First Constraints on Light Sterile Neutrino Oscillations from Combined Appearance and Disappearance Searches with the MicroBooNE Detector

We present a search for eV-scale sterile neutrino oscillations in the MicroBooNE liquid argon detector, simultaneously considering all possible appearance and disappearance effects within the 3+1 active-to-sterile neutrino oscillation framework. We analyze the neutrino candidate events for the recent measurements of charged-current ν_{e} and ν_{μ} interactions in the MicroBooNE detector, using data corresponding to an exposure of 6.37×10^{20} protons on target from the Fermilab booster neutrino beam. We observe no evidence of light sterile neutrino oscillations and derive exclusion contours at the 95% confidence level in the plane of the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2} and the sterile neutrino mixing angles θ_{μe} and θ_{ee}, excluding part of the parameter space allowed by experimental anomalies. Cancellation of ν_{e} appearance and ν_{e} disappearance effects due to the full 3+1 treatment of the analysis leads to a degeneracy when determining the oscillation parameters, which is discussed in this Letter and will be addressed by future analyses.

Epsin Nanotherapy Regulates Cholesterol Transport to Fortify Atheroma Regression

BACKGROUND

Excess cholesterol accumulation in lesional macrophages elicits complex responses in atherosclerosis. Epsins, a family of endocytic adaptors, fuel the progression of atherosclerosis; however, the underlying mechanism and therapeutic potential of targeting Epsins remains unknown. In this study, we determined the role of Epsins in macrophage-mediated metabolic regulation. We then developed an innovative method to therapeutically target macrophage Epsins with specially designed S2P-conjugated lipid nanoparticles, which encapsulate small-interfering RNAs to suppress Epsins.

METHODS

We used single-cell RNA sequencing with our newly developed algorithm MEBOCOST (Metabolite-mediated Cell Communication Modeling by Single Cell Transcriptome) to study cell-cell communications mediated by metabolites from sender cells and sensor proteins on receiver cells. Biomedical, cellular, and molecular approaches were utilized to investigate the role of macrophage Epsins in regulating lipid metabolism and transport. We performed this study using myeloid-specific Epsin double knockout (LysM-DKO) mice and mice with a genetic reduction of ABCG1 (ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 1; LysM-DKO-ABCG1fl/+). The nanoparticles targeting lesional macrophages were developed to encapsulate interfering RNAs to treat atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

We revealed that Epsins regulate lipid metabolism and transport in atherosclerotic macrophages. Inhibiting Epsins by nanotherapy halts inflammation and accelerates atheroma resolution. Harnessing lesional macrophage-specific nanoparticle delivery of Epsin small-interfering RNAs, we showed that silencing of macrophage Epsins diminished atherosclerotic plaque size and promoted plaque regression. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that Epsins bound to CD36 to facilitate lipid uptake by enhancing CD36 endocytosis and recycling. Conversely, Epsins promoted ABCG1 degradation via lysosomes and hampered ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol transport. In a LysM-DKO-ABCG1fl/+ mouse model, enhanced cholesterol efflux and reverse transport due to Epsin deficiency was suppressed by the reduction of ABCG1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that targeting Epsins in lesional macrophages may offer therapeutic benefits for advanced atherosclerosis by reducing CD36-mediated lipid uptake and increasing ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux.

Induction of T-helper-17-cell-mediated anti-tumour immunity by pathogen-mimicking polymer nanoparticles

