Influence of exercise intervention on gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

Exercise intervention might be a promising approach to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus. However, the results remained controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effect of exercise intervention on gestational diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of exercise intervention on gestational diabetes mellitus were included. Two investigators independently searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. The primary outcome was the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, and gestational age at birth. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect model.

RESULTS

Five RCTs involving 1872 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention, exercise intervention was found to significantly reduce the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (std. mean difference 0.62; 95% CI 0.43-0.89; P = 0.01), but demonstrated no influence on preterm birth (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.44-1.99; P = 0.86), gestational age at birth (std. mean difference -0.03; 95% CI -0.12 to 0.07; P = 0.60), glucose 2-h post-OGTT (std. mean difference -1.02; 95% CI -2.75 to 0.71; P = 0.25), birth weight (std. mean difference -0.10; 95% CI -0.25 to 0.04; P = 0.16), Apgar score less than 7 (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.21-2.91; P = 0.71), and preeclampsia (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.53-2.07; P = 0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to control intervention, exercise intervention was found to significantly reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus, but had no significant influence on preterm birth, gestational age at birth, glucose 2-h post-OGTT, birth weight, Apgar score less than 7, and preeclampsia.

Human hepatocyte growth factor inhibits early neointima formation in rabbit abdominal aortae following ultrasound-guided balloon injury

The present study investigated the effects of in vivo gene transfer of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) on neointima formation in rabbit abdominal aortae following ultrasound‑guided balloon injury. New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: endothelium injury alone (EI), endothelium injury with control vector transfection (EI‑V), endothelium injury with hHGF transfection (EI‑HGF), and hHGF transfection alone without endothelium injury (HGF). Endothelial injury was established by scraping the abdominal aortic wall using a balloon catheter under the guidance of a transabdominal ultrasound. hHGF gene transfer was performed 7 days following injury. hHGF mRNA and protein expression levels were determined at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days following transfection. Neointima formation was assessed by histopathological analysis at 14 and 28 days following injury. hHGF mRNA and protein expression levels were detected in the target abdominal aortae in EI‑HGF and HGF groups with the greatest levels observed 3 days following transfection, and their levels dropped below detection limits at 21 days following transfection. hHGF was not detectable in the EI and EI‑V groups throughout the experiment. The neointimal area and the neointima to media ratio in the EI‑HGF group were significantly decreased compared with those in the EI or EI‑V group at 14 days following injury. However, no differences were observed at 28 days following injury. The present study demonstrated that in vivo hHGF gene transfer inhibits the early formation of neointima in balloon‑injured rabbit abdominal aortae.

Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae prevalence and clinical aspects in adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia in China: a prospective multicenter surveillance study

Background

Drug resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a rising issue in the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Epidemiological monitoring is essential for identifying resistant patterns of MP isolates against various antibiotics in adult CAP patients.

Methods

This is a prospectively designed multicenter study conducted on adult patients with CAP visiting six teaching hospitals in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou between September 2010 and June 2012.

Results

A total of 520 adult patients (mean age: 45.7±26.2 years) with CAP visiting teaching hospitals in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou were included. Of the 520 patients, only 75 (14.42%) were confirmed MP positive by means of culture and real-time PCR methods. Quinolones were the most common initially prescribed antimicrobial, followed by β-lactams and β-lactams plus quinolones. Macrolide resistance was as high as 80% and 72% against erythromycin (ERY) and azithromycin (AZM) respectively, which were associated with the A2063G transition mutation in domain V of the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Six strains with mild to moderate ERY-resistant level were still susceptible to AZM. Tetracycline (TET), minocycline (MIN) and quinolones [moxifloxacin (MOX) and fluoroquinolones] had no signs of resistance.

Conclusions

High resistance was observed with macrolides, whereas, none of the MP strains were resistant to fluoroquinolones and TET. Hence, macrolide resistant MP (MRMP)_infections could be well treated with fluoroquinolones. However, few isolated strains had minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values on the edge of resistance to quinolones, alarming a quinolone-resistant MP in the near future.

