Determination of Spin-Parity Quantum Numbers of X(2370) as 0^{-+} from J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'}

Based on (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'} is performed. The mass and width of the X(2370) are measured to be 2395±11(stat)_{-94}^{+26}(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and 188_{-17}^{+18}(stat)_{-33}^{+124}(syst)  MeV, respectively. The corresponding product branching fraction is B[J/ψ→γX(2370)]×B[X(2370)→f_{0}(980)η^{'}]×B[f_{0}(980)→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}]=(1.31±0.22(stat)_{-0.84}^{+2.85}(syst))×10^{-5}. The statistical significance of the X(2370) is greater than 11.7σ and the spin parity is determined to be 0^{-+} for the first time. The measured mass and spin parity of the X(2370) are consistent with the predictions of the lightest pseudoscalar glueball.

Brusatol attenuated proliferation and invasion induced by KRAS in differentiated thyroid cancer through inhibiting Nrf2

BACKGROUND

Poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) can be developed from differentiated thyroid cancer, and this dedifferentiated transformation leads to poor prognosis and high mortality. The role of Nrf2 in the dedifferentiation of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) induced by KRAS remains unclear.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In this study, two DTC cell lines, BCPAP and WRO, were used to evaluate the function of Nrf2 in the dedifferentiation caused by wild-type KRAS (KRAS-WT) and G12V point mutation KRAS (KRAS-G12V).

RESULTS

The overexpression of KRAS-WT and KRAS-G12V increased the proliferative and invasive ability of BCPAP and WRO cells. Aggressive morphology was observed in KRAS-WT and KRAS-G12V overexpressed WRO cells. These results suggested that overexpression of KRAS-WT or KRAS-G12V may induce dedifferentiation in DTC cells. The expression of Nrf2 was increased by KRAS-WT and KRAS-G12V in DTC cells. In addition, compared with normal thyroid tissues, the expression of Nrf2 protein was considerably higher in thyroid cancer tissues on immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and the increased expression of Nrf2 indicated a poor prognosis of thyroid cancer. These results indicated that Nrf2 is the KRAS downstream molecule in thyroid cancer. Functional studies showed that the Nrf2 inhibitor Brusatol counteracted the proliferative and invasive abilities induced by KRAS-WT and KRAS-G12V in BCPAP and WRO cells. In addition, the xenograft assay further confirmed that Brusatol inhibits tumor growth induced by KRAS-WT and KRAS-G12V.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, this study suggests that Nrf2 could be a promising therapeutic target in KRAS-mediated dedifferentiation of thyroid cancer.

[Effects of Rhodiola rosea injection on intrapulmonary shunt and blood IL-6 and TNF-α levels during single lung ventilation in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of Rhodiola rosea injection on pulmonary shunt and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels during single lung ventilation in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer.

METHODS

Forty-six patients undergoing radical operation for esophageal cancer were randomized equally into control group and Rhodiola rosea injection group. In the Rhodiola group, 10 mL of Rhodiola rosea injection was added into 250 mL of normal saline or 5% glucose solution for slow intravenous infusion, and normal saline of the same volume was used in the control group after the patients entered the operation room. At T0, T1 and T3, PaO2 of the patient was recorded and 2 mL of deep venous blood was collected for determination of serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels. The incidence of postoperative atelectasis of the patients was recorded.

RESULTS

Compared with those in the control group, the patients receiving Rhodiola rosea injection had significantly higher PaO2 and Qs/Qt at T1 and T2 (P<0.05) and lower serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels at T3 (P<0.05). No significant difference in the incidence of postoperative atelectasis was observed between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rhodiola rosea injection before anesthesia induction can reduce intrapulmonary shunt during single lung ventilation, improve oxygenation, reduce serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and alleviate intraoperative lung injury in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer.

A national-scale assessment of land subsidence in China's major cities

China's massive wave of urbanization may be threatened by land subsidence. Using a spaceborne synthetic aperture radar interferometry technique, we provided a systematic assessment of land subsidence in all of China's major cities from 2015 to 2022. Of the examined urban lands, 45% are subsiding faster than 3 millimeters per year, and 16% are subsiding faster than 10 millimeters per year, affecting 29 and 7% of the urban population, respectively. The subsidence appears to be associated with a range of factors such as groundwater withdrawal and the weight of buildings. By 2120, 22 to 26% of China's coastal lands will have a relative elevation lower than sea level, hosting 9 to 11% of the coastal population, because of the combined effect of city subsidence and sea-level rise. Our results underscore the necessity of enhancing protective measures to mitigate potential damages from subsidence.

Observation of Structures in the Processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2}

We present measurements of the Born cross sections for the processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s] from 4.308 to 4.951 GeV. The measurements are performed with data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 11.0  fb^{-1} collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider storage ring. Assuming the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c2} signals come from a single resonance, the mass and width are determined to be M=(4413.6±9.0±0.8)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(110.5±15.0±2.9)  MeV, respectively, which is consistent with the parameters of the well-established resonance ψ(4415). In addition, we also use one single resonance to describe the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} line shape and determine the mass and width to be M=(4544.2±18.7±1.7)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(116.1±33.5±1.7)  MeV, respectively. The structure of this line shape, observed for the first time, requires further understanding.

Increasing risk of synchronous floods in the Yangtze River basin from the shift in flood timing

Floods are some of the most frequent and severe natural hazards worldwide. In the context of climate change, the risk of extreme floods is expected to increase in the future. While, the trends in flood timing and risk for flood synchronization remain unclear. In this study, the seasonality of flood peaks, annual maximum rainfall, and annual maximum soil moisture in the Yangtze River Basin were examined using observational and reanalysis data from 1949 to 2020. Changes in the timing of extreme events may increase the possibility of concurrent flooding, therefore the risk for synchronous floods were further explored. The results indicate that the seasonality of floods has a strong consistency with that of annual maximum rainfall. In the southern Yangtze River Basin, floods usually occur between early June and early July, with a delayed trend. However, they occur slightly later in the north, generally from late July to early August, with a tendency of advance. Overall, the timing of floods is positively correlated with rainfall and soil moisture peaks, and the correlation is much stronger for annual maximum rainfall. However, for more intense floods or for larger catchments, soil moisture plays an important role in modulating the variations in flood timing. Reverse latitudinal changes in flood timing are expected to result in more synchronous floods. The synchrony frequency exceeded 60 % for most of the stations, and the frequency was increasing for nearly half of the region, especially in the middle reaches, Poyang Lake and south of Dongting Lake. In addition, the flood synchrony scale in the south of the basin showed significant upward trends. These findings would provide important implications for flood risk management and adaptive strategy development.

