Shenqi Fuzheng injection restores the sensitivity to gefitinib in non-small cell lung cancer by inhibiting the IL-22/STAT3/AKT pathway

CONTEXT

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Gefitinib is a first-line treatment for NSCLC. However, its effectiveness is hindered by the development of drug resistance. At present, Shenqi Fuzheng injection (SFI) is widely accepted as an adjuvant therapy in NSCLC.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the molecular mechanism of SFI when combined with gefitinib in regulating cell progression among EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established gefitinib-resistant PC9-GR cells by exposing gefitinib escalation from 10 nM with the indicated concentrations of SFI in PC9 cells (1, 4, and 8 mg/mL). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess gene expression. PC9/GR and H1975 cells were treated with 50 ng/mL of interleukin (IL)-22 alone or in combination with 10 mg/mL of SFI. STAT3, p-STAT3, AKT, and p-AKT expression were evaluated using Western blot. The effects on cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and apoptosis in NSCLC cells were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), colony formation and flow cytometry assays.

RESULTS

SFI treatment alleviated the development of gefitinib resistance in NSCLC. PC9/GR and H1975 cells treated with SFI significantly exhibited a reduction in IL-22 protein and mRNA overexpression levels. SFI effectively counteracted the activation of the STAT3/AKT signaling pathway induced by adding exogenous IL-22 to PC9/GR and H1975 cells. Moreover, IL-22 combined with gefitinib markedly increased cell viability while reducing apoptosis. In contrast, combining SFI with gefitinib and the concurrent treatment of SFI with gefitinib and IL-22 demonstrated the opposite effect.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

SFI can be a valuable therapeutic option to address gefitinib resistance in NSCLC by suppressing the IL-22/STAT3/AKT pathway.

Icariin alleviates diabetic renal interstitial fibrosis aggravation by inhibiting miR-320a-3p targeting BMP6

Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of diabetes, accumulating evidence underscores the pivotal role of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. However, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Although the mechanisms in diabetic nephropathy fibrosis have been the focus of many studies, only limited information is currently available concerning microRNA regulation in tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of miR-320a-3p and bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP6) in tubulointerstitial fibrosis. After inducing fibrosis with high glucose in HK-2 cells, we found that miR-320a-3p is significantly up-regulated, whereas BMP6 is markedly down-regulated. These changes suggest close link between miR-320a-3p and BMP6 in tubulointerstitial fibrosis. To elucidate this phenomenon, miR-320a-3p mimic, inhibitor and siBMP6 were employed. We observed in miR-320a-3p mimic group the fibrosis marker include alpha smooth muscle actin and type I collagen was significantly up-regulated, whereas BMP6 exhibited the opposite trend. Additionally, we found icariin could alleviate tubulointerstitial fibrosis by downregulation the miR-320a-3p expression. In conclusion, miR-320a-3p promotes tubulointerstitial fibrosis during the development of DN by suppressing BMP signal pathway activity via inhibiting BMP6 expression. Suggesting that miR-320a-3p represents a potential therapeutic target for tubulointerstitial fibrosis induced by diabetic nephropathy.

Study of High-Transverse-Momentum Higgs Boson Production in Association with a Vector Boson in the qqbb Final State with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the first study of Higgs boson production in association with a vector boson (V=W or Z) in the fully hadronic qqbb final state using data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137  fb^{-1}. The vector bosons and Higgs bosons are each reconstructed as large-radius jets and tagged using jet substructure techniques. Dedicated tagging algorithms exploiting b-tagging properties are used to identify jets consistent with Higgs bosons decaying into bb[over ¯]. Dominant backgrounds from multijet production are determined directly from the data, and a likelihood fit to the jet mass distribution of Higgs boson candidates is used to extract the number of signal events. The VH production cross section is measured inclusively and differentially in several ranges of Higgs boson transverse momentum: 250-450, 450-650, and greater than 650 GeV. The inclusive signal yield relative to the standard model expectation is observed to be μ=1.4_{-0.9}^{+1.0} and the corresponding cross section is 3.1±1.3(stat)_{-1.4}^{+1.8}(syst)  pb.

Measurement of the Centrality Dependence of the Dijet Yield in p+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

ATLAS measured the centrality dependence of the dijet yield using 165  nb^{-1} of p+Pb data collected at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV in 2016. The event centrality, which reflects the p+Pb impact parameter, is characterized by the total transverse energy registered in the Pb-going side of the forward calorimeter. The central-to-peripheral ratio of the scaled dijet yields, R_{CP}, is evaluated, and the results are presented as a function of variables that reflect the kinematics of the initial hard parton scattering process. The R_{CP} shows a scaling with the Bjorken x of the parton originating from the proton, x_{p}, while no such trend is observed as a function of x_{Pb}. This analysis provides unique input to understanding the role of small proton spatial configurations in p+Pb collisions by covering parton momentum fractions from the valence region down to x_{p}∼10^{-3} and x_{Pb}∼4×10^{-4}.

Search for New Phenomena in Two-Body Invariant Mass Distributions Using Unsupervised Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

Searches for new resonances are performed using an unsupervised anomaly-detection technique. Events with at least one electron or muon are selected from 140  fb^{-1} of pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by ATLAS at the Large Hadron Collider. The approach involves training an autoencoder on data, and subsequently defining anomalous regions based on the reconstruction loss of the decoder. Studies focus on nine invariant mass spectra that contain pairs of objects consisting of one light jet or b jet and either one lepton (e,μ), photon, or second light jet or b jet in the anomalous regions. No significant deviations from the background hypotheses are observed. Limits on contributions from generic Gaussian signals with various widths of the resonance mass are obtained for nine invariant masses in the anomalous regions.

Observation of WZγ Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of WZγ production and a measurement of its cross section using 140.1±1.2  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The WZγ production cross section, with both the W and Z bosons decaying leptonically, pp→WZγ→ℓ^{'}^{±}νℓ^{+}ℓ^{-}γ (ℓ^{(^{'})}=e, μ), is measured in a fiducial phase-space region defined such that the leptons and the photon have high transverse momentum and the photon is isolated. The cross section is found to be 2.01±0.30(stat)±0.16(syst)  fb. The corresponding standard model predicted cross section calculated at next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics and at leading order in the electroweak coupling constant is 1.50±0.06  fb. The observed significance of the WZγ signal is 6.3σ, compared with an expected significance of 5.0σ.

