[Analysis on identification and traceability of one non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae from a patient with diabetic foot in Hainan province]

There is a rare case of an elderly diabetic with diabetic foot infection at Hainan General Hospital in September 2021, which was diagnosed as Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection incidentally on routine culture with conventional methods and molecular biological approaches, to aid in diagnosis in clinical practice. Owing to smear staining, Albert staining and VITEK 2 system, automated identification systems viz matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) confirmed combing with 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene has been used for the taxonomic classification of bacteria. Otherwise, toxin gene tox was done for diphtheria toxin synthesis. The isolate was Gram-stain-positive, rod-like arrangement with irregular thickness, with characteristic metachromatic granules, ferment most sugars and homology of 16S rRNA analyses with C. diphtheriae NCTC11397^T (MW682323.1) was greater than a 100% possibility, toxin gene tox was negative. The findings lay the foundation to clinical identify and trace of non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae. Moreover, this work provides insights into the non-toxigenic C.diphtheriae that contribute to recognized risk of non-toxigenic C.diphtheriae infections.

[A case-control study on the relationship between DNA methylation and occupational noise hearing loss]

Objective: To explore the relationship between DNA methylation and occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. People with hearing loss induced by occupational noise were recruited as the case group and those with normal hearing but still exposed to occupational noise were recruited as the control group. A total of 60 participants were included, of which 30 participants were in the case group and 30 in the control group. The methylation level was detected by 850k genome-wide DNA methylation chip technology. The significance of differential methylated position (DMP) was tested by R-packet 'Champ'. The differential methylated region (DMR) was analyzed by using Champ's Bumphunter algorithm. Cluster profiler was used to analyze the gene list for GO and KEGG pathway enrichment. Results: There was significant difference between two groups in binaural high-frequency average hearing threshold (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in age, smoking, drinking, hypertension, physical exercise and cumulative noise exposure. The results of DMP and DMR analysis showed that 713875 sites were detected in the case group and the control group, and 439 methylation sites with significant difference, accounting for 0.06%; 650 regions were detected, and 72 methylation regions with significant differences, accounting for 11.08%. Compared with the control group, the results of GO enrichment analysis showed that the case group had statistically significant differences in four pathways: axogenesis of projection neurons in the central nervous system, neuronal development in the central nervous system, axogenesis of neurons in the central nervous system and neuronal differentiation in the central nervous system. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that there were significant differences in sphingolipid metabolism, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway between the case group and the control group. Conclusion: The occurrence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss may be related to the regulation of gene expression related to axogenesis of projection neurons in the central nervous system, development of neurons in the central nervous system, axogenesis of neurons in the central nervous system, differentiation of neurons in the central nervous system, sphingolipid metabolism, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, primary bile acid biosynthesis and gene methylation related to metabolism.

Antimicrobial mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine and reversal of drug resistance: a narrative review

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, the extensive use of antibiotics worldwide has led to an increase in the number of drug-resistant bacterial strains, thus resulting in an increasingly severe degree of bacterial resistance. For thousands of years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has provided natural and unique advantages in the treatment of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is important to develop further and use TCM to treat clinical infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. The articles were analyzed to extract information on the antimicrobial effects of Chinese herbal medicines, compounded Chinese medicines, monomeric compounds of herbal origin, and the combined use of Chinese medicine and antimicrobial drugs and to determine the synergistic effect of the combination of Chinese medicine and antibiotics, as well as investigate the possibility of restoring the antibiotic sensitivity of drug-resistant strains.

RESULTS

The mechanisms underlying the antibacterial properties of TCM involve altering membrane permeability, inhibiting protein and nucleic acid synthesis, inhibiting enzyme activity in vivo, and controlling the ability of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the mechanism underlying TCM-induced reversal of bacterial drug resistance is discussed, particularly in terms of the elimination of resistant (R) plasmids and the inhibition of extended-spectrum β-lactamases, bacterial biofilm formation, and bacterial efflux pump activity.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper reviewed the recent relevant literature on antimicrobial action and its mechanisms, as well as the mechanisms of drug resistance reversal by TCM to provide a reference for clinical drug use, prevention and control of bacterial infection, and research and development of new drugs.

