Effectiveness of Bladder Filling Control during Online MR-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy for Rectum Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

MR-guided adaptive radiotherapy (MRgART) treatment sessions at MR-Linac are time-consuming and changes in bladder filling during the session can impact the treatment dosimetry. In this work, we present the procedure implemented in the clinical workflow to stabilize bladder filling during the MR based adaptive radiotherapy sessions and evaluate its effectiveness and the resulting dosimetric impact on the adaptive plan.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Twenty-five rectum cancer patients treated at 1.5T MR-Linac with a short course radiotherapy (25 Gy in 5 fractions of 5 Gy each) were included in this retrospective study. Patients were treated with the adapt-to-shape workflow consisting of a plan adaptation based on the MRI acquired in each session and optimized on the corresponding MR-based synthetic CT. Considering the significant interval time between the acquisition of the first daily MRI used for plan adaptation, and the beam delivery, a bladder catheter was used to stabilize the bladder filling; the procedure consists of emptying the bladder and refilling it with a well-known amount of physiological solution before each MRI acquisition. Two MRIs were acquired at each session: the first was used for plan adaptation and the second was acquired while approving the adapted plan, to be rigidly registered with the first to ensure the appropriateness of the isodoses on the ongoing delivery treatment. A total of 125 sessions and 250 MRI images and bladder contours were analyzed; for each fraction, the time interval between the first and second MRI and the corresponding bladder volumes were recorded; the consistency of bladder volumes and shapes along each online session was assessed with the dice similarity index (DSC) and Hausdorff distance (HD); the impact on plan dosimetry was evaluated by comparing target and bladder DVH cut off points of the plan on the two different MRI datasets.

RESULTS

The time interval between the first and second MRI, averaged over the 125 sessions is 39.0 min, range (18.6-75.8) min. The changes in bladder volumes, DSC index, HD, and the differences between the bladder and target DVH cut-off points are shown in the table below. The DSC and HD are comparable to inter-observer variability in manual contour segmentation, with an average DSC of 0.91 and average HD of 2.13 mm; the average differences in bladder and target dosimetry remain under 0.63% and 0.10%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The use of a procedure in the clinical workflow of MRgART to stabilize the bladder filling throughout the online session may be helpful to guarantee the accuracy of the ongoing delivered treatment.

Cost-Effectiveness of Short-Course Radiotherapy Based Total Neoadjuvant Therapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer in China

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The phase III STELLAR (NCT02533271) trial demonstrated that four cycles of chemotherapy after short-course radiotherapy (SCRT-TNT) were not inferior to the standard care of long-course concurrent radiotherapy (LCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of SCRT-TNT versus LCRT in locally advanced rectal cancer in China on the basis of the STELLAR trial.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A Markov model was used to synthesize the healthcare costs and benefits of LARC patients based on results from the STELLAR trial. The model assumes that LARC who meet the inclusion criteria of the STELLAR trial experience four possible states: No Evidence of Disease (NED), locally recurrence, distant metastases, or any death from rectal cancer or other unrelated causes, where local recurrence continues to be classified as resectable and unresectable. The transition status period is 3 month, and 5 years is used to calculate direct medical costs and health benefits. The probabilities of states transition after SCRT-TNT or LCRT were derived from the results of the STELLAR trial and previous published article (Table.1). Costs were evaluated from the Chinese payer's perspective reported in early 2022 US dollars (US$1 = 6.78 Chinese Yuan). Sensitivity analyses were performed for key variables. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and net monetary benefits. Effectiveness was defined as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was set at $43500/QALY. Data were collected from October 3, 2020, to September 20, 2021, and analyzed from November 15, 2020, to October 25, 2021.

RESULTS

During the 5-year horizon, for the base case scenario, SCRT-TNT incurred a lower total cost and higher QALYs compared with LCCRT. The total cost was $65767 and QALYs were 1.77 for SCRT-TNT; for LCCRT, the total cost was $72802 and QALYs were 1.64. This resulted in an ICER of -$ 55470.69 per QALY. Therefore, SCRT-TNT was a cost-saving and dominating treatment strategy compared with LCRT. Sensitivity analysis showed that ICERs were most sensitive to the parameters of distant metastases risk after treatment.

CONCLUSION

SCRT-TNT in locally advanced rectal cancer can be a cost-effective alternative to LCRT in China, and should be considered in appropriately selected patients.

An Immune-Related Gene Prognostic Prediction Risk Model for Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer Using Artificial Intelligence

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To develop and validate an immune-related gene prognostic model (IRGPM) that can predict disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and to clarify the immune characteristics of patients with different prognostic risks.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In this study, we obtained transcriptomic and clinical data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and rectal cancer database of West China Hospital. Genes in the RNA immune-oncology panel were extracted. Elastic net was used to identify the immune-related genes that significantly affected the DFS of patients. A prognostic risk model (IRGPM) for rectal cancer was constructed with the random forest method. The prognostic risk score was calculated by the model, and the patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups according to the median risk score. Immune characteristics were analyzed and compared between the high- and low-risk groups.

RESULTS

A total of 407 LARC samples were used in this study. A 20-gene signature was identified by elastic net and was found to be significantly correlated with DFS. The IRGPM was constructed on the basis of the 20 immune-related genes. Kaplan‒Meier survival analysis showed poorer 5-year DFS in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve suggested good model prediction (areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.87, 0.94, 0.95 at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively). The model was validated in the GSE190826 cohort (AUCs of 0.79, 0.64, and 0.63 at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively) and the cohort from our institution (AUCs of 0.64, 0.66, and 0. 64 at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively). The differentially expressed genes between the high- and low-risk groups were enriched in cytokine‒cytokine receptor interactions. The patients in the low-risk group had higher immune scores than the patients in the high-risk group. Subsequently, we found that activated B cells, activated CD8 T cells, central memory CD8 T cells, macrophages, T follicular helper cells and type 2 helper cells were more abundant in the low-risk group. Moreover, we compared the expression of immune checkpoints and found that the low-risk group had a higher PDCD1 expression level.

CONCLUSION

The IRGPM, which was constructed based on the random forest and elastic net methods, is a promising method to distinguish DFS in LARC patients treated with a standard strategy. The low-risk group identified by IRGPM was characterized by the activation of adaptive immunity in tumor microenvironment.

Study on the Clinical Use of a Respiratory Navigator Combined with Breath-Hold for MRI- Guided Liver SBRT

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Respiratory movement strongly affects the accuracy of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) of liver malignancies treated without the use of a respiratory gating system. This study investigates the feasibility and advantages of using a respiratory navigator-guided combined with patient breath-hold for liver SBRT in an adaptive magnetic-resonance guided workflow.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Clinical datasets of 10 liver cancer patients treated with 1.5T MR-Linac with respiratory navigator-guided SBRT combined with patient breath-hold were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent simulation CT with and without contrast, and 4D-CT and 3D-T2w MRI without contrast. Patients received a prescription dose ranging from 36 to 50 Gy in 5 to 8 fractions and followed the adapt to shape (ATS) workflow including contours adjustment and a subsequent MR-based synthetic CT (sCT) calculation on the online MRI acquired. The reference treatment plan was optimized on the expiratory phase of the 4D-CT, and during the online session the contours and the adapted plans were performed using the 3D-T2w navigator MRI of the patient's end-expiratory signal; 2D-T2w real-time monitoring MRI was also used as support for the contour's definition. The radiation therapist instructed the patients to hold their breath at the end of the breathing cycle for the time of the beam on. A total of 59 fractions were analyzed. For each fraction the dosimetric parameters of the target and normal liver of the adaptive and reference plans were compared; particularly the volume, the conformity index (CI) and gradient index (GI) for the target, and V5, V10 and Dmean for the normal liver. T-student statistical analysis was performed; a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

In the free breathing state, the 3D-T2w navigator MRI images enable a clear visualization of the tumor and its boundaries. The average target CI of the adaptive and reference plans is not significantly different (p = 0.448), while the GI is significantly higher (p = 0.043). Normal liver V10 and Dmean are lower and V5 is slightly increased, but without statistical differences. The mean values and standard deviation of the dosimetric parameters of the reference and adapted plans are shown in the Table below.

CONCLUSION

The use of a respiratory navigator combined with the breath-hold for MRI- guided liver SBRT allows clear visualization of the tumor, ensures the accuracy of the delivered dose and may be considered an alternative when the respiratory gating system is not available during MRgART sessions.

Metagenomic reconstructions of caecal microbiome in Landes, Roman and Zhedong White geese

1. The caecal microbiota in geese play a crucial role in determining the host's health, disease status and behaviour, as evidenced by extensive epidemiological data. The present investigation conducted 10× metagenomic sequencing of caecal content samples obtained from three distinct goose species, namely Landes geese, Roman geese and Zhedong White geese (n = 5), to explore the contribution of the gut microbiome to carbohydrate metabolism.2. In total, 337GB of Illumina data were generated, which identified 1,048,575 complete genes and construction of 331 metagenomic bins, encompassing 78 species from nine phyla. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Bacteria were identified as the dominant phyla while Prevotella, Bacteroides, Streptococcus, and Subdoligranulum were the most abundant genera in the caecum of geese.3. The genes were allocated to 375 pathways using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) analysis. The most abundant classes in the caecum of geese were confirmed to be glycoside hydrolases (GHs), glycosyl transferases (GTs), as identified through the carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) database mapping. Subdoligranulum variabile and Mediterraneibacter glycyrrhizinilyticus were discovered to potentially facilitate carbohydrate digestion in geese.4. Notwithstanding, further investigation and validation are required to establish a connection between these species and CAZymes. Based on binning analysis, Mediterraneibacter glycyrrhizinilyticus and Ruminococcus sp. CAG:177 are potential species in LD geese that contribute to the production of fatty liver.

