Effects of probiotic and Bidens pilosa on the performance and gut health of chicken during induced Eimeria tenella infection

AIM

In this study, we have examined the individual and combined protective mechanism of probiotic and Bidens pilosa on the performance and gut health of chickens during Eimeria tenella infection over a 29-day experimental trial.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of one hundred and fifty 1-day-old chickens were equally distributed into five treatment groups with three biological replicates: two groups were allocated as control groups (control group untreated unchallenged, CG and control positive untreated challenged, CPG) and three groups were fed diets with probiotic (PG), B. pilosa (BPG) and probiotic + B. pilosa (PG + BPG) and challenged with E. tenella. Birds of all groups were assessed for pre and post-infection body weights, oocysts shedding, caecal lesion scores and mRNA expression levels of apoptosis related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3), antioxidant enzymes (CAT and SOD 1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) and tight junction proteins (CLDN 1 and ZO 1). Our results revealed that during infection (day 21-29), E. tenella challenged chickens significantly decreased the body weight compared with uninfected control chickens; however, there was no significant effect on body weight of chickens fed with probiotic, B. pilosa and probiotic + B. pilosa was observed. Eimeria tenella challenged untreated birds increased (P < 0·05) oocysts shedding, destructive ratio of caeca and mortality as compared to treated challenged birds. CPG group up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 while down-regulated the pro-apoptosis protein Bax relative to PG, BPG and PG + BPG groups. Moreover chickens fed probiotic, B. pilosa and probiotic + B. pilosa diets enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, pro-inflammatory cytokines and tight junction proteins with the comparison of control positive untreated challenged chickens.

CONCLUSION

These findings elaborated that feed supplementation of probiotic and B. pilosa (individually or in combination) appeared to be effective in inhibiting the occurrence of disease and decreasing the severity of Eimeria infection in chickens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study explained the underlying anti-coccidial mechanism in which probiotic and B. pilosa (individually and/or in combination) improve the performance of chicken and protect against gut inflammatory responses caused by E. tenella.

Characterization and identification of the major flavonoids in Phyllostachys edulis leaf extract by UPLC–QTOF–MS/MS

Phyllostachys edulis (PES), the most important bamboo species in China, is widely distributed in East Asia. Flavonoids, which are important bioactive natural compounds, often have similar structures, making their structural elucidation difficult. The aim of this study was to represent valuable, reliable mass spectral data for the identification of flavonoids in plant leaves. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–Q-TOF-MS/MS) method was established for characterization and identification of the major flavonoids in PES leaf extract. A total of 13 flavonoids were simultaneously characterized, and their proposed characteristic product ions and fragmentation pathways were investigated. Thirteen compounds were separated on an Agilent Zorbax RRHD SB-C18 column (150 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm). On the basis of comparing with the 4 reference standards and the literature data, the other 9 flavonoids were identified by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Eight compounds (compounds 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12) were found in PES leaves for the first time. An efficient UPLC–QTOF-MS/MS method was successfully applied for the structural identification of flavonoids in PES leaves. These results have practical applications for the rapid identification and structural characterization of these compounds in crude bioactive extracts or mixtures.

[Etiological analysis and short-term efficacy evaluation of acute liver failure in children]

Objective: To explore etiology, optimize the search direction of etiology, and short-term efficacy evaluation of acute liver failure in children. Methods: Children with acute liver failure who were diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2011 to November 2019 were collected. Gender difference, age, living environment, etiological factors on the seasonal onset and different etiological profile of short-term prognosis were statistically analyzed. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability method was used to compare the rate and the constituent ratio between groups. Results: Among the 236 cases, 114 (48.31%) had unknown etiology and 122 (51.69%) had definite etiology. In the definite etiology group, 38 (16.10%), 27 (11.44%), 22 (9.32%), 15 (6.36%), 17 (7.20%), and 3 (1.27%) cases were related to drugs/toxicants, infection, congenital/vascular/biliary diseases, genetic metabolic diseases, tumor-related, and autoimmune diseases. In addition, the overall etiological distribution did not change statistically with factors such as gender, age, and seasonal onset (P > 0.05), while the difference in different living environments was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Different initial-diagnosed departments had different etiological rates, with liver transplantation department being the highest (78.26%), and pediatrics department the lowest (26.09%). In 122 children with definite etiology, there was no significant difference in gender ratio between the different etiology groups (P>0.05), but there were significant differences in age, living environment and seasonal onset (P < 0.05). Among them, congenital development/vascular/biliary tract and infectivity were the main factors in children < 3 years old, and drug/toxin-related factors were the main factors in children > 3 years old. Most of the rural children had drug/toxin and infection-related etiology, while most of the urban children had tumor and drug/toxin-related etiology. In summer and autumn, drug/toxicant correlation was dominant, while in winter and spring, infection correlation was dominant. In the unknown etiology group, the clinical cure + improvement rate between the medical treatment group and the surgical treatment group was not statistically significant (37.50% vs. 20.00%, P > 0.05), while in the definite etiology group, the above differences were statistically significant (43.96% vs. 83.87%, P < 0.05). Among the different etiology groups, the congenital/vascular/biliary group had the best short-term efficacy (72.72%, 16/22), followed by the drug/toxicity-related group (60.53%, 23/38), and the tumor-related group had the worst (23.53%, 4/17). Conclusion: The definite etiology of acute liver failure in about half of children is still vague. The population distribution of children with definite etiology is related to age, living environment and season, but not to gender. However, the different ages, different living environments, and different seasonal onsets have definite etiology, and the short-term clinical efficacy of the treatment is significantly improved after the definite etiology is identified.

Observation of Enhanced Double Parton Scattering in Proton-Lead Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

A study of prompt charm-hadron pair production in proton-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 30  nb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb experiment. Production cross sections for different pairs of charm hadrons are measured and kinematic correlations between the two charm hadrons are investigated. This is the first measurement of associated production of two charm hadrons in proton-lead collisions. The results confirm the predicted enhancement of double parton scattering production in proton-lead collisions compared to the single parton scattering production.

Linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid inhibit conjugative transfer of an IncX4 plasmid carrying mcr-1

AIMS

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of unsaturated fatty acids on clinical plasmids.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) at final concentration 0, 0·03, 0·3 and 3 mmol l^-1 , respectively, were used to assess the effects on conjugative transfer of a mcr-1-harbouring plasmid pCSZ4 (IncX4) in conjugation experiment. The inhibitory mechanisms were analysed by molecular docking and the gene expression of virB11 was quantitated by qRT-PCR. Target plasmid diversity was carried out by TrwD/VirB11 homology protein sequence prediction analysis. Our results showed that LA and ALA inhibit plasmid pCSZ4 transfer by binding to the amino acid residues (Phe124 and Thr125) of VirB11 with dose-dependent effects. The expression levels of virB11 gene were also significantly inhibited by LA and ALA treatment. Protein homology analysis revealed a wide distribution of TrwD/VirB11-like genes among over 37 classes of plasmids originated from both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates representing a diversity of plasmids that may be potentially inhibited by unsaturated fatty acids.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our work reported here provides additional support for application of curbing the spread of multiple plasmids by unsaturated fatty acids.

