Measurement of the Absolute Branching Fraction of D_{s}^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ} via τ^{+}→e^{+}ν_{e}ν[over ¯]_{τ}

Using a dataset of 6.32  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected with the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies between 4178 and 4226 MeV, we have measured the absolute branching fraction of the leptonic decay D_{s}^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ} via τ^{+}→e^{+}ν_{e}ν[over ¯]_{τ}, and find B_{D_{s}^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ}}=(5.27±0.10±0.12)×10^{-2}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The precision is improved by a factor of 2 compared to the previous best measurement. Combining with f_{D_{s}^{+}} from lattice quantum chromodynamics calculations or the |V_{cs}| from the CKMfitter group, we extract |V_{cs}|=0.978±0.009±0.012 and f_{D_{s}^{+}}=(251.1±2.4±3.0)  MeV, respectively. Combining our result with the world averages of B_{D_{s}^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ}} and B_{D_{s}^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ}}, we obtain the ratio of the branching fractions B_{D_{s}^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ}}/B_{D_{s}^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ}}=9.72±0.37, which is consistent with the standard model prediction of lepton flavor universality.

Antihypertensive medication and outcome in patients with COVID-19 compared to non-COVID respiratory infections

Background

Recent reports suggested no adverse effects of antihypertensive medication including inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system on outcome of patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). However, most of these studies lack adequate control groups, and regional and socio-economic differences may additionally affect clinical course and outcome of COVID-19.

Methods

In the prospective observational cohort COrona VIrus surviVAl (COVIVA) study at our university hospital, we consecutively enrolled patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 between March and June 2020. Patients tested positive for COVID-19 (cases) were compared with patients tested negative, who had a respiratory infection (respiratory control). Primary outcome measure was the composite of ICU admission, 3'-day mortality or rehospitalization for respiratory symptoms.

Results

The final analysis consisted of 191 patients with COVID-19 and 323 respiratory controls. Sixty cases (31.4%) and 87 (26.9%) respiratory control patients were on ACE inhibitors (ACE-I) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB). In unadjusted models the hazard ratio [95% CI] for the composite outcome for patients on ACE-I/ARBs was 2.36 [1.34; 4.16], p=0.003 and 2.05 [1.03; 4.09], p=0.04 among patients with COVID-19 and respiratory controls, respectively. The corresponding multivariable adjusted HRs were 1.32 [0.68; 2.55], p=0.41 and 1.20 [0.58; 2.48], p=0.62. Furthermore, we did not observe an increased risk for the outcome when assessing ACE-Is and ARBs separately or other antihypertensive agents, both in COVID-19 patients and respiratory controls (Table).

Conclusions

In a Swiss cohort of patients with COVID-19 or non-COVID respiratory controls treatment with ACE-I/ARBs or other antihypertensive medication was not associated with adverse events after accounting for comorbidities and risk factors.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Foundation for Cardiovascular Research Basel (FCVR Basel)Swiss Heart Foundation

Xinnaokang improves cecal microbiota and lipid metabolism to target atherosclerosis

This study aims to explore the potential mechanisms of Xinnaokang in atherosclerosis treatment. Firstly, the active components of Xinnaokang were analysed by HPLC, which contains ginsenoside Rg1, puerarin, tanshinone, notoginsenoside R1, ammonium glycyrrhizate and glycyrrhizin. Network pharmacology analysis showed there were 145 common targets of Xinnaokang, including the chemical stress, lipid metabolite, lipopolysaccharide, molecules of bacterial origin, nuclear receptor and fluid shear stress pathways. Then, the animal experiment showed that Xinnaokang reduced the body weight and blood lipid levels of atherosclerotic mice. Vascular plaque formation was increased in atherosclerotic mice, which was markedly reversed by Xinnaokang. In addition, Xinnaokang reduced CAV-1 expression and increased ABCA1, SREBP-1 and LXR expressions in the vasculature. Xinnaokang promoted SREBP-2 and LDLR expressions in the liver but decreased IDOL and PCSK9 expressions, indicating that Xinnaokang regulated lipid transport-related protein expression. Cecal microbiota diversity was reduced in atherosclerotic mice but increased after Xinnaokang treatment. Xinnaokang treatment also improved gut microbiota communities by enriching Actinobacteria, Bifidobacteriales and Bifidobacteriaceae abundances. Metabolic profile showed that Xinnaokang significantly reduced homogentisate, phenylacetylglycine, alanine and methionine expressions in the liver of atherosclerotic mice. Xinnaokang effectively alleviated atherosclerosis, and this effect might be linked with the altered features of the liver metabolite profiles and cecal microbiota.