Combined Measurement of the Higgs Boson Mass from the H→γγ and H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ Decay Channels with the ATLAS Detector Using sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV pp Collision Data

A measurement of the mass of the Higgs boson combining the H→ZZ^{*}→4ℓ and H→γγ decay channels is presented. The result is based on 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector during LHC run 2 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV combined with the run 1 ATLAS mass measurement, performed at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, yielding a Higgs boson mass of 125.11±0.09(stat)±0.06(syst)=125.11±0.11  GeV. This corresponds to a 0.09% precision achieved on this fundamental parameter of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Search for Dark Photons in Rare Z Boson Decays with the ATLAS Detector

A search for events with a dark photon produced in association with a dark Higgs boson via rare decays of the standard model Z boson is presented, using 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV proton-proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The dark boson decays into a pair of dark photons, and at least two of the three dark photons must each decay into a pair of electrons or muons, resulting in at least two same-flavor opposite-charge lepton pairs in the final state. The data are found to be consistent with the background prediction, and upper limits are set on the dark photon's coupling to the dark Higgs boson times the kinetic mixing between the standard model photon and the dark photon, α_{D}ϵ^{2}, in the dark photon mass range of [5, 40] GeV except for the ϒ mass window [8.8, 11.1] GeV. This search explores new parameter space not previously excluded by other experiments.

Observation of Single-Top-Quark Production in Association with a Photon Using the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of single top quarks produced together with a photon, which directly probes the electroweak coupling of the top quark. The analysis uses 139  fb^{-1} of 13 TeV proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Requiring a photon with transverse momentum larger than 20 GeV and within the detector acceptance, the fiducial cross section is measured to be 688±23(stat) _{-71}^{+75}(syst)  fb, to be compared with the standard model prediction of 515_{-42}^{+36}  fb at next-to-leading order in QCD.

Measurement of Suppression of Large-Radius Jets and Its Dependence on Substructure in Pb+Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This letter presents a measurement of the nuclear modification factor of large-radius jets in sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV Pb+Pb collisions by the ATLAS experiment. The measurement is performed using 1.72  nb^{-1} and 257  pb^{-1} of Pb+Pb and pp data, respectively. The large-radius jets are reconstructed with the anti-k_{t} algorithm using a radius parameter of R=1.0, by reclustering anti-k_{t} R=0.2 jets, and are measured over the transverse momentum (p_{T}) kinematic range of 158 Collapse

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Measurement of the Sensitivity of Two-Particle Correlations in pp Collisions to the Presence of Hard Scatterings

A key open question in the study of multiparticle production in high-energy pp collisions is the relationship between the "ridge"-i.e., the observed azimuthal correlations between particles in the underlying event that extend over all rapidities-and hard or semihard scattering processes. In particular, it is not known whether jets or their soft fragments are correlated with particles in the underlying event. To address this question, two-particle correlations are measured in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV using data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, with an integrated luminosity of 15.8  pb^{-1}, in two different configurations. In the first case, charged particles associated with jets are excluded from the correlation analysis, while in the second case, correlations are measured between particles within jets and charged particles from the underlying event. Second-order flow coefficients, v_{2}, are presented as a function of event multiplicity and transverse momentum. These measurements show that excluding particles associated with jets does not affect the measured correlations. Moreover, particles associated with jets do not exhibit any significant azimuthal correlations with the underlying event, ruling out hard processes contributing to the ridge.

Observation of an Excess of Dicharmonium Events in the Four-Muon Final State with the ATLAS Detector

A search is made for potential ccc[over ¯]c[over ¯] tetraquarks decaying into a pair of charmonium states in the four muon final state using proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140  fb^{-1} recorded by the ATLAS experiment at LHC. Two decay channels, J/ψ+J/ψ→4μ and J/ψ+ψ(2S)→4μ, are studied. Backgrounds are estimated based on a hybrid approach involving Monte Carlo simulations and data-driven methods. Statistically significant excesses with respect to backgrounds dominated by the single parton scattering are seen in the di-J/ψ channel consistent with a narrow resonance at 6.9 GeV and a broader structure at lower mass. A statistically significant excess is also seen in the J/ψ+ψ(2S) channel. The fitted masses and decay widths of the structures are reported.

Observation of the γγ→ττ Process in Pb+Pb Collisions and Constraints on the τ-Lepton Anomalous Magnetic Moment with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of τ-lepton-pair production in ultraperipheral lead-lead collisions Pb+Pb→Pb(γγ→ττ)Pb and constraints on the τ-lepton anomalous magnetic moment a_{τ}. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.44  nb^{-1} of LHC Pb+Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment in 2018. Selected events contain one muon from a τ-lepton decay, an electron or charged-particle track(s) from the other τ-lepton decay, little additional central-detector activity, and no forward neutrons. The γγ→ττ process is observed in Pb+Pb collisions with a significance exceeding 5 standard deviations and a signal strength of μ_{ττ}=1.03_{-0.05}^{+0.06} assuming the standard model value for a_{τ}. To measure a_{τ}, a template fit to the muon transverse-momentum distribution from τ-lepton candidates is performed, using a dimuon (γγ→μμ) control sample to constrain systematic uncertainties. The observed 95% confidence-level interval for a_{τ} is -0.057 Collapse

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Risk factors for bloodstream infection in paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), a standard treatment for paediatric haematological diseases, is highly associated with bloodstream infection (BSI), which may increase mortality.

AIM

To explore the risk factors for BSI in paediatric HSCT recipients.

METHODS

Three English databases and four Chinese databases were searched from inception to March 17th, 2022. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies that enrolled HSCT recipients aged ≤18 years and reported BSI risk factors. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), certainty of body of evidence was assessed.

FINDINGS

Fourteen studies involving 4602 persons were included. The incidences of BSI and associated mortality in paediatric HSCT recipients were approximately 10-50% and 5-15%, respectively. Meta-analysis of all studies revealed that previous BSI before HSCT (relative effect (RE): 2.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-4.34, moderate certainty) and receiving an umbilical cord blood transplant (RE: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.22-1.97, moderate certainty) were probably associated with an increased risk of BSI. Meta-analysis of studies with low risk of bias reassured that previous BSI before HSCT probably increased the risk of BSI (RE: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.19-4.34, moderate certainty), and revealed that steroid use (RE: 2.72; 95% CI: 1.31-5.64, moderate certainty) was likely a risk factor whereas autologous HSCT was probably a protective factor of BSI (RE: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.45-0.94, moderate certainty).

CONCLUSION

These findings could inform the management of paediatric HSCT recipients, helping identify who may benefit from prophylactic antibiotics.

Strong Constraints on Jet Quenching in Centrality-Dependent p+Pb Collisions at 5.02 TeV from ATLAS

Jet quenching is the process of color-charged partons losing energy via interactions with quark-gluon plasma droplets created in heavy-ion collisions. The collective expansion of such droplets is well described by viscous hydrodynamics. Similar evidence of collectivity is consistently observed in smaller collision systems, including pp and p+Pb collisions. In contrast, while jet quenching is observed in Pb+Pb collisions, no evidence has been found in these small systems to date, raising fundamental questions about the nature of the system created in these collisions. The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider has measured the yield of charged hadrons correlated with reconstructed jets in 0.36  nb^{-1} of p+Pb and 3.6  pb^{-1} of pp collisions at 5.02 TeV. The yields of charged hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>0.5  GeV near and opposite in azimuth to jets with p_{T}^{jet}>30 or 60 GeV, and the ratios of these yields between p+Pb and pp collisions, I_{pPb}, are reported. The collision centrality of p+Pb events is categorized by the energy deposited by forward neutrons from the struck nucleus. The I_{pPb} values are consistent with unity within a few percent for hadrons with p_{T}^{ch}>4  GeV at all centralities. These data provide new, strong constraints that preclude almost any parton energy loss in central p+Pb collisions.

Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons in Decays of W Bosons Using a Dilepton Displaced Vertex in sqrt[s]=13 TeV pp Collisions with the ATLAS Detector

A search for a long-lived, heavy neutral lepton (N) in 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV pp collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is reported. The N is produced via W→Nμ or W→Ne and decays into two charged leptons and a neutrino, forming a displaced vertex. The N mass is used to discriminate between signal and background. No signal is observed, and limits are set on the squared mixing parameters of the N with the left-handed neutrino states for the N mass range 3  GeV Collapse

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Test of CP Invariance in Higgs Boson Vector-Boson-Fusion Production Using the H→γγ Channel with the ATLAS Detector

A test of CP invariance in Higgs boson production via vector-boson fusion has been performed in the H→γγ channel using 139  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The optimal observable method is used to probe the CP structure of interactions between the Higgs boson and electroweak gauge bosons, as described by an effective field theory. No sign of CP violation is observed in the data. Constraints are set on the parameters describing the strength of the CP-odd component in the coupling between the Higgs boson and the electroweak gauge bosons in two effective field theory bases: d[over ˜] in the HISZ basis and c_{HW[over ˜]} in the Warsaw basis. The results presented are the most stringent constraints on CP violation in the coupling between Higgs and weak bosons. The 95% C.L. constraint on d[over ˜] is derived for the first time and the 95% C.L. constraint on c_{HW[over ˜]} has been improved by a factor of 5 compared to the previous measurement.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of antibiotic prophylaxis during induction chemotherapy in children with acute leukaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Bacterial infections are common during induction therapy in children and adolescents with acute leukaemia and may cause infection-related mortality.

AIM

To determine the efficacy and safety of prophylactic antibiotics in paediatric patients with acute leukaemia receiving induction chemotherapy.

METHODS

From three English databases and four Chinese databases, we searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that compared prophylactic antibiotics to placebo, no prophylaxis, or that compared one antibiotic versus another in paediatric patients with acute leukaemia undergoing induction chemotherapy. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and the certainty of evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

FINDINGS

Two RCTs and ten cohort studies were finally included. For children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, antibiotic prophylaxis, including levofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, or other antibiotics, probably reduced bacteraemia (risk ratio (RR): 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33-0.60; moderate certainty) without significantly increasing Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) or invasive fungal infection. Levofloxacin reduced the CDI rate (RR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01-0.62; high certainty). Ciprofloxacin prophylaxis probably reduced infection-related mortality (RR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.01-0.97; moderate certainty). In children with acute myeloid leukaemia, ciprofloxacin plus vancomycin may reduce febrile neutropenia (RR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.66-0.94; low certainty). Individual studies indicated that prophylaxis increased antibiotic exposure but reduced non-preventive antibiotic exposure.

CONCLUSION

In children with acute leukaemia undergoing induction therapy, antibiotic prophylaxis may improve the bacterial infection and mortality.

Effects of Mud Content on the Setting Time and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag Mortar

High mud content in the sand has a negative impact on cement mortar but there is little research on Alkali-activated slag (AAS) mortar. In order to explore the impacts of mud content in the sand on the performance of AAS mortar, this paper used sand that contains silt, clay, and a mixture of silt and clay; tested the setting time of AAS with different mud contents of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%; and measured the unconfined compressive strength and beam flexural strength of 3 d, 7 d, and 28 d AAS mortar specimens. The microstructure of AAS mortar with different kinds of mud was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), the elemental composition of the hydration product was tested by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and the AAS interaction mechanism with different kinds of mud was analyzed. The main conclusions are: the higher the mud content in the sand, the shorter the initial setting time and the longer the final setting time of AAS, mainly because the mud in the sand affects the hydration process; mud content above 4% causes a rapid decrease in the compressive and flexural strengths of AAS mortar, mainly because the mud affects the hydration process and hinders the bonding of the hydration product with the sand. When there is no mud in the sand, the main hydration product of AAS is dense calcium-alumina-silicate-hydrate (C-A-S-H) gel. When the sand contains silt, the hydration product of AAS is loose C-A-S-H gel. When the sand contains clay, the hydration products of AAS contain C-A-S-H gel and a small amount of sodium-aluminum-silicate-hydrate (N-A-S-H), and needle-like crystals. Loose gel and crystals have a negative effect on the AAS mortar strength.

Effects of Borax, Sucrose, and Citric Acid on the Setting Time and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag

The setting time of alkali-activated slag (AAS) binders is extremely short, while traditional retarders of Portland cement may be invalid for AAS. To find an effective retarder with a less negative impact on strength, borax (B), sucrose (S), and citric acid (CA) were selected as potential retarders. The setting time of AAS with different admixtures dosages of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%, and the unconfined compressive strength and beam flexural strength of 3 d, 7 d, and 28 d AAS mortar specimens were tested. The microstructure of AAS with different additives was observed by scanning using an electron microscope (SEM), and the hydration products were analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (DT-TGA) to explain the retarding mechanism of AAS with different additives. The results showed that the incorporation of borax and citric acid could effectively prolong the setting time of AAS more than that of sucrose, and the retarding effect is more and more obvious with the increase in borax and citric acid dosages. However, sucrose and citric acid negatively influence AAS's unconfined compressive strength and flexural stress. The negative effect becomes more evident with the increase in sucrose and citric acid dosages. Borax is the most suitable retarder for AAS among the three selected additives. SEM-EDS analysis showed that the incorporation of borax does three things: produces gels, covers the surface of the slag, and slows down the hydration reaction rate.

Probing the Cr3+ luminescence sensitization in β-Ga2O3 with ion-beam-induced luminescence and thermoluminescence

Ion-beam-induced luminescence (IBIL) measurements were performed in Cr-doped β-Ga₂O₃ using both protons and helium ions, showing a strong enhancement of the Cr³⁺ luminescence upon ion irradiation. Theoretical modelling of the IBIL intensity curves as a function of the fluence allowed estimating the effective cross-sections associated with the defect-induced IBIL enhancement and quenching processes. The results suggest that sensitizing the Cr³⁺ luminescence is more efficient for H⁺ than for He⁺ irradiation. Thermoluminescence (TL) studies were performed in the pristine sample, with no TL signal being observed in the spectral region corresponding to the Cr³⁺ emission. In agreement with the IBIL study, upon ion irradiation (with either protons or helium ions), this TL emission is activated. Moreover, it can be quenched by annealing at 923 K for 10 s, thus revealing the role played by the defects induced by the irradiation. These results show that the irradiation-induced defects play a major role in the activation of the Cr³⁺ luminescence, a fact that can be exploited for radiation sensing and dosimetry.