Effect of atorvastatin on expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in stroke rats and its protective effect on brain

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at investigating the effect of atorvastatin on the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in brain tissue of stroke rats and its protective effect on brain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty SD rats were selected. The control group (n=20) was raised without treatment. MCAO was used in the experimental group (n=20) and model group (n=20) for stroke modeling. The experimental group was treated with atorvastatin intragastric administration, while the model group received no treatment. The blood lipid level was detected by a full-automatic biochemical analyzer. The expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB proteins were detected by Western-Blot (WB), and the mRNA expression of NF-κB and TLR4 in brain tissues was detected by real-time quantitative fluorescence (qtPCR). The neurological deficit score was performed.

RESULTS

TC, TG, LDL-C in blood lipid indexes of the experimental group and the model group were remarkably higher than those of control group, while HDL-C was remarkably lower than that of control group (p<0.05). After treatment, TC, TG, LDL-C in the experimental group gradually decreased, while HDL-C concentration gradually increased (p<0.05). The expression of TLR4 and NF-κB protein in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the model group (p<0.01) but significantly higher than that in the control group (p< 0.01). The expression of TLR4 and NF-κB mRAN in the experimental group was also considerably lower than that in the model group (p<0.01) but higher than that in the control group (p<0.01). After atorvastatin treatment, the neurological deficit score of the experimental group was remarkably lower than that of the model group (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Atorvastatin can effectively reduce the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in brain tissue of stroke rats, and has a certain protective effect on cerebral nerve function, which is expected to be the first choice for stroke treatment in the future.

Effects of alirocumab on carotid plaque lipid content and inflammation: a time course study using serial vessel wall imaging

Background

PCSK9 inhibition has emerged as a potent pharmaceutical approach to lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Monoclonal anti-PCSK9 antibodies have been shown in recent clinical trials to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Meanwhile, circulatory inflammation markers were not reduced with PCSK9 inhibitors, thus their effects on plaque inflammation remain elusive. Vessel wall imaging with magnetic resonance (VW-MRI) has enabled serial monitoring of changes in carotid plaque lipid content and inflammation noninvasively that correlates with coronary and carotid vascular events.

Purpose

Using serial VW-MRI, we studied the effects and time course of PCSK9 inhibition with alirocumab on carotid plaque lipid content and inflammation.

Methods

Patients with LDL-C ≥70 mg/dl on ≤70 mg per week atorvastatin or an equivalent (due to statin intolerance or treating-physician discretion) and soft carotid plaque(s) identified on ultrasound underwent carotid VW-MRI. Those with confirmed lipid-rich plaque(s) on VW-MRI received alirocumab (150 mg subcutaneously every other week) and were re-scanned at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Carotid VW-MRI included pre- and post-contrast images for measuring percent lipid-rich necrotic core volume (%LRNC) and dynamic contrast-enhanced images for measuring the extravasation rate of gadolinium contrast (Ktrans, reflecting tissue blood flow, endothelial surface area, and microvessel permeability), a marker of plaque inflammation. The co-primary endpoints were changes in %LRNC and Ktrans at 12 months from baseline.

Results

Of 31 patients enrolled, 27 completed the study (mean age: 69±9; male: 67%; on statins and/or ezetimibe: 41%; median LDL-C: 120 mg/dl [interquartile range: 99, 158]). Alirocumab induced a 59% reduction in LDL-C (p&lt;0.001) on average at 3 months to a median of 54 mg/dl (interquartile range: 29, 69), which was maintained at later time points. From 9.8% at baseline, %LRNC was progressively reduced to 8.4% at 3 months, 7.5% at 6 months, and 7.2% at 12 months, representing a rapid 14% reduction (p=0.032) at 3 months and a total reduction of 20% (p=0.019) at 12 months. From 0.07±0.02 min-1 at baseline, Ktrans was not reduced at 3 or 6 months but was significantly reduced by 17% (p=0.029) at 12 months to 0.06±0.02 min-1. No significant changes in lumen or wall area were observed during the study period.

Conclusions

Serial VW-MRI documented plaque-stabilizing effects of PCSK9 inhibition with alirocumab, including plaque delipidation and attenuation of plaque inflammation. The reduction in plaque lipid content was apparent as early as 3 months. The reduction in Ktrans was not seen until 12 months of treatment and may indicate a later effect on microvascular structure and/or function. This observation represents the earliest time course of plaque morphology modification by non-statin therapy reported to date.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): The study was funded by an investigator-initiated grant from Regeneron and Sanofi.

Traumatic fractures in China from 2012 to 2014: a National Survey of 512,187 individuals

The China National Fracture Study has been conducted to provide a national dataset of traumatic fractures across China. A national representative sample of 512,187 individuals was selected. The population-weighted incidence rates, distribution, injury mechanisms, and risk factors for traumatic fractures were identified for various groups of individuals.

INTRODUCTION

The China National Fracture Study (CNFS) has been conducted to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date national dataset of traumatic fractures across China. This study aims to report the national incidences and distributions of traumatic fractures that occurred in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and to analyze the risk factors.

METHODS

A national representative sample of individuals was selected from 24 rural counties and 24 urban cities of 8 provinces using stratified random sampling and the probability proportional to size (PPS) methodology. Participants were interviewed to identify whether they sustained traumatic fractures of the trunk and/or four extremities that had occurred in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The main risk factors associated with traumatic fractures were analyzed by multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 512,187 individuals, including 259,649 males and 252,538 females, participated in the CNFS. The population-weighted incidence rates of traumatic fractures in China were calculated to be 2.5 (95% CI, 2.2-2.8) per 1000 population in 2012, 2.8 (95% CI, 2.5-3.3) in 2013, and 3.2% (95% CI, 2.8-3.6) in 2014. The population-weighted incidence rates of fragility fractures among participants aged 65 years and older were calculated to be 27.4 (95% CI, 21.4-33.4) per 1000 population in 2012, 36.0 (95% CI, 28.6-43.5) in 2013, and 42.4 (95% CI, 34.9-49.9) in 2014. The most common cause of fracture was low-energy injuries, followed by traffic accidents. For all age groups, sleeping less than 7 h was a risk factor for traumatic fractures. Alcohol consumption and previous fracture history were identified as risk factors for adults aged 15 years and over. Cigarette smoking was found to be a risk factor for males aged 15-64 years old. For individuals aged 15-64 years old, underweight incurred a risk effect for males and overweight for females. Alcohol consumption, sleeping less than 7 h per day, living in the central and eastern regions, a body mass index less of than 18.5, and having a previous fracture history were identified as strong risk factors for fragility fractures.

