PbARF19-mediated auxin signaling regulates lignification in pear fruit stone cells

The stone cells in pear fruits cause rough flesh and low juice, seriously affecting the taste. Lignin has been demonstrated as the main component of stone cells. Auxin, one of the most important plant hormone, regulates most physiological processes in plants including lignification. However, the concentration effect and regulators of auxin on pear fruits stone cell formation remains unclear. Here, endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and stone cells were found to be co-localized in lignified cells by immunofluorescence localization analysis. The exogenous treatment of different concentrations of IAA demonstrated that the application of 200 µM IAA significantly reduced stone cell content, while concentrations greater than 500 µM significantly increased stone cell content. Besides, 31 auxin response factors (ARFs) were identified in pear genome. Putative ARFs were predicted as critical regulators involved in the lignification of pear flesh cells by phylogenetic relationship and expression analysis. Furthermore, the negative regulation of PbARF19 on stone cell formation in pear fruit was demonstrated by overexpression in pear fruitlets and Arabidopsis. These results illustrated that the PbARF19-mediated auxin signal plays a critical role in the lignification of pear stone cell by regulating lignin biosynthetic genes. This study provides theoretical and practical guidance for improving fruit quality in pear production.

Monomeric pilose antler peptide improves depression-like behavior in mice by inhibiting FGFR3 protein expression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

It has been found that pilose antler peptide has an antidepressant effect on depression. However, the exact molecular mechanism of its antidepressant effect is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study sought to determine the impact of monomeric pilose antler peptide (PAP; sequence LVLVEAELRE) on depression as well as investigate potential molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chronic unexpected mild stress (CUMS) was used to establish the model, and the effect of PAP on CUMS mice was detected by the behavioral test. The influence of PAP on neuronal cells and dendritic spine density was observed by immunofluorescence and Golgi staining. FGFR3 and the CaMKII-associated pathway were identified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis was utilized to measure their proteins and gene expression levels. Molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis were applied to detect the binding of PAP and FGFR3. Finally, the effect of FGFR3's overexpression on PAP treatment of depression was detected.

RESULTS

PAP alleviated the changes in depressive behavior induced by CUMS, promoted the growth of nerve cells, and the density of dendritic spines was increased to its original state. PAP therapy successfully downregulated the expression of FGFR3 and ERK1/2 while upregulating the expression of CREB, BDNF, and CaMKII.

CONCLUSION

Based on the current research, PAP has a therapeutic effect on depression brought on by CUMS by inhibiting FGFR3 expression and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

Echinacoside ameliorates post-stroke depression by activating BDNF signaling through modulation of Nrf2 acetylation

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke depression (PSD) affects approximately one-third of stroke survivors, leading to adverse outcomes in rehabilitation, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality rates. Despite these implications, the underlying causes of PSD remain unclear, posing challenges for prevention and treatment. Echinacoside (ECH), a natural compound with known neuroprotective and antidepressant properties, holds significant therapeutic potential for PSD. However, the precise mechanism of its action remains unknown.

PURPOSE

To unravel the specific mechanism through which ECH alleviates PSD by exploring the intricate interplay between ECH and Nrf2, as well as its impact on the BDNF/TrkB signaling axis.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A rat PSD model was established though middle cerebral artery occlusion coupled with chronic unpredictable mild stress, followed by ECH treatment. The rats' depressive state was evaluated using the sucrose preference test and force swimming test. Brain damage was assessed through TTC staining, Nissl staining, and TUNEL assay. The multifaceted mechanism of ECH in PSD was investigated using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, dual-luciferase assay, and western blotting. Additionally, the interaction between ECH and Nrf2 was explored through molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis.

RESULTS

Our findings unveiled a novel facet of ECH action, demonstrating its unique ability to upregulate Nrf2 through acetylation within the hippocampus of PSD-affected rats (p < 0.05). Moreover, ECH showcased its distinctive potential by enhancing BDNF transcriptional activity, activating the BDNF/TrkB signaling axis, and orchestrating a comprehensive response against oxidative stress and apoptosis, thereby alleviating PSD symptoms in rats (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study not only provides insights into the pivotal role of Nrf2 in mediating the BDNF/TrkB axis activation by ECH but also highlights the novelty of ECH's mechanism in addressing PSD. The elucidation of these unique aspects positions ECH as a groundbreaking candidate for further exploration and development in the realm of PSD intervention.

Iron-enhanced microscale laboratory aerated filters in the treatment of artificial mariculture wastewater: A study on nitrogen removal performance and the impact on microbial community structure

This study investigates the nitrogen removal efficacy and microbial community dynamics in seawater aquaculture effluent treatment using three different substrate combinations of microscale laboratory aerated filters (MFs) - MF1 (LECA), MF2 (LECA/Fe-C), and MF3 (LECA/Pyrite). The findings indicated that the COD removal exceeded 95% across all MFs, with higher removal efficiencies in MF2 and MF3. In terms of nitrogen removal performance, MF2 exhibited the highest average nitrogen removal of 93.17%, achieving a 12.35% and 3.56% increase compared to MF1 (80.82%) and MF3 (89.61%), respectively. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that the Fe-C substrate significantly enhanced the diversity of the microbial community. Notably, in MF2, the salinophilic denitrifying bacterium Halomonas was significantly enriched, accounting for 42.6% of the total microbial community, which was beneficial for nitrogen removal. Moreover, an in-depth analysis of nitrogen metabolic pathways and microbial enzymes indicated that MF2 and MF3 possessed a high abundance of nitrification and denitrification enzymes, related to the high removal rates of NH4+-N and NO3--N. Therefore, the combination of LECA with iron-based materials significantly enhances the nitrogen removal efficiency from mariculture wastewater.

[The influence of knocking down the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor associated proteins on the vascular abnormalities in hepatocellular carcinoma and its mechanisms]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor associated protein (LDLR) on the vascular abnormalities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its mechanisms. Methods: Based on the information of Oncomine Cancer GeneChip database, we analyzed the correlation between the expression level of LDLR and the expression level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CD31 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. Lentiviral transfection of short hairpin RNA target genes was used to construct LDLR-knockdown MHCC-97H and HLE hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The differential genes and their expression level changes in LDLR-knockdown hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected by transcriptome sequencing, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein immunoblotting. The gene-related signaling pathways that involve LDLR were clarified by enrichment analysis. The effect of LDLR on CEA was assessed by the detection of CEA content in conditioned medium of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Angiogenesis assay was used to detect the effect of LDLR on the angiogenic capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, as well as the role of CEA in the regulation of angiogenesis by LDLR. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of LDLR in 176 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, and CEA and CD31 in 146 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, and analyze the correlations between the expression levels of LDLR, CEA, and CD31 in the tissues, serum CEA, and alanine transaminase (ALT). Results: Oncomine database analysis showed that the expressions of LDLR and CEA in the tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein metastasis were negatively correlated (r=-0.64, P=0.001), whereas the expressions of CEA and CD31 in these tissues were positively correlated ( r=0.46, P=0.010). The transcriptome sequencing results showed that there were a total of 1 032 differentially expressed genes in the LDLR-knockdown group and the control group of MHCC-97H cells, of which 517 genes were up-regulated and 515 genes were down-regulated. The transcript expression level of CEACAM5 was significantly up-regulated in the cells of the LDLR-knockdown group. The Gene Ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis showed that the differential genes were most obviously enriched in the angiogenesis function. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis showed that the relevant pathways involved mainly included the cellular adhesion patch, the extracellular matrix receptor interactions, and the interactions with the extracellular matrix receptors. The CEA content in the conditioned medium of the LDLR-knockdown group was 43.75±8.43, which was higher than that of the control group (1.15±0.14, P＜0.001). The results of angiogenesis experiments showed that at 5 h, the number of main junctions, the number of main segments, and the total area of the lattice formed by HUVEC cells cultured with the conditioned medium of MHCC-97H cells in the LDLR-knockdown group were 295.3±26.4, 552.5±63.8, and 2 239 781.0±13 8211.9 square pixels, which were higher than those of the control group (113.3±23.5, 194.8±36.5, and 660 621.0±280 328.3 square pixels, respectively, all P＜0.01).The number of vascular major junctions, the number of major segments, and the total area of the lattice formed by HUVEC cells cultured in conditioned medium with HLE cells in the LDLR-knockdown group were 245.3±42.4, 257.5±20.4, and 2 535 754.5±249 094.2 square pixels, respectively, which were all higher than those of the control group (113.3±23.5, 114.3±12.2, and 1 565 456.5±219 259.7 square pixels, respectively, all P＜0.01). In the conditioned medium for the control group of MHCC-97H cells,the number of main junctions, the number of main segments, and the total area of the lattice formed by the addition of CEA to cultured HUVEC cells were 178.9±12.0, 286.9±12.3, and 1 966 990.0±126 249.5 spixels, which were higher than those in the control group (119.7±22.1, 202.7±33.7, and 1 421 191.0±189 837.8 square pixels, respectively). The expression of LDLR in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was not correlated with the expression of CEA, but was negatively correlated with the expression of CD31 (r=-0.167, P=0.044), the level of serum CEA (r=-0.061, P=0.032), and the level of serum ALT(r=-0.147,P=0.05). The expression of CEA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was positively correlated with the expression of CD31 (r=0.192, P=0.020). The level of serum CEA was positively correlated with the level of serum ALT (r=0.164, P=0.029). Conclusion: Knocking down LDLR can promote vascular abnormalities in HCC by releasing CEA.

