[Salivary carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation: clinicopathological analysis of 7 cases]

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological features of salivary carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation(CASTLE). Methods: Cases diagnosed with salivary CASTLE from January 2020 to December 2023 were collected and selected from the Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. A total of 7 cases of salivary CASTLE were identified. All the cases originated from parotid. There were 3 males and 4 females. The patients' age range was 11-70 years.The clinical, microscopic, immunohistochemical and prognostic features of these cases were analyzed. Results: The duration of disease ranged from 1 month to 1 year, and 1 patient had facial numbness and 1 with swelling sensation occasionally. Radiographically, 4 cases showed malignant signs. Microscopically, 4 cases involved in parotid gland, and all the tumors had different degrees of lymphoid tissue background. The tumor cells arranged in nests, 5 cases with lymphoepithelial carcinoma-like and 2 cases with squamous cell carcinoma morphology. The tumor cells expressed CD5 and CD117 proteins diffusely in lymphoepithelial carcinoma-like cases. However, the tumor cells expressed CD5 diffusely and CD117 focally in cases with squamous cell carcinoma morphology. All the cases had no Epstein-Barr virus infection. Among the 6 patients with follow-up information, all of them underwent postoperative radiotherapy, and none of them had local recurrence and lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: Salivary CASTLE is a rare tumor, it should be distinguished from lymphoepithelial carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The patients often have better prognosis and CD5 protein expression has a valuable role in the differential diagnosis.

Molecular Characterization and Pathogenicity of an Infectious cDNA Clone of Youcai Mosaic Virus on Solanum nigrum

Virus infections cause devastative economic losses for various plant species, and early diagnosis and prevention are the most effective strategies to avoid the losses. Exploring virus genomic evolution and constructing virus infectious cDNA clones is essential to achieve a deeper understanding of the interaction between host plant and virus. Therefore, this work aims to guide people to better prevent, control, and utilize the youcai mosaic virus (YoMV). Here, the YoMV was found to infect the Solanum nigrum under natural conditions. Then, an infectious cDNA clone of YoMV was successfully constructed using triple-shuttling vector-based yeast recombination. Furthermore, we established phylogenetic trees based on the complete genomic sequences, the replicase gene, movement protein gene, and coat protein gene using the corresponding deposited sequences in NCBI. Simultaneously, the evolutionary relationship of the YoMV discovered on S. nigrum to others was determined and analyzed. Moreover, the constructed cDNA infectious clone of YoMV from S. nigrum could systematically infect the Nicotiana benthamiana and S. nigrum by agrobacterium-mediated infiltration. Our investigation supplied a reverse genetic tool for YoMV study, which will also contribute to in-depth study and profound understanding of the interaction between YoMV and host plant.

Tests of Light-Lepton Universality in Angular Asymmetries of B^{0}→D^{*-}ℓν Decays

We present the first comprehensive tests of the universality of the light leptons in the angular distributions of semileptonic B^{0}-meson decays to charged spin-1 charmed mesons. We measure five angular-asymmetry observables as functions of the decay recoil that are sensitive to lepton-universality-violating contributions. We use events where one neutral B is fully reconstructed in ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] decays in data corresponding to 189  fb^{-1} integrated luminosity from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. We find no significant deviation from the standard model expectations.

Precise Measurement of the D_{s}^{+} Lifetime at Belle II

We measure the lifetime of the D_{s}^{+} meson using a data sample of 207  fb^{-1} collected by the Belle II experiment running at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The lifetime is determined by fitting the decay-time distribution of a sample of 116×10^{3} D_{s}^{+}→ϕπ^{+} decays. Our result is τ_{D_{s}^{+}}=(499.5±1.7±0.9)  fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This result is significantly more precise than previous measurements.

Development of Polyclonal Antibodies and a Serological-Based Reverse-Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (S-RT-LAMP) Assay for Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus Detection in Both Rice and Small Brown Planthopper

Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) infects rice and maize, and seriously affects rice yields in main rice-producing areas. It can be transmitted via small brown planthopper (SBPH: Laodelphax striatellus Fallén). To more rapidly, sensitively, and highly throughput diagnose RBSDV in the wild condition, we first purified the recombinant His-CPRBSDV protein, and prepared the polyclonal antibodies against the His-CPRBSDV protein (PAb-CPRBSDV). Based on the PAb-CPRBSDV, we developed a series of serological detections, such as Western blot, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a dot immunoblotting assay (DIBA). Furthermore, we developed a serological-based reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (S-RT-LAMP) that could accurately detect RBSDV in the wild. Briefly, the viral genomic dsRNA together with viral CP were precipitated by co-immunoprecipitation using the PAb-CPRBSDV, then the binding RNAs were crudely isolated and used for RT-LAMP diagnosis. Using the prepared PAb-CPRBSDV, four serology-based detection methods were established to specifically detect RBSDV-infected rice plants or SBPHs in the wild. The method of S-RT-LAMP has also been developed to specifically, high-throughput, and likely detect RBSDV in rice seedlings and SBPHs simultaneously. The antiserum prepared here laid the foundation for the rapid and efficient detection of RBSDV-infected field samples, which will benefit for determination of the virulence rate of the transmission vector SBPH and outbreak and epidemic prediction of RBSDV in a rice production area.

High Dose Hyperfractionated Thoracic Radiotherapy vs. Standard Dose for Limited Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Multicenter, Open-Label Randomized, Phase 3 Trial

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Limited stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) is associated with poor prognosis. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of high-dose, hyperfractionated thoracic radiotherapy of 54 Gy in 30 fractions compared with standard dose (45 Gy in 30 fractions) as a first-line treatment for LS-SCLC.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The study was an open-label, randomized, phase 3 trial, done at 16 public hospitals in China. Key inclusion criteria were patients aged 18-70 years, with previously histologically or cytologically confirmed LS-SCLC, previously untreated or received 1-2 courses of intravenous cisplatin (75 mg/m²of body-surface area, on day 1 or divided into two days of each cycle) or carboplatin (area under the curve of 5 mg/mL per min, day 1 of each cycle)and intravenous etoposide (100 mg/m²of body-surface area, on days 1-3 of each cycle), and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1.Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) of 45 Gy in 30 fractions or the simultaneous integrated boost VMAT (SIB-VMAT) of 54 Gy in 30 fractions to the primary lung tumor and lymph node metastases starting 0-42 days after the first chemotherapy course. Both groups of patients received thoracic radiotherapy twice per day and 10 fractions per week. Prophylactic cranial radiation (PCI, 25 Gy in 10 fractions) was implemented to patients with responsive disease. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Safety was analyzed in the as-treated population.