CONCLUSION

The national incidence, distribution, and injury mechanisms for traumatic fractures were revealed in the CNFS. Risk factors were identified for various groups of individuals.

Robust performance of a novel stool DNA test of methylated SDC2 for colorectal cancer detection: a multicenter clinical study

Background and Aims

Stool DNA testing is an emerging and attractive option for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. We previously evaluated the feasibility of a stool DNA (sDNA) test of methylated SDC2 for CRC detection. The aim of this study was to assess its performance in a multicenter clinical trial setting.

Methods

Each participant was required to undergo a sDNA test and a reference colonoscopy. The sDNA test consists of quantitative assessment of methylation status of SDC2 promoter. Results of real-time quantitative methylation-specific PCR were dichotomized as positive and negative, and the main evaluation indexes were sensitivity, specificity, and kappa value. All sDNA tests were performed and analyzed independently of colonoscopy.

Results

Among the 1110 participants from three clinical sites analyzed, 359 and 38 were diagnosed, respectively, with CRC and advanced adenomas by colonoscopy. The sensitivity of the sDNA test was 301/359 (83.8%) for CRC, 16/38 (42.1%) for advanced adenomas, and 134/154 (87.0%) for early stage CRC (stage I–II). Detection rate did not vary significantly according to age, tumor location, differentiation, and TNM stage, except for gender. The follow-up testing of 40 postoperative patients with CRC returned negative results as their tumors had been surgically removed. The specificity of the sDNA test was 699/713 (98.0%), and unrelated cancers and diseases did not seem to interfere with the testing. The kappa value was 0.84, implying an excellent diagnostic consistency between the sDNA test and colonoscopy.

Conclusion

Noninvasive sDNA test using methylated SDC2 as the exclusive biomarker is a clinically viable and accurate CRC detection method.

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry

Chi-CTR-TRC-1900026409, retrospectively registered on October 8, 2019; http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=43888&htm=4.

Comparing nanoparticle polymeric micellar paclitaxel and solvent-based paclitaxel as first-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: an open-label, randomized, multicenter, phase III trial

BACKGROUND

Polymeric micellar paclitaxel (pm-Pac) is a novel Cremophor EL-free, nanoparticle micellar formulation of paclitaxel. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between pm-Pac plus cisplatin and solvent-based paclitaxel (sb-Pac) plus cisplatin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 448 stage IIIB to IV NSCLC patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive six 3-week cycles of either pm-Pac (230 mg/m²) plus cisplatin (70 mg/m²; n = 300), followed by dose escalation of pm-Pac to 300 mg/m² from the second 3-week cycle if prespecified toxic effects were not observed after the first cycle, or sb-Pac (175 mg/m²) plus cisplatin (70 mg/m²; n = 148). The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) assessed by independent review committees (IRCs). The secondary end points included IRC-assessed progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

Patients in the pm-Pac-plus-cisplatin group showed significant improvements in IRC-assessed ORR compared with those in the sb-Pac-plus-cisplatin group (50% versus 26%; rate ratio 1.91; P < 0.0001). Additionally, subgroup analysis showed that a higher ORR was consistently observed in both squamous and nonsquamous histological types. IRC-assessed median PFS was significantly higher in the pm-Pac-plus-cisplatin group than in the sb-Pac-plus-cisplatin group (6.4-month versus 5.3-month; hazard ratio 0.63; P = 0.0001). Median OS was not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence of treatment-related serious adverse events (9% versus 18%; P = 0.0090) was significantly lower in the pm-Pac-plus-cisplatin group than in the sb-Pac-plus-cisplatin group.

CONCLUSION

Pm-Pac plus cisplatin yielded superior ORR and PFS along with a favorable safety profile and should become an option for patients with advanced NSCLC.

CLINICAL TRIAL IDENTIFIER

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02667743; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02667743.

[Feasibility and perioperative safety of the combined procedure of catheter ablation and watchman left atrial appendage closure]

Objective: We aimed to explore the feasibility and perioperative safety of performing catheter ablation and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in a single (one-stop) session in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This study is an observational study. Consecutive AF patients who underwent the combined procedure of catheter ablation and LAAC with Watchman device of Xinhua Hospital in Shanghai between March 2017 and May 2019 were prospectively enrolled. Baseline, intra-and peri-procedural parameters were evaluated. Results: A total of 358 AF patients (189 males, (69.0±8.0) years) underwent the one-stop procedure. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was 3.2±1.5 and HAS-BLED score was 2.4±1.1, respectively in this patient cohort. Pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in all patients, while additional linear ablation was applied in 180 (50.3%) patients, yielding immediate success rate of 99.7%. Successful Watchman implantation was achieved in all patients. The perioperative serious adverse event occurred in 14 cases (3.9%). including 6 pericardial effusions (1.7%), 1 stroke (0.3%) and 5 vascular complications (1.4%), yielding procedure-related complication rate of 3.4%. In addition, 2 (0.6%) new-onset heart failures occurred postoperatively. There was no major bleeding or death during the perioperative period. Conclusions: Combined catheter ablation and LAAC can be successfully and safely performed in AF patients with high stroke risk. Follow-up data are needed to evaluate the outcome of this one-stop procedure.

