ERK1/2 pro-survival signalling is suppressed by pirtobrutinib in ibrutinib-resistant MYD88-mutated lymphoma cells

Covalent Bruton's tyrosine kinase-inhibitors (cBTK-i) are highly active in MYD88-mutated (MYD88Mut) Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia and suppress nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1/2 (ERK1/2)-related signalling. BTKCys481 mutations are associated with cBTK-i acquired resistance and are accompanied by reactivation of ERK1/2 that promotes inflammatory cytokine secretion and paracrine-mediated resistance of BTK wild-type (BTKWT) tumour cells. Pirtobrutinib is a non-covalent BTK-inhibitor that binds at non-BTKCys481 sites. We show that pirtobrutinib blocked p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2-driven inflammatory cytokines, and overcame paracrine-mediated resistance in MYD88Mut lymphoma cells expressing mutated BTKCys481. Our results provide important mechanistic insights for the activity of pirtobrutinib in MYD88Mut lymphomas carrying BTKCys481 mutations.

Genetic parameter estimation and genetic evaluation of important economic traits in white and yellow broilers

1. This study calculated descriptive statistics for the production traits of two broiler populations: 1) the Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content (NEAUHLF white broilers), including fat and lean lines; and 2) the Guangxi yellow broilers. Their genetic parameters were estimated, including (co)variance components, heritability (h2) and genetic correlations (rg), using the REML method.2. Heritability estimates (h2) for NEAUHLF white broilers ranged from 0.07 to 0.61. Traits with high heritability (h2 >0.3) included body weight at 3, 5 and 7 weeks of age (BW3, BW5, BW7), carcass weight (CW), metatarsal circumference (MeC), liver weight (LW), gizzard weight (GW), spleen weight (SW) and testis weight (TeW), while in Guangxi yellow broilers, heritability estimates ranged from 0.18 to 0.76, with every trait exhibiting high heritability, except for SW (0.18).3. Positive genetic correlations for NEAUHLF were found (rg >0.3, ranging from 0.31 to 0.84) between BW7 and metatarsal length (MeL), MeC, body oblique length (BoL), chest angle (ChA), LW, GW, heart weight (HW) and SW. Genetic correlations between abdominal fat weight (AFW) and BW1, BW3, BW5, CW, MeL, keel length (KeL), BoL and LW were positive (rg >0.3, ranging from 0.31 to 0.58).4. Among the Guangxi population, BW (125 d of age) showed strong positive genetic correlations with all other traits (rg >0.3, ranging from 0.30 to 0.99), while AFW displayed strong positive genetic correlations with leg muscle weight (LeW), CW, BW and thigh diameter (TD) (rg >0.3, ranging from 0.44 to 0.51).5. It was concluded that the characteristics of the two populations were different, which means there is a need to use different strategies when performing the breeding work to improve productivity and efficiency in both broiler populations.

Combination of Searches for Higgs Boson Pair Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents results from a combination of searches for Higgs boson pair production using 126-140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector. At 95% confidence level (CL), the upper limit on the production rate is 2.9 times the standard model (SM) prediction, with an expected limit of 2.4 assuming no Higgs boson pair production. Constraints on the Higgs boson self-coupling modifier κ_{λ}=λ_{HHH}/λ_{HHH}^{SM}, and the quartic HHVV coupling modifier κ_{2V}=g_{HHVV}/g_{HHVV}^{SM}, are derived individually, fixing the other parameter to its SM value. The observed 95% CL intervals are -1.2<κ_{λ}<7.2 and 0.6<κ_{2V}<1.5, respectively, while the expected intervals are -1.6<κ_{λ}<7.2 and 0.4<κ_{2V}<1.6 in the SM case. Constraints obtained for several interaction parameters within Higgs effective field theory are the strongest to date, offering insights into potential deviations from SM predictions.

