Amplitude Analysis of D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}η and First Observation of the W-Annihilation Dominant Decays D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{+}π^{0} and D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{0}π^{+}

We present the first amplitude analysis of the decay D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}η. We use an e^{+}e^{-} collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.19  fb^{-1} collected with the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of 4.178 GeV. We observe for the first time the W-annihilation dominant decays D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{+}π^{0} and D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{0}π^{+}. We measure the absolute branching fraction B(D_{s}^{+}→a_{0}(980)^{+(0)}π^{0^{(}+)},a_{0}(980)^{+(0)}→π^{+(0)}η)=(1.46±0.15_{stat}±0.23_{sys})%, which is larger than the branching fractions of other measured pure W-annihilation decays by at least one order of magnitude. In addition, we measure the branching fraction of D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}η with significantly improved precision.

Overexpression of TAFI promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition in endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

Endometriosis is a disease that occurs in women. Thrombin-activated fibrinolytic inhibitor (TAFI) is mainly secreted by stem cells and acts as a regulatory role in the body. Epithelial leaf transition plays a leading role in cell growth and invasion. Our study focuses on the mechanism of TAFI in patients with endometriosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of TAFI was determined by immunohistochemistry. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) served to detect the expression of TAFI and the effect of TAFI on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) levels. The changes of primary cytology in patients with endometriosis were observed under a microscope. The cell source was further determined by immunofluorescence labeling of vimentin and cytokeratin, and the expression of TAFI was detected by Western-blot. 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell invasion assay were utilized to detect the viability and aggressiveness of cells after epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).

RESULTS

TAFI was overexpressed in endometriosis tissues and no expression of TAFI was found in normal tissues, which is consistent with RT-PCR results. TAFI overexpressed endometriosis patients had low levels of overall OS and PFS. There were statistically significant differences. Cell morphology shows that endometriosis primary cells are mainly composed of epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Immunofluorescence assay showed that vimentin and cytokeratin were expressed in cells, and the expression of TAFI was detected by Western-blot. Compared with normal tissues, TAFI was considerably higher in patients with endometriosis. The results of Western-blot and RT-PCR showed that the expression of TAFI was significantly increased in patients with endometriosis and the cell proliferation and cell invasion were significantly accelerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that TAFI is highly expressed in endometriosis and causes EMT, which accelerated the cell proliferation and cell invasion. Snail is an inhibitor of E-cadherin, which may participate in metastasis and invasion of endometriosis by mediating EMT. So, we suspect that Snail controls the occurrence of the EMT and then affects the cell metastasis and invasion, which requires further verification.

[Genetic characterization of influenza A virus and assessment of vaccine efficacy in Yantai from 2014 to 2017]

In this study, the swabs were collected among patients with an influenza-like illness (ILI) admitted to 2 sentinel surveillance hospitals of Yantai from April 2014 to August 2017. All specimen were cultured and identified by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Complete sequences of Hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A were amplified, sequenced and analyzed using molecular and phylogenetic methods. The potential vaccine efficacy were calculated using Pepitope model. The results showed that the antigenicity of A (H3N2) had changed greatly. 8 strains of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 belonged to subclade 6B.1 and 14 strains clustered in 6B.2. 12 strains of influenza A (H3N2) fell into subgroup 3C.3a and 33 strains clustered in 3C.2a. Several residues at antigen sites and potential glycosylation sites had changed in influenza A strains. Vaccine efficacy of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons were 77.29% and 79.11% of that of a perfect match with vaccine strain, meanwhile vaccine efficacy of influenza A (H3N2) in 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 were-5.18%, 16.97% and 42.05% separately. In conclusion, the influenza A virus circulated in Yantai from 2014 to 2017 presented continual genetic variation. The recommended vaccine strains still afforded protection against influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 strains and provided suboptimal protection against influenza A (H3N2) strains.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A/Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 axis promotes human dental pulp stem cell migration via the FAK/PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signalling pathways

AIM

To investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and the underlying molecular mechanisms on the migration of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).