[Aprospective study of detection and clinical significance of bone marrow tumor cells in small cell lung cancer]

Objective: To investigate the detection of bone marrow tumor cells in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients and their relationship with clinical features, treatment response and prognosis. Methods: A total of 113patients with newly diagnosed SCLC from January 2018 to October 2022 at Beijing Chest Hospital were prospectively enrolled. Before treatment, bone marrow was aspirated and separately submitted for tumor cells detection by liquid-based cytology and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) detection by the substrction enrichment and immunostaining fluorescence in situ hybridization (SE-iFISH) platform. The correlation between the detection results of the two methods with patients' clinical features and treatment response was evaluated by Chi-square. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to create survival curves and the Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: The positive rate of bone marrow liquid-based cytology in SCLC was 15.93% (18/113). The liver and bone metastases rates were significantly higher (55.56% vs 11.58% for liver metastasis, P＜0.001; 77.78% vs 16.84% for bone metastasis, P＜0.001) and thrombocytopenia was more common (16.67% vs 2.11%, P=0.033) in patients with tumor cells detected in liquid-based cytology than those without detected tumor cells. As for SE-iFISH, DTCs were detected in 92.92% of patients (105/113), the liver and bone metastasis rates were significantly higher (37.93% vs 11.90% for liver metastasis, P=0.002; 44.83% vs 20.23 % for bone metastasis, P=0.010), and the incidence of thrombocytopenia was significantly increased (13.79% vs 1.19%, P=0.020) in patients with DTCs≥111 per 3 ml than those with DTCs＜111 per 3 ml. The positive rates of bone marrow liquid-based cytology in the disease control group and the disease progression group were 12.00% (12/100) and 46.15% (6/13), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.002). However, the result of SE-iFISH revealed the DTCs quantities of the above two groups were 29 (8,110) and 64 (15,257) per 3 ml, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.329). Univariate analysis depicted that the median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) of liquid-based cytology positive patients were significantly shorter than those of tumor cell negative patients (6.33 months vs 9.27 months for PFS, P=0.019; 8.03 months vs 19.50 months for OS, P=0.019, P=0.033). The median PFS and median OS in patients with DTCs≥111 per 3 ml decreased significantly than those with DTCs＜111 per 3 ml (6.83 months vs 9.50 months for PFS, P=0.004; 11.2 months vs 20.60 months for OS, P=0.019). Multivariate analysis showed that disease stage (HR=2.806, 95%CI:1.499-5.251, P=0.001) and DTCs quantity detected by SE-iFISH (HR=1.841, 95%CI:1.095-3.095, P=0.021) were independent factors of PFS, while disease stage was the independent factor of OS (HR=2.538, 95%CI:1.169-5.512, P=0.019). Conclusions: Both bone marrow liquid-based cytology and SE-iFISH are clinically feasible. The positive detection of liquid-based cytology or DTCs≥111 per 3 ml was correlated with distant metastasis, and DTCs≥111 per 3 ml was an independent prognostic factor of decreased PFS in SCLC.

CDK9 inhibition as an effective therapy for small cell lung cancer

Treatment-naïve small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is typically susceptible to standard-of-care chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and etoposide recently combined with PD-L1 inhibitors. Yet, in most cases, SCLC patients develop resistance to first-line therapy and alternative therapies are urgently required to overcome this resistance. In this study, we tested the efficacy of dinaciclib, an FDA-orphan drug and inhibitor of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 9, among other CDKs, in SCLC. Furthermore, we report on a newly developed, highly specific CDK9 inhibitor, VC-1, with tumour-killing activity in SCLC. CDK9 inhibition displayed high killing potential in a panel of mouse and human SCLC cell lines. Mechanistically, CDK9 inhibition led to a reduction in MCL-1 and cFLIP anti-apoptotic proteins and killed cells, almost exclusively, by intrinsic apoptosis. While CDK9 inhibition did not synergise with chemotherapy, it displayed high efficacy in chemotherapy-resistant cells. In vivo, CDK9 inhibition effectively reduced tumour growth and improved survival in both autochthonous and syngeneic SCLC models. Together, this study shows that CDK9 inhibition is a promising therapeutic agent against SCLC and could be applied to chemo-refractory or resistant SCLC.

The complexity of glucose time series is associated with short- and long-term mortality in critically ill adults: a multi-center, prospective, observational study

BACKGROUND

The wealth of data taken from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) remains to be fully used. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between a promising new CGM metric, complexity of glucose time series index (CGI), and mortality in critically ill patients.

METHODS

A total of 293 patients admitted to mixed medical/surgical intensive care units from 5 medical centers in Shanghai were prospectively included between May 2020 and November 2021. CGI was assessed using intermittently scanned CGM, with a median monitoring period of 12.0 days. Outcome measures included short- and long-term mortality.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 1.7 years, a total of 139 (47.4%) deaths were identified, of which 73 (24.9%) occurred within the first 30 days after ICU admission, and 103 (35.2%) within 90 days. The multivariable-adjusted HRs for 30-day mortality across ascending tertiles of CGI were 1.00 (reference), 0.68 (95% CI 0.38-1.22) and 0.36 (95% CI 0.19-0.70), respectively. For per 1-SD increase in CGI, the risk of 30-day mortality was decreased by 51% (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.35-0.69). Further adjustment for HbA1c, mean glucose during hospitalization and glucose variability partially attenuated these associations, although the link between CGI and 30-day mortality remained significant (per 1-SD increase: HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.40-0.83). Similar results were observed when 90-day mortality was considered as the outcome. Furthermore, CGI was also significantly and independently associated with long-term mortality (per 1-SD increase: HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

In critically ill patients, CGI is significantly associated with short- and long-term mortality.

