iTRAQ-based proteomics revealed baicalein enhanced oxidative stress of Candida albicans by up-regulating CPD2 expression

Baicalein could inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of Candida albicans, the most common clinical fungal pathogen. However, the antifungal mechanism of baicalein has not been elucidated. In this study, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) was used to verify the mechanism of antifungal fluconazole and baicalein. A total of 58 common proteins were detected in cells treated with fluconazole. These proteins encompassed fluconazole-targeted sterol synthesis pathway, including Erg11p, Erg6p, Erg3p, Erg25p, Erg5p, Erg10p and Ncp1p. Next, iTRAQ was applied to the comparison of baicalein-treated C. albicans proteins, which detected 16 common proteins. The putative NADH dehydrogenase Cpd2p and the ATP-binding cassette transporter Snq2p were the most up-regulated proteins with the treatment of baicalein. Our results showed that CPD2 disruption elevated C. albicans resistance to baicalein significantly both in vitro and in vivo. Further in-depth studies revealed that CPD2 disruption reduced the activation of C. albicans metacaspase and partially restored the mitochondrial membrane potential reduction caused by the treatment of baicalein, which indicated that CPD2 was involved in the apoptosis induced by baicalein. Consistently, under the treatment of baicalein, CPD2Δ/Δ mutant produced lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) that was critical in causing oxidative damage and apoptosis in C. albicans. These results indicated that baicalein could increase intracellular oxidative damage by up-regulating the expression of Cpd2p so as to inhibit the growth of C. albicans, which provides new insights for investigating the antifungal target of baicalein.

Observation of Resonance Structures in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ_{2}(3823) and Mass Measurement of ψ_{2}(3823)

Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 11.3  fb^{-1} collected at center-of-mass energies from 4.23 to 4.70 GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the product of the e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ_{2}(3823) cross section and the branching fraction B[ψ_{2}(3823)→γχ_{c1}]. For the first time, resonance structure is observed in the cross section line shape of e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}ψ_{2}(3823) with significances exceeding 5σ. A fit to data with two coherent Breit-Wigner resonances modeling the sqrt[s]-dependent cross section yields M(R_{1})=4406.9±17.2±4.5  MeV/c^{2}, Γ(R_{1})=128.1±37.2±2.3  MeV, and M(R_{2})=4647.9±8.6±0.8  MeV/c^{2}, Γ(R_{2})=33.1±18.6±4.1  MeV. Though weakly disfavored by the data, a single resonance with M(R)=4417.5±26.2±3.5  MeV/c^{2}, Γ(R)=245±48±13  MeV is also possible to interpret data. This observation deepens our understanding of the nature of the vector charmoniumlike states. The mass of the ψ_{2}(3823) state is measured as (3823.12±0.43±0.13)  MeV/c^{2}, which is the most precise measurement to date.

Observation of a State X(2600) in the π^{+}π^{-}η' System in the Process J/ψ→γπ^{+}π^{-}η'

Based on (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, the process J/ψ→γπ^{+}π^{-}η^{'} is studied using two largest decay channels of the η^{'} meson, η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} and η^{'}→ηπ^{+}π^{-}, η→γγ. A new resonance, which we denote as the X(2600), is observed with a statistical significance larger than 20σ in the π^{+}π^{-}η^{'} invariant mass spectrum, and it has a connection to a structure around 1.5  GeV/c^{2} in the π^{+}π^{-} invariant mass spectrum. A simultaneous fit on the π^{+}π^{-}η^{'} and π^{+}π^{-} invariant mass spectra with the two η^{'} decay modes indicates that the mass and width of the X(2600) state are 2618.3±2.0_{-1.4}^{+16.3}  MeV/c^{2} and 195±5_{-17}^{+26}  MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical, and the second systematic.