Chemoradiotherapy Combined with Nab-Paclitaxel plus Cisplatin in Patients with Locally Advanced Borderline Resectable or Unresectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Phase I/II Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) plus cisplatin as the regimen of conversional chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) in locally advanced borderline resectable or unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with locally advanced ESCC (cT3-4, Nany, M0-1, M1 was limited to lymph node metastasis in the supraclavicular area) were enrolled. All the patients received the cCRT of nab-PTX plus cisplatin. After the cCRT, those resectable patients received esophagectomy; those unresectable patients continued to receive the definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). The locoregional control (LRC), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS), pathological complete response (pCR), R0 resection rate and adverse events (AEs) were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 45 patients with ESCC treated from October 2019 to May 2021 were finally included. The median follow-up time was 30.3 months. The LRC, OS, EFS, DMFS at 1and 2 years were 81.5%, 86.6%, 64.3%, 73.2% and 72.4%, 68.8%, 44.8%, 52.7% respectively. 21 patients (46.7%) received conversional chemoradiotherapy plus surgery (cCRT+S). The pCR rate and R0 resection rate were 47.6% and 84.0%. The LRC rate at 1 and 2 years were 95.0%, 87.1% in cCRT+S patients and 69.3%, 58.7% in dCRT patients respectively (HR, 5.14; 95% CI, 1.10-23.94; P = 0.021). The OS rate at 1 and 2 years were 95.2% and 84.2% in resectable patients compared to 78.8% and 54.4% in unresectable patients (HR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.10-10.61; P = 0.024). The toxicities during chemoradiotherapy were tolerated, the most common grade 3-4 toxicities were radiation esophagitis (15.6%).

CONCLUSION

Nab-PTX plus cisplatin were effective and safe as the regimen of conversional chemoradiotherapy of ESCC. The patients receiving conversional chemoradiotherapy plus surgery (cCRT+S) were prone to have a better survival.

Deep Learning-Based Quality Assurance for Auto-Segmentation Masks in Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Deep learning-based auto-contouring has shown great promise in several disease sites including GU and head and neck. However, quality assurance (QA) is key to identify poor auto-contours which is time consuming. We hypothesis that training a deep learning model to predict contour quality metrics, such as Dice coefficients (DSC) and associated uncertainties for QA.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We trained a 3D U-Net-based DL model for segmenting the target and three clinical-relevant OARs (bladder and rectum). To mimic the slice-by-slice review process in clinical practice, we then trained a 2D ResNet-based DL model to predict the 2D DSC for each 2D slice's contour, generated by the 3D segmentation model. Using the Monte Carlo dropout technique, we made 20 independent predictions per slice, with the final DSC calculated as their average and uncertainty estimated as 95% prediction intervals (PI). The study cohort consisted of 912 prostate cancer patients who received definitive radiotherapy. The 3D auto-segmentation model was trained on 129 patients and validated on 20, before being tested on 763 patients. The 2D DSC prediction model was trained on 293 patients with 11116 slices, validated on 73 patients with 2804 slices, and tested on 366 patients with 14117 slices. Rectum was chosen to test the 2D contour QA model as it is the most challenging OAR. We categorized 2D slices into three groups based on the lower and upper bounds of the prediction intervals. "no/minor edits" (lower bound > = 0.9), "major edits" (lower bound < 0.9 and upper bound > = 0.8), and "not acceptable" (upper bound < 0.8). The model performance was quantified by calculating correlation coefficients between predicted and ground truth DSC and the fraction of cases that were correctly identified in each category.

RESULTS

The results of the study showed that the overall correlation coefficient between predicted, and ground truth DSC was 0.842. The model was able to correctly identify 78.3%, 60.7%, and 53.4% of the "no/minor edits", "major edits", and "not acceptable" cases, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a valuable tool for clinicians in making quick decisions on the acceptance, rejection, or revision of auto-segmented masks during the radiation therapy planning process by providing quantitative results on predicted DSC and associated uncertainties.

Clinical Outcomes with Thoracic Radiotherapy for Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Era of Immunotherapy: A Retrospective Analysis

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Chemo-immunotherapy has shown significant benefits for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), which prolonged overall survival (OS) of nearly 2-4.5 months compared with platinum-based chemotherapy alone. However, thoracic radiotherapy (TRT), was not allowed to be used in previous trials. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficiency of TRT for ES-SCLC patients in the era of Immunotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed ES-SCLC patients treated with chemo-immunotherapy between 2017 and 2021 in our center. Patients who accepted consolidative or salvage TRT were included. The overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), local progression-free survival (LPFS), and distant progression free-survival (DPFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Toxicity was recorded based on CTCAE 5.0 scale.

RESULTS

We finally enrolled 30 patients in our study. The median follow-up time was 26.0 months (95% confidence interval, 18.2-33.8 months). 26(86.7%) patients have undergone first-line chemotherapy and immunotherapy, while 4(13.3%) have undergone immunotherapy as a second-line agent. 23(76.6%) patients achieved CR/PR/SD to initial systematic therapy. All patients were treated with TRT with a median dose of 51 Gy (24-60.2 Gy). The median interval between TRT and immunotherapy was 35 days. Median OS was 26 months (95% confidence interval, 17.8-34.2 months) and median PFS was 8 months (95% confidence interval, 5.3-10.7 months). 2-year OS, PFS, and DPFS were 51.4%, 21.4%, and 27.4%, respectively. 18 months LPFS was 59.6%. There was no ≥ G3 radiation-related adverse event except 2(6.7%) G3 esophagitis. G1-2 pneumonitis was reported in 8(26.7%) patients.

CONCLUSION

TRT is well-tolerated and effective for selected ES-SCLC patients in the modern era of immunotherapy. Prospective trials are still needed to further evaluate the combination of TRT and immunotherapy for patients with ES-SCLC.

Efficacy and Safety of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors Combined with Radiotherapy in Patients with Brain Metastases Caused by Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multi-Center Retrospective Analysis

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To investigate efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus radiotherapy in patients that brain metastases (BMs) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS/METHODS

All 234 eligible patients were divided into PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus intracranial radiotherapy (BM-RT) group and immunotherapy (non-BM-RT) group. 144 patients in BM-RT group were divided into patients received extracranial radiotherapy for NSCLC (extra-RT) group and had not (non-extra-RT) group. According to the Lung Immune Prognostic Index (LIPI), patients were stratified into good, intermediate, and poor groups. The toxicity was assessed with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) 5.0. Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used to analyze intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The median iPFS (11.6 months vs. 9.9 months, P = 0.001) and median OS (17.3 months vs. 14.6 months, P = 0.029) had a significant difference in BM-RT group and non-BM-RT group. Meanwhile, median iPFS (15.7 months vs. 10.5 months, P<0.001) and median OS (20.2 months vs. 15.1 months, P = 0.024) in extra-RT group were longer than non-extra-RT group. The median iPFS (12.9 months vs. 10.4 vs. 8.4 months, P = 0.001) and median OS (20.1 months vs. 16.7 months vs. 12.6 months, P = 0.025) were longer in good group than intermediate group and poor group in LIPI.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggested there was a significant difference in iPFS and OS with or without radiotherapy in patients of BMs from NSCLC, and with safety profiles. LIPI helped predict prognosis of BMs in NSCLC.

Clinical efficacy of modified percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) vs. conventional PKP for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a single-center retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical efficacy of using a standardized modified percutaneous kyphoplasty (transverse process‑pedicle approach to percutaneous kyphoplasty, TPKP) approach for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) and to explore the possibility that it may become the preferred option in the future.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on a total of 81 patients (TPKP group, 43 cases; PKP group, 38 cases) with OVCFs who underwent TPKP and PKP at the Department of Spine Surgery, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, from May 2021 to October 2021. We evaluated the patients' demographic information, intraoperative data (volume of cement injection and, duration of surgery), clinical outcomes at different time points (Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Dysfunction Index), and radiographic data (Cobb angle, anterior vertebral body height). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of the procedure, both within and between the two groups before and after surgery.

RESULTS

The difference in preoperative general information between the two groups of patients was non-statistically significant (p>0.05), and they were comparable. Additionally, no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was found between the TPKP and PKP groups in terms of operative time, length of hospital stay, recovery of injured spine height, Cobb angle, and cement leakage rate. However, significant statistical differences (p<0.05) were noted between the two groups regarding cement volume, distribution pattern, 1-day postoperative VAS scores, 1-day postoperative ODI scores, and loss of height of the injured spine. TPKP demonstrated superior performance compared to PKP in these specific areas.

CONCLUSIONS

TPKP offers the same surgical safety as the conventional approach, with better cement distribution and better pain relief, as well as the advantage of maintaining the height of the operated vertebral body. The technique is easy to master and use when guided by standard puncture procedures.

Hsa_circ_0003928 regulates the progression of diabetic nephropathy through miR-136-5p/PAQR3 axis

BACKGROUND

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the complications of diabetes and has a high mortality, but its specific pathogenesis is not clear. In recent years, researches on the mechanism of circRNAs in DN have been proved a lot, whereas the functional mechanism of circ_0003928 in DN remains open and it must be investigated to value its important role in DN prevention.