RESULTS

Between June 30, 2017, and April 6, 2021, 224 eligible patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to 54 Gy (n = 108) or 45 Gy (n = 116). Median follow-up for the primary analysis was 45 months (IQR 41-48). Median overall survival was significantly improved in the 54 Gy group (62.4 months) compared with the 45 Gy group (43.1 months; p = 0.001). Median progression-free survival was significantly improved in the 54 Gy group (30.5 months) compared with the 45 Gy group (16.7 months; p = 0.044). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (30 [28%] of 108 patients in the 54 Gy group vs 27 [23%] of 116 patients in the 45 Gy group), neutropenic infections (6 [6%] vs 2 [2%]), thrombocytopenia (13 [12%] vs 12 [10%]), anemia (6 [6%] vs 4 [3%]), and esophagitis (1 [1%] vs 3 [3%]). Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in 9 [8%] patients in the 54 Gy group and 16 [14%] patients in the 45 Gy group. There were one treatment-related deaths in 54 Gy group (myocardial infarction).

CONCLUSION

Compared with standard thoracic radiotherapy dose of 45 Gy, the high dose of 54 Gy improved overall survival and progression-free survival without increasing toxicities in patients with LS-SCLC, supporting twice-daily hyperfractionated thoracic radiotherapy of 54 Gy with concurrent chemotherapy is an alternative treatment option for LS-SCLC. This study is complete and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03214003.

Sugarcane streak mosaic virus P1 protein inhibits unfolded protein response through direct suppression of bZIP60U splicing

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cell-designated strategy that maintains the balance of protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). UPR features a network of signal transduction pathways that reprogram the transcription, mRNA translation, and protein post-translational modification to relieve the ER stresses from unfolded/misfolded proteins. Infection with plant viruses can induce the UPR, and activated UPR often promotes plant viral infections in turn. However, the mechanism used by plant viruses to balance UPR and achieve robust infection remain largely unknown. In this study, P1SCSMV was identified as a virus-encoded RNA silencing suppressor (VSR). Heterologous overexpression of P1SCSMV via potato virus X (PVX) was found lead to programmed cell death (PCD) in Nicotiana benthamiana. Furthermore, P1SCSMV was also found to inhibit the PVX infection-triggered UPR by downregulating UPR-related genes and directly induced the distortion and collapse of the ER polygonal meshes on PVX-P1SCSMV infected N. benthamiana. Moreover, self-interaction, VSR activity, UPR inhibition, and cell death phenotype of P1SCSMV were also found to be dependent on its bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) (251RKRKLFPRIPLK262). P1SCSMV was found to directly bind to the stem-loop region of NbbZIP60U via its NLS and inhibit the UPR pathways, ultimately resulting in a PCD phenotype in PVX-P1SCSMV infected N. benthamiana leaves. This study also revealed the balancing role of potyviruses encoded P1SCSMV in the UPR pathway to achieve robust viral infection. This may represent a novel virulence strategy for plant viruses.

Search for a τ^{+}τ^{-} Resonance in e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}τ^{+}τ^{-} Events with the Belle II Experiment

We report the first search for a nonstandard-model resonance decaying into τ pairs in e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}τ^{+}τ^{-} events in the 3.6-10  GeV/c^{2} mass range. We use a 62.8  fb^{-1} sample of e^{+}e^{-} collisions collected at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB collider. The analysis probes three different models predicting a spin-1 particle coupling only to the heavier lepton families, a Higgs-like spin-0 particle that couples preferentially to charged leptons (leptophilic scalar), and an axionlike particle, respectively. We observe no evidence for a signal and set exclusion limits at 90% confidence level on the product of cross section and branching fraction into τ pairs, ranging from 0.7 to 24 fb, and on the couplings of these processes. We obtain world-leading constraints on the couplings for the leptophilic scalar model for masses above 6.5  GeV/c^{2} and for the axionlike particle model over the entire mass range.

Measurement of CP Violation in B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0} Decays at Belle II

We report a measurement of the CP-violating parameters C and S in B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0} decays at Belle II using a sample of 387×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] events recorded in e^{+}e^{-} collisions at a center-of-mass energy corresponding to the ϒ(4S) resonance. These parameters are determined by fitting the proper decay-time distribution of a sample of 415 signal events. We obtain C=-0.04_{-0.15}^{+0.14}±0.05 and S=0.75_{-0.23}^{+0.20}±0.04, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

[Analysis of clinicopathological characteristics of IgG4-related sialadenitis]

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of IgG4-related sialadenitis (IgG4-RS). Methods: A total of 40 cases diagnosed with IgG4-RS were collected from the Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2019 to December 2022. Among them, there were 26 males and 14 females. The age range was 29-77 years old [(59.4±11.8) years old], with 23 patients being older than 60 years. The lesion site, imaging manifestations, histopathological features, serological test and treatment information of patients were collected. The expression of IgG4 and IgG proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Submandibular region swelling was the most common initial symptom of IgG4-RS (38/40, 95.0%). All the patients having serum IgG4 levels> 1.35 g/L. Serum IgG4 levels were significantly increased in patients aged>60 years (Z=-2.45, P=0.014) and those involving multiple glands (Z=-2.04, P=0.042). Thirty six cases received major salivary gland biopsy, and all the cases showed dense lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration. Lymphoid follicle, storiform fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis were seen in 88.9% (32/36), 63.9% (23/36), 30.6% (11/36) of the cases, respectively. Twenty one cases received labial salivary gland biopsy, 66.7% (14/21) showed lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration, 19.0% (4/21) had lymphoid follicle structures, and 33.3% (7/21) showed no obvious histological abnormalities. No signs of fibrosis or obliterative phlebitis were observed in all labial salivary gland biopsies. And 95.0% (38/40) of cases had IgG4 positive plasma cell>10/HPF, 82.5% (33/40) of cases had IgG4/IgG positive plasma cell ratio>40%. All the patients had a decrease in serum IgG4 levels after glucocorticoid treatment, but only 21.4% (6/28) of cases had reduced to normal levels (≤1.35 g/L), and there were still significant fluctuations in serum IgG4 levels thereafter. Conclusions: IgG4-RS has a predilection for middle-aged and elderly male patients, and serum IgG4 levels are significantly related to the patient's age and whether multiple glands are involved. Labial salivary gland biopsy cannot replace submandibular gland for histopathological evaluation. It is a common phenomenon that serum IgG4 levels cannot restored to normal levels after glucocorticoid treatment. This study provides certain assistance for clinical and pathological diagnosis of IgG4-RS. This study is beneficial for further understanding IgG4-RS and improving the clinical and pathological diagnosis of the disease.