[Differential diagnosis and management of hemangioma at geniculate ganglion]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, differential diagnosis, treatments and prognosis of facial nerve hemangioma and schwannoma at genicular ganglion, so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatments of facial nerve tumor at genicular ganglion. Methods: Clinical data of 13 patients with facial nerve tumors at genicular ganglion confirmed by postoperative pathology in the Ninth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from March 2018 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including seven cases of hemangioma and six cases of schwannoma. There were eight males and five females. Their ages ranged from 20 to 65, with an average age of 40. The course of disease ranged from 3 to 118 months, with an average of 52 months. All the patients underwent preoperative HRCT of the temporal bone and facial nerve dynamic contrast-enhanced(DCE) MRI examinations. All the patients had detailed surgical procedures and at least one-year postoperative follow-up. Results: On HRCT of the temporal bone, (4/7) hemangioma at geniculate ganglion showed characteristic honeycomb appearance, while 6/6 schwannoma and 3/7 hemangiomas showed expansive bone changes. On DCE-MRI, geniculate ganglion hemangioma (7/7) showed characteristic "point-to-surface" enhancement, and schwannoma (6/6) showed characteristic "face-to-surface" enhancement. For five hemangioma-patients with HB-Ⅱ-Ⅳ before surgery, the facial nerve anatomy was completely preserved through transcanal endoscopic approach(TEA), and the facial nerve function improved one year after surgery (two cases of HB-I, two cases of HB-Ⅱ, and one case of HB-Ⅲ). For two patients, with preoperative facial nerve function HB-Ⅴ-Ⅵ, since their tumors was inseparable from the nerves, they were performed with facial nerve anastomosis during the surgery, and the facial nerve function was improved to HB-Ⅳ level one year after surgery. For six patients with meningioma whose facial nerve function was greater than or equal to HB-Ⅲ, based on the preoperative hearing level, the involved segments, and duration of facial paralysis, three of them were conducted surgeries through middle cranial fossa approach, one by translabyrinthine approach, and one via mastoid approach. Two patients among them with complete facial paralysis over three years preoperatively were not performed facial nerve anastomosis after total resections of the tumors, and there was no improvement in facial nerve function one year after surgery. Three patients underwent facial nerve anastomosis after total tumor resections, and their facial nerve function was HB-Ⅲ in one patient, HB-Ⅳ in two patients one year after surgery. One patient (preoperative HB-Ⅲ) had a normal hearing level preoperatively, and the tumor involved the labyrinth segment. To protect the hearing, partial tumor was resected through the middle cranial fossa approach, and facial nerve function improved to HB-Ⅱ one year after surgery. Conclusions: Temporal bone HRCT combined with DCE-MRI are useful for the differential diagnosis of hemangioma and schwannoma at geniculate ganglion and provide references for preoperative clinical decision makings. It is extremely necessary to select the appropriate surgical approach based on the patient's hearing and involved segments. For geniculate ganglion hemangioma, early surgery can improve the possibilities of anatomical integrity of facial nerve, thereby improving facial nerve function postoperatively.TEA is a kind of surgical method worth consideration, with the characteristics of minimally invasive, favorable postoperative features, and so on. For schwannoma, one-stage functional reconstruction of the facial nerve is recommended during the resection of the tumors because of the inevitable damage to the anatomical integrity of the facial nerve.

O-247 Seminal Plasma Exposomics and Male Reproductive Parameters

Study question

What novel environmental exposures found in seminal plasma, as individual metabolites and concurrent exposure patterns, are associated with poor male reproductive parameters?

Summary answer

Seminal plasma levels of etridiazole, diethyl phthalate, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are negatively associated with semen parameters.

What is known already

Numerous environmental exposures have been linked to poor male reproductive markers, but they have typically examined only a limited set of exposures in the urine, which may not be accurate representation of the chemical burden in tissue and do not holistically consider a large range of potential concurrent exposures.