Strong and Weak CP Tests in Sequential Decays of Polarized Σ^{0} Hyperons

The J/ψ, ψ(3686)→Σ^{0}Σ[over ¯]^{0} processes and subsequent decays are studied using the world's largest J/ψ and ψ(3686) data samples collected with the BESIII detector. The parity-violating decay parameters of the decays Σ^{0}→Λγ and Σ[over ¯]^{0}→Λ[over ¯]γ, α_{Σ^{0}}=-0.0017±0.0021±0.0018 and α[over ¯]_{Σ^{0}}=0.0021±0.0020±0.0022, are measured for the first time. The strong CP symmetry is tested in the decays of the Σ^{0} hyperons for the first time by measuring the asymmetry A_{CP}^{Σ}=α_{Σ^{0}}+α[over ¯]_{Σ^{0}}=(0.4±2.9±1.3)×10^{-3}. The weak CP test is performed in the subsequent decays of their daughter particles Λ and Λ[over ¯]. Also for the first time, the transverse polarizations of the Σ^{0} hyperons in J/ψ and ψ(3686) decays are observed with opposite directions, and the ratios between the S-wave and D-wave contributions of the J/ψ, ψ(3686)→Σ^{0}Σ[over ¯]^{0} decays are obtained. These results are crucial to understand the decay dynamics of the charmonium states and the production mechanism of the Σ^{0}-Σ[over ¯]^{0} pairs.

Studies of the Energy Dependence of Diboson Polarization Fractions and the Radiation-Amplitude-Zero Effect in WZ Production with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the first study of the energy dependence of diboson polarization fractions in WZ→ℓνℓ^{'}ℓ^{'}(ℓ,ℓ^{'}=e,μ) production. The dataset used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector. Two fiducial regions with an enhanced presence of events featuring two longitudinally polarized bosons are defined. A nonzero fraction of events with two longitudinally polarized bosons is measured with an observed significance of 5.3 standard deviations in the region with 100200  GeV, where p_{T}^{Z} is the transverse momentum of the Z boson. This Letter also reports the first study of the radiation-amplitude-zero effect. Events with two transversely polarized bosons are analyzed for the ΔY(ℓ_{W}Z) and ΔY(WZ) distributions defined respectively as the rapidity difference between the lepton from the W boson decay and the Z boson and the rapidity difference between the W boson and the Z boson. Significant suppression of events near zero is observed in both distributions. Unfolded ΔY(ℓ_{W}Z) and ΔY(WZ) distributions are also measured and compared to theoretical predictions.

[Establishing reference ranges of serum vitamin K in healthy children]

Objective: To establish and validate reference intervals of serum vitamin K for healthy children in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to May 2023, involving 807 healthy children aged 0 to 14 years, selected by stratified random sampling based on the population distribution of children in eastern, central, western, and northeastern China. Sample collection was carried out in 16 hospitals across 12 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. Basic information of the children was collected using a standardized self-design questionnaire. Serum levels of vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 (menaquinone-4 (MK-4), menaquinone-7 (MK-7)) were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The reference intervals was established by direct approach. The children were divided into different groups by age. Inter-group comparisons were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test, and the reference intervals (P2.5-P97.5) were determined using non-parametric methods. Screening 40 healthy children for small sample validation based on age groups within the reference range(25 from eastern, 10 from central, and 5 from western regions). Results: The age of the 807 children was 5.00 (2.00, 9.81) years, and 495 (61.3%) were males and 312 (38.7%) females. Reference intervals were established for 795 children, of whom 303 children were aged 1 month to 3 years and 492 were aged 4 to 14 years. The reference intervals for serum vitamin K1 were 0.09-4.54 μg/L for children aged 1 month to 3 years, and 0.10-1.73 μg/L for 4-14 years. For MK-7, the intervals were 0.07-1.42 μg/L for 1 month to 3 years and 0.19-2.03 μg/L for 4-14 years. The reference intervals for MK-4 in children aged 1 month to 14 years were 0-0.42 μg/L. The measured values of serum vitamin K1, MK-4, and MK-7 in the validation samples did not exceed the reference limit in more than 2 samples. Conclusion: Reference intervals for vitamin K1, MK-4, and MK-7 in healthy children aged 1 month to 14 years have been established and validated, and can be used to assess vitamin K nutritional status in children.