Test of Light-Lepton Universality in the Rates of Inclusive Semileptonic B-Meson Decays at Belle II

We present the first measurement of the ratio of branching fractions of inclusive semileptonic B-meson decays, R(X_{e/μ})=B(B→Xeν)/B(B→Xμν), a precision test of electron-muon universality, using data corresponding to 189  fb^{-1} from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. In events where the partner B meson is fully reconstructed, we use fits to the lepton momentum spectra above 1.3  GeV/c to obtain R(X_{e/μ})=1.007±0.009(stat)±0.019(syst), which is the most precise lepton-universality test of its kind and agrees with the standard-model expectation.

First Measurement of the Michel Parameter ξ^{'} in the τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}ν_{τ} Decay at Belle

We report the first measurement of the Michel parameter ξ^{'} in the τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}ν_{τ} decay with a new method proposed just recently. The measurement is based on the reconstruction of the τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}ν_{τ} events with subsequent muon decay in flight in the Belle central drift chamber. The analyzed data sample of 988  fb^{-1} collected by the Belle detector corresponds to approximately 912×10^{6} τ^{+}τ^{-} pairs. We measure ξ^{'}=0.22±0.94(stat)±0.42(syst), which is in agreement with the standard model prediction of ξ^{'}=1. Statistical uncertainty dominates in this study, being a limiting factor, while systematic uncertainty is well under control. Our analysis proved the practicability of this promising method and its prospects for further precise measurement in future experiments.

Search for the Lepton Flavor Violating Decays B^{+}→K^{+}τ^{±}ℓ^{∓} (ℓ=e, μ) at Belle

We present a search for the lepton flavor violating decays B^{+}→K^{+}τ^{±}ℓ^{∓}, with ℓ=(e,μ), using the full data sample of 772×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] pairs recorded by the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We use events in which one B meson is fully reconstructed in a hadronic decay mode. We find no evidence for B^{±}→K^{±}τℓ decays and set upper limits on their branching fractions at the 90% confidence level in the (1-3)×10^{-5} range. The obtained limits are the world's best results.

Search for an Invisible Z^{'} in a Final State with Two Muons and Missing Energy at Belle II

The L_{μ}-L_{τ} extension of the standard model predicts the existence of a lepton-flavor-universality-violating Z^{'} boson that couples only to the heavier lepton families. We search for such a Z^{'} through its invisible decay in the process e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}Z^{'}. We use a sample of electron-positron collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV collected by the Belle II experiment in 2019-2020, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 79.7  fb^{-1}. We find no excess over the expected standard-model background. We set 90%-confidence-level upper limits on the cross section for this process as well as on the coupling of the model, which ranges from 3×10^{-3} at low Z^{'} masses to 1 at Z^{'} masses of 8  GeV/c^{2}.

Copper recovery from printed circuit boards leaching solution with bioelectricity generation using microbial fuel cell

Recovery of valuable metals via leaching printed circuit boards (PCBs) has gained moment recently. This work studied the Microbial fuel cell (MFC) performances for recovery of Cu from a Cu²⁺ solution by examining key operating parameters. A dual-chamber MFC with 6 cm × 6 cm × 7 cm dimensions was constructed. Both anode and cathode electrodes were made of a carbon cloth sheet. The anodic and cathodic chambers were separated by a Nafion membrane. The highest Cu recovery efficiency was 99.7% after 240 h batch mode operation, yielding 102 mW/m² MFC power density output using 1 g/L Cu²⁺ solution as the catholyte (initial pH 3) and an anolyte containing 1 g/L sodium acetate inoculated with a sludge from a wastewater treatment plant's anaerobic pond, with 2 cm distance between the electrodes made of polyacrylonitrile polymer. The highest open circuit voltage, current density (based on cross-section cathode area) and power density with an external load of 1 kΩ was 555 mV, 347 mA/m² and 193 mW/m², respectively. Additionally, recovery of Cu in the leachate of PCBs using sulfuric acid leaching after 48 h was performed and the highest Cu recovery was 50% in 48 h.

First Measurement of the B^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}π^{0} Branching Fraction and CP Asymmetry

We study B^{+}→π^{+}π^{0}π^{0} using 711  fb^{-1} of data collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We measure an inclusive branching fraction of (19.0±1.5±1.4)×10^{-6} and an inclusive CP asymmetry of (9.2±6.8±0.7)%, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic, and a B^{+}→ρ(770)^{+}π^{0} branching fraction of (11.2±1.1±0.9_{-1.6}^{+0.8})×10^{-6}, where the third uncertainty is due to possible interference with B^{+}→ρ(1450)^{+}π^{0}. We present the first observation of a structure around 1  GeV/c^{2} in the π^{0}π^{0} mass spectrum, with a significance of 6.4σ, and measure a branching fraction to be (6.9±0.9±0.6)×10^{-6}. We also report a measurement of local CP asymmetry in this structure.

Search for Lepton-Flavor-Violating τ Decays to a Lepton and an Invisible Boson at Belle II

We search for lepton-flavor-violating τ^{-}→e^{-}α and τ^{-}→μ^{-}α decays, where α is an invisible spin-0 boson. The search uses electron-positron collisions at 10.58 GeV center-of-mass energy with an integrated luminosity of 62.8  fb^{-1}, produced by the SuperKEKB collider and collected with the Belle II detector. We search for an excess in the lepton-energy spectrum of the known τ^{-}→e^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e}ν_{τ} and τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}ν_{τ} decays. We report 95% confidence-level upper limits on the branching-fraction ratio B(τ^{-}→e^{-}α)/B(τ^{-}→e^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e}ν_{τ}) in the range (1.1-9.7)×10^{-3} and on B(τ^{-}→μ^{-}α)/B(τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}ν_{τ}) in the range (0.7-12.2)×10^{-3} for α masses between 0 and 1.6  GeV/c^{2}. These results provide the most stringent bounds on invisible boson production from τ decays.

