First Measurement of the |t| Dependence of Incoherent J/ψ Photonuclear Production

The first measurement of the cross section for incoherent photonuclear production of J/ψ vector mesons as a function of the Mandelstam |t| variable is presented. The measurement was carried out with the ALICE detector at midrapidity, |y|<0.8, using ultraperipheral collisions of Pb nuclei at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. This rapidity interval corresponds to a Bjorken-x range (0.3-1.4)×10^{-3}. Cross sections are given in five |t| intervals in the range 0.04<|t|<1  GeV^{2} and compared to the predictions by different models. Models that ignore quantum fluctuations of the gluon density in the colliding hadron predict a |t| dependence of the cross section much steeper than in data. The inclusion of such fluctuations in the same models provides a better description of the data.

HIF-1α-dependent upregulation of angiogenic factors by mechanical stimulation in retinal pigment epithelial cells

Mechanical stimulation as a mimic of drusen formation in the eye increases the expression of angiogenic factors in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated and characterized the effects of mechanical stimulation on the expression of angiogenic factors in RPE cells both in vitro and in a mouse model. Mechanical stimulation increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, encoded by VEGFA) and other angiogenesis-related genes in cultured RPE1 cells. The presence of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α, encoded by HIF1A) was also increased, and both knockdown of HIF-1α and treatment with the HIF-1α inhibitor CAY10585 attenuated the effect of mechanical stimulation on angiogenesis factor gene expression. Signaling by the tyrosine kinase SRC and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was involved in HIF-1α activation and consequent angiogenesis-related gene expression induced by mechanical stimulation. Our results suggest that SRC-p38 and HIF-1α signaling are involved in the upregulation of angiogenic factors in RPE cells by mechanical stimulation. Such in vivo suppression of upregulated expression of angiogenesis-related genes by pharmacological inhibitors of HIF-1α suggests a new potential approach to the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

Time-dependent changes in retinoids content in liver and adipose tissue after feeding of a vitamin A-deficient diet to mice

Vitamin A is an important nutrient for multiple physiological functions. To elucidate the role of vitamin A in vivo, vitamin A-deficient diets have been often used in mice to establish a vitamin A-deficiency model. However, the information on the appropriate feeding periods and time course of changes in vitamin A content in organs after the start of vitamin A-deficient diet feeding is lacking. This study aimed to assess the retinoids levels in liver and white adipose tissue in mice fed a vitamin A-deficient diet for £8 weeks. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure the retinoids levels in liver and white adipose tissue every 2 weeks for £8 weeks. Vitamin A-deficient diet feeding significantly decreased retinol in the liver over 6 weeks, but retinyl palmitate, a main storage form of vitamin A, was not changed over 8 weeks. The plasma retinol level remained constant throughout the experiment. In white adipose tissue, retinyl palmitate gradually decreased over 8 weeks. These results indicate that vitamin A-deficient diet feeding longer than 6 weeks reduced retinol in liver and retinyl palmitate in white adipose tissue over 8 weeks, although it is not enough for the induction of a whole-body vitamin A deficiency.

SARS-CoV-2 infection status in corneal preservation solution and COVID-19 prevalence after corneal transplantation

The potential risks associated with organs from COVID-19-infected donors were unclear. To determine the SARS-CoV-2 infection status of corneas transplanted during the COVID-19 pandemic, we performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the corneal preservation solution that was used for corneal transplantation. We also examined the postoperative health status of the recipients. This study included 144 transplants in 143 eyes. Ninety-nine eyes of imported corneas and 10 of the 14 corneas donated in the prefecture were PCR tested at our hospital, and all were SARS-CoV-2 negative. All corneal transplants were performed after confirming their SARS-CoV-2 negativity by a PCR using a corneal preservation solution at our hospital or a nasopharyngeal swab at a previous facility. Despite postoperative steroid administration, no patient developed COVID-19 infection until discharge. Hence, if the donor's nasopharyngeal swab test is SARS-CoV-2 negative, COVID-19 infection in the recipient due to corneal transplantation may be prevented. Since corneal transplant recipients are susceptible to infection due to prolonged steroid administration and are at high risk for severe diseases if infection occurs, SARS-CoV-2 detection testing using nasopharyngeal swabs in donors should be performed.

ψ(2S) Suppression in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

The production of the ψ(2S) charmonium state was measured with ALICE in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, in the dimuon decay channel. A significant signal was observed for the first time at LHC energies down to zero transverse momentum, at forward rapidity (2.5 Collapse

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Affiliation(s)