Posterior Vertebral Column Resection Through Unilateral Osteotomy Approach for Old Lumbar Fracture Combined with Kummell Disease

BACKGROUND

Kummell disease is a clinical syndrome characterized by minor spinal trauma with a symptom-free period from months to years, followed by progressive painful kyphosis. Many surgical options for Kummell disease have been reported in the previous literature; however, no study has mentioned the surgical strategy for patients whose fractured vertebrae were severely compressed and only a slice of superior and inferior end plate was left.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Here we report the case of a 69-year-old woman who suffered persistent severe back pain since she slipped and fell 1 year before medical consult. The patient presented with constrained body posture and pressure pain on the thoracolumbar region. Visual analog scale pain under weight bearing was 90/100, and her Oswestry Disability Index score was 74%. Kummell disease was diagnosed on the basis of clinical presentation, trauma history, radiograph, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. We performed the posterior vertebral column resection through the unilateral osteotomy approach for the patient, and the clinical outcome and radiologic restoration were recorded. One year after the surgery, outpatient follow-up review revealed that the visual analog scale reduced to 10/100 and Oswestry Disability Index reduced to 13%. The posteroanterior and lateral radiograph in the standing position showed bony fusion was achieved at the osteotomy site. No pseudarthrosis or instrumentation-related failure occurred.

CONCLUSION

Posterior vertebral column resection through unilateral osteotomy approach is an effective method for patients with Kummell disease, especially when the fractured vertebrae compressed severely and only a slice of superior and inferior end plate was left.

Protease sensitivity and redistribution of CD71 and glycophorin A on K562 cells

Transmembrane proteins are delivered to plasma membrane from the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex by vesicular transport along with the cytoskeletal network. Disruption of this process likely affects transmembrane protein expression. K562 cells were digested with Streptomyces griseus protease for different periods of time, and then re-cultured with different cytoskeletal and glycosylation inhibitors. Cell viability and surface expression of transferrin receptor (CD71) and glycophorin A (GPA) were analyzed before and after re-culture by flow cytometry. We found that digestion with protease almost completely removed extracellular CD71 and GPA but their expression recovered to the initial levels after re-culture for 8 h and 24 h, respectively. The microtubule depolymerizer colchicine promoted cell surface recovery of CD71 but inhibited that of GPA; the microtubule stabilizer paclitaxel inhibited cell surface recovery of CD71 but promoted that of GPA; the microfilament depolymerizer cytochalasin D had no effect on cell surface recovery of CD71 and GPA; the microfilament stabilizer phalloidin inhibited cell surface recovery of GPA. The glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin inhibited the recovery of both CD71 and GPA, and BADGP inhibited the recovery of GPA. These studies show differential sensitivities of surface proteins on K562 cells to proteases, and suggest molecular mechanisms of transmembrane protein transport and cycling.

Texture analysis of CT images in predicting malignancy risk of gastrointestinal stromal tumours

AIM

To explore the role of texture analysis of computed tomography (CT) images in predicting the malignancy risk of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-eight patients with histopathologically confirmed GISTs underwent preoperative CT. Texture analysis was performed on unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT images, respectively. Fourteen CT texture parameters were obtained and compared among GISTs at different malignancy risks with one-way analysis of variance or independent-samples Kruskal-Wallis test. Correlations between CT texture parameters and malignancy risk were analysed with Spearman's correlation test. Diagnostic performance of CT texture parameters in differentiating GISTs at low/very low malignancy risk was tested with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

Three parameters on unenhanced images (r=-0.268-0.506), four parameters on arterial phase (r=-0.365-0.508), and six parameters on venous phase (r=-0.343-0.481) imaging correlated significantly with malignancy risk of GISTs, respectively (all p<0.05). For identifying GISTs at low/very low malignancy risk, three parameters on unenhanced images (area under ROC curve [AUC], 0.676-0.802), four parameters on arterial phase (AUC, 0.637-0.811), and six parameters on venous phase (AUC, 0.636-0.791) imaging showed significant diagnostic performance, respectively (all p<0.05), especially maximum frequency on both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images (AUC, 0.791-0.811).

CONCLUSION

Texture analysis of CT images holds great potential to predict the malignancy risk of GISTs preoperatively.

Transformation to small-cell carcinoma as an acquired resistance mechanism to AZD9291: A case report

AZD9291, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), benefits patients with T790M mutant non-small-cell lung cancer who fail treatment with first-generation EGFR TKIs. Acquisition of resistance to AZD9291 occurs inevitable and mechanisms need to be explored. We reported an advanced lung adenocarcinoma female with EGFR exon19 deletion treated on AZD9291 after failure of erlotinib and chemotherapy. Disease progressed again after 6 months treatment of AZD9291 with hepatic metastasis. Re-biopsy of the hepatic lesion showed histopathology transformation to small cell lung cancer, which harbored EGFR exon19 deletion. Therefore, small cell carcinoma transformation is one of potential resistance mechanisms to AZD9291 and regimen for small cell carcinoma may be one of the treatment options.