Generation of a Triple-Shuttling Vector and the Application in Plant Plus-Strand RNA Virus Infectious cDNA Clone Construction

Infectious cloning of plant viruses is a powerful tool for studying the reverse genetic manipulation of viral genes in virus–host plant interactions, contributing to a deeper understanding of the life history and pathogenesis of viruses. Yet, most of the infectious clones of RNA virus constructed in E. coli are unstable and toxic. Therefore, we modified the binary vector pCass4-Rz and constructed the ternary shuttle vector pCA4Y. The pCA4Y vector has a higher copy number in the E. coli than the conventional pCB301 vector, can obtain a high concentration of plasmid, and is economical and practical, so it is suitable for the construction of plant virus infectious clones in basic laboratories. The constructed vector can be directly extracted from yeast and transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens to avoid toxicity in E. coli. Taking advantage of the pCA4Y vector, we established a detailed large and multiple DNA HR-based cloning method in yeast using endogenous recombinase. We successfully constructed the Agrobacterium-based infectious cDNA clone of ReMV. This study provides a new choice for the construction of infectious viral clones.

Observation of e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{bJ}(1P) and Search for X_{b}→ωϒ(1S) at sqrt[s] near 10.75 GeV

We study the processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{bJ}(1P) (J=0, 1, or 2) using samples at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=10.701, 10.745, and 10.805 GeV, corresponding to 1.6, 9.8, and 4.7  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity, respectively. These data were collected with the Belle II detector during special operations of the SuperKEKB collider above the ϒ(4S) resonance. We report the first observation of ωχ_{bJ}(1P) signals at sqrt[s]=10.745  GeV. By combining Belle II data with Belle results at sqrt[s]=10.867  GeV, we find energy dependencies of the Born cross sections for e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{b1,b2}(1P) to be consistent with the shape of the ϒ(10753) state. These data indicate that the internal structures of the ϒ(10753) and ϒ(10860) states may differ. Including data at sqrt[s]=10.653  GeV, we also search for the bottomonium equivalent of the X(3872) state decaying into ωϒ(1S). No significant signal is observed for masses between 10.45 and 10.65  GeV/c^{2}.

[Evaluation of p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry in diagnosis of human papilloma virus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(opscc) and find out the optimal index to improve the accuracy of HPV detection. Methods: A total of 153 cases, from May 2014 to May 2020, diagnosed OPSCC in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, were selected. This cohort included 130 males and 23 females, aged (58.6±10.0) years old. HPV RNA in situ hybridization was chosen as the gold standard to detect their HPV status. p16 immunohistochemistry and p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry were performed on all cases, and the p16/Ki-67 double positive index including 20%, 40%, and 60% were used as the thresholds to compare their sensitivity, specificity, and positive prediction value (PPV), negative prediction value (NPV) and prognosis prediction ability. Results: Among the 153 patients with OPSCC, 114 were HPV-negative and 39 were HPV-positive, and the HPV infection rate of OPSCC patients was 25.5% (39/153). Only 58.1% (36/62) of single p16 positive cases were HPV-positive, and the prognosis of patients could not be distinguished using p16 immunohistochemistry only. Using p16/Ki-67 double staining, the accuracy of HPV positive diagnosis has been improved. The HPV diagnostic ability was the highest when the p16/Ki-67 double positive index was 40% (sensitivity=86.8%, specificity=94.8%, PPV=84.6%, NPV=95.6%, area under the curve=0.897), which could distinguish the prognosis of patients (P=0.012). Conclusions: The p16/Ki-67 double-stained immunohistochemistry can improve the accuracy of HPV positive diagnosis rate and diagnosis of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer is the most accurate when the double-positive index is 40% as the threshold to judge HPV status and could serve as better surrogate marker for HPV detection.

Measurement of the Λ_{c}^{+} Lifetime

An absolute measurement of the Λ_{c}^{+} lifetime is reported using Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+} decays in events reconstructed from data collected by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy electron-positron collider. The total integrated luminosity of the data sample, which was collected at center-of-mass energies at or near the ϒ(4S) resonance, is 207.2  fb^{-1}. The result, τ(Λ_{c}^{+})=203.20±0.89±0.77  fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic, is the most precise measurement to date and is consistent with previous determinations.

Search for a Dark Photon and an Invisible Dark Higgs Boson in μ^{+}μ^{-} and Missing Energy Final States with the Belle II Experiment

The dark photon A^{'} and the dark Higgs boson h^{'} are hypothetical particles predicted in many dark sector models. We search for the simultaneous production of A^{'} and h^{'} in the dark Higgsstrahlung process e^{+}e^{-}→A^{'}h^{'} with A^{'}→μ^{+}μ^{-} and h^{'} invisible in electron-positron collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV in data collected by the Belle II experiment in 2019. With an integrated luminosity of 8.34  fb^{-1}, we observe no evidence for signal. We obtain exclusion limits at 90% Bayesian credibility in the range of 1.7-5.0 fb on the cross section and in the range of 1.7×10^{-8}-200×10^{-8} on the effective coupling ϵ^{2}×α_{D} for the A^{'} mass in the range of 4.0  GeV/c^{2}<M_{A^{'}}<9.7  GeV/c^{2} and for the h^{'} mass M_{h^{'}}<M_{A^{'}}, where ϵ is the mixing strength between the standard model and the dark photon and α_{D} is the coupling of the dark photon to the dark Higgs boson. Our limits are the first in this mass range.