S Acharya Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, Clermont-Ferrand, France
D Adamová Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Husinec-Řež, Czech Republic
A Adler Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universität Frankfurt Institut für Informatik, Fachbereich Informatik und Mathematik, Frankfurt, Germany
G Aglieri Rinella European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M Agnello Dipartimento DISAT del Politecnico and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
N Agrawal INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Z Ahammed Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
S Ahmad Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
S U Ahn Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
I Ahuja Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovak Republic
A Akindinov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Al-Turany Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
D Aleksandrov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
B Alessandro INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
H M Alfanda Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
R Alfaro Molina Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
B Ali Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
A Alici Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
N Alizadehvandchali University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
A Alkin European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J Alme Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
G Alocco INFN, Sezione di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
T Alt Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
I Altsybeev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M N Anaam Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
C Andrei Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
A Andronic Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
V Anguelov Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
F Antinori INFN, Sezione di Padova, Padova, Italy
P Antonioli INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
N Apadula Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
L Aphecetche SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
H Appelshäuser Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
C Arata Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie, Université Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS-IN2P3, Grenoble, France
S Arcelli Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
M Aresti INFN, Sezione di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
R Arnaldi INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
I C Arsene Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
M Arslandok Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
A Augustinus European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R Averbeck Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
M D Azmi Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
A Badalà INFN, Sezione di Catania, Catania, Italy
J Bae Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon City, Republic of Korea
Y W Baek Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
X Bai University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
R Bailhache Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
Y Bailung Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
A Balbino Dipartimento DISAT del Politecnico and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A Baldisseri Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
B Balis AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland
D Banerjee Bose Institute, Department of Physics, and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Kolkata, India
Z Banoo Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
R Barbera Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
F Barile Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica 'M. Merlin' and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
L Barioglio Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
M Barlou National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Science, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece
G G Barnaföldi Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
L S Barnby Nuclear Physics Group, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, United Kingdom
V Barret Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, Clermont-Ferrand, France
L Barreto Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
C Bartels University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
K Barth European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
E Bartsch Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
F Baruffaldi Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
N Bastid Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, Clermont-Ferrand, France
S Basu Lund University Department of Physics, Division of Particle Physics, Lund, Sweden
G Batigne SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
D Battistini Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
B Batyunya Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
D Bauri Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
J L Bazo Alba Sección Física, Departamento de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
I G Bearden Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
C Beattie Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
P Becht Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
D Behera Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
I Belikov Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France, Strasbourg, France
A D C Bell Hechavarria Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
F Bellini Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
R Bellwied University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
S Belokurova Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
V Belyaev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
G Bencedi Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
S Beole Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A Bercuci Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
Y Berdnikov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Berdnikova Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
L Bergmann Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
M G Besoiu Institute of Space Science (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
L Betev European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
P P Bhaduri Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
A Bhasin Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
M A Bhat Bose Institute, Department of Physics, and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Kolkata, India
B Bhattacharjee Gauhati University, Department of Physics, Guwahati, India
L Bianchi Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
N Bianchi INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Frascati, Italy
J Bielčík Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
J Bielčíková Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Husinec-Řež, Czech Republic
J Biernat The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
A P Bigot Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France, Strasbourg, France
A Bilandzic Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
G Biro Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
S Biswas Bose Institute, Department of Physics, and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Kolkata, India
N Bize SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
J T Blair The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
D Blau Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M B Blidaru Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
N Bluhme Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
C Blume Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
G Boca Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy INFN, Sezione di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
F Bock Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
T Bodova Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
A Bogdanov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
S Boi Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
J Bok Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
L Boldizsár Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
A Bolozdynya Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Bombara Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovak Republic
P M Bond European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
G Bonomi INFN, Sezione di Pavia, Pavia, Italy Università di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
H Borel Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
A Borissov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A G Borquez Carcamo Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
H Bossi Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
E Botta Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
Y E M Bouziani Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
L Bratrud Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
P Braun-Munzinger Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
M Bregant Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
M Broz Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
G E Bruno Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica 'M. Merlin' and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy Politecnico di Bari and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
D Budnikov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
H Buesching Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
S Bufalino Dipartimento DISAT del Politecnico and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
O Bugnon SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
P Buhler Stefan Meyer Institut für Subatomare Physik (SMI), Vienna, Austria
Z Buthelezi iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
S A Bysiak The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
M Cai Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
H Caines Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
A Caliva Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
E Calvo Villar Sección Física, Departamento de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
J M M Camacho Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacan, Mexico
P Camerini Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
F D M Canedo Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
M Carabas University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
A A Carballo European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
F Carnesecchi European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R Caron Université de Lyon, CNRS/IN2P3, Institut de Physique des 2 Infinis de Lyon, Lyon, France
J Castillo Castellanos Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
F Catalano Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy Dipartimento DISAT del Politecnico and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
C Ceballos Sanchez Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
I Chakaberia Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
P Chakraborty Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
S Chandra Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
S Chapeland European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M Chartier University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
S Chattopadhyay Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
S Chattopadhyay Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
T G Chavez High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
T Cheng Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
C Cheshkov Université de Lyon, CNRS/IN2P3, Institut de Physique des 2 Infinis de Lyon, Lyon, France
B Cheynis Université de Lyon, CNRS/IN2P3, Institut de Physique des 2 Infinis de Lyon, Lyon, France
V Chibante Barroso European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
D D Chinellato Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
E S Chizzali Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
J Cho Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
S Cho Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
P Chochula European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
P Christakoglou Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
C H Christensen Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
P Christiansen Lund University Department of Physics, Division of Particle Physics, Lund, Sweden
T Chujo University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
M Ciacco Dipartimento DISAT del Politecnico and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
C Cicalo INFN, Sezione di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
F Cindolo INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
M R Ciupek Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
G Clai INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
F Colamaria INFN, Sezione di Bari, Bari, Italy
J S Colburn School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
D Colella Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica 'M. Merlin' and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy Politecnico di Bari and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
M Colocci European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M Concas INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
G Conesa Balbastre Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie, Université Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS-IN2P3, Grenoble, France
Z Conesa Del Valle Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis, Irène Joliot-Curie, Orsay, France
G Contin Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
J G Contreras Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
M L Coquet Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
T M Cormier Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
P Cortese INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy Università del Piemonte Orientale, Vercelli, Italy
M R Cosentino Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo Andre, Brazil
F Costa European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
S Costanza Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy INFN, Sezione di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
J Crkovská Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
P Crochet Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, Clermont-Ferrand, France
R Cruz-Torres Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
E Cuautle Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
P Cui Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
A Dainese INFN, Sezione di Padova, Padova, Italy
M C Danisch Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
A Danu Institute of Space Science (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
P Das National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Jatni, India
P Das Bose Institute, Department of Physics, and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Kolkata, India
S Das Bose Institute, Department of Physics, and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Kolkata, India
A R Dash Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
S Dash Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
A De Caro Dipartimento di Fisica 'E.R. Caianiello' dell' Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
G de Cataldo INFN, Sezione di Bari, Bari, Italy
J de Cuveland Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A De Falco Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
D De Gruttola Dipartimento di Fisica 'E.R. Caianiello' dell' Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
N De Marco INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
C De Martin Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
S De Pasquale Dipartimento di Fisica 'E.R. Caianiello' dell' Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
S Deb Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
R J Debski AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland
K R Deja Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
R Del Grande Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
L Dello Stritto Dipartimento di Fisica 'E.R. Caianiello' dell' Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
W Deng Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
P Dhankher Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
D Di Bari Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica 'M. Merlin' and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
A Di Mauro European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R A Diaz Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas y Desarrollo Nuclear (CEADEN), Havana, Cuba Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
T Dietel University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Y Ding Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China Université de Lyon, CNRS/IN2P3, Institut de Physique des 2 Infinis de Lyon, Lyon, France
R Divià European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
D U Dixit Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
Ø Djuvsland Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
U Dmitrieva Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Dobrin Institute of Space Science (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
B Dönigus Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
J M Dubinski Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
A Dubla Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
S Dudi Physics Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
P Dupieux Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, Clermont-Ferrand, France
M Durkac Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic
N Dzalaiova Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
T M Eder Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
R J Ehlers Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
V N Eikeland Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
F Eisenhut Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
D Elia INFN, Sezione di Bari, Bari, Italy
B Erazmus SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
F Ercolessi Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
F Erhardt Physics department, Faculty of science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
M R Ersdal Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
B Espagnon Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis, Irène Joliot-Curie, Orsay, France
G Eulisse European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
D Evans School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
S Evdokimov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
L Fabbietti Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
M Faggin Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
J Faivre Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie, Université Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS-IN2P3, Grenoble, France
F Fan Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
W Fan Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
A Fantoni INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Frascati, Italy
M Fasel Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
P Fecchio Dipartimento DISAT del Politecnico and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A Feliciello INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
G Feofilov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Fernández Téllez High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
L Ferrandi Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
M B Ferrer European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A Ferrero Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
C Ferrero INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
A Ferretti Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
V J G Feuillard Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
V Filova Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
D Finogeev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
F M Fionda INFN, Sezione di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
F Flor University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
A N Flores The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
S Foertsch iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
I Fokin Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
S Fokin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
E Fragiacomo INFN, Sezione di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
E Frajna Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
U Fuchs European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
N Funicello Dipartimento di Fisica 'E.R. Caianiello' dell' Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
C Furget Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie, Université Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS-IN2P3, Grenoble, France
A Furs Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
T Fusayasu Saga University, Saga, Japan
J J Gaardhøje Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
M Gagliardi Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A M Gago Sección Física, Departamento de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
C D Galvan Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacan, Mexico
D R Gangadharan University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
P Ganoti National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Science, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece
C Garabatos Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
J R A Garcia High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
E Garcia-Solis Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
K Garg SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
C Gargiulo European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A Garibli National Nuclear Research Center, Baku, Azerbaijan
K Garner Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
P Gasik Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
A Gautam University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
M B Gay Ducati Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
M Germain SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
C Ghosh Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
M Giacalone Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
P Giubellino INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
P Giubilato Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
A M C Glaenzer Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
P Glässel Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
E Glimos University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
D J Q Goh Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science, Nagasaki, Japan
V Gonzalez Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
L H González-Trueba Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
M Gorgon AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland
S Gotovac Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, Split, Croatia
V Grabski Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
L K Graczykowski Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
E Grecka Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Husinec-Řež, Czech Republic
A Grelli Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP), Utrecht University/Nikhef, Utrecht, Netherlands
C Grigoras European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
V Grigoriev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
S Grigoryan A.I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) Foundation, Yerevan, Armenia Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
F Grosa European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J F Grosse-Oetringhaus European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R Grosso Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
D Grund Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
G G Guardiano Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
R Guernane Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie, Université Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS-IN2P3, Grenoble, France
M Guilbaud SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
K Gulbrandsen Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
T Gundem Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
T Gunji University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
W Guo Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
A Gupta Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
R Gupta Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
S P Guzman High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
L Gyulai Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
M K Habib Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
C Hadjidakis Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis, Irène Joliot-Curie, Orsay, France
F U Haider Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
H Hamagaki Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science, Nagasaki, Japan
A Hamdi Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
M Hamid Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
Y Han Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
R Hannigan The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
M R Haque Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
J W Harris Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
A Harton Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
H Hassan Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
D Hatzifotiadou INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
P Hauer Helmholtz-Institut für Strahlen- und Kernphysik, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
L B Havener Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
S T Heckel Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
E Hellbär Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
H Helstrup Faculty of Engineering and Science, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
M Hemmer Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
T Herman Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
G Herrera Corral Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV), Mexico City and Merida, Mexico
F Herrmann Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
S Herrmann Université de Lyon, CNRS/IN2P3, Institut de Physique des 2 Infinis de Lyon, Lyon, France
K F Hetland Faculty of Engineering and Science, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
B Heybeck Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
H Hillemanns European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
C Hills University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
B Hippolyte Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France, Strasbourg, France
B Hofman Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP), Utrecht University/Nikhef, Utrecht, Netherlands
B Hohlweger Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
G H Hong Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
M Horst Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
A Horzyk AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland
R Hosokawa Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Y Hou Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
P Hristov European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
C Hughes University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
P Huhn Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
L M Huhta University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
C V Hulse Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis, Irène Joliot-Curie, Orsay, France
T J Humanic Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
H Hushnud Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
A Hutson University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
D Hutter Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
J P Iddon University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
R Ilkaev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
H Ilyas COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
M Inaba University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
G M Innocenti European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M Ippolitov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Isakov Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Husinec-Řež, Czech Republic
T Isidori University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
M S Islam Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
M Ivanov Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
M Ivanov Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
V Ivanov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Jablonski AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland
B Jacak Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
N Jacazio European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
P M Jacobs Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
S Jadlovska Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic
J Jadlovsky Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic
S Jaelani National Research and Innovation Agency - BRIN, Jakarta, Indonesia
L Jaffe Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
C Jahnke Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
M J Jakubowska Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
M A Janik Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
T Janson Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universität Frankfurt Institut für Informatik, Fachbereich Informatik und Mathematik, Frankfurt, Germany
M Jercic Physics department, Faculty of science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
S Jia China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China
A A P Jimenez Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
F Jonas Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
J M Jowett European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
J Jung Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
M Jung Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A Junique European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A Jusko School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
M J Kabus European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
J Kaewjai Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
P Kalinak Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic
A S Kalteyer Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
A Kalweit European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
V Kaplin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Karasu Uysal KTO Karatay University, Konya, Turkey
D Karatovic Physics department, Faculty of science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
O Karavichev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
T Karavicheva Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
P Karczmarczyk Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
E Karpechev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
U Kebschull Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universität Frankfurt Institut für Informatik, Fachbereich Informatik und Mathematik, Frankfurt, Germany
R Keidel Zentrum für Technologie und Transfer (ZTT), Worms, Germany
D L D Keijdener Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP), Utrecht University/Nikhef, Utrecht, Netherlands
M Keil European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
B Ketzer Helmholtz-Institut für Strahlen- und Kernphysik, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
A M Khan Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
S Khan Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
A Khanzadeev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
Y Kharlov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Khatun Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
A Khuntia The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
M B Kidson University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
B Kileng Faculty of Engineering and Science, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
B Kim Department of Physics, Pusan National University, Pusan, Republic of Korea
C Kim Department of Physics, Pusan National University, Pusan, Republic of Korea
D J Kim University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
E J Kim Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
J Kim Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
J S Kim Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
J Kim Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
J Kim Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
M Kim Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
S Kim Department of Physics, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
T Kim Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
K Kimura Physics Program and International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (SKCM2), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
S Kirsch Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
I Kisel Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
S Kiselev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Kisiel Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
J P Kitowski AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland
J L Klay California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, USA
J Klein European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
S Klein Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
C Klein-Bösing Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
M Kleiner Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
T Klemenz Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
A Kluge European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A G Knospe University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
C Kobdaj Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
T Kollegger Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
A Kondratyev Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
E Kondratyuk Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
J Konig Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
S A Konigstorfer Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
P J Konopka European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
G Kornakov Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
S D Koryciak AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland
A Kotliarov Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Husinec-Řež, Czech Republic
V Kovalenko Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Kowalski The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
V Kozhuharov Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria
I Králik Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic
A Kravčáková Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovak Republic
L Kreis Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
M Krivda Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
F Krizek Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Husinec-Řež, Czech Republic
K Krizkova Gajdosova Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
M Kroesen Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
M Krüger Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
D M Krupova Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
E Kryshen Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
V Kučera European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
C Kuhn Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France, Strasbourg, France
P G Kuijer Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
T Kumaoka University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
D Kumar Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
L Kumar Physics Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
N Kumar Physics Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
S Kumar Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica 'M. Merlin' and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
S Kundu European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
P Kurashvili National Centre for Nuclear Research, Warsaw, Poland
A Kurepin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A B Kurepin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Kuryakin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
S Kushpil Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Husinec-Řež, Czech Republic
J Kvapil School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
M J Kweon Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
J Y Kwon Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
Y Kwon Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
S L La Pointe Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
P La Rocca Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
Y S Lai Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
A Lakrathok Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
M Lamanna European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R Langoy University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
P Larionov European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
E Laudi European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
L Lautner European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
R Lavicka Stefan Meyer Institut für Subatomare Physik (SMI), Vienna, Austria
T Lazareva Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
