Λ_{c}^{+} Production and Baryon-to-Meson Ratios in pp and p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV at the LHC

The prompt production of the charm baryon Λ_{c}^{+} and the Λ_{c}^{+}/D^{0} production ratios were measured at midrapidity with the ALICE detector in pp and p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. These new measurements show a clear decrease of the Λ_{c}^{+}/D^{0} ratio with increasing transverse momentum (p_{T}) in both collision systems in the range 2<p_{T}<12  GeV/c, exhibiting similarities with the light-flavor baryon-to-meson ratios p/π and Λ/K_{S}^{0}. At low p_{T}, predictions that include additional color-reconnection mechanisms beyond the leading-color approximation, assume the existence of additional higher-mass charm-baryon states, or include hadronization via coalescence can describe the data, while predictions driven by charm-quark fragmentation processes measured in e^{+}e^{-} and e^{-}p collisions significantly underestimate the data. The results presented in this Letter provide significant evidence that the established assumption of universality (colliding-system independence) of parton-to-hadron fragmentation is not sufficient to describe charm-baryon production in hadronic collisions at LHC energies.

Experimental Evidence for an Attractive p-ϕ Interaction

This Letter presents the first experimental evidence of the attractive strong interaction between a proton and a ϕ meson. The result is obtained from two-particle correlations of combined p-ϕ⊕ p[over ¯]-ϕ pairs measured in high-multiplicity pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV by the ALICE Collaboration. The spin-averaged scattering length and effective range of the p-ϕ interaction are extracted from the fully corrected correlation function employing the Lednický-Lyuboshits approach. In particular, the imaginary part of the scattering length vanishes within uncertainties, indicating that inelastic processes do not play a prominent role for the p-ϕ interaction. These data demonstrate that the interaction is dominated by elastic p-ϕ scattering. Furthermore, an analysis employing phenomenological Gaussian- and Yukawa-type potentials is conducted. Under the assumption of the latter, the N-ϕ coupling constant is found to be g_{N-ϕ}=0.14±0.03(stat)±0.02(syst). This work provides valuable experimental input to accomplish a self-consistent description of the N-ϕ interaction, which is particularly relevant for the more fundamental studies on partial restoration of chiral symmetry in nuclear medium.

Tuning Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction via an electric field at the Co/h-BN interface

The Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interaction (DMI) at the Co/h-BN interface can emerge and be enhanced by applying a downward electric field. The height of the Co atom relative to the h-BN layer with the electric field determines the variation of DMI. One half reduction of J₁ is beneficial to generate skyrmions. Tuning the DMI by an electric field sheds new light for research on skyrmions.

Tissue factor cytoplasmic domain exacerbates post-infarct left ventricular remodeling via orchestrating cardiac inflammation and angiogenesis

Introduction

The coagulation protein tissue factor (TF) regulates inflammation and angiogenesis via its cytoplasmic domain in infection, cancer and diabetes. While TF is highly abundant in the heart and implicated in cardiac injuries and dysfunction, the contribution of its cytoplasmic domain in cardiac pathology remains unclear.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the contribution of the cytoplasmic domain of TF to post-infarct myocardial injury and adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling.

Methods and results

Myocardial infarction was induced by permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Male mice with C57BL/Jax background were used for the study. Compared with wild-type mice, mice lacking the TF cytoplasmic domain (TFΔCT) had a higher survival rate (90.5% versus 70%, p=0.0298) during a 28-day follow-up after myocardial infarction. Among surviving mice, TFΔCT mice had better cardiac function and less LV remodeling (ESV: 114.5±13.1mL for WT, 67.06±10.8mL for TFΔCT, p&lt;0.001; EDV: 146.6±12.4mL for WT, 99.97±11.71mL for TFΔCT, p&lt;0.001) than wild-type mice. Bone marrow chimerism indicated that deletion of the TF cytoplasmic domain in either bone marrow-derived cells or cardiac resident cells could alleviate post-infarct cardiac dysfunction. Speckle-tracking strain analysis revealed that the overall improvement of post-infarct cardiac performance in TFΔCT mice was attributed to reduced myocardial deformation in the peri-infarct region (strain-%: 11.14±0.97 for WT, 15.34±1.10 for TFΔCT, p=0.007; strain rate-/s: 3.89±0.26 for WT, 5.18±0.21 for TFΔCT, p=0.0005). Histological analysis demonstrated that TFΔCT hearts had in the infarct area greater proliferation of endothelial cells and myofibroblasts accompanied with better scar formation. Compared with wild-type hearts, infarcted TFΔCT hearts showed less infiltration of proinflammatory cells with concomitant lower expression of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1)-Rac1 axis. Furthermore, infarcted TFΔCT hearts presented markedly higher peri-infarct vessel density associated with enhanced endothelial cell proliferation and higher expression of PAR2 and PAR2-associated pro-angiogenic pathway factors.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that the TF cytoplasmic domain exacerbates post-infarct cardiac injury and adverse LV remodeling via differential regulation of inflammation and angiogenesis. Targeted inhibition of the TF cytoplasmic domain-mediated intracellular signaling may ameliorate post-infarct LV remodeling without perturbing coagulation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National University Health System of Singapore

Allergic contact dermatitis in healthcare workers

BACKGROUND

Allergic contact dermatitis is a common occupational skin disease among healthcare workers (HCWs).