Evidence of a New Excited Charmed Baryon Decaying to Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++}π^{±}

We present the study of B[over ¯]^{0}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++}π^{±}p[over ¯] decays based on 772×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] events collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++} candidates are reconstructed via their decay to Λ_{c}^{+}π^{∓} and Λ_{c}^{+} decays to pK^{-}π^{+}, pK_{S}^{0}, and Λπ^{+} final states. The corresponding branching fractions are measured to be B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{0}π^{+}p[over ¯])=(1.09±0.06±0.07)×10^{-4} and B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{++}π^{-}p[over ¯])=(1.84±0.11±0.12)×10^{-4}, which are consistent with the world average values with improved precision. A new structure is found in the M_{Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++}π^{±}} spectrum with a significance of 4.2σ including systematic uncertainty. The structure is possibly an excited Λ_{c}^{+} and is tentatively named Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}. Its mass and width are measured to be (2913.8±5.6±3.8)  MeV/c^{2} and (51.8±20.0±18.8)  MeV, respectively. The products of branching fractions for the Λ_{c}(2910)^{+} are measured to be B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}p[over ¯])×B(Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{0}π^{+})=(9.5±3.6±1.6)×10^{-6} and B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}p[over ¯])×B(Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{++}π^{-})=(1.24±0.35±0.10)×10^{-5}. Here, the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Natural occurrence of broad bean wilt virus 2 on Mirabilis jalapa in China

Mirabilis jalapa Libosch. is an annual ornamental herbaceous plant. Its leaves and roots are used as a traditional folk medicine that function in clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, regulating menstruation, and nourishing kidney (Annapoorani et al. 2014; Liu et al. 2020; Wang et al. 2018). Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV-2), which belongs to the family Secoviridae, is transmitted by aphid in a non-persistent manner in the nature (Kondo et al. 2005) and mainly damages Vicia faba, pepper, yam and spinach (He et al. 2021). The leaves of M. jalapa on the campus showed shrinking (Supplementary Fig. 1A), yellowing (Supplementary Fig. 1B), mosaic (Supplementary Fig. 1D & 1E), and the whole plant had stunted and rough (Supplementary Fig. 1A & 1C) symptoms in the autumn of 2021. Eight plants (S21-S28) with these symptoms were harvested for total RNA extraction, siRNA mixture purification, and siRNA library made (NEBNext® Ultra™ II RNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina®, NEB, UK). The high-throughput siRNA sequencing with pair-end method was performed on Illumina Hiseq 2000 platform (Sangon, Shanghai, China). The raw sequencing data was treated with the Illumina's CASAVA pipeline (version 1.8). The adaptor was removed and the reads were mostly distributed in 21-24 nt length area (Supplementary Fig. 2A). The contigs (∼12,500, Length > 350 bp) were obtained by de novo assembling with the Velvet Software 0.7.31 (k = 17), then the BLASTN was preformed against GenBank database. Surprisingly, 237 contigs showed significant nucleotide sequence similarities to the genome of BBWV-2. To determine the incidence of BBWV-2 to M. jalapa in campus garden, twenty-eight leaf samples were randomly collected from the garden. Leave extract and total RNA of the sample were tested for BBWV-2 by ELISA (Agdia, USA, SRA46202/0096) and RT-PCR assay, respectively. Twenty-two samples were infected compared with the positive control, and their readings of ELISA were above or parallel to the positive control (Supplementary Fig. 2B∼2D). The coding sequence (1,395 bp) of BBWV-2 movement protein (MP) was amplified by a specific pair of primers (Supplementary Table S1) according to the contigs, the results indicated that the 22 out of 28 samples (78.6%) tested positive for BBWV-2 by both ELISA and RT-PCR (Supplementary Fig. 2E). The MP fragment of BBWV-2 obtained from one of the sample was purified by TIANgel Midi Purification Kit (Tiangen, Beijing, China) and then cloned into pMD19-T (TaKaRa, Dalian, China) vector. Ten separate clones were selected and sequenced (Sangon, Shanghai, China) after PCR verification. The obtained sequences (GenBank accession No. OM416039) were analyzed by BLASTN and bioEdit software (version 7.2.3). According to the phylogenetic tree constructed by BBWV-2 MP sequences (Supplementary Fig. 3), the obtained MP sequences (OM416039, ON677747, and ON677748) were most related to the BBWV-2 MP sequences that from pepper (GenBank accession No. JX183228.1), they share the nucleotide identity of 84.87%. To determine the occurrence and distribution of BBWV-2 in other areas, another twenty-two samples were randomly collected for RT-PCR in different regions of Jiangsu Province, China (Supplementary Table S2). The BBWV-2 infection rate was 76.0% in the M. jalapa. In sum, this is the first report of BBWV-2 naturally infecting M. Jalapa in China.

Development of polyclonal antibodies-based serological methods for detection of the rehmannia mosaic virus in field plants

Rehmannia glutinosa is a top-grade traditional Chinese medicine, and also is an important planting medicinal material for Chinese poor farmers shaking off poverty. Rehmannia mosaic virus (ReMV) causes big economic loss of R. glutinosa in planting area. However, there is no effective methods for quick, accurate, and high-throughput detection for ReMV in Chinese production area. The preserved R. glutinosa samples carrying ReMV was taken for research material. The coat protein coding sequences (CPReMV) was cloned and sequenced. The target sequence was further placed into a prokaryotic expression vector to express the N-terminal-tagged recombinant CPReMV protein (His-CPReMV). Purified His-CPReMV was used as an antigen to immunize New Zealand white rabbits, and antiserum was obtained. The titers and sensitivities of the antisera were analyzed and evaluated. Polyclonal antibodies were purified from the antiserum, and the titers and sensitivity to the target His-CPReMV protein were evaluated. The results demonstrate that the obtained polyclonal antibodies against His-CPReMV could be successfully used for rapid, accurate, and high-throughput detection of ReMV from R. glutinosa planted in the wild. Our investigation established serological-based detection methods for ReMV for the first time, and provides a foundation for future exploration of the pathogenic mechanisms of ReMV in R. glutinosa.

Sugarcane Streak Mosaic Virus P1 Attenuates Plant Antiviral Immunity and Enhances Potato Virus X Infection in Nicotiana benthamiana

The sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) is the most important disease in sugarcane produced in southern China. The SCSMV encoded protein 1 (P1^SCSMV) is important in disease development, but little is known about its detailed functions in plant–virus interactions. Here, the differential accumulated proteins (DAPs) were identified in the heterologous expression of P1^SCSMV via a potato virus X (PVX)-based expression system, using a newly developed four-dimensional proteomics approach. The data were evaluated for credibility and reliability using qRT-RCR and Western blot analyses. The physiological response caused by host factors that directly interacted with the PVX-encoded proteins was more pronounced for enhancing the PVX accumulation and pathogenesis in Nicotiana benthamiana. P1^SCSMV reduced photosynthesis by damaging the photosystem II (PSII). Overall, P1^SCSMV promotes changes in the physiological status of its host by up- or downregulating the expression of host factors that directly interact with the viral proteins. This creates optimal conditions for PVX replication and movement, thereby enhancing its accumulation levels and pathogenesis. Our investigation is the first to supply detailed evidence of the pathogenesis-enhancing role of P1^SCSMV, which provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind virus–host interactions.