R Lea INFN, Sezione di Pavia, Pavia, Italy Università di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
H Lee Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon City, Republic of Korea
G Legras Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
J Lehrbach Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
R C Lemmon Nuclear Physics Group, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, United Kingdom
I León Monzón Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacan, Mexico
M M Lesch Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
E D Lesser Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
M Lettrich Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
P Lévai Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
X Li China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China
X L Li Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
J Lien University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
R Lietava School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
B Lim Department of Physics, Pusan National University, Pusan, Republic of Korea Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
S H Lim Department of Physics, Pusan National University, Pusan, Republic of Korea
V Lindenstruth Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A Lindner Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
C Lippmann Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
A Liu Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
D H Liu Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
J Liu University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
I M Lofnes Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
C Loizides Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
S Lokos The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
P Loncar Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, Split, Croatia
J A Lopez Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
X Lopez Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, Clermont-Ferrand, France
E López Torres Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas y Desarrollo Nuclear (CEADEN), Havana, Cuba
P Lu Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
J R Luhder Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
M Lunardon Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
G Luparello INFN, Sezione di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Y G Ma Fudan University, Shanghai, China
A Maevskaya Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Mager European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
T Mahmoud Helmholtz-Institut für Strahlen- und Kernphysik, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
A Maire Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France, Strasbourg, France
M V Makariev Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria
M Malaev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
G Malfattore Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
N M Malik Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
Q W Malik Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
S K Malik Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
L Malinina Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
D Mal'Kevich Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
D Mallick National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Jatni, India
N Mallick Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
G Mandaglio Dipartimento di Scienze MIFT, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy INFN, Sezione di Catania, Catania, Italy
V Manko Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
F Manso Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, Clermont-Ferrand, France
V Manzari INFN, Sezione di Bari, Bari, Italy
Y Mao Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
G V Margagliotti Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
A Margotti INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
A Marín Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
C Markert The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
P Martinengo European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J L Martinez University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
M I Martínez High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
G Martínez García SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
S Masciocchi Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
M Masera Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A Masoni INFN, Sezione di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
L Massacrier Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis, Irène Joliot-Curie, Orsay, France
A Mastroserio INFN, Sezione di Bari, Bari, Italy Università degli Studi di Foggia, Foggia, Italy
A M Mathis Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
O Matonoha Lund University Department of Physics, Division of Particle Physics, Lund, Sweden
P F T Matuoka Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
A Matyja The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
C Mayer The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
A L Mazuecos European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
F Mazzaschi Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
M Mazzilli European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J E Mdhluli University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
A F Mechler Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
Y Melikyan Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP), Helsinki, Finland Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Menchaca-Rocha Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
E Meninno Dipartimento di Fisica 'E.R. Caianiello' dell' Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy Stefan Meyer Institut für Subatomare Physik (SMI), Vienna, Austria
A S Menon University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
M Meres Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
S Mhlanga iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Y Miake University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
L Micheletti INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
L C Migliorin Université de Lyon, CNRS/IN2P3, Institut de Physique des 2 Infinis de Lyon, Lyon, France
D L Mihaylov Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
K Mikhaylov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A N Mishra Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
D Miśkowiec Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
A Modak Bose Institute, Department of Physics, and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Kolkata, India
A P Mohanty Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP), Utrecht University/Nikhef, Utrecht, Netherlands
B Mohanty National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Jatni, India
M Mohisin Khan Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
M A Molander Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP), Helsinki, Finland
Z Moravcova Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
C Mordasini Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
D A Moreira De Godoy Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
I Morozov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Morsch European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
T Mrnjavac European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
V Muccifora INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Frascati, Italy
S Muhuri Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
J D Mulligan Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
A Mulliri Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
M G Munhoz Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
R H Munzer Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
H Murakami University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
S Murray University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
L Musa European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J Musinsky Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic
J W Myrcha Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
B Naik University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
A I Nambrath Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
B K Nandi Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
R Nania INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
E Nappi INFN, Sezione di Bari, Bari, Italy
A F Nassirpour Lund University Department of Physics, Division of Particle Physics, Lund, Sweden
A Nath Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
C Nattrass University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
M N Naydenov Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria
A Neagu Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
A Negru University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
L Nellen Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
S V Nesbo Faculty of Engineering and Science, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
G Neskovic Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
D Nesterov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
B S Nielsen Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
E G Nielsen Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
S Nikolaev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
S Nikulin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
V Nikulin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
F Noferini INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
S Noh Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
P Nomokonov Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
J Norman University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
N Novitzky University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
P Nowakowski Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
A Nyanin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
J Nystrand Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
M Ogino Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science, Nagasaki, Japan
A Ohlson Lund University Department of Physics, Division of Particle Physics, Lund, Sweden
V A Okorokov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
J Oleniacz Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
A C Oliveira Da Silva University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
M H Oliver Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
A Onnerstad University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
C Oppedisano INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
A Ortiz Velasquez Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
J Otwinowski The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
M Oya Physics Program and International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (SKCM2), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
K Oyama Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science, Nagasaki, Japan
Y Pachmayer Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
S Padhan Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
D Pagano INFN, Sezione di Pavia, Pavia, Italy Università di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
G Paić Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
A Palasciano INFN, Sezione di Bari, Bari, Italy
S Panebianco Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
H Park University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
H Park Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon City, Republic of Korea
J Park Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
J E Parkkila European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R N Patra Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
B Paul Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
H Pei Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
T Peitzmann Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP), Utrecht University/Nikhef, Utrecht, Netherlands
X Peng Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
M Pennisi Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
L G Pereira Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
D Peresunko Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
G M Perez Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas y Desarrollo Nuclear (CEADEN), Havana, Cuba
S Perrin Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
Y Pestov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
V Petráček Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
V Petrov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Petrovici Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
R P Pezzi Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
S Piano INFN, Sezione di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
M Pikna Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
P Pillot SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
O Pinazza European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
L Pinsky University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
C Pinto Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
S Pisano INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Frascati, Italy
M Płoskoń Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
M Planinic Physics department, Faculty of science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
F Pliquett Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
M G Poghosyan Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
B Polichtchouk Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
S Politano Dipartimento DISAT del Politecnico and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
N Poljak Physics department, Faculty of science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
A Pop Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
S Porteboeuf-Houssais Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, Clermont-Ferrand, France
V Pozdniakov Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
K K Pradhan Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
S K Prasad Bose Institute, Department of Physics, and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Kolkata, India
S Prasad Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
R Preghenella INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
F Prino INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
C A Pruneau Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
I Pshenichnov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Puccio European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
S Pucillo Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
Z Pugelova Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic
S Qiu Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
L Quaglia Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
R E Quishpe University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
S Ragoni Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
A Rakotozafindrabe Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
L Ramello INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy Università del Piemonte Orientale, Vercelli, Italy
F Rami Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France, Strasbourg, France
S A R Ramirez High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
T A Rancien Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie, Université Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS-IN2P3, Grenoble, France
M Rasa Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
S S Räsänen Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP), Helsinki, Finland
R Rath Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
M P Rauch Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
I Ravasenga Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
K F Read Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
C Reckziegel Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo Andre, Brazil
A R Redelbach Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
K Redlich National Centre for Nuclear Research, Warsaw, Poland
A Rehman Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
F Reidt European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
H A Reme-Ness Faculty of Engineering and Science, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
Z Rescakova Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovak Republic
K Reygers Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
A Riabov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
V Riabov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
R Ricci Dipartimento di Fisica 'E.R. Caianiello' dell' Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
M Richter Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
A A Riedel Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
W Riegler European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
C Ristea Institute of Space Science (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
M Rodríguez Cahuantzi High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
K Røed Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
R Rogalev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
E Rogochaya Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
T S Rogoschinski Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
D Rohr European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
D Röhrich Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
P F Rojas High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
S Rojas Torres Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
P S Rokita Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
G Romanenko Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
F Ronchetti INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Frascati, Italy
A Rosano Dipartimento di Scienze MIFT, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy INFN, Sezione di Catania, Catania, Italy
E D Rosas Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
A Rossi INFN, Sezione di Padova, Padova, Italy
A Roy Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
S Roy Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
N Rubini Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
O V Rueda Lund University Department of Physics, Division of Particle Physics, Lund, Sweden University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
D Ruggiano Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
R Rui Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
B Rumyantsev Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
P G Russek AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland
R Russo Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
A Rustamov National Nuclear Research Center, Baku, Azerbaijan
E Ryabinkin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
Y Ryabov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Rybicki The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
H Rytkonen University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
W Rzesa Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
O A M Saarimaki Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP), Helsinki, Finland
R Sadek SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
S Sadhu Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica 'M. Merlin' and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
S Sadovsky Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
J Saetre Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
K Šafařík Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
S K Saha Bose Institute, Department of Physics, and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Kolkata, India
S Saha National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Jatni, India
B Sahoo Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
R Sahoo Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
S Sahoo Institute of Physics, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Bhubaneswar, India
D Sahu Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
P K Sahu Institute of Physics, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Bhubaneswar, India
J Saini Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
K Sajdakova Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovak Republic
S Sakai University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
M P Salvan Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
S Sambyal Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
I Sanna European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
T B Saramela Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
D Sarkar Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
N Sarkar Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
P Sarma Gauhati University, Department of Physics, Guwahati, India
V Sarritzu Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
V M Sarti Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
M H P Sas Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
J Schambach Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
H S Scheid Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
C Schiaua Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
R Schicker Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
A Schmah Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
C Schmidt Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
H R Schmidt Physikalisches Institut, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany
M O Schmidt European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M Schmidt Physikalisches Institut, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany
N V Schmidt Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
A R Schmier University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
R Schotter Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France, Strasbourg, France
A Schröter Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
J Schukraft European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
K Schwarz Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
K Schweda Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
G Scioli Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
E Scomparin INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
J E Seger Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Y Sekiguchi University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
D Sekihata University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
I Selyuzhenkov Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
S Senyukov Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France, Strasbourg, France
J J Seo Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
D Serebryakov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
L Šerkšnytė Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
A Sevcenco Institute of Space Science (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
T J Shaba iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
A Shabetai SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
R Shahoyan European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A Shangaraev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A Sharma Physics Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
D Sharma Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
H Sharma The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
M Sharma Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
S Sharma Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science, Nagasaki, Japan
S Sharma Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
U Sharma Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
A Shatat Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis, Irène Joliot-Curie, Orsay, France
O Sheibani University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
K Shigaki Physics Program and International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (SKCM2), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
M Shimomura Nara Women's University (NWU), Nara, Japan
J Shin Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
S Shirinkin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
Q Shou Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Y Sibiriak Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
S Siddhanta INFN, Sezione di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
T Siemiarczuk National Centre for Nuclear Research, Warsaw, Poland
T F Silva Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
D Silvermyr Lund University Department of Physics, Division of Particle Physics, Lund, Sweden
T Simantathammakul Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
R Simeonov Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria
B Singh Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
B Singh Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
R Singh National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Jatni, India
R Singh Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
R Singh Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
S Singh Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
V K Singh Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
V Singhal Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
T Sinha Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
B Sitar Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
M Sitta INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy Università del Piemonte Orientale, Vercelli, Italy
T B Skaali Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
G Skorodumovs Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
M Slupecki Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP), Helsinki, Finland
N Smirnov Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
R J M Snellings Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP), Utrecht University/Nikhef, Utrecht, Netherlands
E H Solheim Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
J Song University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
A Songmoolnak Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
F Soramel Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
R Spijkers Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
I Sputowska The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
J Staa Lund University Department of Physics, Division of Particle Physics, Lund, Sweden
J Stachel Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
I Stan Institute of Space Science (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
P J Steffanic University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
S F Stiefelmaier Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
D Stocco SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
I Storehaug Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
P Stratmann Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
S Strazzi Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
C P Stylianidis Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
A A P Suaide Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
C Suire Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis, Irène Joliot-Curie, Orsay, France
M Sukhanov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Suljic European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R Sultanov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
V Sumberia Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
S Sumowidagdo National Research and Innovation Agency - BRIN, Jakarta, Indonesia
S Swain Institute of Physics, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Bhubaneswar, India
I Szarka Comenius University Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
S F Taghavi Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
G Taillepied Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
J Takahashi Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
G J Tambave Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
S Tang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, Clermont-Ferrand, France
Z Tang University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
J D Tapia Takaki University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
N Tapus University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
L A Tarasovicova Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
M G Tarzila Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
G F Tassielli Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica 'M. Merlin' and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
A Tauro European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
G Tejeda Muñoz High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
A Telesca European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
L Terlizzi Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
C Terrevoli University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
G Tersimonov Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine
S Thakur Bose Institute, Department of Physics, and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Kolkata, India
D Thomas The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
A Tikhonov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
A R Timmins University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
M Tkacik Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic
T Tkacik Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic
A Toia Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
R Tokumoto Physics Program and International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (SKCM2), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
N Topilskaya Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Toppi INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Frascati, Italy
F Torales-Acosta Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
T Tork Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis, Irène Joliot-Curie, Orsay, France
A G Torres Ramos Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica 'M. Merlin' and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
A Trifiró Dipartimento di Scienze MIFT, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy INFN, Sezione di Catania, Catania, Italy
A S Triolo Dipartimento di Scienze MIFT, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy INFN, Sezione di Catania, Catania, Italy
S Tripathy INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
T Tripathy Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
S Trogolo European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
V Trubnikov Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine
W H Trzaska University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
T P Trzcinski Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
A Tumkin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
R Turrisi INFN, Sezione di Padova, Padova, Italy
T S Tveter Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
K Ullaland Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
B Ulukutlu Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
A Uras Université de Lyon, CNRS/IN2P3, Institut de Physique des 2 Infinis de Lyon, Lyon, France
M Urioni INFN, Sezione di Pavia, Pavia, Italy Università di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
G L Usai Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
M Vala Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovak Republic
N Valle Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
L V R van Doremalen Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP), Utrecht University/Nikhef, Utrecht, Netherlands
M van Leeuwen Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
C A van Veen Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
R J G van Weelden Nikhef, National institute for subatomic physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
P Vande Vyvre European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
D Varga Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
Z Varga Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
M Vasileiou National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Science, Department of Physics, Athens, Greece
A Vasiliev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
O Vázquez Doce INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Frascati, Italy
V Vechernin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
E Vercellin Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
S Vergara Limón High Energy Physics Group, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
L Vermunt Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
R Vértesi Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, Hungary
M Verweij Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP), Utrecht University/Nikhef, Utrecht, Netherlands
L Vickovic Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Z Vilakazi University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
O Villalobos Baillie School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
G Vino INFN, Sezione di Bari, Bari, Italy
A Vinogradov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
T Virgili Dipartimento di Fisica 'E.R. Caianiello' dell' Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
V Vislavicius Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
A Vodopyanov Affiliated with an international laboratory covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
B Volkel European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M A Völkl Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
K Voloshin Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
S A Voloshin Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
G Volpe Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica 'M. Merlin' and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
B von Haller European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
I Vorobyev Physik Department, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
N Vozniuk Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
J Vrláková Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovak Republic
C Wang Fudan University, Shanghai, China
D Wang Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Y Wang Fudan University, Shanghai, China
A Wegrzynek European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
F T Weiglhofer Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
S C Wenzel European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J P Wessels Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
S L Weyhmiller Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
J Wiechula Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
J Wikne Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
G Wilk National Centre for Nuclear Research, Warsaw, Poland
J Wilkinson Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
G A Willems Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Kernphysik, Munster, Germany
B Windelband Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
M Winn Université Paris-Saclay Centre d'Etudes de Saclay (CEA), IRFU, Départment de Physique Nucléaire (DPhN), Saclay, France
J R Wright The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
W Wu Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Y Wu University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
R Xu Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
A Yadav Helmholtz-Institut für Strahlen- und Kernphysik, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
A K Yadav Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India
S Yalcin KTO Karatay University, Konya, Turkey
Y Yamaguchi Physics Program and International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (SKCM2), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
K Yamakawa Physics Program and International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (SKCM2), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
S Yang Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
S Yano Physics Program and International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (SKCM2), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
Z Yin Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
I-K Yoo Department of Physics, Pusan National University, Pusan, Republic of Korea
J H Yoon Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
S Yuan Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
A Yuncu Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
V Zaccolo Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
C Zampolli European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
F Zanone Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
N Zardoshti European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
A Zarochentsev Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
P Závada Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
N Zaviyalov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
M Zhalov Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
B Zhang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
L Zhang Fudan University, Shanghai, China
S Zhang Fudan University, Shanghai, China
X Zhang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
Y Zhang University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
Z Zhang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
M Zhao China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China
V Zherebchevskii Affiliated with an institute covered by a cooperation agreement with CERN
Y Zhi China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China
D Zhou Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
Y Zhou Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
J Zhu Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
Y Zhu Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
S C Zugravel INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin, Italy
N Zurlo INFN, Sezione di Pavia, Pavia, Italy Università di Brescia, Brescia, Italy