The effectivity of cancer immunotherapies is hindered by immunosuppressive tumour microenvironments that are poorly infiltrated by effector T cells and natural killer cells. In infection and autoimmune disease, the recruitment and activation of effector immune cells is coordinated by pro-inflammatory T helper 17 (TH17) cells. Here we show that pathogen-mimicking hollow nanoparticles displaying mannan (a polysaccharide that activates TH17 cells in microbial cell walls) limit the fraction of regulatory T cells and induce TH17-cell-mediated anti-tumour responses. The nanoparticles activate the pattern-recognition receptor Dectin-2 and Toll-like receptor 4 in dendritic cells, and promote the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into the TH17 phenotype. In mice, intra-tumoural administration of the nanoparticles decreased the fraction of regulatory T cells in the tumour while markedly increasing the fractions of TH17 cells (and the levels of TH17-cell-associated cytokines), CD8+ T cells, natural killer cells and M1-like macrophages. The anti-tumoural activity of the effector cells was amplified by an agonistic antibody against the co-stimulatory receptor OX40 in multiple mouse models. Nanomaterials that induce TH17-cell-mediated immune responses may have therapeutic potential.

[Study on the reliability and validity of the Chinese Criteria of Health Scale for the elderly people]

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese Criteria of Health Scale for the elderly people. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among older adults of Meiyuan Community in Haidian District, Beijing and Nanwangkong Village in Qingzhou City,Shandong Province during July 2021. Using a cluster sampling method, totally 667 elderly people were investigated by face-to-face interview, using the scale which was formulated after two rounds of the Delphi method and pilot study. The overall scale includes physical health, mental health and social health subscales, including 9, 52 and 15 items, respectively. Four weeks after the survey, 56 elderly people were randomly selected and repeated the survey with the same method. The test-retest reliability, split-half reliability and internal consistency reliability of the scale were evaluated, and the validity was evaluated at the same time, including construct validity and content validity. Results: A total of 710 questionnaires were distributed and 667 valid questionnaires were obtained, with a total effective rate of 93.94%. The score of the overall scale was 79.79±16.22, the scores of the physical health, mental health, social health sub-scores were 41.64±9.76, 26.82±3.92 and 11.34±5.19, respectively. The scale had excellent reliability. In the test-retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the overall scale and each subscale were 0.766-0.861, and the weighted Kappa values were 0.762-0.817. The Spearman-Brown coefficient of the overall scale and each subscale in the split-half reliability were 0.722-0.855 (all P<0.001). The Cronbach's α coefficients of the overall scale of internal consistency reliability and each subscale were 0.748-0.899, and the Cronbach's α coefficients of each dimension were from 0.709 to 0.963(all P<0.001). At the same time, the scale had good construct validity and content validity. The correlation coefficients between the score of each dimension and its sub-scale were larger, from 0.641 to 0.873 (all P<0.05). The cumulative variance contribution rates of the scale and three subscales were all more than 50% of the approved standard. A total of 11 common factors were extracted, and all the load values of each item on the corresponding factors were ≥0.04. Conclusion: The Chinese Criteria of Health Scale for the elderly people has good validity and excellent reliability. It can be used as a basis for the scientific division of the health status of the elderly, the formulation of relevant policies by the government and the provision of appropriate health services for the elderly.

Heavy Chain Constant Region Usage in Antibodies to Peptidylarginine Deiminase 4 as a Marker of Disease Subsets in Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

The study of autoantibody isotypes in autoimmune diseases is useful for identifying clinically relevant endotypes. This study was undertaken to study the prevalence and clinical significance of different isotypes and IgG subclasses of anti-peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (anti-PAD4) autoantibodies in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

In 196 RA subjects and 64 healthy controls, anti-PAD4 antibody types were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We investigated associations between anti-PAD4 antibodies and clinical outcomes, and relevant features were confirmed in an independent RA cohort.

