OpaR Controls the Metabolism of c-di-GMP in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the leading cause of seafood-associated gastroenteritis worldwide, has a strong ability to form biofilms on surfaces. Quorum sensing (QS) is a process widely used by bacteria to communicate with each other and control gene expression via the secretion and detection of autoinducers. OpaR is the master QS regulator of V. parahaemolyticus operating under high cell density (HCD). OpaR regulation of V. parahaemolyticus biofilm formation has been reported, but the regulatory mechanisms are still not fully understood. bis-(3'-5')-cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is an omnipresent intracellular second messenger that regulates diverse behaviors of bacteria including activation of biofilm formation. In this work, we showed that OpaR repressed biofilm formation and decreased the intracellular concentration of c-di-GMP in V. parahaemolyticus RIMD2210633. The OpaR box-like sequences were detected within the regulatory DNA regions of scrA, scrG, VP0117, VPA0198, VPA1176, VP0699, and VP2979, encoding a group of GGDEF and/or EAL-type proteins. The results of qPCR, LacZ fusion, EMSA, and DNase I footprinting assays demonstrated that OpaR bound to the upstream DNA regions of scrA, VP0117, VPA0198, VPA1176, and VP0699 to repress their transcription, whereas it positively and directly regulated the transcription of scrG and VP2979. Thus, transcriptional regulation of these genes by OpaR led directly to changes in the intracellular concentration of c-di-GMP. The direct association between QS and c-di-GMP metabolism in V. parahaemolyticus RIMD2210633 would be conducive to precise control of gene transcription and bacterial behaviors such as biofilm formation.

POS0657 GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION OF SAFETY IN THE FILGOTINIB RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PROGRAM

Background:

The Janus kinase-1 preferential inhibitor filgotinib (FIL) improved signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the FIL clinical program.1–3

Objectives:

To assess FIL safety across regions.

Methods:

This was an analysis of patients (pts) meeting 2010 ACR/EULAR RA criteria in pooled phase (P)2 DARWIN 1–2 (D1–2), P3 FINCH 1–3 (F1–3), and long-term extension studies (DARWIN 3, FINCH 4). Data were analyzed by region: North America, South and Central America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, South East (SE) Asia, and Other. Week (W)12 placebo (PBO)-controlled analysis included data from pts receiving once-daily FIL 100 mg (FIL100), FIL 200 mg (FIL200), or PBO for ≤12W (D1–2, F1–2); long-term as-treated data included pts from all 7 studies receiving FIL100 or FIL200; data after rerandomization were included and contributed to treatment received. Data presented as exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIRs)/100 patient-years of exposure (PYE) of treatment-emergent (TE) adverse events (TEAEs).

Results:

Table 1 shows EAIRs of TEAEs in PBO-controlled analysis. EAIRs/100 PYE of all TEAEs in Western Europe, Asia, and Other were higher than in remaining regions and for PBO vs FIL arms; EAIRs for FIL200/FIL100 in North America and SE Asia were higher vs PBO. EAIRs/100 PYE of TE serious AEs were higher in SE Asia for FIL100 and for FIL200/FIL100 in Other, with high PBO EAIRs in Western Europe. EAIRs/100 PYE of TEAEs leading to study discontinuation were higher in FIL arms vs PBO in Western Europe and Other (FIL200); in Asia and SE Asia, EAIRs were higher for PBO vs FIL200/FIL100.

Table 1.

EAIR of TEAEs (placebo-controlled)

North AmericaN = 481South and Central AmericaN = 350Western EuropeN = 141Eastern EuropeN = 933AsiaN = 236South East AsiaN= 135OtherN = 70TEAEFIL200a216.9 (162.5, 289.5)205.6 (155.1, 272.6)285.0 (188.6, 430.8)150.3 (119.3, 189.4)248.9 (180.6, 343.1)165.1 (104.0, 262.1)298.4 (150.3, 592.5)FIL100b182.2 (136.8, 242.7)159.2 (117.3, 216.1)285.7 (183.7, 444.3)146.4 (115.9, 185.0)246.9 (180.3, 338.1)153.7 (94.2, 251.0)263.5 (113.9, 609.2)PBOC174.5 (130.3, 233.7)162.1 (118.8, 221.2)314.9 (200.7, 493.9)148.4 (117.6, 187.4)259.0 (188.0, 356.8)81.6 (40.8, 163.3)306.0 (142.8, 655.7)TE serious AEFIL200a14.3 (6.0, 34.4)11.4 (3.7, 35.5)8.3 (1.2, 59.0)12.2 (5.2, 28.7)5.5 (0.8, 38.9)0.0 (0.0, ∞)49.6 (10.2, 144.9)FIL100b10.6 (4.0, 28.3)7.2 (1.8, 28.7)19.9 (5.0, 79.7)15.1 (6.8, 33.7)16.2 (5.2, 50.2)28.8 (9.3, 89.4)20.5 (0.5, 114.0)PBOC16.1 (7.2, 35.9)7.5 (1.9, 30.0)29.6 (9.5, 91.7)4.6 (1.3, 15.8)11.4 (2.8, 45.5)10.2 (1.4, 72.4)0.0 (0.0, 69.2)TEAE leading to discontinuationFIL200a8.6 (2.8, 26.6)3.8 (0.1, 21.2)16.6 (4.2, 66.5)12.9 (5.5, 30.5)0.0 (0.0, 20.2)9.2 (1.3, 65.1)16.5 (0.4, 92.1)FIL100b10.6 (4.0, 28.3)7.2 (0.9, 26.0)19.9 (5.0, 79.7)1.9 (0.2, 13.8)5.4 (0.1, 30.1)9.6 (1.4, 68.2)0.0 (0.0, 75.5)PBOC5.4 (1.3, 21.5)0.0 (0.0, 13.8)9.9 (1.4, 70.0)12.9 (5.4, 30.7)17.1 (3.5, 49.9)20.4 (5.1, 81.6)0.0 (0.0, 69.2)

Data presented as EAIR (95% CI)/100 patient-years

aN = 777, 179.8 PYE bN = 788, 181.6 PYE cN = 781, 178.4 PYE

A subject may contribute to more than one treatment group if they received more than one treatment of interest.

EAIR and corresponding 95% CI were estimated using Poisson regression model by treatment, including study and treatment with an offset of natural log of exposure time, except when 0 events occurred; Poisson model was not adjusted by study.

AE, adverse event; CI, confidence interval; EAIR, exposure-adjusted incidence rate; FIL, filgotinib; PBO, placebo; PYE, patient-years of exposure; TE, treatment-emergent

Figure shows serious infections (SI), venous thromboembolism (VTE) and herpes zoster (HZ) EAIRs.

EAIRs for SI were highest in Other for FIL200 and SE Asia for FIL100. While VTE EAIRs were low, pts in 5/7 regions had VTE. HZ EAIRs were highest in Asia.

Conclusion:

Although EAIR of TEAEs varied between regions, no consistent trend was reflected in any particular region.

References:

[1]Genovese et al. JAMA. 2019;322:315–25.

[2]Westhovens et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021; online first.

[3]Combe et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021; online first.

Disclosure of Interests:

Bernard Combe Speakers bureau: BMS; Eli Lilly & Co.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; MSD; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie; Eli Lilly & Co.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; and Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche-Chugai, Tsukasa Matsubara Speakers bureau: Pfizer Japan, Nichi-Iko, Astellas, Meiji Seika, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AbbVie GK, Janssen, Chugai, Eisai, AYUMI, Alena Pechonkina Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., YingMeei Tan Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Zhaoyu Yin Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Jaehyung Hong Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Robin Besuyen Shareholder of: Galapagos, BV, Employee of: Galapagos, BV, Antonio Gomez-Centeno Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly & Co., Gebro, Janssen, Menarini, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Roche, Rubio, Sanofi, and UC, Consultant of: AbbVie, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly & Co., Gebro, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Hospira, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Roche, Rubio, Sandoz, Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Celltrion, Eli Lilly & Co., Galapagos NV, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, YL Biologics, Maya H Buch Speakers bureau: AbbVie; Eli Lilly and Company; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck-Serono; Pfizer; Roche; Sandoz; Sanofi; and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie; Eli Lilly and Company; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck-Serono; Pfizer; Roche; Sandoz; Sanofi; and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie; Eli Lilly and Company; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck-Serono; Pfizer; Roche; Sandoz; Sanofi; and UCB

POS0526 SEXUAL FUNCTION IN MALE AND FEMALE PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A POST-HOC ANALYSIS OF THE FINCH STUDIES

Background:

While sexual function is impaired in a high proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it is often neglected in patient care.1 FINCH 1 (NCT02889796), FINCH 2 (NCT02873936) and FINCH 3 (NCT02886728) were Phase 3 studies to assess the safety and efficacy of filgotinib (FIL) for moderate-to-severe RA; patient-reported sexual function was also evaluated.

Objectives:

To analyse disease characteristics associated with sexual function and explore the effect of FIL and adalimumab (ADA) on sexual function in males and females in the FINCH studies.

Methods:

Post-hoc analyses included data from patients who were randomised and received ≥1 dose of study drug in the FINCH studies. Male and female subgroup analyses were performed to describe the correlation between baseline disease characteristics and baseline visual analogue scale (VAS) sexual function score (using Pearson correlation coefficient) and to assess the treatment effect on the change from baseline in VAS sexual function (mm) up to Week 52 (FINCH 1 and 3) or Week 24 (FINCH 2). Patients indicated how RA affected their ability to have sex during the last week using an exploratory 0–100 VAS (0: no effect; 100: complete inhibition). Changes from baseline were analysed with a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. All P values are nominal for exploratory purposes.