Integrating EM and Patch-seq data: Synaptic connectivity and target specificity of predicted Sst transcriptomic types

Neural circuit function is shaped both by the cell types that comprise the circuit and the connections between those cell types ¹ . Neural cell types have previously been defined by morphology ^{2, 3} , electrophysiology ^{4, 5} , transcriptomic expression ^6-8 , connectivity ^9-13 , or even a combination of such modalities ^14-16 . More recently, the Patch-seq technique has enabled the characterization of morphology (M), electrophysiology (E), and transcriptomic (T) properties from individual cells ^17-20 . Using this technique, these properties were integrated to define 28, inhibitory multimodal, MET-types in mouse primary visual cortex ²¹ . It is unknown how these MET-types connect within the broader cortical circuitry however. Here we show that we can predict the MET-type identity of inhibitory cells within a large-scale electron microscopy (EM) dataset and these MET-types have distinct ultrastructural features and synapse connectivity patterns. We found that EM Martinotti cells, a well defined morphological cell type ^{22, 23} known to be Somatostatin positive (Sst+) ^{24, 25} , were successfully predicted to belong to Sst+ MET-types. Each identified MET-type had distinct axon myelination patterns and synapsed onto specific excitatory targets. Our results demonstrate that morphological features can be used to link cell type identities across imaging modalities, which enables further comparison of connectivity in relation to transcriptomic or electrophysiological properties. Furthermore, our results show that MET-types have distinct connectivity patterns, supporting the use of MET-types and connectivity to meaningfully define cell types.

CIDP/autoimmune nodopathies with nephropathy: a case series study

OBJECTIVE

The co-morbidity of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)/autoimmune nodopathies with nephropathy has been gradually known in recent years. This study was intended to explore the clinical, serological and neuropathological features of seven patients with CIDP/autoimmune nodopathies and nephropathy.

METHODS

Among 83 CIDP patients, seven were identified with nephropathy. Their clinical, electrophysiological and laboratory examination data were collected. The nodal/paranodal antibodies were tested. The sural biopsies were performed in all the patients, and renal biopsies were operated in 6 patients.

RESULTS

Six patients had chronic onsets and one had an acute onset. Four patients exhibited peripheral neuropathy preceding nephropathy while two showed concurrent onset of neuropathy and nephropathy, and one started with nephropathy. All the patients showed demyelination in electrophysiological examination. Nerve biopsies showed mild to moderate mixed neuropathies including demyelinating and axonal changes in all patients. Renal biopsies showed membranous nephropathy in all 6 patients. Immunotherapy was effective in all patients, with two patients showing good response to corticosteroid treatment alone. Four of the patients were positive to anti-CNTN1 antibody. Compared with anti-CNTN1 antibody-negative patients, antibody-positive patients had a higher proportion of ataxia (3/4 vs. 1/3), autonomic dysfunction (3/4 vs. 1/3), less frequent antecedent infections (1/4 vs. 2/3), higher cerebrospinal fluid proteins (3.2 g/L vs. 1.69 g/L), more frequent conduction block on electrophysiological examination (3/4 vs. 1/3), higher myelinated nerve fiber density, and positive CNTN1 expression in the glomeruli of kidney tissues.

CONCLUSION

Anti-CNTN1 antibody was the most frequent antibody in this group of patients with CIDP/autoimmune nodopathies and nephropathy. Our study suggested that there might be some clinical and pathological differences between the antibody positive and negative patients.

NCAPD3 enhances Warburg effect through c-myc and E2F1 and promotes the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer

Background

NCAPD3 is one of the three non-SMC subunits of condensin II complex, which plays an important role in the chromosome condensation and segregation during mitosis. Notably, elevated levels of NCAPD3 are found in many somatic cancers. However, the clinical role, biological functions of NCAPD3 in cancers especially in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly elucidated.

Methods

Clinical CRC and adjacent normal tissues were used to confirm the expression of NCAPD3. The association of NCAPD3 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and patient outcomes were analyzed by using online database. In vivo subcutaneous tumor xenograft model, NCAPD3 gene knockout following azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced tumor mouse model, Co-IP, western blot, qRT-PCR, IHC, ChIP assays and cell functional assays were used to investigate the biological functions of NCAPD3 in CRC and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Results

NCAPD3 was overexpressed in CRC tissues and positively correlated with poor prognosis of CRC patients. NCAPD3 knockout suppressed CRC development in AOM/DSS induced and xenograft mice models. Moreover, we found that NCAPD3 promoted aerobic glycolysis in CRC. Mechanistically, NCAPD3 up-regulated the level of c-Myc and interacted with c-Myc to recruit more c-Myc to the gene promoter of its downstream glycolytic regulators GLUT1, HK2, ENO1, PKM2 and LDHA, and finally enhanced cellular aerobic glycolysis. Also, NCAPD3 increased the level of E2F1 and interacted with E2F1 to recruit more E2F1 to the promoter regions of PDK1 and PDK3 genes, which resulted in the inhibition of PDH activity and TCA cycle.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that NCAPD3 promoted glucose metabolism reprogramming and enhanced Warburg effect in colorectal tumorigenesis and CRC progression. These findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying NCAPD3 mediated CRC cell growth and provide new targets for CRC treatment.

The compliance of digital exercise with smart tools in subjects with cardiac arrythmias

Background

The exercise has well-documented health benefits on cardiovascular disease, and the use of mobile health (mHealth) may promote physical activity to reduce the risk.

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the compliance of exercise dose and pattern through wearables and mHealth in subjects with cardiac arrhythmia in a real-world setting.

Method

The photoplethysmography (PPG)-algorithms with wearables to detect the ectopic and AF have been developed in the HUAWE HEART STUDY. Using the PPG-based smart devices, the adult subjects with identified arrhythmia received the personalized App-based lifestyle and exercise package was proposed. The V̇O2 peak (mL kg–1 min–1)was estimated from a non-exercise prediction model. The metabolic equivalent (MET)/week and Borg scale were utilized for the assessment of intensity of exercise. All subjects followed up for 3 months for the compliance to the exercise package.

Results

There were 7419 subjects (mean age ± standard deviation, SD, 35±12 years old, 92.1% male) who identified with the arrhythmia between April 1, 2021 and Dec 31, 2021. Among them, there were 165 subjects with identified AF, and 5277 subjects with the ectopic. The obstructive sleep apnea was the most reported risk profile (2643, 35.6%), while 1326 (17.9%) subjects were overweight.