METHODS

HK-2 cells were treated with high glucose (HG), normal glucose (NG) or Mannitol. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were performed to detect cell proliferation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to analyze malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD) levels. Flow cytometry and western blot were preformed to measure cell apoptosis. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to test the levels of circ_0003928, miR-136-5p and progestin and adipoQ receptor family member 3 (PAQR3) mRNA. Western blot was executed to detect Bcl2 associated X (Bax), B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), smooth muscle (αSMA), apolipoprotein (C-IV) and PAQR3 levels. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were used to analyze the target relationship between miR-136-5p and circ_0003928 or PAQR3.

RESULTS

Circ_0003928 and PAQR3 expression were up-regulated, whereas miR-136-5p was decreased in DN serum and HG-induced HK-2 cells. Circ_0003928 knockdown promoted cell proliferation, and inhibit cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in HK-2 cells under HG condition. MiR-136-5p silencing overturned the protective effects of si-circ_0003928 on HG-induced HK-2 cells. MiR-136-5p was targeted by circ_0003928 and directly targeted PAQR3. Overexpression of PAQR3 counteracted the inhibitory functions of circ_0003928 knockdown or miR-136-5p overexpression on HG-induced HK-2 cell injury.

CONCLUSION

Circ_0003928 acted as a sponge of miR-136-5p to up-regulating PAQR3 expression, and then regulate the proliferation, oxidative stress, fibrosis and apoptosis in HG-induced HK-2 cells.

Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) Versus Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) for Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (LA-NSCLC) in the Era of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) Consolidation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Patients (pts) with LA-NSCLC treated with concurrent chemoradiation (cCRT) and ICI consolidation are at high risk for treatment-related toxicities and subsequent hospitalization. We hypothesized that PBT is associated with a reduction in acute unplanned hospitalizations as compared to IMRT in the era of ICI consolidation.

MATERIALS/METHODS

This single institution, multi-site retrospective study included consecutive pts with LA-NSCLC treated with definitive cCRT with either PBT or IMRT from October 2017 to December 2021. Pts were evaluated for consolidative ICI. Primary endpoint was unplanned treatment-related hospitalization within 90 days of first radiation (RT) treatment. Secondary endpoints included grade 3+ pneumonitis, grade 3+ esophagitis, PFS and OS. Logistic regression was used to assess associations with 90-day hospitalization. Competing risk regression was used for grade 3+ pneumonitis and esophagitis, and Cox regression for PFS and OS.

RESULTS

A total of 316 pts were included: 117 (37%) received PBT and 199 (63%) IMRT. Median age was 68.5 yrs; median RT dose 66.6 Gy (IQR 65.9-70.0). PBT group was older (median 71.1 vs 67.2 yrs, p<0.005) and had a higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) (median 4 vs 3, p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in ECOG, smoking pack-years, T stage, N stage, target volume size, or receipt of ICI consolidation (66.7% vs 68.3%, p = 0.76). PBT group had lower mean heart dose (5.9 vs 10.8 Gy, p<0.001), LAD V15 (0 vs 6 %, p = 0.001), mean lung dose (14.7 vs 15.7 Gy, p <0.008) and effective dose to immune circulating cells (median 3.7 vs 4.9 Gy, p<0.001) but not mean esophagus dose. PBT was associated with fewer unplanned 90-day hospitalizations (23.9% vs 34.7%); which persisted on multivariable analysis (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.30-0.90, p = 0.02) after adjusting for CCI, smoking pack-years, T4 tumors and target volume. Reasons for hospitalization in PBT and IMRT groups included progression (1.7% vs 1.5%), definite/probable toxicity from cCRT (11.1% vs 18.6%), possible toxicity from cCRT (7.7% vs 12.6%) or unrelated to cCRT (3.4% vs 2.0%). There was no significant difference between PBT or IMRT groups in G3+ pneumonitis (1-year 6.0% vs 9.1%, p = 0.49), G3+ esophagitis (1-year 6.0% vs 6.5%, p = 0.71), PFS (median 14.4 vs 15.1 months, p = 0.69), or OS (median 34.2 vs 29.4 months, p = 0.41).

CONCLUSION

Among pts with LA-NSCLC treated with cCRT in the era of ICI consolidation, PBT was associated with fewer acute unplanned hospitalizations compared to IMRT. There was no difference in G3+ pneumonitis, G3+ esophagitis, PFS or OS.

Association of Overall Survival Benefit Profile of Radiotherapy with Progression-Free Survival after Chemotherapy for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Benefit of radiotherapy (RT) after chemotherapy (CT) of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains controversial. It is unknown whether improved progression-free survival (PFS) by RT translate into an overall survival (OS) benefit. To address this question, our research comprehensively evaluated the risk-benefit assessment of RT in DLBCL through an in-depth examination of previously reported data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective comparative studies.

MATERIALS/METHODS

After screening and quality control, this study included 7 randomized controlled trials and 52 retrospective studies of combined-modality therapy (CMT) versus CT alone. The correlation between PFS and OS was evaluated using the Pearson linear correlation coefficient at trial- and study arm-level. A risk-benefit assessment to describe the OS benefit of RT was performed in meta-analyses of pooled HROS with PFS patterns.

RESULTS

In RCTs, strong correlations were found between HRPFS and HROS at trial-level (r = 0.876), and PFS and OS at treatment arm-level, regardless of treatments (r = 0.945-0.964 for all, CMT or CT). In retrospective studies, similar correlations between HRPFS and HROS (r = 0.639-0.650), and PFS and OS rates (r = 0.882-0.910) were observed, independent of treatments or rituximab. Adding RT into rituximab-based CT increased the average PFS rate from 63.6 ± 18.9% to 81.5 ± 10.6% (P<0.001), with differential OS benefits of RT between studies. Patients can be stratified into four PFS patterns (>80%, >60-80%, >40-60%, and ≤40%); absolute gain in OS from RT ranged from ≤5% at PFS >80% to ∼21% at PFS ≤40%, with pooled-HROS from 0.70 (95% CI, 0.51-0.97) to 0.48 (95% CI, 0.36-0.63) after rituximab-based CT. Linear analysis revealed an OS advantage of CMT over CT alone in a PFS-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate a varied OS benefit profile of RT upon different PFS patterns, and provide valuable evidence for making treatment decisions and designing clinical trials. Future strategies to select the use of RT will need careful tailoring in clinical practice or within RCT to optimize outcome.

CDC73 Impairment of MAPK1 Ubiquitination and Activation of the mTOR Signaling Pathway

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

CDC73 has been reported to be upregulated in breast cancer. This study aimed to illuminate the underlying mechanism by which CDC73 mediates breast cancer.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Here, a breast cancer tissue microarray and three breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, BT-549 as well as MCF-7 were employed. Using RNAi method, we knocked down CDC73 and MAPK1 in breast cancer cells. CDC73 overexpression plasmids (LV-013) were generated through pMD2.G and pSPAX2 vectors. Cell events related to tumor development were analyzed through Celigo cell counting assay, a cell counting kit, wound healing assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry analysis. The exploration on the underlying mechanism was based on PrimeView human gene expression array. Xenograft tumor models were constructed to visualize the effects of CDC73/MAPK2 on breast cancer progression.

RESULTS

CDC73 was abundantly expressed in breast cancer tissues and cell lines, and the expression of CDC73 was related to poor prognosis of patients. In breast cancer, CDC73 could promote the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, while disrupting apoptosis. Also, we found that CBL, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, could interact with CDC73 and promote MAPK1 ubiquitination and degradation of this protein. In addition, silencing MAPK1 led to a suppression of breast cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, and even abolished the promoting effects of CDC73 overexpression. We also found that mTOR pathway played a role in CDC73-mediated breast cancer. mTOR pathway inhibitor reversed cell phenotypes induced by CDC73 overexpression.

CONCLUSION

CDC73 promoted MAPK1 ubiquitination and degradation so that affected MAPK1 level and subsequently led to breast cancer progression, providing a novel therapeutic strategy to combat cancer.

Functional identification of ANR genes in apple (Malus halliana) that reduce saline-alkali stress tolerance

As one of the major abiotic stresses restricting the development of global agriculture, saline-alkali stress causes osmotic stress, ion poisoning, ROS damage and high pH damage, which seriously restrict sustainable development of fruit industry. Therefore, it is essential to develop and cultivate saline-alkali-resistant apple rootstocks to improve the yield and quality of apples in China. Based on transcriptome data, MhANR (LOC114827797), which is significantly induced by saline-alkali stress, was cloned from Malus halliana. The physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships and cis-acting elements were analysed. Subsequently, the tolerance of MhANR overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana, tobacco, and apple calli to saline-alkali stress was verified through genetic transformation. Transgenic plants contained less Chl a, Chl b and proline, SOD, POD and CAT activity, and higher relative electrical conductivity (REC) compared to WT plants under saline-alkali stress. In addition, expression of saline-alkali stress-related genes in overexpressed apple calli were also lower than in WT calli, including the antioxidant genes (MhSOD and MhCAT^), the Na+ transporter genes (MhCAX5, MhCAX5, MhSOS1, MhALT1), and the H+ -ATPase genes (MhAHA2 and MhAHA8), while expression of the K+ transporter genes (MhSKOR and MhNHX4) were higher. Expression of MhANR reduced tolerance of A. thaliana, tobacco, and apple calli to saline-alkali stress by regulating osmoregulatory substances, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and expression of saline-alkali stress-related genes. This research provides a theoretical basis for cultivating apple rootstocks with effective saline-alkali stress tolerance.