Observation of D^{0}→K_{1}(1270)^{-}e^{+}ν_{e}

Using 2.93  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken with the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV, the observation of the D^{0}→K_{1}(1270)^{-}e^{+}ν_{e} semileptonic decay is presented. The statistical significance of the decay D^{0}→K_{1}(1270)^{-}e^{+}ν_{e} is greater than 10σ. The branching fraction of D^{0}→K_{1}(1270)^{-}e^{+}ν_{e} is measured to be (1.09±0.13_{-0.16}^{+0.09}±0.12)×10^{-3}. Here, the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third originates from the assumed branching fraction of K_{1}(1270)^{-}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{-}. The fraction of longitudinal polarization in D^{0}→K_{1}(1270)^{-}e^{+}ν_{e} is determined for the first time to be 0.50±0.19_{stat}±0.08_{syst}.

First Measurement of the Absolute Branching Fraction of Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}

The absolute branching fraction of Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} is reported for the first time based on an e^{+}e^{-} annihilation sample of 10×10^{9}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at sqrt[s]=3.097  GeV. The branching fraction is determined to be B(Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ})=[1.48±0.21(stat)±0.08(syst)]×10^{-4}, which is improved by about 30% in precision over the previous indirect measurements. Combining this result with the world average of B(Λ→pe^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e}), we obtain the ratio {[Γ(Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ})]/[Γ(Λ→pe^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e})]} to be 0.178±0.028, which agrees with the standard model prediction assuming lepton flavor universality. The asymmetry of the branching fractions of Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} and Λ[over ¯]→p[over ¯]μ^{+}ν_{μ} is also determined, and no evidence for CP violation is found.

Intra-couple discordance in preconception syphilis screening for both spouses: a national and population-based survey in China, 2013-2018

OBJECTIVE

The antenatal screening strategy remains inadequate for eliminating congenital syphilis. To further eliminate maternal fetal transmission, preconception syphilis screening is considered an option. In this study, we investigated syphilis seropositivity and intra-couple discordance among married couples planning a pregnancy in China to provide essential baseline evidence for preconception syphilis screening.

DESIGN

Population-based survey.

SETTING

National preconception registered data.

POPULATION

Married Chinese couples planning conception within 6 months between 2013 and 2018.

METHODS

Syphilis was screened using rapid plasma reagin (RPR); infection self-reporting and sociodemographic characteristics were collected through questionnaires and medical records, respectively. r 3.2.2 and arcgis 10.2 were used for statistical analyses and geographic mapping.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

RPR seropositivity.

RESULTS

Among 31 955 041 couples, 29 737 172 (93.06%) had complete RPR results for both spouses; of those, 0.62% (186 100) were seropositive, with dramatic intra-couple discordance, with 0.33% positivity in wives, 0.24% positivity in husbands and 0.05% positivity in both spouses. Across time, both seropositivity and intra-couple discordance remained stable. Seropositivity in different regions varied significantly, with provincial rates ranging geographically from Tibet (0.8%) to Hebei (0.2%) (P < 0.05). Economic level was an independent factor for this regional variation, with seropositivity increasing as gross domestic product income decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Intra-couple discordance in seropositivity for syphilis is notable among couples, with a considerable rate of pre-existing syphilis before pregnancy. Thus, screening both spouses during integrated preconception health care is recommended for further eliminating maternal-fetal transmission.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Intra-couple discordance in seropositivity for syphilis is notable among couples, with a considerable rate of pre-existing syphilis before pregnancy. Screening both spouses during integrated preconception health care is recommended to further eliminate maternal-fetal transmission.

Ceramide accumulation accelerates nucleus pulposus cells degradation by p38MAPK activation

The article "Ceramide accumulation accelerates nucleus pulposus cells degradation by p38MAPK activation, by W.-J. Wu, J. Wang, J. Liang, Q. Zhou, Y. Liang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (19): 9787-9796-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202010_23187-PMID: 33090381" has been withdrawn from the authors due to inaccuracies (there are some errors and incorrect data). The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/23187.