[Preliminary application of postoperative fast track transfer to intensive care unit for the geriatric hip fractures under enhanced recovery after surgery]

Objective: To develop a fast track transfer to intensive care unit (ICU) for the perioperative high-risk elderly patients after hip fracture surgery and analyze the preliminary clinical effect of the application. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2017, before the application of postoperative fast track transfer to ICU, the clinical data of 195 elderly patients with hip fracture were included in a retrospective analysis. Among 195 hip fracture patients, 18 were transferred to ICU post operation (non-fast track group). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate relevant risk factors for transferring to ICU after hip fracture surgery. Based on risk factors acquired from the analysis and clinical experience, the fast track transfer to ICU for the perioperative high-risk elderly patients after hip fracture surgery was constructed according to the preliminary and experiential criteria. From January 2018 to December 2019, the clinical data of 70 patients (fast track group) who were transferred to ICU after hip fracture surgery through the fast track were collected and compared with non-fast track group. Results: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that American Society of Anesthesiologists classification(≥Ⅲ) (OR=4.260, 95%CI:1.157-15.683, P=0.029), pre-hospital stage (≥48 h) (OR=4.301, 95%CI:1.212-15.266, P=0.024), hemoglobin concentration at admission(<90 g/L) (OR=7.979, 95%CI:1.936-32.889, P=0.004), coronary heart disease as one comorbidity(OR=6.063, 95%CI:1.695-21.693, P=0.006) were independent risk factors for transferring to ICU after hip fracture surgery. There were no significant difference in gender, age, fracture type, hemoglobin concentration at admission and time of pre-hospital stage between the non-fast track group and fast track group(all P>0.05). However, the number of comorbidities in the fast track group was significantly higher than that in the non-fast track group (Z=-1.995, P=0.046). The time to surgery, postoperative hospital stay, and length of hospital stay in fast track group were all significantly less than those in non-fast track group (Z=-2.121, -2.726, -3.130, all P<0.05). Also, there were fewer medical consultations needed and fewer patients who stayed in ICU more than or equal to 2 nights in fast track group than that in non-fast track group(all P<0.05). There were no significant difference in the rate of patients who transferred from the general ward to ICU after transferring from ICU to the general ward, the proportion of patients who received more than or equal to 4 departments, operation time, hospitalization expense, mortality during hospitalization, 30-day mortality and 90-day mortality after operation between the two groups(all P>0.05). Conclusions: The fast track constructed in this study can reduce time to surgery, postoperative hospitalization stay and length of hospitalization stay for the perioperative high-risk elderly patients with hip fractures and is a specific clinical application of eras concept based on multidisciplinary team.

MiRNA-488-3p suppresses acute myocardial infarction-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via targeting ZNF791

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential function of microRNA-488-3p (miRNA-488-3p) in the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AMI mice constructed by ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were administrated with miRNA-488-3p mimics or negative control, respectively. Infarct size and risk region of AMI mice were determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The serum level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in mice was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequently, primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from AMI mice administrated with miRNA-488-3p mimics or negative control. LDH release in both hypoxia-preconditioning primary cardiomyocytes and MCM cells was detected. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the potential target of miRNA-488-3p. Furthermore, the regulatory effects of miRNA-488-3p and its target ZNF791 on AMI-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis were evaluated.

RESULTS

MiRNA-488-3p was lowly expressed in AMI mice. Meanwhile, miRNA-488-3p expression decreased in hypoxia-preconditioning primary cardiomyocytes or MCM cells in a time-dependent manner. AMI mice overexpressing miRNA-488-3p showed significantly smaller infarct size and risk region, as well as lower LHD release in serum. Overexpression of miRNA-488-3p markedly down-regulated the protein level of caspase3 in MCM cells. ZNF791 was predicted as the direct target of miRNA-488-3p, which was negatively regulated by miRNA-488-3p. Overexpression of ZNF791 reversed the protective role of miRNA-488-3p in AMI-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

MiRNA-488-3p is down-regulated in AMI mice, which alleviates AMI-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via down-regulating ZNF791.

MiR-4513 mediates the proliferation and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells via targeting CXCL17

OBJECTIVE

Emerging evidence has indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating cancer carcinogenesis; however, its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains largely unknown. Our work was aimed to investigate the role of miR-4513 in regulating OSCC cells behaviors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MiR-4513 expression in OSCC cells was analyzed by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were analyzed by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, wound-healing assay, transwell invasion assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The connections of miR-4513 and CXC ligand 17 (CXCL17) were analyzed by luciferase reporter assay and Western blot assay.

RESULTS

MiR-4513 expression was found elevated in the OSCC cell lines. The downregulation of miR-4513 expression inhibits cell proliferation, migration, invasion and, at the same time, promotes apoptosis. Furthermore, we validated CXCL17 as a direct target of miR-4513. Knocking down the expression of CXCL17, inhibited the effects of miR-4513 on OSCC cell behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested the oncogenic role of miR-4513 in OSCC, and therefore it might be used as a target for the OSCC treatment.

Studies of Charm Quark Diffusion inside Jets Using Pb-Pb and pp Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The first study of charm quark diffusion with respect to the jet axis in heavy ion collisions is presented. The measurement is performed using jets with p_{T}^{jet}>60  GeV/c and D^{0} mesons with p_{T}^{D}>4  GeV/c in lead-lead (Pb-Pb) and proton-proton (pp) collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The radial distribution of D^{0} mesons with respect to the jet axis is sensitive to the production mechanisms of the meson, as well as to the energy loss and diffusion processes undergone by its parent parton inside the strongly interacting medium produced in Pb-Pb collisions. When compared to Monte Carlo event generators, the radial distribution in pp collisions is found to be well described by pythia, while the slope of the distribution predicted by sherpa is steeper than that of the data. In Pb-Pb collisions, compared to the pp results, the D^{0} meson distribution for 4<p_{T}^{D}<20  GeV/c hints at a larger distance on average with respect to the jet axis, reflecting a diffusion of charm quarks in the medium created in heavy ion collisions. At higher p_{T}^{D}, the Pb-Pb and pp radial distributions are found to be similar.

Effects of supplementing geese with green sweet sorghum stalks on microbiota in segments of the gastrointestinal tract

To explore the effects of supplementing a basal diet with green sweet sorghum stalks on the gut microbiota in geese, one hundred and twenty 28 day old geese were divided into two groups. Group 1 was fed a basal diet and group 2 was fed 92% of the same basal diet with green sweet sorghum stalks ad libitum for 42 days. Three male geese from each group were killed at 70 days old, four gastrointestinal tract segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caecum) were collected, and the hypervariable V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. There were obvious changes of microbiome in the caecum compared with the other three intestinal segments after green sweet sorghum stalks were added to the diet. Group 2 had significantly higher alpha diversity in the caecum compared with group 1 (P <0.05). The phyla of bacterial communities in the caecum differed. Group 2 had more abundant Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, but Proteobacteria were more abundant in group 1. At genus level, Bacteroides was more prevalent in group 2, as were Prevotella and YRC22 (P <0.05). Functional analysis revealed that the carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, endocrine system and digestive system metabolic pathways were overrepresented in group 2. In conclusion, caecal microbes might play an important role in digesting green sweet sorghum stalks in geese.Keywords: caecum, goose, microbiome, microbial diversity

[Clinical efficacy of cyberknife in patients with primary large hepatocellular carcinoma over 70 years old]