Initial empiric antibiotic therapy for community-acquired pneumonia in Chinese hospitals

OBJECTIVES

Studies on treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in China are scarce. We performed a study to investigate empiric antibiotic practices for patients hospitalized with CAP in China and the risk factors for treatment failure.

METHODS

Data were collected from a national Chinese hospitalization database. Adult patients who were diagnosed with CAP between 1 October 2014 and 30 September 2015 were identified. We studied initial empiric antibiotic regimens, microbiologic sampling, treatment failure, in-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

We included 18 043 adult patients from 185 hospitals who met all the study inclusion criteria. The most common initial antibiotic regimen for CAP was monotherapy with a fluoroquinolone (14.8%, 2671/18 043). The most common initial antibiotic (used alone or in combination with other antibiotics) was levofloxacin (15.7%, 4597/29 278 (this denominator represents the total number of initial antibiotics)). The microbiologic sampling rate was 26.9% (4851/18 043). A total of 4050 (22.4%) of 18 043 patients experienced treatment failure. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that older age, male sex, coexisting lung cancer and use of regimens not covering atypical pathogens were risk factors for treatment failure. In-hospital mortality was 2.1% (380/18 043). The median hospital length of stay was 11 days (interquartile range, 8-15 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients receiving Chinese guideline-adherent regimens had better outcomes, and atypical pathogen active regimens were associated with a lower treatment failure rate and shorter length of hospital stay.

Macroglia-derived thrombospondin 2 regulates alterations of presynaptic proteins of retinal neurons following elevated hydrostatic pressure

Many studies on retinal injury and repair following elevated intraocular pressure suggest that the survival ratio of retinal neurons has been improved by various measures. However, the visual function recovery is far lower than expected. The homeostasis of retinal synapses in the visual signal pathway is the key structural basis for the delivery of visual signals. Our previous studies found that complicated changes in the synaptic structure between retinal neurons occurred much earlier than obvious degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in rat retinae. The lack of consideration of these earlier retinal synaptic changes in the rescue strategy may be partly responsible for the limited visual function recovery with the types of protective methods for retinal neurons used following elevated intraocular pressure. Thus, research on the modulatory mechanisms of the synaptic changes after elevated intraocular pressure injury may give new light to visual function rescue. In this study, we found that thrombospondin 2, an important regulator of synaptogenesis in central nervous system development, was distributed in retinal macroglia cells, and its receptor α2δ-1 was in retinal neurons. Cell cultures including mixed retinal macroglia cells/neuron cultures and retinal neuron cultures were exposed to elevated hydrostatic pressure for 2 h. The expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (the marker of activated macroglia cells), thrombospondin 2, α2δ-1 and presynaptic proteins were increased following elevated hydrostatic pressure in mixed cultures, but the expression levels of postsynaptic proteins were not changed. SiRNA targeting thrombospondin 2 could decrease the upregulation of presynaptic proteins induced by the elevated hydrostatic pressure. However, in retinal neuron cultures, elevated hydrostatic pressure did not affect the expression of presynaptic or postsynaptic proteins. Rather, the retinal neuron cultures with added recombinant thrombospondin 2 protein upregulated the level of presynaptic proteins. Finally, gabapentin decreased the expression of presynaptic proteins in mixed cultures by blocking the interaction of thrombospondin 2 and α2δ-1. Taken together, these results indicate that activated macroglia cells may participate in alterations of presynaptic proteins of retinal neurons following elevated hydrostatic pressure, and macroglia-derived thrombospondin 2 may modulate these changes via binding to its neuronal receptor α2δ-1.

