 years and that with ≥35 participants. In the subgroup analysis, result for SBP with a study duration ≥6 weeks was statistically significant different (WMD = -4.77; 95% CI -6.46, -3.08; P < .001). For an intervention dose of VitC ≥500 mg daily, SBP was statistically significant (WMD = -5.01; 95% CI -8.55, -1.48; P = .005).

CONCLUSION

VitC supplementation resulted in a significant reduction of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

Magnesium isotopes of the bulk solar wind from Genesis diamond-like carbon films

NASA's Genesis Mission returned solar wind (SW) to the Earth for analysis to derive the composition of the solar photosphere from solar material. SW analyses control the precision of the derived solar compositions, but their ultimate accuracy is limited by the theoretical or empirical models of fractionation due to SW formation. Mg isotopes are "ground truth" for these models since, except for CAIs, planetary materials have a uniform Mg isotopic composition (within ≤1‰) so any significant isotopic fractionation of SW Mg is primarily that of SW formation and subsequent acceleration through the corona. This study analyzed Mg isotopes in a bulk SW diamond-like carbon (DLC) film on silicon collector returned by the Genesis Mission. A novel data reduction technique was required to account for variable ion yield and instrumental mass fractionation (IMF) in the DLC. The resulting SW Mg fractionation relative to the DSM-3 laboratory standard was (-14.4‰, -30.2‰) ± (4.1‰, 5.5‰), where the uncertainty is 2ơ SE of the data combined with a 2.5‰ (total) error in the IMF determination. Two of the SW fractionation models considered generally agreed with our data. Their possible ramifications are discussed for O isotopes based on the CAI nebular composition of McKeegan et al. (2011).

The Performance of Belle II High Level Trigger in the First Physics Run

The Belle II experiment is a new generation B-factory experiment at KEK in Japan aiming at the search for New Physics in a huge sample of B-meson decays. The commissioning of the accelerator and the detector for the first physics run has started from March this year. The Belle II High Level Trigger (HLT) is fully working in the beam run. The HLT is now operated with 1600 cores clusterized in 5 units, which is 1/4 of the full configuration. The software trigger is performed using the same offline reconstruction code, and events are classified into a set of physics categories. Only the events in the categories of interest are finally sent out to the storage. Live data quality monitoring is also performed on HLT. For the selected events, the reconstructed tracks are extrapolated to the surface of the pixel detector (PXD) and quickly fed back to the readout electronics for the real time data reduction by sending only the associated hits. The maximum trigger rate in the first physics run was 3.5kHz, and the Belle II data acquisition system was stably operated. There were several problems in the HLT operation, but they have successfully been fixed during the data taking period. The HLT reduction factor is measured to be 8 which is still higher than the design because of the high background environment.

The Effect of Metformin on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Overweight Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

Metformin is an important component of PCOS treatment. At present, the effect of metformin in overweight women with PCOS has not been evaluated. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to assess the effects of metformin in overweight women with PCOS and to analyze the effects of metformin in overweight women with PCOS.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases for studies published before March 2020. Randomized controlled trials were identified to study the effects of metformin in overweight women with PCOS. Data from studies including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin, testosterone, and androstenedione were pooled. Qualified trials were selected, and methodological quality was strictly assessed. Two reviewers chose the studies independently of each other.

RESULTS

Twelve trials were included. The intervention group and the control group had significant differences in the changes in body mass index (BMI) (WMD = -1.25, 95% CI (-1.60, -0.91), p < 0.00001) and waist circumference (WC) (WMD = -1.41, 95% CI (-2.46, -0.37), p=0.008) after metformin. The comprehensive results show that, in all studies, overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with metformin had significantly improved endocrine and metabolic indicators, including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, metformin did not regulate the secretion indexes of fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, sex hormone-binding globulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and androstenedione.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with control interventions, metformin appears to be an effective intervention for overweight women with PCOS.

Effects of sevoflurane or propofol combined with remifentanil anesthesia on clinical efficacy and stress response in pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of sevoflurane or propofol combined with remifentanil anesthesia on the clinical efficacy and stress response of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIHS) in cesarean section.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

150 patients with PIHS and treated with cesarean section in our hospital from May 2015 to September 2016 were selected. All patients were randomly divided into sevoflurane-remifentanil group (n=75) and propofol-remifentanil (n=75). The elbow blood of patients in both groups were collected, the levels of Norepinephrine (NE) adrenaline (AD), cortisol and blood glucose in plasma were compared at before anesthesia induction (T0), operation 30 min (T1), end of operation (T2), 2 h after operation (T3), 24 h after operation (T4). The blood pressure control, muscle control, anesthesia onset time, maternal pain and complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The patients in the sevoflurane group were superior to the propofol group (p<0.05) in terms of muscle control effect, anesthesia onset time and maternal pain. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of blood pressure control and anesthesia complications (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in plasma AD, NE, cortisol and blood glucose between the two groups before induction of anesthesia (p>0.05). However, the plasma markers of the two groups began to increase after anesthesia induction and reached peak at T2 or T3, returned back to preoperative level or higher than before surgery at T4. The levels of AD, NE, cortisol and blood glucose in plasma of sevoflurane group were significantly lower than those in propofol group at T1-T4 time point, the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical efficacy of sevoflurane combined with remifentanil anesthesia is better than that of propofol combined with remifentanil, and it can effectively reduce the stress of pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension treated with cesarean section.