Variants in the MS4A cluster interact with soluble TREM2 expression on biomarkers of neuropathology

Recent evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease (AD) genetic risk variants (rs1582763 and rs6591561) of the MS4A locus are genome-wide significant regulators of soluble TREM2 levels such that the minor allele of the protective variant (rs1582763) is associated with higher sTREM2 and lower AD risk while the minor allele of (rs6591561) relates to lower sTREM2 and higher AD risk. Our group previously found that higher sTREM2 relates to higher Aβ40, worse blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity (measured with the CSF/plasma albumin ratio), and higher CSF tau, suggesting strong associations with amyloid abundance and both BBB and neurodegeneration complicate interpretation. We expand on this work by leveraging these common variants as genetic tools to tune the interpretation of high CSF sTREM2, and by exploring the potential modifying role of these variants on the well-established associations between CSF sTREM2 as well as TREM2 transcript levels in the brain with AD neuropathology. Biomarker analyses leveraged data from the Vanderbilt Memory & Aging Project (n = 127, age = 72 ± 6.43) and were replicated in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (n = 399, age = 73 ± 7.39). Autopsy analyses were performed leveraging data from the Religious Orders Study and Rush Memory and Aging Project (n = 577, age = 89 ± 6.46). We found that the protective variant rs1582763 attenuated the association between CSF sTREM2 and Aβ40 (β = -0.44, p-value = 0.017) and replicated this interaction in ADNI (β = -0.27, p = 0.017). We did not observe this same interaction effect between TREM2 mRNA levels and Aβ peptides in brain (Aβ total β = -0.14, p = 0.629; Aβ1-38, β = 0.11, p = 0.200). In contrast to the effects on Aβ, the minor allele of this same variant seemed to enhance the association with blood-brain barrier dysfunction (β = 7.0e-4, p = 0.009), suggesting that elevated sTREM2 may carry a much different interpretation in carriers vs. non-carriers of this allele. When evaluating the risk variant (rs6591561) across datasets, we did not observe a statistically significant interaction against any outcome in VMAP and observed opposing directions of associations in ADNI and ROS/MAP on Aβ levels. Together, our results suggest that the protective effect of rs1582763 may act by decoupling the associations between sTREM2 and amyloid abundance, providing important mechanistic insight into sTREM2 changes and highlighting the need to incorporate genetic context into the analysis of sTREM2 levels, particularly if leveraged as a clinical biomarker of disease in the future.

G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 1, amyloid-β, and tau tangles in older adults

Accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau tangles are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Aβ is extracellular while tau tangles are typically intracellular, and it is unknown how these two proteinopathies are connected. Here, we use data of 1206 elders and test that RNA expression levels of GPER1, a transmembrane protein, modify the association of Aβ with tau tangles. GPER1 RNA expression is related to more tau tangles (p = 0.001). Moreover, GPER1 expression modifies the association of immunohistochemistry-derived Aβ load with tau tangles (p = 0.044). Similarly, GPER1 expression modifies the association between Aβ proteoforms and tau tangles: total Aβ protein (p = 0.030) and Aβ38 peptide (p = 0.002). Using single nuclei RNA-seq indicates that GPER1 RNA expression in astrocytes modifies the relation of Aβ load with tau tangles (p = 0.002), but not GPER1 in excitatory neurons or endothelial cells. We conclude that GPER1 may be a link between Aβ and tau tangles driven mainly by astrocytic GPER1 expression.

Correlation of serum DKK1 level with skeletal phenotype in children with osteogenesis imperfecta

PURPOSE

We aim to detect serum DKK1 level of pediatric patients with OI and to analyze its relationship with the genotype and phenotype of OI patients.

METHODS

A cohort of pediatric OI patients and age-matched healthy children were enrolled. Serum levels of DKK1 and bone turnover biomarkers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pathogenic mutations of OI were detected by next-generation sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

A total of 62 OI children with mean age of 9.50 (4.86, 12.00) years and 29 healthy children were included in this study. The serum DKK1 concentration in OI children was significantly higher than that in healthy children [5.20 (4.54, 6.32) and 4.08 (3.59, 4.92) ng/mL, P < 0.001]. The serum DKK1 concentration in OI children was negatively correlated with height (r = - 0.282), height Z score (r = - 0.292), ALP concentration (r = - 0.304), lumbar BMD (r = - 0.276), BMD Z score of the lumbar spine and femoral neck (r = - 0.32; r = - 0.27) (all P < 0.05). No significant difference in serum DKK1 concentration was found between OI patients with and without vertebral compression fractures. In patients with spinal deformity (22/62), serum DKK1 concentration was positively correlated with SDI (r = 0.480, P < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between serum DKK1 concentration and the annual incidence of peripheral fractures, genotype and types of collagen changes in OI children.

CONCLUSION

The serum DKK1 level was not only significantly elevated in OI children, but also closely correlated to their skeletal phenotype, suggesting that DKK1 may become a new biomarker and a potential therapeutic target of OI.

SR-TWAS: Leveraging Multiple Reference Panels to Improve TWAS Power by Ensemble Machine Learning

Multiple reference panels of a given tissue or multiple tissues often exist, and multiple regression methods could be used for training gene expression imputation models for TWAS. To leverage expression imputation models (i.e., base models) trained with multiple reference panels, regression methods, and tissues, we develop a Stacked Regression based TWAS (SR-TWAS) tool which can obtain optimal linear combinations of base models for a given validation transcriptomic dataset. Both simulation and real studies showed that SR-TWAS improved power, due to increased effective training sample sizes and borrowed strength across multiple regression methods and tissues. Leveraging base models across multiple reference panels, tissues, and regression methods, our real application studies identified 6 independent significant risk genes for Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia for supplementary motor area tissue and 9 independent significant risk genes for Parkinson's disease (PD) for substantia nigra tissue. Relevant biological interpretations were found for these significant risk genes.

[Comparison of surgical outcomes between Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy and Trabectome surgery in patients with open-angle glaucoma]

Objective: To compare the medium-term therapeutic effects of Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) goniotomy and Trabectome surgery in the treatment of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: This study was a non-randomized prospective interventional controlled clinical study. POAG patients who underwent KDB goniotomy or Trabectome surgery at Beijing Tongren Hospital from May 2017 to April 2022 were enrolled. The definition of successful surgery was postoperative average intraocular pressure (IOP)≤21 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and IOP decrease≥20%. Follow-up visits were conducted on the 1st day, 1st week, 1st, 3rd and 6th month after surgery. The IOP value, the number of IOP-lowering medications, the proportion of surgical success (average IOP≤21 mmHg at 6 months), and complications were evaluated. Statistical methods included independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney rank sum test, χ2 test, repeated measures two-factor analysis of variance, Bonferroni, Friedman M test, Wilcoxon, and Log-rank. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative success rate of each group. Results: Seventeen male patients (17 eyes) and 10 female patients (10 eyes) were included. The mean age was (39.9±17.7) years old. There were 11 patients in the KDB group and 16 patients in the Trabectome group. There was no significant difference in clinical baseline conditions between the two groups (P>0.05). The IOPs in the KDB and Trabectome groups at postoperative 1 week [(16.6±6.3) and (16.4±4.1) mmHg) and 6 months [(17.8±5.3) and (19.9±4.4) mmHg) were lower than those before surgery [(25.1±9.3) and (27.4±9.1) mmHg) (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the overall IOP between groups (P>0.05). The IOP reduction rates in the KDB and Trabectome groups were 23.4% and 19.0%, with no significant difference (P=0.674). The numbers of IOP-lowering medications used in the KDB and Trabectome groups at 3 months [2.0 (1.0, 4.0) and 2.0 (1.0, 2.3)] and 6 months [2.0 (0.0, 4.0) and 2.0 (1.0, 3.0)] after surgery were not significantly different from those before surgery [4.0 (2.0, 4.0) and 3.0 (2.0, 4.0)] (both P>0.05). There was no statistical significance in the overall number of IOP-lowering medications used between the two groups (P>0.05). There was also no statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients with an IOP decrease of≥20% and the proportion of patients whose mean postoperative IOP was≤21 mmHg (all P>0.05). The proportions of IOP≤21 mmHg in the KDB group and the Trabectome group at 6 months after surgery were 81.8% and 68.8% (P>0.05). Serious intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in neither group. Conclusions: Both KDB trabeculotomy and Trabectome surgery can effectively reduce IOP and have a good safety profile in treating POAG, with the same number of IOP-lowering medications.

[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.