METHODOLOGY

The expression of VEGFA in inflammatory pulp tissue and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated dental pulp cells was examined by immunofluorescence staining and qRT-PCR. The migration of hDPSCs was detected using transwell migration and wound healing assays. The activation of FAK, PI3K, Akt and p38 signalling was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Silence RNA (siRNA) technology was utilized to knockdown the expression of VEGFR1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR2 (Flk-1/KDR). PF573228 (inhibitor of FAK), LY294002 (inhibitor of PI3K), SB203580 (inhibitor of p38) and SU5416 (inhibitor of VEGFR2) were employed to investigate the effect of VEGFA on the migratory mechanism of hDPSCs. Data were analysed statistically using the Student's t-test or one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

The expression levels of VEGFA in inflammatory pulp tissue in vivo and LPS-stimulated dental pulp cells in vitro were significantly greater than those in the control groups (P < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor A promoted the migration of hDPSCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Several signalling pathways, including FAK, PI3K, Akt and p38, were activated by VEGFA in a dose- and time-dependent manner in hDPSCs. The VEGFA-induced migration of hDPSCs was significantly inhibited with drug inhibitors such as PF573228, LY294002, SB203580 or SU5416 (P < 0.05). These signalling pathways activated by VEGFA stimulation were significantly suppressed by pre-treatment with inhibitor of VEGFR2 (SU5416) or transfection with siRNA of VRGFR2 (P < 0.05) but not VEGFR1 siRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular endothelial growth factor A/VEGFR2 axis promoted the migration of hDPSCs via the FAK/PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signalling pathways. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism for cell migration of hDPSCs, which may contribute to the remodelling of pulp tissue and dentine.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced DNA damage response activates nuclear factor κB signalling pathway via GATA4 in dental pulp cells

AIM

To investigate the role of GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA4) in the inflammatory response induced by DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in human dental pulp cells (hDPCs).

METHODOLOGY

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used for stimulating inflammation in dental pulp tissue in vivo and hDPCs in vitro. Expression levels of GATA4 and γ-H2A.X (a marker for DSBs) were detected at different stages of pulpitis in a rat model and human pulp tissues by immunohistochemistry. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were performed to assess expression of GATA4 and γ-H2A.X and the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in hDPCs stimulated by LPS. The comet assay was used for detecting the extent of DSBs in hDPCs. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot were utilized to evaluate expression of γ-H2A.X and GATA4 and activation of NF-κB in hDPCs pre-treated with inhibitors of DNA damage response or transfected with GATA4 small interfering RNA before the treatment of LPS. Data were analysed statistically using one-way anova or Kruskal-Wallis tests.

RESULTS

The expression of GATA4 and activation of DNA damage response and NF-κB in inflamed pulp tissue and LPS-treated hDPCs were identified. Significantly decreased expression of GATA4 and significantly decreased inflammatory processes in hDPCs were demonstrated via suppression of DNA damage response (P < 0.05). In GATA4-knockdown cells, the expression of γ-H2A.X did not change, but nuclear translocation of p65 was significantly suppressed (P < 0.05) upon induction by LPS.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipopolysaccharide-induced DSBs activated the NF-κB signalling pathway in hDPCs, and GATA4 acts as a positive moderator of the progress. The involvement of GATA4 in this pathology may serve as a therapeutic target in pulpitis.

Antifibrotic Potential of MiR-335-3p in Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a highly genetically heterogeneous disease, and current therapeutic method is limited to surgical resection with a high recurrence rate. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are able to fine-tune large-scale target genes. Here we established a simple but effective computational strategy based on available miRNA target prediction algorithms to pinpoint the most potent miRNA that could negatively regulate a group of functional genes. Based on this rationale, miR-335-3p was top ranked by putatively targeting 85 verified profibrotic genes and 79 upregulated genes in HGF patients. Experimentally, downregulation of miR-355-3p was demonstrated in HGF-derived gingival fibroblasts as well as in transforming growth factor β–stimulated normal human gingival fibroblasts (NHGFs) compared to normal control. Ectopic miR-335-3p attenuated, whereas knockdown of miR-335-3p promoted, the fibrogenic activity of human gingival fibroblasts. Mechanically, miR-335-3p directly targeted SOS1, SMAD2/3, and CTNNB1 by canonical and noncanonical base paring. In particular, different portfolios of fibrotic markers were suppressed by silencing SOS1, SMAD2/3, or CTNNB1, respectively. Thus, our study first proposes a novel miRNA screening approach targeting a functionally related gene set and identifies miR-335-3p as a novel target for HGF treatment. Mechanically, miR-335-3p suppresses the fibrogenic activity of human gingival fibroblasts by repressing multiple core molecules in profibrotic networks. Our strategy provides a new paradigm in the treatment for HGF as well as other diseases.