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Combination of blockade of endothelin signalling and compensation of IGF1 expression protects the retina from degeneration

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and macular dystrophy (MD) cause severe retinal dysfunction, affecting 1 in 4000 people worldwide. This disease is currently assumed to be intractable, because effective therapeutic methods have not been established, regardless of genetic or sporadic traits. Here, we examined a RP mouse model in which the Prominin-1 (Prom1) gene was deficient and investigated the molecular events occurring at the outset of retinal dysfunction. We extracted the Prom1-deficient retina subjected to light exposure for a short time, conducted single-cell expression profiling, and compared the gene expression with and without stimuli. We identified the cells and genes whose expression levels change directly in response to light stimuli. Among the genes altered by light stimulation, Igf1 was decreased in rod photoreceptor cells and astrocytes under the light-stimulated condition. Consistently, the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signal was weakened in light-stimulated photoreceptor cells. The recovery of Igf1 expression with the adeno-associated virus (AAV) prevented photoreceptor cell death, and its treatment in combination with the endothelin receptor antagonist led to the blockade of abnormal glial activation and the promotion of glycolysis, thereby resulting in the improvement of retinal functions, as assayed by electroretinography. We additionally demonstrated that the attenuation of mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which mediates IGF signalling, leads to complications in maintaining retinal homeostasis. Together, we propose that combinatorial manipulation of distinct mechanisms is useful for the maintenance of the retinal condition.

Exacerbation of Diabetic Retinopathy following Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor Administration: A Case Report

Introduction

Hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitors, used in the treatment of renal anemia, hold the potential to increase the production of vascular endothelial growth factors. Therefore, HIF-PH inhibitors may exacerbate retinal hemorrhage in diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. Here, we present a case involving the administration of an HIF-PH inhibitor, resulting in the exacerbation of retinal hemorrhage in a patient with diabetic retinopathy.

Case Presentation

A 32-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and renal anemia caused by diabetic nephropathy was referred to our department for ophthalmic examination, revealing diabetic retinopathy with scattered retinal hemorrhages, exudates, and diabetic maculopathy in both eyes. Darbepoetin alfa was initially administered and switched to the HIF-PH inhibitor roxadustat on day 74. By day 88, fresh retinal hemorrhage was observed in the right eye. On day 132, the retinal hemorrhage had further worsened, with new preretinal hemorrhage in both eyes. Roxadustat was discontinued, replaced with darbepoetin alfa, resulting in retinal hemorrhage improvement by day 181 (49 days post-roxadustat cessation). On day 201, fundus hemorrhage further improved, optical coherence tomography showed no macular edema or subretinal fluid, and the retina was thinning. Fluorescein angiography showed neovascular vessels, active fluorescein leakage, and extensive avascular areas in both eyes, prompting pan-retinal photocoagulation. Visual acuity remained stable throughout treatment.

Conclusion

Patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy taking HIF-PH inhibitors should be aware of retinal hemorrhage exacerbations. If observed, the treatment plan, including discontinuation of the HIF-PH inhibitor or switching to another agent, should be discussed with a diabetologist, nephrologist, and ophthalmologist.

Treatment of Failure of Macular Hole Closure due to Post-Vitrectomy Macular Edema Using Sub-Tenon Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection: A Case Report

Introduction

Post-vitrectomy cystoid macular edema (CME) can lead to failure of macular hole (MH) closure. We report 2 cases of failure of MH closure due to post-vitrectomy CME, which were successfully treated using sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide (STTA) injection.

Case Presentations

Case 1 involved a 72-year-old male patient with a Gass Stage 3 MH in the right eye. He underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), internal limiting membrane translocation, and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas injection with cataract surgery in his right eye. The MH did not close postoperatively; further, CME developed at the edge of the MH. Accordingly, the patient underwent an STTA injection. Approximately 2 weeks after the STTA injection, the CME disappeared and the MH closed, which has remained closed 1 year after PPV. Case 2 involved a 78-year-old female patient with Gass Stage 3 MH in the left eye. The patient underwent the same surgical procedure as that performed in case 1. Further, she presented with failure of MH closure caused by CME; therefore, an STTA injection was performed. Approximately 6 weeks after STTA injection, the CME disappeared and the MH closed; further, there was maintained improvement of best-corrected visual acuity for 6 months.

Conclusions

STTA injection could be considered before reoperation in cases involving failure of MH closure due to postoperative CME.

Use of Ranibizumab for evaluating focal laser combination therapy for refractory diabetic macular edema patients: an exploratory study on the RELAND trials

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is the first-line treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME), but is less effective in some patients. We conducted a prospective study to determine whether laser combination therapy with anti-VEGF was more effective than Ranibizumab monotherapy in anti-VEGF-resistant DME patients. There was no significant difference in the improvement of the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between the laser combination therapy and Ranibizumab monotherapy groups (3.2 letters and -7.5 letters, p = 0.165). BCVA did not significantly change between visits 1 and 7 (the laser combination group, 64.3 letters 70.3 letters, respectively, p = 0.537; the Ranibizumab monotherapy group, 72.3 letters and 64.8 letters, respectively, p = 0.554), with no significant improvements in central foveal retinal thickness (the laser combination therapy group, 9.3%: the Ranibizumab monotherapy groups, - 7.3%; p = 0.926). There was no significant difference in the number of Ranibizumab intravitreal therapy (IVT) sessions between the groups (laser combination therapy, 5.2; ranibizumab monotherapy, 6.0; p = 0.237). This study did not show that laser combination therapy was significantly more effective for anti-VEGF-resistant DME than anti-VEGF monotherapy alone. Therefore, for anti-VEGF-resistant DME, alternative therapeutic approaches beyond combined laser therapy may be considered.

Prognostic Impact of Hyperpolypharmacy Due to Noncardiovascular Medications in Patients After Acute Decompensated Heart Failure - Insights From the Clue of Risk Stratification in the Elderly Patients With Heart Failure (CURE-HF) Registry

BACKGROUND

Hyperpolypharmacy is associated with adverse outcomes in older adults, but because literature on its association with cardiovascular (CV) outcomes after acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is sparse, we investigated the relationships among hyperpolypharmacy, medication class, and death in patients with HF.Methods and Results: We evaluated the total number of medications prescribed to 884 patients at discharge following ADHF. Patients were categorized into nonpolypharmacy (<5 medications), polypharmacy (5-9 medications), and hyperpolypharmacy (≥10 medications) groups. We examined the relationship of polypharmacy status with the 2-year mortality rate. The proportion of patients taking ≥5 medications was 91.3% (polypharmacy, 55.3%; hyperpolypharmacy, 36.0%). Patients in the hyperpolypharmacy group showed worse outcomes than patients in the other 2 groups (P=0.002). After multivariable adjustment, the total number of medications was significantly associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] per additional increase in the number of medications, 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.10; P=0.027). Although the number of non-CV medications was significantly associated with death (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13; P=0.01), the number of CV medications was not (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.92-1.10; P=0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperpolypharmacy due to non-CV medications was associated with an elevated risk of death in patients after ADHF, suggesting the importance of a regular review of the prescribed drugs including non-CV medications.