Low-temperature behaviors of the dipolar magnet Dy3Sb3Zn2O14with a strongly site-mixing disordered kagome lattice

Interesting behaviors may emerge in the magnetic frustrated materials with significant site-mixing disorder. We present the results of the structural, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements of Dy3Sb3Zn2O14with ∼20%Dy/Zn site-mixing disorder, which results in either a diluted 2D triangular lattice, or an intermediate structure between the kagome and pyrochlore lattice. In addition to the sharp anomaly of the temperature dependence of specific heat atT∼0.35 K, which was attributed to the emergent charge order state for the sample with less disorder, a broad peak atT∼1.5 K, and a small hump belowT∼0.1 K are observed. The measured temperature dependence of specific heat and the Monte Carlo simulation suggest that the magnetic frustration persists despite of a strong site-mixing disorder.

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.

Novel alternative tools for metastatic pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas prediction

OBJECTIVE

The existing prediction models for metastasis in pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGLs) showed high heterogeneity in different centers. Therefore, this study aimed to establish new prediction models integrating multiple variables based on different algorithms.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Data of patients with PPGLs undergoing surgical resection at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2007 to 2022 were collected retrospectively. Patients were randomly divided into the training and testing sets in a ratio of 7:3. Subsequently, decision trees, random forest, and logistic models were constructed for metastasis prediction with the training set and Cox models for metastasis-free survival (MFS) prediction with the total population. Additionally, Ki-67 index and tumor size were transformed into categorical variables for adjusting models. The testing set was used to assess the discrimination and calibration of models and the optimal models were visualized as nomograms. Clinical characteristics and MFS were compared between patients with and without risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 198 patients with 59 cases of metastasis were included and classified into the training set (n = 138) and testing set (n = 60). Among all models, the logistic regression model showed the best discrimination for metastasis prediction with an AUC of 0.891 (95% CI, 0.793-0.990), integrating SDHB germline mutations [OR: 96.72 (95% CI, 16.61-940.79)], S-100 (-) [OR: 11.22 (95% CI, 3.04-58.51)], ATRX (-) [OR: 8.42 (95% CI, 2.73-29.24)] and Ki-67 ≥ 3% [OR: 7.98 (95% CI, 2.27-32.24)] evaluated through immunohistochemistry (IHC), and tumor size ≥ 5 cm [OR: 4.59 (95% CI, 1.34-19.13)]. The multivariate Cox model including the above risk factors also showed a high C-index of 0.860 (95% CI, 0.810-0.911) in predicting MFS after surgery. Furthermore, patients with the above risk factors showed a significantly poorer MFS (P ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Models established in this study provided alternative and reliable tools for clinicians to predict PPGLs patients' metastasis and MFS. More importantly, this study revealed for the first time that IHC of ATRX could act as an independent predictor of metastasis in PPGLs.

Spatial-temporal trends in leprosy burden and its associations with socioeconomic and physical geographic factors: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of our study was to assess the multiscalar changes in leprosy burden and its associated risk factors over the last three decades.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted an in-depth examination of leprosy's spatial-temporal trends at multiple geographical scale (global, regional, and national), utilizing information from Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD 2019).

METHODS

Incidence and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of leprosy were determined, with countries categorized based on leprosy incidence changes. We examined socioeconomic and physical geography influences on leprosy incidence via Spearman correlation analysis, using ternary phase diagrams to reveal the synergetic effects on leprosy occurrence.

RESULTS

Globally, incident cases of leprosy decreased by 27.86% from 1990 to 2019, with a reduction in ASIR (EAPC = -2.53), yet trends were not homogeneous across regions. ASIR and EAPC correlated positively with sociodemographic index (SDI), and an ASIR growth appeared in high SDI region (EAPC = 3.07). Leprosy burden was chiefly distributed in Tropical Latin America, Oceania, Central Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia. Negative correlations were detected between the incidence of leprosy and factors of SDI, GDP per capita, urban population to total population, and precipitation, whereas the number of refugee population, temperature, and elevation showed opposite positive results.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a global decline in leprosy over the past three decades, the disparities of disease occurrence at regional and national scales still persisted. Socioeconomic and physical geographic factors posed an obvious influence on the transmission risk of leprosy. The persistence and regional fluctuations of leprosy incidence necessitate the ongoing dynamic and multilayered control strategies worldwide in combating this ancient disease.

High prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men with hyperthyroidism: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between hyperthyroidism and the risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODS

A comprehensive search of multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science, was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating the relationship between hyperthyroidism and ED in men. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle‒Ottawa Quality Rating Scale, and a meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 and RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

A total of four papers encompassing 25,519 study subjects were included in the analysis. Among these, 6,429 individuals had hyperthyroidism, while 19,090 served as controls. The overall prevalence of ED in patients with hyperthyroidism was determined to be 31.1% (95% CI 0.06-0.56). In patients with uncomplicated hyperthyroidism, the incidence of ED was 21.9% (95% CI 0.05-0.38). The combined odds ratio (OR) for the four studies was 1.73 (OR: 1.73; 95% CI [1.46-2.04]; p < .00001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate a higher incidence of ED in patients with hyperthyroidism. These results provide valuable information for healthcare professionals and can facilitate discussions surrounding appropriate treatment options for ED in patients with hyperthyroidism.

[Evaluation of arthroscopic ATFL and CFL repair separately for chronic lateral ankle instability in conjunction with subtalar instability]

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of simultaneous arthroscopic repair of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) for treating chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) in conjunction with subtalar instability (STI). Methods: This study is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 15 patients with ankle arthroscopic in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 11 male cases and 4 female cases, aged (28.6±1.5) years (range: 19 to 39 years). All the patients were evaluated by manual inversion stress X-ray and MRI before operation. Arthroscopically observing and then repairing the ATFL and CFL separately after further diagnostic confirmation. One year after operation, MRI was performed, and visual analogue (VAS) pain scores, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot scale (AOFAS-AH) and Karlsson ankle functional scale(KAFS) were evaluated. Data were compared using paired sample t test. Results: The follow-up period was (22.6±2.3) months (range: 12 to 30 months). At last follow-up,the VAS decreased from 6.1±1.4 preoperatively to 1.4±1.2(t=9.482, P<0.01). The AOFAS-AH improved from 50.5±11.7 preoperatively to 94.2±6.1(t=-13.132, P<0.01), and the KAFS improved from preoperatively 44.3±10.8 to 90.8±6.4 (t=-12.510, P<0.01). There were no complications such as recurred instability or joint stiffness. Conclusions: Arthroscopically repairing the ATFL and CFL separately can effectively restore the stability of the ankle and subtalar joint with small trauma. Patients can recover quickly after surgery. It provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of CLAI combined with STI.

Emergence of Long-Range Angular Correlations in Low-Multiplicity Proton-Proton Collisions

This Letter presents the measurement of near-side associated per-trigger yields, denoted ridge yields, from the analysis of angular correlations of charged hadrons in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV. Long-range ridge yields are extracted for pairs of charged particles with a pseudorapidity difference of 1.4<|Δη|<1.8 and a transverse momentum of 1 Collapse

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Affiliation(s)

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

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Elevated protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) gene expression in Alzheimer's disease predicts cognitive decline

Platelet activation of protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) and thrombin are at the top of a chain of events leading to fibrin deposition, microinfarcts, blood-brain barrier disruption, and inflammation. We evaluated mRNA expression of the PAR4 gene F2RL3 in human brain and global cognitive performance in participants with and without cognitive impairment or dementia. Data were acquired from the Religious Orders Study (ROS) and the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP). F2RL3 mRNA was elevated in AD cases and was associated with worse retrospective longitudinal cognitive performance. Moreover, F2RL3 expression interacted with clinical AD diagnosis on longitudinal cognition whereas this relationship was attenuated in individuals without cognitive impairment. Additionally, when adjusting for the effects of AD neuropathology, F2RL3 expression remained a significant predictor of cognitive decline. F2RL3 expression correlated positively with transcript levels of proinflammatory markers including TNFα, IL-1β, NFκB, and fibrinogen α/β/γ. Together, these results reveal that F2RL3 mRNA expression is associated with multiple AD-relevant outcomes and its encoded product, PAR4, may play a role in disease pathogenesis.