Observation of J/ψ Electromagnetic Dalitz Decays to X(1835), X(2120), and X(2370)

Using a sample of about 10^{10}  J/ψ events collected at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=3.097  GeV with the BESIII detector, the electromagnetic Dalitz decays J/ψ→e^{+}e^{-}π^{+}π^{-}η^{'}, with η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} and η^{'}→π^{+}π^{-}η, have been studied. The decay J/ψ→e^{+}e^{-}X(1835) is observed with a significance of 15σ, and also an e^{+}e^{-} invariant-mass dependent transition form factor of J/ψ→e^{+}e^{-}X(1835) is presented for the first time. The intermediate states X(2120) and X(2370) are also observed in the π^{+}π^{-}η^{'} invariant-mass spectrum with significances of 5.3σ and 7.3σ. The corresponding product branching fractions for J/ψ→e^{+}e^{-}X, X→π^{+}π^{-}η^{'} [X=X(1835), X(2120), and X(2370)] are reported.

P-752 Fertility outcomes after hysteroscopic niche resection compared with expectant management in patients with a niche in the uterine cesarean scar

Study question

Whether hysteroscopic niche resection is suitable for patients with a niche in the uterine cesarean scar and with fertility desire compared with expectant management.

Summary answer

Hysteroscopic niche resection is a effective treatment for patients with fertility desire compared with expectant management and satisfactory obstetrical outcomes could be achieved.

What is known already

The specific treatment method for niche should be determined according to the patient’s symptoms, fertility desire and niche features,up to now, hysteroscopic niche resection has been shown effective to reduce abnormal uterine bleeding. However, similar to expectant treatment, hysteroscopic niche resection does not reconstruct the lower uterine segment, whether hysteroscopic niche resection affect fertility outcomes remains controversial.

Study design, size, duration

We designed a single-center retrospective cohort study. We included patients with desire to conceive that underwent hysteroscopic niche resection or expectant management between 2016.9-2020.12. The date of entry for each woman was the date of treatment or the date that the niche was diagnosed. The last day of analysis was the date of the first delivery or the last follow-up visit in women who remained non-livebirth.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

This study was conducted in a university-affiliated gynecology hospital. A total of 71 patients that underwent hysteroscopic niche resection and 97 patients that underwent expectant management were recruited. All women were followed up yearly until December 2021 for the occurrence of live birth. A Cox proportional hazards regression model with potential variables to identify predictors of pregnancy was also processed.

Main results and the role of chance

Baseline characteristics of age, gravidity, parity, previous cesarean section, and anatomical indicators of niche were not significantly different between the groups. However patients in the hysteroscopic niche resection had a longer menstruation duration (hysteroscopic niche resection vs expectant management as 12(10/14) vs 7(7/10), P <0.001) and a longer infertility period before treatment(hysteroscopic niche resection vs expectant management as 48.00±36.28 vs 23.11±20.34, P = 0.014). The overall live birth rate was similar in both groups (hysteroscopic niche resection vs expectant management as 37/71 [52.11%] vs 40/97 [41.23%], P = 0.162). For the live births in the two groups, no uterine rupture occurred.The total pregnancy rate was higher in the hysteroscopic niche resection group (hysteroscopic niche resection vs expectant management as 50/71 [70.40%] vs 50/97 [51.54%], P = 0.014). What’s more, for patients with infertility before treatment,there was a statistically significant difference regarding time to pregnancy between the two groups (P = 0.049).

After adjustment for confounding factors including age, numbers of cesarean section, infertility peroid before treatment, anatomical indicators of niche and menstruation duration, cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that women underwent hysteroscopic niche resection were positively correlated to pregnancy (AHR = 1.646, 95% CI [1.081-2.506]).

Limitations, reasons for caution

This study was a single-center retrospective cohort study, to strengthen the conclusion, more prospective studies that include larger sample sizes and multiple centers should be conducted.

Wider implications of the findings

For asymptomatic cesarean scar defect patients whose residual myometrium thickness is sufficient, the expectant treatment is practical. However, for patients with abnormal uterine bleeding or infertility, hysteroscopic niche resection should be recommended.