Study design, size, duration

This cross-sectional study included 100 heterosexual couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment at a Tertiary University Affiliated Medical Center. Semen samples were collected and fractionated to separate sperm (outcome measurement) and seminal plasma (exposomics analysis).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Semen parameters were assessed for sperm concentration (millions/mL), percent motility, and total motile sperm (millions/mL). Using a novel QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged, and safe) based extraction method, targeted and untargeted organic pollutant exposures were measured from 500uL of seminal plasma using a Thermo Q Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer. We used linear regression, principal component pursuit (PCP), and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) to estimate the associations of organic pollutants with semen parameters.

Main results and the role of chance

We identified 118 known chemicals in seminal plasma from the targeted panel of organic pollutants. Using an exposome-wide association approach, we modeled each exposure with the outcome individually and found that etriadizole, a common pesticide, was negatively associated with total motile sperm (p &lt; 0.001), concentration (p = 0.002), and percent motility (p = 0.04). Using PCP, a machine learning pattern recognition approach, we derived a low-rank matrix with one major principal component. This principal component was primarily loaded by one phthalate (diethyl phthalate) and three PAHs (anthracene, pyrene, phenanthrene) and was associated with lower total sperm (p = 0.03) and percent motility (p = 0.05) in linear regression models. BKMR results confirmed that as an overall mixture, these four pollutants were negatively associated with percent motility, although anthracene was not an important component of the mixture effect. Furthermore, BKMR models showed that other PAHs did not confound or modify the impact of diethyl phthalate, pyrene, and phenanthrene.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Our sample only included 100 men and larger studies are necessary to confirm the associations identified by this investigation. Furthermore, this current analysis only included a limited number of targeted chemicals and future studies should examine untargeted features as well.

Wider implications of the findings

To our knowledge, our study is the first to assess a large set of seminal plasma exposures and their relation to semen parameters. Although the biological mechanism(s) underlying the observed associations are unknown, we identified novel associations. Thus, future investigations using broad exposomic approaches in seminal plasma is warranted.

Trial registration number

PGA 2102 Environmental Health Fund Israel

[Status of HVPG clinical application in China in 2021]

Objective: The investigation and research on the application status of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) is very important to understand the real situation and future development of this technology in China. Methods: This study comprehensively investigated the basic situation of HVPG technology in China, including hospital distribution, hospital level, annual number of cases, catheters used, average cost, indications and existing problems. Results: According to the survey, there were 70 hospitals in China carrying out HVPG technology in 2021, distributed in 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central Government). A total of 4 398 cases of HVPG were performed in all the surveyed hospitals in 2021, of which 2 291 cases (52.1%) were tested by HVPG alone. The average cost of HVPG detection was (5 617.2±2 079.4) yuan. 96.3% of the teams completed HVPG detection with balloon method, and most of the teams used thrombectomy balloon catheter (80.3%). Conclusion: Through this investigation, the status of domestic clinical application of HVPG has been clarified, and it has been confirmed that many domestic medical institutions have mastered this technology, but it still needs to continue to promote and popularize HVPG technology in the future.

Study of the doubly charmed tetraquark [Formula: see text]

Quantum chromodynamics, the theory of the strong force, describes interactions of coloured quarks and gluons and the formation of hadronic matter. Conventional hadronic matter consists of baryons and mesons made of three quarks and quark-antiquark pairs, respectively. Particles with an alternative quark content are known as exotic states. Here a study is reported of an exotic narrow state in the D0D0π+ mass spectrum just below the D*+D0 mass threshold produced in proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The state is consistent with the ground isoscalar [Formula: see text] tetraquark with a quark content of [Formula: see text] and spin-parity quantum numbers JP = 1+. Study of the DD mass spectra disfavours interpretation of the resonance as the isovector state. The decay structure via intermediate off-shell D*+ mesons is consistent with the observed D0π+ mass distribution. To analyse the mass of the resonance and its coupling to the D*D system, a dedicated model is developed under the assumption of an isoscalar axial-vector [Formula: see text] state decaying to the D*D channel. Using this model, resonance parameters including the pole position, scattering length, effective range and compositeness are determined to reveal important information about the nature of the [Formula: see text] state. In addition, an unexpected dependence of the production rate on track multiplicity is observed.