[The Miao medicine Sidaxue alleviates rheumatoid arthritis in rats possibly by downregulating matrix metalloproteinases]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the inhibitory effect of Sidaxue, a traditional Miao herbal medicine formula, on articular bone and cartilage destruction and synovial neovascularization in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

METHODS

In a SD rat model of CIA, we tested the effects of daily gavage of Sidaxue at low, moderate and high doses (10, 20, and 40 g/kg, respectively) for 21 days, with Tripterygium glycosides (GTW) as the positive control, on swelling in the hind limb plantar regions by arthritis index scoring. Pathologies in joint synovial membrane of the rats were observed with HE staining, and serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels were detected with ELISA. The expressions of NF-κB p65, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), MMP2 and MMP9 at the mRNA and protein levels in the synovial tissues were detected using real-time PCR and Western blotting. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify the important target proteins in the pathways correlated with the therapeutic effects of topical Sidaxue treatment for RA, and the core target proteins were screened by topological analysis.

RESULTS

Treatment with GTW and Sidaxue at the 3 doses all significantly alleviated plantar swelling, lowered arthritis index scores, improved cartilage and bone damage and reduced neovascularization in CIA rats (P<0.05), and the effects of Sidaxue showed a dose dependence. Both GTW and Sidaxue treatments significantly lowered TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB p65, MMP1, MMP2, and MMP9 mRNA and protein expressions in the synovial tissues of CIA rats (P<0.05). Network pharmacological analysis identified MMPs as the core proteins associated with topical Sidaxue treatment of RA.

CONCLUSION

Sidaxue alleviates articular bone and cartilage damages and reduces synovial neovascularization in CIA rats possibly by downregulating MMPs via the TNF-α/IL-1β/NF-κB-MMP1, 2, 9 signaling pathway, and MMPs probably plays a key role in mediating the effect of Sidaxue though the therapeutic pathways other than oral administration.

Bridging the Gap: Multi-Omics Profiling of Brain Tissue in Alzheimer's Disease and Older Controls in Multi-Ethnic Populations

INTRODUCTION

Multi-omics studies in Alzheimer's disease (AD) revealed many potential disease pathways and therapeutic targets. Despite their promise of precision medicine, these studies lacked African Americans (AA) and Latin Americans (LA), who are disproportionately affected by AD.

METHODS

To bridge this gap, Accelerating Medicines Partnership in AD (AMP-AD) expanded brain multi-omics profiling to multi-ethnic donors.

RESULTS

We generated multi-omics data and curated and harmonized phenotypic data from AA (n=306), LA (n=326), or AA and LA (n=4) brain donors plus Non-Hispanic White (n=252) and other (n=20) ethnic groups, to establish a foundational dataset enriched for AA and LA participants. This study describes the data available to the research community, including transcriptome from three brain regions, whole genome sequence, and proteome measures.

DISCUSSION

Inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups in multi-omics studies is essential to discover the full spectrum of precision medicine targets that will be pertinent to all populations affected with AD.

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

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

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.

[Clinical value of the implication of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome]

Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) is a respiratory support technique based on extra-pulmonary gas exchange, which can effectively remove carbon dioxide generated in-vivo, reducing the requirements of respiratory support from mechanical ventilation. With improvements in extracorporeal life support technologies and increasing clinical experience, ECCO2R has potential value in clinical application with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This review article discusses the principles of ECCO2R, its relevant indications for ARDS, clinical evidence, existing issues, and future directions, aiming to provide more references for the application in ARDS.

Proteomics study the potential targets for Rifampicin-resistant spinal tuberculosis

Introduction: The escalating global surge in Rifampicin-resistant strains poses a formidable challenge to the worldwide campaign against tuberculosis (TB), particularly in developing countries. The frequent reports of suboptimal treatment outcomes, complications, and the absence of definitive treatment guidelines for Rifampicin-resistant spinal TB (DSTB) contribute significantly to the obstacles in its effective management. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative and efficacious drugs to address Rifampicin-resistant spinal tuberculosis, minimizing the duration of therapy sessions. This study aims to investigate potential targets for DSTB through comprehensive proteomic and pharmaco-transcriptomic analyses. Methods: Mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis was employed to validate potential DSTB-related targets. PPI analysis confirmed by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot analysis. Results: The proteomics analysis revealed 373 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), with 137 upregulated and 236 downregulated proteins. Subsequent Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses delved into the DSTB-related pathways associated with these DEPs. In the context of network pharmacology analysis, five key targets-human leukocyte antigen A chain (HLAA), human leukocyte antigen C chain (HLA-C), HLA Class II Histocompatibility Antigen, DRB1 Beta Chain (HLA-DRB1), metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), and Phospholipase C-like 1 (PLCL1)-were identified as pivotal players in pathways such as "Antigen processing and presentation" and "Phagosome," which are crucially enriched in DSTB. Moreover, pharmaco-transcriptomic analysis can confirm that 58 drug compounds can regulate the expression of the key targets. Discussion: This research confirms the presence of protein alterations during the Rifampicin-resistant process in DSTB patients, offering novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning DSTB. The findings suggest a promising avenue for the development of targeted drugs to enhance the management of Rifampicin-resistant spinal tuberculosis.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Developing Palate in Mice

The intricate formation of the palate involves a series of complex events, yet its mechanistic basis remains uncertain. To explore major cell populations in the palate and their roles during development, we constructed a spatiotemporal transcription landscape of palatal cells. Palate samples from C57BL/6 J mice at embryonic days 12.5 (E12.5), 14.5 (E14.5), and 16.5 (E16.5) underwent single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify distinct cell subsets. In addition, spatial enhanced resolution omics-sequencing (stereo-seq) was used to characterize the spatial distribution of these subsets. Integrating scRNA-seq and stereo-seq with CellTrek annotated mesenchymal and epithelial cellular components of the palate during development. Furthermore, cellular communication networks between these cell subpopulations were analyzed to discover intercellular signaling during palate development. From the analysis of the middle palate, both mesenchymal and epithelial populations were spatially segregated into 3 domains. The middle palate mesenchymal subpopulations were associated with tooth formation, ossification, and tissue remodeling, with initial state cell populations located proximal to the dental lamina. The nasal epithelium of the palatal shelf exhibited richer humoral immune responses than the oral side. Specific enrichment of Tgfβ3 and Pthlh signals in the midline epithelial seam at E14.5 suggested a role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In summary, this study provides high-resolution transcriptomic information, contributing to a deeper mechanistic understanding of palate biology and pathophysiology.

[Techniques for quantifying endotypes of obstructive sleep apnea]

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the frequent occurrence of apnea and/or hypopnea during sleep, leading to intermittent hypoxia, hypercapnia, and disruption of sleep architecture, further resulting in multisystem damage. The pathophysiological mechanisms include abnormal anatomical structure, low arousal threshold, high loop gain, and poor muscle reactivity, etc. As there are individual differences in the underlying mechanisms of OSA (i.e. endotypes), the effectiveness of treatment and prognosis may also vary according to these characteristics. Understanding the endotype of OSA is critical to understanding which patients are most likely to benefit from non-invasive ventilation therapy. Quantification of endotypes is central to the precision treatment of OSA and may provide the basis for accurate clinical treatment of OSA based on endotypes.

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.

Early-life risk factors, accelerated biological aging and the late-life risk of mortality and morbidity

BACKGROUND

Early-life exposure increases health risks throughout an individual's lifetime. Biological aging is influenced by early-life risks as a key process of disease development, but whether early-life risks could accelerate biological aging and elevate late-life mortality and morbidity risks remains unknown. Knowledge is also limited on the potential moderating role of healthy lifestyle.