Results:

Baseline characteristics are shown in the Table 1. Univariate analyses revealed significant positive correlations (P<0.05) between disease duration and baseline VAS sexual function score in male and female subgroups in FINCH 1; no significant correlations were seen in male and female subgroups of FINCH 2 and 3. In all studies, significant correlations (P<0.05) were observed between baseline VAS sexual function score and baseline disease characteristics (swollen/tender joint count 28, Disease Activity Score-28, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, 36-Item Short Form Survey, patient global VAS, pain VAS or fatigue) in males or females. In all studies, analysis of least-squares mean changes from baseline in VAS sexual function revealed improvements in both males and females on FIL as early as Week 2, until Week 52 (Week 24 in FINCH 2). Figure 1 shows data for FINCH 1.

Conclusion:

Sexual function should be considered as an important patient outcome in RA treatment. At baseline in the FINCH studies, disease activity negatively impacted sexual function in both male and female patients. Active treatment with FIL or ADA resulted in early and sustained improvements from baseline in sexual function.

References:

[1]Tristano AG. World J Orthop 2014;5:107–11

Table 1.

Mean (standard deviation) baseline characteristics

FINCH 1FINCH 2FINCH 3Male n=258Female n=990Malen=79Female n=270Male n=233Female n=691Duration of RA, yr6.8 (7.38)8.0 (7.63)11.3 (8.53)12.7 (9.35)2.1 (5.35)2.2 (4.85)SJC2811 (5.0)11 (5.1)13 (6.2)12 (6.1)11 (5.4)11 (5.7)TJC2814 (6.5)15 (6.4)15 (7.5)16 (7.0)14 (6.6)15 (6.7)HAQ-DI1.35 (0.614)1.64 (0.601)1.41 (0.689)1.73 (0.634)1.37 (0.651)1.62 (0.617)DAS28 (CRP)5.6 (0.95)5.8 (0.90)5.8 (1.08)5.9 (0.92)5.7 (1.00)5.7 (0.99)SF-36 PCS34.3 (7.72)33.0 (7.34)31.7 (8.48)30.9 (7.75)34.4 (7.72)33.4 (7.47)SF-36 MCS45.9 (10.15)43.6 (10.65)43.7 (11.20)44.5 (11.71)46.2 (11.75)43.0 (10.89)FACIT-fatigue30.0 (10.00)26.8 (10.49)26.3 (11.15)24.0 (11.64)30.7 (10.93)26.6 (10.89)Patient global VAS (mm)64 (19.8)67 (19.0)66 (20.0)70 (19.5)65 (22.4)66 (20.3)Pain VAS (mm)61 (20.6)66 (19.5)62 (22.3)68 (20.6)64 (22.3)66 (20.9)VAS sexual function score44 (30.2)49 (32.3)48 (34.6)49 (36.8)42 (34.4)48 (35.1)

Variables in bold significantly correlated with VAS sexual function score (P<0.05)

DAS28 (CRP), Disease Activity Score-28 using C-reactive protein; FACIT, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy; HAQ-DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index; MCS, mental component summary; PCS, physical component summary; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SF-36, 36-Item Short Form Survey; S/TJC28, swollen/tender joint count based on 28 joints; VAS, visual analogue scale

Acknowledgements:

The FINCH studies were funded by Gilead Sciences, Inc (Foster City, CA, USA). Medical writing/editorial support was provided by Debbie Sherwood, BSc, CMPP (Aspire Scientific, Bollington, UK), funded by Galapagos NV (Mechelen, Belgium).

Disclosure of Interests:

Luis Fernando Perez-Garcia Consultant of: Galapagos, Grant/research support from: CONACYT, ReumaNederland, and ZonMw, Mihaela Micu Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Angelini, Eli Lilly, Ewopharma, Novartis, UCB, Consultant of: Galapagos, Lien Gheyle Shareholder of: Galapagos, Employee of: Galapagos, Zhaoyu Yin Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, YingMeei Tan Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, Kun Chen Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, Patrick Papazian Speakers bureau: Amgen, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Consultant of: Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Employee of: Galapagos, part-time employee since Sept 2020, Katrien Van Beneden Shareholder of: Galapagos, Employee of: Galapagos, Radboud Dolhain Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Genzyme, Novartis, Roche, UCB, Consultant of: Galapagos, Grant/research support from: UCB, Rene Westhovens Speakers bureau: Celltrion, Galapagos/Gilead, Consultant of: Celltrion, Galapagos/Gilead

POS0658 GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION OF EFFICACY IN THE FILGOTINIB RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PROGRAM

Background:

The Janus kinase-1 preferential inhibitor filgotinib (FIL) improved signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) across the FIL clinical program.1–3

Objectives:

To assess FIL efficacy across geographic regions.

Methods:

Pooled data from patients (pts) meeting 2010 ACR/EULAR RA criteria randomised to once-daily FIL 200 mg (FIL200), FIL100 mg (FIL100), or placebo (PBO) with background conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in DARWIN 1 (P2; up to week [W]12) and FINCH 1–2 (P3; up to W24) studies were evaluated. Data were analysed by region: North America, South and Central America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, South East (SE) Asia, and Other. W12 American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement (ACR20) and W24 Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (C-reactive protein) (DAS28[CRP]) <2.6 and ≤3.2 response rates were analysed by a logistic regression model. Change from baseline (CFB) in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) at W12 was analysed by a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. Analyses were exploratory and not adjusted for multiplicity.

Results:

Despite high PBO response rates in Eastern Europe and South and Central America, greater proportions of pts receiving FIL200 or FIL100 vs PBO achieved ACR20 at W12 (P <0.05) in all regions, except Other (with lowest sample size, n = 69), where both FIL doses were numerically greater than PBO (Table 1). At W12, least-squares mean CFB in HAQ-DI improved for pts receiving FIL200 or FIL100. vs PBO (P <0.05) in all regions, except SE Asia, where improvement was numeric (Table 1).

Table 1.

Proportion of pts achieving ACR20 and LSM change from baseline HAQ-DI at week 1

ACR20HAQ-DIFIL200FIL100FIL200FIL100FIL200FIL100North America64.8*58.3*33.8−0.63*−0.58*−0.34n = 455(56.7, 72.9)(50.3, 66.4)(26.0, 41.6)(−0.70, −0.56)(−0.65, −0.51)(−0.41, −0.27)South and Central America77.277.357.4−0.77*−0.67*−0.43n = 283(68.1, 86.3)†(65.8, 86.2)†(46.9, 68.0)(−0.85, −0.68)(−0.75, −0.59)(−0.52, −0.35)Western Europe69.4*68.3*24.4−0.69*−0.61*−0.28n = 135(55.5, 83.3)(52.8, 83.8)(10.8. 38.1)(−0.80, −0.58)(−0.73, −0.49)(−0.40, −0.17)Eastern Europe77.1*69.1*54.6−0.62*−0.51*−0.34n = 822(71.9, 82.3)(63.5, 74.7)(48.5, 60.7)(−0.68, −0.56)(−0.57, −0.45)(−0.40, −0.28)Asia81.0*60.0†37.7−0.83*−0.61†−0.42n = 236(71.7, 90.3)(48.6, 71.4)(26.2, 49.1)(−0.92, −0.73)(−0.70, −0.52)(−0.52, −0.33)South East Asia70.2†71.1†39.5−0.61−0.57−0.45n = 135(56.1, 84.4)(56.8, 85.5)(23.8, 55.3)(−0.73, −0.49)(−0.69, −0.45)(−0.58, −0.33)Other60.052.439.1−0.56‡−0.60‡−0.33n = 69(38.8, 81.2)(28.6, 76.1)(17.0, 61.2)(−0.72, −41)(−0.76, −0.43)(−0.49, −0.17)Overall73.4*66.4*45.3−0.71*−0.61*−0.40N = 2135(70.1, 76.8)(62.9, 70.0)(41.5, 49.0)(−0.76, −0.66)(−0.66, −0.56)(−0.45, −0.35)

Includes only patients initially randomised to the treatment groups in each study for the comparison of interest. ACR20 presented as percentage (95% CI); 95% CI was based on normal approximation method with a continuity correction; P values calculated from the logistic regression.HAQ-DI presented as LSM (95% CI); LSM, 95% CI, and P value calculated from a mixed-effects model for repeated measures.*P <0.001, †P <0.01, ‡P <0.05; not adjusted for multiplicity.

ACR20, American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement; CI, confidence interval; FIL, filgotinib; HAQ-DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index; LSM, least square mean; PBO, placebo.

At W24, DAS28(CRP) <2.6 and ≤3.2 response rates were higher for both doses of FIL vs PBO (P <0.05) in all regions, with the exception of Other, where PBO was higher than FIL100 for DAS28(CRP) <2.6 (Figure 1).

Conclusion:

In exploratory analyses, ACR20, DAS28(CRP) <2.6 and ≤3.2 response rates and HAQ-DI scores varied between regions; however, no stable trend was shown in any particular region. Small pt numbers in some subgroups may confound statistical analysis.

References:

[1]Genovese et al. JAMA. 2019;322:315–25.

[2]Westhovens et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021; online first.

[3]Combe et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021; online first.