Properties of Daily Helium Fluxes

We present the precision measurement of 2824 daily helium fluxes in cosmic rays from May 20, 2011 to October 29, 2019 in the rigidity interval from 1.71 to 100 GV based on 7.6×10^{8} helium nuclei collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. The helium flux and the helium to proton flux ratio exhibit variations on multiple timescales. In nearly all the time intervals from 2014 to 2018, we observed recurrent helium flux variations with a period of 27 days. Shorter periods of 9 days and 13.5 days are observed in 2016. The strength of all three periodicities changes with time and rigidity. In the entire time period, we found that below ∼7  GV the helium flux exhibits larger time variations than the proton flux, and above ∼7  GV the helium to proton flux ratio is time independent. Remarkably, below 2.4 GV a hysteresis between the helium to proton flux ratio and the helium flux was observed at greater than the 7σ level. This shows that at low rigidity the modulation of the helium to proton flux ratio is different before and after the solar maximum in 2014.

SMYD2 aggravates gastrointestinal stromal tumor via upregulation of EZH2 and downregulation of TET1

SMYD2, as an oncogene, has been involved in multiple types of cancer, but the potential role of SMYD2 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) remains enigmatic and requires further investigation. Hence, this study was conducted with the main objective of analyzing the effect of SMYD2 on GIST. GIST and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 46 patients with GIST where the expression of EZH2, SMYD2, and TET1 was determined, followed by the analysis of their interactions. The functional role of SMYD2 in cell biological functions was determined using a loss-of-function assay in GIST-T1 cells. Nude mouse xenograft experiments were performed to verify the role of the SMYD2/EZH2/TET1 axis in GIST in vivo. EZH2 was upregulated in GIST tissues and cell lines, which was positively correlated with SMYD2 expression and inversely correlated with TET1 expression in GIST tissues. EZH2 silencing due to SMYD2 inhibition reduced GIST-T1 cell proliferation and accelerated cell senescence. EZH2 repressed TET1 expression by promoting H3K27me3 methylation in the TET1 promoter region. TET1 inhibition reversed the effect of EZH2 silencing on the biological functions of GIST-T1 cells. In vivo data further revealed the promoting effect of SMYD2 on the progression of GIST by regulating the EZH2/TET1 axis. Overall, this study demonstrates that SMYD2 can increase EZH2 expression while suppressing TET1 expression, thus accelerating GIST, and creating new treatment opportunities for GIST.

Angular Analysis of D^{0}→π^{+}π^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} and D^{0}→K^{+}K^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decays and Search for CP Violation

The first full angular analysis and an updated measurement of the decay-rate CP asymmetry of the D^{0}→π^{+}π^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} and D^{0}→K^{+}K^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} decays are reported. The analysis uses proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. The full set of CP -averaged angular observables and their CP asymmetries are measured as a function of the dimuon invariant mass. The results are consistent with expectations from the standard model and with CP symmetry.

AB0076 DOES HELICOBACTER PYLORI HAVE AN IMPACT ON RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of not completely defined pathogenesis. A growing body of studies shows that microbiota may be a critical environmental trigger in the development of RA. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a common human pathogenic bacterium and is associated with multiple autoimmune diseases. However, the role of H.pylori in RA is far less well understood.

Objectives

The study aims to investigate the impact of Hp on RA.

Methods

We recruited 81 RA patients (disease duration >1 year) in this study, and all patients met the 2010 ACR/EULAR diagnostic criteria. They were divided into two groups depending on their infection status: the Hp-uninfected group (9 male, 33 female) and the Hp-infected group (10 male, 29 female). C-reactive protein (CRP), Rheumatoid factor (RF), and Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) were measured in serum of patients for assessing disease severity.

Results

The results, as shown in Figure 1, indicated that the serological levels of CRP (P=0.004), RF (P=0.0004), and ACPA (P=0.009) were significantly elevated in the Hp-positive group compared to the Hp-negative group.

Figure 1.