Neuroprotective effect of amantadine on corticosterone-induced abnormal glutamatergic synaptic transmission of CA3-CA1 pathway in rat's hippocampal slices

Depression is a psychiatric disorder and chronic stress, leading to altered glucocorticoid secretion patterns, is one of the factors that induce depression. Our previous study showed that amantadine significantly attenuated the impairments of synaptic plasticity and cognitive function a rat model of CUS. However, little is known regarding the underlying mechanism. In the present study, the whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to examine the protection effect of amantadine on the hippocampus CA3-CA1 pathway. Evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs), miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), paired-pulse ratio (PPR) and the action potentials of CA3 neurons were recorded. Our data showed that corticosterone increased the amplitude of eEPSCs and decreased the value of paired-pulse ratio (PPR), but both of them were significantly reversed by amantadine. In addition, the frequency of mEPSC was considerably increased by corticosterone, but it was reduced by amantadine. Moreover, we used the Fluo-3/AM image to detect the Ca²⁺ influx in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. The results showed that the intracellular calcium levels were significantly decreased by amantadine in the corticosterone treated neurons. Additionally, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were reduced by corticosterone, while they were enhanced by either amantadine or low-calcium artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF). These results suggest that amantadine significantly improves corticosterone-induced abnormal glutamatergic synaptic transmission of CA3-CA1 synapses presynaptically and alleviates the activities of antioxidant enzymes via regulating the calcium influx.

Association of GPIa and COX-2 gene polymorphism with aspirin resistance

Objective

This study aimed to explore the association between GPIa, COX‐2 gene polymorphisms and aspirin resistance in the ischemic stroke patients from the southern part of Jiangsu province.

Methods

In all, 97 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in the study. GPIa gene polymorphism at 807C>T (rsl126643) locus and COX‐2 gene polymorphism at ‐765G>C (rs20417) locus were genotyped by PCR pyrosequencing technology. Patients were divided into the aspirin sensitivity (AS) group and aspirin resistance (AR) group according to the platelet aggregation rate. The relationship between the two gene polymorphisms and aspirin resistance was investigated and analyzed.

Results

The distribution of the genotype (CC, CT, TT, CT + TT, and CC) and the frequency of allele T of GPIa gene at 807C>T locus were significantly different in AS and AR groups in female patients (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the genotype of CT+TT at 807C>T locus was significantly correlated with AR after adjustment for relative factors (P = .047, OR = 4.856, 95% CI: 1.020–23.108). There were no significant differences in the genotype distribution and allele frequency of the COX‐2 gene ‐765G>C site between two groups (P > .05).

Conclusion

GPIa gene polymorphism at 807C>T locus was associated with AR in Chinese Han females, and the expression of allele T increased the incidence of AR. The gene polymorphism of COX‐2 gene at ‐765G>C locus was not significantly correlated with AR.

Diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in adults: 2016 clinical practice guidelines by the Chinese Thoracic Society, Chinese Medical Association

Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults is an infectious disease with high morbidity in China and the rest of the world. With the changing pattern in the etiological profile of CAP and advances in medical techniques in diagnosis and treatment over time, Chinese Thoracic Society of Chinese Medical Association updated its CAP guideline in 2016 to address the standard management of CAP in Chinese adults. Extensive and comprehensive literature search was made to collect the data and evidence for experts to review and evaluate the level of evidence. Corresponding recommendations are provided appropriately based on the level of evidence. This updated guideline covers comprehensive topics on CAP, including aetiology, antimicrobial resistance profile, diagnosis, empirical and targeted treatments, adjunctive and supportive therapies, as well as prophylaxis. The recommendations may help clinicians manage CAP patients more effectively and efficiently. CAP in pediatric patients and immunocompromised adults is beyond the scope of this guideline. This guideline is only applicable for the immunocompetent CAP patients aged 18 years and older. The recommendations on selection of antimicrobial agents and the dosing regimens are not mandatory. The clinicians are recommended to prescribe and adjust antimicrobial therapies primarily based on their local etiological profile and results of susceptibility testing, with reference to this guideline.

Ligand-dependent corepressor (LCoR) represses the transcription factor C/EBPβ during early adipocyte differentiation