Objective: To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of cyberknife in the treatment of patients with primary large hepatocellular carcinoma over 70 years old. Methods: A total of 82 patients (58 males and 24 females) with large hepatocellular carcinoma aged over 70 years (70 to 85 years, (75±4) years) with a median tumor diameter of 6.7 cm (5.0~10.0 cm) were retrospectively collected. All patients were diagnosed by pathology or radiography in the Cancer Radiotherapy Center of the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from March 2014 to December 2018, and treated with cyberknife stereotactic radiotherapy. Progression free survival rate (PFS), local control rate (LC), overall survival rate (OS) and adverse reactions were observed at 1, 2 and 3 years. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis, and Cox regression model was used to analyze survival-related factors. Results: All 82 patients successfully completed radiation therapy with a median survival time of 20 months, a median PFS of 10 months, an objective response rate of 64.63% (53/82), and a disease control rate of 85.37% (70/82). After treatment, the PFS at 1, 2, and 3 years were 39.0% (32/82), 22.1% (18/82), and 17.1% (14/82), respectively; the LC at 1, 2, and 3 years were 95.1% (78/82), 92.3% (76/82), and 92.3% (76/82), respectively; and the OS at 1, 2, and 3 years were 68.3% (56/82), 48.8% (40/82) and 31.7% (26/82), respectively. Nine patients suffered from radiation-induced liver disease (RILD), and there were no deaths due to RILD. Cox regression analysis showed that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was an independent risk factor for OS (HR=2.304, 95%CI 1.118-4.747;P<0.05). Conclusion: Cyberknife treatment for patients with primary large hepatocellular cancer over 70 years old has higher LC and OS, better curative effect, and less treatment-related adverse reactions.

Comparison of postoperative complications and facial nerve recovery rates after conventional and partial superficial parotidectomy of benign parotid tumours: a prospective study

The aim of this study was to compare postoperative complications and facial nerve (FN) recovery rates between conventional superficial parotidectomy (CSP) and partial superficial parotidectomy (PSP) as surgical treatment for benign parotid tumours. A prospective study was conducted on 55 consecutive patients who underwent either CSP (n=35) or PSP (n=20) for benign parotid tumours. The primary outcomes were FN injury, FN recovery rates, and Frey syndrome. Secondary outcomes were operative time, hospital stay, sialocele, haematoma, and auricular numbness. The degree of FN injury was evaluated at 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperative using the House-Brackmann grading system. Frey syndrome was assessed using a subjective clinical questionnaire and objective Minor starch-iodine test. No patient in either group experienced permanent FN paralysis. There was a significantly higher incidence of temporary FN weakness in the CSP group (P=0.007). The respective FN recovery rates at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 60%, 88.6%, 94.3%, and 100% in the CSP group and 90%, 95%, 100%, and 100% in the PSP group. No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the incidence of Frey syndrome, sialocele, and haematoma. The operative time and hospital stay were both shorter in the PSP group. Although the PSP is a more conservative procedure with significantly reduced FN injury, operative time, and hospital stay compared to CSP, the CSP procedure shows a comparable FN recovery rate to the PSP.

Abstract 4611: A multicenter clinical study of stool DNA test of methylated syndecan-2 for colorectal cancer detection

Study purpose: Previously, we had a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of a stool DNA test of methylated Syndycan-2 (SDC2) for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection. The purpose of this continuing investigation was to assess the performance of this test in a multicenter hospital-based setting.

Methods: Each participant was required to undergo both a stool DNA test and a reference colonoscopy. The stool DNA test assesses the methylation status of a single target of SDC2 gene. Results of real-time methylation-specific PCR were dichotomized as positive and negative by a prespecified cut-off value. The main evaluation indexes were sensitivity, specificity, and kappa value, which was used to assess the diagnostic consistency between stool DNA test and colonoscopy. Tests were performed in blinded fashion and processed independently of the colonoscopic results.

Results: Among the 1110 participants from three hospitals included for analysis, 359 and 38 had CRC and advanced adenomas, respectively, according to colonoscopy findings. The sensitivity of the stool DNA test was 83.8% for CRC and 42.1% for advanced adenomas. For CRC at early stage confined to bowel wall (I to II), the sensitivity was 87.0%. Detection rate for CRC did not vary significantly according to age, tumor location, differentiation, and TNM stage, except for gender (P=0.041). The specificity of the stool DNA test was 98.0% among participants with nonadvanced colorectal neoplasia, non-neoplastic disorders, or negative results on colonoscopy. Diagnostic consistency for CRC assessed by kappa value was 0.84, indicating that the agreement in outcome between the stool DNA test and colonoscopy was excellent.

Conclusion: Noninvasive stool DNA test using methylated SDC2 as a molecular marker was a sensitive and accurate method for CRC detection.

Citation Format: Jianping Wang, Side Liu, Hui Wang, Lei Zheng, Changchun Zhou, Guoxin Li, Rongkang Huang, Huaiming Wang, Chujun Li, Xinjuan Fan, Xinhui Fu, Xinying Wang, Hongliang Guo, Jie Guan, Yanlai Sun, Xilin Song, Zengjun Li, Dianbin Mu, Jujie Sun, Xianglin Liu, Yan Qi, Feng Niu, Chunhua Chen, Xiaolin Wu, Xianshu Wang, Xianrang Song, Hongzhi Zou. A multicenter clinical study of stool DNA test of methylated syndecan-2 for colorectal cancer detection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4611.

CtIP contributes to non-homologous end joining formation through interacting with ligase IV and promotion of TMZ resistance in glioma cells

OBJECTIVE

C-terminal-binding protein interacting protein (CtIP) participates in a variety of DNA metabolisms and DNA double strand break repair (DSBR). The role of CtIP has been proven in facilitating end resection in homologous recombination (HR). This study aimed to investigate the role of CtIP in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) formation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study CtIP deficient U87 cell line was generated by using CRISPR/Cas9 method. HR and NHEJ reporter assay were conducted in U87 cells. The cell viability of U87 cells was evaluated by using Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Ionizing radiation assay and clonogenic survival assay were also conducted in this study. Bacteria expressed CtIP and ligase IV proteins were collected and purified. Affinity capture assay was conducted to observe the interactions between proteins.

RESULTS

Both of the temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant and CtIP deficient glioma cell lines were successfully generated. The results indicated that CtIP participated in NHEJ formation through interacting with ligase IV in glioma cells. CtIP significantly improved the NHEJ efficiency in glioma cells. The CtIP deficient glioma cells were sensitive to the treatment of DNA damaging drug (TMZ). Meanwhile, the CtIP deficiency significantly enhanced the sensitivity of glioma cells to the treatment of TMZ.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicated that CtIP contributed to NHEJ formation through interacting with IV and promotion of TMZ resistance in glioma cells via promoting DSBR efficiency.