The serological levels of CRP (A), RF (B), and ACPA (C) in two groups. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001.

Conclusion

Hp-positive RA patients present with higher levels serological of CRP, RF, and ACPA, which suggested that Hp infection could influence the disease progression or severity of RA. Thus, further research is required to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of Helicobacter pylori in rheumatic diseases.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

The effect of edaravone combined with DL-3-N-butylphthalide on the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-10, neuron-specific enolase and effect in patients with acute cerebral infarction

This study observed the effects of edaravone combined with Dl-3-N-butylphthalide (NBP) on the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and its therapeutic effect in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI). The purpose of this study was to explore whether edaravone combined with NBP could improve the neurological function of patients with ACI. A total of 86 patients with ACI were enrolled in this study; 43 patients were randomly assigned to the control group and treated with edaravone only, while the other 43 patients were assigned to the intervention group and treated with a combination of edaravone and NBP. The course of treatment lasted 14 days, and the basic drug treatment was the same in both groups. The effective rate of activity of daily living scores (ADL) was significantly higher in the intervention than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After the treatment had been administered, the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores of the two groups were lower than before the treatment, and the scores were lower in the intervention compared with the control group; the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After the treatment had been administered, the serum levels of TNF-α and NSE were significantly lower in the intervention than in the control group, and the serum IL-10 level was significantly higher in the intervention than in the control group; the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Edaravone combined with NBP improved the neurological function of patients with ACI, improved their quality of life, significantly decreased the serum levels of TNF-a and NSE, increased the serum IL-10 level, and had a better effect. This combination therapy method can be adopted in clinics to treat patients with ACI.

Effects of household environmental exposure and ventilation in association with adverse birth outcomes: A prospective cohort study in rural China

Prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollution have been associated with birth outcomes. However, there is limited evidence on the adverse effects of household indoor air pollution worldwide, much less in rural areas of China. This study aimed to explore the associations of household environmental factors (primary cooking fuel, housing renovation, and home ventilation) with four adverse birth outcomes (preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), and term low birth weight (T-LBW)). We conducted a cohort study involving 10,324 pregnancies in women who delivered a live-born infant from 2015 to 2018 in Guangxi, China. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated with control for reproductive history, lifestyle, home environmental confounders, and other potential confounders. A total of 5.4% of the infants were PTB, 10.7% were SGA, 5.5% had LBW, and 3.0% had T-LBW. Household-use induction cookers as the primary cooking fuel during pregnancy was associated with SGA (RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07-1.60), LBW (1.41, 1.09-1.82), and T-LBW(1.62, 1.16-2.26), as compared with household-use gas as the primary cooking fuel. Housing renovation within one year before pregnancy was associated with PTB (1.45, 1.06-1.98) and LBW (1.56, 1.17-2.09), while housing renovation during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of SGA only in moderate home ventilation conditions (3.74, 1.69-8.28). Our findings suggested that household-use induction cookers as the primary cooking fuel increased the risks of SGA, LBW, and T-LBW. In addition, housing renovation within one year before pregnancy increased the risks of PTB and LBW. Proper home ventilation may reduce the effect on the association between housing renovation during pregnancy and SGA.

[m7G-lncRNAs are potential biomarkers for prognosis and tumor microenvironment in patients with colon cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of m⁷G-lncRNAs in predicting the prognosis and microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