A novel bivalent anti-c-MET/PD-1 bispecific antibody exhibits potent cytotoxicity against c-MET/PD-L1-positive colorectal cancer

Previously, we generated a novel bispecific antibody (BsAb) simultaneously targeting both c-MET and PD-1 (PDCD1), which can bridge T cells and c-MET positive tumor cells. However, the specific mechanisms and antitumor activities of the BsAb against c-MET/PD-L1 (CD274) positive colorectal cancer (CRC) is not completely understood. In this study, in addition to the tumor intrinsic mechanism investigation with molecular biology assay in vitro, a humanized mouse model was used to evaluate antitumor activity of the BsAb in vivo. The BsAb could inhibit c-MET/PD-L1+ CRC cell migration and show strong antitumor activity against HCT116 tumors in mice, potentially by inducing the degradation of c-MET protein in a dose and time-dependent manner. The BsAb could suppress the phosphorylation of c-MET downstream proteins GRB2-associated-binding protein 1 (Gab1) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Considering the tumor extrinsic mechanism, the BsAb may promote phagocytosis of macrophage. Furthermore, the level of plasma exosomal-c-MET/PD-L1 is able to distinguish CRC patients from healthy controls. In summary, the BsAb exhibited potent anti-tumor activities by two distinguished mechanisms: inhibition of c-MET signal transduction and promotion of macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. Our BsAb may provide a novel therapeutic agent for patients with c-MET/PD-L1+ CRC, and the status of exosomal-c-MET/PD-L1 can serve as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to treatment of our BsAb.

Radiotherapy Effect on Long-Term Net Survival Benefit for Early-Stage Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

It is controversial whether to add consolidative radiotherapy (RT) after chemoimmunotherapy in the first-line treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This study aimed to investigate the long-term net survival benefit of RT for early-stage DLBCL in the rituximab era.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The data of 10,841 adult patients with early-stage DLBCL from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2002 and 2015 were extracted and analyzed. The patients had received combined modality treatment (CMT, chemotherapy plus RT) or chemotherapy alone. Linear regression analysis was performed for RT utilization by year of diagnosis. Competing risk analysis was used to evaluate the cumulative incidence of mortality according to the cause of death. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance the distribution of covariates between treatment arms. Relative survival (RS), standardized mortality ratio (SMR), and transformed Cox regression were performed to estimate the net survival benefit of RT by controlling for background mortality.

RESULTS

Linear regression revealed that the slope of the best-fit line for RT utilization over time was negative between 2002 and 2015 (m = -0.006, P = 0.003). A total of 4,648 deaths were recorded among 10,841 patients; 55.6% were lymphoma-related death (LRD), and 44.4% were attributed to other causes. Patients initially treated with CMT had a lower cumulative incidence of LRD than chemotherapy alone (HR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.57-0.69; P < 0.001). The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate of 66.1%, RS rate of 85.0%, and SMR of 1.71 achieved with CMT were significantly better than chemotherapy alone (OS, 53.0%; RS, 69.8%; SMR, 2.62; P < 0.001). By IPTW and multivariable analysis, the addition of RT remained associated with better OS (HR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.62-0.71; P < 0.001) and RS (HR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.65-0.74; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

RT was associated with better long-term net survival in patients with early-stage DLBCL in the rituximab era.

Observation of New Ω_{c}^{0} States Decaying to the Ξ_{c}^{+}K^{-} Final State

Two new excited states, Ω_{c}(3185)^{0} and Ω_{c}(3327)^{0}, are observed in the Ξ_{c}^{+}K^{-} invariant-mass spectrum using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. Five previously observed excited Ω_{c}^{0} states are confirmed, namely Ω_{c}(3000)^{0}, Ω_{c}(3050)^{0}, Ω_{c}(3065)^{0}, Ω_{c}(3090)^{0}, and Ω_{c}(3119)^{0}. The masses and widths of these seven states are measured with the highest precision to date.

Evidence of a J/ψK_{S}^{0} Structure in B^{0}→J/ψϕK_{S}^{0} Decays

An amplitude analysis of B^{0}→J/ψϕK_{S}^{0} decays is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. Evidence with a significance of 4.0 standard deviations of a structure in the J/ψK_{S}^{0} system, named T_{ψs1}^{θ}(4000)^{0}, is seen, with its mass and width measured to be 3991_{-10}^{+12} _{-17}^{+9}  MeV/c^{2} and 105_{-25}^{+29} _{-23}^{+17}  MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The T_{ψs1}^{θ}(4000)^{0} state is likely to be the isospin partner of the T_{ψs1}^{θ}(4000)^{+} state, previously observed in the J/ψK^{+} system of the B^{+}→J/ψϕK^{+} decay. When isospin symmetry for the charged and neutral T_{ψs1}^{θ}(4000) states is assumed, the signal significance increases to 5.4 standard deviations.

[Analysis of the 1-year curative efficacy of sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in patients with super obesity]

Objective: To evaluate the 1-year postoperative efficacy of four bariatric procedures, namely sleeve gastrectomy (SG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S), and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) for treating super obesity. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the clinical data of 40 patients with super obesity (body mass index [BMI]≥50 kg/m2) who had undergone bariatric surgery in the China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from November 2015 to December 2020. The study cohort consisted of 21 men and 19 women of average age 31.7±9.0 years. The preoperative weight and BMI were (159.2±16.9) kg and (53.4±3.0) kg/m2, respectively. Prior to the surgery, 30 individuals had hypertension, 27 hyperuricemia, 15 type 2 diabetes, 10 abnormally high total cholesterol, 20 abnormally high triglycerides, and 24 abnormally high low-density lipoprotein. We divided the participants into four groups according to the type of operation: SG group (n=16), RYGB group (n=9), SADI-S group (n=9) and BPD/DS group (n=6). We examined the following factors: weight, BMI, excess weight loss (%), total weight loss (%), and remission of preoperative metabolic diseases (including hypertension, hyperuricemia, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia) 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The variables assessed for hypertension were systolic and diastolic blood pressure; for type 2 diabetes, glycated hemoglobin; and for hyperlipidemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein 1-year after the surgery. The safety of surgery was also assessed. Results: All patients successfully completed laparoscopic procedures, none of them requiring conversion to laparotomy. The amount of blood loss during surgery was less than 50 mL. Postoperative hospital stay was 6-16 days. There were no deaths during the perioperative period. However, two postoperative complications occurred in the RYGB group, namely bleeding and anastomotic leakage. No complications were detected in the other groups. At 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, percentage of excess weight loss was 36.6±11.0, 62.4±15.7, and 68.2±16.0 (F=21.830, P<0.001) in the SG group; 30.6±6.9, 42.5±5.8, and 50.6±11.1 (F=13.222, P<0.001) in the RYGB group; 39.7±7.8, 54.6±12.7, and 81.9±12.0 (F=33.821, P<0.001) in the SADI-S group; and 40.2±4.8, 57.7±11.8, and 82.8±14.9 (F=21.552, P<0.001), respectively, in the BPD/DS group. The percentage of excess weight loss increased significantly over the 12-month observation period in all groups . Compared with before surgery, hypertension and hyperuricemia in the SG, SADI-S, and BPD-DS groups showed significant improvement after one year (all P<0.05). However, only the SADI-S group exhibited a significant decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations (P=0.038). Only the BPD-DS group showed significant decreases in various indicators of hyperlipidemia (all P<0.05). The improvements in obesity-related complication indexes did not reach statistical significance in the RYGB group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: SG, RYGB, SADI-S and BPD/DS are all safe and effective treatments for super obesity. All of these procedures can improve the associated metabolic diseases to a certain extent.

[Application value of DNA damage repair variants in adjuvant therapy of triple negative breast cancer]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between adjuvant chemotherapy with platinum-containing regimens and DNA damage repair (DDR) defects in early-stage triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and to provide a basis for precise treatment of TNBC. Methods: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing was performed on postoperative breast cancer specimens selected from the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 2009 to October 2015 to analyze the correlation between DDR gene variants and the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy with TNBC platinum-containing regimens, and thus to screen the superior population for adjuvant chemotherapy with TNBC platinum-containing regimens. The study used t-test, χ(2) test, Fisher's exact test, rank sum test and multifactorial logistic analysis to assess the associations between mutated genes and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis, and Log-rank test and Cox proportional risk model were used for survival and correlation analysis. Results: NGS results were successfully obtained in 149 patients (74 in the platinum-containing group and 75 in the platinum-free group), with a 97.3% (145/149) DDR gene mutation rate and a median number of 4 mutations in all patients. 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 85.4% and 75.0% for patients with DDR gene mutations and DDR gene wild-type, respectively, without statistical difference (P=0.825). The 5-year DFS rates of patients with homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway mutation were 84.6% in platinum-containing (TCb) group and 84.9% in platinum-free (EC-T) group (P=0.554), respectively. The 5-year DFS rates of patients with and without mutations in the platinite-containing HRR pathway were 84.9% and 85.0%, respectively (P=0.751). The number of DDR pathways with mutations and the number of DDR gene mutations were not associated with prognosis (both P>0.05). PIK3CA mutation patients in TCb group had a worse prognosis than wild-type patients (5-year DFS were 71.4% and 88.1%, P=0.037), and KMT2D mutation patients in EC-T group had a worse prognosis than wild-type patients (5-year DFS were 76.9% and 86.8%, P=0.039). Conclusions: DDR gene variation is common in TNBC, more clinical studies are needed to prove whether DDR variation can serve as effective biomarkers for treatment with platinum.