Nuclear receptors (NRs) regulate gene transcription by recruiting coregulators, involved in chromatin remodeling and assembly of the basal transcription machinery. The NR-associated protein ligand-dependent corepressor (LCoR) has previously been shown to suppress hepatic lipogenesis by decreasing the binding of steroid receptor coactivators to thyroid hormone receptor. However, the role of LCoR in adipogenesis has not been established. Here, we show that LCoR expression is reduced in the early stage of adipogenesis in vitro LCoR overexpression inhibited 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation, whereas LCoR knockdown promoted it. Using an unbiased affinity purification approach, we identified CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ), a key transcriptional regulator in early adipogenesis, and corepressor C-terminal binding proteins as potential components of an LCoR-containing complex in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We found that LCoR directly interacts with C/EBPβ through its C-terminal helix-turn-helix domain, required for LCoR's inhibitory effects on adipogenesis. LCoR overexpression also inhibited C/EBPβ transcriptional activity, leading to inhibition of mitotic clonal expansion and transcriptional repression of C/EBPα and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2). However, LCoR overexpression did not affect the recruitment of C/EBPβ to the promoters of C/EBPα and PPARγ2 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Of note, restoration of PPARγ2 or C/EBPα expression attenuated the inhibitory effect of LCoR on adipogenesis. Mechanistically, LCoR suppressed C/EBPβ-mediated transcription by recruiting C-terminal binding proteins to the C/EBPα and PPARγ2 promoters and by modulating histone modifications. Taken together, our results indicate that LCoR negatively regulates early adipogenesis by repressing C/EBPβ transcriptional activity and add LCoR to the growing list of transcriptional corepressors of adipogenesis.

Comparative Studies on Physicochemical Properties of Bovine Serum Albumin–Glucose and Galactose Conjugates Formed by Glycation Combined with Ultrasonic Pretreatment

The effects of ultrasonication on the physicochemical properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA)–glucose and the galactose conjugates formed by glycation was investigated. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectra analysis showed that the conjugates had a higher molecular weight than the native and ultrasonicated BSA. Ultrasonicated BSA had significantly higher emulsifying and foaming properties than native BSA. The browning intensity, surface hydrophobicity, emulsifying property and foaming capacity of the conjugates were substantially improved while the free amino groups, intrinsic fluorescence emission and foaming stability were decreased compared to native and ultrasonicated BSA. The results of this study indicate that ultrasonication is an efficient technique to improve the physicochemical properties of proteins. The glycation between ultrasonicated BSA and monosaccharide can effectively improve the physicochemical properties of BSA, and the glycation rate order is galactose \gt glucose. It also shows the critical role of monosaccharide conformational changes in improving the glycation and physicochemical properties of proteins.

Fractalkine/CX3CR1 induces apoptosis resistance and proliferation through the activation of the AKT/NF-κB cascade in pancreatic cancer cells

Fractalkine (FKN, CX3CL1) is highly expressed in a majority of malignant solid tumours. Fractalkine is the only known ligand for CX3CR1. In this study, we performed an analysis to determine the effects of fractalkine/CX3CR1 on modulating apoptosis and explored the related mechanisms. The expression of fractalkine/CX3CR1 was detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The levels of AKT/p-AKT, BCL-xl, and BCL-2 were detected by western blotting. Then, the effects of exogenous and endogenous fractalkine on the regulation of tumour apoptosis and proliferation were investigated. The mechanism of fractalkine/CX3CR1 on modulating apoptosis in cancer cells through the activation of AKT/NF-κB/p65 signals was evaluated. The effect of fractalkine on regulating cell cycle distribution was also tested. Fractalkine, AKT/p-AKT, and apoptotic regulatory proteins BCL-xl and BCL-2 were highly expressed in human pancreatic cancer tissues. In vitro, fractalkine/CX3CR1 promoted proliferation and mediated resistance to apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. The antiapoptotic effect of fractalkine was induced by the activation of AKT/NF-κB/p65 signalling in pancreatic cancer cells. The NF-κB/p65 contributes to promote the expressions of BCL-xl and BCL-2 and reduce caspase activity, thereby inhibiting apoptotic processes. Treatment with fractalkine resulted in the enrichment of pancreatic cancer cells in S phase with a concomitant decrease in the number of cells in G1 phase. The present study demonstrated the function of fractalkine in the activation of the AKT/NF-κB/p65 signalling cascade and mediation of apoptosis resistance in pancreatic cancer cells. Fractalkine/CX3CR1 could serve as a diagnostic marker and as a potential target for chemotherapy in early stage pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by local recurrence, neural invasion, or distant metastasis. The present study demonstrated the overexpression of fractalkine/CX3CR1 in pancreatic cancer tissues, indicating its important role in the tumourigenesis of pancreatic cancer, and suggested that the overexpression of fractalkine/CX3CR1 could serve as a diagnostic marker for pancreatic cancer. Moreover, we reveal the mechanism that fractalkine functions on the activation of the AKT/NF-κB/p65 signalling cascade and regulation of the antiapoptosis process in pancreatic cancer cells. Fractalkine/CX3CR1 could serve as an effective therapeutic target of chemotherapeutic and biologic agents in early stage pancreatic cancer.