METHODS

We investigate associations of three early-life risks around birth, breastfeeding, maternal smoking and birth weight, with biological aging of 202 580 UK Biobank participants (54.9 ± 8.1 years old). Biological aging was quantified as KDM-BA, PhenoAge and frailty. Moderate alcohol intake, no current smoking, healthy diet, BMI <30 kg/m2 and regular physical activity were considered as healthy lifestyles. Mortality and morbidity data were retrieved from health records.

RESULTS

Individual early-life risk factors were robustly associated with accelerated biological aging. A one-unit increase in the 'early-life risk score' integrating the three factors was associated with 0.060 (SE=0.0019) and 0.036-unit (SE = 0.0027) increase in z-scored KDM-BA acceleration and PhenoAge acceleration, respectively, and with 22.3% higher odds (95% CI: 1.185-1.262) of frailty. Increased chronological age and healthy lifestyles could mitigate the accelerations of KDM-BA and PhenoAge, respectively. Associations of early-life risk score with late-life mortality and morbidity were mediated by biological aging (proportions: 5.66-43.12%). KDM-BA and PhenoAge accelerations could significantly mediate the impact on most outcomes except anxiety, and frailty could not mediate the impact on T2D.

CONCLUSION

Biological aging could capture and mediate the late-life health risks stemming from the early-life risks, and could be potentially targeted for healthy longevity promotion.

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.

[Analysis of prevalence status and influencing factors of e-cigarette use among secondary school students in Heilongjiang Province]

Objective: To describe the current situation and influencing factors of e-cigarette use among secondary school students in Heilongjiang Province to provide evidence for formulating provincial youth e-cigarette prevention and control strategies. Methods: A multi-stage stratified cluster probability sampling method was adopted in 2021, with 8 340 students in 180 classes from 56 primary and high schools in 10 monitoring districts and counties in Heilongjiang Province. The students in the selected classes filled out a unified questionnaire by themselves. SAS 9.4 software was used for data cleansing, sample weighting, and analysis. Chi-squared tests were used to compare the differences between groups, and a two-level logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of e-cigarette use among secondary school students. Results: A total of 8 329 survey questionnaires were included in the analysis. The prevalence rates of ever and current e-cigarette use among secondary school students in Heilongjiang Province were 18.27% and 5.46%, respectively. In terms of ever e-cigarette use, the rate of boys (23.94%) was higher than that of girls (12.35%). The rate of vocational high school students (39.18%) was higher than that of general high school students (24.11%) and than that of junior school students (11.27%). In terms of current e-cigarette use, the rate of boys (7.08%) was higher than that of girls (3.76%). The rate of vocational high school students (14.56%) was higher than that of general high school students (7.70%) and than that of junior school students (2.67%). The rates of ever and current e-cigarette use were relatively higher in each subgroup, including "weekly allowance more than 40 Yuan" "one of the student's parents, friends or teachers was smoker" "smoked cigarettes now" and "saw e-cigarette advertisements". A two-level logistic regression model showed that the following factors were the influencing factors of current use of e-cigarettes among secondary school students, including gender, whether they were current cigarette smokers, the smoking status of their close friends, if they saw teachers smoked in the school, noticed e-cigarette advertisements, and e-cigarette addictive cognition. Conclusions: The prevalence rates of ever and current e-cigarette use among secondary school students in Heilongjiang Province were high. E-cigarette advertisements, the smoking status of their close friends, and whether they saw teachers smoking in the school were the main factors affecting e-cigarette use among secondary school students in Heilongjiang Province. It is necessary to focus on constructing smoke-free environments and increase health education related to e-cigarette knowledge on risk in developing a smoke-free campus in the whole province.

[Comparison of efficacy between short-term personalized vestibular rehabilitation supervised by special personnel and fixed vestibular rehabilitation on recurrent peripheral vertigo]

Objective: To explore the efficacy of short-term personalized vestibular rehabilitation supervised by special personnel (ST-PVR) versus fixed vestibular rehabilitation (FVR) on decompensated recurrent peripheral vertigo. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out. Patients diagnosed with decompensated recurrent vertigo in the clinic of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University from January to December 2018 were randomly allocated into FVR and ST-PVR groups via computer-generated randomization. The FVR group received fixed scheme involving gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, balance and gait training, while the ST-PVR group received individualized training programs based on symptoms and vestibular function examination results, with adjustments made according to the progress of recovery. Patient symptoms and vestibular function improvement were assessed using the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), activities-specific balance confidence (ABC), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), caloric test, and sensory organization test (SOT) at 2, 4, and 8 weeks of treatment. Results: A total of 44 patients were included, including 16 males and 28 females, with an average age of (50.6±13.5) years. There were 21 cases in the FVR group and 23 cases in the ST-PVR group. In the ST-PVR group, DHI score (49.5±26.8 vs 61.3±21.4, P=0.046) and SAS score (39.1±7.8 vs 44.3±6.6, P=0.021) significantly improved after 2 weeks of treatment, while significant improvement occurred only after 8 weeks of treatment in the FVR group (DHI score: 28.1±15.9 vs 53.1±18.5, P=0.001; SAS score: 35.3±6.7 vs 43.1±8.4, P=0.010). There was no significant change of ABC score in the FVR group after 8 weeks of treatment (86.5±12.9 vs 83.4±18.1, P=0.373), while a significant improvement was observed in the ST-PVR group after 4 weeks of treatment (83.6±15.2 vs 78.4±15.1, P=0.015). The caloric test results showed that after 8 weeks of treatment, the proportion of patients with unilateral weakness<25% increased in both groups [FVR group: 57.1% (12/21) vs 9.5% (2/21), P=0.001; ST-PVR group: 52.2% (12/23) vs 17.4% (4/23), P=0.014]. In the ST-PVR group, the proportion of patients with dominant preference≤25% significantly increased [91.3% (21/23) vs 60.9% (14/23), P=0.016], while there was no significant change in the FVR group [61.9 (13/21) vs 57.1% (12/21), P=0.500]. The proportion of patients with SOT score≥70 in the ST-PVR group increased significantly after 2 weeks of treatment [69.6% (16/23) vs 30.4% (7/23), P=0.009], while the FVR group showed a significant increase only after 8 weeks of treatment [81.0% (17/21) vs 42.9% (9/21), P=0.012]. Conclusion: Both FVR and ST-PVR effectively promote vestibular compensation by improving objective vestibular functions and relieving subjective symptoms and anxiety of the patients with decompensation recurrent vertigo, while ST-PVR might shorten the recovery time and increase balance confidence.

[Clinical features of patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL). Methods: A follow-up study. The clinical data of 250 patients with metastatic PPGL treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2018 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 124 males and 126 females. The clinical features and treatment status of patients with metastatic PPGL were summarized and analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to evaluate patients' prognosis. Results: The age of onset, age of diagnosis, and age of tumor metastasis in patients with metastatic PPGL were (33.1±14.2) years, (35.4±15.2) years, and (40.7±15.3) years, respectively. Metastasis occurred in 26.4%(66/250) of patients at the time of initial diagnosis. Among patients without metastases at the time of initial diagnosis, the time from primary tumor resection to metastasis[M(Q1, Q3)] was 5.0 (3.0, 9.0) years, among which 20.1%(37/184) of patients had metastases more than 10 years after surgery. Most patients showed increased 24-hour urinary norepinephrine and plasma normetanephrine, accounting for 78.2%(176/225) and 78.7%(85/108), respectively. 42.3%(69/163) of patients had increased neuron specific enolase (NSE)levels. Germline mutations were screened in 201 patients, of which 55.2%(111/201) had germline pathogenic mutations. In patients with gene mutations, 76.5%(85/111) had SDHB mutations. 52.0%(130/250) of metastatic PPGL patients had primary sites outside the adrenal gland, with the Ki-67 index of 5% (3%, 8%). There were 85.6%(214/250) patients had multisystem metastasis, with bone metastasis being the most common site of metastasis, accounting for 60.8%(152/250). In terms of treatment, 32.8%(75/229) of patients underwent two treatment regimens and 8.7%(20/229) of patients underwent three treatment regimens. Most patients had a good prognosis, with a 5-year and 10-year survival rate of 88.0% and 84.0%, respectively. However, some patients had rapid disease progression, and as of August 2023, 30 patients died, and the time from diagnosis to death in deceased patients was 2.0 (1.0, 4.0) years. Conclusions: Patients with metastatic PPGL have a high rate of germline mutations, especially those with SDHB mutations. The metastatic PPGL is usually multisystem metastasis with the characteristics of mostly paraganglioma, large lesion diameter and high Ki-67 index.

