Observation of a Strongly Isospin-Mixed Doublet in ^{26}Si via β-Delayed Two-Proton Decay of ^{26}P

β decay of proton-rich nuclei plays an important role in exploring isospin mixing. The β decay of ^{26}P at the proton drip line is studied using double-sided silicon strip detectors operating in conjunction with high-purity germanium detectors. The T=2 isobaric analog state (IAS) at 13 055 keV and two new high-lying states at 13 380 and 11 912 keV in ^{26}Si are unambiguously identified through β-delayed two-proton emission (β2p). Angular correlations of two protons emitted from ^{26}Si excited states populated by ^{26}P β decay are measured, which suggests that the two protons are emitted mainly sequentially. We report the first observation of a strongly isospin-mixed doublet that deexcites mainly via two-proton decay. The isospin mixing matrix element between the ^{26}Si IAS and the nearby 13 380-keV state is determined to be 130(21) keV, and this result represents the strongest mixing, highest excitation energy, and largest level spacing of a doublet ever observed in β-decay experiments.

Study of the Semileptonic Decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}

The study of the Cabibbo-favored semileptonic decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e} is reported using a 4.5  fb^{-1} data sample of e^{+}e^{-} annihilations collected at center-of-mass energies ranging from 4.600 GeV to 4.699 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The branching fraction of the decay is measured to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e})=(3.56±0.11_{stat}±0.07_{syst})%, which is the most precise measurement to date. Furthermore, we perform an investigation of the internal dynamics in Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}. We provide the first direct comparisons of the differential decay rate and form factors with those predicted from lattice quantum chromodynamics (LQCD) calculations. Combining the measured branching fraction with a q^{2}-integrated rate predicted by LQCD, we determine |V_{cs}|=0.936±0.017_{B}±0.024_{LQCD}±0.007_{τ_{Λ_{c}}}.

SOX2 como posible biomarcador pronóstico y diana molecular en el cáncer de pulmón: metaanálisis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of SOX2 with the prognosis in lung cancer, studies providing survival information were selected based on multivariate Cox regression analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify eligible studies before June 19, 2021. The hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess the prognostic impact of SOX2 based on multivariate Cox regression analysis. Publication bias was used to assess the risk of bias. Functional analysis of SOX2 was also conducted.

RESULTS

13 studies with a total of 2008 patients with lung cancer were included. SOX2 expression was not correlated with overall survival in lung cancer (10 studies with 1591 cases). Between-study heterogeneity was noted (I²=85.6%, p<0.0001). Subgroup analysis suggested that no correlation was found between SOX2 expression and overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC: eight studies with 1319 cases) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC: two studies with 272 cases). SOX2 expression was significantly associated with worse time-to-progression (two studies with 104 cases: HR=3.50, 95% CI=1.34-9.15) and recurrence-free survival (two studies with 335 cases: HR=1.45, 95% CI=1.12-1.87) in NSCLC. Function analysis demonstrated that SOX2 was involved in DNA repair, cell cycle, regulation of stem cell population maintenance, and Hippo signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

SOX2 may be an independent prognostic factor in time-to-progression and recurrence-free survival and may become a promising therapeutic target. More studies are essential to further our findings.

Measurement of the Absolute Branching Fraction and Decay Asymmetry of Λ→nγ

The radiative hyperon decay Λ→nγ is studied using (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector operating at BEPCII. The absolute branching fraction of the decay Λ→nγ is determined to be (0.832±0.038_{stat}±0.054_{syst})×10^{-3}, which is a factor of 2.1 lower and 5.6 standard deviations different than the previous measurement. By analyzing the joint angular distribution of the decay products, the first determination of the decay asymmetry α_{γ} is reported with a value of -0.16±0.10_{stat}±0.05_{syst}.

[A case of ocular albinism with an abnormal visual evoked potential]

A 16-year-old male patient had poor binocular vision, alternating exotropia, horizontal nystagmus, and no obvious pigmentation loss in the eyes and other parts of the body. Optical coherence tomographic examination showed no normal central macular depression. The three-channel flash visual evoked potential method was used to examine each eye. The left and right channel reactions were found to be significantly asymmetric, and the clinical diagnosis was ocular albinism.