Denis RD, Stabile A, Stamen R, Stamm S, Stanecka E, Stanek RW, Stanescu C, Stanitzki MM, Stapf BS, Stapnes S, Starchenko EA, Stark GH, Stark J, Stark SH, Staroba P, Starovoitov P, Stärz S, Staszewski R, Steinberg P, Stelzer B, Stelzer HJ, Stelzer-Chilton O, Stenzel H, Stewart GA, Stockton MC, Stoebe M, Stoicea G, Stolte P, Stonjek S, Stradling AR, Straessner A, Stramaglia ME, Strandberg J, Strandberg S, Strauss M, Strizenec P, Ströhmer R, Strom DM, Stroynowski R, Strubig A, Stucci SA, Stugu B, Styles NA, Su D, Su J, Suchek S, Sugaya Y, Suk M, Sulin VV, Sultan DMS, Sultansoy S, Sumida T, Sun S, Sun X, Suruliz K, Suster CJE, Sutton MR, Suzuki S, Svatos M, Swiatlowski M, Swift SP, Sykora I, Sykora T, Ta D, Tackmann K, Taenzer J, Taffard A, Tafirout R, Tahirovic E, Taiblum N, Takai H, Takashima R, Takasugi EH, Takeshita T, Takubo Y, Talby M, Talyshev AA, Tanaka J, Tanaka M, Tanaka R, Tanaka S, Tanioka R, Tannenwald BB, Tapia Araya S, Tapprogge S, Tarem S, Tartarelli GF, Tas P, Tasevsky M, Tashiro T, Tassi E, Tavares Delgado A, Tayalati Y, Taylor AC, Taylor GN, Taylor PTE, Taylor W, Teixeira-Dias P, Temple D, Ten Kate H, Teng PK, Teoh JJ, Tepel F, Terada S, Terashi K, Terron J, Terzo S, Testa M, Teuscher RJ, Theveneaux-Pelzer T, Thiele F, Thomas JP, Thomas-Wilsker J, Thompson PD, Thompson AS, Thomsen LA, Thomson E, Tibbetts MJ, Ticse Torres RE, Tikhomirov VO, Tikhonov YA, Timoshenko S, Tipton P, Tisserant S, Todome K, Todorova-Nova S, Todt S, Tojo J, Tokár S, Tokushuku K, Tolley E, Tomlinson L, Tomoto M, Tompkins L, Toms K, Tong B, Tornambe P, Torrence E, Torres H, Torró Pastor E, Toth J, Touchard F, Tovey DR, Treado CJ, Trefzger T, Tresoldi F, Tricoli A, Trigger IM, Trincaz-Duvoid S, Tripiana MF, Trischuk W, Trocmé B, Trofymov A, Troncon C, Trottier-McDonald M, Trovatelli M, Truong L, Trzebinski M, Trzupek A, Tsang KW, Tseng JL, Tsiareshka PV, Tsipolitis G, Tsirintanis N, Tsiskaridze S, Tsiskaridze V, Tskhadadze EG, Tsui KM, Tsukerman II, Tsulaia V, Tsuno S, Tsybychev D, Tu Y, Tudorache A, Tudorache V, Tulbure TT, Tuna AN, Tupputi SA, Turchikhin S, Turgeman D, Turk Cakir I, Turra R, Tuts PM, Ucchielli G, Ueda I, Ughetto M, Ukegawa F, Unal G, Undrus A, Unel G, Ungaro FC, Unno Y, Unverdorben C, Urban J, Urquijo P, Urrejola P, Usai G, Usui J, Vacavant L, Vacek V, Vachon B, Vadla KOH, Vaidya A, Valderanis C, Valdes Santurio E, Valente M, Valentinetti S, Valero A, Valéry L, Valkar S, Vallier A, Valls Ferrer JA, Van Den Wollenberg W, van der Graaf H, van Gemmeren P, Van Nieuwkoop J, van Vulpen I, van Woerden MC, Vanadia M, Vandelli W, Vaniachine A, Vankov P, Vardanyan G, Vari R, Varnes EW, Varni C, Varol T, Varouchas D, Vartapetian A, Varvell KE, Vasquez JG, Vasquez GA, Vazeille F, Vazquez Schroeder T, Veatch J, Veeraraghavan V, Veloce LM, Veloso