Clinical Profile and Prognosis of Dementia in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure - From the CURE-HF Registry

BACKGROUND

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) has a poor prognosis and common comorbidities may be contributory. However, evidence for the association between dementia and clinical outcomes in patients with is sparse and it requires further investigation into risk reduction.Methods and Results: We assessed the clinical profiles and outcomes of 1,026 patients (mean age 77.8 years, 43.2% female) with ADHF enrolled in the CURE-HF registry to evaluate the relationship between investigator-reported dementia status and clinical outcomes (all-cause death, cardiovascular (CV) death, non-CV death, and HF hospitalization) over a median follow-up of 2.7 years. In total, dementia was present in 118 (11.5%) patients, who experienced more drug interruptions and HF admissions due to infection than those without dementia (23.8% vs. 13.1%, P<0.01; 11.0% vs. 6.0%, P<0.01, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that dementia patients had higher mortality rates than those without dementia (log-rank P<0.001). After multivariable adjustment for demographics and comorbidities, dementia was significantly associated with an increased risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.93, P=0.02) and non-CV death (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.62, P=0.03), but no significant associations between dementia and CV death or HF hospitalization were observed (both, P>0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

In ADHF patients dementia was associated with aggravating factors for HF admission and elevated risk of death, primarily non-CV death.

Feasibility of transanal minimally invasive surgery for total pelvic exenteration for advanced primary and recurrent pelvic malignancies

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) for total pelvic exenteration (TPE) in advanced primary and recurrent pelvic malignancies.

METHODS

Using a prospectively collected database, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical, surgical, and pathological outcomes of TAMIS for TPE. Surgery was performed between September 2019 and April 2023. The median follow-up period was 22 months (2-45 months).

RESULTS

Fifteen consecutive patients were included in this analysis M:F = 14:1 and median (range) age was 63 (36-74). Their diagnoses were as follows: primary rectal cancer (n = 5; 33%), recurrent rectal cancer (n = 4; 27%), primary anorectal cancer (n = 5; 33%), and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n = 1; 7%). Bladder-sparing TPE was selected for two patients (13%). In nine of 15 patients (60%) the anal sphincter could be successfully preserved, five patients (33%) required combined resection of the internal iliac vessels, and two (13%) required rectus muscle flap reconstruction. The median operative time was 723 min (561-1082), and the median intraoperative blood loss was 195 ml (30-1520). The Clavien-Dindo classifications of the postoperative complications were as follows: grade 0-2 (n = 11; 73%); 3a (n = 3; 20%); 3b (n = 1; 7%); and ≥ 4 (n = 0; 0%). No cases of conversion to laparotomy or mortality were observed. The pathological results demonstrated that R0 was achieved in 14 patients (93%).

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term outcomes of this initial experience proved that this novel approach is feasible for TPE, with low blood loss, acceptable postoperative complications, and a satisfactory R0 resection rate.

The Rax homeoprotein in Müller glial cells is required for homeostasis maintenance of the postnatal mouse retina

Müller glial cells, which are the most predominant glial subtype in the retina, play multiple important roles, including the maintenance of structural integrity, homeostasis, and physiological functions of the retina. We have previously found that the Rax homeoprotein is expressed in postnatal and mature Müller glial cells in the mouse retina. However, the function of Rax in postnatal and mature Müller glial cells remains to be elucidated. In the current study, we first investigated Rax function in retinal development using retroviral lineage analysis and found that Rax controls the specification of late-born retinal cell types, including Müller glial cells in the postnatal retina. We next generated Rax tamoxifen-induced conditional KO (Rax iCKO) mice, where Rax can be depleted in mTFP-labeled Müller glial cells upon tamoxifen treatment, by crossing Raxflox/flox mice with Rlbp1-CreERT2 mice, which we have produced. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a characteristic of reactive gliosis and enhanced gliosis of Müller glial cells in Rax iCKO retinas under normal and stress conditions, respectively. We performed RNA-seq analysis on mTFP-positive cells purified from the Rax iCKO retina and found significantly reduced expression of suppressor of cytokinesignaling-3 (Socs3). Reporter gene assays showed that Rax directly transactivates the Socs3 promoter. We observed decreased expression of Socs3 in Müller glial cells of Rax iCKO retinas by immunostaining. Taken together, the present results suggest that Rax suppresses inflammation in Müller glial cells by transactivating Socs3. This study sheds light on the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying retinal Müller glial cell homeostasis.

Measurements of Groomed-Jet Substructure of Charm Jets Tagged by D^{0} Mesons in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

Understanding the role of parton mass and Casimir color factors in the quantum chromodynamics parton shower represents an important step in characterizing the emission properties of heavy quarks. Recent experimental advances in jet substructure techniques have provided the opportunity to isolate and characterize gluon emissions from heavy quarks. In this Letter, the first direct experimental constraint on the charm-quark splitting function is presented, obtained via the measurement of the groomed shared momentum fraction of the first splitting in charm jets, tagged by a reconstructed D^{0} meson. The measurement is made in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, in the low jet transverse-momentum interval of 15≤p_{T}^{jet ch}<30  GeV/c where the emission properties are sensitive to parton mass effects. In addition, the opening angle of the first perturbative emission of the charm quark, as well as the number of perturbative emissions it undergoes, is reported. Comparisons to measurements of an inclusive-jet sample show a steeper splitting function for charm quarks compared with gluons and light quarks. Charm quarks also undergo fewer perturbative emissions in the parton shower, with a reduced probability of large-angle emissions.

Anti-VEGF Treatment Strategies for 3 Subtypes of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Clinical Setting: A Multicenter Cohort Study in Japan

PURPOSE

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is classified into typical AMD (tAMD), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). This study investigated clinical features of the 3 subtypes and visual outcome associated with treatment regimens in a large cohort of patients with nAMD in a clinical setting.

DESIGN

Retrospective multicenter cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Five hundred patients with treatment-naive nAMD (268 tAMD, 200 PCV, and 32 RAP) initiated with anti-VEGF agents and followed for 1 year.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed to extract demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity at baseline and 1 year after treatment initiation, spectral-domain OCT findings, baseline fellow eye condition, systemic factors, treatment strategies, and number of intravitreal injections in the first year.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome measures were anti-VEGF treatment strategy (ranibizumab or aflibercept, anti-VEGF regimen, concomitant photodynamic therapy, drug switch), best-corrected visual acuity at 1 year, and factors associated with visual acuity.

RESULTS

Patients with RAP were significantly older, were more commonly women, and had more macular lesions in fellow eye than patients with tAMD and PCV. Smoking history and diabetes prevalence were not different among the 3 subtypes. Frequencies of subretinal fluid were higher and intraretinal fluid were lower in tAMD and PCV than in RAP, whereas serous pigment epithelial detachment and subretinal hemorrhage were higher in PCV than in tAMD and RAP. Choice of anti-VEGF agents and treatment regimens did not differ among 3 subtypes. The aflibercept-to-ranibizumab ratio was approximately 7:3. The mean number of injections in 1 year was 5.3 ± 2.4 in nAMD overall, which was significantly less in pro re nata (PRN) than in treat and extend (TAE) regardless of the anti-VEGF agent. Best-corrected visual acuity improved in all 3 subtypes, although it was not significant in patients with RAP.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical study demonstrates that treatment regimens were similar in 3 subtypes and aflibercept was used in 70% of all patients. Approximately 5 injections were given in the first year regardless of the anti-VEGF agent, which was significantly less in PRN regimen than in TAE. Visual acuity improvement was observed after 1-year anti-VEGF therapy in all 3 subtypes, but was not significant in RAP.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Measurement of the Lifetime and Λ Separation Energy of _{Λ}^{3}H

The most precise measurements to date of the _{Λ}^{3}H lifetime τ and Λ separation energy B_{Λ} are obtained using the data sample of Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV collected by ALICE at the LHC. The _{Λ}^{3}H is reconstructed via its charged two-body mesonic decay channel (_{Λ}^{3}H→^{3}He+π^{-} and the charge-conjugate process). The measured values τ=[253±11(stat)±6(syst)]  ps and B_{Λ}=[102±63(stat)±67(syst)]  keV are compatible with predictions from effective field theories and confirm that the _{Λ}^{3}H structure is consistent with a weakly bound system.

Risk Factors for Legal Blindness in 77 Japanese Patients with Endogenous Endophthalmitis: A Multicenter Cohort Study from J-CREST

PURPOSE

We investigated potential predictive factors for visual prognosis in Japanese patients with endogenous endophthalmitis.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational multicenter cohort study.

METHODS

We examined the characteristics of 77 Japanese patients with endogenous endophthalmitis and performed statistical analyses of these real-world data. The primary endpoint was the identification of factors associated with visual prognosis. We examined differences between patients in the better vision and legal blindness groups at 12 weeks after treatment initiation.

RESULTS

The five risk factors for visual impairment at 12 weeks after treatment initiation were presence of pressure injuries, severe clinical symptoms (presence of eye pain and ciliary injection), pathogen identification, and poor best-corrected visual acuity at baseline. Staphylococcus aureus and fungus were associated with a better visual impairment outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Endogenous endophthalmitis remains a severe ocular infection; however, it can be managed with rapid treatments, as well as other advances in medical knowledge and technology.

Symptom-based portopulmonary hypertension screening questionnaire in Japanese patients with chronic liver disease

Background and Aim

As the exact prevalence of portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) and the etiology of chronic liver disease (CLD) remain unknown, the present study aimed to clarify these points in Japanese patients with CLD using symptom-based questionnaire screening.

Methods

Patients with CLD were asked to complete an eight-item written questionnaire on pulmonary hypertension (PH) symptoms. If at least one item response was "yes," the patient was offered ultrasonic echocardiography (UCG). Patients identified as having an intermediate or high risk of PH by UCG were referred to a cardiologist for further evaluation, whereby a definitive diagnosis of PoPH was made using right heart catheterization (RHC) findings.

Results

A total of 1111 patients with CLD completed the survey. Of the 566 symptomatic patients with at least one question answered as "yes," approximately half agreed to undergo UCG (n = 267). Compared with asymptomatic patients, symptomatic patients were significantly older, predominantly female, and more frequently exhibited cirrhosis. Based on UCG findings, 228, 12, and 8 patients had a low, intermediate, or high risk for PH, respectively. Intermediate-/high-risk patients showed significantly more advanced disease progression status than low-risk patients. The frequencies of answer to the eight questions were comparable. Ultimately, three patients were diagnosed as having PoPH (1.1% of UCG cases), one with underlying hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and two with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).

Conclusion

This symptom-based PoPH screening study clarified the prevalence of PoPH in CLD patients according to a PH symptom questionnaire, UCG, and RHC. Patients with HCV and PBC may have a higher risk of PoPH.