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.

In Situ Flash Synthesis of Ultra-High-Performance Metal Oxide Anode through Shunting Current-Based Electrothermal Shock

The synthesis of anode materials plays an important role in determining the production efficiency, cost, and performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, a low-cost, high-speed, scalable manufacturing process of the anode with the desired structural feature for practical technology adoption remains elusive. In this study, we propose a novel method called in situ flash shunt-electrothermal shock (SETS) which is controllable, fast, and energy-saving for synthesizing metal oxide-based materials. By using the example of direct electrothermal decomposition of ZIF-67 precursor loaded onto copper foil support, we achieve rapid (0.1-0.3 s) pyrolysis and generate porous hollow cubic structure material consisting of carbon-coated ultrasmall (10-15 nm) subcrystalline CoO/Co nanoparticles with controllable morphology. It was shown that CoO/Co@N-C exhibits prominent electrochemical performance with a high reversible capacity up to 1503.7 mA h g-1 after 150 cycles at 0.2 A g-1and stable capacities up to 434.1 mA h g-1 after 400 cycles at a high current density of 6 A g-1. This fabrication technique integrates the synthesis of active materials and the formation of electrode sheets into one process, thus simplifying the preparation of electrodes. Due to the simplicity and scalability of this process, it can be envisaged to apply it to the synthesis of metal oxide-based materials and to achieve large-scale production in a nanomanufacturing process.

GLUT4 localisation with the plasma membrane is unaffected by an increase in plasma free fatty acid availability

BACKGROUND

Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into skeletal muscle occurs via translocation of GLUT4 from intracellular storage vesicles to the plasma membrane. Elevated free fatty acid (FFA) availability via a lipid infusion reduces glucose disposal, but this occurs in the absence of impaired proximal insulin signalling. Whether GLUT4 localisation to the plasma membrane is subsequently affected by elevated FFA availability is not known.

METHODS

Trained (n = 11) and sedentary (n = 10) individuals, matched for age, sex and body mass index, received either a 6 h lipid or glycerol infusion in the setting of a concurrent hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp. Sequential muscle biopsies (0, 2 and 6 h) were analysed for GLUT4 membrane localisation and microvesicle size and distribution using immunofluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

At baseline, trained individuals had more small GLUT4 spots at the plasma membrane, whereas sedentary individuals had larger GLUT4 spots. GLUT4 localisation with the plasma membrane increased at 2 h (P = 0.04) of the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, and remained elevated until 6 h, with no differences between groups or infusion type. The number of GLUT4 spots was unchanged at 2 h of infusion. However, from 2 to 6 h there was a decrease in the number of small GLUT4 spots at the plasma membrane (P = 0.047), with no differences between groups or infusion type.

CONCLUSION

GLUT4 localisation with the plasma membrane increases during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, but this is not altered by elevated FFA availability. GLUT4 appears to disperse from small GLUT4 clusters located at the plasma membrane to support glucose uptake during a hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp.

Removal of sulfur and nitrogen pollutants in a sediment microbial fuel cell coupled with Vallisneria natans: Efficiency, microbial community structure, and functional genes

The rapid development of the economy has led to an increase in the sulfur and nitrogen load in surface water, which has the potential to cause river eutrophication and the emission of malodorous gases. A lab-scale sediment microbial fuel cell coupled with Vallisneria natans (P-SMFC) was designed for surface water remediation. The enhancement of pollutant removal performance of P-SMFC was evaluated in contrast to the SMFC system without plants (SMFC), the open-circuit control system with plants (C-P), and the open-circuit control system without plants (C-S), while illustrating the mechanisms of the sulfur and nitrogen transformation process. The results demonstrated that the effluent and sediment of P-SMFC had lower concentrations of sulfide compared to other systems. Furthermore, P-SMFC exhibited higher removal efficiency for COD (73.1 ± 8.7%), NH4+-N (80.5 ± 19.8%), and NO3--N (88.5 ± 11.8%) compared to other systems. The closed-circuit conditions and growth of Vallisneria natans create a favorable ecological niche for functional microorganisms involved in power generation, sulfur oxidation, and nitrogen transformation. Additionally, metagenomic analysis revealed that multifunctional bacteria possessing both denitrification and sulfur oxidation genes, such as Thiobacillus, Dechloromonas, and Bacillus, may play simultaneous roles in metabolizing sulfur and nitrogen, thus serving as integral factors in maintaining the performance of P-SMFC. In summary, these findings provide a theoretical reference for the concurrent enhancement of sulfur and nitrogen pollutants removal in P-SMFC and will facilitate its practical application in the remediation of contaminated surface water.

Seedlings of Poncirus trifoliata exhibit tissue-specific detoxification in response to NH4 + toxicity

Ammonium nitrogen (NH4 +-N) is essential for fruit tree growth, but the impact of excess NH4 +-N from fertilizer on evergreen citrus trees is unclear. In a climate chamber, 8-month-old citrus plants were exposed to five different hydroponic NH4 +-N concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm) for 1 month to study effects of NH4 +-N on growth characteristics, N uptake, metabolism, antioxidant enzymes and osmotic regulatory substances. Application of 10 mm NH4 +-N adversely affected root plasma membrane integrity, root physiological functions, and plant biomass. MDA, CAT, POD, APX and SOD content were significantly correlated with leaf N metabolic enzyme activity (GOGAT, GDH, GS and NR). GDH was the primary enzyme involved in NH4 +-N assimilation in leaves, while the primary pathway involved in roots was GS-GOGAT. Under comparatively high NH4 + addition, roots were the main organs involved in NH4 + utilization in citrus seedlings. Our results demonstrated that variations in NH4 + concentration and enzyme activity in various organs are associated with more effective N metabolism in roots than in leaves to prevent NH4 + toxicity in evergreen woody citrus plants. These results provide insight into the N forms used by citrus plants that are important for N fertilizer management.

Campothecin suppresses cell proliferation and migration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by blocking RAB27A-mediated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway

Camptothecin (CPT), a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from the Camptotheca acuminate plant, exerts anti-tumor properties. However, its specific impact on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains uncertain. The study was to explore the action and mechanism of CPT on HNSCC cells. First, two HNSCC cell lines (FaDu and TU686) and a normal immortalized keratinocyte (HEK001) cell line, were exposed to a spectrum of CPT concentrations (ranging from 10 to 50 μM) for durations of 24 h and 48 h. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed by CCK-8 assay, EdU incorporation assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay. Subsequently, si-RAB27A or negative control (NC) was introduced into FaDu and TU686 cells through transfection, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway was manipulated with L740Y-P, an activator of this pathway. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), E-cadherin, PI3K/AKT signaling factors and RAB27A were determined by Western blot analysis. RAB27A was detected by immunofluorescence assay. It was found that CPT significantly hindered the viability, proliferation (p<0.01), migration (p<0.001), and invasion (p<0.001) of FaDu and TU686 cells. At the molecular level, administration of CPT caused a decline in the expression of PCNA, P-PI3K, P-AKT, and RAB27A, alongside an elevation in E-cadherin levels within HNSCC cells (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001). Reducing RAB27A expression enhanced the suppressive impacts of CPT on HNSCC cell viability (p<0.05 and p<0.01), migration (p<0.001) and invasion (p<0.01), these effects that were reversed upon treatment with L740Y-P in HNSCC cells (p<0.001). In summary, our study highlights the efficacy of CPT in HNSCC, demonstrating its influence on cell processes via the RAB27A-mediated PI3K/AKT pathway.