[Application of penile index in the diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of concealed penis in children]

Objective: To explore the significance of penile index in the diagnosis of concealed penis and the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 221 children with phimosis and 113 children with concealed penis aged 6-10, all of whom had undergone circumcision or phalloplasty respectively in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from January 2014 to December 2017. Penile index was measured before and after surgery. The values of phimosis and concealed penis were tested by group t test. Self -control test was performed for values of concealed penis before and after operations. Results: Penile index was 0.78±0.08 in children with phimosis. It was 0.23±0.10 in concealed penis before operation and changed to 0.84±0.11 postoperatively. In children with phimosis and concealed penile, the difference of penile index was statistically significant (P<0.001). The difference of penile index before and after operation was statistically significant (P<0.001) in children with concealed penis. Conclusion: Penile index is an effective index to evaluate the degree of penis exposure.

Study of central exclusive production in proton-proton collisions at s = 5.02 and 13TeV

Central exclusive and semiexclusive production of pairs is measured with the CMS detector in proton-proton collisions at the LHC at center-of-mass energies of 5.02 and 13TeV. The theoretical description of these nonperturbative processes, which have not yet been measured in detail at the LHC, poses a significant challenge to models. The two pions are measured and identified in the CMS silicon tracker based on specific energy loss, whereas the absence of other particles is ensured by calorimeter information. The total and differential cross sections of exclusive and semiexclusive central production are measured as functions of invariant mass, transverse momentum, and rapidity of the system in the fiducial region defined as transverse momentum and pseudorapidity . The production cross sections for the four resonant channels , , , and are extracted using a simple model. These results represent the first measurement of this process at the LHC collision energies of 5.02 and 13TeV.

Erratum: Evolution of π^{0} Suppression in Au+Au Collisions from sqrt[s_{NN}]=39 to 200 GeV [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 152301 (2012)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.152301.

The correlation of 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters, clinicopathological factors, and prognosis in breast cancer

PURPOSE

To study the imaging parameters of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxy glucose (¹⁸F-FDG) in breast cancer on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)-the correlation of clinical pathological factors and prognosis among the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of lesions for patients.

METHODS

From January 2012 to December 2014, a total of 125 female patients were treated in our hospital for the first time and were diagnosed as breast cancer by histopathology. They were selected as the research subjects. All of them had complete ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examination data before surgery, the postoperative clinicopathological information, and follow-up data. They were divided into the event group (38 cases) and the event-free group (87 cases) according to whether local recurrence or distant metastasis occurred after the follow-up, with the follow-up time 4-60 months. The correlation on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters of breast cancer with clinicopathological factors and prognosis was retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

The primary lesions of 125 cases with breast cancers all had higher ¹⁸F-FDG uptake, and the SUVmax, MTV, and TLG of the primary tumors in the event group were significantly higher than those in the event-free group (t = 2.645, 2.782, 15.263, p = 0.011, 0.008, 0.000), p < 0.05; SUVmax, MTV, and TLG of primary breast cancer have no correlation with age and tumor site of patient (p > 0.05); there were statistically significant differences in the SUVmax, MTV, and TLG of primary tumor in the comparison of different tumor size, T stage, N stage, and histological grades (p < 0.05); all of SUVmax, MTV, and TLG in the estrogen receptor (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR) positive groups were lower than those in the negative group, with statistically significant difference (p < 0.05); the SUVmax, MTV, and TLG of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive group, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki-67) high expression group were higher than those in the negative group and low expression group, with statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). There were 38 recurrence and metastasis cases within 125 cases with breast cancer in 5 years after operation, with the total recurrence and metastasis rate as 30.40% (38/125). The event-free survival rate in the SUVmax ≥ 8.64 group was significantly lower than that in the SUVmax < 8.64 group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolic parameters of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in breast cancer can reflect the biological behavior of the tumor indirectly; therefore, it was studied on the related correlation to provide the guidance of clinical individualized comprehensive treatment and prognostic judgment.

Tailoring phase transformation strengthening and plasticity of nanostructured high entropy alloys

Metastable high entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted extensive attention due to their excellent combination of high strength and great plasticity. In this work, we utilize constraining effects to tailor phase transformation strengthening and plasticity of nanostructured HEA ([double bond, length as m-dash]FeCoCrNi) thin films prepared by the magnetron sputtering technique via HEA/Cu and HEA/Ni nanotwinned nanolaminates (NTNLs). It is uncovered that the HEA/Cu NTNLs without phase transformation exhibit the fashion of "smaller is stronger" and HEA layers become more favorable to detwin at a smaller layer thickness (h). By contrast, the HEA/Ni NTNLs manifest an ultra-high peak hardness plateau accompanied by the FCC-to-HCP phase transformation in HEA layers at large h≥ 25 nm, whereas they manifest size-dependent hardness when detwinning occurs at smaller h. This unusual plastic deformation behavior of HEA/X (X = Cu, Ni) NTNLs was rationalized by partial-based mechanisms. These findings open a new avenue to achieve superior mechanical properties of HEAs particularly at the nanoscale.

[Research progress of the influence of gingival biotype on the prognosis of oral treatment]

The gingival biotypes, which were proposed by Ochsenbein, could be divided into thin gingival biotype and thick gingival biotype. There are several methods to judge the gingival biotypes, such as visual methods, periodontal probe transparency and cone-beam CT. Each method has its own characteristics. The gingival biotype is affected by a variety of factors, such as age, gender, crown shape, interdental papillary height, alveolar bone thickness and alveolar bone morphology. In the anterior region, different gingival biotype has different effects on oral aesthetics, and different gingival biotype also has different effects on the prognosis of periodontal, orthodontic and implant treatment. This article mainly reviews the influence of gingival biotype on the prognosis of oral treatment.

Characterization of CD19+ CD24hi CD38hi B cells in Chinese adult patients with atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Human interleukin-10⁺ B cells (B10 cells) is one of regulatory B cells and is enriched in CD19⁺ CD24^hi CD38^hi B cells. A little is known about these cells in atopic dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE

To study CD19⁺ CD24^hi CD38^hi B cells and their clinical significance in Chinese adult patients with atopic dermatitis.

METHODS

Thirty-two adult patients with AD and nineteen healthy controls were enrolled. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and stained with fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibodies for CD19, CD24, CD27, CD38 and Annexin V. The stained PBMCs were analysed by flow cytometry. B10 cells were prepared by stimulating PBMCs with CpG, LPS and CD40L followed by restimulation with phorbol12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin. Serum IL-10, B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) levels were measured by using the ELISA. Apoptosis and proliferation of CD19⁺ CD24^hi CD38^hi B cells were measured by flow cytometry. 4/P-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk) phosphorylation were also studied.