Upon the baseline assessment, the personalized exercise package for cardiovascular disease prevention were proposed for 2864 subjects, exercise package to control the weight for 2510 subjects, and exercise package to reduce the weight for 1886 subjects.

Among 6366 subjects who took the exercise packages, 1867 (29.3%) subjects achieved target exercise, 395 (6.2%) subjects over target exercise, and 4104 (64.5%) under target exercise. The V̇O2 peak (mL kg–1 min–1, SD)in subjects who achieved the target exercise package, under target exercise, and over target exercise were (47.36±5.12, 32.14±22.47, and 65.99±10.38, p<0.001).

For subjects who achieved target exercise, the intensity of exercise was as follows: 0.4% with low-intensity exercise, 95.8% with moderate-intensity exercise, and 3.7% with high-intensity exercise. Nonetheless, there were 37.7% of low-intensity, 60.6% of moderate-intensity exercise, and 1.7% with high-intensity exercise in subjects who didn't achieve exercise target.

77.9% subjects under target exercise had less than 1/week of physical activity, while there was only 12.9% in subjects with target exercise (p<0.001).

Compared to randomly selected 8000 subjects (mean age ± SD, 39±13 years, 80.8% male) without exercise package, the proportion of steps/day over 10000 of 20% was significantly increased in subjects (37±13 years, 91.3% male) receiving the personalized App-based exercise package (31.2%, vs. 12.2%, p<0.001).

Conclusion

The wearables facilitated the improvement of physical activity habit in subjects with cardiac arrhythmia, but subjects-centered self-management would be enhanced to the target exercise.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Natural Science Foundation of China

Subsarcolemmal and cytoplasmic p62 positivity and rimmed vacuoles are distinctive for PLIN4-myopathy

PLIN4-myopathy is a recently identified autosomal dominant muscular disorder caused by the coding 99 bp repeat expansion in PLIN4, presenting with distal or proximal weakness. Here, we report one family and one sporadic case of adult-onset PLIN4-associated limb-girdle weakness, whose diagnoses were achieved by a comprehensive genetic analysis workup. We provided additional evidence that the combination of subsarcolemmal/cytoplasmic ubiquitin/p62 positive deposits and rimmed vacuoles could serve as a strong indicator of PLIN4-myopathy. Moreover, we found novel myopathological features that were ultrastructural subsarcolemmal filamentous materials and membrane-bound granulofilamentous inclusions formed by the co-deposition of disrupted lipid droplets and p62 protein aggregates.

Observation of WWW Production in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter reports the observation of WWW production and a measurement of its cross section using 139  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events with two same-sign leptons (electrons or muons) and at least two jets, as well as events with three charged leptons, are selected. A multivariate technique is then used to discriminate between signal and background events. Events from WWW production are observed with a significance of 8.0 standard deviations, where the expectation is 5.4 standard deviations. The inclusive WWW production cross section is measured to be 820±100 (stat)±80 (syst)  fb, approximately 2.6 standard deviations from the predicted cross section of 511±18  fb calculated at next-to-leading-order QCD and leading-order electroweak accuracy.

Effect of Clay Minerals on Tensile Failure Characteristics of Shale

The effects of mass fraction, elastic modulus, and the spatial distribution of clay minerals on the failure behaviors of shale under the Brazilian disc split are investigated in this study based on a developed PFC^2D model. The feasibility of this established numerical model is validated by the load-displacement curves and fracture morphology of shale in the laboratory test. The influences of the mass fraction, elastic modulus, and spatial distribution of clay minerals on the tensile strength and failure behaviors of shale are comprehensively analyzed using the developed numerical model. The results show that the clay content has the strongest influence on the tensile strength of shale. The number of matrix cracks is sensitive to the clay distribution, and the complexity of the matrix fracture network in shale shows a positive correlation with the clay content. In addition, the variation of the clay modulus has a linear correlation with the macro elastic modulus of shale.

A detailed map of Higgs boson interactions by the ATLAS experiment ten years after the discovery

The standard model of particle physics1-4 describes the known fundamental particles and forces that make up our Universe, with the exception of gravity. One of the central features of the standard model is a field that permeates all of space and interacts with fundamental particles5-9. The quantum excitation of this field, known as the Higgs field, manifests itself as the Higgs boson, the only fundamental particle with no spin. In 2012, a particle with properties consistent with the Higgs boson of the standard model was observed by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN10,11. Since then, more than 30 times as many Higgs bosons have been recorded by the ATLAS experiment, enabling much more precise measurements and new tests of the theory. Here, on the basis of this larger dataset, we combine an unprecedented number of production and decay processes of the Higgs boson to scrutinize its interactions with elementary particles. Interactions with gluons, photons, and W and Z bosons-the carriers of the strong, electromagnetic and weak forces-are studied in detail. Interactions with three third-generation matter particles (bottom (b) and top (t) quarks, and tau leptons (τ)) are well measured and indications of interactions with a second-generation particle (muons, μ) are emerging. These tests reveal that the Higgs boson discovered ten years ago is remarkably consistent with the predictions of the theory and provide stringent constraints on many models of new phenomena beyond the standard model.

Cholesterol promotes EGFR-TKIs resistance in NSCLC by inducing EGFR/Src/Erk/SP1 signaling-mediated ERRα re-expression

BACKGROUND

The use of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) brings remarkable benefits for the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations. Unfortunately, acquired resistance seems to be inevitable and limits the application of EGFR-TKIs in clinical practice. This study reported a common molecular mechanism sustaining resistance and potential treatment options to overcome EGFR-TKIs resistance.

METHODS

EGFR-TKIs resistant NSCLC cells were established and confirmed by MTT assay. Cholesterol content was detected and the promotional function of cholesterol on NSCLC growth was determined in vivo. Then, we identified ERRα expression as the downstream factor of cholesterol-mediated drug resistance. To dissect the regulatory mechanism, we conducted experiments, including immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay.

RESULTS

Long-term exposure to EGFR-TKIs generate drug resistance with the characteristic of cholesterol accumulation in lipid rafts, which promotes EGFR and Src to interact and lead EGFR/Src/Erk signaling reactivation-mediated SP1 nuclear translocation and ERRα re-expression. Further investigation identifies ERRα as a target gene of SP1. Functionally, re-expression of ERRα sustains cell proliferation by regulating ROS detoxification process. Lovastatin, a drug used to decrease cholesterol level, and XCT790, an inverse agonist of ERRα, overcome gefitinib and osimertinib resistance both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that cholesterol/EGFR/Src/Erk/SP1 axis-induced ERRα re-expression promotes survival of gefitinib and osimertinib-resistant cancer cells. Besides, we demonstrate the potential of lowing cholesterol and downregulation of ERRα as effective adjuvant treatment of NSCLC.