Disclosure of Interests:

Maya H Buch Speakers bureau: AbbVie; Eli Lilly and Company; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck-Serono; Pfizer; Roche; Sandoz; Sanofi; and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie; Eli Lilly and Company; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck-Serono; Pfizer; Roche; Sandoz; Sanofi; and UCB., Grant/research support from: AbbVie; Eli Lilly and Company; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck-Serono; Pfizer; Roche; Sandoz; Sanofi; and UCB., Tsukasa Matsubara Speakers bureau: Pfizer Japan, Nichi-Iko, Astellas, Meiji Seika, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AbbVie GK, Janssen, Chugai, Eisai, AYUMI, Bernard Combe Speakers bureau: BMS; Eli Lilly & Co.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; MSD; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie; Eli Lilly & Co.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen; Pfizer; Roche-Chugai; and Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche-Chugai, Alena Pechonkina Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., YingMeei Tan Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Zhaoyu Yin Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Jaehyung Hong Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Robin Besuyen Shareholder of: Galapagos, BV, Employee of: Galapagos, BV, Antonio Gomez-Centeno Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly & Co., Gebro, Janssen, Menarini, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Roche, Rubio, Sanofi, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly & Co., Gebro, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Hospira, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Roche, Rubio, Sandoz, Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Celltrion, Eli Lilly & Co., Galapagos NV, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, YL Biologics

Biomimetic Mechanically Enhanced Carbon Nanotube Fibers by Silk Fibroin Infiltration

Natural materials, such as silk, nacre, and bone, possess superior mechanical properties which are derived from their unique hierarchical structures. Individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered as one of the strongest materials. However, macroscopic CNT fibers usually have breaking strength far below that of individual CNTs. In this work, by mimicking the structure of natural silk fibers, strong and stiff CNT fibers are prepared by infiltrating silk fibroin (SF) into CNT fibers. There are abundant hydrogen bonds in SF, contributing to the enhanced interactions between neighboring CNTs. Glycerol is selected to promote the formation of β-sheet conformation in SF, leading to further enhanced strength and modulus. Remarkably, the SF infiltrated CNT fibers show breaking strength of 1023 MPa, toughness of 10.3 MJ m^-3 , and Young's modulus of 81.3 GPa, which are 250%, 132%, and 442% of the pristine CNT fibers. The structure of the SF and the interactions between CNTs and SF are studied via Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. Mimicking the hierarchical structures of natural silk fibers and enhance the interfacial load transfer by infiltrating SF are effective for reinforcing CNT fibers, which may be useful in the design and preparation of other structural materials.

Elliptic Flow of Electrons from Beauty-Hadron Decays in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The elliptic flow of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity (|y|<0.8) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The azimuthal distribution of the particles produced in the collisions can be parametrized with a Fourier expansion, in which the second harmonic coefficient represents the elliptic flow, v_{2}. The v_{2} coefficient of electrons from beauty hadron decays is measured for the first time in the transverse momentum (p_{T}) range 1.3-6  GeV/c in the centrality class 30%-50%. The measurement of electrons from beauty-hadron decays exploits their larger mean proper decay length cτ≈500  μm compared to that of charm hadrons and most of the other background sources. The v_{2} of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity is found to be positive with a significance of 3.75  σ. The results provide insights into the degree of thermalization of beauty quarks in the medium. A model assuming full thermalization of beauty quarks is strongly disfavored by the measurement at high p_{T}, but is in agreement with the results at low p_{T}. Transport models including substantial interactions of beauty quarks with an expanding strongly interacting medium describe the measurement within uncertainties.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) promotes the recovery of ovarian function in a rat model of premature ovarian failure (POF)

AIMS

Our study was to evaluate the benefits of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) for the prevention of premature ovarian failure (POF) in a rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

80 female SD rats aged between 6 and 8 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups A, B, C and D. Rats in group A is normal control group; group B, C and D received zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (pZP3) administration to induce POF model. Among these, group B is model control group; group C received PBS injection in ovaries and group D received hUCMSCs injection in ovaries, all injections were performed after modeling on the same day. Estrus cycle; serum hormone level of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and amount of ovarian follicles were detected 20 days after treatment.

RESULTS

We successfully injected hUCMSCs in the ovary tissue of a POF rat. The estrus cycle and hormone expression of the rats in group D tends to be normal. Histological studies indicated that hUCMSCs transplantation increased the amount of ovarian follicles.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that hUCMSCs may have a preventive effect on POF rats.

Acellular bovine pericardium matrix in immediate breast reconstruction compared with conventional implant-based breast reconstruction

Background

Acellular Bovine Pericardium Matrix (ABPM) is a new material in implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR). Few studies have reported on its outcome and complications worldwide and most studies were without a control group. Our aim was to compare its use in IBBR with the other two conventional implant-based reconstruction methods.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients undergoing IBBR from January to December 2018 was performed. Patients were assigned to the ABPM-assisted IBBR (group A), latissimus dorsi-assisted IBBR (group B) and two-stage IBBR (group C). Patients’ post-operative complications, cost-effectiveness and Quality of Life were compared.

Results

100 patients with 100 breasts were included in the study. No complications occurred in group C (n = 11). No significant differences were noted between group A (n = 44) and group B (n = 45) in terms of overall complications (9.1% vs 11.1%, p = 0.973). Group B had the longest operative duration (310.8 ± 62.3 min, p<0.001). The cost of hospitalization forthe three groups was $8051.3 ± 849.2, $7566.0 ± 1172.7 and $7896.5 ± 1762.2, respectively (p = 0.128). The postoperative Breast-Q scores  were similar across the three groups.

Conclusions

ABPM demonstrated acceptable complication rates, cost-effectiveness and quality of life outcomes when compared to LD-assisted IBBR and two-stage IBBR.

Novel Chromosome-Borne Accessory Genetic Elements Carrying Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is noted for its intrinsic antibiotic resistance and capacity of acquiring additional resistance genes. In this study, the genomes of nine clinical P. aeruginosa isolates were fully sequenced. An extensive genetic comparison was applied to 18 P. aeruginosa accessory genetic elements (AGEs; 13 of them were sequenced in this study and located within P. aeruginosa chromosomes) that were divided into four groups: five related integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), four related integrative and mobilizable elements (IMEs), five related unit transposons, and two related IMEs and their two derivatives. At least 45 resistance genes, involved in resistance to 10 different categories of antibiotics and heavy metals, were identified from these 18 AGEs. A total of 10 β-lactamase genes were identified from 10 AGEs sequenced herein, and nine of them were captured within class 1 integrons, which were further integrated into ICEs and IMEs with intercellular mobility, and also unit transposons with intracellular mobility. Through this study, we identified for the first time 20 novel MGEs, including four ICEs Tn6584, Tn6585, Tn6586, and Tn6587; three IMEs Tn6853, Tn6854, and Tn6878; five unit transposons Tn6846, Tn6847, Tn6848, Tn6849, and Tn6883; and eight integrons In1795, In1778, In1820, In1784, In1775, In1774, In1789, and In1799. This was also the first report of two resistance gene variants bla_CARB-53 and catB3s, and a novel ST3405 isolate of P. aeruginosa. The data presented here denoted that complex transposition and homologous recombination promoted the assembly and integration of AGEs with mosaic structures into P. aeruginosa chromosomes.

Value of intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion kurtosis imaging in predicting peritumoural infiltration of soft-tissue sarcoma: a prospective study based on MRI-histopathology comparisons

AIM

To investigate the performance of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the identification of peritumoural infiltration of soft-tissue sarcoma (STS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From July 2018 to January 2020, 34 STS patients who underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including IVIM and DKI, were reviewed. The standard apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusion (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D∗), perfusion fraction (f), mean kurtosis (MK), and mean diffusion (MD) of each lesion were analysed independently by two observers. An MRI-histopathology control method was used to ensure the correspondence of MRI sections with histopathological sections. Differences in STS with and without infiltration were evaluated. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to determine the best cut-off point for different parameters. Interobserver agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Standard ADC, D, MK, and MD values reliably distinguished STS that had positive and negative infiltration. The MD value had the best diagnostic performance. Use of an MD cut-off value of 2.35 × 10^-3 mm²/s to distinguish positive and negative infiltration had an AUC of 0.85, accuracy of 88.2%, sensitivity of 94.4%, and specificity of 81.3%. The two independent observers had nearly perfect agreement for all parameters.

CONCLUSION

The standard ADC and D value of IVIM, and the MK and MD values of DKI reliably identify the presence of peritumoural infiltration of STS.

Transcriptional regulation of the virulence genes and the biofilm formation associated operons in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Background

The membrane fusion protein (mfp) gene locus of Vibrio parahaemolyticus consists of two operons, cpsQ-mfpABC and mfpABC, which are both required for biofilm formation. ToxR and CalR are required for the full virulence of V. parahaemolyticus, and their mutual regulation has been demonstrated. Moreover, cell density-dependent expression of toxR was previously observed in V. parahaemolyticus, but details about the related mechanisms remained unclear. QsvR can work with the master quorum sensing (QS) regulators AphA and OpaR to regulate virulence expression and biofilm formation.

Results

In the present work, we showed that QsvR bound to the promoter-proximal DNA regions of toxR and calR to repress their transcription as well as occupying the regulatory regions of cpsQ-mfpABC and mfpABC to activate their transcription. Thus, we reconstructed the QsvR-dependent promoter organization of toxR, calR, cpsQ-mfpABC, and mfpABC.