Observation of quantum entanglement with top quarks at the ATLAS detector

Entanglement is a key feature of quantum mechanics1-3, with applications in fields such as metrology, cryptography, quantum information and quantum computation4-8. It has been observed in a wide variety of systems and length scales, ranging from the microscopic9-13 to the macroscopic14-16. However, entanglement remains largely unexplored at the highest accessible energy scales. Here we report the highest-energy observation of entanglement, in top-antitop quark events produced at the Large Hadron Collider, using a proton-proton collision dataset with a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 13 TeV and an integrated luminosity of 140 inverse femtobarns (fb)-1 recorded with the ATLAS experiment. Spin entanglement is detected from the measurement of a single observable D, inferred from the angle between the charged leptons in their parent top- and antitop-quark rest frames. The observable is measured in a narrow interval around the top-antitop quark production threshold, at which the entanglement detection is expected to be significant. It is reported in a fiducial phase space defined with stable particles to minimize the uncertainties that stem from the limitations of the Monte Carlo event generators and the parton shower model in modelling top-quark pair production. The entanglement marker is measured to be D = -0.537 ± 0.002 (stat.) ± 0.019 (syst.) for 340 GeV < m t t ¯ < 380 GeV . The observed result is more than five standard deviations from a scenario without entanglement and hence constitutes the first observation of entanglement in a pair of quarks and the highest-energy observation of entanglement so far.

Enhancing gestational diabetes mellitus risk assessment and treatment through GDMPredictor: a machine learning approach

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious health concern that affects pregnant women worldwide and can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Early detection of high-risk individuals and the implementation of appropriate treatment can enhance these outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a study on a cohort of 3467 pregnant women during their pregnancy, with a total of 5649 clinical and biochemical records collected. We utilized this dataset as our training dataset to develop a web server called GDMPredictor. The GDMPredictor utilizes advanced machine learning techniques to predict the risk of GDM in pregnant women. We also personalize treatment recommendations based on essential biochemical indicators, such as A1MG, BMG, CysC, CO2, TBA, FPG, and CREA. Our assessment of GDMPredictor's effectiveness involved training it on the dataset of 3467 pregnant women and measuring its ability to predict GDM risk using an AUC and auPRC.

RESULTS

GDMPredictor demonstrated an impressive level of precision by achieving an AUC score of 0.967. To tailor our treatment recommendations, we use the GDM risk level to identify higher risk candidates who require more intensive care. The GDMPredictor can accept biochemical indicators for predicting the risk of GDM at any period from 1 to 24 weeks, providing healthcare professionals with an intuitive interface to identify high-risk patients and give optimal treatment recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

The GDMPredictor presents a valuable asset for clinical practice, with the potential to change the management of GDM in pregnant women. Its high accuracy and efficiency make it a reliable tool for doctors to improve patient outcomes. Early identification of high-risk individuals and tailored treatment can improve maternal and fetal health outcomes http://www.bioinfogenetics.info/GDM/ .

A risk-prediction score about colorectal lesions based on the Chinese population of high-risk participants aged 50-65 years

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to develop an effective risk-prediction score (RPS) to improve screening efficiency and contribute to secondary prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC).

STUDY DESIGN

Screening for colorectal lesions.

METHODS

14,398 high-risk individuals aged 50-65 years were included. The baseline characteristics of participants with and without colorectal lesions (CL) were compared using a Chi-squared test. The overall population was randomly split into a training set and a test set in the ratio of 80% and 20%. One-factor and multifactor logistic regression analyses were performed in the training set to construct the RPS (scores of 0-9.62). Area under curve (AUC) was calculated as an estimate of predictive performance using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve in the test set.

RESULTS

In the study population, being male, advanced age, current or previous smoking, weekly alcohol consumption, high body mass index (BMI ≥24 kg/m2), and previously detected colonic polyp were associated with higher risk of CL. Compared to the low-risk group (0-2.31 points), the ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the moderate-risk group (2.31-3.85 points) and high-risk group (3.85-8.42 points) were 1.58 (1.44, 1.73) and 2.52 (2.30, 2.76), respectively. For every 1-point increase in score, participants had a 27% increased risk of CL (OR:1.27, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.30). For participants with CL predicted by RPS, the area under the working characteristic curve was 0.61 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our RPS can quickly and efficiently identify multiple lesions of the colorectum. Combining RPS with existing screening strategies facilitates the identification of very high-risk individuals and may help to prevent CRC.

The role of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme in the process of spermatogenesis

The ubiquitination is crucial for controlling cellular homeostasis and protein modification, in which ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) acts as the central player in the ubiquitination system. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, which have special domains that catalyse substrates, have sequence discrepancies and modulate various pathophysiological processes in different cells of multiple organisms. E2s take part in the mitosis of primordial germ cells, meiosis of spermatocytes and the formation of mature haploid spermatids to maintain normal male fertility. In this review, we summarize the various types of E2s and their functions during distinct stages of spermatogenesis.