Trial registration number

not applicable

P-751 Comparing LNG-IUS 52mg versus hysteroscopic resection in patients with postmenstrual spotting related to a niche in the caesarean scar (MIHYS NICHE Trial)

Study question

Among women with niche-related postmenstrual spotting, is LNG-IUS 52mg superior to hysteroscopic niche resection?

Summary answer

At the 6th month after treatment, the median total bleeding days after LNG-IUS 52mg was 4 days, shorter than 13 days after hysteroscopic niche resection.

What is known already

The rate of caesarean sections (CS) is growing worldwide and the prevalence of niche, one of complications of CS, has increased substantially. Until now, evidence-based clinical guidelines for the treatment of niche are few. In patients with niche-related postmenstrual spotting, there are some studies confirm the effectiveness of a levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) on the niche-related symptoms, while some retrospective studies indicated conflicting results. The effect of LNG-IUS and hysteroscopic niche resection in niche-related spotting has not been studied in any RCT yet.

Study design, size, duration

This is a randomized controlled trial conducted in a university-based hospital from Dec 2019 to Jan 2021. Women who were suffering from niche-related postmenstrual spotting for more than two days and had no fertility intention in the coming 12 months were recruited. After randomisation for LNG-IUS 52mg or hysteroscopic resection, follow-up was performed at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12nd month. Based on our protocol, 208 women (104 in each group) were included.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

After informed consent is obtained, eligible women were randomly allocated to LNG-IUS 52mg or hysteroscopic niche resection at 1:1. The primary outcome was the efficacy in reducing postmenstrual spotting at the 6th month after randomisation. The secondary outcomes include menstrual pattern, total bleeding days per month, rate of amenorrhoea, side effects and complications. Student’s t-tests were performed to compare the effective rate in improving postmenstrual spotting between two groups.

Main results and the role of chance

208 women were randomised, finally 101 patients in the LNG-IUS group and 104 in hysteroscopic resection group were included in the intention to treat analysis. Median reduced spotting days maintained within 5 days after hysteroscopic niche resection at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and the 12nd month, while after LNG-IUS treatment it increased from 4 days at the 3rd month to 7 days at the 12nd month.

Participants reported a reduction of spotting days by at least 50% from baseline at one-year follow-up in 91 out of 101 (90.0%) in the LNG-IUS group versus 73 out of 104 (70.2%) in the hysteroscopic niche resection group (Relative Risk 1.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.5; p < 0.001). The effectiveness rate increased over time within 1 year after the insertion of LNG-IUS (58.4%, 78.2%, 89.1%, 90.0%, P for trend = 0.042), while no trend change was observed in hysteroscopy group (67.3%, 73.1%, 72.1%, 70.2%, P for trend = 0.625).

In the LNG-IUS group, two women removed their IUS after expulsion and three did so after bleeding symptoms. In the hysteroscopy group, two women got pregnant. No serious complications were observed in either group.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The trial was based in a single centre, which might limit the generalisability of the findings. Meanwhile, this trial was an open-label trial both for patients and for researchers, and a blind method was applied to evaluate the effect of treatment.

Wider implications of the findings

LNG-IUS 52mg is superior to hysteroscopic niche resection in reducing niche related postmenstrual spotting from the 6th month. LNG-IUS has advantages including contraceptive effect, no need for (general) anaesthesia or hospitalisation, easy to insert, fewer complications and lower cost. LNG-IUS should be recommended as the first choice for these women.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1900025677

P-744 Fertility intention for a second or third child among childbearing couple in Shanghai, China

Study question

What is the intention rate and related factors for a second or third child among childbearing couple?

Summary answer

Among couples with one child, 16.2% are willing to have a second child. Only 9.4% of couples with two children are pursuing third child.

What is known already

The decline in fertility is becoming an inevitable trend in most countries around the world. In the end of 1970s, the one-child policy was implemented. Since 21st century, China has gradually changed its fertility policy, from a selective two-child policy to a comprehensive two-child policy. Nevertheless, the number of total annual births in China has not shown an obviously increasing trend of growth. On August 20, 2021, the Chinese government amended the law to allow a couple to have three children. However, only a few studies have been conducted to evaluate fertility intention in the couples who already have kids.