Search for Lepton-Flavor Violation in Z-Boson Decays with τ Leptons with the ATLAS Detector

A search for lepton-flavor-violating Z→eτ and Z→μτ decays with pp collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC is presented. This analysis uses 139  fb^{-1} of Run 2 pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV and is combined with the results of a similar ATLAS search in the final state in which the τ lepton decays hadronically, using the same data set as well as Run 1 data. The addition of leptonically decaying τ leptons significantly improves the sensitivity reach for Z→ℓτ decays. The Z→ℓτ branching fractions are constrained in this analysis to B(Z→eτ)<7.0×10^{-6} and B(Z→μτ)<7.2×10^{-6} at 95% confidence level. The combination with the previously published analyses sets the strongest constraints to date: B(Z→eτ)<5.0×10^{-6} and B(Z→μτ)<6.5×10^{-6} at 95% confidence level.

Search for New Phenomena in Final States with Two Leptons and One or No b-Tagged Jets at sqrt[s]=13 TeV Using the ATLAS Detector

A search for new phenomena is presented in final states with two leptons and one or no b-tagged jets. The event selection requires the two leptons to have opposite charge, the same flavor (electrons or muons), and a large invariant mass. The analysis is based on the full run-2 proton-proton collision dataset recorded at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139  fb^{-1}. No significant deviation from the expected background is observed in the data. Inspired by the B-meson decay anomalies, a four-fermion contact interaction between two quarks (b, s) and two leptons (ee or μμ) is used as a benchmark signal model, which is characterized by the energy scale and coupling, Λ and g_{*}, respectively. Contact interactions with Λ/g_{*} lower than 2.0 (2.4) TeV are excluded for electrons (muons) at the 95% confidence level, still far below the value that is favored by the B-meson decay anomalies. Model-independent limits are set as a function of the minimum dilepton invariant mass, which allow the results to be reinterpreted in various signal scenarios.

Search for Displaced Leptons in sqrt[s]=13 TeV pp Collisions with the ATLAS Detector

A search for charged leptons with large impact parameters using 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV pp collision data from the ATLAS detector at the LHC is presented, addressing a long-standing gap in coverage of possible new physics signatures. Results are consistent with the background prediction. This search provides unique sensitivity to long-lived scalar supersymmetric lepton partners (sleptons). For lifetimes of 0.1 ns, selectron, smuon, and stau masses up to 720, 680, and 340  GeV, respectively, are excluded at 95% confidence level, drastically improving on the previous best limits from LEP.

[LncRNA ASB16-AS1 regulates the proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal cancer cells by targeting miR-1258]

Objective: To investigate the effects of long-chain non-coding RNA ASB16 antisense RNA1 (ASB16-AS1) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal cancer cells by targeting microRNA (miR )-1258. Methods: Forty pairs of esophageal cancer tissues and matched adjacent tissues (distance of tumor margin>3 cm) resected in Xinxiang Central Hospital from May 2016 to July 2017 were collected. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of ASB16-AS1 and miR-1258 in esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. The small interfering RNA negative control (si-NC), ASB16-AS1 small interfering RNA (si-ASB16-AS1), miR-negative control mimics (miR-NC), miR-1258 mimics (miR-1258), si-ASB16-AS1 and anti-miR-NC, si-ASB16-AS1 and anti-miR-1258, si-ASB16-AS1 and anti-miR-1258 were transfected into Eca109 cells, respectively. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) was utilized to detect the cell viability. Transwell assays were applied to detect cell migration and invasion. Double luciferase reporting experiment and qRT-PCR were used to confirm the relationship between ASB16-AS1 and miR-1258. Results: The expression levels of ASB16-AS1 and miR-1258 in esophageal cancer tissues were 2.95±0.27 and 0.62±0.06, respectively. Compared with 1.00±0.06 and 1.00±0.07 in adjacent tissues, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The cell viability of the si-NC group at 48 h and 72 h were 0.81±0.07 and 1.15±0.11, while those of si-ASB16-AS1 group were 0.46±0.04 and 0.62±0.06 (P<0.05). The numbers of cell migration and invasion in the si-NC group were 86.32±8.24 and 71.29±7.15, respectively, while those of si-ASB16-AS1 group were 43.22±4.31 and 32.36±3.58, respectively, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The cell viability of the miR-NC group at 48 h and 72 h were 0.84±0.08, 1.18±0.12, while those of miR-1258 group were 0.55±0.05, 0.71±0.07 (P<0.05). The migration and invasion numbers of the miR-NC group were (83.15±8.31) and (75.33±7.51), while those of miR-1258 group were (49.58±4.23) and (38.42±3.84), respectively, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The cell viability of the si-ASB16-AS1+ anti-miR-NC group at 48 h and 72 h were 0.45±0.04, 0.61±0.06, while those of si-ASB16-AS1+ anti-miR-1258 group were 0.72±0.07, 0.98±0.08; The migration and invasion numbers of cells in the si-ASB16-AS1+ anti-miR-NC group were 44.36±4.41 and 31.69±3.85, respectively, while those of si-ASB16-AS1+ anti-miR-1258 group were 72.65±7.27 and 61.22±6.14, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). ASB16-AS1 targeted negative regulation of miR-1258 expression. Conclusions: ASB16-AS1 upregulates in esophageal cancer. ASB16-AS1 promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal cancer cells by targeting miR-1258.

Icariin Ameliorates Diabetic Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis by Restoring Autophagy via Regulation of the miR-192-5p/GLP-1R Pathway

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is one of the most common pathological features of diabetic nephropathy. Autophagy, an intracellular mechanism to remove damaged or dysfunctional cell parts and maintain metabolic homeostasis, is inhibited in diabetic neuropathy. Icariin is a traditional Chinese medicine extract known for nourishing the kidney and reinforcing Yang. In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanism of Icariin on renal function, autophagy, and fibrosis in type 2 diabetic nephropathic rats and in high-glucose-incubated human renal tubular epithelial cells and rat renal fibroblasts (in vitro). Icariin improved diabetes, renal function, restored autophagy, and alleviated fibrosis in type 2 diabetic neuropathic rats and in vitro. After we applied autophagy-related gene 5-small interfering RNA, we found that fibrosis improvement by Icariin was related to autophagy restoration. By detecting serum sex hormone levels, and using dihydrotestosterone, siRNA for androgen receptor, and the androgen receptor antagonist Apalutamide (ARN-509), we found that Icariin had an androgen-like effect and restored autophagy and reduced fibrosis by regulating the androgen receptor. In addition, miR-192-5p levels were increased under high glucose but reduced after dihydrotestosterone and Icariin treatment. Furthermore, dihydrotestosterone and Icariin inhibited miR-192-5p overexpression-induced fibrosis production and autophagy limitation. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) was downregulated by high glucose and overexpression of miR-192-5p and could be restored by dihydrotestosterone and Icariin. By using ARN-509, we found that Icariin increased GLP-1R expression by regulating the androgen receptor. GLP-1R-siRNA transfection weakened the effects of Icariin on autophagy and fibrosis. These findings indicate that Icariin alleviates tubulointerstitial fibrosis by restoring autophagy through the miR-192-5p/GLP-1R pathway and is a novel therapeutic option for diabetic fibrosis.