AIMS

This study describes causes of allergic contact dermatitis in New Zealand HCWs.

METHODS

All HCWs undergoing patch testing between July 2008 and January 2020 at a public hospital patch test clinic and between June 2019 and January 2020 at a private dermatology clinic were included. Data collected included patient demographics, occupation, results of patch testing and pre- and post-patch test diagnoses.

RESULTS

Out of 837 patients tested, 67 were HCWs. The mean age of HCWs was 41 years (SD 14) and 58 (87%) were female. The most common occupations were nurses (40%), allied health (22%) and doctors (18%). Forty-six (69%) patients had a background of atopic dermatitis. Hand dermatitis was the most common presentation (49%), followed by facial/neck dermatitis (25%). Thirty-eight (57%) had at least one positive reaction on patch testing, including 19 (28%) with a positive result of current relevance. There were 16 relevant reactions to rubber accelerators, 11 to fragrances, 10 to preservatives and 6 to corticosteroids. The most frequent relevant allergens were methylisothiazolinone/methylchloroisothiazolinone (4%), hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (4%) and methylisothiazolinone (4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The most common allergens in HCWs were rubber chemicals, fragrances, preservatives and topical corticosteroids. Important allergens for patch testing HCWs are outlined, in particular, those with hand dermatitis should be tested to a rubber series.

Do patient characteristics matter when calculating sample size for eczema clinical trials?

Background

The Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) is the core outcome instrument recommended for measuring patient‐reported atopic eczema symptoms in clinical trials. To ensure that the statistical significance of clinical trial results is meaningful, trials are often designed by specifying the target difference in the primary outcome as part of the sample size calculation. One method used to specify the target difference is a score that corresponds to a standardized effect size.

Objectives

to assess how the standardized effect size of POEM scores vary across age, gender, ethnicity and disease severity.

Methods

This study combined data from five UK‐based randomized clinical trials of eczema treatments in order to assess differences in self‐reported eczema symptoms (POEM) corresponding to a standardized effect size (0.5 SD of baseline POEM scores) across age, gender, ethnicity and disease severity.

Results

POEM scores corresponding to 0.5 SD_(baseline) were remarkably consistent across participants of varying ages, gender, ethnicity and disease severity from datasets of five UK trials in children (range 2.99–3.45).

Conclusions

This study provides information that can support those designing clinical trials to determine their sample size and can aid individuals interpreting trial results. Further exploration of differences in populations beyond the United Kingdom is needed.

Multiharmonic Correlations of Different Flow Amplitudes in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 TeV

The event-by-event correlations between three flow amplitudes are measured for the first time in Pb-Pb collisions, using higher-order symmetric cumulants. We find that different three-harmonic correlations develop during the collective evolution of the medium when compared to correlations that exist in the initial state. These new results cannot be interpreted in terms of previous lower-order flow measurements since contributions from two-harmonic correlations are explicitly removed in the new observables. A comparison to Monte Carlo simulations provides new and independent constraints for the initial conditions and system properties of nuclear matter created in heavy-ion collisions.

P–363 Poor Ovarian Response is Associated with Anti-ovarian Antibody, and Pro-inflammatory Immune Responses in Women Underwent Assisted Reproductive Technology Cycles

Study question

To investigate if the anti-ovarian antibody (AOA) is associated with poor ovarian response (POR) and pro-inflammatory immune responses in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles.

Summary answer

The POR patients have a higher prevalence of AOAs. Women with autoimmune POR (POR(+)/AOA(+)) have dysregulated pro-inflammatory immune responses and metabolic factors.

What is known already

It has been proved that AOAs play important role in diseases that related to human reproduction such as premature ovarian failure (POF) which also termed as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in vitro fertilization (IVF) implantation failure, and in poor ovarian response in IVF stimulation. The POR women had elevated inflammatory immune responses: increased NK cell count and cytotoxicity, B cell counts, Th1/Th2 ratio and elevated metabolic factors such as higher homocysteine and plasminogen activator inhibitor–1 (PAI–1) level.