Phosphorylation of plant virus proteins: Analysis methods and biological functions

Phosphorylation is one of the most extensively investigated post-translational modifications that orchestrate a variety of cellular signal transduction processes. The phosphorylation of virus-encoded proteins plays an important regulatory role in the infection cycle of such viruses in plants. In recent years, molecular mechanisms underlying the phosphorylation of plant viral proteins have been widely studied. Based on recent publications, our study summarizes the phosphorylation analyses of plant viral proteins and categorizes their effects on biological functions according to the viral life cycle. This review provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of viral infection. Furthermore, it deepens our understanding of the biological functions of phosphorylation in the interactions between plants and viruses.

Measurement of Two-Particle Correlations of Hadrons in e^{+}e^{-} Collisions at Belle

The measurement of two-particle angular correlation functions in high-multiplicity e^{+}e^{-} collisions at sqrt[s]=10.52  GeV is reported. In this study, the 89.5  fb^{-1} of hadronic e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected by the Belle detector at KEKB are used. Two-particle angular correlation functions are measured in the full relative azimuthal angle (Δϕ) and three units of pseudorapidity (Δη), defined by either the electron beam axis or the event-shape thrust axis, and are studied as a function of charged-particle multiplicity. The measurement in the thrust axis analysis, with mostly outgoing quark pairs determining the reference axis, is sensitive to the region of additional soft gluon emissions. No significant anisotropic collective behavior is observed with either coordinate analyses. Near-side jet correlations appear to be absent in the thrust axis analysis. The measurements are compared to predictions from various event generators and are expected to provide new constraints to the phenomenological models in the low-energy regime.

Measurement of Differential Branching Fractions of Inclusive B→X_{u}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} Decays

The first measurements of differential branching fractions of inclusive semileptonic B→X_{u}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} decays are performed using the full Belle data set of 711  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity at the ϒ(4S) resonance and for ℓ=e, μ. With the availability of these measurements, new avenues for future shape-function model-independent determinations of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{ub}| can be pursued to gain new insights in the existing tension with respect to exclusive determinations. The differential branching fractions are reported as a function of the lepton energy, the four-momentum-transfer squared, light-cone momenta, the hadronic mass, and the hadronic mass squared. They are obtained by subtracting the backgrounds from semileptonic B→X_{c}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} decays and other processes, and corrected for resolution and acceptance effects.

Precise Measurement of the D^{0} and D^{+} Lifetimes at Belle II

We report a measurement of the D^{0} and D^{+} lifetimes using D^{0}→K^{-}π^{+} and D^{+}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{+} decays reconstructed in e^{+}e^{-}→cc[over ¯] data recorded by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The data, collected at center-of-mass energies at or near the ϒ(4S) resonance, correspond to an integrated luminosity of 72  fb^{-1}. The results, τ(D^{0})=410.5±1.1(stat)±0.8(syst)  fs and τ(D^{+})=1030.4±4.7(stat)±3.1(syst)  fs, are the most precise to date and are consistent with previous determinations.

[Programmed death ligand 1 expression and CD8+T lymphocyte infiltration in salivary gland lymphoepithelial carcinoma]

Objective: To study the expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in tumor cells and CD8⁺T lymphocytes in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, and to analyze the correlation of PD-L1 expression with infiltration of CD8⁺T lymphocytes and clinicopathologic features in salivary gland lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC). Methods: Forty-two cases of primary salivary LECs and 21 cases of secondary salivary LECs were enrolled at the Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University between 2015 and 2017. The expression of Epstein-Barr (EB) virus, PD-L1 and CD8 was examined using chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 software package. Results: EB virus was detected in 61 cases (61/63, 96.8%), including 42 (42/42, 100%) primary LECs and 19 (19/21, 90.5%) secondary LECs. The PD-L1 positive rate (score ≥1) was 97.6% (41/42), and its high-expression rate (score ≥20) was 78.6% (33/42) in primary LECs. The PD-L1 positive rate (score ≥1) was 71.4% (15/21), and its high-expression rate (≥20) was 38.1% (8/21) in secondary LECs. However, the PD-L1 positive rate (score ≥1, P=0.004) and high-expression rate (score ≥20, P=0.001) in primary LECs were higher than those in secondary LECs. There was no difference in the infiltration degree of CD8⁺T lymphocytes between primary and secondary LECs. There was a significant correlation between the expression of PD-L1 and CD8 in primary LECs (P=0.001) and in secondary LECs (P=0.048), respectively. Conclusions: There is PD-L1 expression in primary and secondary salivary LECs, while the expression rate is higher in primary LECs than secondary LECs. The combination of PD-L1 expression and CD8⁺T lymphocytes' presence suggest that most LEC patients might be responsive to immunotherapy, and primary LECs might be more significantly responsive than secondary LECs.

D-Tyrosine enhancement of microbiocide mitigation of carbon steel corrosion by a sulfate reducing bacterium biofilm

Microbiocides are used to control problematic microorganisms. High doses of microbiocides cause environmental and operational problems. Therefore, using microbiocide enhancers to make microbiocides more efficacious is highly desirable. 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) is a popular biodegradable microbiocide. D-Amino acids have been used in lab tests to enhance microbiocides to treat microbial biofilms. In this investigation, D-tyrosine was used to enhance DBNPA against Desulfovibrio vulgaris biofilm on C1018 carbon steel. After 7 days of incubation, the mass loss of coupons without treatment chemicals in the ATCC 1249 culture medium was found to be 3.1 ± 0.1 mg/cm². With 150 ppm (w/w) DBNPA in the culture medium, the mass loss was reduced to 1.9 ± 0.1 mg/cm² accompanied by a 1-log reduction in the sessile cell count. The 150 ppm DBNPA + 1 ppm D-tyrosine combination attained an extra 3-log reduction in sessile cell count and an additional 30% reduction in mass loss compared with 150 ppm DBNPA only treatment. The combination also led to a smaller maximum pit depth. Linear polarization resistance (LPR), electrochemical impedance spectrometry (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) tests corroborated the enhancement effects.

Patterns of repeated diagnostic testing for COVID-19 in relation to patient characteristics and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Whilst the COVID-19 diagnostic test has a high false-negative rate, not everyone initially negative is re-tested. Michigan Medicine, a primary regional centre, provided an ideal setting for studying testing patterns during the first wave of the pandemic.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the characteristics of patients who underwent repeated testing for COVID-19 and determine if repeated testing was associated with downstream outcomes amongst positive cases.