We screened m⁷G-lncRNAs from TCGA to construct an m⁷G-lncRNAs risk model using multivariate Cox analysis, which was validated using ROC and C-index curves. Calibration and nomogram were used to predict the prognosis of CRC patients. Point-bar charts and K-M survival curves were used to assess the correlation of risk scores with the patients' clinical staging and prognosis. CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE were used to explore the association between the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration in patients in high and low risk groups and the correlation of risk scores with microsatellite instability, stem cell index and immune checkpoint expression. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and the key targets regulated by m⁷G-lncRNAs were identified and validated in paired samples of CRC and adjacent tissues by immunoblotting.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 1722 m⁷G-lncRNAs from TCGA database, from which 12 lncRNAs were screened to construct the risk model. The AUCs of the risk model for predicting survival outcomes at 1, 3 and 5 years were 0.727, 0.747 and 0.794, respectively. The AUC of the nomogram for predicting prognosis was 0.794, and the predicted results were consistent with actual survival outcomes of the patients. The patients in the high-risk group showed more advanced tumor stages and a greater likelihood of high microsatellite instability than those in the low-risk group (P < 0.05). The tumor stemness index was negatively correlated with the risk score (r=-0.19; P=7.3e-05). Patients in the high-risk group had higher stromal cell scores (P=0.0028) and higher total scores (P=0.007) with lowered expressions of activated mast cells (r=-0.11; P=0.045) and resting CD4+ T cells (r=-0.14; P=0.01) and increased expressions of most immune checkpoints (P < 0.05). ATXN2 (P= 0.006) and G3BP1 (P=0.007) were identified as the key targets regulated by m⁷G-lncRNAs, and their expressions were both higher in CRC than in adjacent tissues.

CONCLUSION

The risk model based on 12 m⁷G-lncRNAs has important prognostic value for CRC and can reflect the microenvironment and the efficacy of immunotherapy in the patients.

The Effects of Dual-Task Training on Cognitive and Physical Functions in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment; A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Individuals with Alzheimer disease and dementia experience cognitive decline and reduction in physical capabilities. Engaging in cognitive challenges and physical exercises is effective in reducing age-related cognitive and physical decline. It is believed that physical activity in the context of cognitive challenges might enhance the process of neurogenesis in the adult brain, but how effective are such interventions? Is there enough evidence to support that dual-task training is more effective than cognitive or physical training alone? To what extent can such training improve cognitive and physical functions in patients at various stages of cognitive decline?

METHODOLOGY

This systematic review with meta-analysis summarizes the emerging evidence of dual-task training for enhancing cognitive and physical functions in older individuals with cognitive impairment, dementia or Alzheimer's disease. A systematic search was carried out in MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library with the following search terms: randomized control trials, dual-task training, SCD, MCI, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies with 2,221 participants were identified. The results of dual-task tanning intervention are summarized as change in global cognitive function; SMD = 0.24, (P= 0.002), memory; SMD = 0.28, (P = 0.000), executive function; SMD = 0.35, (P = 0.000), attention; SMD = -0.19, (P = 0.1), gait speed; SMD = 0.26, (P = 0.007), dual-task cost; SMD 0.56, (P = 0.000), and balance; SMD 0.36, (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Primary analysis showed a small-to-medium positive effect of dual-task training interventions on cognitive functions and medium-to-large positive effect on gait functions and balance.

Tests of Lepton Universality Using B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} and B^{+}→K^{*+}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} Decays

Tests of lepton universality in B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} and B^{+}→K^{*+}ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} decays where ℓ is either an electron or a muon are presented. The differential branching fractions of B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}e^{+}e^{-} and B^{+}→K^{*+}e^{+}e^{-} decays are measured in intervals of the dilepton invariant mass squared. The measurements are performed using proton-proton collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1} . The results are consistent with the standard model and previous tests of lepton universality in related decay modes. The first observation of B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}e^{+}e^{-} and B^{+}→K^{*+}e^{+}e^{-} decays is reported.

Observation of the Decay Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ}

The first observation of the semileptonic b-baryon decay Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ}, with a significance of 6.1σ, is reported using a data sample corresponding to 3  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity, collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV at the LHC. The τ^{-} lepton is reconstructed in the hadronic decay to three charged pions. The ratio K=B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}π^{-}π^{+}π^{-}) is measured to be 2.46±0.27±0.40, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The branching fraction B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})=(1.50±0.16±0.25±0.23)% is obtained, where the third uncertainty is from the external branching fraction of the normalization channel Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}π^{-}π^{+}π^{-}. The ratio of semileptonic branching fractions R(Λ_{c}^{+})≡B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}) is derived to be 0.242±0.026±0.040±0.059, where the external branching fraction uncertainty from the channel Λ_{b}^{0}→Λ_{c}^{+}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} contributes to the last term. This result is in agreement with the standard model prediction.