[Establishment of patient-derived salivary gland basal cell adenoma organoids]

Objective: To establish an in vitro organoid model of human salivary gland basal cell adenoma (BCA). Methods: Fresh tumor sample from a 66-year-old female patient diagnosed with salivary gland BCA was collected from the Dpartment of Oral pathology, Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in October 2021. And the organoid culture was performed in vitro in a culture medium based on solid droplets of matrix gel, and the growth of the organoid was observed by inverted microscopy. After 14 days, the organoid was fixed in 10% neutral formalin and made into paraffin blocks by agar pre-embedding paraffin embedding method, sectioned. HE staining, morphological observation and immunohistochemical staining of p63, Ki-67, cytokeratin14 (CK14), β-catenin, S-100 and calponin were used for organoids identification. Results: The established BCA organoids were lobulated nodular locally under light microscopy, with deposition of eosinophilic glass-like material around the nests of organoid cells, similar to the morphological architectures of the parental BCA. Immunohistochemistry showed that organoids expressed CK14, p63, and β-catenin in various degree, which was consistent with the immunophenotypic characteristics of the parental BCA tumor cells. Conclusions: An in vitro culture system of BCA organoids was preliminarily established which provides a new model for the study of the pathogenesis of salivary gland tumors.

Tannic acid attenuates intestinal oxidative damage by improving antioxidant capacity and intestinal barrier in weaned piglets and IPEC-J2 cells

Tannic acid (TA) has received widespread attention for its beneficial biological function with antioxidant capacity. This study investigated the protective role of TA on the intestinal antioxidant capacity and intestinal barrier in weaned piglets and porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). A total of 18 weaned piglets were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 9) and fed with a basal diet (control, CON) and a basal diet containing 1,000 mg/kg TA for two weeks. The in vivo results showed that treatment with TA increased both glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity and the protein expression of ZO-1 in the jejunum of weaned piglets, and reduced the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and the mRNA and protein expression of Keap1 in the jejunum of weaned piglets. Furthermore, in vitro results indicated that TA treatment effectively alleviated tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH)-induced oxidative stress in IPEC-J2 cells, improved the antioxidant capacity by elevating the cell redox state and activating the Nrf2 pathway, and improved the intestinal barrier by upregulating the mRNA and protein expression of intestinal tight junction proteins and increasing the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value. In conclusion, these results confirmed that TA relieves oxidative injury and improves intestinal barrier function and intestinal antioxidant capacity by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings suggest that TA has the potential application in alleviating oxidative stress in the intestine of weaned piglets.

Observation of an Isoscalar Resonance with Exotic J^{PC}=1^{-+} Quantum Numbers in J/ψ→γηη^{'}

Using a sample of (10.09±0.04)×10^{9}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→γηη^{'} is performed. The first observation of an isoscalar state with exotic quantum numbers J^{PC}=1^{-+}, denoted as η_{1}(1855), is reported in the process J/ψ→γη_{1}(1855) with η_{1}(1855)→ηη^{'}. Its mass and width are measured to be (1855±9_{-1}^{+6})  MeV/c^{2} and (188±18_{-8}^{+3})  MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic, and its statistical significance is estimated to be larger than 19σ.

Observation of an a_{0}-like State with Mass of 1.817 GeV in the Study of D_{s}^{+}→K_{S}^{0}K^{+}π^{0} Decays

Using e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6.32  fb^{-1} collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.178 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, we perform the first amplitude analysis of the decay D_{s}^{+}→K_{S}^{0}K^{+}π^{0} and determine the relative branching fractions and phases for intermediate processes. We observe an a_{0}-like state with mass of 1.817 GeV in its decay to K_{S}^{0}K^{+} for the first time. In addition, we measure the ratio {B[D_{s}^{+}→K[over ¯]^{*}(892)^{0}K^{+}]/B[D_{s}^{+}→K[over ¯]^{0}K^{*}(892)^{+}]} to be 2.35_{-0.23stat}^{+0.42}±0.10_{syst}. Finally, we provide a precision measurement of the absolute branching fraction B(D_{s}^{+}→K_{S}^{0}K^{+}π^{0})=(1.46±0.06_{stat}±0.05_{syst})%.

Night work and sustainable working life - a prospective trajectory analysis of Swedish Twins

Objectives

Night work has been widely studied for the associations with diseases, sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP), but less for sustainable working life. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal changes in sustainable working life among those with or without baseline night work.

Methods

Using data from Swedish national registers, sustainable working life was defined as employment during follow-up without interruptions due to SA/DP, unemployment, and old-age pension. Survey data for two cohorts (i.e., born before or after 1959) were utilized to assess night work at baseline (yes/no) in 1998-2003 and 2004-2006, respectively. The final samples for the two cohorts were 34680 and 19637, respectively. Group-based trajectory models were applied.