Precise Measurement of Born Cross Sections for e^{+}e^{-}→DD[over ¯] at sqrt[s]=3.80-4.95 GeV

Using data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider at center-of-mass energies ranging from 3.80 to 4.95 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20  fb^{-1}, a measurement of Born cross sections for the e^{+}e^{-}→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0} and D^{+}D^{-} processes is presented with unprecedented precision. Many clear peaks in the line shape of e^{+}e^{-}→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0} and D^{+}D^{-} around the mass range of G(3900), ψ(4040), ψ(4160), Y(4260), and ψ(4415), etc., are foreseen. These results offer crucial experimental insights into the nature of hadron production in the open-charm region.

Coherent control of rare earth 4f shell wavefunctions in the quantum spin liquid Tb2Ti2O7

The resonant excitation of electronic transitions with coherent laser sources creates quantum coherent superpositions of the involved electronic states. Most time-resolved studies have focused on gases or isolated subsystems embedded in insulating solids, aiming for applications in quantum information. Here, we focus on the coherent control of orbital wavefunctions in the correlated quantum material Tb2Ti2O7, which forms an interacting spin liquid ground state. We show that resonant excitation with a strong THz pulse creates a coherent superposition of the lowest energy Tb 4f states. The coherence manifests itself as a macroscopic oscillating magnetic dipole, which is detected by ultrafast resonant x-ray diffraction. We envision the coherent control of orbital wavefunctions demonstrated here to become a new tool for the ultrafast manipulation and investigation of quantum materials.

[Protective effect of Lonicerae japonicae flos extract against doxorubicin-induced liver injury in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism underlying the protective effect of Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJF) extract against doxorubicin (DOX) -induced liver injury in mice.

METHODS

Network pharmacology methods were used to obtain the intersection genes between LJF targets and disease targets, based on which the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING database for screening the core targets using Cytoscape software. DAVID database was used for bioinformatics analysis, and the core components and core targets were verified using molecular docking study. In a mouse model of DOX-induced liver injury, the effect of LJF extract on liver pathologies, serum levels of ALT and AST, and hepatic expressions of HYP, ROS, TNF-α, IL-6, COL-Ⅳ and P53 proteins were evaluated using HE and Masson staining, ELISA, and Western blotting.

RESULTS

We identified 12 core targets from 43 intersection genes involving cancer pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathways. Molecular docking study suggested that 10 core components of LJF could bind to different core targets. The mice with DOX-induced liver injury showed elevated serum AST and ALT levels with obvious liver injury and fibrosis, increased ROS content, and enhanced expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, HYP, COL-Ⅳ and P53 proteins in the liver tissue. All these changes in the mouse models were significantly alleviated by treatment with LJF extract, suggesting obviously lowered levels of oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis in the liver tissues.

CONCLUSION

LJF extract is capable of alleviating DOX-induced liver injury in mice by downregulating Trp53, TNF and IL-6 to reduce liver oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis.

[One case of methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia caused by acute nitrogen trifluoride poisoning]

This paper analyzes the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, treatment measures and prognosis of a case of methemoglobin and hemolytic anemia caused by acute nitrogen trifluoride poisoning. The patient with occupational exposure to nitrogen trifluoride was treated immediately after the onset of illness, methemoglobin was monitored and a comprehensive examination was conducted. After comprehensive analysis, it was considered that acute nitrogen trifluoride poisoning could cause methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia and liver injury. The patient was disengaged and given symptomatic treatment such as oxygen therapy, methylene blue, low-dose methylpredrone, vitamin C and reduced glutathione. The prognosis of the patient is good, which provides a reference for the clinical treatment and occupational health examination of nitrogen trifluoride poisoning.

[Role of Notch 1 signaling and glycolysis in the pathogenic mechanism of adenomyosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expressions of glycolysis-related factors and changes in Notch1 signaling in endometrial tissues of adenomyosis (AM) and Ishikawa cells to explore the pathogenesis of AM.

METHODS

Eutopic endometrial tissues were collected from 8 patients with AM and 8 patients with uterine fibroids matched for clinical characteristics (control group). The expressions of Notch1 signaling proteins and glycolysis-related factors in the collected tissues were detected using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, and the levels of glucose and lactic acid were determined. An Ishikawa cell model with lentivirus-mediated stable Notch1 overexpression was established for assessing cell survival rate with CCK-8 assay, cell migration and invasion abilities with Transwell migration and invasion assays, and glycolytic capacity by determining the extracellular acidification rate.