Conclusion

QsvR directly repressed toxR and calR transcription as well as directly activated cpsQ-mfpABC and mfpABC transcription. The data presented here promotes us to gain deeper knowledge of the regulatory network of the mfp locus in V. parahaemolyticus.

Comparative genomic analyses of IncpA1763-KPC plasmids

Multi-replicon plasmids harboring the Inc_pA1763-KPC replicon together with other replicons are being increasingly reported among Enterobacteriaceae species. However, plasmids with single Inc_pA1763-KPC replicons are poorly studied as a different incompatibility (Inc) group, despite their rise in appearance in some strains. Inc_pA1763-KPC plasmids, pA1763-KPC, and p427113-2, from two clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were fully sequenced by high-throughput genome sequencing. Linear structural comparisons of Inc_pA1763-KPC backbone region were made between these two plasmids and six arbitrarily selected representative Inc_pA1763-KPC plasmids sequenced previously. A further detailed genomic comparison was carried out between plasmids pA1763-KPC, p427113-2, and pFB2.2, which show high homology across the backbone sequence to one another. Among all sequenced Inc_pA1763-KPC plasmids considered in this study, plasmids pA1763-KPC and p427113-2 showed the most complete Inc_pA1763-KPC backbones. These were composed of the Inc_pA1763-KPC replicon (repA_{IncpA1763-KPC} and its iterons), the 5.6-kb Inc_pA1763-KPC -type maintenance region, the 27.7-kb IncFII_K -type maintenance region, and the 36.6-kb IncFII_K -type conjugal transfer regions. Compared with pA1763-KPC or p427113-2, the backbone regions of the other analyzed Inc_pA1763-KPC plasmids had gradually undergone different deletions or truncations, but shared small and core Inc_pA1763-KPC backbones including the Inc_pA1763-KPC replicon, Inc_pA1763-KPC -type maintenance region, and residual IncFII_K -type maintenance region. Accessory modules integrated into Inc_pA1763-KPC backbones included the multidrug-resistant module bla_KPC-2 region in pA1763-KPC, the metal-resistance modules ars region together with ncr region in pFB2.2 and sil in pKPN-9a0d, the ISKpn14-to-IS26 region in p427113-2, and other non-resistance region in the respective plasmids. This detailed comparative genomics analysis of Inc_pA1763-KPC plasmids provides a deep insight into their diversification and evolution.

Trends and predictors of linkage to HIV outpatient care following diagnosis in the era of expanded testing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Results of a national cohort study

OBJECTIVES

We explore trends in linkage to HIV care following diagnosis and investigate the impact of diagnosis setting on linkage in the era of expanded testing.

METHODS

All adults (aged ≥ 15 years) diagnosed with HIV between 2005 and 2014 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EW&NI) were followed up until the end of 2017. People who died within 1 month of diagnosis were excluded (n = 1009). Trends in linkage to outpatient care (time to first CD4 count) were examined by sub-population and diagnosis setting. Logistic regression identified predictors of delayed linkage of > 1 month, > 3 months and > 1 year post-diagnosis (2012-2014).

RESULTS

Overall, 97% (60 250/62 079) of people linked to care; linkage ≤ 1 month was 75% (44 291/59 312), ≤ 3 months was 88% (52 460) and ≤ 1 year was 95% (56 319). Median time to link declined from 15 days [interquartile range (IQR): 4-43] in 2005 to 6 (IQR: 0-20) days in 2014 (similar across sub-populations/diagnosis settings). In multivariable analysis, delayed linkage to care was associated with acquiring HIV through injecting drug use, heterosexual contact or other routes compared with sex between men (> 1 month/3 months/1 year), being diagnosed in earlier years (> 1 month/3 months/1 year) and having a first CD4 ≥ 200 cells/μL (> 3 months/1 year). Diagnosis outside of sexual health clinics, antenatal services and infectious disease units predicted delays of > 1 month. By 3 months, only diagnosis in 'other' settings (prisons, drug services, community and other medical settings) was significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Linkage to care following HIV diagnosis is relatively timely in EW&NI. However, non-traditional testing venues should have well-defined referral pathways established to facilitate access to care and treatment.

MiR-125a-3p inhibits cell proliferation and inflammation responses in fibroblast-like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis by mediating the Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB pathways via targeting MAST3

OBJECTIVES

To explore the role and mechanism of miR-125a-3p in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression.

METHODS

The RA-tissues and fibroblast-like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA-FLS) were used in this study. qRT-PCR, western blot and ELISA assay were performed to detect the expression levels of IL-6, IL-β and ΤΝF-α. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to observe the binding effect of miR-125a-3p and MAST3, and CCK-8 was used to observe the effect of miR-125a-3p on the proliferation of RA-FLS.

RESULTS

miR-125a-3p was significantly downregulated in the RA-tissues and RA-FLS, and miR-125a-3p could inhibit the proliferation and reduce the inflammation response of RA-FLS. Besides, MAST3 was found as a target of miR-125a-3p, and increased MAST3 could reverse the effects of miR-125a-3p on RA-FLS including decreased proliferation, reduced inflammation level and the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that miR-125a-3p could inactivate the Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB pathways to reduce the proliferation and inflammation response of RA-FLS via targeting MAST3.

Effect of auricular point pressing therapy on postoperative pain of fracture: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In clinical practices, postoperative fracture patients are often treated with analgesics. As one of the alternative therapies for nondrug analgesia, auricular point pressing has advantages of simple operation, easy to use, no injury and adverse reactions, and great potential for development. In this study, the effect of auricular point pressing therapy on postoperative pain of fracture was objectively evaluated through the method of meta-analysis, so as to provide evidence for clinical applications.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Wan fang Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were systematically searched and randomized controlled trials on auricular point pressing in the treatment of postoperative pain after fracture were includes. After independent literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation by 2 researchers, the original data was retrieved, merged, and analyzed. RevMan 5.3 software was adopted for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

This study could provide high-quality evidence to evaluate the effect of auricular point pressing therapy on postoperative pain of fracture.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review explored whether auricular point pressing therapy is effective on the intervention of postoperative pain after fracture.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/AZ4JQ.

The type I-E CRISPR-Cas system influences the acquisition of blaKPC-IncF plasmid in Klebsiella pneumonia

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-KP) have disseminated worldwide and emerged as major threats to public health. Of epidemiological significance, the international pandemic of KPC-KP is primarily associated with CG258 isolates and bla_KPC-IncF plasmids. CRISPR-Cas system is an adaptive immune system that can hinder gene expansion driven by horizontal gene transfer. Because of bla_KPC-IncF plasmids are favored by CG258 K. pneumoniae, it was of interest to examine the co-distribution of CRISPR and bla_KPC-IncF plasmids in such isolates. We collected 459 clinical K. pneumoniae isolates in China and collected 203 global whole-genome sequences in GenBank to determine the prevalence of CRISPR-Cas systems. We observed that CRISPR-Cas system was significantly scarce in the CG258 lineage and bla_KPC-positive isolates. Furthermore, the results of conjugation and plasmid stability assay fully demonstrated the CRIPSR-Cas system in K. pneumoniae could effectively hindered bla_KPC-IncF plasmids invasion and existence. Notably, most bla_KPC-IncF plasmids were also proved to be good targets of CRISPR owing to carry matched and functional protospacers and PAMs. Overall, our work suggests that type I-E CRISPR-Cas systems could impact the spread of bla_KPC in K. pneumoniae populations, and the scarcity of CRISPR-Cas system was one of potential factors leading to the propagation of bla_KPC-IncF plasmids in CG258 K. pneumoniae.

[Clinical characteristics and related factors of acute tubular necrosis in patients with minimal change disease]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and related factors of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in patients with minimal change disease (MCD). Methods: Patients from Chinese PLA General Hospital who were pathologically diagnosed with MCD and had clinical manifestations of nephrotic syndrome from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019 were included. The clinical and pathological data of patients were retrospectively analyzed. Meanwhile, the incidence and clinical characteristics of ATN in different age groups were compared. The risk factors for ATN were assessed using binary logistic regression. Results: A total of 525 patients were included, with a gender ratio of 1.56∶1 (male: female), aged 33 (21, 48) years old. ATN occurred in 49 (9.3%) of 525 patients, of which 34 were male and 15 were female. The incidence of ATN increased with age in MCD patients of different age groups (χ(2)=31.442, P<0.001). The incidence of ATN in groups of age≤20 years, 21-40 years, 41-60 years, and >60 years was 2.4% (3/123), 5.2% (10/192), 13.2% (20/152) and 27.6% (16/58), respectively. Elevations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and serum IgE occurred in 92 patients (17.5%), 53 patients (10.1%), 99 patients (18.9%), and 303 patients (57.7%), respectively. There were significant differences in age, ALT, serum creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, history of diabetes and history of hypertension between non-ATN group and ATN group (all P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that>40 years old (OR=6.283, 95% CI: 2.695-14.649, P<0.001) and serum albumin (OR=0.924, 95% CI: 0.857-0.997, P=0.040) was independently associated with ATN in MCD patients. Conclusion: Age>40 years is an independent risk factor and serum albumin is a protective factor for ATN in MCD patients.