Results

Among those born before 1959 (mean age 59 years, 13 years follow-up), a five-trajectory solution was best for those with and without night work. The trajectory groups were stable sustainable working life (38-42%), stable unsustainable working life (24-25%), early (13%) or later (13%) decreasing sustainable working life, and between sustainable and unsustainable working life (7%). Among those born after 1958 (mean age 37 years, follow-up 10 years), four trajectories were detected for those with night work: stable sustainable working life (81%), stable unsustainable working life (6%) and increasing (7%) and decreasing (5%) sustainable working life. For those without nightwork, a three-trajectory solution was best: stable sustainable working life (83%), stable unsustainable working life (6%) and between sustainable and unsustainable working life (11%).

Conclusions

Sustainable working life was similar across baseline night work statuses of older cohort but differed in younger cohort. The findings suggest that at least night work at one time point does not affect sustainable working life. However, night work at early stages of working life could be accompanied with lifestyle counselling for sleep and recovery.

Key messages

• Trajectories of sustainable working life seem similar for those with or without night work adding to the understanding of effects of such work to health.

• From public health perspective, counselling employees with night work already at early stages of working life for health behaviours including sleep and recovery could support sustainable working life.

Life events as predictors of unsustainable working life trajectories from a life course perspective

Background

The association between family-related life events (e.g., getting married or having children) and unsustainable working life in terms of unemployment, sickness absence and disability pension (SA/DP) are rarely studied from a life-course perspective although having public health importance. We investigated trajectories of unsustainable working life, and the associations between change in family-related life events and unsustainable working life trajectories by controlling for familial factors.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study of 37,867 Swedish twins aged between 20-40 years on 31st December 1994. Data on trajectories of annual unemployment, SA/DP, and a combined measure of unsustainable working life months was collected from the Swedish national registers. The trajectories over a 23-year period were analysed by group-based trajectory modelling. Associations of change in family-related life events with trajectory groups in the whole sample were estimated by multinomial logistic regression and in discordant twin pairs (n = 4,647 pairs) with conditional models.

Results

Most participants had no or low levels of unemployment, SA/DP or combined unsustainable working life during 1994-2016. Individuals who were stably married or changed from being single living without children to married living with children had a decreased risk of unsustainable working life compared to individuals with stable family-related life events. The risk of unsustainable working life months over time was higher among individuals who changed from married to single status regardless of having children (range of HRs:1.31-4.44).

Conclusions

Family-related life events such as maintaining the relationship or getting married and having children decreases the risk of unsustainable working life while divorce is a risk factor for unsustainable working life. From a public health perspective, actions to support family formation or life would consequently promote a sustainable working life.

Key messages

• Unsustainable working life was less likely among married and among those who changed from single living without children to married with children compared to those with stable family life events.

• Individuals who changed from being married to divorced status had an increased risk of unsustainable working life over time and therefore being potentially an important group for public health.

[Comparison of the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors and statins on dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes]

Objective: To compare the efficacy of preprotein convertase subtilisin lysozyme 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors with statins in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 140 patients with T2DM (80 males and 60 females) in the People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from January 2018 to January 2021 were selected, with a mean age of (55±5) years (41-72 years). The patients were divided into observation group (n=68) and control group (n=72) by the random number table method. Both groups were given conventional treatments such as hypoglycemic drugs, the control group was given statins to regulate lipids, and the observation group was given PCSK9 inhibitors to lower lipids. The differences of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) expression levels and standard-reaching rate of LDL-C between the two groups were compared. The correlation between serum PCSK9 level and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and other indicators in T2DM patients was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results: After treatment, the LDL-C of the observation group was (2.3±0.7) mmol/L, which was lower than that of the control group [(2.7±0.7) mmol/L] (P=0.024); the standard-reaching rate of LDL-C of the observation group was 89.7% (61/68), which was higher than that of the control group [68.1% (49/72)] (P=0.002); the levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-, CRP, IL-10 and IL-8 in the observation group after treatment were (27.6±6.6) ng/L, (36.7±6.9) ng/L, (40.1±8.9) ng/L, (7.8±1.8) ng/L, (19.2±3.3) ng/L, (13.7±3.3) ng/L, respectively, which were lower than those in the control group [(30.6±7.9) ng/L, (40.1±7.3) ng/L, (43.4±9.2) ng/L, (10.4±2.5) ng/L, (30.7±3.7) ng/L, (26.8±3.4) ng/L, respectively] (all P<0.05). After treatment, the PCSK9 level in the observation group was (74±13) μg/L, which was lower than that in the control group [(97±14) μg/L] (P<0.001). The level of PCSK9 in T2DM patients was positively correlated with LDL-C, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α (r=0.390, 0.433, 0.398 and 0.562, all P<0.05). Conclusion: PCSK9 inhibitors have better lipid-regulating effects in patients with T2DM and can improve the level of inflammation at the same time.