Study of e^{+}e^{-}→γωJ/ψ and Observation of X(3872)→ωJ/ψ

We study the e^{+}e^{-}→γωJ/ψ process using 11.6  fb^{-1} e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data taken at center-of-mass energies from sqrt[s]=4.008  GeV to 4.600 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. The X(3872) resonance is observed for the first time in the ωJ/ψ system with a significance of more than 5σ. The relative decay ratio of X(3872)→ωJ/ψ and π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ is measured to be R=1.6_{-0.3}^{+0.4}±0.2, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic (the same hereafter). The sqrt[s]-dependent cross section of e^{+}e^{-}→γX(3872) is also measured and investigated, and it can be described by a single Breit-Wigner resonance, referred to as the Y(4200), with a mass of 4200.6_{-13.3}^{+7.9}±3.0  MeV/c^{2} and a width of 115_{-26}^{+38}±12  MeV. In addition, to describe the ωJ/ψ mass distribution above 3.9  GeV/c^{2}, we need at least one additional Breit-Wigner resonance, labeled as X(3915), in the fit. The mass and width of the X(3915) are determined. The resonant parameters of the X(3915) agree with those of the Y(3940) in B→KωJ/ψ and of the X(3915) in γγ→ωJ/ψ observed by the Belle and BABAR experiments within errors.

A randomised controlled trial of stepwise sputum collection to increase yields of confirmed tuberculosis

<sec> <title>SETTING</title> The proportion of bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis (TB) in China has decreased far below the worldwide average. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> To investigate whether stepwise measures to ensure sputum quality can improve the rate of bacteriologically confirmed TB. </sec> <sec> <title>DESIGN</title> We enrolled 980 adults with suspected TB from three counties in China during 2017 for this multicentre randomised controlled trial. Half the participants (n = 490) were randomly assigned to intervention groups that received instructions by a study nurse, and sputum induction, if necessary. In the remaining 490 patients, sputum samples were collected without observation. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients detected as bacteriologically positive on smear, culture or molecular assays (EasyNAT or Xpert). </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Bacteriological confirmation rates were significantly higher in the intervention than in the control group: overall (159/490 [32%] vs. 122/490 [25%]; P = 0.009); confirmation using smear (17% vs. 11%; P = 0.010); confirmation using culture (28% vs. 21%; P = 0.021); and confirmation using molecular assays (27% vs. 18%; P = 0.001). Most of the improvement was in patients who received instruction alone, while improvement was greatest in younger patients (adjusted odds ratio 1.27, 95%CI 1.05-1.53 per 10 years). </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> If implemented effectively in resource-limited primary care clinics, our simple stepwise procedure combining instruction and sputum induction could increase the proportion of bacteriologically confirmed TB significantly. </sec>.

Observation of the Decay X(3872)→π^{0}χ_{c1}(1P)

Using a total of 9.0  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data with center-of-mass energies between 4.15 and 4.30 GeV collected by the BESIII detector, we search for the processes e^{+}e^{-}→γX(3872) with X(3872)→π^{0}χ_{cJ} for J=0, 1, 2. We report the first observation of X(3872)→π^{0}χ_{c1}, a new decay mode of the X(3872), with a statistical significance of more than 5σ for all systematic fit variations. Normalizing to the previously established process e^{+}e^{-}→γX(3872) with X(3872)→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ, we find B(X(3872)→π^{0}χ_{c1})/B(X(3872)→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ)=0.88_{-0.27}^{+0.33}±0.10, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. We set 90% confidence level upper limits on the corresponding ratios for the decays to π^{0}χ_{c0} and π^{0}χ_{c2} of 19 and 1.1, respectively.

Oxymatrine therapy inhibited epidermal cell proliferation and apoptosis in severe plaque psoriasis

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that manifests as epidermal keratinocyte hyperplasia.