Coupled-Channel Analysis of the χ_{c1}(3872) Line Shape with BESIII Data

We perform a study of the χ_{c1}(3872) line shape using the data samples of e^{+}e^{-}→γχ_{c1}(3872), χ_{c1}(3872)→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0}π^{0}, and π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ collected with the BESIII detector. The effects of the coupled channels and the off-shell D^{*0} are included in the parametrization of the line shape. The line shape mass parameter is obtained to be M_{X}=(3871.63±0.13_{-0.05}^{+0.06})  MeV. Two poles are found on the first and second Riemann sheets corresponding to the D^{*0}D[over ¯]^{0} branch cut. The pole location on the first sheet is much closer to the D^{*0}D[over ¯]^{0} threshold than the other, and is determined to be 7.04±0.15_{-0.08}^{+0.07}  MeV above the D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0}π^{0} threshold with an imaginary part -0.19±0.08_{-0.19}^{+0.14}  MeV.

Observation of the Anomalous Shape of X(1840) in J/ψ→γ3(π^{+}π^{-}) Indicating a Second Resonance Near pp[over ¯] Threshold

Using a sample of (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events, which is about 45 times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the J/ψ→γ3(π^{+}π^{-}) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84  GeV/c^{2} in the line shape of the 3(π^{+}π^{-}) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, X(1840) and X(1880). The new state X(1880) is observed with a statistical significance larger than 10σ. The mass and width of X(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7  MeV/c^{2} and 30.7±5.5±2.4  MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a pp[over ¯] bound state.

Study of the f_{0}(980) and f_{0}(500) Scalar Mesons through the Decay D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{-}e^{+}ν_{e}

Using e^{+}e^{-} collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.33  fb^{-1} recorded by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV, we present an analysis of the decay D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{-}e^{+}ν_{e}, where the D_{s}^{+} is produced via the process e^{+}e^{-}→D_{s}^{*±}D_{s}^{∓}. We observe the f_{0}(980) in the π^{+}π^{-} system and the branching fraction of the decay D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(980)e^{+}ν_{e} with f_{0}(980)→π^{+}π^{-} measured to be (1.72±0.13_{stat}±0.10_{syst})×10^{-3}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The dynamics of the D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(980)e^{+}ν_{e} decay are studied with the simple pole parametrization of the hadronic form factor and the Flatté formula describing the f_{0}(980) in the differential decay rate, and the product of the form factor f_{+}^{f_{0}}(0) and the c→s Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cs}| is determined for the first time to be f_{+}^{f_{0}}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.504±0.017_{stat}±0.035_{syst}. Furthermore, the decay D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(500)e^{+}ν_{e} is searched for the first time but no signal is found. The upper limit on the branching fraction of D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(500)e^{+}ν_{e}, f_{0}(500)→π^{+}π^{-} decay is set to be 3.3×10^{-4} at 90% confidence level.

[Promoting implementation research and One Health approach to respond the four global health challenges: an interpretation of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) Strategy 2024-2029]

Tropical diseases, notably neglected tropical diseases and infectious diseases of poverty, remain major health problems endangering the poorest and most-marginalized people in the world. The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), which is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank, is an important programme that helps facilitate, support, guide and coordinate global efforts to combat tropical diseases. On July 2023, TDR formally issued its 2024-2029 strategy, which proposed the direction and proprieties of global tropical disease prevention and control in the next six years. Based on its original focus on supporting researchers and research institutions from low and middle-income countries to conduct research on tropical diseases and building their research capabilities, this strategy proposed some new developments, which mainly included incorporating tropical disease prevention and control into the overall framework of addressing major global health challenges and achieving the health goals set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to combat tropical diseases and contribute to achieving health goals of SDGs in a collaborative and integrated manner; supporting implementation research and encouraging practitioners and social innovators to participate in research to enable generation of solutions that may be used to solve local health problems; promoting and encouraging the One Health concept and interdisciplinary and cross-departmental collaboration; shifting gradually its focus from disease prevention and control to addressing the health needs of the poorest and most-marginalized populations. These new developments deserve the attention of personnel and institutions in China dedicated to the prevention and control of tropical diseases in order to help their future researches and activities.

Observation of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} in the Amplitude Analysis of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η

We perform for the first time an amplitude analysis of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η and report the observation of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} using 2.93  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector. As the only W-annihilation-free decay among D to a_{0}(980) pseudoscalar, D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} is the ideal decay in extracting the contributions of the W-emission amplitudes involving a_{0}(980) and to study the final-state interactions. The absolute branching fraction of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η is measured to be (1.27±0.04_{stat}±0.03_{syst})%. The branching fractions of intermediate processes D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} with a_{0}(980)^{+}→π^{+}η and D^{+}→π^{+}K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0} with K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0}→K_{S}^{0}η are measured to be (1.33±0.05_{stat}±0.04_{syst})% and (0.14±0.03_{stat}±0.01_{syst})%, respectively.

Observation of Significant Flavor-SU(3) Breaking in the Kaon Wave Function at 12<Q^{2}<25 GeV^{2} and Discovery of the Charmless Decay ψ(3770)→K_{S}^{0}K_{L}^{0}

We present cross sections for the reaction e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}K_{L}^{0} at center-of-mass energies ranging from 3.51 to 4.95 GeV using data samples collected in the BESIII experiment, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 26.5  fb^{-1}. The ratio of neutral-to-charged kaon form factors at large momentum transfers (12 Collapse

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Measurements of All-Particle Energy Spectrum and Mean Logarithmic Mass of Cosmic Rays from 0.3 to 30 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

We present the measurements of all-particle energy spectrum and mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays in the energy range of 0.3-30 PeV using data collected from LHAASO-KM2A between September 2021 and December 2022, which is based on a nearly composition-independent energy reconstruction method, achieving unprecedented accuracy. Our analysis reveals the position of the knee at 3.67±0.05±0.15  PeV. Below the knee, the spectral index is found to be -2.7413±0.0004±0.0050, while above the knee, it is -3.128±0.005±0.027, with the sharpness of the transition measured with a statistical error of 2%. The mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays is almost heavier than helium in the whole measured energy range. It decreases from 1.7 at 0.3 PeV to 1.3 at 3 PeV, representing a 24% decline following a power law with an index of -0.1200±0.0003±0.0341. This is equivalent to an increase in abundance of light components. Above the knee, the mean logarithmic mass exhibits a power law trend towards heavier components, which is reversal to the behavior observed in the all-particle energy spectrum. Additionally, the knee position and the change in power-law index are approximately the same. These findings suggest that the knee observed in the all-particle spectrum corresponds to the knee of the light component, rather than the medium-heavy components.

Investigation of the ΔI=1/2 Rule and Test of CP Symmetry through the Measurement of Decay Asymmetry Parameters in Ξ^{-} Decays

Using (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, numerous Ξ^{-} and Λ decay asymmetry parameters are simultaneously determined from the process J/ψ→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+}→Λ(pπ^{-})π^{-}Λ[over ¯](n[over ¯]π^{0})π^{+} and its charge-conjugate channel. The precisions of α_{Λ0} for Λ→nπ^{0} and α[over ¯]_{Λ0} for Λ[over ¯]→n[over ¯]π^{0} compared to world averages are improved by factors of 4 and 1.7, respectively. The ratio of decay asymmetry parameters of Λ→nπ^{0} to that of Λ→pπ^{-}, ⟨α_{Λ0}⟩/⟨α_{Λ-}⟩, is determined to be 0.873±0.012_{-0.010}^{+0.011}, where the first and the second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The ratio is smaller than unity more than 5σ, which signifies the existence of the ΔI=3/2 transition in Λ for the first time. Besides, we test for CP symmetry in Ξ^{-}→Λπ^{-} and in Λ→nπ^{0} with the best precision to date.