Enhanced Deuteron Coalescence Probability in Jets

The transverse-momentum (p_{T}) spectra and coalescence parameters B_{2} of (anti)deuterons are measured in p-p collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV for the first time in and out of jets. In this measurement, the direction of the leading particle with the highest p_{T} in the event (p_{T}^{lead}>5  GeV/c) is used as an approximation for the jet axis. The event is consequently divided into three azimuthal regions, and the jet signal is obtained as the difference between the toward region, that contains jet fragmentation products in addition to the underlying event (UE), and the transverse region, which is dominated by the UE. The coalescence parameter in the jet is found to be approximately a factor of 10 larger than that in the underlying event. This experimental observation is consistent with the coalescence picture and can be attributed to the smaller average phase-space distance between nucleons in the jet cone as compared with the underlying event. The results presented in this Letter are compared to predictions from a simple nucleon coalescence model, where the phase-space distributions of nucleons are generated using pythia8 with the Monash 2013 tuning, and to predictions from a deuteron production model based on ordinary nuclear reactions with parametrized energy-dependent cross sections tuned on data. The latter model is implemented in pythia8.3. Both models reproduce the observed large difference between in-jet and out-of-jet coalescence parameters, although the almost flat trend of the B_{2}^{Jet} is not reproduced by the models, which instead give a decreasing trend.

White adipose tissue undergoes browning during preweaning period in association with microbiota formation in mice

Beige adipocytes are transiently induced during early postnatal period in mice. Previous studies have suggested that, unlike in adults, the induction is independent of the sympathetic nerve activity; however, the mechanism is yet unknown. Here, we showed that beige adipocytes are induced during the preweaning period in association with the formation of microbiota in mice. Alteration of gut microbiota composition in preweaning mice by maternal treatment with antibiotics or high-fat diet feeding substantially suppressed WAT browning. The suppression was also found in pups transplanted cecal microbiota from pups of high-fat diet-fed dams. These treatments reduced the hepatic expression of genes involved in bile acid synthesis and the serum bile acids level. The abundance of Porphyromonadaceae and Ruminococcaceae in microbiota showed a positive and negative correlation with the induction of beige adipocytes, respectively. This finding may provide comprehensive understanding of the association between gut microbiota and adipose tissue development in the neonatal period.

Efficacy of ripasudil in reducing intraocular pressure and medication score for ocular hypertension with inflammation and corticosteroid

AIM

To investigate the efficacy of ripasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication scores of anti-glaucoma drugs in patients with ocular hypertension with inflammation and corticosteroid.

METHODS

The study included 11 patients diagnosed with ocular hypertension with inflammation and corticosteroid, all of whom were prescribed ripasudil eye drops and followed up for at least 2y after the initiation of treatment. IOP was measured using a non-contact tonometer before enrollment and at each follow-up visit. The medication score of glaucoma eye drops was calculated for each patient.

RESULTS

The mean IOP (26.4±2.9 mm Hg before treatment) significantly decreased after ripasudil therapy (13.7±3.3 mm Hg at 3mo) and remained stable in the low-teens during the 2-year follow-up period (P<0.0001). A significant decrease in the medication score was observed at 12mo or later after the initiation of ripasudil therapy (P<0.05). Both baseline medication scores and glaucomatous optic disc change rates were significantly higher in the five eyes that required glaucoma surgery during the 2-year observation period than the 10 eyes that did not require surgery.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the efficacy of ripasudil, in reducing IOP and the medication score over a 2-year treatment period in patients with ocular hypertension with inflammation and corticosteroid. Our findings also suggest that ripasudil could reduce the IOP in uveitic glaucoma patients with both lower baseline medication score and lower glaucomatous optic disc change rate.

Optimization of a fast deuterium diagnostic method based on visible energetic 3He spectroscopy for high electron density plasmas

Fast ions play a crucial role in plasma heating, and their behavior in the plasma must be accurately understood. A diagnostics method based on charge exchange emission from the n = 4 - 3 transition (λ0 = 468.6 nm) of energetic 3He produced by the deuteron-deuteron reaction has been proposed as a for fast deuterons with energies in the order of MeV. The proposed method has the following advantages: No beam emission interferes with the spectra, the direction of the measuring line of sight, and the injection angle of the diagnostic beam can be freely determined. In previous studies, due to competing bremsstrahlung, it was expected that the proposed method will not be practical in the case of high electron density operation. This paper makes the proposed method available for measurement even at high electron densities by optimizing the measurement line of sight direction and the diagnostic beam incidence angle. This allows an electron density five times larger than the range of applications shown in previous studies. This result will contribute to measure of DT alpha in ITER.

Mevalonate biosynthesis pathway regulates the development and survival of brown adipocytes

The high thermogenic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) has received considerable attention. Here, we demonstrated the role of the mevalonate (MVA) biosynthesis pathway in the regulation of brown adipocyte development and survival. The inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the rate-limiting enzyme in the MVA pathway and the molecular target of statins, suppressed brown adipocyte differentiation by suppressing protein geranylgeranylation-mediated mitotic clonal expansion. The development of BAT in neonatal mice exposed to statins during the fetal period was severely impaired. Moreover, statin-induced geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) deficiency led to the apoptosis of mature brown adipocytes. Brown adipocyte-specific Hmgcr knockout induced BAT atrophy and disrupted thermogenesis. Importantly, both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of HMGCR in adult mice induced morphological changes in BAT accompanied by an increase in apoptosis, and statin-treated diabetic mice showed worsened hyperglycemia. These findings revealed that MVA pathway-generated GGPP is indispensable for BAT development and survival.

Subtype prevalence and baseline visual acuity by age in Japanese patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

To investigate age-specific prevalence of disease subtypes and baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in Japanese patients with treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective multicenter case series.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of patients with treatment-naïve nAMD who underwent initial treatment in 14 institutions in Japan sometime during the period from 2006 to 2015. In patients in whom both eyes were treated, only the eye treated first was included for analysis. The patients were stratified by age for the analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 3096 eyes were included. The overall prevalence of subtypes was as follows: typical AMD, 52.6%; polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), 42.8%; retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP), 4.6%. The number of eyes in each age group was as follows: younger than 60 years, 199; 60s, 747; 70s, 1308; 80s, 784; 90 years or older, 58. The prevalence of typical AMD in each age group was 51.8%, 48.1%, 52.1%, 57.7%, and 55.2%, respectively. The prevalence of PCV was 46.7%, 49.1%, 44.7%, 34.4%, and 19.0%, respectively. The prevalence of RAP was 1.5%, 2.8%, 3.2%, 7.9%, and 25.9%, respectively. The prevalence of PCV decreased with age, whilst that of RAP increased. The prevalence of RAP was higher than that of PCV in patients aged 90 years or older. The mean baseline BCVA (logMAR) was 0.53. In each age group, the mean baseline BCVA was 0.35, 0.45, 0.54, 0.62, and 0.88, respectively. The mean logMAR BCVA at baseline significantly worsened with age (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of nAMD subtypes differed according to age in Japanese patients. The baseline BCVA worsened with age.

Risk Factors for Legal Blindness in 237 Japanese Patients with Exogenous Endophthalmitis: A Multicenter Cohort Study from J-CREST

PURPOSE

We investigated potential risk factors for visual prognosis in Japanese patients with exogenous endophthalmitis.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational multicenter cohort study, risk factors for legal blindness at 12 weeks after treatment initiation were evaluated based on patient characteristics, initial BCVA, causative events, pathogens, ocular symptoms, duration from symptom onset to initial treatment, and selected treatments.

RESULTS

Overall, 23.1% of eyes developed legal blindness. The six risk factors for legal blindness were presence of eye pain, pathogen identification, poor BCVA at the initial visit, longer duration from symptom onset to initial treatment, type of causative event, and type of causative pathogen. Regarding the type of causative pathogen, coagulase-negative staphylococci was associated with a better visual impairment outcome.

CONCLUSION

Exogenous endophthalmitis remains a severe ocular infection; however, it can be managed with rapid treatment, as well as other advances in medical knowledge and technology.

Antithrombotic monotherapy for stable coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation patients with and without prior coronary artery revascularization: Insights from the AFIRE trial

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Japan Cardiovascular Research Foundation under a contract with Bayer Yakuhin

Background

The AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial demonstrated that rivaroxaban monotherapy was noninferior to combination therapy with rivaroxaban plus a single antiplatelet therapy regarding efficacy and superior for safety endpoints in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease including patients not requiring revascularization [prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or bypass grafting (CABG)].

Purpose

The aim of this post-hoc subgroup analysis was to investigate the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban monotherapy compared to combination therapy in patients with and without prior revascularization.

Methods

Among 2,215 patients included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis in the AFIRE trial, 1445 patients (65.2%) had undergone previous PCI alone, and 252 (11.4%) had undergone previous CABG. The remaining 518 patients (23.4%) was categorized as a group without prior revascularization and then compared with a group with prior revascularization (PCI or CABG). The primary efficacy end point was a composite of stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring revascularization, or death from any cause. The primary safety end point was major bleeding, according to the criteria of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

Results

In 1697 patients with prior revascularization, efficacy and safety endpoints of rivaroxaban monotherapy were superior to combination therapy (efficacy: HR 0.62, 95%CI 0.45-0.85, p=0.003; safety: HR 0.62, 95%CI 0.39-0.98, p=0.040), whereas there were no significant differences in efficacy and safety endpoints among 518 patients without prior revascularization (efficacy: HR 1.19, 95%CI 0.67-2.11, p=0.553; safety: HR 0.47, 95%CI 0.18-1.26, p=0.125). There was a borderline interaction of efficacy endpoint (P for interaction=0.055) by randomized treatment assignment (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Compared with combination therapy, the safety benefit of rivaroxaban monotherapy on any bleeding was significant in patients without prior revascularization (HR 0.59, 95%CI 0.38-0.93, p=0.022).

Conclusions

In patients with prior PCI or CABG, rivaroxaban monotherapy resulted in more favorable safety and efficacy outcomes than combination therapy. There was a borderline interaction for primary efficacy outcome between prior revascularization and anti-thrombotic therapy.

Significance of the p38MAPK-CRP2 axis in myofibroblastic phenotypic transition

We have recently demonstrated that a LIM domain protein, cysteine and glycine-rich protein 2 (CSRP2 [CRP2]), plays a vital role in the functional expression of myofibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts. CRP2 binds directly to myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTF [MRTF-A or MRTF-B]) and serum response factor (SRF) to stabilize the MRTF/SRF/CArG-box complex, leading to the expression of smooth muscle cell (SMC) genes such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagens. These are the marker genes for myofibroblasts. Here, we show that the adhesion of cultured human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) to collagen reduces the myofibroblastic features. HSF adhesion to collagen suppresses the expression of CRP2 and CSRP2-binding protein (CSRP2BP [CRP2BP]) and reduces the expression of SMC genes. Although CRP2BP is known as an epigenetic factor, we find that CRP2BP also acts as an adaptor protein to enhance the function of CRP2 mentioned above. This CRP2BP function does not depend on its histone acetyltransferase activity. We also addressed the molecular mechanism of the reduced myofibroblastic features of HSFs on collagen. HSF adhesion to collagen inhibits the p38MAPK-mediated pathway, and reducing the p38MAPK activity decreases the expression of CRP2 and SMC genes. Thus, the activation of p38MAPK is critical for the myofibroblastic features. We also show evidence that CRP2 plays a role in the myofibroblastic transition of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs). Like HSFs, such phenotypic modulation of RPEs depends on the p38MAPK pathway.Key words: CRP2, p38MAPK, MRTF, myofibroblasts, retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Prominin-1 deletion results in spermatogenic impairment, sperm morphological defects, and infertility in mice

Purpose

Spermatogenesis is a complex process orchestrated by several essential genes. Prominin-1 (Prom1/PROM1) is a gene that is expressed in the testis but with a poorly understood role in spermatogenesis.