Toward High Precision XCO2 Retrievals From TanSat Observations: Retrieval Improvement and Validation Against TCCON Measurements

TanSat is the 1st Chinese carbon dioxide (CO2) measurement satellite, launched in 2016. In this study, the University of Leicester Full Physics (UoL-FP) algorithm is implemented for TanSat nadir mode XCO2 retrievals. We develop a spectrum correction method to reduce the retrieval errors by the online fitting of an 8th order Fourier series. The spectrum-correction model and its a priori parameters are developed by analyzing the solar calibration measurement. This correction provides a significant improvement to the O2 A band retrieval. Accordingly, we extend the previous TanSat single CO2 weak band retrieval to a combined O2 A and CO2 weak band retrieval. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) has been applied to determine the threshold values of post-screening filters. In total, 18.3% of the retrieved data is identified as high quality compared to the original measurements. The same quality control parameters have been used in a footprint independent multiple linear regression bias correction due to the strong correlation with the XCO2 retrieval error. Twenty sites of the Total Column Carbon Observing Network (TCCON) have been selected to validate our new approach for the TanSat XCO2 retrieval. We show that our new approach produces a significant improvement on the XCO2 retrieval accuracy and precision when compared to TCCON with an average bias and RMSE of -0.08 ppm and 1.47 ppm, respectively. The methods used in this study can help to improve the XCO2 retrieval from TanSat and subsequently the Level-2 data production, and hence will be applied in the TanSat operational XCO2 processing.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) inhibition modulates bone loss and matrix metalloproteinase expression levels in collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis rat

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a main characterized by persistent synovitis, systemic inflammation, and autoantibodies. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and is a crucial cytoplasm signal adaptor that can regulate critical biological processes. This research aims to explore the function of TRAF6 on bone loss and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in collagen-induced RA rats.

METHODS

The RA model in rats (Sprague Dawley rat, 5-6 weeks old, weight 246.88±8.31 g) was set up via using collagen-induced RA. The shRNA-TRAF6 knockdown efficiency was tested using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The rats were divided into four groups: the control group, RA group, RA + shRNA-NC group, and RA + TRAF6-shRNA group. The tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and Saffron O staining were employed to test the bone injury. The mRNA and protein expressive of Osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), TRAP, Osterix (Osx), Collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), Distal-less homeobox2 (Dlx2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP), matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1), Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and qRT-PCR performed MMP-13 and western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

The mRNA and protein expression levels of TRAF6 were down-regulated in the RA + TRAF6- shRNA group. After the levels of TRAF6 were inhibited, the levels of bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), trabecular bone thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular bone number (Tb.N) were increased, while the levels of trabecular bone space (Tb.Sp), Osteocalcin and ALP were deceased. The mRNA and protein expression levels of OSCAR, TRAP, MMP-1, COX2, and MMP-13 were reduced obviously in the RA + TRAF6- shRNA group compared with the RA + shRNA-NC group, while the levels of TIMP-1, OSX, CoL1A1, and DLx2 were enhanced obviously.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of TRAF6 reduces bone loss and MMP expression levels in collagen-induced RA rat, and supplies an alternative treatment method in RA.

Functional characterization of a PROTAC directed against BRAF mutant V600E

The RAF family kinases function in the RAS-ERK pathway to transmit signals from activated RAS to the downstream kinases MEK and ERK. This pathway regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, enabling mutations in RAS and RAF to act as potent drivers of human cancers. Drugs targeting the prevalent oncogenic mutant BRAF(V600E) have shown great efficacy in the clinic, but long-term effectiveness is limited by resistance mechanisms that often exploit the dimerization-dependent process by which RAF kinases are activated. Here, we investigated a proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) approach to BRAF inhibition. The most effective PROTAC, termed P4B, displayed superior specificity and inhibitory properties relative to non-PROTAC controls in BRAF(V600E) cell lines. In addition, P4B displayed utility in cell lines harboring alternative BRAF mutations that impart resistance to conventional BRAF inhibitors. This work provides a proof of concept for a substitute to conventional chemical inhibition to therapeutically constrain oncogenic BRAF.

Pseudolaric Acid B Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion, and Angiogenesis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through Regulating CD147

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. Studies have shown that pseudolaric acid B (PAB) has several pharmacological effects like anti-microtubule, anti-angiogenesis, and antitumor functions, while the effect and mechanism of PAB on esophageal cancer are still unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of PAB on ESCC.

Methods

To study the effects of PAB on the biological function through a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results

The results revealed that PAB inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration, but promoted the apoptosis of ESCC. Moreover, PAB restrained the growth of cancer cells in vivo and inhibited the angiogenesis of HUVEC in mice with ESCC. CD147 expression was increased in the esophageal squamous cell lines, and interference with CD147 hindered the proliferation, invasion, and migration of ESCC cells, and inhibited the growth and angiogenesis of the esophageal squamous cell line. PAB reduced the expression of CD147 in vivo and in vitro. The expression of MMP2, 3, and 9 was increased after overexpression of CD147, which provided the opportunity to reverse the role of PAB in inhibiting proliferation, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis of ESCC.

Discussion

The results revealed that PAB inhibited the proliferation, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis of ESCC in vitro and in vivo by CD147. PAB is a promising monomer for therapy of ESCC, providing references for future research on ESCC treatment.

The type VI secretion system 2 of Vibrio parahaemolyticus is regulated by QsvR

The type VI secretion system 2 (T6SS2) gene locus of Vibrio parahaemolyticus is comprised of three operons, VPA1027-1024, VPA1043-1028, and VPA1044-1046. QsvR is a virulence regulator of V. parahaemolyticus. In this study, the regulation of VPA1027, VPA1043 and VPA1044 by QsvR was investigated by primer extension, quantitative real-time PCR, LacZ fusion, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting. The results demonstrated that QsvR binds to the promoter-proximal DNA regions of each of these three operons, activating their transcription. T6SS2 was shown to predominately contribute to V. parahaemolyticus adhesion, with qsvR deletion significantly decreasing V. parahaemolyticus adhesion to HeLa cells. Thus, QsvR is not only a positive regulator of T6SS2 gene transcription but also a mediator of V. parahaemolyticus adhesion to host cells.

Measurement of the Low-Energy Antideuteron Inelastic Cross Section

In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions at low particle momenta, covering a range of 0.3≤p<4  GeV/c. The measurement is carried out using p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC and utilizing the detector material as an absorber for antideuterons and antiprotons. The extracted raw primary antiparticle-to-particle ratios are compared to the results from detailed ALICE simulations based on the geant4 toolkit for the propagation of (anti)particles through the detector material. The analysis of the raw primary (anti)proton spectra serves as a benchmark for this study, since their hadronic interaction cross sections are well constrained experimentally. The first measurement of the inelastic cross section for antideuteron-nucleus interactions averaged over the ALICE detector material with atomic mass numbers ⟨A⟩=17.4 and 31.8 is obtained. The measured inelastic cross section points to a possible excess with respect to the Glauber model parametrization used in geant4 in the lowest momentum interval of 0.3≤p<0.47  GeV/c up to a factor 2.1. This result is relevant for the understanding of antimatter propagation and the contributions to antinuclei production from cosmic ray interactions within the interstellar medium. In addition, the momentum range covered by this measurement is of particular importance to evaluate signal predictions for indirect dark-matter searches.

Liraglutide promotes apoptosis of HepG2 cells by activating JNK signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect and mechanism of liraglutide on the apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HepG2 cell was treated with different concentrations of liraglutide at 0, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 nmol/L. The effect of liraglutide on HepG2 proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method; the effect of liraglutide on the protein expression of c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase (JNK) and phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) was detected by Western blot; the degree of HepG2 apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry, and JNK pathway blocker SP600125 was used to further confirm that liraglutide promoted HepG2 apoptosis by regulating JNK signaling pathway.

RESULTS

The proliferation inhibition rate of HepG2 cells increased with time and the increase in the concentration of liraglutide. The proliferation inhibition rate was the strongest when cultured for 48 h, and the IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) was about 100 nmol/L of liraglutide. 100 nmol/L liraglutide was selected as the intervention condition for subsequent use of SP600165. The apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells increased with the increase of liraglutide's concentration. The apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells at blocker SP600125+100 nmol/L liraglutide was significantly lower than that at 100 nmol/L liraglutide alone (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of JNK protein in HepG2 cells at different concentrations of liraglutide (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of JNK protein in HepG2 cells using JNK pathway blocker SP600125 (p>0.05), while using JNK pathway blocker SP600125 significantly up-regulated the expression of p-JNK protein in HepG2 cells than 100 nmol/L of liraglutide alone (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Liraglutide can promote the apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and its mechanism may act by promoting the activation of the JNK signaling pathway.

A fractional-order SEIHDR model for COVID-19 with inter-city networked coupling effects

In the end of 2019, a new type of coronavirus first appeared in Wuhan. Through the real-data of COVID-19 from January 23 to March 18, 2020, this paper proposes a fractional SEIHDR model based on the coupling effect of inter-city networks. At the same time, the proposed model considers the mortality rates (exposure, infection and hospitalization) and the infectivity of individuals during the incubation period. By applying the least squares method and prediction-correction method, the proposed system is fitted and predicted based on the real-data from January 23 to March 18 - m where m represents predict days. Compared with the integer system, the non-network fractional model has been verified and can better fit the data of Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Huanggang. Compared with the no-network case, results show that the proposed system with inter-city network may not be able to better describe the spread of disease in China due to the lock and isolation measures, but this may have a significant impact on countries that has no closure measures. Meanwhile, the proposed model is more suitable for the data of Japan, the USA from January 22 and February 1 to April 16 and Italy from February 24 to March 31. Then, the proposed fractional model can also predict the peak of diagnosis. Furthermore, the existence, uniqueness and boundedness of a nonnegative solution are considered in the proposed system. Afterward, the disease-free equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction numberR 0 ≤ 1 , which provide a theoretical basis for the future control of COVID-19.