[Clinical characteristics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and restricted cardiomyopathy patients complicating with intracardiac thrombosis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) complicating with intracardiac thrombosis. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. Consecutive patients diagnosed with HCM or RCM and complicated with intracardiac thrombosis (including left and right atrium or ventricular thrombosis), who were admitted to the Heart Failure Care Unit of Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September 2008 to September 2018, were enrolled in this study. Patients with myocardial infarction were excluded. The general clinical data of the enrolled patients, including demographic data, major complications, laboratory indicators, echocardiographic indicators, drug application and distribution of intracardiac thrombosis, were collected from electronic medical record system and analyzed. Results: A total of 98 patients were enrolled in this study, including 52 patients (53.1%) with HCM and 46 patients (46.9%) with RCM. The most common comorbidity was atrial fibrillation/flutter: 40 patients (76.9%) in HCM group and 36 patients (78.3%) in RCM group. Majority of patients received oral anticoagulants treatment: 43 patients (82.7%) in HCM group and 35 patients (76.1%) in RCM group. Intracardiac thrombosis was mainly located in the left atrium in both HCM group (39 cases (75.0%)) and RCM group (32 cases (69.6%)). Thrombosis was found in ≥ 2 chambers in 7 patients (7.1%). Rate of left atrial thrombosis was the highest (81.6% (62/76)) in HCM and RCM patients complicating with atrial fibrillation/flutter. Intra-aneurysmal thrombosis occurred in 4 out of 5 patients complicated with apical left ventricular aneurysm. The rate of left ventricular thrombosis in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction≥50% was 7.4% (4/54), which was significantly lower than that in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction<50% (34.5%(10/29)) (P<0.01). Conclusion: There are certain distribution characteristics of HCM and RCM patients with intracardiac thrombosis, and the left atrium is the most common site of thrombosis, more attention should be paid in HCM and RCM patients on the diagnosis and treatment of intracardiac thrombosis.

[Changes and significance of autophagy in rat lung injury induced by gas explosion]

Objective: To explore the changes and significance of autophagy in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by gas explosion in rats. Methods: In February 2018, the gas explosion in underground coal mine was simulated by large tunnel explosion experiment system, SD rats were randomly divided into control group and 6 distance groups (40 m, 80 m, 120 m, 160 m, 200 m, 240 m) with 18 rats in each group. The respiratory function of rats 24 h before and after explosion was detected. Post-explosion rats were anesthetized and sacrificed, histopathological changes of lung were observed by HE staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the in situ expression of autophagy marker protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3B) . The expression levels of autophagy related gene 12 (Atg12) , LC3B, P62, lysosomal associated membrane protein 2 (Lamp2) , B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl2 interaction protein (Beclin-1) were detected by Western blot. Results: After gas explosion, the rats in 80 m distance point group had the hightest mortality (n=13, 72.22%) and the most severe lung injury degree, and the histopathological scores was (4.00±0.00) point. After gas explosion, the minute ventilation volume (MVb) , maximum inspiratory flow rate (PIFb) and maximum expiratory flow rate (PEFb) of rats were lower than before the gas explosion (P<0.05) . The respiratory frequency of rats in 80 m, 200 m, and 240 m distance point groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) . The expression levels of LC3B in 40 m, 80 m, 120 m, 160 m, and 200 m distance point groups were higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) . The relative expression levels of Atg12 and LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ in lung tissues of rats in different distance point groups were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05) . The relative expression levels of Beclin1 in 40 m, 80 m, 120 m, and 160 m distance point groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) . The relative expression levels of P62 in 80 m, 160 m and 200 m distance point groups were lower than that in the control group (P<0.05) . The relative expression levels of Lamp2 and Bcl-2 in lung tissues of rats in all distance groups except 240 m distance group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Gas explosion could induce increased autophagy in lung tissues of ALI rats. Autophagy-related signaling pathway could be involved in the pathophysiological process of ALI in rats caused by gas explosion, then the autophagy and the severity of the lesion showed a significant positive correlation.

Direct Measurement of the Branching Fractions B(ψ(3686)→J/ψX) and B(ψ(3770)→J/ψX), and Observation of the State R(3760) in e^{+}e^{-}→J/ψX

We report a measurement of the observed cross sections of e^{+}e^{-}→J/ψX based on 3.21  fb^{-1} of data accumulated at energies from 3.645 to 3.891 GeV with the BESIII detector operated at the BEPCII collider. In analysis of the cross sections, we measured the decay branching fractions of B(ψ(3686)→J/ψX)=(64.4±0.6±1.6)% and B(ψ(3770)→J/ψX)=(0.5±0.2±0.1)% for the first time. The energy-dependent line shape of these cross sections cannot be well described by two Breit-Wigner (BW) amplitudes of the expected decays ψ(3686)→J/ψX and ψ(3770)→J/ψX. Instead, it can be better described with one more BW amplitude of the decay R(3760)→J/ψX. Under this assumption, we extracted the R(3760) mass M_{R(3760)}=3766.2±3.8±0.4  MeV/c^{2} , total width Γ_{R(3760)}^{tot}=22.2±5.9±1.4  MeV, and product of leptonic width and decay branching fraction Γ_{R(3760)}^{ee}B[R(3760)→J/ψX]=(79.4±85.5±11.7)  eV. The significance of the R(3760) is 5.3σ. The first uncertainties of these measured quantities are from fits to the cross sections and second systematic.