Methods

We used Prom1 knockout (Prom1 KO) mice to assess the role of Prom1 in spermatogenesis. To this end, we performed immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, β-galactosidase staining, and apoptosis assay. Additionally, we analyzed the morphology of sperm and assessed litter sizes.

Results

We observed that PROM1 is localized to the dividing spermatocytes in seminiferous epithelial cells, sperm, and columnar epithelium in the epididymis. In the Prom1 KO testis, an aberrant increase in apoptotic cells and a decrease in proliferating seminiferous epithelial cells were observed. Cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) expression were also significantly decreased in Prom1 KO testis. In addition, a significantly increased number of epididymal spermatozoa with abnormal morphology and less motility was found in Prom1 KO mice.

Conclusions

PROM1 maintains spermatogenic cell proliferation and survival via c-FLIP expression in the testis. It is also involved in sperm motility and fertilization potential. The mechanism underlying the effect of Prom1 on sperm morphology and motility remains to be identified.

Initial Triple Combination Therapy Including Intravenous Prostaglandin I2 for the Treatment of Patients with Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Upfront combination therapy including intravenous prostaglandin I₂ (PGI₂-IV) is recognized as the most appropriate treatment for patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This retrospective study aimed to determine reasons why this therapy is not used for some patients with severe PAH and describe the hemodynamic and clinical prognoses of patients receiving initial combination treatment with (PGI₂-IV+) or without (PGI₂-IV-) PGI₂-IV.Data for patients with severe PAH (World Health Organization Functional Class III/IV and mean pulmonary arterial pressure [mPAP] ≥ 40 mmHg) were extracted from the Japan Pulmonary Hypertension Registry. Overall, 73 patients were included (PGI₂-IV + n = 17; PGI₂-IV- n = 56). The PGI₂-IV+ cohort was younger than the PGI₂-IV- cohort (33.8 ± 10.6 versus 52.6 ± 18.2 years) and had higher mPAP (58.1 ± 12.9 versus 51.8 ± 9.0 mmHg), greater prevalence of idiopathic PAH (88% versus 32%), and less prevalence of connective tissue disease-associated PAH (0% versus 29%). Hemodynamic measures, including mPAP, showed improvement in both cohorts (post-treatment median [interquartile range] 38.5 [17.0-40.0] for the PGI₂-IV + cohort and 33.0 [25.0-43.0] mmHg for the PGI₂-IV - cohort). Deaths (8/56) and lung transplantation (1/56) occurred only in the PGI₂-IV - cohort.These Japanese registry data indicate that older age, lower mPAP, and non-idiopathic PAH may influence clinicians against using upfront combination therapy including PGI₂-IV for patients with severe PAH. Early combination therapy including PGI₂-IV was associated with improved hemodynamics from baseline, but interpretation is limited by the small sample size.

Role of CRP2-MRTF interaction in functions of myofibroblasts

Inflammatory response induces phenotypic modulation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Although transforming growth factor-βs (TGF-βs) evoke such transition, the details of the mechanism are still unknown. Here, we report that a LIM domain protein, cysteine-and glycine-rich protein 2 (CSRP2 [CRP2]) plays a vital role in the functional expression profile in myofibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Knock-down of CRP2 severely inhibits the expression of smooth muscle cell (SMC) genes, cell motility, and CAF-mediated collective invasion of epidermoid carcinoma. We elucidate the following molecular bases: CRP2 directly binds to myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTF-A/B [MRTFs]) and serum response factor (SRF) and stabilizes the MRTF/SRF/CArG-box complex to activate SMC gene expression. Furthermore, a three-dimensional structural analysis of CRP2 identifies the amino acids required for the CRP2-MRTF-A interaction. Polar amino acids in the C-terminal half (serine-152, glutamate-154, serine-155, threonine-156, threonine-157, and threonine-159 in human CRP2) are responsible for direct binding to MRTF-A. On the other hand, hydrophobic amino acids outside the consensus sequence of the LIM domain (tryptophan-139, phenylalanine-144, leucine-153, and leucine-158 in human CRP2) play a role in stabilizing the unique structure of the LIM domain.Key words: CRP2, 3D structure, myocardin-related transcription factor, myofibroblast, cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Evaluation of microaneurysms as predictors of therapeutic response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with DME

Administration of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is the first-line therapy for diabetic macular oedema (DME). However, some patients show no or insufficient response to repeated anti-VEGF injections. Therefore, it is necessary to identify factors that can predict this resistance against anti-VEGF treatment. Presence of microaneurysms (MAs) is a predictor of the development and progression of DME, but its relationship with the treatment response to the anti-VEGF agents is not well known. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between the distribution of MAs and the response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with DME. The number of MAs was measured before anti-VEGF therapy in each region using fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography (IA), and optical coherence tomography angiography. Patients with DME were divided into the responder and non-responder groups after three loading phases. Differences in the distribution of MAs between the groups were investigated. Pre-treatment IA revealed more MAs in the nasal area in the non-responder group than in the responder group (10.7 ± 10.7 and 5.7 ± 5.7, respectively, in the nasal macula) (1.4 ± 2.1 and 0.4 ± 0.7, respectively, in the nasal fovea). Whereas, pre-treatment FA and OCTA could not reveal significantly difference between the groups. Detection of MAs in the nasal macula using pre-treatment IA may indicate resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. We recommend the clinicians confirm the presence of MAs in the nasal macula, as shown by IA, as a predictor of therapeutic response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with treatment naive DME.

Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment Associated with Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy: A Case Report

Uveitis and scleritis are eye diseases associated with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, but reports on retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in relation to IgA nephropathy are scarce. We have experienced a case of PED associated with IgA nephropathy that was improved by pulse steroid treatment. A 68-year-old woman underwent examination for visual loss in the right eye. Her corrected visual acuity was 20/20 on both sides, and serous PED was observed in both eyes. One month later, the PED improved in both eyes but recurred 3 months later. Results of blood examination raised suspicion of IgA nephropathy, and she was referred to a nephrologist. Two weeks later, the PED in both eyes worsened, and a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear appeared in the right eye. A sub-Tenon's injection of triamcinolone acetonide was performed to address the PED, but it was not effective; thus, pulse steroid therapy was performed twice. The PED disappeared from both eyes, and the visual acuity in her left eye was maintained at 20/20, but it decreased to 20/200 in her right eye due to macular atrophy after the RPE tear. The PED had not recurred despite having no improvement in renal function. In conclusion, in IgA nephropathy, deposition of immune complexes on the RPE causes its inflammation, which may lead to PED. In cases of unexplained PED, the possibility of a systemic disease as the cause should be considered.

PRELP Regulates Cell–Cell Adhesion and EMT and Inhibits Retinoblastoma Progression

Simple Summary

Mutation of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene is fundamental in retinoblastoma initiation and progression although its downstream mechanism has not been well elucidated. Here, we found that expression of proline/arginine-rich end leucine-rich repeat protein (PRELP) is strongly downregulated in human retinoblastoma and highly expressed in Müller glial cells in normal retina. Deletion of PRELP in mice resulted in retinal dysplasia associated with enhanced proliferation. mRNA expression profiling revealed that cancer pathways were strongly activated in PRELP^−/− retina. Additionally, cell–cell adhesion was inhibited while epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammation were activated. On the other hand, application of PRELP protein to retinoblastoma cell lines enhances cell–cell and cell–substrate adhesion and inhibits anchorage independent growth by reversing EMT. These observations indicate that PRELP downregulation in human retinoblastoma can contribute cancer progression through regulation of cell adhesion and EMT suggested that PRELP application might be a novel strategy for retinoblastoma treatment.

Abstract

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular pediatric cancer. Nearly all cases of RB are associated with mutations compromising the function of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene. We previously demonstrated that PRELP is widely downregulated in various cancers and our in vivo and in vitro analysis revealed PRELP as a novel tumor suppressor and regulator of EMT. In addition, PRELP is located at chromosome 1q31.1, around a region hypothesized to be associated with the initiation of malignancy in RB. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of PRELP in RB through in vitro analysis and next-generation sequencing. Immunostaining revealed that PRELP is expressed in Müller glial cells in the retina. mRNA expression profiling of PRELP^−/− mouse retina and PRELP-treated RB cells found that PRELP contributes to RB progression via regulation of the cancer microenvironment, in which loss of PRELP reduces cell–cell adhesion and facilitates EMT. Our observations suggest that PRELP may have potential as a new strategy for RB treatment.

Effect of rivaroxaban monotherapy vs. combination with anti-platelet therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease across different body mass index categories

Background

The AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial showed both noninferiority for efficacy and superiority for safety endpoints of rivaroxaban monotherapy compared to rivaroxaban plus antiplatelet therapy (combination therapy) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD). However, no accumulating evidence regarding efficacy and safety of these fixed-dose direct oral anticoagulant therapy was available in underweight and obese patients.

Purpose

The aim of this post-hoc analysis of the AFIRE trial was to evaluate outcomes of rivaroxaban monotherapy (vs. combination therapy) in patients with AF and stable CAD across body mass index (BMI) categories.

Methods

Patients were categorized into groups 1 (underweight: BMI of &lt;18.5 kg/m2), 2 (normal: BMI of 18.5 to &lt;25 kg/m2), 3 (overweight: BMI of 25 to &lt;30 kg/m2), and 4 (obesity: BMI of ≥30 kg/m2). Efficacy (a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring revascularization, stroke, or systemic embolism) and safety (major bleeding defined according to International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria) were compared between rivaroxaban monotherapy and combination therapy across BMI categories.

Results

We analyzed 2,054 patients with a median age of 75.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 69 to 80)) years old and CHA2DS2-VASc of 4 (IQR, 3 to 5). Group 1 through 4 included 72 (3.5%), 1,158 (56.4%), 680 (33.1%), 144 (7.0%) patients and 62.3%, 52.3%, 36.2%, and 30.3% were received reduced dose of rivaroxaban, respectively. Although the sample sizes for group 1 and 4 were limited, monotherapy was superior to combination therapy for efficacy in group 2 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.95) and safety in group 3 (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.62), whereas a significant difference in the endpoints was not observed in the other BMI categories. Impact of monotherapy on endpoints did not have a significant interaction in BMI.