Probing the Effects of Strong Electromagnetic Fields with Charge-Dependent Directed Flow in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

The first measurement at the LHC of charge-dependent directed flow (v_{1}) relative to the spectator plane is presented for Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. Results are reported for charged hadrons and D^{0} mesons for the transverse momentum intervals p_{T}>0.2  GeV/c and 3<p_{T}<6  GeV/c in the 5%-40% and 10%-40% centrality classes, respectively. The difference between the positively and negatively charged hadron v_{1} has a positive slope as a function of pseudorapidity η, dΔv_{1}/dη=[1.68±0.49(stat)±0.41(syst)]×10^{-4}. The same measurement for D^{0} and D[over ¯]^{0} mesons yields a positive value dΔv_{1}/dη=[4.9±1.7(stat)±0.6(syst)]×10^{-1}, which is about 3 orders of magnitude larger than the one of the charged hadrons. These measurements can provide new insights into the effects of the strong electromagnetic field and the initial tilt of matter created in noncentral heavy ion collisions on the dynamics of light (u, d, and s) and heavy (c) quarks. The large difference between the observed Δv_{1} of charged hadrons and D^{0} mesons may reflect different sensitivity of the charm and light quarks to the early time dynamics of a heavy ion collision. These observations challenge some recent theoretical calculations, which predicted a negative and an order of magnitude smaller value of dΔv_{1}/dη for both light flavor and charmed hadrons.

Evidence of Spin-Orbital Angular Momentum Interactions in Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

The first evidence of spin alignment of vector mesons (K^{*0} and ϕ) in heavy-ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is reported. The spin density matrix element ρ_{00} is measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) of 2.76 TeV with the ALICE detector. ρ_{00} values are found to be less than 1/3 (1/3 implies no spin alignment) at low transverse momentum (p_{T}<2  GeV/c) for K^{*0} and ϕ at a level of 3σ and 2σ, respectively. No significant spin alignment is observed for the K_{S}^{0} meson (spin=0) in Pb-Pb collisions and for the vector mesons in pp collisions. The measured spin alignment is unexpectedly large but qualitatively consistent with the expectation from models which attribute it to a polarization of quarks in the presence of angular momentum in heavy-ion collisions and a subsequent hadronization by the process of recombination.

THU0188 EFFICACY OF FILGOTINIB IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH POOR PROGNOSTIC FACTORS: POST HOC ANALYSIS OF FINCH 3

Background:

Patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with poor prognostic factors (PPF) are at risk for RA progression if disease activity is not rapidly controlled. In FINCH 3 (NCT02886728), filgotinib (FIL)—an oral, potent, selective JAK1 inhibitor—was effective relative to methotrexate monotherapy (MTX mono) in MTX-naïve patients with ≥1 PPF—erosions, seropositivity for rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), or hsCRP ≥4 mg/L.1

Objectives:

This post hoc analysis examined FIL efficacy in FINCH 3 pts with multiple PPF.

Methods:

The global, phase 3, double-blind, active-controlled FINCH 3 study randomised MTX-naïve pts with moderately to severely active RA 2:1:1:2 to oral FIL 200 mg once daily + MTX ≤20 mg weekly, FIL 100 mg + MTX, FIL 200 mg mono, or PBO + MTX up to week (W)52. This subgroup analysis included pts with all 4 of the following PPF at baseline (PPF pts): erosions, seropositivity for RF or anti-CCP, hsCRP ≥4 mg/L, and DAS(28)CRP >5.1. Comparisons were not adjusted for multiplicity.

Results:

Of 1249 pts randomised and treated in FINCH 3, 510 had all 4 PPF. At baseline, relative to the overall FINCH 3 population, PPF pts had longer mean disease duration (2.4 vs 2.2 years); higher mean hsCRP (27.9 vs 17.5 mg/L), mTSS (17.9 vs 13.3), DAS28(CRP) (6.3 vs 5.7), HAQ-DI (1.76 vs 1.56), CDAI (44.3 vs 39.8), and SDAI (47.1 vs 41.5); and greater frequency of seropositivity for RF (90.6% vs 67.9%), anti-CCP (92.4% vs 68.5%), or both (82.9% vs 59.6%). Efficacy in PPF pts was comparable to data from all FINCH 3 pts (Table, Figures 1–2). PPF pts receiving FIL 200 mg with or without MTX vs MTX mono had higher frequencies of ACR20/50/70 response and greater improvement in HAQ-DI at W24; responses were numerically greater for FIL 200 mg + MTX vs FIL 100 mg + MTX or FIL 200 mg mono (Table) and were evident by W12 (data not shown). Radiographic progression at W24 was lower in PPF pts receiving FIL 200 mg + MTX or FIL 200 mg mono vs MTX mono (Figure 1). Proportions of PPF pts receiving FIL 200 mg with or without MTX who achieved DAS28(CRP) <2.6, CDAI ≤2.8, SDAI ≤3.3, and Boolean remission at W24 (Figure 2) were larger vs pts receiving MTX mono and numerically greater vs pts receiving FIL 100 mg + MTX.

Table.

Efficacy outcomes in patients with 4 PPF and all FINCH 3 patients at W24

FIL 200 mg+ MTXFIL 100 mg+ MTXFIL 200 mg monoMTXmonoPPFAllPPFAllPPFAllPPFAlln1724168520787210166416ACR20, %85.5*81.0***83.580.2*81.678.174.771.4ACR50, %70.3***61.5***58.857.0**59.858.1**48.245.7ACR70, %54.1***43.8***37.640.1***43.7*40.0***28.326.0HAQ-DIa−1.2***−0.94***−1.0*−0.90**−1.0*−0.89*−0.9−0.79

aMean change from baseline.

*, p <0.05;**, p <0.01;***, p <0.001 vs MTX mono, not adjusted for multiplicity.

FIL, filgotinib; mono, monotherapy; MTX, methotrexate; PPF, poor prognostic factors.

Conclusion:

FIL treatment provided rapid and deep disease control including higher rates of remission and other clinical outcomes, improved physical function, and less radiographic progression compared with MTX alone in MTX-naïve pts with RA with 4 PPF, a population at risk for severe progressive disease. In pts with 4 PPF, W24 remission rates following FIL 200 mg with or without MTX were higher vs MTX mono and numerically higher vs FIL 100 mg + MTX.

References:

[1]Westhovens et al.Ann Rheum Dis2019;78(Suppl2):259–60.

Disclosure of Interests:

Daniel Aletaha Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Novartis, Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Lilly, Medac, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi Genzyme, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme, UCB, Rene Westhovens Grant/research support from: Celltrion Inc, Galapagos, Gilead, Consultant of: Celltrion Inc, Galapagos, Gilead, Speakers bureau: Celltrion Inc, Galapagos, Gilead, Cecile Gaujoux-Viala Consultant of: AbbVie; Amgen; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Celgene; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen; Lilly; Medac; Merck-Serono; Mylan; Nordic Pharma; Novartis; Pfizer; Roche; Sandoz; Sanofi; UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie; Amgen; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Celgene; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen; Lilly; Medac; Merck-Serono; Mylan; Nordic Pharma; Novartis; Pfizer; Roche; Sandoz; Sanofi; UCB, Giovanni Adami: None declared, Alan Matsumoto Grant/research support from: AbbVie; BMS; Eli Lilly; Galapagos; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; GSK; Janssen; Novartis; Pfizer; Sanofi; UCB; Regeneron

, Consultant of: AbbVie; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; GSK; Novartis, Paul Bird Consultant of: AbbVie, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer – advisor, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Osvaldo Messina Speakers bureau: Amgen; Americas Health Foundation; Pfizer, Maya H Buch Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Consultant of: Pfizer; AbbVie; Eli Lilly; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck-Serono; Sandoz; and Sanofi, Beatrix Bartok Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Zhaoyu Yin Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Ying Guo Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Thijs Hendrikx Shareholder of: Galapagos (share/warrant holder), Employee of: Galapagos, Gerd Rüdiger Burmester Consultant of: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma

FRI0115 FILGOTINIB PROVIDED RAPID AND SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENTS IN FUNCTIONAL STATUS, PAIN, AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE, AND REDUCED FATIGUE OVER TIME IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WHO ARE METHOTREXATE-NAÏVE: RESULTS FROM THE FINCH 3 STUDY

Background:

In the FINCH 3 study, filgotinib (FIL)—a potent, selective, oral small molecule Janus kinase 1 inhibitor1—in combination with methotrexate (MTX), demonstrated significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vs MTX alone in patients (pts) who were MTX-naïve.2For pts with RA, rapid control of pain and fatigue along with maintenance of physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are important outcomes of their care.3Thus, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can provide physicians with evidence to guide treatment decisions beyond the guideline-recommended treatment targets of reducing immune inflammation to prevent joint damage, physical disability, and mortality.4

Objectives:

To evaluate the rate and magnitude of change in PROs assessing functional status, pain, HRQoL, and fatigue from FINCH 3.