RESULTS

Anti-PAD4 IgG1, anti-PAD4 IgG2, anti-PAD4 IgG3, anti-PAD4 IgG4, anti-PAD4 IgA, and anti-PAD4 IgE antibodies were more frequent in RA patients than healthy controls (P < 0.001). Anti-PAD4 IgG1, anti-PAD4 IgG3, and anti-PAD4 IgE were associated with distinct clinical features. Anti-PAD4 IgG1 was predictive of progressive radiographic joint damage (odds ratio [OR] 4.88, P = 0.005), especially in RA patients without baseline joint damage (40% versus 0%, P = 0.003) or in those negative for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and/or rheumatoid factor (OR 32; P = 0.009). IgG1 was also associated with higher levels of C-reactive protein (P = 0.006) and interleukin-6 (P = 0.021). RA patients with anti-PAD4 IgG3 had higher baseline joint damage scores (median Sharp/van der Heijde score 13 versus 7, P = 0.046), while those with anti-PAD4 IgE had higher Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (median 4.0 versus 3.5, P = 0.025), more frequent rheumatoid nodules (31% versus 16%, P = 0.025), and more frequent interstitial lung disease (ground-glass opacification) (24% versus 9%, P = 0.014). Anti-PAD4 IgG1 antibody associations with joint damage were corroborated in an independent RA cohort.

CONCLUSION

Anti-PAD4 IgG1, anti-PAD4 IgG3, and anti-PAD4 IgE antibodies identify discrete disease subsets in RA, suggesting that heavy chain usage drives distinct effector mechanisms of anti-PAD4 antibodies in RA.

Circadian nuclear receptor Rev-erbalpha is expressed by platelets and potentiates platelet activation and thrombus formation

Background

Adverse cardiovascular events have day/night patterns with peaks in the morning, potentially related to endogenous circadian clock control of platelet activation. Circadian nuclear receptor Rev-erbα is an essential and negative component of the circadian clock.

Purpose

We aim to investigate the expression profile and biological function of Rev-erbα in platelets.

Methods and results

Here we report the presence and functions of circadian nuclear receptor Rev-erbα in human and mouse platelets. Both human and mouse platelet Rev-erbα showed a circadian rhythm that positively correlated with platelet aggregation. Global Rev-erbα knockout and platelet-specific Rev-erbα knockout mice exhibited defective in hemostasis as assessed by prolonged tail-bleeding times. Rev-erbα deletion also reduced ferric chloride-induced carotid arterial occlusive thrombosis, prevented collagen/epinephrine-induced pulmonary thromboembolism, and protected against microvascular microthrombi obstruction and infarct expansion in an acute myocardial infarction model. In vitro thrombus formation assessed by CD41-labeled platelet fluorescence intensity was significantly reduced in Rev-erbα knockout mouse blood. Platelets from Rev-erbα knockout mice exhibited impaired agonist-induced aggregation responses, integrin αIIbβ3 activation and α-granule release. Consistently, pharmacological inhibition of Rev-erbα by specific antagonists decreased platelet activation markers in both mouse and human platelets. Mechanistically, mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that Rev-erbα potentiated platelet activation via oligophrenin-1-mediated RhoA/ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin) pathway.

Conclusion

We provide the first evidence that circadian protein Rev-erbα is functionally expressed in platelets and potentiates platelet activation and thrombus formation. Rev-erbα may serve as a novel therapeutic target for managing thrombosis-based cardiovascular disease.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by grants from the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (81625002), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81930007).

[Tuberculosis presenting as gastrointestinal perforation and large confluent pulmonary cavities: a case report]

We report an unusual case presented as acute gastrointestinal perforation and large confluent pulmonary cavities. A 23-year-old male was admitted to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain for 1 month, which exacerbated for 1 day. He also reported a 3-month history of diarrhea and productive cough. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed multiple large confluent cavities in the lung, along with massive free gas in the abdomen suggesting gastrointestinal perforation. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and affected bowel segment was resected. His sputum examination was positive for both acid-fast staining and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex gene (Xpert) testing. Pathology of small intestine revealed micro-abscess formation and was positive for acid-fast bacilli. A final diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and intestinal tuberculosis was made.

RPS3 predicts poor overall survival in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a data-mining with LASSO-regression algorithm

OBJECTIVE

This analysis aimed to investigate the candidate biomarkers associated with overall survival (OS) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the GSE14520 dataset, candidate parameters were selected and included in the Cox regression and Nomogram models through bioinformatic enrichment methods and LASSO analysis, survivor functions of candidate biomarkers were also assessed.