Search for Λ[over ¯]-Λ Baryon-Number-Violating Oscillations in the Decay J/ψ→pK^{-}Λ[over ¯]+c.c

We report on the first search for Λ[over ¯]-Λ oscillations in the decay J/ψ→pK^{-}Λ[over ¯]+c.c. by analyzing 1.31×10^{9}  J/ψ events accumulated with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The J/ψ events are produced using e^{+}e^{-} collisions at a center of mass energy sqrt[s]=3.097  GeV. No evidence for hyperon oscillations is observed. The upper limit for the oscillation rate of Λ[over ¯] to Λ hyperons is determined to be P(Λ)=[B(J/ψ→pK^{-}Λ+c.c.)/B(J/ψ→pK^{-}Λ[over ¯]+c.c.)]<4.4×10^{-6} corresponding to an oscillation parameter δm_{ΛΛ[over ¯]} of less than 3.8×10^{-18}  GeV at the 90% confidence level.

Measurement of the Dependence of the Hadron Production Fraction Ratios f_{s}/f_{u} and f_{d}/f_{u} on B Meson Kinematic Variables in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The dependence of the ratio between the B_{s}^{0} and B^{+} hadron production fractions, f_{s}/f_{u}, on the transverse momentum (p_{T}) and rapidity of the B mesons is studied using the decay channels B_{s}^{0}→J/ψϕ and B^{+}→J/ψK^{+}. The analysis uses a data sample of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment in 2018 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 61.6  fb^{-1}. The f_{s}/f_{u} ratio is observed to depend on the B p_{T} and to be consistent with becoming asymptotically constant at large p_{T}. No rapidity dependence is observed. The ratio of the B^{0} to B^{+} meson production fractions, f_{d}/f_{u}, is also measured, for the first time in proton-proton collisions, using the B^{0}→J/ψK^{*0} decay channel. The result is found to be within 1 standard deviation of unity and independent of p_{T} and rapidity, as expected from isospin invariance.

Measurement of the Ratios of Branching Fractions R(D^{*}) and R(D^{0})

The ratios of branching fractions R(D^{*})≡B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}) and R(D^{0})≡B(B^{-}→D^{0}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B^{-}→D^{0}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}) are measured, assuming isospin symmetry, using a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The tau lepton is identified in the decay mode τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν_{τ}ν[over ¯]_{μ}. The measured values are R(D^{*})=0.281±0.018±0.024 and R(D^{0})=0.441±0.060±0.066, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The correlation between these measurements is ρ=-0.43. The results are consistent with the current average of these quantities and are at a combined 1.9 standard deviations from the predictions based on lepton flavor universality in the standard model.

[Humanized anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody as a salvage therapy for steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of humanized anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody for steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (SR-aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients. Methods: A total of 64 patients with SR-aGVHD between June 2019 and October 2020 in Suchow Hopes Hematology Hospital were enrolled in this study. Humanized anti-CD25 monoclonal antibodies 1 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) were administered on days 1, 3, and 8, and then once per week according to the disease progression. Efficacy was assessed at days 7, 14, and 28 after humanized anti-CD 25 treatment. Results: Of the 64 patients with a median age of 31 (15-63) years, 38 (59.4%) were male and 26 (40.6%) were female. The overall response (OR) rate of the humanized CD25 monoclonal antibody in 64 patients with SR-aGVHD on days 7, 14, and 28 were 48.4% (31/64), 53.1% (34/64), and 79.7% (51/64), respectively. Liver involvement is an independent risk factor for poor efficacy of humanized CD25 monoclonal antibody for SR-aGVHD at day 28 (OR=9.588, 95% CI 0.004-0.291, P=0.002). The median follow-up time for all patients was 17.1 (0.2-50.8) months from the start of humanized CD25 monoclonal antibody therapy. The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 63.2% (95% CI 57.1% -69.3%) and 52.6% (95% CI 46.1% -59.1%), respectively. The 1- and 2-year DFS rates were 58.4% (95% CI 52.1% -64.7%) and 49.8% (95% CI 43.4% -56.2%), respectively. The 1- and 2-year NRM rates were 28.8% (95% CI 23.1% -34.5%) and 32.9% (95% CI 26.8% -39.0%), respectively. The results of the multifactorial analysis showed that liver involvement (OR=0.308, 95% CI 0.108-0.876, P=0.027) and GVHD grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ (OR=9.438, 95% CI 1.211-73.577, P=0.032) were independent risk factors for OS. Conclusion: Humanized CD25 monoclonal antibody has good efficacy and safety for SR-aGVHD. This study shows that SR-aGVHD with pretreatment grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ GVHD and GVHD involving the liver has poor efficacy and prognosis and requires early intervention.

[Application of intraoperative optical coherence tomography in deep lamellar keratoplasty]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical application value of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using the big-bubble technique to bare Descemet's membrane. Methods: Retrospective case series. Clinical data of 92 patients (92 eyes) with monocular stromal corneal diseases who underwent big-bubble DALK in the Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from January 2020 to August 2021 were collected. There were 53 males and 39 females. The average age was (53.2±16.0) years old. All patients underwent iOCT scanning to determine the location and depth of the injection needle after initial removal of the corneal lesion, to observe the integrity of the recipient bed, Descemet's membrane, after complete lesion removal, and to observe the adhesion between the corneal graft and the recipient bed and check folds on the recipient bed after suturing of the corneal graft. The intraoperative perforation of Descemet's membrane, postoperative thickness of the cornea and the recipient bed, visual acuity, and corneal astigmatism were recorded. Results: By iOCT, the thickness of the recipient bed was found to be about 1/2 of the corneal thickness and relatively uniform in all directions in 62 eyes (67.4%), so the sterile air was injected from the center of the recipient bed to separate it from the stromal layer. In 30 eyes (32.6%) with an uneven thickness of the recipient bed, the sterile air was injected from the paracentral area of the recipient bed. Under the guidance of iOCT scanning, 89 eyes (96.7%) did not experience any perforation of Descemet's membrane during surgery. The Descemet's membrane folds in the central 5-mm area of the recipient bed was observed and flattened in 20 eyes with the assistance of iOCT scanning. The postoperative corneal thickness was (578.95±108.26) μm, and the recipient bed thickness was (36.06±23.11) μm. The best corrected visual acuity of all patients at 6 months after surgery was 0.57±0.25 logMAR, which was significantly better than that before surgery (1.61±1.27 logMAR; P<0.001). The average corneal astigmatism at 6 months after surgery was (2.72±2.44) diopters. Conclusions: The application of iOCT scanning in DALK surgery assisted by the big-bubble method can provide safe guidance for surgeons to adopt correct surgical procedures, decrease the risk of Descemet's membrane perforation, reduce the recipient bed folds, and facilitate corneal interlayer adhesion, thereby improving the visual prognosis.

[Cognition, attitude and abuse tendency for new type drugs and influencing factors in middle school students in Hainan Province]

Objective: To investigate the cognition, attitude, abuse tendency for new type drugs and influencing factors in middle school students in Hainan Province, and evaluate the effect of health education about drug use prevention in teenagers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design and stratified cluster random sampling method were used to select 36 middle schools in Hainan to conduct an anonymous questionnaire survey in students of all grades. The estimated sample size was 1 680.The information collected by the questionnaire included students' basic information, attitude to new drugs, abuse tendency and acceptance of prevention education. EpiData 3.1 software was used for data entry and sorting, and SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 45 919 students were surveyed, averagely, they knew 2.87 kinds of new type drugs. The students' cognition of traditional drugs was higher than that of new type drugs. Friends or close friends using new type drugs, the low cognition level of new drug types were the risk factor for new type drug abuse. The acceptance rate of health education against drug use was 90.33% (41 480/45 919), and averagely, the students participated in 3.36 kinds of health education activities against drug abuse. The main channel for the students to acquire anti-drug knowledge was anti-drug lectures (80.00%, 33 186/41 480). Conclusions: Middle school students have low cognition level of new type drugs in Hainan. Health education can effectively curb the tendency of substance abuse in Hainan Province. It is necessary to further improve the health education activities in aspects of stage, form and timeliness to help more students to recognize the harm of drugs.

Search for Exotic Higgs Boson Decays H→AA→4γ with Events Containing Two Merged Diphotons in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

We present the first direct search for exotic Higgs boson decays H→AA, A→γγ in events with two photonlike objects. The hypothetical particle A is a low-mass spin-0 particle decaying promptly to a merged diphoton reconstructed as a single photonlike object. We analyze the data collected by the CMS experiment at sqrt[s]=13  TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 136  fb^{-1}. No excess above the estimated background is found. We set upper limits on the branching fraction B(H→AA→4γ) of (0.9-3.3)×10^{-3} at 95% confidence level for masses of A in the range 0.1-1.2 GeV.