Methods:

In the FINCH 3 study (NCT02886728), pts with active RA who were MTX-naïve received FIL 200 mg daily + MTX, FIL 100 mg + MTX, FIL 200 mg (+ placebo [PBO]), or MTX (+ PBO) for up to 52 weeks. PROs were recorded prospectively and included HAQ-DI (functional status) and VAS pain scale (day 1, week [W]2, W4, W8, W12, W16, W20, W24, W30, W36, W44, W52), SF-36 (HRQoL), and FACIT-Fatigue (day 1, W4, W12, W24, W36, W52). The least squares mean of the change from baseline (CFB) at each time point up to W52 and p values (each FIL arm vs MTX) were analysed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. For HAQ-DI, the proportion of pts who achieved the minimum clinically important difference (MCID; reduction ≥0.22) between each FIL arm and MTX was analysed using logistic regression analysis. P values for the comparisons of PROs were not adjusted for multiplicity, except for HAQ-DI CFB at W24 for FIL 200 mg + MTX and FIL 100 mg + MTX vs MTX.

Results:

Of the 1249 pts randomised and treated (FIL 200 mg + MTX, n = 416; FIL 100 mg + MTX, n = 207; FIL 200 mg, n = 210; MTX, n = 416), 1025 (82.1%) completed the study. Compared with MTX alone, a nominally significantly greater CFB in functional status and pain from W2 to W24 was observed in all FIL arms; the benefit was sustained from W30 to W52 (Fig 1). By W2, a nominally significantly greater proportion of pts achieved the HAQ-DI MCID or greater (≥0.22) in all FIL arms (FIL 200 mg + MTX: 61.9%, p <0.001; FIL 100 mg + MTX: 58.5%, p <0.001; FIL 200 mg: 53.9%, p = 0.004) compared with MTX (42.2%). By W8, ≥72% of pts in all FIL arms vs 63% of pts in the MTX arm achieved the HAQ-DI MCID; a numerically greater proportion of pts in FIL arms vs MTX achieved HAQ-DI MCID through W52. SF-36 physical component summary and FACIT-Fatigue scores were nominally significantly improved with FIL treatment vs MTX alone at various time points (Fig 2A, B). Improvements in SF-36 mental component summary scores were nominally significant for pts in all FIL arms vs MTX alone as early as W4, and the CFB reached at W12 for FIL arms was generally sustained up to W52 (Fig 2A).

Conclusion:

For pts with moderate to severe RA who were MTX-naïve, FIL—with or without concomitant MTX—led to more rapid and sustained improvements in functional status, pain, fatigue, and HRQoL, compared with MTX alone.

References:

[1]Van Rompaey, et al.J Immunol. 2013;131:3568–77.

[2]Westhovens, et al.Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019;71 (suppl 10):1606–8.

[3]Fautrel B, et al.Rheumatol Int.2018;38:935–47.

[4]Smolen JS, et al.Ann Rheum Dis.2017;76:960–77.

Disclosure of Interests:

Rieke Alten Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Galapagos, Galapagos NV, Gilead, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Novartis, Consultant of: Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Pfizer, William Rigby Consultant of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Alena Pechonkina Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Zhaoyu Yin Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Ken Hasegawa Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Thijs Hendrikx Shareholder of: Galapagos (share/warrant holder), Employee of: Galapagos, Tatsuya Atsumi Grant/research support from: Eli Lily Japan K.K., Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., AbbVie Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Astellas Pharma Inc., Consultant of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., AbbVie Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., AbbVie Inc., Eisai Co. Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Rene Westhovens Grant/research support from: Celltrion Inc, Galapagos, Gilead, Consultant of: Celltrion Inc, Galapagos, Gilead, Speakers bureau: Celltrion Inc, Galapagos, Gilead

SAT0158 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF FILGOTINIB IN METHOTREXATE-NAÏVE PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: FINCH 3 52-WEEK RESULTS

Background:

Filgotinib (FIL) is a potent, selective JAK 1 inhibitor. FINCH 3 assessed FIL efficacy and safety in methotrexate (MTX)-naïve patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); week (W)24 primary outcome results were previously presented.1

Objectives:

To report FINCH 3 (NCT02886728) results through W52.

Methods:

This global, phase 3, double-blind, active-controlled study randomised MTX-naïve pts with moderately to severely active RA 2:1:1:2 to oral FIL 200 mg once daily + MTX ≤20 mg weekly, FIL 100 mg + MTX, FIL 200 mg monotherapy (mono) + placebo (PBO), or PBO + MTX up to W52. Comparisons at W52 were not adjusted for multiplicity. Safety was assessed from adverse events and laboratory abnormalities.

Results:

Of 1249 treated pts, 975 received study drug through W52. FIL efficacy was sustained up to W52. Treatment with FIL + MTX or FIL mono increased proportions of pts achieving ACR20/50/70 and clinical disease remission by DAS28(CRP) <2.6 (FIL 200 mg + MTX, 53%; FIL mono, 46%), CDAI, SDAI, and Boolean criteria; improved HAQ-DI; and halted radiographic progression vs MTX alone (Table 1 andFigure). Safety was consistent with W24 data (Table 2).

Table 1.

Efficacy outcomes at week 52

FIL 200 mg + MTX (n = 416)FIL 100 mg + MTX (n = 207)FIL 200 mg(n = 210)MTX(n = 416)ACR20, %75.0***73.4**74.8***61.8ACR50, %62.3***59.4**61.4**48.3ACR70, %47.8***40.1*45.2***29.8mTSSa0.21***0.27*0.23**0.74HAQ-DIb−1.00***−0.97−0.95*−0.88

aLeast-squares mean change from baseline.

bMean change from baseline.

*, p <0.05;**, p <0.01;***, p <0.001 vs MTX alone; not adjusted for multiplicity.

FIL, filgotinib; mTSS, van der Heijde modified total Sharp score; MTX, methotrexate.

Table 2.

Safety outcomes through week 52

Event, n (%)FIL 200 mg + MTX(n = 416)FIL 100 mg + MTX(n = 207)FIL 200 mg(n = 210)MTX(n = 416)All AEs318 (76.4)164 (79.2)143 (68.1)305 (73.3)Serious AEs26 (6.3)13 (6.3)17 (8.1)28 (6.7)Infection148 (35.6)76 (36.7)75 (35.7)157 (37.7)Serious infection5 (1.2)3 (1.4)5 (2.4)8 (1.9)Herpes zoster6 (1.4)3 (1.4)4 (1.9)4 (1.0)VTE0004 (1.0)MACE (adjudicated)4 (1.0)1 (0.5)2 (1.0)2 (0.5)Malignancya1 (0.2)004 (1.0)NMSC2 (0.5)001 (0.2)Death3 (0.7)b1 (0.5)c00

aExcluding NMSC.

b1 lupus cardiomyopathy, 1 atypical interstitial pneumonia, 1 non–treatment-emergent cardiovascular death.

cDissecting cerebral and vertebral aneurysm.

AE, adverse event; FIL, filgotinib; MACE, major adverse cardiovascular event; MTX, methotrexate; NMSC, nonmelanoma skin cancer; VTE, venous thromboembolism.

Conclusion:

Efficacy of FIL 200 mg + MTX, FIL 100 mg + MTX, and FIL 200 mg mono was sustained through W52, with faster onset1and consistently numerically greater efficacy for FIL 200 vs 100 mg. No new safety signals were observed.

References:

[1]Westhovens, et al.Ann Rheum Dis.2019;78(Suppl2):259–60.

Disclosure of Interests:

Rene Westhovens Grant/research support from: Celltrion Inc, Galapagos, Gilead, Consultant of: Celltrion Inc, Galapagos, Gilead, Speakers bureau: Celltrion Inc, Galapagos, Gilead, William Rigby Consultant of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Désirée van der Heijde Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Cyxone, Daiichi, Eisai, Eli-Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, UCB Pharma; Director of Imaging Rheumatology BV, Daniel Ching Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Pfizer, Sanofi, Consultant of: AbbVie, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, William Stohl Grant/research support from: GlaxoSmithKline, Consultant of: Janssen Research & Development, Jonathan Kay Grant/research support from: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Pfizer, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Consultant of: Alvotech Suisse AG; Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH; Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd.; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; Mylan Inc.; Novartis AG; Samsung Bioepis; Sandoz, Inc; UCB, Inc., Arvind Chopra Grant/research support from: Zydus Pharamceutical Ltd India, Beatrix Bartok Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences Inc., Franziska Matzkies Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Zhaoyu Yin Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Ying Guo Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Chantal Tasset Shareholder of: Galapagos (share/warrant holder), Employee of: Galapagos, John Sundy Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Angelika Jahreis Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Neelufar Mozaffarian Shareholder of: Gilead, Employee of: Gilead, Osvaldo Messina Speakers bureau: Amgen; Americas Health Foundation; Pfizer, Robert B.M. Landewé Consultant of: AbbVie; AstraZeneca; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly & Co.; Galapagos NV; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB Pharma, Tatsuya Atsumi Grant/research support from: Eli Lily Japan K.K., Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., AbbVie Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Astellas Pharma Inc., Consultant of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., AbbVie Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., AbbVie Inc., Eisai Co. Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Gerd Rüdiger Burmester Consultant of: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma

Improvement of the Irrigation Scheme in the ORCHIDEE Land Surface Model and Impacts of Irrigation on Regional Water Budgets Over China

In China, irrigation is widespread in 40.7% cropland to sustain crop yields. By its action on water cycle, irrigation affects water resources and local climate. In this study, a new irrigation module, including flood and paddy irrigation technologies, was developed in the ORCHIDEE-CROP land surface model which describes crop phenology and growth in order to estimate irrigation demands over China from 1982 to 2014. Three simulations were performed including NI (no irrigation), IR (with irrigation limited by local water resources), and FI (with irrigation demand fulfilled). Observations and census data were used to validate the simulations. Results showed that the estimated irrigation water withdrawal ( W ) based on IR and FI scenarios bracket statistical W with fair spatial agreements ( r = 0 . 68 ± 0 . 07 ; p < 0 . 01 ). Improving irrigation efficiency was found to be the dominant factor leading to the observed W decrease. By comparing simulated total water storage (TWS) with GRACE observations, we found that simulated TWS with irrigation well explained the TWS variation over China. However, our simulation overestimated the seasonality of TWS in the Yangtze River Basin due to ignoring regulation of artificial reservoirs. The observed TWS decrease in the Yellow River Basin caused by groundwater depletion was not totally captured in our simulation, but it can be inferred by combining simulated TWS with census data. Moreover, we demonstrated that land use change tended to drive W locally but had little effect on total W over China due to water resources limitation.