GGC Repeat Expansion in the NOTCH2NLC Gene Is Associated With a Phenotype of Predominant Motor-Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy

There is still a considerable proportion of patients with inherited peripheral neuropathy (IPN) whose pathogenic genes are unknown. This study was intended to investigate whether the GGC repeat expansion in the NOTCH2NLC is presented in some patients with IPN. A total of 142 unrelated mainland Chinese patients with highly suspected diagnosis of IPN without any known causative gene were recruited. Repeat-primed polymerase chain reaction (RP-PCR) was performed to screen GGC repeat expansion in NOTCH2NLC, followed by fluorescence amplicon length analysis-PCR (AL-PCR) to determine the GGC repeat size. Detailed clinical data as well as nerve, muscle, and skin biopsy were reviewed and analyzed in the NOTCH2NLC-related IPN patients. In total, five of the 142 patients (3.52%) were found to have pathogenic GGC expansion in NOTCH2NLC, with repeat size ranging from 126 to 206 repeats. All the NOTCH2NLC-related IPN patients presented with adult-onset motor-sensory and autonomic neuropathy that predominantly affected the motor component of peripheral nerves. While tremor and irritating dry cough were noted in four-fifths of the patients, no other signs of the central nervous system were presented. Electrophysiological studies revealed both demyelinating and axonal changes of polyneuropathy that were more severe in lower limbs and asymmetrically in upper limbs. Sural nerve pathology was characterized by multiple fibers with thin myelination, indicating a predominant demyelinating process. Muscle pathology was consistent with neuropathic changes. P62-positive intranuclear inclusions were observed in nerve, skin, and muscle tissues. Our study has demonstrated that GGC expansion in NOTCH2NLC is associated with IPN presenting as predominant motor-sensory and autonomic neuropathy, which expands the phenotype of the NOTCH2NLC-related repeat expansion spectrum. Screening of GGC repeat expansions in the NOTCH2NLC should be considered in patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy with tremor and irritating dry cough.

The Differential Metabolic Profiles Between Deltamethrin-Resistant and -Susceptible Strains of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) by 1H-NMR

Metabolomics can indicate the physiological and biochemical responses of mosquitoes to different stimulants, including insecticides, which allow them to adapt to different inhospitable environments. Though metabolic differences between insecticide-resistant and -susceptible strains have been established for other mosquito species, such as Anopheles and Culex, it is yet to be done for Aedes albopictus (Skuse). In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based metabolomic analysis performed on Ae. albopictus deltamethrin-resistant and -susceptible strains showed significant differences in amino acid, organic acid, and sugar metabolism. Concentrations of neutral amino acids and sugars tended to be lower in the deltamethrin-resistant strain than in the deltamethrin-suceptible strain, but the concentration of basic and acidic amino acids and organic acids increased. All these changes might accommodate biochemical and physiological needs in deltamethrin-resistant mosquitoes, such as enzyme synthesis and detoxification. This was further confirmed by the predictable draft metabolic map. This is the first report using NMR spectroscopy to investigate the metabolic differences between deltamethrin-resistant and -susceptible strains of Ae. albopictus. To a certain degree, this demonstrates how Ae. albopictus develop insecticide resistance by metabolic reprograming to survive under the insecticide pressure.

GGC repeat expansions in NOTCH2NLC causing a phenotype of distal motor neuropathy and myopathy

Background

The expansion of GGC repeat in the 5' untranslated region of the NOTCH2NLC has been associated with various neurogenerative disorders of the central nervous system and, more recently, oculopharyngodistal myopathy. This study aimed to report patients with distal weakness with both neuropathic and myopathic features on electrophysiology and pathology who present GGC repeat expansions in the NOTCH2NLC.

Methods

Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and long‐read sequencing were implemented to identify the candidate genes. In addition, the available clinical data and the pathological changes associated with peripheral nerve and muscle biopsies were reviewed and studied.

Results

We identified and validated GGC repeat expansions of NOTCH2NLC in three unrelated patients who presented with progressive weakness predominantly affecting distal lower limb muscles, following negative results in an initial WES. We found intranuclear inclusions with multiple proteins deposits in the nuclei of both myofibers and Schwann cells. The clinical features of these patients are compatible with the diagnosis of distal motor neuropathy and rimmed vacuolar myopathy.

Interpretation

These phenotypes enrich the class of features associated with NOTCH2NLC‐related repeat expansion disorders (NRED), and provide further evidence that the neurological symptoms of NRED include not only brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves damage, but also myopathy, and that overlapping symptoms might exist.

Factors associated with long-term haemoptysis recurrence after transarterial embolisation for haemoptysis

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with long-term haemoptysis recurrence after transarterial embolisation (TAE) for haemoptysis due to bronchiectasis.METHODS: Patients with haemoptysis due to bronchiectasis who underwent TAE between May 2010 and May 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Long-term haemoptysis recurrence was defined as the expectoration of >10 mL/day of fresh blood (for at least 1 day) 1 month after TAE. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for long-term haemoptysis recurrence after TAE.RESULTS: A total of 197 patients (108 women; mean age, 61.0 ± 12.2 years) were included in the study. TAE was performed successfully in all patients. Side effects occurred in 43 (21.8%) patients, and all patients recovered uneventfully. During 37.6 ± 11.6 months of follow-up, long-term haemoptysis recurrence occurred in 41 (20.8%) patients; the mean interval between the TAE and haemoptysis recurrence was 21.4 ± 16.3 months. Long-term haemoptysis recurrence after TAE was associated with a history of haemoptysis (OR 3.483, 95% CI 1.373-8.836; P = 0.009).CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one fifth patients with bronchiectasis had long-term haemoptysis recurrence after TAE. Risk factor for long-term haemoptysis recurrence after TAE was a history of haemoptysis.