Observation of D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, Precision Test of Lepton Flavor Universality with D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}l^{+}ν_{l}, and First Measurements of D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}μ^{+}ν_{μ} Decay Dynamics

By analyzing 7.33  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, we report the observation of the semileptonic decay D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, with a statistical significance larger than 10σ, and the measurements of the D_{s}^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ} decay dynamics for the first time. The branching fractions of D_{s}^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ} are determined to be (2.235±0.051_{stat}±0.052_{syst})% and (0.801±0.055_{stat}±0.028_{syst})%, respectively, with precision improved by factors of 6.0 and 6.6 compared to the previous best measurements. Combined with the results for the decays D_{s}^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}e^{+}ν_{e}, the ratios of the decay widths are examined both inclusively and in several ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} four-momentum transfer ranges. No evidence for lepton flavor universality violation is found within the current statistics. The products of the hadronic form factors f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0) and the c→s Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cs}| are determined. The results based on the two-parameter series expansion are f_{+,0}^{η}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.452±0.010_{stat}±0.007_{syst} and f_{+,0}^{η^{'}}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.504±0.037_{stat}±0.012_{syst}, which help to constrain present models on f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0). The forward-backward asymmetries are determined to be ⟨A_{FB}^{η}⟩=-0.059±0.031_{stat}±0.005_{syst} and ⟨A_{FB}^{η^{'}}⟩=-0.064±0.079_{stat}±0.006_{syst} for the first time, which are consistent with the theoretical calculation.

Determination of the Σ^{+} Timelike Electromagnetic Form Factors

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, the process e^{+}e^{-}→Σ^{+}Σ[over ¯]^{-} is studied at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=2.3960, 2.6454, and 2.9000 GeV. Using a fully differential angular description of the final state particles, both the relative magnitude and phase information of the Σ^{+} electromagnetic form factors in the timelike region are extracted. The relative phase between the electric and magnetic form factors is determined to be sinΔΦ=-0.67±0.29(stat)±0.18(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.3960  GeV, ΔΦ=55°±19°(stat)±14°(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.6454  GeV, and 78°±22°(stat)±9°(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.9000  GeV. For the first time, the phase of the hyperon electromagnetic form factors is explored in a wide range of four-momentum transfer. The evolution of the phase along with four-momentum transfer is an important input for understanding its asymptotic behavior and the dynamics of baryons.

[Key microbial monitoring and clinical analysis of bloodstream infections and CRO colonization after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in hematological patients]

Objective: To investigate the distribution and clinical characteristics of pathogenic bacteria following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), as well as to provide a preliminary research foundation for key microbial monitoring, and clinical diagnosis and treatment of infections after HSCT in hematological patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 190 patients who tested positive for microbial testing [G-bacteria blood culture and/or carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO) screening of perianal swabs] at our center from January 2018 to December 2022. Patients were divided into blood culture positive, perianal swab positive, and double positive groups based on the testing results. The three patient groups underwent statistical analysis and comparison. Results: The top four pathogenic bacteria isolated from sixty-three patients with G-bacteria bloodstream infection (BSI) were Escherichia coli (28 strains, 43.75% ), Klebsiella pneumonia (26 strains, 40.63% ), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 strains, 4.69% ), and Enterobacter cloacae (3 strains, 4.69% ). The top three pathogenic bacteria isolated from 147 patients with CRO perianal colonization were carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (58 strains, 32.58% ), carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (49 strains, 27.53% ), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (20 strains, 11.24% ). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS ) and overall survival (OS) of double positive group patients were significantly lower compared to those in the blood culture and perianal swab positive groups (DFS: 35.6% vs 53.7% vs 68.6%, P=0.001; OS: 44.4% vs 62.4% vs 76.9%, P<0.001), while non-relapse mortality (NRM) was significantly higher (50.0% vs 34.9% vs 10.6%, P<0.001). Failed engraftment of platelets and BSI are independent risk factors for NRM (P<0.001). Using polymyxin and/or ceftazidime-avibactam for more than 7 days is an independent protective factor for NRM (P=0.035) . Conclusion: This study suggests that the occurrence of BSI significantly increases the NRM after HSCT in patients with hematological diseases; CRO colonization into the bloodstream has a significant impact on the DFS and OS of HSCT patients.

First Measurement of the Decay Asymmetry in the Pure W-Boson-Exchange Decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Ξ^{0}K^{+}

Based on 4.4  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at the center-of-mass energies between 4.60 and 4.70 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, the pure W-boson-exchange decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Ξ^{0}K^{+} is studied with a full angular analysis. The corresponding decay asymmetry is measured for the first time to be α_{Ξ^{0}K^{+}}=0.01±0.16(stat)±0.03(syst). This result reflects the noninterference effect between the S- and P-wave amplitudes. The phase shift between S- and P-wave amplitudes has two solutions, which are δ_{p}-δ_{s}=-1.55±0.25(stat)±0.05(syst)  rad or 1.59±0.25(stat)±0.05(syst)  rad.

Multimodel habitats constructed by perfusion and/or diffusion MRI predict isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation status and prognosis in high-grade gliomas

AIM

To determine whether tumour vascular and cellular heterogeneity of high-grade glioma (HGG) is predictive of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status and overall survival (OS) by using tumour habitat-based analysis constructed by perfusion and/or diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-eight HGG patients that met the 2021 World Health Organization WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, 5th edition (WHO CNS5), were enrolled to predict IDH mutation status, of which 32 grade 4 patients with unmethylated O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter were enrolled for prognostic analysis. The deep-learning-based model nnU-Net and K-means clustering algorithm were applied to construct the Traditional Habitat, Vascular Habitat (VH), Cellular Density Habitat (DH), and their Combined Habitat (CH). Quantitative parameters were extracted and compared between IDH-mutant and IDH-wild-type patients, respectively, and the prediction potential was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. OS was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Compared with IDH-mutants, median relative cerebral blood volume (rCBVmedian) values in the whole enhancing tumour (WET), VH1, VH3, CH1-4 habitats were significantly increased in IDH-wild-type HGGs (all p<0.05). Additionally, the accuracy of rCBVmedian values in CH1 outperformed other habitats in identifying IDH mutation status (p<0.001) at a cut-off value of 4.83 with AUC of 0.815. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis highlighted significant differences in OS between the populations dichotomised by the median of rCBVmedian in WET, VH1, CH1-3 habitats (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The habitat imaging technique may improve the accuracy of predicting IDH mutation status and prognosis, and even provide a new direction for subsequent personalised precision treatment.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and faecal microbiota transplantation can improve colitis in mice by affecting gut microbiota and metabolomics