Sequential left ventricular electro-mechanical changes in left bundle branch pacing vs right ventricular pacing a two-center study

Background

Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has been proved to maintain electrical synchrony better than RVP during mid to long-term follow-up, but little is known about the left ventricular (LV) mechanical changes over time. This study investigates if LBBP causes less sequential electro-mechanical alterations in LV that develop over time, compared with both conventional (CRVP) and leadless (LRVP) RVP.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with pacing indication for bradycardia were prospectively enrolled: Twenty-two were treated with LBBP, 23 with CRVP and 20 with LRVP. QRS duration (QRSd) was measured at baseline and during follow-up. All patients underwent echocardiography at baseline, one week after implantation and at one-year follow-up. LV volumes, ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured. Septal flash (SF), apical rocking and septal longitudinal strain patterns were assessed visually by two experienced readers.

Results

All the patients presented with normal strain pattern and no signs of SF or apical rocking at baseline. 100% of CRVP and 95% of LRVP patients had stage1 or 2 septal deformation patterns at week 1, and the majority (72.3% CRVP and 83.3% LRVP) progressed to stage≥2 at 12 months. On the contrary, over 2/3 of LBBP patients preserved normal strain patterns at week 1, and less than 1/3 had stage-1 pattern, 2 out of whom progressed to stage-2 during follow-up (Figure 1). At week 1 and 12 months, all RVP patients had SF, and most of them also exhibited apical rocking (87%-94.4% in CRVP and 80%-94.4% in LRVP). However, much less septal flash and apical rocking was induced in LBBP patients at week 1 and last follow-up (27.3%-37.5% and 22.7%-25%, P&lt;0.001 vs RVP). Baseline QRSd were similar among three groups. At week 1, the paced QRSd increased least in LBBP compared to CRVP and LRVP and remained as such at 12 months. During one year follow-up, LVEF and LV GLS decreased more in CRVP group compared to LBBP (both P&lt;0.05) (Figure 2).

Conclusion

LBBP causes less sequential changes in LV deformation patterns, septal flash and apical rocking, compared to CRVP and LRVP. With this, LBBP appears to preserve LV function better than RVP. CRVP and LRVP did not differ in electro-mechanical changes or LV remodeling.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) project grant

Various arrhythmia types and their day-by-day occurrence rates over a 14-day period using a P-wave sensitive ambulatory ECG monitored population

Background

Many studies on ECG monitoring and arrhythmia detection use the term “diagnostic yield”, a vague term and one without the type of diagnostic precision that cardiologists value. Moreover, diagnostic yield of specific arrhythmias is not well understood on a day-by-day basis.

Purpose

We used a continuous 14-day ECG monitor to record the incremental occurrence of a broad variety of specific arrhythmias each day from a general outpatient population suspected of having an arrhythmia.

Methods

A total of 546 patients were monitored for 14±1 day in the absence of artifact that would otherwise obscure the rhythm. Without such stipulations, arrhythmias could not be truly categorized as a function of time. Patients were randomly selected who satisfied the aforementioned criteria. The studies were prescribed by the patient's managing physician for standard clinical indications, and they spanned across 237 distinct institutions. The recordings were interpreted by 3 serial readers clinically knowledgeable on electrophysiological principles of arrhythmia diagnostics. All reports were then confirmed in their entirety by a cardiac electrophysiologist. The daily diagnostic rate for specific arrhythmia occurrence was then tabulated. Of note, algorithmic and AI diagnostic approaches were not relied upon for arrhythmia diagnoses.

Results

Select arrhythmia/conduction abnormalities are shown in the attached Figure, demonstrating different arrhythmias manifesting at different rates. In 61% of pts, at least one rhythm disorder was found that could affect patient management over 14 days. In 28% of pts, two disorders were found while 12% had three or more disorders. P-wave specificity on the ECG aided in identifying 67.9% of those unique arrhythmias. When more than one arrhythmia type was identified, they typically occurred on different days. In contrast, the standard 1-day report, if implemented, would have diagnosed only 20% of patients and rarely would have found multiple rhythm abnormalities

Conclusion

Different arrhythmia categories manifest at different rates on a 14-day continuous ECG. Clinical abnormalities in rhythm and/or conduction occur in 61% of patients randomly selected from a broad array of institutions. Moreover, 28% had 2 disorders and 12% had &gt;3 disorders, usually occurring on different days. Lastly, 67.9% of rhythms were identified due to a high fidelity P-wave ECG signal. These findings suggest that a 14-day P-wave sensitive ECG recording has substantive diagnostic value even if a suspected arrhythmia were to occur on day 1. Further, ECG recordings of 1 day (i.e., standard Holter monitor duration) severely diminish diagnostic value and should be avoided.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Other rhythm abnormalities found in 10,593 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation over a 14-day ambulatory ECG monitoring period