Objectives

We examined the effect of oxymatrine treatment on cell proliferation and apoptosis in skin lesions of psoriasis.

Patients and methods

Patients with severe plaque psoriasis were treated with oxymatrine or with acitretin. The skin lesions were stained with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki‐67 and Bcl‐2, as well as examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL). We performed correlations of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the proliferation and apoptosis index.

Results

Oxymatrine significantly reduced the psoriasis lesions as demonstrated by the reduced PASI score after treatment [6·91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5·00–8·81, P < 0·001]. In the oxymatrine group, the mitotic index was 26·15 (95% CI 24·80–27·49) before oxymatrine treatment, decreasing to 14·52 (95% CI 13·82–15·25; P < 0·001) after treatment, but remained higher than the normal group (6·24; 95% CI 5·87–6·61, P < 0·001). Oxymatrine also inhibited the proliferation of epidermal cells in the skin lesion as indicated by the reduced proliferation index after treatment (P < 0·01). In addition, oxymatrine treatment reduced cellular apoptosis as shown by increased Bcl‐2 expression and a decrease in TUNEL‐positive cells. The PASI score was positively correlated with mitotic index, proliferation index and apoptotic index (TUNEL), but negatively correlated with Bcl‐2 expression.

Conclusions

Oxymatrine treatment reduced proliferation but inhibited apoptosis of cells in the skin lesion. The balance between cell proliferation and turnover may contribute to the significant alleviation of psoriasis by oxymatrine.

What's already known about this topic?

Psoriasis manifests as epidermal keratinocyte hyperplasia with proliferation, keratinocyte maturation and turnover rates.

Current drugs for psoriasis may inhibit cell proliferation but could not adjust the balance of cell division, differentiation and apoptosis.

What does this study add?

We studied the efficacy of oxymatrine in the treatment of psoriasis and analysed the correlation of skin lesions, proliferation and apoptosis index before and after oxymatrine treatment.

What is the translational message?

Our study has demonstrated that oxymatrine is effective in the treatment of severe plaque psoriasis.

It has comparable efficacy with acitretin.

Because acitretin treatment was sometimes associated with metabolic abnormalities, our study suggests oxymatrine therapy as an alternative treatment for psoriasis in the context of acitretin allergy or adverse reactions.

https://www.bjdonline.com/article/oxymatrine-therapy-inhibited-epidermal-cell-proliferation-and-apoptosis-in-severe-plaque-psoriasis/

Linked Comment: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.18299.

Precision Measurement of the Branching Fractions of η^{'} Decays

Based on a sample of (1310.6±7.0)×10^{6}J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, we present measurements of J/ψ and η^{'} absolute branching fractions using the process J/ψ→γη^{'}. By analyzing events where the radiative photon converts into an e^{+}e^{-} pair, the branching fraction for J/ψ→γη^{'} is measured to be (5.27±0.03±0.05)×10^{-3}. The absolute branching fractions of the five dominant decay channels of the η^{'} are then measured for the first time and are determined to be B(η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-})=(29.90±0.03±0.55)%, B(η^{'}→ηπ^{+}π^{-})=(41.24±0.08±1.24)%, B(η^{'}→ηπ^{0}π^{0})=(21.36±0.10±0.92)%, B(η^{'}→γω)=(2.489±0.018±0.074)%, and B(η^{'}→γγ)=(2.331±0.012±0.035)%, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic.

Measurement of the Dynamics of the Decays D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}e^{+}ν_{e}

Using e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.19  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of 4.178 GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the absolute branching fractions B_{D_{s}^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e}}=(2.323±0.063_{stat}±0.063_{syst})% and B_{D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}e^{+}ν_{e}}=(0.824±0.073_{stat}±0.027_{syst})% via a tagged analysis technique, where one D_{s} is fully reconstructed in a hadronic mode. Combining these measurements with previous BESIII measurements of B_{D^{+}→η^{(')}e^{+}ν_{e}}, the η-η^{'} mixing angle in the quark flavor basis is determined to be ϕ_{P}=(40.1±2.1_{stat}±0.7_{syst})°. From the first measurements of the dynamics of D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}e^{+}ν_{e} decays, the products of the hadronic form factors f_{+}^{η^{(')}}(0) and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cs}| are determined with different form factor parametrizations. For the two-parameter series expansion, the results are f_{+}^{η}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.4455±0.0053_{stat}±0.0044_{syst} and f_{+}^{η^{'}}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.477±0.049_{stat}±0.011_{syst}.