Gut microbiota may have therapeutic effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Regulating intestinal microbiota through Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a novel approach to treating IBD. This study aimed to explore the effect of L. plantarum and FMT pretreatment in alleviating colitis in mice. Five groups of mice (n = 6 per group) were included: CON group, DSS group (dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis mice), LP-DSS pretreatment group (colitis mice were given strain L. plantarum and 5% DSS), DSS-FMT group (mice pretreated with faecal microbiota transplantation were given 5% DSS), and LP-FMT pretreatment group (mice pretreated with faecal microbiota transplantation and L. plantarum were given 5% DSS). Serum metabolites and intestinal microbiota were analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The results demonstrated that L. plantarum and FMT improved gut microbiota in mice by increasing Firmicutes and decreasing the Bacteroidetes. In the serum metabolomics analysis, there were 11 differential metabolites in the DSS-FMT and LP-FMT pretreatment groups, and these differential metabolites were mainly glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. It is worth noting that Lachnospira and Lactobacillus were positively associated with 8 differential metabolites. These results suggest that L. plantarum and FMT can regulate intestinal microorganisms and serum metabolomics to alleviate inflammation.

Test of CP Symmetry in Hyperon to Neutron Decays

The quantum entangled J/ψ→Σ^{+}Σ[over ¯]^{-} pairs from (1.0087±0.0044)×10^{10}  J/ψ events taken by the BESIII detector are used to study the nonleptonic two-body weak decays Σ^{+}→nπ^{+} and Σ[over ¯]^{-}→n[over ¯]π^{-}. The CP-odd weak decay parameters of the decays Σ^{+}→nπ^{+} (α_{+}) and Σ[over ¯]^{-}→n[over ¯]π^{-} (α[over ¯]_{-}) are determined to be 0.0481±0.0031_{stat}±0.0019_{syst} and -0.0565±0.0047_{stat}±0.0022_{syst}, respectively. The decay parameter α[over ¯]_{-} is measured for the first time, and the accuracy of α_{+} is improved by a factor of 4 compared to the previous results. The simultaneously determined decay parameters allow the first precision CP symmetry test for any hyperon decay with a neutron in the final state with the measurement of A_{CP}=(α_{+}+α[over ¯]_{-})/(α_{+}-α[over ¯]_{-})=-0.080±0.052_{stat}±0.028_{syst}. Assuming CP conservation, the average decay parameter is determined as ⟨α_{+}⟩=(α_{+}-α[over ¯]_{-})/2=-0.0506±0.0026_{stat}±0.0019_{syst}, while the ratios α_{+}/α_{0} and α[over ¯]_{-}/α[over ¯]_{0} are -0.0490±0.0032_{stat}±0.0021_{syst} and -0.0571±0.0053_{stat}±0.0032_{syst}, where α_{0} and α[over ¯]_{0} are the decay parameters of the decays Σ^{+}→pπ^{0} and Σ[over ¯]^{-}→p[over ¯]π^{0}, respectively.

Measurement of Energy-Dependent Pair-Production Cross Section and Electromagnetic Form Factors of a Charmed Baryon

We study the process e^{+}e^{-}→Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} at twelve center-of-mass energies from 4.6119 to 4.9509 GeV using data samples collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The Born cross sections and effective form factors (|G_{eff}|) are determined with unprecedented precision after combining the single and double-tag methods based on the decay process Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+}. Flat cross sections around 4.63 GeV are obtained and no indication of the resonant structure Y(4630), as reported by Belle, is found. In addition, no oscillatory behavior is discerned in the |G_{eff}| energy dependence of Λ_{c}^{+}, in contrast to what is seen for the proton and neutron cases. Analyzing the cross section together with the polar-angle distribution of the Λ_{c}^{+} baryon at each energy point, the moduli of electric and magnetic form factors (|G_{E}| and |G_{M}|) are extracted and separated. For the first time, the energy dependence of the form factor ratio |G_{E}/G_{M}| is observed, which can be well described by an oscillatory function.

Adaptable polymerization platform for therapeutics with tunable biodegradability

Biodegradable polymer-based therapeutics have recently become essential drug delivery biomaterials for various bioactive compounds. Biodegradable and biocompatible polymer-based biomaterials fulfill the requirements of these therapeutics because they enable to obtain polymer biomaterials with optimized blood circulation, pharmacokinetics, biodegradability, and renal excretion. Herein, we describe an adaptable polymerization platform employed for the synthesis of long-circulating, stimulus-sensitive and biodegradable biomaterials, therapeutics, or theranostics. Four chain transfer agents (CTA) were designed and successfully synthesized for the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, allowing the straightforward synthesis of hydrolytically biodegradable structures of block copolymers-based biomaterials. The controlled polymerization using the CTAs enables controlling the half-life of the hydrolytic degradation of polymer precursors in a wide range from 5 h to 21 days. Moreover, the antitumor drug pirarubicin (THP) was successfully conjugated to the polymer biomaterials via a pH-sensitive hydrazone bond for in vitro and in vivo experiments. Polymer conjugates demonstrated superior antitumor efficacy compared to basic linear polymer-based conjugates. Notably, the biodegradable systems, even though those with degradation in the order of hours were selected, increased the half-life of THP in the bloodstream almost two-fold. Indeed, the presented platform design enables the main chain-end specific attachment of targeting ligands or diagnostic molecules. The adaptable polymerization platform design allows tuning of the biodegradability rate, stimuli-sensitive drug bonding, and optimized pharmacokinetics to increase the therapy outcome and system targeting, thus allowing the preparation of targeted or theranostic polymer conjugates. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biodegradable and biocompatible polymer-based biomaterials are recognized as potential future bioactive nanomedicines. To advance the development of such biomaterials, we developed polymerization platforms utilizing tailored chain transfer agents allowing the straightforward synthesis of hydrolytically degradable polymer biomaterials with tuned biodegradability from hours to several days. The platform allows for the synthesis of long-circulating, stimulus-sensitive and biodegradable biomaterial serving as drug carriers or theranostics. The therapeutic potential was validated by preparation of polymer biomaterials containing pirarubicin, anticancer drug, bound via pH sensitive bond and by showing prolonged blood circulation and increased antitumor activity while keeping the drug side effects low. This work paves the way for future development of biodegradable polymer biomaterials with advanced properties in drug delivery.