Study design, size, duration

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Shanghai from July to August in 2021. This study population was based on the female fertility database established between 2013 and 2017, which contains basic sociodemographic information and the reproductive intentions. We conducted this study to evaluate the fertility intention of the second or the third child and its related factors.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

From July to August in 2021, couples aged between 20 and 45 years old with one or two children was invited to participate in our study to give the information about “second/third births intention” and the factors that may probably related to it. Between the groups with and without second/third child intention, the chi-squared test and binary logistic regression was applied to compare the difference in the basic characteristics and relative factors.

Main results and the role of chance

Among couples with one child, 130 (16.2%) couples had intention to have a second child. Only 9.4% of couples with two children show the desire to have a third child. The ideal number of children for all our participants was 1.72±0.52. And the ideal number of children among couples with one child is 1.61±0.52. By contrast, the ideal number for couples with two kids was 2.06±0.34. The study showed great differences in Socioeconomic and personal factors between two groups. For second-child intention, the female age over 35 years, first child's age over 7 years, annual payment for the first child ranges from 70,000-100,000 RMB and children’s educational barriers were negatively associated with an intention to have a second child. Job with more free time makes it easier for couples to have a second child. Among couples with two children, parents with family financial constraints and children’s educational barriers are less likely to have a third child. Fertility-encouraged government policy can promote couples to pursue a second or third child. It is necessary to take measures to reduce the burden of raising children and increase free time for couples to relief parent’s pressure of rearing a child.

Limitations, reasons for caution

As this is a single-center study in Shanghai, the sample size is relatively small. Although our sample size still meets the basic statistical requirements and can detect a moderate effect size as significance, the results may not be applicable to some other regions.

Wider implications of the findings

The decision of fertility intention is influenced by female age, the first child’s age, family economic conditions, children’s education and national fertility policies. It is necessary to take measures to reduce the burden of raising children and increase free time for couples to relief parent’s pressure of rearing a child.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100045315

The Safety and Efficacy of Flow Diversion versus Conventional Endovascular Treatment for Intracranial Aneurysms: A Meta-analysis of Real-world Cohort Studies from the Past 10 Years

BACKGROUND

Although the flow diverter has advantages in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, pooled studies that directly compare it with conventional endovascular treatments are rare.

PURPOSE

Our aim was to compare the safety and efficacy of flow-diverter and conventional endovascular treatments in intracranial aneurysms.

DATA SOURCES

We performed a comprehensive search of the literature using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database.

STUDY SELECTION

We included only studies that directly compared the angiographic and clinical outcomes of flow-diverter and conventional endovascular treatments.

DATA ANALYSIS

Random effects or fixed effects meta-analysis was used to pool the cumulative rate of short- and long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Eighteen studies with 1001 patients with flow diverters and 1133 patients with conventional endovascular treatments were included; 1015 and 1201 aneurysm procedures were performed, respectively. The flow-diverter group had aneurysms of a larger size (standard mean difference, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.03-0.41; P = .026). There was a higher risk of complications in the flow-diverter group compared with the conventional endovascular group (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.01-1.96; P = .045) during procedures. The follow-up angiographic results of flow-diverter treatment indicated a higher rate of complete occlusion (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.70-3.83; P < .001) and lower rates of recurrence (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12-0.46; P < .001) and retreatment (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.21-0.47; P < .001).

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include a retrospective, observational design in some studies, high heterogeneity, and selection bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the conventional endovascular treatments, the placement of a flow diverter may lead to more procedure-related complications, but there is no difference in safety, and it is more effective in the long term.