[Development and validation of a prognostic prediction model for patients with stage Ⅰ to Ⅲ colon cancer incorporating high-risk pathological features]

Objective: To examine a predictive model that incorporating high risk pathological factors for the prognosis of stage Ⅰ to Ⅲ colon cancer. Methods: This study retrospectively collected clinicopathological information and survival outcomes of stage Ⅰ~Ⅲ colon cancer patients who underwent curative surgery in 7 tertiary hospitals in China from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017. A total of 1 650 patients were enrolled, aged (M(IQR)) 62 (18) years (range: 14 to 100). There were 963 males and 687 females. The median follow-up period was 51 months. The Cox proportional hazardous regression model was utilized to select high-risk pathological factors, establish the nomogram and scoring system. The Bootstrap resampling method was utilized for internal validation of the model, the concordance index (C-index) was used to assess discrimination and calibration curves were presented to assess model calibration. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves after risk grouping, and Cox regression was used to compare disease-free survival between subgroups. Results: Age (HR=1.020, 95%CI: 1.008 to 1.033, P=0.001), T stage (T3:HR=1.995,95%CI:1.062 to 3.750,P=0.032;T4:HR=4.196, 95%CI: 2.188 to 8.045, P<0.01), N stage (N1: HR=1.834, 95%CI: 1.307 to 2.574, P<0.01; N2: HR=3.970, 95%CI: 2.724 to 5.787, P<0.01) and number of lymph nodes examined (≥36: HR=0.438, 95%CI: 0.242 to 0.790, P=0.006) were independently associated with disease-free survival. The C-index of the scoring model (model 1) based on age, T stage, N stage, and dichotomous variables of the lymph nodes examined (<12 and ≥12) was 0.723, and the C-index of the scoring model (model 2) based on age, T stage, N stage, and multi-categorical variables of the lymph nodes examined (<12, 12 to <24, 24 to <36, and ≥36) was 0.726. A scoring system was established based on age, T stage, N stage, and multi-categorical variables of lymph nodes examined, the 3-year DFS of the low-risk (≤1), middle-risk (2 to 4) and high-risk (≥5) group were 96.3% (n=711), 89.0% (n=626) and 71.4% (n=313), respectively. Statistically significant difference was observed among groups (P<0.01). Conclusions: The number of lymph nodes examined was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival after curative surgery in patients with stage Ⅰ to Ⅲ colon cancer. Incorporating the number of lymph nodes examined as a multi-categorical variable into the T and N staging system could improve prognostic predictive validity.

Measurement of the Time-Integrated CP Asymmetry in D^{0}→K^{-}K^{+} Decays

The time-integrated CP asymmetry in the Cabibbo-suppressed decay D^{0}→K^{-}K^{+} is measured using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.7  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the LHCb detector. The D^{0} mesons are required to originate from promptly produced D^{*+}→D^{0}π^{+} decays, and the charge of the companion pion is used to determine the flavor of the charm meson at production. The time-integrated CP asymmetry is measured to be A_{CP}(K^{-}K^{+})=[6.8±5.4±1.6]×10^{-4} where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The direct CP asymmetries in D^{0}→K^{-}K^{+} and D^{0}→π^{-}π^{+} decays, a_{K^{-}K^{+}}^{d} and a_{π^{-}π^{+}}^{d}, are derived by combining A_{CP}(K^{-}K^{+}) with the time-integrated CP asymmetry difference, ΔA_{CP}=A_{CP}(K^{-}K^{+})-A_{CP}(π^{-}π^{+}), and other inputs, giving a_{K^{-}K^{+}}^{d}=(7.7±5.7)×10^{-4},a_{π^{-}π^{+}}^{d}=(23.2±6.1)×10^{-4},with a correlation coefficient corresponding to ρ=0.88. The compatibility of these results with CP symmetry is 1.4 and 3.8 standard deviations for D^{0}→K^{-}K^{+} and D^{0}→π^{-}π^{+} decays, respectively. This is the first evidence for direct CP violation in a specific D^{0} decay.

Effects of dietary essential oil supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, and intestinal tight junctions of broilers with or without Eimeria challenge

The effects of dietary supplementation of essential oil on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, serum antioxidant capacity, and intestinal tight junctions of broilers with or without Eimeria challenge were investigated. A total of 576 one-day-old male broilers were randomly separated into 8 treatments (6 replication floor-pens per treatment, 12 broilers per pen) in a 4 × 2 factorial design. The 4 diets consisted of 1) a corn and soybean meal basal diet, 2) an anticoccidial diet (60 g nicarbazin and 60 g narasin per ton of feed), 3) an oregano oil diet (500 ppm oregano oil), and 4) a clove oil diet (500 ppm clove oil). On d 10, half chicks were challenged with 1 × 104 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella, E. acervulina, and E. maxima per chick, whereas the others were inoculated with an equal amount of dilution (0.5 mL). The Eimeria challenge induced a higher fecal oocyst output on d 18, a lower duodenum Occludin expression level on d 28, a lower serum catalase level, and a higher cook loss and protein loss in thigh muscle on d 42. The anticoccidial diet lowered fecal Eimeria output and increased d 1 to 42 BW gain as compared to the control diet. The clove oil treatment enhanced duodenum ZO-1 expression level in nonchallenged birds, increased BW gain from d 1 to 14 and breast yield on d 42. The oregano oil treatment enhanced ZO-1 expression of challenged birds, reduced feed intake from 15 to 28 d, and helped broilers gain more tender meat. For those Eimeria-challenged broilers, both clove and oregano oil treatments recovered drip loss in breast muscle. Our results suggested that Eimeria challenge in broiler early age could interrupt later serum antioxidant capacity and damage meat quality. The dietary supplementation of clove or oregano essential oils could improve broiler growth performance and partially relieve the coccidial damage in gut integrity and meat quality.

Burden and trends of iodine deficiency in Asia from 1990 to 2019

OBJECTIVES

Understanding iodine deficiency (ID) burdens and trends in Asia can help guide effective intervention strategies. This study aims to report the incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of ID in 48 Asian countries during the period 1990-2019.

STUDY DESIGN

Data on ID were retrieved from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 and estimated by age, sex, geographical region, and sociodemographic index (SDI).

METHODS

The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to evaluate the changing trend of age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) related to ID during the period 1990-2019.

RESULTS

In Asia, there were 126,983,965.8 cases with 5,466,213.1 new incidence and 1,765,995.5 DALYs of ID in 2019. Between 1999 and 2019, the EAPC in ASIR, ASPR and ASDR were -0.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.8 to -0.4), -0.9 (95% CI, -1.2 to -0.7), and -1.6 (95% CI, -1.8 to -1.5), respectively. Malaysia charted the largest decrease in ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR (82.4%, 85.3%, and 80.9% separately), whereas the Philippines and Pakistan were the only two countries that witnessed an increase in ASIR and ASPR. ID burdens were more pronounced in women, countries located to the south of the Himalayas, and low-middle SDI regions.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence, prevalence, and DALYs of ID in Asia substantially decreased from 1990 to 2019. Women and low-middle SDI countries have relatively high ID burdens. Governments need to pay constant attention to the implementation and monitoring of universal salt iodization.

Observation of Same-Sign WW Production from Double Parton Scattering in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The first observation of the production of W^{±}W^{±} bosons from double parton scattering processes using same-sign electron-muon and dimuon events in proton-proton collisions is reported. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1} recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV using the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. Multivariate discriminants are used to distinguish the signal process from the main backgrounds. A binned maximum likelihood fit is performed to extract the signal cross section. The measured cross section for production of same-sign W bosons decaying leptonically is 80.7±11.2(stat) _{-8.6}^{+9.5}(syst)±12.1(model)  fb, whereas the measured fiducial cross section is 6.28±0.81(stat)±0.69(syst)±0.37(model)  fb. The observed significance of the signal is 6.2 standard deviations above the background-only hypothesis.

Effects of adverse childhood experiences on the Charlson comorbidity index in US adults

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this article was to explore the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and to provide valuable information for public health professionals and policymakers to improve quality of life and reduce mortality.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data pooled from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

METHODS

This study involved 102,393 US adult participants from the 2020 BRFSS. The zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) and mixed graphical model (MGM) models were used to explore the effect of ACEs on CCI and the interaction between ACEs.

RESULTS

In the count part of the model (CCI ≥0), sexual abuse had the strongest association with CCI (relative risk [RR] = 1.111, P < 0.001). In the logit part of the model (CCI = 0), the likelihood of having CCI equal to 0 decreased by 23.0% for household substance abuse, which was the highest percentage decrease for all ACEs. Compared to those with ACE scores equal to 0, individuals with ACE scores ≥4 have an expected CCI RR of 1.222, and the likelihood of having CCI equal to 0 decreased by 50.2%. Household substance abuse and incarceration history in the home had the strongest association among interactions of ACEs (0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Associations between ACEs and CCI were observed in this study, and these associations differed between genders. The findings of this study provide data to design strategies for disease prevention and improvement of quality of life.

Cloning, expression, purification and functional study of low-temperature chitinase PBCHI5 gene from marine-derived photobacteria

BACKGROUND

Chitin is the second largest carbon source on the earth, and chitosan oligosaccharides produced by its degradation have good application prospects in medicine, cosmetics, and agricultural production.

OBJECTIVE

The discovery of a chitinase with high efficiency, high stability and clear degradation mechanism is of great help to promote the research of chitin derivatives and the development of the industrial chain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experiment, a low-temperature chitinase-producing strain Photobacterium sp. LG-29 was isolated from deep-sea mud in the Bohai Sea, and studied by means of molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics.