Background

The incidence of other arrhythmias in patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF) can affect choice of subsequent diagnostic procedures as well as drug, implanted device and ablation management. In the endless stream of new ECG monitoring technologies, whose primary focus sits on AF identification, other arrhythmias can be minimized in their importance. And yet, in patients with PAF, management is often altered by the presence of both significant and even subtle additional concomitant rhythm abnormalities. Clinically meaningful non-PAF rhythms may not be reliably captured by most cardiac ambulatory ECG monitors, especially those focusing purely on AF.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to identify the extent and types of other unique rhythm abnormalities that might influence management in patients found to have PAF on a routine outpatient ambulatory ECG.

Methods

A total of 10,593 pts wearing an ambulatory ECG monitor had PAF. Monitors were ordered for standard clinical indications predominantly by their managing cardiologists. Patient ECG data was interpreted by 3 serial readers clinically informed on electrophysiological principles of arrhythmia diagnostics. Concomitant rhythm disorders, as manifested on the surface ECG monitor, were then quantified as a percentage of the PAF study population. Patients with chronic AF were excluded from this analysis.

Results

The primary results are summarized in Figure 1. Of 10,593 pts with PAF, only 391 (4%) were found to have only PAF and no other rhythm abnormalities. At least 1 additional rhythm abnormality was found in 96% and 2-to-8 additional rhythm disorders were present in 68% of patients.

Conclusion

Nearly all patients with PAF have additional rhythm abnormalities that can only be identified using a cardiac monitor with high P-wave fidelity. Even modest, and certainly serious, additional ECG rhythm abnormalities can alter physician management of PAF as pertains to selection of additional diagnostic testing, drug choice, device selection, and/or ablation specifics. Simplistic and/or commercial grade ECG monitors cannot provide such detail and carry the risk of misdirecting patient management.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

NAV3 is a genetic determinant of myocardial recovery in dilated cardiomyopathy and attenuates cardiac fibrosis

Background

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) assessing change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a surrogate marker of morbidity and mortality in heart failure (HF), had not been performed previously and could provide insight into novel biological pathways that could lead to the development of new drugs that might target myocardial recovery. The presence and extent of cardiac fibrosis in DCM is independently associated with myocardial recovery and cardiovascular mortality.

Purpose

To identify the biological relevance of genetic targets that are associated with change in LVEF in patients with DCM.

Methods

A GWAS was performed using DNA from 686 patients with recent onset DCM who were on standard HF therapy using change in LVEF at a median of 6 months after initial diagnosis. Cultured human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) were used as an in vitro model to study the functional and biological relevance of the gene target identified in the GWAS. Specifically, HCFs were transfected with siRNA by using the Lipofectamine™ RNAiMAX Transfection Reagent for gene knockdown (KD). RNA-seq was performed using the Illumina TruSeq protocol with expression analysis conducted with the EdgeR package. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used.

Results

A single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs11105445(G&gt;A), mapping to the neuron navigator 3 (NAV3) gene (rs11105445, p=2.37E-07; beta 2.74±0.53) was associated with improvement in LVEF. We performed a phenome-wide association study using data from the UK Biobank and demonstrated that genetic variation in NAV3 was significantly associated with HF mortality (p=3.2E-28), highlighting the potential importance of this gene in HF. Using GTEx data we demonstrated that in LV tissue the minor allele A was associated with ↓NAV3 expression (p=0.03) suggesting that ↓NAV3 expression might be associated with improvement in LVEF. We demonstrated that NAV3 KD significantly ↓TGF-β1 mediated HCF transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts, ↓α-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) and ↓collagen I (COL1A1), therefore NAV3 KD was anti-fibrotic (see Figure 1), 1a. HCFs treated by vehicle/TGF-β1 after KD of NAV3/ctrl, and ACTA2 and COL1A1 were analyzed by qPCR; 1b. Representative immunofluorescence staining for α-SMA (in green), RNA-seq after NAV3 KD followed by pathway analysis suggested that NAV3 exerted its effect by regulating cell cycle related proteins (Figure 2), 2a. Volcano plot shows significant differentially expressed genes identified by RNA-seq analysis (down-regulated in blue, up-regulated in red); 2b. NAV3 KD significantly increased expression of cell cycle related proteins, which was validated by Western blot.