Evidence of a Resonant Structure in the e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}D^{0}D^{*-} Cross Section between 4.05 and 4.60 GeV

The cross section of the process e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}D^{0}D^{*-} for center-of-mass energies from 4.05 to 4.60 GeV is measured precisely using data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. Two enhancements are clearly visible in the cross section around 4.23 and 4.40 GeV. Using several models to describe the dressed cross section yields stable parameters for the first enhancement, which has a mass of 4228.6±4.1±6.3  MeV/c^{2} and a width of 77.0±6.8±6.3  MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones are systematic. Our resonant mass is consistent with previous observations of the Y(4220) state and the theoretical prediction of a DD[over ¯]_{1}(2420) molecule. This result is the first observation of Y(4220) associated with an open-charm final state. Fits with three resonance functions with additional Y(4260), Y(4320), Y(4360), ψ(4415), or a new resonance do not show significant contributions from either of these resonances. The second enhancement is not from a single known resonance. It could contain contributions from ψ(4415) and other resonances, and a detailed amplitude analysis is required to better understand this enhancement.

Determination of the Pseudoscalar Decay Constant f_{D_{s}^{+}} via D_{s}^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ}

Using a 3.19  fb^{-1} data sample collected at an e^{+}e^{-} center-of-mass energy of E_{cm}=4.178  GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the branching fraction of the leptonic decay D_{s}^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ} to be B_{D_{s}^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ}}=(5.49±0.16_{stat}±0.15_{syst})×10^{-3}. Combining our branching fraction with the masses of the D_{s}^{+} and μ^{+} and the lifetime of the D_{s}^{+}, we determine f_{D_{s}^{+}}|V_{cs}|=246.2±3.6_{stat}±3.5_{syst}  MeV. Using the c→s quark mixing matrix element |V_{cs}| determined from a global standard model fit, we evaluate the D_{s}^{+} decay constant f_{D_{s}^{+}}=252.9±3.7_{stat}±3.6_{syst}  MeV. Alternatively, using the value of f_{D_{s}^{+}} calculated by lattice quantum chromodynamics, we find |V_{cs}|=0.985±0.014_{stat}±0.014_{syst}. These values of B_{D_{s}^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ}}, f_{D_{s}^{+}}|V_{cs}|, f_{D_{s}^{+}} and |V_{cs}| are each the most precise results to date.

First Measurement of the Form Factors in D_{s}^{+}→K^{0}e^{+}ν_{e} and D_{s}^{+}→K^{*0}e^{+}ν_{e} Decays

We report on new measurements of Cabibbo-suppressed semileptonic D_{s}^{+} decays using 3.19  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data sample collected at a center-of-mass energy of 4.178 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. Our results include branching fractions B(D_{s}^{+}→K^{0}e^{+}ν_{e})=[3.25±0.38(stat)±0.16(syst)]×10^{-3} and B(D_{s}^{+}→K^{*0}e^{+}ν_{e})=[2.37±0.26(stat)±0.20(syst)]×10^{-3}, which are much improved relative to previous measurements, and the first measurements of the hadronic form-factor parameters for these decays. For D_{s}^{+}→K^{0}e^{+}ν_{e}, we obtain f_{+}(0)=0.720±0.084(stat)±0.013(syst), and for D_{s}^{+}→K^{*0}e^{+}ν_{e}, we find form-factor ratios r_{V}=V(0)/A_{1}(0)=1.67±0.34(stat)±0.16(syst) and r_{2}=A_{2}(0)/A_{1}(0)=0.77±0.28(stat)±0.07(syst).