Study design, size, duration

This study is a retrospective cohort study between December 2015 and February 2019. 248 women who underwent ART cycles were included. Study patients were divided into four groups based on AOA test and POR diagnose defined by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology consensus: POR(-)/AOA (-) group (N = 148), POR(+)/AOA(-) group (N = 34), POR (-)/AOA (+) group (N = 44), POR(+)/AOA(+) group (N = 22). Peripheral blood was collected during the early follicular phase when they enter the program.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The natural killer (NK) cell levels and cytotoxicity, T helper (Th) 1/Th2 cell ratios were measured by flowcytometry. Anti-phospholipid Antibodies (APA) was tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). AOA, 25 (OH) vitamin D level, homocysteine, PAI–1 level was tested by Immunofluorescence Assay.One way ANOVA was applied to compare the continuous variables among study groups. Chi-squared analysis or Fisher’s exact test were performed to compare the categorical variables.

Main results and the role of chance

The POR patients have a significantly higher prevalence of AOA than non-POR patients (39.3% vs. 22.9%, P = 0.017, OR 2.176 95% CI 1.156–4.099). Peripheral blood CD56+ NK cell level (%), NK cytotoxicity, CD19+CD5+ B–1 cell level (%) and IFN-g/IL–10 producing Th1/Th2 cell ratios were significantly higher in POR(+)/AOA(+) group than those of other groups (P &lt; 0.05, P &lt; 0.05, P &lt; 0.05, P &lt; 0.05, respectively). TNF-a/IL–10 producing Th1/Th2 cell ratio of POR(+)/AOA (+) group was significantly higher than those of POR(+)/AOA(-) and POR(-)/AOA(-) groups (P &lt; 0.05, respectively). Peripheral blood homocysteine and vitamin D levels of the POR(+)/AOA (+) group were significantly lower than those of other groups (P &lt; 0.005, respectively). Peripheral blood PAI–1 level of POR(+)/AOA(+) group was significantly higher than that of POR(-)/AOA(-) group (P &lt; 0.05). In POR(+)/AOA(+) group, the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibody was significantly higher than that of POR(+)/AOA(-) group (54.5% vs 20.5%, P = 0.005, OR 4.667, 95% CI 1.532–14.216).

Limitations, reasons for caution

This was a single center study, results need to be validated across different center and study population.

Wider implications of the findings: The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for AOA (+) autoimmune POR patients should be differentiated from those for non-autoimmune POR.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Targeting STING attenuates ROS induced intervertebral disc degeneration

OBJECTIVE

DNA damage induced by ROS is considered one of the main causes of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells degeneration during the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). cGAS-STING pathway acts as DNA-sensing mechanism for monitoring DNA damage. Recent studies have proved that cGAS-STING contributes to the development of various diseases by inducing inflammation, senescence, and apoptosis. This work explored the role of STING, the main effector of cGAS-STING signaling pathway, in NP degeneration.

METHOD

Immunohistochemistry was conducted to measure STING protein levels in the nucleus pulposus tissues from human and puncture-induced IVDD rat models. TBHP induces degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells in vitro. For in vivo experiments, lv-NC or lv-STING were injected into the central intervertebral disc space. The degeneration level of IVDD was assessed by MRI, X-ray, HE, and Safranin O staining.

RESULTS

We found that the expression of STING was upregulated in human and rat degenerated NP tissue as well as in TBHP-treated NP cells. Overexpression of STING promoted the degradation of extracellular matrix; it also promoted apoptosis and senescence of TBHP-treated and untreated NP cells. Knock-down of STING significantly reversed these effects. Mechanistically, STING activated IRF3, whereas blockage of IRF3 attenuated STING-induced apoptosis, senescence and ECM degradation. In vivo experiments revealed that STING knock-down alleviated puncture-induced IVDD development.

CONCLUSION

STING promotes IVDD progress via IRF3, while suppression of STING may be a promising treatment for IVDD.

Soft-Dielectron Excess in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A measurement of dielectron production in proton-proton (pp) collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC, is presented in this Letter. The data set was recorded with a reduced magnetic solenoid field. This enables the investigation of a kinematic domain at low dielectron (ee) invariant mass m_{ee} and pair transverse momentum p_{T,ee} that was previously inaccessible at the LHC. The cross section for dielectron production is studied as a function of m_{ee}, p_{T,ee}, and event multiplicity dN_{ch}/dη. The expected dielectron rate from hadron decays, called hadronic cocktail, utilizes a parametrization of the measured η/π^{0} ratio in pp and proton-nucleus collisions, assuming that this ratio shows no strong dependence on collision energy at low transverse momentum. Comparison of the measured dielectron yield to the hadronic cocktail at 0.15<m_{ee}<0.6  GeV/c^{2} and for p_{T,ee}<0.4  GeV/c indicates an enhancement of soft dielectrons, reminiscent of the "anomalous" soft-photon and soft-dilepton excess in hadron-hadron collisions reported by several experiments under different experimental conditions. The enhancement factor over the hadronic cocktail amounts to 1.61±0.13(stat)±0.17(syst,data)±0.34(syst,cocktail) in the ALICE acceptance. Acceptance-corrected excess spectra in m_{ee} and p_{T,ee} are extracted and compared with calculations of dielectron production from hadronic bremsstrahlung and thermal radiation within a hadronic many-body approach.