Probing CP symmetry and weak phases with entangled double-strange baryons

Though immensely successful, the standard model of particle physics does not offer any explanation as to why our Universe contains so much more matter than antimatter. A key to a dynamically generated matter-antimatter asymmetry is the existence of processes that violate the combined charge conjugation and parity (CP) symmetry1. As such, precision tests of CP symmetry may be used to search for physics beyond the standard model. However, hadrons decay through an interplay of strong and weak processes, quantified in terms of relative phases between the amplitudes. Although previous experiments constructed CP observables that depend on both strong and weak phases, we present an approach where sequential two-body decays of entangled multi-strange baryon-antibaryon pairs provide a separation between these phases. Our method, exploiting spin entanglement between the double-strange Ξ- baryon and its antiparticle2 [Formula: see text], has enabled a direct determination of the weak-phase difference, (ξP - ξS) = (1.2 ± 3.4 ± 0.8) × 10-2 rad. Furthermore, three independent CP observables can be constructed from our measured parameters. The precision in the estimated parameters for a given data sample size is several orders of magnitude greater than achieved with previous methods3. Finally, we provide an independent measurement of the recently debated Λ decay parameter αΛ (refs. 4,5). The [Formula: see text] asymmetry is in agreement with and compatible in precision to the most precise previous measurement4.

Observation of the Singly Cabibbo Suppressed Decay Λ_{c}^{+}→nπ^{+}

The singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay Λ_{c}^{+}→nπ^{+} is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 7.3σ by using 3.9  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.612 and 4.699 GeV with the BESIII detector at BEPCII. The branching fraction of Λ_{c}^{+}→nπ^{+} is measured to be (6.6±1.2_{stat}±0.4_{syst})×10^{-4}. By taking the upper limit of branching fractions of Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{0} from the Belle experiment, the ratio of branching fractions between Λ_{c}^{+}→nπ^{+} and Λ_{c}^{+}→pπ^{0} is calculated to be larger than 7.2 at the 90% confidence level, which disagrees with most predictions of the available phenomenological models. In addition, the branching fractions of the Cabibbo-favored decays Λ_{c}^{+}→Λπ^{+} and Λ_{c}^{+}→Σ^{0}π^{+} are measured to be (1.31±0.08_{stat}±0.05_{syst})×10^{-2} and (1.22±0.08_{stat}±0.07_{syst})×10^{-2}, respectively, which are consistent with previous results.

[Early efficacy of three dimensional printed anatomical biomimetic cervical artificial disc replacement in the treatment of cervical degenerative diseases]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of a new cervical artificial disc prosthesis in the treatment of cervical degenerative diseases. Methods: The clinical data of 18 patients with single-level cervical degenerative diseases who underwent three dimensional printed anatomical bionic cervical disc replacement at Department of Spinal Surgery,Honghui Hospital,Xi'an Jiaotong University from May 2019 to July 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 7 males and 11 females,aged (45±8) years old(range:28 to 58 years).The surgical segment was located at C_3－4 level in 2 cases, C_4－5 level in 5 cases, C_5－6 level in 9 cases, and C_6－7 level in 2 cases.The clinical and radiographic outcomes were recorded and compared at preoperative,postoperative times of one month and twelve months.The clinical assessments contained Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) score,neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS).Imaging assessments included range of motion (ROM) of cervical spine, prosthesis subsidence and prosthesis anteroposterior migration.Repeated measurement variance analysis was used for comparison between groups,and paired t test was used for pairwise comparison. Results: All patients underwent the operation successfully and were followed up for more than 12 months.Compared with preoperative score,the JOA score,NDI and VAS were significantly improved after surgery (all P<0.01).There was no significant difference in postoperative ROM compared with 1-and 12-month preoperative ROM (t=1.570,P=0.135;t=1.744,P=0.099). The prosthesis subsidence was (0.29±0.13) mm (range: 0.18 to 0.50 mm) at 12-month postoperatively.The migration of prosthesis at 12-months postoperatively were (0.71±0.20) mm (range: 0.44 to 1.08 mm).There was no prosthesis subsidence or migration>2 mm at 12-month postoperatively. Conclusion: Three dimensional printed anatomical biomimetic cervical artificial disc replacement has a good early clinical effect in the treatment of cervical degenerative diseases, good mobility can be obtained while maintaining stability.