Engineered lipid liquid crystalline nanoparticles as an inhaled nanoplatform for mucus penetration enhancement

Nanocarrier-assisted pulmonary drug delivery system has been widely employed for lung local disease treatment due to its enhanced drug lesion accumulation and reduced systematical side effects. However, the mucus barriers covered on the epithelia of trachea and bronchial tree construct a dense barrier for inhaled nanocarrier transport, which compromises the therapeutical effects. In this study, a lipid liquid crystalline nanoparticle NLP@Z with surface zwitterion material hexadecyl betaine (HB) modification and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) encapsulation was presented to exert the combination strategy of mucus-inert surface and mucus degradation. The HB modification endowed NLP@Z mucus-inert surface to inhibit the interaction between NLP@Z and mucins, and the encapsulated NAC could effectively degrade the mucins and further decrease the mucus viscosity. This combination strategy was proved to significantly promote the mucus penetration performance and enhance epithelial cell uptake. In addition, the proposed NLP@Z was equipped with desired nebulization property, which could be served as a potential pulmonary delivery nanoplatform. In summary, the proposed NLP@Z highlights the employment of the combination strategy for mucus penetration enhancement in pulmonary delivery, which may become a versatile platform for lung disease therapy.

Determination of Spin-Parity Quantum Numbers for the Narrow Structure near the pΛ[over ¯] Threshold in e^{+}e^{-}→pK^{-}Λ[over ¯]+c.c

A narrow structure in the pΛ[over ¯] system near the mass threshold, named as X(2085), is observed in the process e^{+}e^{-}→pK^{-}Λ[over ¯] with a statistical significance greater than 20σ. Its spin and parity are determined for the first time to be J^{P}=1^{+} in an amplitude analysis, with a statistical significance greater than 5σ over other quantum numbers (0^{-},1^{-} and 2^{+}). The pole positions of X(2085) are measured to be M_{pole}=(2084_{-2}^{+4}±9)  MeV and Γ_{pole}=(58_{-3}^{+4}±25)  MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones are systematic. The analysis is based on the study of the process e^{+}e^{-}→pK^{-}Λ[over ¯] and uses the data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=4.008, 4.178, 4.226, 4.258, 4.416, and 4.682 GeV with a total integrated luminosity of 8.35  fb^{-1}.

Measurement of Ultra-High-Energy Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission of the Galactic Plane from 10 TeV to 1 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

The diffuse Galactic γ-ray emission, mainly produced via interactions between cosmic rays and the interstellar medium and/or radiation field, is a very important probe of the distribution, propagation, and interaction of cosmic rays in the Milky Way. In this Letter, we report the measurements of diffuse γ rays from the Galactic plane between 10 TeV and 1 PeV energies, with the square kilometer array of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Diffuse emissions from the inner (15°10  TeV). The energy spectrum in the inner Galaxy regions can be described by a power-law function with an index of -2.99±0.04, which is different from the curved spectrum as expected from hadronic interactions between locally measured cosmic rays and the line-of-sight integrated gas content. Furthermore, the measured flux is higher by a factor of ∼3 than the prediction. A similar spectrum with an index of -2.99±0.07 is found in the outer Galaxy region, and the absolute flux for 10≲E≲60  TeV is again higher than the prediction for hadronic cosmic ray interactions. The latitude distributions of the diffuse emission are consistent with the gas distribution, while the longitude distributions show clear deviation from the gas distribution. The LHAASO measurements imply that either additional emission sources exist or cosmic ray intensities have spatial variations.

Precise Measurement of the e^{+}e^{-}→D_{s}^{*+}D_{s}^{*-} Cross Sections at Center-of-Mass Energies from Threshold to 4.95 GeV

The process e^{+}e^{-}→D_{s}^{*+}D_{s}^{*-} is studied with a semi-inclusive method using data samples at center-of-mass energies from threshold to 4.95 GeV collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross sections of the process are measured for the first time with high precision in this energy region. Two resonance structures are observed in the energy-dependent cross sections around 4.2 and 4.4 GeV. By fitting the cross sections with a coherent sum of three Breit-Wigner amplitudes and one phase-space amplitude, the two significant structures are assigned masses of (4186.8±8.7±30) and (4414.6±3.4±6.1)  MeV/c^{2}, widths of (55±15±53) and (122.5±7.5±8.1)  MeV, where the first errors are statistical and the second ones are systematic. The inclusion of a third Breit-Wigner amplitude is necessary to describe a structure around 4.79 GeV.

First Experimental Study of the Purely Leptonic Decay D_{s}^{*+}→e^{+}ν_{e}

Using 7.33  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we report the first experimental study of the purely leptonic decay D_{s}^{*+}→e^{+}ν_{e}. Our data contain a signal of this decay with a statistical significance of 2.9σ. The branching fraction of D_{s}^{*+}→e^{+}ν_{e} is measured to be (2.1_{-0.9_{stat}}^{+1.2}±0.2_{syst})×10^{-5}, corresponding to an upper limit of 4.0×10^{-5} at the 90% confidence level. Taking the total width of the D_{s}^{*+} [(0.070±0.028)  keV] predicted with the radiative D_{s}^{*+} decay from the lattice QCD calculation as input, the decay constant of the D_{s}^{*+} is determined to be f_{D_{s}^{*+}}=(214_{-46_{stat}}^{+61}±44_{syst})  MeV, corresponding to an upper limit of 354 MeV at the 90% confidence level.

Measurement of oesophageal hiatus surface area by multiplanar reconstruction of MDCT: relationship with lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and acid reflux

AIM

To evaluate the relationship between oesophageal hiatus surface area (OHSA) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent 24-h pH monitoring, oesophageal high-resolution manometry, and upper abdominal contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) during 2014-2021 were enrolled. Patients with a hiatus hernia (HH) on MDCT or who had a history of gastro-oesophageal surgery were excluded. Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) of the MDCT image was used for the measurement of OHSA. Correlations of OHSA with acid exposure time (AET) and lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure of all patients were analysed.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients were included in the study. OHSA was much less in the AET <4% group than in the AET >6% group (1.61 ± 0.42 versus 2.09 ± 0.55 cm2, p<0.001). Correlation analysis reveals that OHSA correlated positively with AET (correlation coefficient = 0.47, p<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis reveals that OHSA can significantly distinguish patients in different groups divided by AET (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.90). OHSA was not related to LOS pressure (correlation coefficient = -0.268, p=0.051). There was no difference in OHSA between the low LOS pressure group and the normal LOS pressure group (1.84 ± 0.61 versus 1.74 ± 0.50 cm2, p=0.52).

CONCLUSIONS

OHSA significantly correlated with AET but has no relationship with LOS pressure. It may be an independent risk factor of GERD.