Impact-resistant nacre-like transparent materials

Glass has outstanding optical properties, hardness, and durability, but its applications are limited by its inherent brittleness and poor impact resistance. Lamination and tempering can improve impact response but do not suppress brittleness. We propose a bioinspired laminated glass that duplicates the three-dimensional "brick-and-mortar" arrangement of nacre from mollusk shells, with periodic three-dimensional architectures and interlayers made of a transparent thermoplastic elastomer. This material reproduces the "tablet sliding mechanism," which is key to the toughness of natural nacre but has been largely absent in synthetic nacres. Tablet sliding generates nonlinear deformations over large volumes and significantly improves toughness. This nacre-like glass is also two to three times more impact resistant than laminated glass and tempered glass while maintaining high strength and stiffness.

Electricity-Triggered Self-Healing of Conductive and Thermostable Vitrimer Enabled by Paving Aligned Carbon Nanotubes

Electrically conducting films are important for the development of modern electronics. However, most of these conducting films become susceptible to structure fractures under complex deformations or accidental damages, causing the devices to fail to work. Inspired by the self-healing capability of creatures, we developed a self-healing, thermostable, and electrically conducting film that can be healed by electricity by paving aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets onto the surface of liquid crystal elastomer composite films. The aligned CNT sheets make the composites conductive, so the composites can be healed not only by light but also by electricity after breaking. The scratches on the self-healing film can be healed easily under a voltage of 1.18 V/mm because of the electro-thermal effect of aligned CNT sheets. The healed film has almost the same mechanical properties compared to the pristine sample. The electrical and mechanical self-healing of the film is derived from the electrical reconnection of carbon nanotubes and transesterification-induced topology change of the network, respectively. We further demonstrated soft actuators and high-performance supercapacitors based on the prepared self-healing conducting films. This method for preparing self-healing conducting films enables the development of self-healing electronics.

CVD growth of perovskite/graphene films for high-performance flexible image sensor

Hybrid perovskite possesses excellent photoelectric properties, including large light-absorption capacity and high carrier mobility, and is an ideal light-absorbing material for photoelectric devices. The grain size and compactness of hybrid perovskite are key factors affecting the performance of photoelectric devices. The photocurrent and photoresponsivity of these devices are relatively low because of the rapidly recombined photoexcited electron-hole pairs in hybrid perovskite. Herein, we develop a facile two-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to synthesize a high-quality van der Waals (vdWs) MAPbI₃/graphene heterostructure for high-performance image sensor. We introduced inorganic sources (PbI₂) to vdWs epitaxially grown PbI₂ film on a seamless graphene monolayer film template through CVD. Methylammonium iodide (MAI) was then reintroduced to prepare the vdWs MAPbI₃/graphene heterostructure. The MAPbI₃ layer is composed of densely packed, large-size grains and displays a smooth surface. High photoresponsivity of 10⁷ A/W is achieved in the corresponding photodetector. Inspired by the human visual system, we designed a flexible photodetector array containing (24 × 24) pixels, achieving perfect image recognition and color discrimination. Our study may greatly facilitate the construction of high-performance optoelectronic devices in artificial retina, biomedical imaging, remote sensing, and optical communication.

Scattering Studies with Low-Energy Kaon-Proton Femtoscopy in Proton-Proton Collisions at the LHC

The study of the strength and behavior of the antikaon-nucleon (K[over ¯]N) interaction constitutes one of the key focuses of the strangeness sector in low-energy quantum chromodynamics (QCD). In this Letter a unique high-precision measurement of the strong interaction between kaons and protons, close and above the kinematic threshold, is presented. The femtoscopic measurements of the correlation function at low pair-frame relative momentum of (K^{+}p⊕K^{-}p[over ¯]) and (K^{-}p⊕K^{+}p[over ¯]) pairs measured in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=5, 7, and 13 TeV are reported. A structure observed around a relative momentum of 58  MeV/c in the measured correlation function of (K^{-}p⊕K^{+}p[over ¯]) with a significance of 4.4σ constitutes the first experimental evidence for the opening of the (K[over ¯]^{0}n⊕K^{0}n[over ¯]) isospin breaking channel due to the mass difference between charged and neutral kaons. The measured correlation functions have been compared to Jülich and Kyoto models in addition to the Coulomb potential. The high-precision data at low relative momenta presented in this work prove femtoscopy to be a powerful complementary tool to scattering experiments and provide new constraints above the K[over ¯]N threshold for low-energy QCD chiral models.

The temporal-spatial patterns, polymorphisms and association analysis with meat quality traits of FABP1 gene in domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

1. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP) are members of lipid-binding proteins, which participate in the metabolism and intracellular transportation of lipids. This study was designed to investigate the expression patterns, polymorphisms and associations with meat quality traits of the FABP1 gene in pigeons. 2. The temporal-spatial expression patterns showed FABP1 was widely expressed in all eleven tissues from 0-4 weeks of age, the expression level in the liver was the highest, followed by the small intestine and subcutaneous fat. 3. Five novel SNPs were found; all of them were synonymous and in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Association analysis revealed that for the SNP of G161C, the AB and BB genotypes had higher (P ≤ 0.01) inosinic acid concentrations in breast muscle than the AA genotype. The BB genotype showed the highest (P < 0.01) intramuscular fat among the three genotypes, and significantly greater FABP1 mRNA levels were observed in the breast muscle of the BB genotype than in the AA and AB genotypes (P < 0.01). In the SNP C1376T, the AB and BB genotypes showed higher (P < 0.01) intramuscular fat than the AA genotype, and the relative mRNA expression level of the BB (P < 0.01) and AB (P < 0.05) genotypes was higher than that of the AA genotype in breast muscle. Correlation analysis implied that the FABP1 mRNA expression level was closely related to the inosinic acid (P < 0.05) and intramuscular fat content (P < 0.01). Oil red O staining of frozen sections of breast muscle on d 28 for SNPs G161C and C1376T also indicated that the BB genotype had the highest intramuscular fat content in both SNPs. In addition, correlation analysis implied the FABP1 mRNA expression level was closely related to inosinic acid (P < 0.05) and intramuscular fat content (P < 0.01). 4. The results suggested that FABP1 could be a potential candidate gene in marker-assisted selection for breeding pigeons with high-quality meat.

Early Prediction of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in the Mainland China Based on Simple Mathematical Model

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak has been treated as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. This work made an early prediction of the 2019-nCoV outbreak in China based on a simple mathematical model and limited epidemiological data. Combing characteristics of the historical epidemic, we found part of the released data is unreasonable. Through ruling out the unreasonable data, the model predictions exhibit that the number of the cumulative 2019-nCoV cases may reach 76,000 to 230,000, with a peak of the unrecovered infectives (22,000-74,000) occurring in late February to early March. After that, the infected cases will rapidly monotonically decrease until early May to late June, when the 2019-nCoV outbreak will fade out. Strong anti-epidemic measures may reduce the cumulative infected cases by 40%-49%. The improvement of medical care can also lead to about one-half transmission decrease and effectively shorten the duration of the 2019-nCoV.

The m6A eraser FTO facilitates proliferation and migration of human cervical cancer cells

Background

Since FTO was recognized as the first m⁶A demethylase, the understanding of its biological function has been widely expanded. However, the role of FTO in cervical cancer tumorigenesis remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, we first analyzed the expression of FTO in two independent human cancer datasets and evaluated the correlation between FTO level and cervical cancer progression. Using small hairpin RNA technology, we explored the function of FTO in cervical cancer cell line Hela and SiHa cells, respectively. We then determined the FTO targets by performing transcriptional profile with FTO deficient and competent Hela cells, and finally validated these targets with ribosome profiling and functional rescue experiments.

Results

Our data suggested that FTO was frequently overexpressed in human cervical cancer tissues and highly correlated with cervical cancer progression. FTO serves as an oncogenic regulator for cervical cancer cells' proliferation and migration which is vastly depended on its demethylase activity. Mechanistically, FTO interacts with transcripts of E2F1 and Myc, inhibition of FTO significantly impairs the translation efficiency of E2F1 and Myc, however, either overexpress E2F1 or Myc sufficiently compensates the FTO deficiency which decreases cell proliferation and migration.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that FTO plays important oncogenic role in regulating cervical cancer cells' proliferation and migration via controlling m⁶A modification of E2F1 and Myc transcripts. FTO represents a potential drug candidate for cervical cancer therapy.