RESULTS

Complement and coagulation cascades including 36 differential expressed genes (DEGs) and ribosome pathway including 27 DEGs were significantly enriched (both p < 0.05 and adjusted p < 0.05). LASSO model, Cox regression and nomogram analysis indicated that RPS3, together with BCLC and TNM staging, were significantly associated with OS in HCC patients. Validated in the GEO series, TCGA and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) datasets, RPS3 mRNA and RPS3 protein were significantly upregulated in tumor tissues compared to that in nontumor tissues (all p < 0.05). Upregulation of RPS3 has been linked to high alpha fetoprotein (AFP), advanced tumor stages and multinodular (all p < 0.05). After adjusting AFP, tumor stage and multinodular, log rank analysis revealed that HCC patients with high RPS3 had unfavorable OS compared to those with low RPS3 (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

RPS3 upregulation in tumors might contribute to unfavorable OS in HCC patients.

Evidence of cerebellar TDP-43 loss of function in FTLD-TDP

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP) is a neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting the frontal and/or temporal cortices. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that the cerebellum contributes to biochemical, cognitive, and behavioral changes in FTLD-TDP. To evaluate cerebellar TDP-43 expression and function in FTLD-TDP, we analyzed TDP-43 protein levels and the splicing of a TDP-43 target, STMN2, in the cerebellum of 95 FTLD-TDP cases and 25 non-neurological disease controls. Soluble TDP-43 was decreased in the cerebellum of FTLD-TDP cases but a concomitant increase in insoluble TDP-43 was not seen. Truncated STMN2 transcripts, an indicator of TDP-43 dysfunction, were elevated in the cerebellum of FTLD-TDP cases and inversely associated with TDP-43 levels. Additionally, lower cerebellar TDP-43 associated with a younger age at disease onset. We provide evidence of TDP-43 loss of function in the cerebellum in FTLD-TDP, supporting further investigation into this understudied brain region.

Search for an Excess of Electron Neutrino Interactions in MicroBooNE Using Multiple Final-State Topologies

We present a measurement of ν_{e} interactions from the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam using the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber to address the nature of the excess of low energy interactions observed by the MiniBooNE Collaboration. Three independent ν_{e} searches are performed across multiple single electron final states, including an exclusive search for two-body scattering events with a single proton, a semi-inclusive search for pionless events, and a fully inclusive search for events containing all hadronic final states. With differing signal topologies, statistics, backgrounds, reconstruction algorithms, and analysis approaches, the results are found to be either consistent with or modestly lower than the nominal ν_{e} rate expectations from the Booster Neutrino Beam and no excess of ν_{e} events is observed.

[Exploratory study on detection of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum specimens by next-generation sequencing]