Radiotherapy for Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined with Chemotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

With the success of immunotherapy in advanced esophageal cancer, neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy (CIT) is being increasingly used for local staged esophageal cancer, especially in the context of clinical trials, which brings similar pCR with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and shows promising results. However, there is still a part of potentially operable patients can't undergo surgery after neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy. The follow-up treatment and prognosis of this population remain unclear.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients pathologically diagnosed with ESCC, clinical stage T1-3N+M0 or T3-4aNanyM0(AJCC 8th), PS 0-1 were retrospectively enrolled from 1/2020 to 6/2021 in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. All patients firstly received PD-1 inhibitors (Camrelizumab, Sintilimab or Tislelizumab) plus chemotherapy (albumin paclitaxel,260 mg/m²on day 1 plus carboplatin AUC = 5 on day 1) every 3 weeks for 2-4 cycles. For those patients who did not receive surgery, definitive radiotherapy with 50.4Gy/28F or 50Gy/25F was adopted using VMAT, concurrent with chemotherapy or alone. The concurrent chemotherapy regimens included weekly TC (paclitaxel 50 mg/m 2, d1, carboplatin AUC = 2, d1) or S1 (60mg bid d1-14,29-42). The survival outcomes and treatment toxicity were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 56 eligible patients were finally identified from 558 patients who were treated in department of thoracic surgery, 31 patients showed no response to neoadjuvant CIT (6 with PD and 25 with SD), 25 patients achieved PR but did not receive surgery due to poor performance status or refuse to operation. Median age was 66(IQR 56-72) and 55(98.2%) were males. 12(19.6%) were stage II and 44(80.4%) were stage III. Among all the patients,25 (44.6%) received radiotherapy alone, and 31 (55.4%) received chemoradiotherapy after neoadjuvant CIT. The median follow-up was 11.8 months (IQR 8.6-20.1). The median PFS and OS were 16.5 months (95CI 12.9-21.4) and 18.6 months (95CI 11.2-NA), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, the median PFS for patients with PR to CIT was 20.2 moths (95CI:17.23-NA), and 12.9 moths (95CI: 0.68-20.4) for patients with SD or PD, HR was 0.45 (95CI:0.22- 0.93, P = 0.027). No significant difference was observed for patients received radiotherapy alone or chemoradiotherapy with HR = 1.36(95CI:0.69-2.71, P = 0.37). The most common AEs observed during this study were anemia (98.2%), Leukopenia (83.9%), Thrombocytopenia (53.6%). Adverse events of grade≥3 radiation-induced pneumonitis and esophagitis were 12.5% and 32.1%, especially, 6 patients (10.7%) died from esophageal fistula and 2 patients (3.6%) died from grade 5 pneumonitis.

CONCLUSION

For local advanced ESCC patients after neoadjuvant CIT who did not receive surgery, definitive radiotherapy was an optional treatment strategy. However, those patients with no response to CIT also showed poor response to radiotherapy, and particular attention should be paid to treatment related toxicity, especially esophageal fistula.

Search for Λ[over ¯]-Λ Baryon-Number-Violating Oscillations in the Decay J/ψ→pK^{-}Λ[over ¯]+c.c

We report on the first search for Λ[over ¯]-Λ oscillations in the decay J/ψ→pK^{-}Λ[over ¯]+c.c. by analyzing 1.31×10^{9}  J/ψ events accumulated with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The J/ψ events are produced using e^{+}e^{-} collisions at a center of mass energy sqrt[s]=3.097  GeV. No evidence for hyperon oscillations is observed. The upper limit for the oscillation rate of Λ[over ¯] to Λ hyperons is determined to be P(Λ)=[B(J/ψ→pK^{-}Λ+c.c.)/B(J/ψ→pK^{-}Λ[over ¯]+c.c.)]<4.4×10^{-6} corresponding to an oscillation parameter δm_{ΛΛ[over ¯]} of less than 3.8×10^{-18}  GeV at the 90% confidence level.

A machine learning model for predicting the three-year survival status of patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma using multiple parameters

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to establish a model for predicting the three-year survival status of patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma using artificial intelligence algorithms.

METHOD

Data from 295 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were analysed retrospectively. Training sets comprised 70 per cent of the data and test sets the remaining 30 per cent. A total of 22 clinical parameters were included as training features. In total, 12 different types of machine learning algorithms were used for model construction. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and Cohen's kappa co-efficient were used to evaluate model performance.

RESULTS

The XGBoost algorithm achieved the best model performance. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and kappa value of the model were 80.9 per cent, 92.6 per cent, 62.9 per cent, 77.7 per cent and 58.1 per cent, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully identified a machine learning model for predicting three-year survival status for patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma that can offer a new prognostic evaluation method for the clinical treatment of these patients.

[Pre- and post-diagnosis body mass index in association with colorectal cancer death in a prospective cohort study]

Objective: To evaluate the association between pre-and post-diagnosis body mass index (BMI) and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) death. Methods: The cohort consisted of 3, 057 CRC patients from Shanghai who were diagnosed from Jan. 1, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2011 and aged from 20 to 74 years. The pre- and post-diagnosis BMI and clinical and lifestyle factors were collected at baseline. Death information was collected using record linkage with the Shanghai Cancer Registry and telephone confirmation during follow-up by the end of 2019. The Cox proportional regression model was used to estimate HR with 95% CI. Results: Analysis by multivariable Cox model showed no association between pre-diagnosis BMI and death risk in both male and female patients. Male patients with a post-diagnosis underweight BMI had an elevated risk of death compared to those in normal weight (HR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.21-2.37), especially in early stage cases. Overweight patients (HR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.89) and patients with obesity class Ⅰ (HR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.45-0.89)had better survival with decreased risks of death, especially in advanced stage cases. The decreased death risk in patients with obesity class Ⅱ was not significant (HR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.24-1.39). The P(trend) value for decreased risk of death with increased BMI in female patients was statistically significant (P<0.001), and the overweight and obesity class Ⅰ categories had better survival in advanced stage(HR(overweight)=0.62, 95% CI: 0.42-0.93; HR(obesity class Ⅰ)=0.39, 95% CI: 0.16-0.98). Both male and female patients with post-diagnosis BMI loss >2.0 kg/m(2) had an increased death risk when compared with those with stable BMI (change≤1.0 kg/m(2)) between pre- and post-diagnosis. BMI gain after diagnosis did not change death risk. Conclusions: Post-diagnosis BMI in the overweight or obesity class Ⅰ groups might be conducive to prolonging male CRC patients' survival, while underweight might result in poor prognosis. Keeping weight and avoiding excessive weight loss should be suggested for all CRC patients after diagnosis.

Excess mortality in 22 European countries in 2020 and 2021: relationship with socioeconomic indicators

AIMS

For better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mortality in different countries, we studied the excess mortality from any cause during 2020 and 2021 in 22 European countries, and its relationship with three socioeconomic variables: life expectancy at birth in 2019, per capita income, and low education level.

METHODS

Using an ecological design, we analyzed excess mortality data between January 2020 and December 2021 in 22 European countries, obtained from the EuroMOMO surveillance system. Using weekly Z-score data for each country, we estimated the annual average deviation in mortality during 2020 and 2021 for each country. We analyzed possible relationships between the excess mortality and three independent variables: gross domestic product per capita (GDPpc) in 2020, life expectancy at birth in 2019, and proportion of the population over age 18 years with a lower than secondary education level in 2018.

RESULTS

In the 22 European countries analyzed, the total number of excess deaths in 2020 and 2021 was 800,011 (11%) more than expected, with deaths among those aged 65 years and over accounting for 87.66% of these. Excess mortality was higher in 2020, especially in Spain, UK, Italy, and France. In 2021, excess mortality was highest in Hungary, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. Excess mortality during 2021 was inversely correlated with life expectancy (r =-.489, p = .021) and income level (r =-.550, p = .008).