RESULTS

The number of CD19⁺ CD24^hi CD38^hi B cells in patients with AD was similar to that in healthy controls. However, B10 cells were decreased in patients with AD. The proportion of B10 cells was negatively associated with blood basophil counts but not associated with disease activity. CD19⁺ CD24^hi CD38^hi B cells from AD patients were more susceptible to apoptosis upon stimulation with CpG, LPS and CD40L. B cells from AD patients showed lower STAT3 and Erk phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

CD19⁺ CD24^hi CD38^hi B cells were unchanged in atopic dermatitis while B10 cells were decreased. The increased B-cell apoptosis, decreased STAT3 and Erk phosphorylation might contribute to these changes.

Measurement of CP-Averaged Observables in the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decay

An angular analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}(→K^{+}π^{-})μ^{+}μ^{-} decay is presented using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. The full set of CP-averaged observables are determined in bins of the invariant mass squared of the dimuon system. Contamination from decays with the K^{+}π^{-} system in an S-wave configuration is taken into account. The tension seen between the previous LHCb results and the standard model predictions persists with the new data. The precise value of the significance of this tension depends on the choice of theory nuisance parameters.

[Scientific and technological innovation and achievement transformation promote the medical development]

With the worldwide adoption of minimally invasive surgery, innovation again becomes the theme. In the past hundred years, molecular biology technology, minimally invasive surgery technology, pharmaceutical research and therapies have been constantly innovated to promote the development of medicine. As the subject of medical innovation, the innovative idea from medical staff is also very important. For surgeons, the invention and improvement of a new operation or surgical instrument directly depends on curiosity and exploration. Whether a novel idea or technology can be transformed and used in clinical practice depends on its commercial prospects and the adjustment of macro health policies. The protection of intellectual property and appropriate distribution of interests are the key to ensure sustainable innovation. We should put scientific and technological innovation and achievement transformation in the important position of the "healthy China" strategy, take scientific and technological innovation as the basis and achievements transformation as the means, promote the development of China's health protection, implement the healthy China strategy, and make our own contribution to provide people with all-round health services.

ELECTRON EYE-LENS OPERATIONAL DOSE COEFFICIENTS

In 2012, the International Commission on Radiological Protection issued a recommendation for a reduced annual eye-lens dose limit in the face of mounting evidence of the risk of cataract induction. This led to worldwide research efforts in various areas including the dose simulation in realistic eye-models, the production of dosimeters and the elaboration of protection and operation fluence to eye-lens dose coefficients. In this last case, much efforts have been expanded with regards to photon operational coefficients for Hp (3) but much less for electron radiation. In this work, Hp (3) coefficients for electrons are presented following simulations using MCNP and compared to those that are available in the literature. It is found that, at energies of 1 MeV and less, Hp (3) coefficients depend strongly on the selected electron transport options and on the dose tally volume. The effect of these differences is demonstrated for two beta emitters.

Mixed higher-order anisotropic flow and nonlinear response coefficients of charged particles in PbPb collisions at s NN = 2.76 and 5.02 TeV

Anisotropies in the initial energy density distribution of the quark-gluon plasma created in high energy heavy ion collisions lead to anisotropies in the azimuthal distributions of the final-state particles known as collective anisotropic flow. Fourier harmonic decomposition is used to quantify these anisotropies. The higher-order harmonics can be induced by the same order anisotropies (linear response) or by the combined influence of several lower order anisotropies (nonlinear response) in the initial state. The mixed higher-order anisotropic flow and nonlinear response coefficients of charged particles are measured as functions of transverse momentum and centrality in PbPb collisions at nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energies s NN = 2.76 and 5.02 TeV with the CMS detector. The results are compared with viscous hydrodynamic calculations using several different initial conditions, as well as microscopic transport model calculations. None of the models provides a simultaneous description of the mixed higher-order flow harmonics and nonlinear response coefficients.

Observation of New Ξ_{c}^{0} Baryons Decaying to Λ_{c}^{+}K^{-}

The Λ_{c}^{+}K^{-} mass spectrum is studied with a data sample of pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6  fb^{-1} collected by the LHCb experiment. Three Ξ_{c}^{0} states are observed with a large significance and their masses and natural widths are measured to be m[Ξ_{c}(2923)^{0}]=2923.04±0.25±0.20±0.14  MeV, Γ[Ξ_{c}(2923)^{0}]=7.1±0.8±1.8  MeV, m[Ξ_{c}(2939)^{0}]=2938.55±0.21±0.17±0.14  MeV, Γ[Ξ_{c}(2939)^{0}]=10.2±0.8±1.1  MeV, m[Ξ_{c}(2965)^{0}]=2964.88±0.26±0.14±0.14  MeV, Γ[Ξ_{c}(2965)^{0}]=14.1±0.9±1.3  MeV, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the limited knowledge of the Λ_{c}^{+} mass. The Ξ_{c}(2923)^{0} and Ξ_{c}(2939)^{0} baryons are new states. The Ξ_{c}(2965)^{0} state is in the vicinity of the known Ξ_{c}(2970)^{0} baryon; however, their masses and natural widths differ significantly.

FRI0008 IGM ANTIBODIES AGAINST MALONDIALDEHYDE AND PHOSPHORYLCHOLINE IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMIC RHEUMATIC DISEASES

Background:

IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine (anti-PC) and malondialdehyde (anti-MDA) may have protective properties in both atherosclerosis and rheumatic disease, especially anti-PC. Low levels of IgM anti-PC is associated with SLE itself and also with atherosclerotic plaques1and with being a non-responder to biologics in RA.1We determined mechanisms by which anti-PC (and to some extent anti-MDA) could be protective: 1: anti-inflammatory; 2: inhibition of uptake of oxLDL in macrophages, 3: inhibition of cell death.14: increase in clearance of human dead cells,25: anti-PC promotes polarization of T regulatory cells in SLE-patients´ T cells from a low level and also in cells from atherosclerotic plaques.3

Objectives:

To compare systemic rheumatic diseases in relation to natural anti-PC and anti-MDA, to develop novel classifications but also potential treatment against rheumatic disease. We here determine anti-PC and anti-MDA in different systemic rheumatic conditions and study there potential role properties.