F, Veneziano S, Ventura A, Venturi M, Venturi N, Venturini A, Vercesi V, Verducci M, Verkerke W, Vermeulen AT, Vermeulen JC, Vetterli MC, Viaux Maira N, Viazlo O, Vichou I, Vickey T, Vickey Boeriu OE, Viehhauser GHA, Viel S, Vigani L, Villa M, Villaplana Perez M, Vilucchi E, Vincter MG, Vinogradov VB, Vishwakarma A, Vittori C, Vivarelli I, Vlachos S, Vogel M, Vokac P, Volpi G, von der Schmitt H, von Toerne E, Vorobel V, Vorobev K, Vos M, Voss R, Vossebeld JH, Vranjes N, Vranjes Milosavljevic M, Vrba V, Vreeswijk M, Vuillermet R, Vukotic I, Wagner P, Wagner W, Wagner-Kuhr J, Wahlberg H, Wahrmund S, Wakabayashi J, Walder J, Walker R, Walkowiak W, Wallangen V, Wang C, Wang C, Wang F, Wang H, Wang H, Wang J, Wang J, Wang Q, Wang R, Wang SM, Wang T, Wang W, Wang W, Wang Z, Wanotayaroj C, Warburton A, Ward CP, Wardrope DR, Washbrook A, Watkins PM, Watson AT, Watson MF, Watts G, Watts S, Waugh BM, Webb AF, Webb S, Weber MS, Weber SW, Weber SA, Webster JS, Weidberg AR, Weinert B, Weingarten J, Weirich M, Weiser C, Weits H, Wells PS, Wenaus T, Wengler T, Wenig S, Wermes N, Werner MD, Werner P, Wessels M, Weston TD, Whalen K, Whallon NL, Wharton AM, White AS, White A, White MJ, White R, Whiteson D, Whitmore BW, Wickens FJ, Wiedenmann W, Wielers M, Wiglesworth C, Wiik-Fuchs LAM, Wildauer A, Wilk F, Wilkens HG, Williams HH, Williams S, Willis C, Willocq S, Wilson JA, Wingerter-Seez I, Winkels E, Winklmeier F, Winston OJ, Winter BT, Wittgen M, Wobisch M, Wolf TMH, Wolff R, Wolter MW, Wolters H, Wong VWS, Worm SD, Wosiek BK, Wotschack J, Wozniak KW, Wu M, Wu SL, Wu X, Wu Y, Wyatt TR, Wynne BM, Xella S, Xi Z, Xia L, Xu D, Xu L, Xu T, Yabsley B, Yacoob S, Yamaguchi D, Yamaguchi Y, Yamamoto A, Yamamoto S, Yamanaka T, Yamatani M, Yamauchi K, Yamazaki Y, Yan Z, Yang H, Yang H, Yang Y, Yang Z, Yao WM, Yap YC, Yasu Y, Yatsenko E, Yau Wong KH, Ye J, Ye S, Yeletskikh I, Yigitbasi E, Yildirim E, Yorita K, Yoshihara K, Young C, Young CJS, Yu J, Yu J, Yuen SPY, Yusuff I, Zabinski B, Zacharis G, Zaidan R, Zaitsev AM, Zakharchuk N, Zalieckas J, Zaman A, Zambito S, Zanzi D, Zeitnitz C, Zemaityte G, Zemla A, Zeng JC, Zeng Q, Zenin O, Ženiš T, Zerwas D, Zhang D, Zhang F, Zhang G, Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhang L, Zhang L, Zhang M, Zhang P, Zhang R, Zhang R, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Zhao X, Zhao Y, Zhao Z, Zhemchugov A, Zhou B, Zhou C, Zhou L, Zhou M, Zhou M, Zhou N, Zhu CG, Zhu H, Zhu J, Zhu Y, Zhuang X, Zhukov K, Zibell A, Zieminska D, Zimine NI, Zimmermann C, Zimmermann S, Zinonos Z, Zinser M, Ziolkowski M, Živković L, Zobernig G, Zoccoli A, Zou R, zur Nedden M, Zwalinski L. Study of W W γ and W Z γ production in p p collisions at s = 8 TeV and search for anomalous quartic gauge couplings with the ATLAS experiment