CONCLUSION

Reducing socioeconomic inequalities among countries not only improves conditions of most disadvantages but also will help to reduce excess of mortality from future pandemics.

First Study of Reaction Ξ^{0}n→Ξ^{-}p Using Ξ^{0}-Nucleus Scattering at an Electron-Positron Collider

Using (1.0087±0.0044)×10^{10}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring, the process Ξ^{0}n→Ξ^{-}p is studied, where the Ξ^{0} baryon is produced in the process J/ψ→Ξ^{0}Ξ[over ¯]^{0} and the neutron is a component of the ^{9}Be, ^{12}C, and ^{197}Au nuclei in the beam pipe. A clear signal is observed with a statistical significance of 7.1σ. The cross section of the reaction Ξ^{0}+^{9}Be→Ξ^{-}+p+^{8}Be is determined to be σ(Ξ^{0}+^{9}Be→Ξ^{-}+p+^{8}Be)=(22.1±5.3_{stat}±4.5_{sys})  mb at the Ξ^{0} momentum of 0.818  GeV/c, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. No significant H-dibaryon signal is observed in the Ξ^{-}p final state. This is the first study of hyperon-nucleon interactions in electron-positron collisions and opens up a new direction for such research.

Measurements of Normalized Differential Cross Sections of Inclusive π^{0} and K_{S}^{0} Production in e^{+}e^{-} Annihilation at Energies from 2.2324 to 3.6710 GeV

Based on electron positron collision data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage rings, the differential cross sections of inclusive π^{0} and K_{S}^{0} production as a function of hadron momentum, normalized by the total cross section of the e^{+}e^{-}→hadrons process, are measured at six center-of-mass energies from 2.2324 to 3.6710 GeV. Our results, which cover a relative hadron energy range from 0.1 to 0.9, significantly deviate from several theoretical calculations based on existing fragmentation functions.

A tera-electron volt afterglow from a narrow jet in an extremely bright gamma-ray burst

Some gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have a tera-electron volt (TeV) afterglow, but the early onset of this has not been observed. We report observations with the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory of the bright GRB 221009A, which serendipitously occurred within the instrument field of view. More than 64,000 photons >0.2 TeV were detected within the first 3000 seconds. The TeV flux began several minutes after the GRB trigger, then rose to a peak about 10 seconds later. This was followed by a decay phase, which became more rapid ~650 seconds after the peak. We interpret the emission using a model of a relativistic jet with half-opening angle ~0.8°. This is consistent with the core of a structured jet and could explain the high isotropic energy of this GRB.

A control-theoretic approach for input saturated linear systems: Integration of phase-shaping and gain-scheduling

Saturation is mainly characterized by its passivity and magnitude bound. But most of the saturation control methods only make use of either of these features. To enhance the performance of saturated systems, this paper develops a novel method capable of fully using both of these two features. This method is a two-stage design scheme which integrates the phase-shaping technique with the gain-scheduled control. The phase-shaping fully uses the passivity of saturation while the gain-scheduling actively utilizes the magnitude bound of saturation. In this way, the design conservatism associated with existing methods is reduced substantially. Specifically, a matrix-type phase-shaping method is developed through the placement of systems' frequency loci, and a meta-heuristic method is devised for the design of the phase-shaping function. Furthermore, the gain-scheduled control is transformed into the robust performance problem of a passive uncertain system, and designed by the passivity-based robust control method of the authors. Application to two practical control systems validates the effectiveness of the proposed method. The superiority is demonstrated via comparisons with typical saturation control methods.

Precision Measurement of the Decay Σ^{+}→pγ in the Process J/ψ→Σ^{+}Σ[over ¯]^{-}

Using (10 087±44)×10^{6} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, the radiative hyperon decay Σ^{+}→pγ is studied at an electron-positron collider experiment for the first time. The absolute branching fraction is measured to be (0.996±0.021_{stat}±0.018_{syst})×10^{-3}, which is lower than its world average value by 4.2 standard deviations. Its decay asymmetry parameter is determined to be -0.652±0.056_{stat}±0.020_{syst}. The branching fraction and decay asymmetry parameter are the most precise to date, and the accuracies are improved by 78% and 34%, respectively.

[Factors influencing bilirubin elevation and its correlation with UGT1A1 gene polymorphism in the early postoperative period of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt]

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing total bilirubin elevation and its correlation with UGT1A1 gene polymorphism in the early postoperative period of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Methods: 104 cases with portal hypertension and esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVB) treated with elective TIPS treatment were selected as the study subjects and were divided into a bilirubin-elevated group and a normal bilirubin group according to the total bilirubin elevation level during the early postoperative period. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the factors influencing total bilirubin elevation in the early postoperative period. PCR amplification and first-generation sequencing technology were used to detect the polymorphic loci of the UGT1A1 gene promoter TATA box, enhancer c.-3279 T > G, c.211G > A, and c.686C > A. Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation of four locus alleles and genotypes with elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period. Results: Among the 104 cases, 47 patients were in the bilirubin elevated group, including 35 males (74.5%) and 12 females (25.5%), aged (50.72 ± 12.56) years. There were 57 cases in the normal bilirubin group, including 42 males (73.7%) and 15 females (26.3%), aged (51.63 ± 11.10) years. There was no statistically significant difference in age (t = -0.391, P = 0.697) and gender (χ(2) = 0.008, P = 0.928) between the two groups of patients. Univariate analysis revealed that preoperative alanine transaminase (ALT) level (χ(2) = 5.954, P = 0.015), total bilirubin level (χ(2) = 16.638, P < 0.001), MELD score (χ(2) = 10.054, P = 0.018), Child-Pugh score (χ(2) = 6.844, P = 0.022), and postoperative portal vein branch development (χ(2) = 6.738, P = 0.034) were statistically significantly different between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative ALT level, total bilirubin level, and portal vein branch development after TIPS were correlated with the elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period. The polymorphism of the c.211G > A locus of the UGT1A1 gene correlation had elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period of TIPS. The risk of elevated total bilirubin was increased in the population carrying allele A (P = 0.001, OR = 4.049) in the early postoperative period. Allelic polymorphisms in the TATA box promoter region and enhancer c.-3279 T > G and c.686C > A had no statistically significant difference between the bilirubin-elevated group and the normal bilirubin group. Conclusion: The preoperative ALT level, total bilirubin level, and portal vein branch development are correlated with the elevated total bilirubin in early postoperative patients. The polymorphisms of the UGT1A1 gene and enhancer c.211G > A are correlated with the occurrence of elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period of TIPS. Allele A carrier may have a higher risk of elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period.