Conclusions

Decreased expression of NAV3 is associated with myocardial recovery in DCM, most likely due to its anti-fibrotic effect via direct regulation of cell cycle proteins. The role of NAV3 as a novel therapeutic target in DCM needs to be explored.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized MedicineMayo Clinic Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

Live imaging of nitric oxide release in vascular endothelial cells in response to mechanical stimuli on an organ chip

Background

Nitric oxide (NO), released from vascular endothelial cells in response to mechanical stimuli, regulates cardiac contractility and are also involved in the prevention of the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Purpose

To establish an experimental system for live observation of NO release in response to mechanical stimuli on an organ chip.

Methods

Organ chips, which we used for the development of a heart-on-a-chip in the previous study [1], were used.

We seeded 300,000 human umbilical vein endothelial cells on a stretchable elastic membrane coated with Matrigel of a chip channel. Shear stress was applied to the cells by increasing flow rate of a peristaltic pump connected to the chip channel (Figure 1A). Pressure stimulus was applied by hydrostatic pressure. Stretch stimulus was applied by suction to the side ports of a chip using an electric syringe pump (Figure 1B). Cells were stained with 10 μM 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate for fluorescent live NO imaging.

Results

Monolayers of the endothelial cells formed intercellular junctions confirmed by CD31 staining (Figure 1C, yellow). Apparent permeability, which was measured by Texas red dye (MW 3000), was maintained at a low level of ∼3x10–6 cm/s until day 30, suggested the formation of robust intercellular junction.

When the endothelial cells were subjected to a pressure stimulus of 60 mmHg for 60 s, NO release was observed that lasted for &gt;2 minutes (Figure 2A). A peak value of 1.46±1.08 (mean ± standard deviation) times the baseline was observed 271 s after the beginning of the pressure stimulus (n=251 cells). When the cells were subjected to a 1% stretch for 60 s, a peak value of 1.29±0.33 times the baseline was observed 105 s after the beginning of the stretch stimulus (Figure 2B). A shear stress of 0.01 dyn/cm2 hardly increased NO release (1.20±0.27 times the baseline, Figure 2C).

Conclusion

The system for live NO imaging in vascular endothelial cells in response to mechanical stimuli was established using organ-on-a-chip. The heart-on-a-chip with endothelial cells will be useful in elucidating the effects of mechanical stimulus such as hypertension on the contractile function and the remodeling of the heart.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Left bundle branch pacing is superior in preserving ventricular mechanical synchrony and cardiac function than right ventricular pacing: a two-center experience

Background

Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has emerged as a novel pacing modality. Although it has been proved to maintain electrical synchrony better than right ventricular pacing (RVP), little is known about the impact on mechanical synchrony. This study investigates if LBBP preserves mechanical synchrony and cardiac function better compared to conventional (CRVP) and leadless (LRVP) RVP.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with pacing indication for bradycardia were prospectively enrolled: Twenty-two were treated with LBBP, 23 with CRVP and 20 with LRVP. All patients underwent echocardiography before and after implantation and at one-year follow-up. Left ventricular (LV) volumes, ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured. Regional septal (SW) and lateral wall work (LW) was calculated as the average from the respective basal and mid-ventricular segments in the apical four-chamber and three-chamber view. The lateral-septal work difference (LSWD) was used as a measure of mechanical dyssynchrony.

Results

At baseline, the QRS duration and LSWD were similar in all three groups. During follow-up, the QRS duration increased least in LBBP compared to CRVP and LRVP (+28.1±18.3ms vs +58.2±31.4 and 47.1±26.1ms, both P&lt;0.01). SW was markedly decreased in CRVP and LRVP while LW work remained unchanged, resulting in a large LSWD compared to LBBP (1308.4±732.9 mmHg*% and 1451.3±606.1 mmHg*% vs. 286.0±479.9mmHg*%, both P&lt;0.001). During one year follow-up, LVEF and LV GLS decreased more in CRVP compared to LBBP (both P&lt;0.05).

Conclusion

LBBP causes less LV dyssynchrony than CRVP and LRVP as it preserves a more physiologic conduction pattern. With this, LBBP appears to preserve LV function better than CRVP. CRVP and LRVP did not differ in mechanical dyssynchrony or LV remodelling.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

[The value and controversy of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer]

Pancreatic cancer was considered to be one of the contraindications of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy, but a large number of studies have shown that laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is safe and feasible for surgeons who have passed the learning curve in high-volume hospitals.Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy can provide high-resolution intraoperative exploration and unique operative perspective,which can help to reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications,dissect lymph nodes more thoroughly and reduce intraoperative metastasis of tumors,so as to promote the development of postoperative adjuvant therapy and improve patients' quality of life.However,due to the long learning curve and unclear survival outcome, the application of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with pancreatic cancer is still controversial.This article summarizes the existing literature and the experience of the author's team,exploring the value and controversy of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.Further,suggestions are put forward on how to improve the laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in China.