This paper presents a study of W W γ and W Z γ triboson production using events from proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy ofs = 8 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.2 fb- 1 . The W W γ production cross-section is determined using a final state containing an electron, a muon, a photon, and neutrinos ( e ν μ ν γ ). Upper limits on the production cross-section of the e ν μ ν γ final state and the W W γ and W Z γ final states containing an electron or a muon, two jets, a photon, and a neutrino ( e ν j j γ or μ ν j j γ ) are also derived. The results are compared to the cross-sections predicted by the Standard Model at next-to-leading order in the strong-coupling constant. In addition, upper limits on the production cross-sections are derived in a fiducial region optimised for a search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. The results are interpreted in the context of anomalous quartic gauge couplings using an effective field theory. Confidence intervals at 95% confidence level are derived for the 14 coupling coefficients to which W W γ and W Z γ production are sensitive.

Liver-specific deletion of LASS2 delayed regeneration of mouse liver after partial hepatectomy

The capacity of liver regeneration is critical for patients with liver diseases. However, cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration are still incompletely defined. Here, we assessed roles of LASS2 in liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy (PHx) in mice. Our results showed that protein level of LASS2 remarkably increased during liver regeneration after PHx in wildtype (WT) mice. Comparing to WT mice, liver regeneration index after PHx was significantly decreased from day 1 to day 5 in liver-specific LASS2 knockout (LASS2-LKO) mice. Interestingly, liver mass of LASS2-LKO mice could sufficiently recover at day 14 after PHx. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot analyses revealed that proliferation markers, such as PCNA and Ki67, were potently reduced during liver regeneration in LASS2-LKO mice. In addition, several cell cycle related molecules, such as cyclin A, CDK2 and p-Rb, were decreased in LASS2-LKO mice after PHx. Co-immunoprecipitation assay further revealed a decreased formation of CDK4/cyclin D1 complex after PHx in LASS2-LKO mice. However, phosphorylation of Akt was significantly activated from day 2 after PHx in LASS2-LKO mice when compared with that in WT mice, which may explain the recovery of liver mass at the late stage of liver regeneration in LASS2-LKO mice. Taken together, we conclude that LASS2 plays an important role in efficient liver regeneration in response to PHx.

Search for heavy resonances that decay into a vector boson and a Higgs boson in hadronic final states at s = 13 TeV

A search for heavy resonances with masses above 1TeV , decaying to final states containing a vector boson and a Higgs boson, is presented. The search considers hadronic decays of the vector boson, and Higgs boson decays to b quarks. The decay products are highly boosted, and each collimated pair of quarks is reconstructed as a single, massive jet. The analysis is performed using a data sample collected in 2016 by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeV , corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 . The data are consistent with the background expectation and are used to place limits on the parameters of a theoretical model with a heavy vector triplet. In the benchmark scenario with mass-degenerate W ' andZ ' bosons decaying predominantly to pairs of standard model bosons, for the first time heavy resonances for masses as high as 3.3TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level, setting the most stringent constraints to date on such states decaying into a vector boson and a Higgs boson.

Highly efficient photocatalysis toward tetracycline of nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots sensitized bismuth tungstate based on interfacial charge transfer

In this study, a novel N-CQDs/Bi₂WO₆ was synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. Multiple techniques were applied to investigate the structures, morphologies, optical and electronic properties and photocatalytic performance of as-prepared samples. The results indicated that the hybrid materials were formed with N-CQDs attached on the surface of sphere-like Bi₂WO₆. The photocatalytic activity of N-CQDs/Bi₂WO₆ materials was evaluated sufficiently by using tetracycline (TC) as target organic pollutant. N-CQDs/Bi₂WO₆-5 displayed superior photocatalytic efficiency with nearly 97% removal of TC in 25min and 86.37% mineralization in 90min. The degradation reaction coefficient (kobs) was approximately two times higher than pure Bi₂WO₆ as a result of the synergistic effects of N-CQDs and Bi₂WO_6. Increased light harvesting capacity, excellent electron transfer ability and improved molecular oxygen activation ability were obtained in N-CQDs/Bi₂WO₆ hybrid materials caused by N-CQDs. The present study demonstrated that N-CQDs modification was an effective way to improve photocatalytic efficiency, which can be extended to a general strategy for other semiconductors. The study indicated that novel N-CQDs/Bi₂WO₆ has a great potential for rapid and efficient treatment of organic pollutants in water.