METHODS

Characteristics, test results, and health outcomes for patients presenting for a COVID-19 diagnostic test were collected. We examined whether patient characteristics differed with repeated testing and estimated a false-negative rate for the test. We then studied repeated testing patterns in patients with severe COVID-19-related outcomes.

RESULTS

Patient age, sex, body mass index, neighbourhood poverty levels, pre-existing type 2 diabetes, circulatory, kidney, and liver diseases, and cough, fever/chills, and pain symptoms 14 days prior to a first test were associated with repeated testing. Amongst patients with a positive result, age (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: (1.05, 1.34)) and pre-existing kidney diseases (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: (1.41, 3.68)) remained significant. Hospitalization (OR: 7.88; 95% CI: (5.15, 12.26)) and ICU-level care (OR: 6.93; 95% CI: (4.44, 10.92)) were associated with repeated testing. The estimated false-negative rate was 23.8% (95% CI: (19.5%, 28.5%)).

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst most patients were tested once and received a negative result, a meaningful subset underwent multiple rounds of testing. These results shed light on testing patterns and have important implications for understanding the variation of repeated testing results within and between patients.

Pattern-recognition receptors in duck (Anas platyrhynchos): identification, expression and function analysis of toll-like receptor 3

1. Innate immunity provides the first line of defence against pathogenic organisms through a myriad of germline encoded receptors called pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, as an important member of PRRs, is indispensable for host defence against viral infection by recognising virus-derived RNAs. However, little is known about the structure and function of TLR3 in ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), a natural host for the avian influenza virus.2. This study cloned the full-length cDNA of duck TLR3 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The cDNA sequence of duck TLR3 was 4046 bp in length and encoded 895 amino acids. Multiple sequence alignment showed that duck TLR3 shared high similarity with that from other vertebrates.3. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis suggested that TLR3 mRNA was constitutively expressed in all tissues tested, having higher levels in the kidney, liver, breast muscle, ovary and heart. After stimulation with viral- or bacterial-mimics, including LPS, poly(I:C), pam3CSK4, FLS-1, FLA-ST and R848, the TLR3 transcript was significantly upregulated. Meanwhile, overexpression of duck TLR3 significantly promoted the transcription of IFN-β, IRF7, TRIF, Mx, STAT1 and STAT2 mRNA after stimulation with poly(I:C).4. These results suggested that TLR3 play an important role in resistance against viral and bacterial infections in ducks.

Cardioprotection by remote ischemic conditioning is transferable by plasma and mediated by exosomes

Background

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) by brief periods of limb ischemia and reperfusion protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the mechanism is unknown.

Purpose

We studied the role of exosomes for mediating the cardioprotective signal and whether they accumulate in injured myocardium.

Methods

Blood samples from 12 healthy male volunteers were obtained prior to and one hour after RIC. Plasma obtained before and after RIC (n=4) (P-Pre and P-Post) was used to evaluate the transferability of RIC. Pre- and Post-RIC plasma (n=8) was separated into an exosome rich fraction (Exo-Pre and Exo-Post) and an exosome depleted fraction (Prot-Pre and Prot-Post) by size exclusion chromatography. All studies were carried out in duplicate samples from each volunteer. Infarct size was compared in Sprague-Dawley rat hearts perfused with plasma, exosomes and exosome depleted fractions in a Langendorff model. We investigated changes in the miRNA content of the exosomes after RIC by a human miRNA panel. Additionally, fluorescently labeled exosomes isolated from C2C12 cells were used to assess accumulation in injured myocardium in an in vivo rat model. Rats were divided into an infarct group (n=6) (left anterior descending artery ligation) and a sham group (n=6) (without ligation). Labelled exosomes were injected in the femoral vein prior to reperfusion. Exosome-accumulation in infarcted or sham myocardium was evaluated.

Results

P-Post reduced infarct size by 15% points compared with P-Pre (55±4% vs 70±6%, p=0.03) (Fig. 1a). Exo-Post reduced infarct size by 16% points compared with Exo-Pre (53±15% vs 68±12%, p=0.03) (Fig. 1b). Prot-Post did not affect infarct size compared to Prot-Pre (64±3% and 68±10%, p&gt;0.99). We found miRNA-16, miRNA-144 and miRNA-451 to be upregulated in exosomes after RIC and the mTOR-pathway as a potential target for these miRNAs. In the in vivo model, labelled exosomes accumulated more intensively in the infarct area than in remote areas and sham hearts (Fig. 1c).

Conclusion

Cardioprotection by RIC is mediated by exosomes with a changed miRNA profile and exosomes accumulate in injured myocardium.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Novo synergy

Ultrasound-assisted leaching of spent lithium ion batteries by natural organic acids and H2O2

Ultrasound-assisted bioacid leaching was examined for the extraction of valuable metals from spent lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, organic acids in lemon juice were used as the leaching agent together with H₂O₂. Three effective factors, namely solid/liquid (S/L) ratio, lemon juice percentage, and H₂O₂ volume percentage, were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions were found to be 0.98% (w/v) S/L ratio, 57.8% (v/v) lemon juice and 8.07% (v/v) H₂O₂ in the leaching liquor, achieving recovery of 100% Li, 96% Co and 96% Ni. Furthermore, the individual effects of ultrasound, H₂O₂ and lemon juice on metal recovery were studied and the results showed that without H₂O₂ or lemon juice, the metal recovery rates decreased greatly while the absence of ultrasound reduced recovery rates to a much smaller extent, indicating that both H₂O₂ and lemon juice were essential in the leaching process. The effect of time on the metals recoveries was examined and results showed that Li and Co recovery reached 100% with the leaching time of 35 min. The modified shrinking core modeling results suggested that chemical reaction was the rate controlling step.

A NOVEL INTRAGENIC DELETION RELATED TO THE ARGININE VASOPRESSIN V2 RECEPTOR CAUSES NEPHROGENIC DIABETES INSIPIDUS

BACKGROUND

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a disease characterized by a defective response to the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) of the renal collecting duct leading to a decline in the ability of the pro-urine concentration.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 23-year-old man presented with an over 20-year history of polyuria concomitant with hydronephrosis. The diagnosis of NDI was established by gene analysis as well as a water-deprivation and vasopressin test. All exons of arginine vasopressin V2 receptor (AVPR2) gene were amplified and sequenced. A novel hemizygous intragenic inframe deletion, cDNA 255^th bp to 263^th bp in exon 2 of AVPR2, was identified. These relevant translations from the 85^th amino acid Asp to 88^th amino acid Val were missed and replaced by amino acid Glu. After treating the patient with hydrochlorothiazide, his symptoms improved significantly.