Methods:

Anti-PC and anti-MDA was measured using ELISA in patients with SLE (374), RA (354), Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD, 77), Systemic sclerosis (SSc, 331), Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS, 324), primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPs, 65), undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD, 118) and 515 matched healthy controls (HC). Cardiovascular score (CV) was broadly defined based on clinical disease symptoms. Anti-PC and anti-MDA peptide/protein characterization were compared using a proteomics de novo sequencing approach. anti-MDA and anti-PC were extracted from total IgM. The proportion of Treg cells was determined by flow cytometry.

Results:

The maximal difference between cases and controls was shown for MCTD: significantly lower IgM Anti-PC but not anti-MDA among patients (median 49.3RU/ml vs 70.4 in healthy controls, p(t-test)=0.0037). IgM low levels were more prevalent in MCTD, SLE, SjS, SSc and UCTD. IgM anti-PC variable region profiles were different from and more homologous than anti-MDA. Anti-PC but not anti-MDA were significantly negatively correlated with CV in the whole patient group. In contrast to IgM anti-PC, anti-MDA did not promote polarization of Tregs.

Conclusion:

Anti-PC is decreased in MCTD and also in SLE, SjS and SSc but not in other studied diseases. Anti-PC may thus differentiate between these. In contrast, anti-MDA did not show these differences between diseases studied. Anti-PC level is negatively correlated with CV in the patient group cohort. In contrast to anti-PC, anti-MDA did not promote Treg polarization. These findings could have both diagnostic and therapeutic implications, one possibility being active or passive immunization with PC in some rheumatic conditions.

References:

[1]Frostegard J. Immunity, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.BMC Med. 2013;11:117.

[2]Rahman M, Sing S, Golabkesh Z, Fiskesund R, Gustafsson T, Jogestrand T, Frostegard AG, Hafstrom I, Liu A and Frostegard J. IgM antibodies against malondialdehyde and phosphorylcholine are together strong protection markers for atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: Regulation and underlying mechanisms.Clin Immunol. 2016;166-167:27-37.

[3]Sun J, Lundstrom SL, Zhang B, Zubarev RA, Steuer J, Gillgren P, Rahman M, Ajeganova S, Liu A and Frostegard J. IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine promote polarization of T regulatory cells from patients with atherosclerotic plaques, systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy donors.Atherosclerosis. 2018;268:36-48.

Acknowledgments:

Preciseads Clinical Consortium

Disclosure of Interests:

Divya Thiagarajan: None declared, Susanna Lundström: None declared, Roman Zubarev: None declared, jitong Sun: None declared, Marta Alarcon-Riquelme: None declared, Johan Frostegård Grant/research support from: Unconditional competitive grant from Amgen, related only to PCSK9, not the topic of this abstract

Introduction to Focus Issue: Symmetry and optimization in the synchronization and collective behavior of complex systems

Synchronization phenomena and collective behavior are commonplace in complex systems with applications ranging from biological processes such as coordinated neuron firings and cell cycles to the stability of alternating current power grids. A fundamental pursuit is the study of how various types of symmetry-e.g., as manifest in network structure or coupling dynamics-impact a system's collective behavior. Understanding the intricate relations between structural and dynamical symmetry/asymmetry also provides new paths to develop strategies that enhance or inhibit synchronization. Previous research has revealed symmetry as a key factor in identifying optimization mechanisms, but the particular ways that symmetry/asymmetry influence collective behavior can generally depend on the type of dynamics, networks, and form of synchronization (e.g., phase synchronization, group synchronization, and chimera states). Other factors, such as time delay, noise, time-varying structure, multilayer connections, basin stability, and transient dynamics, also play important roles, and many of these remain underexplored. This Focus Issue brings together a survey of theoretical and applied research articles that push forward this important line of questioning.

Search for the Rare Decays B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} and B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-}

A search for the decays B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} and B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} is performed using data collected with the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1, 2, and 2  fb^{-1}, respectively. No signal is observed. Assuming no contribution from B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} decays, an upper limit on the branching fraction B(B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-})<9.4(11.2)×10^{-9} is obtained at 90(95)% confidence level. If no B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} contribution is assumed, a limit of B(B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-})<2.5(3.0)×10^{-9} is determined at 90(95)% confidence level. These upper limits are more than one order of magnitude lower than the previous values.

[A prospective study of bone loss in early stage postmenopausal breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors]

Objective: To investigate the occurrence and development of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) related bone loss in Chinese patients with postmenopausal early-stage breast cancer. Methods: Patients with estrogen receptor (ER) and (or) progesterone receptor(PR) positive postmenopausal early-stage breast cancer who received Letrozole, Anastrozole, or Exemestane as adjuvant therapy were enrolled. Before treatment, baseline bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism markers were examined and a lifestyle questionnaire was completed; BMD was examined annually during the treatment; Outpatient visits were conducted to record recurrent and fatal events. Results: From November 2013 to August 2016, 131 patients with breast cancer eligible for enrollment were enrolled. A total of 65 patients had normal baseline bone mass, and 68 patients had reduced bone mass. Letrozole was taken in 69 patients, anastrozole in 52 patients, and exemestane in 10 patients. With a median follow-up of 43.7 months, 100 patients could be evaluated for changes in bone mineral density. Bone mineral density of femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine L1 to 4 decreased year by year, and the decrease was the most significant in the first year, which decreased by 2.3%, 2.4%, and 3.9% respectively. Ten new cases of osteoporosis occurred in two years, eight of them occurred in the lumbar spine, all of whom had reduced bone mass at baseline. Among the 131 patients who completed the lifestyle questionnaire, the proportions of daily calcium supplementation and vitamin D were 28.2% and 7.6%, respectively; more than half (52.7%) of them lacked regular exercise. Conclusion: BMD was declining steadily in patients treated with AIs, especially in the first year. Lumbar spine is the most common osteoporosis site, early prevention and health education should be strengthened.

Measurement of differential cross sections and charge ratios for t-channel single top quark production in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 Te

A measurement is presented of differential cross sections for t-channel single top quark and antiquark production in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13Te by the CMS experiment at the LHC. From a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 , events containing one muon or electron and two or three jets are analysed. The cross section is measured as a function of the top quark transverse momentum ( p T ), rapidity, and polarisation angle, the charged lepton p T and rapidity, and the p T of the W  boson from the top quark decay. In addition, the charge ratio is measured differentially as a function of the top quark, charged lepton, and W  boson kinematic observables. The results are found to be in agreement with standard model predictions using various next-to-leading-order event generators and sets of parton distribution functions. Additionally, the spin asymmetry, sensitive to the top quark polarisation, is determined from the differential distribution of the polarisation angle at parton level to be 0.440 ± 0.070 , in agreement with the standard model prediction.