RESULTS

Purification of chitinase yielded an enzyme solution with a concentration of 0.918 mg per mL and a specific activity of 21.036 U per mg. The optimum action temperature is 35 degree C, and it is still active at 4 degree C, showing low-temperature enzymatic activity, and also has certain thermal stability. The optimum pH is 8.0, and it maintains more than 70% of the enzyme activity at pH 11, which is very stable in an alkaline environment. Mn2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ are the main activators of enzymes, while Fe2+, Zn2+, etc. have extremely significant inhibitory effects on enzymes. The Km and Kcat of chitinase were determined to be 269.05 μmol/L and 0.49 min-1, respectively. Chitinase PbCHI5 has both endonuclease and exonuclease activity. The theoretical pI of the enzyme is 4.16, which is a stable hydrophilic protein.

CONCLUSION

This experiment laid a theoretical foundation for the development and utilization of new low-temperature chitinases. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23510110212.

Open versus Closed technique for administration of heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): Morbidity and Mortality outcomes from a high-volume centre

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an established treatment in selected patients with peritoneal metastases, delivered in the UK in specialist centres. HIPEC can be administered via the open coliseum technique as first described by Sugarbaker (O-HIPEC) or using a closed technique (C-HIPEC). Data comparing the safety and outcomes of these different approaches is limited. This study aims to compare morbidity and mortality rates of O-HIPEC and C-HIPEC following CRS for peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer and appendiceal tumours.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing CRS with open (05/2019-04/2020) and closed (05/2020-04/2021) HIPEC were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Baseline data including primary pathology, HIPEC agent and major operative procedures were analysed using Chi-squared and Fishers exact tests to ensure comparability of groups. Primary outcomes were 30- and 60-day postoperative mortality and morbidity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, CTCAE). Secondary outcomes were length of critical care and overall hospital stay. In addition, morbidity and mortality were compared between HIPEC agents (mitomycin and oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil).

RESULTS

99 patients (39.3%) and 153 patients (60.7%) underwent O-HIPEC, C-HIPEC respectively. Groups were well matched for baseline demographics, pathology, and HIPEC agent. In the O-HIPEC and C-HIPEC groups respectively, the incidence of 60-day complications (CTCAE 1-4) was 40.4% vs 39.3% (chi squared 0.94) and severe complications (CTCAE 3-4) 14% vs 13% (Fisher's exact p = 1) There was no perioperative mortality but one death in each group within the follow up period. There was no difference in morbidity or mortality between those receiving mitomycin or oxaliplatin.

CONCLUSION

Closed administration of HIPEC is safe with no difference in post-operative morbidity or mortality compared to open HIPEC administration. Differences in longer term oncological outcomes including overall survival and disease-free survival between open and closed HIPEC techniques are yet to be determined.

Observation of the Rare Decay of the η Meson to Four Muons

A search for the rare η→μ^{+}μ^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} double-Dalitz decay is performed using a sample of proton-proton collisions, collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC with high-rate muon triggers during 2017 and 2018 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101  fb^{-1}. A signal having a statistical significance well in excess of 5 standard deviations is observed. Using the η→μ^{+}μ^{-} decay as normalization, the branching fraction B(η→μ^{+}μ^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-})=[5.0±0.8(stat)±0.7(syst)±0.7(B_{2μ})]×10^{-9} is measured, where the last term is the uncertainty in the normalization channel branching fraction. This work achieves an improved precision of over 5 orders of magnitude compared to previous results, leading to the first measurement of this branching fraction, which is found to agree with theoretical predictions.

Measurement of the Branching Fractions B(B^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯]) and B(B_{s}^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯])

Searches for the rare hadronic decays B^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯] and B_{s}^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯] are performed using proton-proton collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. Significances of 9.3σ and 4.0σ, including statistical and systematic uncertainties, are obtained for the B^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯] and B_{s}^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯] signals, respectively. The branching fractions are measured relative to the topologically similar normalization decays B^{0}→J/ψ(→pp[over ¯])K^{*0}(→K^{+}π^{-}) and B_{s}^{0}→J/ψ(→pp[over ¯])⁢ϕ(→K^{+}K^{-}). The branching fractions are measured to be B(B^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯])=(2.2±0.4±0.1±0.1)×10^{-8} and B(B_{s}^{0}→pp[over ¯]pp[over ¯])=(2.3±1.0±0.2±0.1)×10^{-8}. In these measurements, the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third one is due to the external branching fraction of the normalization channel.

[Dose-dense paclitaxel plus carboplatin in combination with trastuzumab neoadjuvant versus standard adjuvant therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive and hormone receptor negative breast cancer: a prospective cohort study]

Objective: To provide survival evidence of anthracycline-free neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) positive and hormone receptor (HR) negative breast cancer. Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Medical Oncology of Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Patients with HER-2 positive and HR negative breast cancer in stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ were enrolled to receive neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) of dose-dense paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) plus carboplatin (AUC=4.0) biweekly for 6 cycles in combination with trastuzumab (PCbH), and matched patients who received standard adjuvant therapy of physicians' choice were recruited for survival and safety comparison. Results: From July 2013 to November 2019, 166 patients were included (neoadjuvant 51, adjuvant 115). Compared with those who received adjuvant therapy, patients receiving NAT were younger (<35 years: 19.6% vs 5.2%, P=0.014), had larger tumors (T3: 62.7% vs 7.8%, P<0.001) and more advanced diseases (stage ⅡA: 2.0% vs 41.7%, P<0.001). Patients in the neoadjuvant group all received surgery, and 96 (83.5%) in the adjuvant group received anthracycline-and-taxane-containing regimens. A total of 98 patients (49 pairs) were matched, and the covariates between the two groups were acceptably balanced. Within a median follow-up of 46.5 (range, 14-87) months, the 4-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate among patients who received NAT was 73.3% (95% CI: 59.0%-87.6%), versus 80.6% (95% CI: 67.9%-93.3%) among those in the adjuvant group without statistical difference (P=0.418). A similar result was observed for the 4-year overall survival (OS) [neoadjuvant versus adjuvant: 91.5% (95% CI: 81.7%-100.0%) vs 97.8% (95% CI: 93.5%-100.0%), P=0.314]. Compared with standard adjuvant therapy, PCbH was related to less neutropenia and better cardiac safety. Conclusions: These results support the consideration of anthracycline-free neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with anti-HER-2 therapy for patients with stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ HER-2-positive and HR-negative breast cancer. Optimized regimens with both efficacy and safety are needed and to be further investigated.

[Evaluation of spinopelvic alignment according to Roussouly classification can predict the occurrence of adjacent segment disease after lumbar fusion]

Objective: To investigate the correlation of spinopelvic alignment according to Roussouly classification on the occurrence of adjacent segment disease (ASD) in the patients undergoing fusion surgery for lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study. Clinical data of 166 consecutive patients who had undergone lumbar fusion between January 2009 and January 2019 in the Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University were retrospectively reviewed. There were 59 males and 107 females, with an average age of (58.6±9.5) years (ranged 41-78 years). Fusion length averagely spanned (1.7±0.7) levels (ranged 1-3 levels). The patients were classified by both "theoretical" (based on pelvic incidence (PI)) and "current"(based on sacral slope (SS)) Roussouly types. The patients were classified as "matched" if their "current" shape matched the "theoretical" type and otherwise as "unmatched". Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the variables recruited from univariate analyses was performed to identify the factors independently associated with the development of ASD after lumbar fusion. Results: The average follow-up duration after initial surgery was (49.2±20.7) months (ranged 25 to 134 months). Thirty (18.1%, 30/166) patients were diagnosed as ASD. Postoperatively, two thirds of the patients who suffered ASD after surgery were unmatched, while 36.8% (50/136) of the patients without ASD had unmatched type. Univariate analyses showed that older age, more fusion levels, float fusion, pre-and postoperative worse spinopelvic alignment, and postoperative unmatched Roussouly type were identified as risk factors of ASD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified postoperative Roussouly type mismatch (OR=3.310, 95%CI: 1.282-8.545, P=0.013), old age (OR=1.074, 95%CI: 1.019-1.131, P=0.008) and postoperative SS (OR=0.928, 95%CI: 0.865-0.995, P=0.036) as the independent risk factors of development of ASD after lumbar fusion. Conclusion: A significant association between postoperative sagittal malalignment and occurrence of ASD is detected, the evaluation of sagittal alignment by Roussouly classification could help predict the occurrence of ASD.

Measurements of jet multiplicity and jet transverse momentum in multijet events in proton-proton collisions at s=13TeV

Multijet events at large transverse momentum (p T ) are measured at s = 13 Te V using data recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.3 fb - 1 . The multiplicity of jets with p T > 50 Ge V that are produced in association with a high-p T dijet system is measured in various ranges of the p T of the jet with the highest transverse momentum and as a function of the azimuthal angle difference Δ ϕ 1 , 2 between the two highest p T jets in the dijet system. The differential production cross sections are measured as a function of the transverse momenta of the four highest p T jets. The measurements are compared with leading and next-to-leading order matrix element calculations supplemented with simulations of parton shower, hadronization, and multiparton interactions. In addition, the measurements are compared with next-to-leading order matrix element calculations combined with transverse-momentum dependent parton densities and transverse-momentum dependent parton shower.