CONCLUSION

The genetic analysis revealed a novel X-linked intragenic inframe deletion, AVPR2 gene cDNA 255^th bp to 263^th bp, causing NDI.

Correction: Ultrasound-assisted leaching of vanadium from fly ash using lemon juice organic acids

Correction for ‘Ultrasound-assisted leaching of vanadium from fly ash using lemon juice organic acids’ by G. Rahimi et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 1685–1696, DOI: 10.1039/C9RA09352G.

Ultrasound-assisted leaching of vanadium from fly ash using lemon juice organic acids

In this work, vanadium (V) was selectively extracted from fuel-oil fly ash using a leaching process utilizing organic acids extracted from lemon juice with assistance from ultrasound and H₂O₂. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the main operating factors. The V recovery was 88.7% at the optimal conditions: 27.9% (v/v) lemon juice, 10% (v/v) hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), solid/liquid (S/L) ratio 0.01% (w/v), ultrasound power 159 W at 20 kHz in 2 h, and initial temperature of 35 °C. The effect of time on the V recovery was examined. The maximum recovery was 100% after 3 h. Furthermore, the individual effects of ultrasound and H₂O₂ on V recovery were studied, and the results showed that without H₂O₂ and ultrasound, the V recovery decreased greatly, indicating that both factors were essential in the leaching process. According to the modified shrinking core model, test results indicated that mass diffusion was the controlling step of the overall reaction kinetics. The activation energy of the leaching reaction in the temperature range 25 to 65 °C was found to be 17.1 kJ mol⁻¹.

In this work, vanadium (V) was selectively extracted from fuel-oil fly ash using a leaching process utilizing organic acids extracted from lemon juice with assistance from ultrasound and H₂O₂.

Transcriptome profiling to identify key mediators of granulosa cell proliferation upon FSH stimulation in the goose (Anser cygnoides)

1. The low reproductive performance of geese has seriously hampered the development of the industry. Reproductive performance, particularly the egg laying rate mainly depends on the development of the follicle. Previous studies have shown that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays an important role in the process of follicular development, but the exact underlying mechanism remains unclear. 2. This study showed that FSH stimulated granulosa cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of FSH treatment on granulosa cell proliferation was greatest at a dose of 100 mIU/ml FSH for 24 h. 3. Secondly, the effect of different concentrations of FSH on goose granulosa cell proliferation was investigated, and de novo transcriptome assembly and gene expression analysis performed using short-read sequencing technology (Illumina). High-throughput sequencing results yielded 62.61 M reads and 7.8 G base pairs from granulosa cells treated with 100 mIU/ml FSH. These reads were assembled into 65,757 unigenes (mean length: 705 bp) with an N50 of 903 bp. A total of 110 upregulated and 510 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by RNA-seq. 4. Functional analysis by gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway annotation indicated that hormone biosynthesis (GO:0042446), positive regulation of hormone secretion (GO:0046887), steroid biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation and carbon metabolism pathways were involved in FSH-mediated proliferation of goose granulosa cells. 5. After screening, a group of key responsive genes including superoxide dismutase 1, fatty acyl-CoA reductase 1, transforming growth factor-beta receptor-associated protein 1 and follistatin were tested by real-time reverse transcription PCR to confirm differential expression in granulosa cells stimulated by FSH. 6. FSH-stimulated goose granulosa cells and DEG profiling data provided comprehensive gene expression information at the transcriptional level that could promote better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying follicle development in response to FSH stimulation.

Patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure have increased concentrations of extracellular histones aggravating cellular damage and systemic inflammation

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is the most common type of liver failure and associated with grave consequences. Systemic inflammation has been linked to its pathogenesis and outcome, but the identifiable triggers are absent. Recently, extracellular histones, especially H4, have been recognized as important mediators of cell damage in various inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to investigate whether extracellular histones have clinical implications in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related ACLF. One hundred and twelve patients with HBV-related ACLF, 90 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 88 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis and 40 healthy volunteers were entered into this study. Plasma histone H4 levels, cytokine profile and clinical data were obtained. Besides, patient's sera were incubated overnight with human L02 hepatocytes or monocytic U937 cells in the presence or absence of antihistone H4 antibody, and cellular damage and cytokine production were evaluated. We found that plasma histone H4 levels were greatly increased in patients with ACLF as compared with chronic hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and healthy control subjects and were significantly associated with disease severity, systemic inflammation and outcome. Notably, ACLF patients' sera incubation decreased cultured L02 cell integrity and induced profound cytokine production in the supernatant of U937 cells. Antihistone H4 antibody treatment abrogated these adverse effects, thus confirming a cause-effect relationship between extracellular histones and organ injury/dysfunction. The data support the hypothesis that the increased extracellular histone levels in ACLF patients may aggravate disease severity by inducing cellular injury and systemic inflammation. Histone-targeted therapies may have potentially interventional value in clinical practice.

Correlation of cadherin-17 protein expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with sporadic gastric cancer

This study aimed to explore the correlations between cadherin-17 (CDH17) protein expression and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with sporadic gastric cancer (GC). Nine relevant studies of 1,960 patients were identified using electronic database searches supplemented with a manual search in strict accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA 12.0 statistical software. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were determined, and Z test was used to measure the significance of the overall effect size. A total of nine eligible cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. The expression of CDH17 in patients with diffuse GC was significantly higher than in those with intestinal-type GC. Moreover, the tumor depth of invasion differed significantly between patients with positive CDH17 (CDH17+) and negative CDH17 (CDH17-) GC. However, there were no significant differences between CDH17+ and CDH17- GC patients with respect to tumor node metastasis clinical stages, histological grades, or lymph node metastasis. Despite the differences in invasive depth, there was no significant difference in 5-year survival rates between CDH17+ and CDH17- GC patients. Our meta-analysis provides evidence that CDH17 protein expression may be associated with the development of GC, suggesting that CDH17 is an important biomarker that could be useful for the early diagnosis of GC. However, CDH17 levels do not appear to impact overall survival.