[Effect of miR1290 on the growth of endometrial cancer and the related mechanism]

Objective: To explore the expression of miR1290 in endometrial cancer tissues and its relationship with the pathological grade, and to find out the effect of miR1290 on biological characteristics of endometrial cancer cells and its mechanism. Methods: A total of 38 cases of endometrioid adenocarcinoma tissues, 10 cases of adjacent tissues and 23 cases of normal endometrial tissues were collected in Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from May 2020 to October 2020. The expression of miR1290 was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expressions of miR1290 in endometrial cancer cells including KLE and Ishikawa were knocked down by lentiviral transfection. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) test and colony formation test were used to detect cell proliferation ability, wound healing and Transwell test were used to detect cell invasion and migration ability, western blot was used to detect the expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), phospholipids acylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin pathway related proteins. Results: The relative expressions of miR1290 in endometrial cancer tissues were 5.40±3.20, which was 1.55 times of normal endometrial tissues (P<0.01) and 1.75 times of adjacent tissues (P<0.01). The relative expressions of miR1290 in 17 cases of endometrial tissues at proliferative stage and 6 cases of endometrial tissues at secretory stage were 3.00±1.08 and 4.97±0.58, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). In KLE cells and Ishikawa cells, the expression of miR1290 in miR1290 knockdown (Sh-miR1290) group was decreased when compared with the negative control (Sh-NC) group. The absorbance value of Sh-miR1290 group detected by the CCK-8 method and the colony formation rate detected by the colony formation experiment were both increased, the number of cells penetrating the basement membrane in the Transwell experiment and the wound healing rate in the scratch experiment were decreased (P<0.05). In KLE cells, knockdown of miR1290 reduced the expressions of EMT-related proteins including N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail and Slug(P<0.05), and the expressions of PI3K and P-Akt/Akt (P<0.05), while there was no significant change in the expressions of Wnt and β-catenin (P>0.05). In Ishikawa cells, knockdown of miR1290 decreased the expressions of EMT-related proteins including N-cadherin, Snail and Slug, and the expressions of Wnt and β-catenin, increased the expression of E-cadherin (P<0.05), while there was no significant change in the expressions of PI3K and P-Akt/Akt (P>0.05). Conclusions: The expressions of miR1290 in endometrial cancer tissues are higher than that in the adjacent tissues and normal endometrial tissues. Knockdown of miR1290 expression can promote the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells, but inhibit cell invasion, migration and EMT ability through the PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin pathways.

Measurement of the Cross Section for e^{+}e^{-}→Hadrons at Energies from 2.2324 to 3.6710 GeV

Based on electron-positron collision data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider II storage rings, the value of R≡σ(e^{+}e^{-}→hadrons)/σ(e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}) is measured at 14 center-of-mass energies from 2.2324 to 3.6710 GeV. The resulting uncertainties are less than 3.0% and are dominated by systematic uncertainties.

Evaluating chronotypically tailored light therapy for breast cancer survivors: Preliminary findings on fatigue and disrupted sleep

More than one-third of cancer survivors experience significant residual symptoms after treatment completion. Fatigue and sleep disruption often co-occur and exacerbate each other. The purpose of this preliminary analysis was to examine the effect of a chronotypically tailored light therapy on fatigue and sleep disruption in female survivors 1-3 years post-completion of chemotherapy and/or radiation for stage I to III breast cancer. The data for this analysis were collected as part of an ongoing two-group randomized controlled trial (NCT03304587). Participants were randomized to receive either bright blue-green light (experimental) or dim red light (control). Light therapy was self-administered using a light visor cap at home. Both groups received 30-min daily light therapy for 14 consecutive days either between 19:00 and 20:00 h (for morning chronotypes) or within 30 min of waking in the morning (for evening chronotypes). Fatigue and sleep quality were self-reported using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-Fatigue, PROMIS-Sleep Disturbance, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and a daily log before (pre-test) and following the light intervention (post-test). Linear mixed model analysis or generalized estimating equations examined group difference overtime adjusting for pre-test scores. No between-group differences were found. However, after adjusting for the baseline fatigue, the experimental group reported significant decreases in fatigue (p < .001) and sleep disturbance (p = .024) overtime. The experimental group also reported significantly better subjective sleep quality after 14 d of light therapy (p = .017). Positive trends in sleep latency, sleep duration, night-time awakenings, and early morning awakenings were also observed. Unexpectedly, sleep disturbance significantly decreased in the control group (p = .030). Those who received dim light control reported significantly shorter sleep latency (p = .002), longer total sleep time (p = .042), and greater habitual sleep efficiency (p = .042). These findings suggest that bright light therapy significantly improved post-treatment fatigue and subjective sleep quality in breast cancer survivors. Although it remains to be confirmed, the findings additionally show unexpected benefits of dim light on sleep. Properly timed light exposure may optimize the therapeutic effect and can be the key for successful light therapy. How the administration timing coupled with wavelengths (short vs. long) and intensity of light affecting fatigue and disrupted sleep requires further investigation.