RESULTS

Compared with those in the control group, the endometrial tissues in AM group showed significantly increased expression level of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), increased mRNA expression levels of Notch1, HK2 and PDHA and protein expressions of Notch1, GLUT1, HK2, PKM and PDHA, lowered glucose level and increased lactate level. The Ishikawa cell models with stable Notch1 overexpression exhibited significantly increased cell survival rate with attenuated cell migration and invasion abilities and decreased glycolysis capacity and reserve.

CONCLUSION

The Notch1 signaling pathway participates in the pathogenesis of AM possibly by regulating the proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis of endometrial cells.

Dimensions of wisdom perception across twelve countries on five continents

Wisdom is the hallmark of social judgment, but how people across cultures recognize wisdom remains unclear-distinct philosophical traditions suggest different views of wisdom's cardinal features. We explore perception of wise minds across 16 socio-economically and culturally diverse convenience samples from 12 countries. Participants assessed wisdom exemplars, non-exemplars, and themselves on 19 socio-cognitive characteristics, subsequently rating targets' wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Analyses reveal two positively related dimensions-Reflective Orientation and Socio-Emotional Awareness. These dimensions are consistent across the studied cultural regions and interact when informing wisdom ratings: wisest targets-as perceived by participants-score high on both dimensions, whereas the least wise are not reflective but moderately socio-emotional. Additionally, individuals view themselves as less reflective but more socio-emotionally aware than most wisdom exemplars. Our findings expand folk psychology and social judgment research beyond the Global North, showing how individuals perceive desirable cognitive and socio-emotional qualities, and contribute to an understanding of mind perception.

Oral sulfate solution versus polyethylene glycol for bowel preparation before colonoscopy, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare oral sulfate solution (OSS) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for bowel preparation before colonoscopy.

METHODS

A literature search was performed on PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane Databases for randomized clinical trials (RCT) comparing OSS with PEG for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. The last search was performed on 22 August 2023. The primary outcome was the quality of bowel preparation. The outcomes were compared by meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA).

RESULTS

A total of 14 RCTs with 4526 patients were included. OSS was comparable with PEG regarding adequate bowel preparation [P = 0.16, odds ratio (OR) = 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.93, 1.51], I2 = 0%]. However, OSS showed obvious priority in excellent bowel preparation (P < 0.001, OR = 1.62, 95% CI [1.27, 2.05], I2 = 0%) and total Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) [P = 0.02, weighted mean difference (WMD) = 0.27, 95% CI [0.05, 0.50], I2 = 84%]. Additionally, the detection rate of polyps (P = 0.001, OR = 1.44, 95% CI [1.15, 1.80], I2 = 0%) and adenoma (P = 0.007, OR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.06, 1.42], I2 = 0%) was significantly higher in the OSS group. The two groups showed comparable incidence of adverse events except for a higher incidence of dizziness (P = 0.02, OR = 1.74, 95% CI [1.08, 2.83], I2 = 11%) was indicated in the OSS group. Moreover, OSS was associated with a higher satisfaction score (P = 0.02, WMD = 0.62, 95% CI [0.09, 1.15], I2 = 70%). In the TSA, the cumulative Z-curve crossed both the conventional boundary and trial sequential monitoring boundary and the required information size has been reached for excellent bowel preparation and total BBPS.

CONCLUSION

The current data demonstrated that OSS was associated with better quality of bowel preparation. More clinical trials are still needed to confirm other outcomes.

[Pathogenic investigation of human respiratory syncytial virus infection in kindergarten children in Tongzhou District, Beijing City in 2023]

The study focused on individuals with influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and other respiratory symptoms) in three kindergartens in Tongzhou District, Beijing City, in April 2023. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect common respiratory pathogens in the collected specimens. Positive specimens were subjected to sequencing analysis of the highly variable region of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) G protein, homology analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis. A total of 25 fever cases were collected from 3 kindergartens, aged 3-8 years old, with an age M (Q1, Q3) of 4 (3.5, 5) years old. Ten confirmed cases of HRSV positive were screened and detected using the fluorescent quantitative PCR method, with a total detection rate of 40% (10/25). Typing identification and sequencing analysis confirmed that the main epidemic type was HRSV subtype B, which was highly homologous and closely related to previous epidemic strains in the region. Through pathogen investigation and analysis, it was preliminarily determined that this epidemic was dominated by HRSV subtype B.