[Value of PET/MRI in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion in comparison with PET/CT]

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of PET/MRI for malignant pleural effusion (MPE), and compare its diagnostic difference with PET/CT. Methods: The data of 57 patients with suspected MPE admitted into Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from October 2017 to January 2020 was analyzed. A total of 53 patients were included in the prospective study, and the whole body PET/CT and thoracic PET/MRI were performed on them respectively. Two physicians used a blind method to evaluate the morphological features of PET/CT and PET/MRI images, delineate the region of interest (ROI), obtain the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of the ROI in the PET/CT and PET/MRI images. The target-to-background ratio (TBR) of the lesion was calculated. The diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) characteristics of the pleura in PET/MRI images were analyzed. Taking pathological diagnosis as the gold standard, the diagnostic effect of PET/CT and PET/MRI on MPE were evaluated. Results: The 53 patients who were finally included were (62.8±1.7) years old, consisting of 31 males. Pathological results showed that 41 cases were MPE and 12 cases were benign pleural effusion (BPE). There were no statistical differences in age, gender and smoking history between the two groups (P>0.05). Bland-Altman analysis showed that the SUVmax of pleural lesions by PET/MRI was higher than that by PET/CT (6.4±0.6 vs 5.3±0.5, P<0.001). The TBR of PET/MRI was higher than that of PET/CT (2.2±0.2 vs 1.8±0.2, P<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PET/MRI in the diagnosis of MPE by combining imaging features such as SUVmax and DWI of pleural lesions were 75.6%, 100%, and 81.1%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PET/CT combined with SUVmax and imaging features of pleural lesions in the diagnosis of MPE were 85.4%, 83.3%, and 77.4%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between PET/MRI and PET/CT in the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing MPE (0.934 vs 0.873, P>0.05). Conclusions: PET/MRI and PET/CT have the equivalent diagnostic efficiency for MPE. However, PET/MRI shows higher SUVmax and TBR for pleural lesions, and has specific pleural DWI imaging characteristics, which is worthy of further clinical research.

P–568 Homozygous Pathogenic Variants in ACTL9 Cause Fertilization Failure and Male Infertility in Human and Mouse

Study question

What are the other male factors that cause total fertilization failure (TFF) excepting for variants in PLCZ1?

Summary answer

Homozygous variants in ACTL9 (actin like 9) cause abnormal localization of PLCζ in a loosened perinuclear theca (PT) structure and leads to TFF.

What is known already

In previous studies, investigators have reported that the female factors in TFF after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) include pathogenic variants in WEE2, TLE6, and TUBB8, whereas for male factors, pathogenic variants in PLCZ1 were reported to be the primary cause of TFF, which account for approximately 30% of couples with male factors in TFF excluding globozoospermia. Most recently, it was reported that pathogenic variants in ACTL7A led to reduced expression and abnormal localization of PLCζ, thereby identifying this genetic variant as a potential cause of TFF.

Study design, size, duration

Fifty-four infertile couples with TFF or poor fertilization (fertilization rate of &lt; 20%) at the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya during January 2014 to June 2020 were recruited into this study.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Male factors were identified in (MOAT). WES analysis was used to analyze the genetic factors of individuals with male factors. Sperm morphological study was conducted by H&E staining and TEM. Immunostaining of PLCζ was used to analyze the status of sperm-borne activation factor. A knock-in mouse model was generated by CRISPER-Cas9 technology. Sperm from homozygous Actl9 variant mice were analyzed by TEM and ICSI. ICSI with AOA was performed in couples with ACTL9 variants.

Main results and the role of chance

A total of 54 couples with TFF or poor fertilization were screened, with 21 couples determined to have a male infertility factor by MOAT. Whole-exome sequencing of these 21 male individuals identified three homozygous pathogenic variants in ACTL9 in three individuals. ACTL9 variations led to abnormal ultrastructure of the PT, with PLCζ absent in the head and present in the neck of the mutant sperm, which contributed to failed normal calcium oscillations in oocytes and subsequent TFF. The key roles of ACTL9 in the PT structure and TFF after ICSI were further confirmed in Actl9-mutated mouse model. Furthermore, assisted oocyte activation by calcium ionophore exposure successfully overcame TFF and achieved live births in a couple with an ACTL9 variant.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The mechanism of how ACTL9 regulate PLCζ remains unknown.

Wider implications of the findings: It provided a genetic marker and a therapeutic option for individuals who have undergone ICSI without successful fertilization.

Trial registration number

not applioable

[Design and application method of a rapid cooling device for burns in field battle training]

At present, there is no special rapid cooling device for burn injury site in field battle training environment. To solve this problem, our research team designed a rapid cooling device for burns in field battle training. Based on the principle of rapid cooling of liquid nitrogen, the device monitors the temperature of the wound surface to regulate the release of liquid nitrogen so as to reduce the wound temperature. The device is simple in design, light in material, small in size, easy to carry, and can be used in various parts of the body. In addition, it is easy to operate and is expected to deliver a rapid cooling effect on the burn injury site to avoid the secondary damage caused by heat conduction to deep tissue.