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of next-generation sequencing (NGS) detection methods in sputum samples and Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, in order to explore the feasibility of the NGS method to detect drug resistance in sputum specimens. Methods: In this retrospective study, the sputum specimens and corresponding clinical isolates of 50 pulmonary tuberculosis patients admitted to Beijing Chest Hospital from January 2017 to December 2017 were collected. The gene mutations of katG, inhA, rpoB, embA, embB, rpsL, rrs, gyrA, gyrB and tlyA in sputum specimens and corresponding clinical isolates were detected by NGS method. The phenotypic drug susceptibility test (DST) of the strains was carried out by the proportion method. Using DST results as a reference, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the NGS method for clinical strains and sputum specimens, as well as the consistency statistic (Kappa) with phenotype DST were calculated respectively. The Chi-square test was used to compare the accuracy of the NGS testing in sputum samples and strain samples. Results: The results showed that rpoB(63.83%, 30/47) and rrs(57.45%, 27/47) were the most common mutated genes, followed by katG(46.81%, 22/47), rpsL(29.79%, 14/47), gyrA(27.66%, 13/47), embB(21.28%, 10/47), tlyA(12.77%, 6/47), gyrB(8.51%, 4/47), and inhA promoter(19.15%, 9/47), embA promoter region (12.77%, 6/47) mutation. when the NGS method was compared with the resistance phenotype of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, second-line injectable drugs (streptomycin, capreomycin, kanamycin, amikacin), levofloxacin, the sensitivity were 85.71%, 91.67%, 77.78%, 81.82%, 100.00%, 87.50%, 100.00%, 69.23%, and the specificity were 100.00%, 94.12, 87.50%, 89.47%, 97.06%, 96.97%, 94.29%, 89.29% in sputum samples, while in strain samples, the sensitivity were 92.86%, 100.00%, 81.82%, 86.96%, 88.89%, 80.00%, 100.00%, 85.71%. The specificity were 100.00%, 92.86%, 87.10%, 94.74%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 97.14%, 92.86%. Compared with the phenotypic drug susceptibility results, the NGS method has better detection performance for isoniazid, rifampicin, capreomycin, kanamycin, and amikacin in sputum specimens (Kappa≥0.75); while among the strains, the NGS method had a good detection performance for isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, capreomycin, kanamycin, amikacin and levofloxacin (Kappa≥0.75). With the accuracy of the NGS method for detecting strains as a reference, there was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy of all drug resistance detected between strains and sputum specimens. Conclusions: This study showed that the NGS technology was effective in predicting the resistance of isoniazid, rifampicin, and second-line injectable drugs (capreomycin, kanamycin and amikacin) by detecting sputum samples and strain genotypes, suggesting the feasibility and potential of direct detection of sputum samples by the NGS method as an early detection method for drug resistance.

[Non/hypo-response to hepatitis B vaccination and influencing factors in HIV-infected patients in the context of different immunization schedules]

Objective: To study the non/hypo-response to hepatitis B vaccination in HIV-infected patients, identify the influencing factors and provide evidence for the development of hepatitis B prevention and control strategies and measures for special population. Methods: On the basis of the randomized controlled trial of 20 µg hepatitis B vaccine immunization at 0-1-6 month, 0-1-2-6 month and 60 µg hepatitis B vaccine immunization at 0-1-2-6 month, the HIV-infected patients who completed one-month follow-up after the full course vaccination were selected as study subjects. Quantification of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) in serum samples was performed by using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) and demographic characteristics, disease history, HIV infection and treatment status of the study subjects were collected. Statistical analysis was conducted by χ² test, t test, unconditional logistic regression and interaction analyses. Results: The non/hypo-response rates to hepatitis B vaccination were 34.65% (35/101), 24.49% (24/98) and 10.99% (10/91) in 20 µg group at 0-1-6 month or 0-1-2-6 month and 60 µg group at 0-1-2-6 month (P<0.001), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that after controlling for confounding factors, the risk for non/hypo-response was 0.22 times higher in HIV-infected patients receiving 60 µg hepatitis B vaccine at 0-1-2-6 month than in patients receiving 20 µg hepatitis B vaccine at 0-1-6 month (95%CI: 0.10-0.50), the risk for non/hypo-response was higher in men than in women (OR=3.65, 95%CI: 1.88-7.07), and the risk for non/hypo-response was 2.64 times higher in those without hepatitis B vaccination history than in those with hepatitis B vaccination history (95%CI: 1.10-6.32). Moreover, there were multiplicative interactions between immunization schedule and gender (OR=2.49, 95%CI: 1.24-5.00). Conclusion: The non/hypo-response rate to hepatitis B vaccination was significantly lower in HIV-infected patients receiving 60 µg hepatitis B vaccine at 0-1-2-6 month than in those receiving 20 µg hepatitis B vaccine at 0-1-6 month and 0-1-2-6 month. Gender, vaccination schedule and history of hepatitis B vaccination were the influencing factors of the non/hypo-response to hepatitis B vaccination. There was a multiplicative interaction between vaccination schedule and gender, and men receiving 20 µg hepatitis B vaccines had a higher risk for non/hypo-response to hepatitis B vaccination.