[Effects of three-dimensional computed tomography angiography-assisted free medial sural artery perforator flap in repairing foot wounds]

Objective: To investigate the effects of three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA)-assisted free medial sural artery perforator flap in repairing foot wounds. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From May 2018 to August 2021, 18 patients with foot soft tissue defects who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Spine and Trauma Orthopedics of the Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, including 13 males and 5 females, aged 19 to 55 years, with a wound area of 4.0 cm×3.0 cm-9.0 cm×8.0 cm at admission. Before the operation, CT scanner was used to scan the area from the supracondylar femur to the middle segment of the fibula of patients, and the obtained data were extracted into the Mimics16.0 software and analyzed to determine the pre-selected perforator, and then the image data of the pre-selected perforator side were analyzed further, and the body surface projection position of the perforating point of the medial sural artery in the calf region was marked. Based on the above examination, the flap was designed and cut according to the shape and area of the patient's foot tissue defect, and the area of flaps ranged from 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 10.0 cm×9.0 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or covered by skin grafting. The type of perforator, the diameters of perforator at the beginning and outlet point, and the location of the outlet point of perforator of the medial sural artery were observed under 3D-CTA examination before operation and compared to see if they were consistent with the observation under intraoperative condition. The survival of the flaps after operation was recorded. During follow-up, the satisfaction of patients with the wound repair effects, the sensory recovery of the recipient flaps, the healing of the donor wound, and whether there were complications affecting limb functions were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed with Kappa consistency test and equivalence test, and the 95% confidence intervals of measurement difference of perforator diameter and outlet point position of perforator were -0.50-0.50 mm and -2.0-2.0 cm, respectively. Results: The types of medial sural artery perforators observed during operation were type Ⅰ in 3 cases, type ⅡA in 6 cases, type ⅡB in 8 cases, and type Ⅲ in 1 case, which was consistent with the results of 3D-CTA before operation (Kappa=1.00, P<0.05). The blood vessel diameter detected by 3D-CTA before operation at the beginning of perforator of medial sural artery was (1.81±0.39) mm, and the blood vessel diameter at the outlet point of the perforator was (0.83±0.21) mm, which were close to the actual intraoperative measurement of (1.83±0.43) and (0.86±0.22) mm, respectively; equivalence test showed that the 95% confidence intervals of the measurement differences of diameter of medial sural artery perforator at beginning and outlet point were -0.18-0.22 and -0.08-0.14 mm, respectively, with both P values <0.05. The preoperative 3D-CTA detected that the perforating position at the deep fascia of the perforator of the medial sural artery, namely the vertical distance with the popliteal fold was (12.2±1.4) cm, and the horizontal distance with the posterior midline was (2.6±0.7) cm, which were respectively close to the actual intraoperative measurement of (12.4±1.4) and (2.6±0.7) cm; equivalence test showed that the 95% confidence intervals of the measurement differences in the vertical distance with the popliteal fold and the horizontal distance with the posterior midline of the outlet point of medial sural artery perforator were -1.06-1.26 and -0.46-0.66 cm, respectively, with both P values <0.05. After surgery, all flaps of 18 patients survived without vascular crisis. After 1 year of follow-up, the satisfaction degree of 16 patients was excellent and 2 patients was good with the wound repair effects, with a satisfaction ratio of 16/18; the sensory recovery of flap was evaluated as S3 in 11 cases and S2 in 7 cases; the donor wounds healed well without obvious scar or contracture, with no effect on limb joint functions. Conclusions: The medial sural artery perforator flap achieved good results in repairing foot wound with high degree of patient satisfaction. Preoperative application of 3D-CTA can realize the standardization, systematization, and visualization of artery perforator flap.

Measurements of the Electric and Magnetic Form Factors of the Neutron for Timelike Momentum Transfer

We present the first measurements of the electric and magnetic form factors of the neutron in the timelike (positive q^{2}) region as function of four-momentum transfer. We explored the differential cross sections of the reaction e^{+}e^{-}→n[over ¯]n with data collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII accelerator, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 354.6  pb^{-1} in total at twelve center-of-mass energies between sqrt[s]=2.0-2.95  GeV. A relative uncertainty of 18% and 12% for the electric and magnetic form factors, respectively, is achieved at sqrt[s]=2.3935  GeV. Our results are comparable in accuracy to those from electron scattering in the comparable spacelike region of four-momentum transfer. The electromagnetic form factor ratio R_{em}≡|G_{E}|/|G_{M}| is within the uncertainties close to unity. We compare our result on |G_{E}| and |G_{M}| to recent model predictions, and the measurements in the spacelike region to test the analyticity of electromagnetic form factors.

Observation of a New X(3872) Production Process e^{+}e^{-}→ωX(3872)

Using 4.7  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data at center-of-mass energies from 4.661 to 4.951 GeV collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we observe the X(3872) production process e^{+}e^{-}→ωX(3872) for the first time. The significance is 7.8σ, including both the statistical and systematic uncertainties. The e^{+}e^{-}→ωX(3872) Born cross section and the corresponding upper limit at 90% confidence level at each energy point are reported. The line shape of the cross section indicates that the ωX(3872) signals may be from the decays of some nontrivial structures.

Global survey shows planners use widely varying sea-level rise projections for coastal adaptation

Including sea-level rise (SLR) projections in planning and implementing coastal adaptation is crucial. Here we analyze the first global survey on the use of SLR projections for 2050 and 2100. Two-hundred and fifty-three coastal practitioners engaged in adaptation/planning from 49 countries provided complete answers to the survey which was distributed in nine languages - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. While recognition of the threat of SLR is almost universal, only 72% of respondents currently utilize SLR projections. Generally, developing countries have lower levels of utilization. There is no global standard in the use of SLR projections: for locations using a standard data structure, 53% are planning using a single projection, while the remainder are using multiple projections, with 13% considering a low-probability high-end scenario. Countries with histories of adaptation and consistent national support show greater assimilation of SLR projections into adaptation decisions. This research provides new insights about current planning practices and can inform important ongoing efforts on the application of the science that is essential to the promotion of effective adaptation.

Observation of Three Charmoniumlike States with J^{PC}=1^{--} in e^{+}e^{-}→D^{*0}D^{*-}π^{+}

The Born cross sections of the process e^{+}e^{-}→D^{*0}D^{*-}π^{+} at center-of-mass energies from 4.189 to 4.951 GeV are measured for the first time. The data samples used correspond to an integrated luminosity of 17.9  fb^{-1} and were collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring. Three enhancements around 4.20, 4.47, and 4.67 GeV are visible. The resonances have masses of 4209.6±4.7±5.9  MeV/c^{2}, 4469.1±26.2±3.6  MeV/c^{2}, and 4675.3±29.5±3.5  MeV/c^{2} and widths of 81.6±17.8±9.0  MeV, 246.3±36.7±9.4  MeV, and 218.3±72.9±9.3  MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The first and third resonances are consistent with the ψ(4230) and ψ(4660) states, respectively, while the second one is compatible with the ψ(4500) observed in the e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}J/ψ process. These three charmoniumlike ψ states are observed in the e^{+}e^{-}→D^{*0}D^{*-}π^{+} process for the first time.