The value of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography analysis in evaluating central retinal artery microcirculation in patients with diabetes mellitus: comparison with colour Doppler imaging

AIM

To compare the efficacy of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) analysis and colour Doppler ultrasound (CDU) in evaluating central retinal artery (CRA) microcirculation in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, a total of 55 patients (98 eyes) with DM were enrolled as the study group. They were compared to 46 age-matched healthy volunteers (92 eyes) who were selected as the control group. Each patient underwent CDU and subsequent CEUS examination. CDU and quantitative CEUS parameters were evaluated. The diagnostic efficiency of the diagnostic performance of CEUS and CDU was evaluated and compared, and the scale thresholds of predictive indicators for the diagnosis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses.

RESULTS

Group pairwise comparisons showed that the end diastolic velocity (EDV) and arrival time (AT) of CRA were significant predictors for PDR by CDU and by quantitative CEUS analysis, respectively (all p<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve value of AT was significantly higher than that of EDV (0.875 versus 0.634, p=0.0002). Accordingly, an AT cut-off value of 1.07 seconds resulted a sensitivity of 90.62 % and a specificity of 79.31 %.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative CEUS analysis can improve the accuracy of clinical staging of diabetic retinopathy for the patients with DM, and the AT showed the best diagnostic efficiency.

The safety signal detection and analysis of monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 based on real-world evidence - the suitable selectivity for different populations

OBJECTIVE

Bebtelovimab (BEB), Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab (TIX/CIL), and Sotrovimab (SOT) are important agents against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-Omicron strain. However, due to their short duration of application, little is known about their safety profiles. This research aimed to explore the safety profile of these monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) via real-world evidence databases and data mining tools.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Safety reports were retrieved from the database of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System from April 2022 to March 2023. To detect the safety signal, the disproportionality analysis was performed using the reporting odds ratio method.

RESULTS

SOT had the greatest proportion of "skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders" and "disorders of investigations"; BEB showed significant associations with "gastrointestinal disorders" and "nervous system disorders"; TIX/CIL had the weakest correlation with "skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders" and "general disorders and administration site conditions". Furthermore, there were still other signals related to nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal disorders only caused by BEB. TIX/CIL has been reported solely to be associated with multiple types of cardiovascular disorders. As for SOT alone, signals were strongly related to infusion reactions and hypersensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, SOT may be unsuitable for allergic patients and may lead to abnormal test results. BEB showed the highest correlations with gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric events. In addition, its infusion reactions should also be noted. TIX/CIL can lead to a variety of cardiovascular events.

Vitamin D and prebiotics for intestinal health in cystic fibrosis: Rationale and design for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 2 x 2 trial of administration of prebiotics and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) (Pre-D trial) in adults with cystic fibrosis

Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have dysfunctional intestinal microbiota and increased gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation also known as GI dysbiosis. It is hypothesized that administration of high-dose cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) together with a prebiotic (inulin) will be effective, and possibly additive or synergistic, in reducing CF-related GI and airway dysbiosis. Thus, a 2 x 2 factorial design, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, pilot and feasibility, clinical trial was proposed to test this hypothesis. Forty adult participants with CF were block-randomized into one of four groups: 1) high-dose oral vitamin D3 (50,000 IU weekly) plus oral prebiotic placebo daily; 2) oral prebiotic (12 g inulin daily) plus oral placebo vitamin D3 weekly; 3) combined oral vitamin D3 weekly and oral prebiotic inulin daily; and 4) oral vitamin D3 placebo weekly and oral prebiotic placebo. The primary endpoints included 12-week changes in the microbial bacterial communities, gut and airway microbiota richness and diversity before and after the intervention. This pilot study examined whether vitamin D3 with or without prebiotics supplementation was feasible, changed airway and gut microbiota, and reduced dysbiosis, which in turn, may improve health outcomes and quality of life of patients with CF.

Cell subtype-specific effects of genetic variation in the Alzheimer's disease brain

The relationship between genetic variation and gene expression in brain cell types and subtypes remains understudied. Here, we generated single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from the neocortex of 424 individuals of advanced age; we assessed the effect of genetic variants on RNA expression in cis (cis-expression quantitative trait loci) for seven cell types and 64 cell subtypes using 1.5 million transcriptomes. This effort identified 10,004 eGenes at the cell type level and 8,099 eGenes at the cell subtype level. Many eGenes are only detected within cell subtypes. A new variant influences APOE expression only in microglia and is associated with greater cerebral amyloid angiopathy but not Alzheimer's disease pathology, after adjusting for APOEε4, providing mechanistic insights into both pathologies. Furthermore, only a TMEM106B variant affects the proportion of cell subtypes. Integration of these results with genome-wide association studies highlighted the targeted cell type and probable causal gene within Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, educational attainment and Parkinson's disease loci.

Comparative investigation of transport and deposition of nebulized particles in nasal airways following various middle turbinectomy

BACKGROUND

Topical intranasal medication is required following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The optimal particle size of transnasal nebulization aimed at the sinonasal cavities is not conclusive. The current study aims to evaluate the effect of particle size and various surgery scope of middle turbinectomy (MT) on post-full FESS drug delivery to the sinonasal cavities.

METHODS

Sinonasal reconstructions were performed from post-full FESS CT scans in 6 chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients. Four additional models representing alternative surgery scopes of MT were established from each post-FESS reconstruction for simulation data comparison. Airflow and particle deposition of nebulized delivery were simulated via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and validated through in vitro experiments. The optimal particle sizes reaching a deposition of at least 75% of the maximum in the targeted regions were identified.

RESULTS

The drug deposition rate onto the targeted regions increased following MT, with the greatest deposition following posterior MT (P-MT). Droplets in the range of 18-26 μm reached a deposition of larger than 75% of the maximum onto the targeted regions. Drug delivery rate in the sinonasal cavities varied significantly among individuals and across different types of MT with varying surgical scopes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to investigate the effect of various surgery scope on drug delivery by transnasal nebulization to the sinonasal cavities. The findings strongly affirm the vast potential of transnasal nebulization as an effective post-FESS treatment option. Moreover, it emphasizes that the drug delivery process via atomizers to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is highly sensitive to the particle size.

Achromobacter species (sp.) outbreak caused by hospital equipment containing contaminated water: risk factors for infection

BACKGROUND

Nosocomial outbreaks of urinary tract infections caused by Achromobacter spp. have been rare in recent decades.

AIM

To identify the origin of an Achromobacter sp. outbreak, conduct multi-modal infection control measures, and finally to stop the outbreak. To this end, an epidemiological outbreak investigation and risk factor analysis were performed.

METHODS

Achromobacter sp. was detected in 22 patients in our urology wards and six environmental cultures of specimens obtained from the operating rooms. Strains isolated were submitted for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. An on-site epidemiological investigation, evaluation of patient medical records, and environmental sampling were performed to identify the source of the outbreak, and implementation of infection control intervention. A case-control study was performed to analyse the potential risk factors.

FINDINGS

Environmental sampling showed that the source of the infection for 22 patients was an ISA-IIIA-type medical pressurizer containing contaminated water. A case-control analysis showed that the risk factors for infection were: diagnosis of kidney/ureteral stones, surgery, placement of a double-J stent, and history of hospitalization in the past three months.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the outbreak occurred in patients who underwent internal lithotripsy and double-J stent placement, due to contact transmission with the contaminated sensor and connecting tubes of the ISA-IIIA-type medical pressurizer.