Observation of Strong Nuclear Suppression in Exclusive J/ψ Photoproduction in Au+Au Ultraperipheral Collisions at RHIC

We report a measurement of exclusive J/ψ and ψ(2s) photoproduction in Au+Au ultraperipheral collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV using the STAR detector. For the first time, (i) the ψ(2s) photoproduction in midrapidity at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider has been experimentally measured; (ii) nuclear suppression factors are measured for both the coherent and incoherent J/ψ production. At average photon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 25.0 GeV, the coherent and incoherent J/ψ cross sections of Au nuclei are found to be 71±10% and 36±7%, respectively, of that of free protons. The stronger suppression observed in the incoherent production provides a new experimental handle to study the initial-state parton density in heavy nuclei. Data are compared with theoretical models quantitatively.

Observation of the antimatter hypernucleus H ¯ Λ ¯ 4

At the origin of the Universe, an asymmetry between the amount of created matter and antimatter led to the matter-dominated Universe as we know it today. The origins of this asymmetry remain unknown so far. High-energy nuclear collisions create conditions similar to the Universe microseconds after the Big Bang, with comparable amounts of matter and antimatter1-6. Much of the created antimatter escapes the rapidly expanding fireball without annihilating, making such collisions an effective experimental tool to create heavy antimatter nuclear objects and to study their properties7-14, hoping to shed some light on the existing questions on the asymmetry between matter and antimatter. Here we report the observation of the antimatter hypernucleusH ¯ Λ ¯ 4 , composed of aΛ ¯ , an antiproton and two antineutrons. The discovery was made through its two-body decay after production in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider15,16. In total, 15.6 candidateH ¯ Λ ¯ 4 antimatter hypernuclei are obtained with an estimated background count of 6.4. The lifetimes of the antihypernucleiH ¯ Λ ¯ 3 andH ¯ Λ ¯ 4 are measured and compared with the lifetimes of their corresponding hypernuclei, testing the symmetry between matter and antimatter. Various production yield ratios among (anti)hypernuclei (hypernuclei and/or antihypernuclei) and (anti)nuclei (nuclei and/or antinuclei) are also measured and compared with theoretical model predictions, shedding light on their production mechanisms.

Significance of MRI-based radiomics in predicting pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of locally advanced rectal cancer: A narrative review

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancers owing to its ability to downstage primary tumours. Some patients can achieve pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy, and can adopt a "watch and wait" treatment strategy to avoid overtreatment. Therefore, it is essential to develop strategies for predicting responses to neoadjuvant therapy. Radiomics has shown great potential in extracting tumour features from high-throughput medical images for the construction of mathematics models for predicting the effects of anticancerous therapies. Herein, we explored MRI-based radiomics and found that it can predict responses of locally advanced rectal cancers to chemoradiation. Efficient radiomics model allow early-stage prediction of the effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on locally advanced rectal cancers. It helps clinicians to make informed therapeutic decisions. In this review, we discuss the workflow of radiomics, and summarize the clinical application of MRI-based radiomics in predicting pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of locally advanced rectal cancer.

Managing ischemic and necrotic incarcerated femoral hernia contents and their risk factors

PURPOSE

Incarcerated femoral hernia patients had high risk of hernia contents necrosis. We provide our experience of management ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents in emergency incarcerated femoral hernia patients, and to investigate its risk factors.

METHODS

This is a case-control study. Eighty-nine incarcerated femoral patients who underwent emergency surgery from January 2015 to December 2021 were included, and divided into normal group (60 cases) and ischemia/necrosis group (29 cases) according to the intraoperative condition of hernia contents. The surgical methods, intraoperative and postoperative conditions were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents.

RESULTS

Open preperitoneal tension-free repair was the most commonly used surgical methods (68.5%) for incarcerated femoral patients. The utilization rate of laparoscopic repair in the ischemia/necrosis group was lower than that in the normal group (13.8% vs. 20.0%, P = 0.475). The proportion of mesh placement in the normal group was significantly higher than that in the ischemia/necrosis group (98.3% vs 65.5%, P < 0.001). The hernia contents resection rate (55.2% vs 1.7%), operation time (90 vs 40 min), intraoperative bleeding (5 vs 2 ml), ICU admission rate (31.0% vs 1.7%), and hospital stay (7 vs 4 d) were significantly higher in the ischemia/necrosis group than those in normal group. Results of multivariate logistic regression showed that incarceration time more than 9 h (aOR = 19.3, 95%CI: 1.9-192.9) was an independent risk factor for ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents in emergency incarcerated femoral hernia patients.