Precise Measurements of Decay Parameters and CP Asymmetry with Entangled Λ-Λ[over ¯] Pairs

Based on 10 billion J/ψ events collected at the BESIII experiment, a search for CP violation in Λ decay is performed in the difference between CP-odd decay parameters α_{-} for Λ→pπ^{-} and α_{+} for Λ[over ¯]→p[over ¯]π^{+} by using the process e^{+}e^{-}→J/ψ→ΛΛ[over ¯]. With a five-dimensional fit to the full angular distributions of the daughter baryon, the most precise values for the decay parameters are determined to be α_{-}=0.7519±0.0036±0.0024 and α_{+}=-0.7559±0.0036±0.0030, respectively. The Λ and Λ[over ¯] averaged value of the decay parameter is extracted to be α_{avg}=0.7542±0.0010±0.0024 with unprecedented accuracy. The CP asymmetry A_{CP}=(α_{-}+α_{+})/(α_{-}-α_{+}) is determined to be -0.0025±0.0046±0.0012, which is one of the most precise measurements in the baryon sector. The reported results for the decay parameter will play an important role in the studies of the polarizations and CP violations for the strange, charmed and beauty baryons.

First Observation of the Direct Production of the χ_{c1} in e^{+}e^{-} Annihilation

We study the direct production of the J^{PC}=1^{++} charmonium state χ_{c1}(1P) in electron-positron annihilation by carrying out an energy scan around the mass of the χ_{c1}(1P). The data were collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. An interference pattern between the signal process e^{+}e^{-}→χ_{c1}(1P)→γJ/ψ→γμ^{+}μ^{-} and the background processes e^{+}e^{-}→γ_{ISR}J/ψ→γ_{ISR}μ^{+}μ^{-} and e^{+}e^{-}→γ_{ISR}μ^{+}μ^{-} is observed by combining all the data samples. The χ_{c1}(1P) signal is observed with a significance of 5.1σ. This is the first observation of a C-even state directly produced in e^{+}e^{-} annihilation. The electronic width of the χ_{c1}(1P) resonance is determined to be Γ_{ee}=(0.12_{-0.08}^{+0.13})  eV, which is of the same order of magnitude as theoretical calculations.

[Construction and application of comprehensive system of chronic diseases surveillance in Zhejiang province]

To construct a non-communicable disease system recommended by WHO, develop the key techniques and promote their applications, obtain the main health indicators and understand the prevalence of chronic diseases, and provide support for the prevention, control and research of chronic diseases. Based on factor analysis, K-means clustering and multi-cluster random sampling, 30 typical sampling areas at provincial level were designed and constructed; By referring to WHO's Non-communicable Disease Surveillance Framework and the American behavioral risk factor sampling and questionnaire and combined with China's actual needs, a comprehensive surveillance system for chronic diseases, covering morbidity and mortality, risk factor exposure and community management and control of chronic diseases, was established, a "5+12+1" quality control system for surveillance data collection, management, analysis and feedback was formed and a three-level surveillance information management platform and information technology construction standards in the province were established, resulting the integration of life registration, chronic disease case reporting and community chronic disease management. Using these key techniques, we have obtained high-quality surveillance data of the whole province, produced the main health indicators, carried out research of chronic diseases, and analyze the prevalence and changing trend of the main chronic diseases and related risk factors to boost the government's practical projects for the reform of the people's livelihood and facilitate the construction of "Healthy Zhejiang". The successful experiences and key techniques have been applied in the construction of chronic disease surveillance system in some provinces in China.

Evidence for a Neutral Near-Threshold Structure in the K_{S}^{0} Recoil-Mass Spectra in e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}D_{s}^{+}D^{*-} and e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}D_{s}^{*+}D^{-}

We study the processes e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}D_{s}^{+}D^{*-} and e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}D_{s}^{*+}D^{-}, as well as their charge conjugated processes, at five center-of-mass energies between 4.628 and 4.699 GeV, using data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.8  fb^{-1} collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. Based on a partial reconstruction technique, we find evidence of a structure near the thresholds for D_{s}^{+}D^{*-} and D_{s}^{*+}D^{-} production in the K_{S}^{0} recoil-mass spectrum, which we refer to as the Z_{cs}(3985)^{0}. Fitting with a Breit-Wigner line shape, we find the mass of the structure to be (3992.2±1.7±1.6)  MeV/c^{2} and the width to be (7.7_{-3.8}^{+4.1}±4.3)  MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The significance of the Z_{cs}(3985)^{0} signal is found to be 4.6σ including both the statistical and systematic uncertainty. We report the Born cross section multiplied by the branching fraction at different energy points. The mass of the Z_{cs}(3985)^{0} is close to that of the Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}. Assuming SU(3) symmetry, the cross section of the neutral channel is consistent with that of the charged one. Hence, we conclude that the Z_{cs}(3985)^{0} is the isospin partner of the Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}.