First Measurement of Polarizations in the Decay D^{0}→ωφ

Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=3.773  GeV by the BESIII detector, the decay D^{0}→ωϕ is observed for the first time. The branching fraction is measured to be (6.48±0.96±0.40)×10^{-4} with a significance of 6.3σ, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. An angular analysis reveals that the ϕ and ω mesons from the D^{0}→ωϕ decay are transversely polarized. The 95% confidence level upper limit on longitudinal polarization fraction is set to be less than 0.24, which is inconsistent with current theoretical expectations and challenges our understanding of the underlying dynamics in charm meson decays.

Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Chronic Carotid Artery Occlusion on High-Resolution MR Vessel Wall Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Chronic carotid artery occlusion remains a poorly understood risk factor for subsequent stroke, and potential revascularization is dependent on understanding the anatomy and nature of the occlusion. Luminal imaging cannot assess the nature of an occlusion, so the internal structure of the occlusion must be inferred. The present study examines the signal characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid occlusion that may point to management differentiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively recruited patients who were diagnosed with chronic carotid artery occlusion defined as longer than 4 weeks and confirmed by DSA. All patients underwent high-resolution MR vessel wall imaging examinations after enrollment. Baseline characteristics, vessel wall imaging features, and DSA features were collected and evaluated. The vessel wall imaging features included segment involvement, signal intensity, contrast enhancement, and vessel wall thickness. The symptomatic and asymptomatic chronic carotid artery occlusions were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients with 48 lesions were included in this study from February 2020 to December 2020. Of the 48 lesions, 35 (72.9%) were symptomatic and 13 (27.1%) were asymptomatic. There was no difference in baseline and DSA features. On vessel wall imaging, C1 and C2 were the most commonly involved segments (91.7% and 68.8%, respectively). Compared with symptomatic lesions, asymptomatic lesions were more often isointense (69.2%) in the distal segment (P = .03). Both groups had diffuse wall thickening (80% and 100%).

CONCLUSIONS

Signal characteristics between those with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery occlusions differ in a statistically significant fashion, indicating a different structure of the occlusion.

A WC/WO star exploding within an expanding carbon-oxygen-neon nebula

The final fate of massive stars, and the nature of the compact remnants they leave behind (black holes and neutron stars), are open questions in astrophysics. Many massive stars are stripped of their outer hydrogen envelopes as they evolve. Such Wolf-Rayet stars¹ emit strong and rapidly expanding winds with speeds greater than 1,000 kilometres per second. A fraction of this population is also helium-depleted, with spectra dominated by highly ionized emission lines of carbon and oxygen (types WC/WO). Evidence indicates that the most commonly observed supernova explosions that lack hydrogen and helium (types Ib/Ic) cannot result from massive WC/WO stars^2,3, leading some to suggest that most such stars collapse directly into black holes without a visible supernova explosion⁴. Here we report observations of SN 2019hgp, beginning about a day after the explosion. Its short rise time and rapid decline place it among an emerging population of rapidly evolving transients^5-8. Spectroscopy reveals a rich set of emission lines indicating that the explosion occurred within a nebula composed of carbon, oxygen and neon. Narrow absorption features show that this material is expanding at high velocities (greater than 1,500 kilometres per second), requiring a compact progenitor. Our observations are consistent with an explosion of a massive WC/WO star, and suggest that massive Wolf-Rayet stars may be the progenitors of some rapidly evolving transients.