Observation of D^{+}→f_{0}(500)e^{+}ν_{e} and Improved Measurements of D→ρe^{+}ν_{e}

Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93  fb^{-1} recorded by the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV, we present an analysis of the decays D^{0}→π^{-}π^{0}e^{+}ν_{e} and D^{+}→π^{-}π^{+}e^{+}ν_{e}. By performing a partial wave analysis, the π^{+}π^{-} S-wave contribution to D^{+}→π^{-}π^{+}e^{+}ν_{e} is observed to be (25.7±1.6±1.1)% with a statistical significance greater than 10σ, besides the dominant P-wave contribution. This is the first observation of the S-wave contribution. We measure the branching fractions B(D^{0}→ρ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})=(1.445±0.058±0.039)×10^{-3}, B(D^{+}→ρ^{0}e^{+}ν_{e})=(1.860±0.070±0.061)×10^{-3}, and B(D^{+}→f_{0}(500)e^{+}ν_{e},f_{0}(500)→π^{+}π^{-})=(6.30±0.43±0.32)×10^{-4}. An upper limit of B(D^{+}→f_{0}(980)e^{+}ν_{e},f_{0}(980)→π^{+}π^{-})<2.8×10^{-5} is set at the 90% confidence level. We also obtain the hadronic form factor ratios of D→ρe^{+}ν_{e} at q^{2}=0 assuming the single-pole dominance parametrization: r_{V}={[V(0)]/[A_{1}(0)]}=1.695±0.083±0.051, r_{2}={[A_{2}(0)]/[A_{1}(0)]}=0.845±0.056±0.039.

[Comprehensive identification of compensatory mutations in rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains]

Objective: To comprehensively identify compensatory mutations in rpoA, rpoB and rpoC genes of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (RIF-r MTB) and to evaluate the effect of rifampicin-resistant mutation type and lineage background on occurrence of compensatory mutations. Methods: Published MTB whole genome sequencing data were searched and downloaded. RIF-r MTB was identified through known rifampicin-resistant mutations. Based on parallel evolutionary patterns, we identified putative compensatory mutations in the phylogenetic tree and calculated proportions of accumulating compensatory mutations in each rifampicin-resistant mutations' type and lineage background of RIF-r MTB. Statistic significance was analyzed by chi-square test. Results: A total of 8 453 global MTB whole genome sequencing data were downloaded form ENA (covering 12 countries), including 1 749 RIF-r MTB. Based on phylogenetic analysis, we totally identified 60 putative compensatory mutations (6 in rpoA gene, 16 in rpoB gene and 38 in rpoC gene), 11 of which were newly reported. RIF-R strains carrying rpoB S450L (41.7%, 279/669) had a significant higher chance to accumulate compensatory mutations than strains with other rpoB mutations (8.0%, 31/388, χ(2)=378.5, P<0.000 1). In addition, RIF-R strains from lineage 2 (34.0%, 223/656) had a significant higher chance to accumulate compensatory mutations than strains from other lineages [lineage1: 4.7%(2/43), 2/43, lineage3: 12.5%(4/32), 4/32, lineage4: 15.1%(78/517), 78/517; χ(2)=238.5, P<0.000 1]. Conclusions: Our study comprehensively identified putative rifampicin-resistant compensatory mutations of rifampicin resistance. RIF-R strains carrying rpoB S450L mutation or from lineage 2 had a significantly higher chance to accumulate compensatory mutations than strains either with other rpoB mutations or from other lineages.

Study of the D^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} Dynamics and Test of Lepton Flavor Universality with D^{0}→K^{-}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} Decays

Using e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data of 2.93  fb^{-1} collected at center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=3.773  GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the absolute branching fraction of D^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} with significantly improved precision: B_{D^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}}=(3.413±0.019_{stat}±0.035_{syst})%. Combining with our previous measurement of B_{D^{0}→K^{-}e^{+}ν_{e}}, the ratio of the two branching fractions is determined to be B_{D^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}}/B_{D^{0}→K^{-}e^{+}ν_{e}}=0.974±0.007_{stat}±0.012_{syst}, which agrees with the theoretical expectation of lepton flavor universality within the uncertainty. A study of the ratio of the two branching fractions in different four-momentum transfer regions is also performed, and no evidence for lepton flavor universality violation is found with current statistics. Taking inputs from global fit in the standard model and lattice quantum chromodynamics separately, we determine f_{+}^{K}(0)=0.7327±0.0039_{stat}±0.0030_{syst} and |V_{cs}|=0.955±0.005_{stat}±0.004_{syst}±0.024_{LQCD}.