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.

Case-control study of vitamin D status and adult multidrug-resistant pulmonary TB

BACKGROUND: India has the highest prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) globally. Vitamin D deficiency is potentially an important risk factor for MDR-TB.METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of 90 newly diagnosed adult MDR-TB cases, 180 household controls and 82 non-household controls in Mumbai, India. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), anthropometry, clinical status and history, dietary data and sociodemographic data were collected from each participant. Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) was also performed in controls to assess latent TB. Multivariable regression was performed to estimate associations between 25(OH)D vs. case status and IGRA positivity.RESULTS: Mean participant age was 33.8 ± 12.0 years; 72.8% had 25(OH)D <20 ng/ml. Mean 25(OH)D was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in cases (12.5 ± 7.9) than both household (17.5 ± 11.2) and non-household controls (16.4 ± 9.1). In multivariable models, 25(OH)D concentration was inversely associated with MDR-TB case status among cases and household controls (OR 0.95 per 1 ng/ml, 95% CI 0.92-0.99; P = 0.015), and among cases and non-household controls (OR 0.94 per 1 ng/ml, 95% CI 0.89-1.00; P = 0.033); 53.6% of controls were IGRA-positive. 25(OH)D status was not associated with IGRA positivity.CONCLUSION: Vitamin D status was independently associated with MDR-TB case status. Research should evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in prevention and adjunctive treatment of MDR-TB.

First Measurement of the Z→μ^{+}μ^{-} Angular Coefficients in the Forward Region of pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The first study of the angular distribution of μ^{+}μ^{-} pairs produced in the forward rapidity region via the Drell-Yan reaction pp→γ^{*}/Z+X→ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-}+X is presented, using data collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.1  fb^{-1}. The coefficients of the five leading terms in the angular distribution are determined as a function of the dimuon transverse momentum and rapidity. The results are compared to various theoretical predictions of the Z-boson production mechanism and can also be used to probe transverse-momentum-dependent parton distributions within the proton.

[ Ⅰ ]

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of cryoablation(CYA) and radiofrequency ablation(RFA) for stageⅠnon-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Methods: From January 2014 to January 2019, 90 eligible patients [48 males, 42 females, age: 39-85(63.6±10.1)years] in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University met the inclusion criteria were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into 2 groups according to different treatment methods(group CYA and group RFA). The duration of operation, intraoperative pain, local tumor progression rate and the incidence of complications were compared. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the 2 groups were estimated by Kaplan-Meier curves, and were compared by using log-rank test. Results: The clinical data and tumor situation of the patients between two groups did not show significant differences. The mean duration of operation for group CYA was longer than that for group RFA [(73.5±17.2)min vs (51.4±18.7)min, P<0.001];the mean intraoperative visual analogue score(VAS)for group CYA was lower than that for group RFA (0.53±0.89 vs 3.44±2.44, P<0.001). The median follow-up period time were 53 months and 52 months for group CYA and RFA. At the end of the study, The local tumor progression rate was 31.6%(12/38) and 25.0%(13/52) for group CYA and group RFA, the difference were not statistically(P=0.491). There was no statistical difference for progress-free survival(PFS)between group CYA and group RFA[51(95%CI:40.3-55.0)months)vs 44(95%CI:37.2-54.1) months, P=0.649]. The median OS was not reached in both groups. The most common complications observed in the two groups were pneumothorax, hemorrhage and pleural effusion. There was no statistical difference in the incidence rates [42.1%(16/38) for group CYA vs 28.8% (15/52)for group RFA, P=0.191]. The incidence rate of pleural effusion for group CYA was higher than that for group RFA [26.3%(10/38)vs 5.8%(3/52), P=0.006]. The incidence rates of pneumothorax and hemorrhage had no statistical difference between the two groups [13.3%(5/38)vs 13.5% (7/52) and 15.8%(6/38) vs 9.6% (5/52), all P>0.05]. Conclusion: Compared with RFA,CYA shows no significant differences in the same efficacy and safety for treating patients with stage Ⅰ NSCLC, with less intraoperative pain but longer operative duration.