Time dependency in early major osteoporotic and hip re-fractures in women and men aged 50 years and older: a population-based observational study

We analyzed patterns in recurrent major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) following a first major osteoporotic fracture in a large population-based cohort. Re-fracture risk remained elevated over 10 years, with only modest and inconsistent attenuation in risk over time.

INTRODUCTION

Recurrent fracture risk remains elevated for up to 25 years, and is reportedly highest in the initial 2 years (imminent risk). Our aim was to characterize early time dependency in re-fracture rates up to 10 years after a first fracture in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

Using Province of Manitoba (Canada) healthcare databases, we performed a matched cohort study in 22,105 women (mean age 74.1 ± 10.6 years) and 7589 men (mean age 71.8 ± 11.2 years) after a first MOF (age ≥ 50 years) during 1989-2006 and matched fracture-free controls (3 for each case). Incident fractures were ascertained over the next 10 years. Fracture rate ratios (RRs, cases versus controls) stratified by sex and age were computed, and tested for linear trend using linear regression. Joinpoint regression was performed to determine non-linear change in fracture rates over time, with particular attention to the first 2-year post-fracture.

RESULTS

RRs for incident MOF and hip fracture exceeded unity for the primary analyses in all subgroups and follow-up intervals. There was a tendency of RRs to decline over time, but this was inconsistent. Absolute rates per 100,000 person-years for fracture cases were consistently greater than for controls in all subgroups and observation times. Among fracture cases, there was a tendency for rates to decline gradually in all subgroups except younger women, but these temporal trends appeared monotonic without an inflection at 2 years. Joinpoint regression analyses did not detect an inflection in risk between the first 2 years and subsequent years. No significant time dependency was seen for incident hip fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

MOF and hip re-fracture risk was elevated in all age and sex subgroups over 10 years. There was inconsistent and only modest time dependency in early MOF risk, most evident in women after age 65 years. No strong transition in risk was seen between the first 2-year post-fracture and subsequent years.

Long-term risk of subsequent major osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture in men and women: a population-based observational study with a 25-year follow-up

The risk of subsequent major osteoporotic and hip fracture following an initial fracture was increased in both sexes over 25 years, with modest time-dependent attenuation. This risk was highest in men, underscoring the importance of targeted treatment strategies particularly in this under-treated population.

INTRODUCTION

The risk of subsequent fractures is increased following an index fracture, and declines over time. We aimed to determine whether this risk was sustained over 25 years and evolved similarly in men and women.

METHODS

Using population-based databases, we performed a matched cohort study in 16,876 men and 39,230 women ≥ 50 years who sustained an index fracture during 1989-2006. Rates of subsequent major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) and hip fractures until 2016 were compared to rates for matched controls (n = 160,983). Age- and sex-stratified cumulative incidences to 25 years were estimated in the presence of competing mortality. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for subsequent fractures were estimated for each on the first 15 years of follow-up with a final category ≥ 15 years, adjusted for comorbidities.

RESULTS

Risk for MOF and hip fractures remained elevated up to 25 years in both sexes. The cumulative incidence of fractures was higher in cases vs controls in both sexes and across all age categories except in those > 90 years. Crude rate ratios for subsequent MOF were 2.5 (95% CI 2.3-2.7) in men and 1.6 (95% CI 1.6-1.7) in women and were higher in the younger age groups. Adjusted HRs (aHRs) for subsequent MOF were higher in men than in women in the first year (men aHR 2.6, 95% CI 2.1-3.3; women aHR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4-1.7).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of subsequent fractures following an initial fracture was increased over 25 years and the magnitude of risk was initially greater in men than in women.