Conclusions

Rivaroxaban monotherapy had similar effect on prognosis across all BMI categories in patients with AF and stable CAD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Japan Cardiovascular Research Foundation based on a contract with Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd

Evaluation of corneal hysteresis after pars plana vitrectomy combined phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation

We evaluated the early effects of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) on corneal biomechanics by comparing corneal hysteresis (CH) after cataract surgery (phacoemulsification and aspiration with intraocular lens implantation; PEA + IOL) alone and PPV combined with cataract surgery. This study included 20 eyes (18 patients), who underwent cataract surgery alone (PEA + IOL group), and 28 eyes (27 patients) who underwent PPV combined with cataract surgery (PPV triple group). The CH was 11.1 ± 1.1, 10.4 ± 1.1, and 11.0 ± 1.0 mmHg in the PEA + IOL group and 11.0 ± 1.4, 9.8 ± 1.4, and 10.6 ± 1.6 mmHg in the PPV triple group, preoperatively, at 2 weeks, and 3 months after surgery, respectively. The CH was not significantly different after surgery in the PEA + IOL group, but decreased significantly in the PPV triple group 2 weeks following surgery (p < 0.01). Intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) did not change significantly after surgery in either group. Preoperatively, there was a positive correlation between CH and CCT in the PPV triple group, but the correlation disappeared postoperatively. In PPV combined with cataract surgery, CH temporarily decreased postoperatively, independent of IOP and CCT. Removal of the vitreous may reduce the elasticity and rigidity of the entire eye.

Gender difference in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: clinical profiles, examinations, and prognosis

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has currently become a major concern in the aging society owing to its substantial and growing prevalence. Recent investigations regarding sacubitril/valsartan have suggested that there is a gender difference in the efficacy of the medication in HFpEF cohort. However, information of gender difference in clinical profiles, examination, and prognosis have not been well investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate the differences in baseline characteristics and outcomes between women and men in a Japanese HFpEF cohort. We analyzed the data from our prospective, observational, and multicenter cohort study. Overall, 1036 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure were enrolled. We defined patients with an ejection fraction (EF) of ≥ 50% as HFpEF. Patients with severe valvular disease were excluded; the remaining 379 patients (women: n = 201, men: n = 178) were assessed. Women were older than men [median: 85 (79–89) years vs. 83 (75–87) years, p = 0.013]. Diabetes mellitus, hyperuricemia, and coronary artery disease were more prevalent in men than in women (34.8% vs. 23.9%, p = 0.019, 23.6% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.002, and 23.0% vs. 11.9%, p = 0.005, respectively). EF was not significantly different between women and men. The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for congestive heart failure (CHF) was significantly lower in women than in men (log-rank p = 0.040). Women with HFpEF were older and less often exhibited an ischemic etiology; further, they were associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular death or hospitalization for CHF compared with men in the Japanese population.

Treatment of diabetic macular edema in real-world clinical practice: the effect of aging

Aims/Introduction

In older patients, the management of diabetic macular edema (DME) can be complicated by comorbidities, geriatric syndrome, and socioeconomic status. This study aims to evaluate the effects of aging on the management of DME.

Materials and Methods

This is a real‐world clinical study including 1,552 patients with treatment‐naïve center‐involved DME. The patients were categorized into 4 categories by age at baseline (C1, <55; C2, 55–64; C3, 65–74; and C4, ≥75 years). The outcomes were the change in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best‐corrected visual acuity (logMAR BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT), and the number of treatments from baseline to 2 years.

Results

From baseline to 2 years, the mean changes in logMAR BCVA from baseline to 2 years were −0.01 in C1, −0.06 in C2, −0.07 in C3, and 0.01 in C4 (P = 0.016), and the mean changes in CRT were −136.2 μm in C1, −108.8 μm in C2, −100.6 μm in C3, and −89.5 μm in C4 (P = 0.008). Treatments applied in the 2 year period exhibited decreasing trends with increasing age category on the number of intravitreal injections of anti‐VEGF agents (P = 0.06), selecting local corticosteroid injection (P = 0.031), vitrectomy (P < 0.001), and laser photocoagulation outside the great vascular arcade (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Compared with younger patients with DME, patients with DME aged ≥75 years showed less frequent treatment, a lower BCVA gain, and a smaller CRT decrease. The management and visual outcome in older patients with DME would be unsatisfactory in real‐world clinical practice.

Simultaneous Vitreoretinal Surgery and Sclerokeratoplasty for Keratoglobus with Intraocular Hemorrhage and Extensive Corneal Rupture

We reported a case of simultaneous vitrectomy and sclerokeratoplasty (SKP) performed for keratoglobus with extensive corneal rupture and intraocular hemorrhage caused by trauma. A 73-year-old woman was treated for keratoglobus and glaucoma. She was punched in both eyes, her right eye showed corneal rupture and the left eye showed prolapse of the ocular contents due to eyeball rupture. She immediately underwent corneal sutures in the right eye and resection of the prolapsed ocular contents in the left eye at a nearby ophthalmological clinic. Three days after the injury, the patient was referred to our clinic for vision recovery. The best corrected visual acuity of the right eye was measured by counting fingers. Her right eye presented severe corneal edema with a sutured corneal wound in the upper periphery, which was positive in the Seidel test. B-mode ultrasound revealed choroidal detachment and subchoroidal hemorrhage. Fourteen days after injury, simultaneous corneal suture and posterior sclerotomy were performed in the right eye, but corneal fragility and corneal opacity were prominent, and B-mode examination revealed prolonged vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment. Twenty-one days after injury, we performed simultaneous SKP and 25-G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). In this procedure, we initially performed SKP followed by 25-G PPV without a keratoprosthesis or endoscope. The visibility of the fundus through the corneoscleral graft was good during vitrectomy. Three months after surgery, her corrected visual acuity improved to 10/1,000. Although there was mild corneal stromal edema and khodadoust line, there were no obvious fundus complications. Simultaneous SKP and PPV for keratoglobus with extensive corneal rupture and vitreous diseases may be a good option.

Increased vitreous levels of B cell activation factor (BAFF) and soluble interleukin-6 receptor in patients with macular edema due to uveitis related to Behçet's disease and sarcoidosis

PURPOSE

Uveitis accounts for 10-15% of all cases of blindness in the developed world. Uveitic macular edema (UME) is a primary cause of permanent visual impairment in patients with uveitis. Because proinflammatory mediators elicit inflammation and lead to UME, we determined the profiles of proinflammatory mediators associated with complications, such as ME, in the vitreous humor of patients with panuveitis related to Behçet's disease (BD) and sarcoidosis.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we enrolled 21 patients with uveitis, including 6 with BD and 15 with sarcoidosis, and 15 patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) at the Department of Ophthalmology, Kyushu University Hospital, between January 2008 and April 2016. Vitreous concentrations of 32 proinflammatory mediators, including cytokines and soluble receptors of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)-6 families, were assessed using a bead-based multiplex assay and their association with clinical data was examined.

RESULTS

The levels of proinflammatory mediators, including a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), B cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF), soluble cluster of differentiation 30 (sCD30), soluble TNF receptor-1 (sTNFR1), sTNFR2, TNF-α, IL-6, and soluble IL-6 receptor-α (sIL-6Rα), were significantly higher in patients with uveitis. With regard to clinical parameters in patients with uveitis, vitreous levels of BAFF and sIL-6Rα were prominently elevated in patients with UME compared to in those without UME (P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that elevated vitreous levels of BAFF and sIL-6Rα are associated with the pathogenesis of UME in patients with panuveitis related to BD and sarcoidosis.

Comparison of prognostic impact of anticoagulants in heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation and renal dysfunction: direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists

Although high thromboembolic risk was assumed in elderly patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF), inadequate control of prothrombin time/international normalized ratio was often observed in patients using vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). We hypothesized that patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) would have a better outcome than those treated with VKAs. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies of DOACs and VKAs in elderly patients with HF and AF. We retrospectively analyzed data from a multicenter, prospective observational cohort study. A total of 1036 patients who were hospitalized for acute decompensated HF were enrolled. We assessed 329 patients aged > 65 years who had non-valvular AF and divided them into 2 groups according to the anticoagulant therapy they received. A subgroup analysis was performed using renal dysfunction based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; mL/min/1.73 m2). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcomes were non-cardiovascular death or stroke. The median follow-up period was 730 days (range 334–1194 days). The primary outcome was observed in 84 patients; non-cardiovascular death, in 25 patients; and stroke, in 14 patients. The Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that all-cause mortality was significantly lower in the DOAC group than in the VKA group (log-rank p = 0.033), whereas the incidence rates of non-cardiovascular death (log-rank p = 0.171) and stroke (log-rank p = 0.703) were not significantly different in the crude population. DOAC therapy was not associated with lower mortality in the crude population (log-rank p = 0.146) and in the eGFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 subgroup (log-rank p = 0.580). However, DOAC therapy was independently associated with lower mortality after adjustments for age, diabetes mellitus, and albumin level (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.30–0.99; p = 0.045) in the eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 subgroup. Compared with VKA therapy, DOAC therapy was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in the elderly HF patients with AF and renal dysfunction.

Quantitative Evaluation of Vitreous Opacities Using Motion Video Through Slit-Lamp Examination

This study proposed a quantitative evaluation method for vitreous opacities using motion video. The proposed method focused on moving turbidity in the vitreous. The moving turbidity appeared as an inter-frame difference, which was calculated from two consecutive frames. Therefore, the degree of vitreous opacity was estimated using this inter-frame difference. The proposed method was applied in the experiments to actual motion videos obtained using slit-lamp examination. The effectiveness of method was confirmed using the t-test and linear discriminant method.

Genetic diversity of Lactobacillus delbrueckii isolated from raw milk in Hokkaido, Japan

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play important roles in acid production and flavor formation in fermented dairy products. Lactic acid bacteria strains with distinct characteristics confer unique features to products. Diverse LAB have been identified in raw milk and traditional fermented milk prepared from raw milk. However, little is known about LAB in raw milk in Japan. To preserve diverse LAB as potential starters or probiotics for future use, we have isolated and identified various kinds of LAB from raw milk produced in Japan. In this study, we focused on Lactobacillus delbrueckii, one of the most important species in the dairy industry. We identified L. delbrueckii subspecies isolated from raw milk in Hokkaido, Japan, by analyzing intraspecific diversity using 4 distinct methods, hsp60 cluster analysis, multilocus sequence analysis, core-genome analysis, and whole-genome analysis based on average nucleotide identity. The subspecies distribution and a new dominant subset of L. delbrueckii from raw milk in Japan were revealed. The discovery of new strains with different genotypes is important for understanding the geographic distribution and characteristics of the bacteria and further their use as a microbial resource with the potential to express unconventional flavors and functionalities. The strains identified in this study may have practical applications in the development of fermented dairy products.