CONCLUSION

Open tension-free repair was the most commonly used surgical methods for emergency incarcerated femoral hernia patients. Ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents will increase bowel resection rate and prolong operation and hospital stay. Long incarceration time is an independent risk factor for ischemia and necrosis of hernia contents.

Nomogram based on MRI and clinical features to predict progression-free survival in patients with stage IIIC1r cervical squamous cell carcinoma: A two-center study

PURPOSE

To develop a nomogram based on MRI and clinical features to predict progression-free survival (PFS) of 2018 FIGO stage ⅢC1r cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

METHODS

144 consecutive patients with stage ⅢC1r CSCC from two independent institutions were stratified into training cohort (from Institution 1, n=100) and independent validation cohort (from Institution 2, n=44). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses of MRI and clinical features before treatment were performed to determine independent risk factors for PFS in training cohort. Nomogram was developed based on them. Concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess and validate the nomogram.

RESULTS

In training cohort, 2009 FIGO stage, maximum length of the primary tumor, short diameter and roundness index of the maximum metastatic lymph node were independent risk factors of PFS in patients with stage IIIC1r CSCC (all P-values < 0.05). Nomogram based on them to predict 1- and 3-year PFS achieved C-indexes of 0.835 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.809-0.862) and 0.789 (95%CI: 0.683-0.895) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Areas under ROC curves for the nomogram to predict 1- and 3-year PFS were 0.891 (95%CI: 0.829-0.954), 0.921 (95%CI: 0.861-0.981) in training cohort, and 0.902 (95%CI: 0.803-0.999), 0.885 (95%CI: 0.778-0.992) in validation cohort, respectively. Calibration curves indicated the nomogram predictions were in good agreement with actual observations.

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram based on MRI and clinical features has high accuracy and stability in predicting PFS of patients with stage IIIC1r CSCC.

[Sexual functional outcomes of vaginal dilation therapy for MRKH syndrome: a prospective study]

Objectives: To report the sexual functional outcomes of vaginal dilation therapy in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome patients. Methods: From March 2020 to February 2023, 97 MRKH syndrome patients performed vaginal dilation therapy with guidance from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and 45 of them engaged in penetrative intercourse and were included in this prospective cohort study. The Chinese version of female sexual function index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function. Functional success was defined as FSFI>23.45. Forty age-matched healthy women were selected as controls. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate the median time to success. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between neovagina length and sexual function. Complications were collected using follow-up questionnaires. Results: The functional success rate of vaginal dilation therapy was 89% (40/45) with a median time to success of 4.3 months (95%CI: 3.0-6.1 months). Compared to controls, MRKH syndrome patients had significantly lower scores in the orgasm domain (4.72±1.01 vs 4.09±1.20; P=0.013) and pain domain (5.03±0.96 vs 4.26±0.83; P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the FSFI total score (26.77±2.70 vs 26.70±2.33; P=0.912), arousal domain (4.43±0.77 vs 4.56±0.63; P=0.422) and satisfaction domain (4.88±0.98 vs 4.65±0.86; P=0.269) between MRKH syndrome patients and controls. MRKH syndrome patients had significantly higher scores in the desire domain (3.33±0.85 vs 3.95±0.73; P<0.001) and lubrication domain (4.37±0.56 vs 5.20±0.67; P<0.001). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in MRKH patients was non-inferior to controls: low desire [3% (1/40) vs 23% (9/40); P=0.007], arousal disorder [3% (1/40) vs 3% (1/40); P>0.999], lubrication disorder [5% (2/40) vs 25% (10/40); P=0.012], orgasm disorder [40% (16/40) vs 20% (8/40); P=0.051], sexual pain [30% (12/40) vs 15% (6/40); P=0.108]. Conclusions: MRKH syndrome patients undergoing non-invasive vaginal dilation therapy could achieve satisfactory sexual life. Given its high functional success rate and slight complication, vaginal dilation therapy should be recommended as the first-line option, reducing the need for unnecessary surgeries.