[Observation of effective dosage of remimazolam tosilate used for moderate-to-deep sedation in fiberoptic bronchoscopy]

Objective: To estimate the safety and efficacy of remimazolam tosilate used for moderate-to-deep sedation in fiberoptic bronchoscopy with its 50% effective dosage (ED50) and 95% effective dosage (ED95) calculated. Methods: A total of 50 patients aged from 18 to 65 years and classified as Class Ⅰ or Ⅱ according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Classification who underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy in Hainan Cancer Hospital from April to August of 2020 were included in this study. For each patient, bronchoscopy was only started when the eyelash reflex disappeared and MOAA/S score was<1 after a trial dose of remimazolam tosilate combined with 0.1 μg/kg sufentanil was intravenously given. The dosage of remimazolam tosilate for the first patient was 0.18 mg/kg, based on which the dosages for the following patients were increased or decreased by 1∶1 times for one another, forming an equal ratio sequence. A maintenance dose of remimazolam tosilate was pumped intravenously in a rate of 1 mg/(kg·h) during the bronchoscopic examination and treatment. The result of the sequential trial, the time to achieve proper sedation, the analepsia time and the adverse effects were recorded. Results: All the 50 patients went through bronchoscopy completely. The regression function of the sequential trial was Y=12.589+16.593X, the ED50 and the ED95 of remimazolam tosilate were 0.174 (95%CI: 0.162-0.186) mg/kg and 0.219 (95%CI: 0.199-0.312) mg/kg, respectively. The time to achieve proper sedation was (50±11) s and the mean analepsia time after the use of flumazenil was (56±16) s. There was one patient with respiratory inhibition, one with headache and dizziness, one with fatigue among the 50 patients. Conclusions: The strategy of moderate-to-deep sedation based on remimazolam tosilate is safe and effective in bronchoscopic examination and treatment. When combined with 0.1 μg/kg sufentanil, the ED50 and the ED95 of remimazolam tosilate are 0.174 mg/kg and 0.219 mg/kg, respectively.

Search for Dark Matter Produced in Association with a Dark Higgs Boson Decaying into W^{±}W^{∓} or ZZ in Fully Hadronic Final States from sqrt[s]=13 TeV pp Collisions Recorded with the ATLAS Detector

Several extensions of the Standard Model predict the production of dark matter particles at the LHC. An uncharted signature of dark matter particles produced in association with VV=W^{±}W^{∓} or ZZ pairs from a decay of a dark Higgs boson s is searched for using 139  fb^{-1} of pp collisions recorded by the ATLAS detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The s→V(qq[over ¯])V(qq[over ¯]) decays are reconstructed with a novel technique aimed at resolving the dense topology from boosted VV pairs using jets in the calorimeter and tracking information. Dark Higgs scenarios with m_{s}>160  GeV are excluded.

Medium-Induced Modification of Z-Tagged Charged Particle Yields in Pb+Pb Collisions at 5.02 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

The yield of charged particles opposite to a Z boson with large transverse momentum (p_{T}) is measured in 260  pb^{-1} of pp and 1.7  nb^{-1} of Pb+Pb collision data at 5.02 TeV per nucleon pair recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The Z boson tag is used to select hard-scattered partons with specific kinematics, and to observe how their showers are modified as they propagate through the quark-gluon plasma created in Pb+Pb collisions. Compared with pp collisions, charged-particle yields in Pb+Pb collisions show significant modifications as a function of charged-particle p_{T} in a way that depends on event centrality and Z boson p_{T}. The data are compared with a variety of theoretical calculations and provide new information about the medium-induced energy loss of partons in a p_{T} regime difficult to measure through other channels.

EGFR activation-induced decreases in claudin1 promote MUC5AC expression and exacerbate asthma in mice

Claudin1 plays a critical role in maintaining the epithelial barrier, and mucus hypersecretion induced by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is a pivotal pathological feature of asthma. The relationship between claudin1 expression and mucus hypersecretion and EGFR activation is still poorly understood. In this report, we showed that claudin1 expression correlated with asthma stage, in both patients with asthma and in the house dust mite (HDM)-induced mouse asthma model. Claudin1 knockdown induced MUC5AC overexpression both in 16HBE cells and in mouse airways. In addition, claudin1 expression negatively correlated with asthma severity as demonstrated by significantly higher MUC5AC expression, more severe airway inflammation, and increased airway hyperreactivity in mouse lungs with claudin1 knockdown following HDM challenge. EGFR activation reduced claudin1 expression and increased MUC5AC expression, both in vitro and in vivo. Erlotinib alleviated murine allergic airway inflammation, restored claudin1 expression and decreased MUC5AC expression. These results suggest that EGFR activation-induced decreases in claudin1 promote goblet-cell metaplasia, and restoring claudin1 to maintain barrier integrity by EGFR antagonism may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for asthma.

Observation and Measurement of Forward Proton Scattering in Association with Lepton Pairs Produced via the Photon Fusion Mechanism at ATLAS

The observation of forward proton scattering in association with lepton pairs (e^{+}e^{-}+p or μ^{+}μ^{-}+p) produced via photon fusion is presented. The scattered proton is detected by the ATLAS Forward Proton spectrometer, while the leptons are reconstructed by the central ATLAS detector. Proton-proton collision data recorded in 2017 at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV are analyzed, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 14.6  fb^{-1}. A total of 57 (123) candidates in the ee+p (μμ+p) final state are selected, allowing the background-only hypothesis to be rejected with a significance exceeding 5 standard deviations in each channel. Proton-tagging techniques are introduced for cross-section measurements in the fiducial detector acceptance, corresponding to σ_{ee+p}=11.0±2.6(stat)±1.2(syst)±0.3(lumi) and σ_{μμ+p}=7.2±1.6(stat)±0.9(syst)±0.2(lumi)  fb in the dielectron and dimuon channel, respectively.

Search for Heavy Resonances Decaying into a Photon and a Hadronically Decaying Higgs Boson in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents a search for the production of new heavy resonances decaying into a Higgs boson and a photon using proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 139  fb^{-1}. The analysis is performed by reconstructing hadronically decaying Higgs boson (H→bb[over ¯]) candidates as single large-radius jets. A novel algorithm using information about the jet constituents in the center-of-mass frame of the jet is implemented to identify the two b quarks in the single jet. No significant excess of events is observed above the expected background. Upper limits are set on the production cross-section times branching fraction for narrow spin-1 resonances decaying into a Higgs boson and a photon in the resonance mass range from 0.7 to 4 TeV, cross-section times branching fractions are excluded between 11.6 fb and 0.11 fb at a 95% confidence level.

Cholesterol metabolism in drug‑resistant cancer (Review)

Cancer represents a severe challenge to healthcare systems and individuals worldwide. The development of multiple drug resistance is a major issue regarding cancer therapy, which can result in the progression of disease. Cholesterol is a major constituent of cell membranes and participates in the regulation of several cellular processes, such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis. Numerous studies have provided correlative support for a role of cholesterol in cancer development and drug resistance. In the present review, recent insights into the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, the association between cholesterol and the efficacy of antitumor agents in preclinical studies, as well as the possible mechanisms through which cholesterol influences drug resistance, are summarized. Furthermore, the clinical relevance of cholesterol to the development of cancer, as well as strategies targeting cholesterol for therapeutic intervention are detailed. Collectively, studies on various types of cancer have suggested that increased cholesterol levels promote resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer through a variety of mechanisms, and that the depletion of cholesterol using statins significantly enhances the sensitivity of the therapeutic agents. However, additional studies are required to enhance the current understanding of the involvement of cholesterol in the development of drug‑resistant cancer.