[Notch1 inhibits the mechanistic role of STING signaling to regulate hepatocyte lipophagy in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis]

Objective: To study the mechanistic role of myeloid-specific Notch1 knockout inhibiting STING signaling to regulate hepatocyte lipophagy. Methods: A mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was established using a high-fat diet (HFD) and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Primary hepatocytes were isolated to construct a co-culture system. Twelve Notch1(FL/FL) mice were randomly divided into two groups: the Notch1(FL/FL) + normal diet (NCD) and the Notch1(FL/FL) + HFD group. Further, 12 Notch1(M-KO) mice were randomly divided into two groups: Notch1(M-KO) + NCD, and Notch1(M-KO) + HFD group.Serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were collected from mice serum samples. Liver tissue samples were collected for H&E staining, immunofluorescence (IF), Western blot and qRT-PCR. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was detected in the supernatant by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The comparison of inter group data was conducted using a t-test. Results: The mouse NASH model, mouse BMMs co-culture system, and primary hepatocytes were successfully constructed. Compared with the Notch1(FL/FL) + HFD group, the Notch1(M-KO) + HFD group showed a significant increase in serum ALT [(250.02 ± 58.21) U/L vs (370.70 ± 54.57) U/L, t = 3.705, P = 0.004], TG [(29.90 ± 3.54) mg/g vs (43.83 ± 8.56) mg/g, t = 3.685, P = 0.004], and TC [(33.70 ± 8.43) mg/g vs (90.53 ± 12.53) mg/g, t = 9.917, P < 0.001]. HE staining of liver tissue showed remarkable balloon-like alterations in liver cells, while IF staining demonstrated increased macrophage infiltration (t = 7.346, P < 0.001). Compared with the hepatocyte group co-cultured with Notch1(FL/FL) BMMs, the BODIPY probe showed a significant increase in lipid droplet (LDs) deposition in liver cells in the Notch1(M-KO) group (t = 3.835, P < 0.001). The co-localization of lysosomal associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1), LDs (t = 7.103, P < 0.001), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) -II/LC3-I (t = 5.0, P = 0.007), and autophagy associated gene 12 (Atg12) (t = 28.36, P < 0.001) had decreased expression, while P-62 had increased expression (t = 3.253, P = 0.03), indicating a decrease in autophagic flow. Additionally, LC3 and LDs colocalization decreased (t = 5.24, P = 0.0003), indicating reduced lipophagy. Compared with the Notch1(FL/FL) group, the Notch1(M-KO) BMMS mouse group showed an increase in the expression of p-STING (t = 5.318, P = 0.006), p-TANK1 binding kinase 1 (TKB1) (t = 6.467, P = 0.002), p-interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) (t = 14.61, P < 0.001), and p-P65 (t = 12.7, P = 0.002) protein, accompanied by mRNA expression of the inflammatory mediators interferon (IFN)-β (t = 7.978, P < 0.001), TNFα (t = 8.496, P = 0.001), interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) (t = 4.7, P < 0.001), and CXCL-10 (t = 4.428, P = 0.001). The STING gene was knocked out in the BMMs Notch1(M-KO) mice using CRISPR/Cas9. Compared with the CRISPR-Control group, the expression of P-TKB1 (t = 2.909, P = 0.044), p-IRF3 (t = 10.96, P < 0.001), p-IRF3 (t = 10.96, P < 0.001), and p-P65 (t = 7.091, P = 0.002) proteins was lower in the STING-KO BMMs group. The release of TNF-α in the supernatant was decreased (732.3 ± 129.35 pg/ml vs. 398.17 ± 47.15 pg/ml, t = 4.204, P = 0.014). However, in hepatocytes co-cultured with STING-KO BMMs, LC3-II/LC3-I (t = 7.546, P = 0.001) increased, p-62 (t = 10.96, P < 0.001) expression decreased, autophagic flow increased, and the colocalization of LC3 and LDs increased, lipophagy increased, and LDs deposition decreased. Conclusion: Myeloid-specific Notch1 knockout can activate macrophages STING signaling, increase the expression of inflammatory mediator genes, inhibit the occurrence of autophagy flow and lipophagy in hepatocyte cells, and aggravate LDs deposition and NASH progression.

Observation of a Resonant Structure near the D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-} Threshold in the B^{+}→D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-}K^{+} Decay

An amplitude analysis of the B^{+}→D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-}K^{+} decay is carried out to study for the first time its intermediate resonant contributions, using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. A near-threshold peaking structure, referred to as X(3960), is observed in the D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-} invariant-mass spectrum with significance greater than 12 standard deviations. The mass, width, and the quantum numbers of the structure are measured to be 3956±5±10  MeV, 43±13±8  MeV, and J^{PC}=0^{++}, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The properties of the new structure are consistent with recent theoretical predictions for a state composed of cc[over ¯]ss[over ¯] quarks. Evidence for an additional structure is found around 4140 MeV in the D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-} invariant mass, which might be caused either by a new resonance with the 0^{++} assignment or by a J/ψϕ↔D_{s}^{+}D_{s}^{-} coupled-channel effect.

Strong Constraints on Jet Quenching in Centrality-Dependent p+Pb Collisions at 5.02 TeV from ATLAS

Jet quenching is the process of color-charged partons losing energy via interactions with quark-gluon plasma droplets created in heavy-ion collisions. The collective expansion of such droplets is well described by viscous hydrodynamics. Similar evidence of collectivity is consistently observed in smaller collision systems, including pp and p+Pb collisions. In contrast, while jet quenching is observed in Pb+Pb collisions, no evidence has been found in these small systems to date, raising fundamental questions about the nature of the system created in these collisions. The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider has measured the yield of charged hadrons correlated with reconstructed jets in 0.36  nb^{-1} of p+Pb and 3.6  pb^{-1} of pp collisions at 5.02 TeV. The yields of charged hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>0.5  GeV near and opposite in azimuth to jets with p_{T}^{jet}>30 or 60 GeV, and the ratios of these yields between p+Pb and pp collisions, I_{pPb}, are reported. The collision centrality of p+Pb events is categorized by the energy deposited by forward neutrons from the struck nucleus. The I_{pPb} values are consistent with unity within a few percent for hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>4  GeV at all centralities. These data provide new, strong constraints that preclude almost any parton energy loss in central p+Pb collisions.

Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons in Decays of W Bosons Using a Dilepton Displaced Vertex in sqrt[s]=13 TeV pp Collisions with the ATLAS Detector

A search for a long-lived, heavy neutral lepton (N) in 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV pp collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is reported. The N is produced via W→Nμ or W→Ne and decays into two charged leptons and a neutrino, forming a displaced vertex. The N mass is used to discriminate between signal and background. No signal is observed, and limits are set on the squared mixing parameters of the N with the left-handed neutrino states for the N mass range 3  GeV Collapse

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Azimuthal correlations in Z +jets events in proton-proton collisions at s=13TeV

The production of Z bosons associated with jets is measured in pp collisions at s = 13 Te V with data recorded with the CMS experiment at the LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.3fb - 1 . The multiplicity of jets with transverse momentum p T > 30 Ge V is measured for different regions of the Z boson's p T ( Z ) , from lower than 10Ge V to higher than 100Ge V . The azimuthal correlation Δ ϕ between the Z boson and the leading jet, as well as the correlations between the two leading jets are measured in three regions of p T ( Z ) . The measurements are compared with several predictions at leading and next-to-leading orders, interfaced with parton showers. Predictions based on transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions and corresponding parton showers give a good description of the measurement in the regions where multiple parton interactions and higher jet multiplicities are not important. The effects of multiple parton interactions are shown to be important to correctly describe the measured spectra in the low p T ( Z ) regions.

Search for Higgs Boson Decay to a Charm Quark-Antiquark Pair in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to a charm quark-antiquark pair, H→cc[over ¯], produced in association with a leptonically decaying V (W or Z) boson is presented. The search is performed with proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV collected by the CMS experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1}. Novel charm jet identification and analysis methods using machine learning techniques are employed. The analysis is validated by searching for Z→cc[over ¯] in VZ events, leading to its first observation at a hadron collider with a significance of 5.7 standard deviations. The observed (expected) upper limit on σ(VH)B(H→cc[over ¯]) is 0.94 (0.50_{-0.15}^{+0.22})pb at 95% confidence level (C.L.), corresponding to 14 (7.6_{-2.3}^{+3.4}) times the standard model prediction. For the Higgs-charm Yukawa coupling modifier, κ_{c}, the observed (expected) 95% C.L. interval is 1.1<|κ_{c}|<5.5 (|κ_{c}|<3.4), the most stringent constraint to date.

Test of CP Invariance in Higgs Boson Vector-Boson-Fusion Production Using the H→γγ Channel with the ATLAS Detector

A test of CP invariance in Higgs boson production via vector-boson fusion has been performed in the H→γγ channel using 139  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The optimal observable method is used to probe the CP structure of interactions between the Higgs boson and electroweak gauge bosons, as described by an effective field theory. No sign of CP violation is observed in the data. Constraints are set on the parameters describing the strength of the CP-odd component in the coupling between the Higgs boson and the electroweak gauge bosons in two effective field theory bases: d[over ˜] in the HISZ basis and c_{HW[over ˜]} in the Warsaw basis. The results presented are the most stringent constraints on CP violation in the coupling between Higgs and weak bosons. The 95% C.L. constraint on d[over ˜] is derived for the first time and the 95% C.L. constraint on c_{HW[over ˜]} has been improved by a factor of 5 compared to the previous measurement.