The seroepidemiology of immunoglobulin G antibodies against pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in the east of China during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study employed sero-epidemiological methods to estimate the incidence of pertussis within a healthy population located in eastern China. The aim was to gain deeper insights into the epidemiological characteristics and burden of pertussis within the country. Blood samples were collected from healthy individuals in Jiangsu Province between June 2019 and December 2022. The levels of IgG antibodies against pertussis toxin (anti-PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (anti-FHA) in the serum were quantitatively measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, pertussis case data reported in Jiangsu Province were collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention and compared with the results of this study. In 2022, the reported incidence of pertussis stood at 1.0 per 100,000 individuals, marking the highest rate observed in the past two decades. Among 1,909 patients examined, the geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-PT IgG antibody was 20.2 (18.5-21.9) IU/ml, while that of anti-FHA IgG antibody was 27.0 (25.4-28.7) IU/ml. The IgG-PT and IgG-FHA seropositivity rate (>20.0 IU/ml) was highest in the 1 ~ 2 y old group and decreased rapidly to the lowest in the 3 ~ 4 y old group and then increased gradually with age. The estimated rate of pertussis infection based on seroprevalence was approximately 25,625-fold higher than the reported notification rate in the ≥15 year age group. Our findings highlight decreased immunity post-vaccination, stressing the importance of additional booster shots for adolescents and adults to maintain immunity and reduce severe illness. Additionally, they offer vital guidance for policymakers to enhance immunization strategies.

Enhanced direct gaseous CO2 fixation into higher bio-succinic acid production and selectivity

Utilizing CO2 for bio-succinic acid production is an attractive approach to achieve carbon capture and recycling (CCR) with simultaneous production of a useful platform chemical. Actinobacillus succinogenes and Basfia succiniciproducens were selected and investigated as microbial catalysts. Firstly, the type and concentration of inorganic carbon concentration and glucose concentration were evaluated. 6 g C/L MgCO3 and 24 g C/L glucose were found to be the optimal basic operational conditions, with succinic acid production and carbon yield of over 30 g/L and over 40%, respectively. Then, for maximum gaseous CO2 fixation, carbonate was replaced with CO2 at different ratios. The "less carbonate more CO2" condition of the inorganic carbon source was set as carbonate: CO2 = 1:9 (based on the mass of carbon). This condition presented the highest availability of CO2 by well-balanced chemical reaction equilibrium and phase equilibrium, showing the best performance with regarding CO2 fixation (about 15 mg C/(L·hr)), with suppressed lactic acid accumulation. According to key enzymes analysis, the ratio of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase to lactic dehydrogenase was enhanced at high ratios of gaseous CO2, which could promote glucose conversion through the succinic acid path. To further increase gaseous CO2 fixation and succinic acid production and selectivity, stepwise CO2 addition was evaluated. 50%-65% increase in inorganic carbon utilization was obtained coupled with 20%-30% increase in succinic acid selectivity. This was due to the promotion of the succinic acid branch of the glucose metabolism, while suppressing the pyruvate branch, along with the inhibition on the conversion from glucose to lactic acid.

Inhibitory effects and mechanisms of phenolic compounds in rapeseed oil on advanced glycation end product formation in chemical and cellular models in vitro

Sinapic acid (SA), canolol (CAO) and canolol dimer (CAO dimer) are the main phenolic compounds in rapeseed oil. However, their possible efficacy against glycation remains unclear. This study aims to explore the impacts of these substances on the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) based on chemical and cellular models in vitro. Based on fluorescence spectroscopy results, three chemical models of BSA-fructose, BSA-methylglyoxal (MGO), and arginine (Arg)-MGO showed that SA/CAO/CAO dimer could effectively reduce AGE formation but with different abilities. After SA/CAO/CAO dimer incubation, effective protection against BSA protein glycation was observed and three different MGO adducts were formed. In MGO-induced HUVEC cell models, only CAO and CAO dimer significantly inhibited oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, accompanied by the regulation of the Nrf2-HO-1 pathway. During the inhibition, 20 and 12 lipid mediators were reversed in the CAO and CAO dimer groups compared to the MGO group.

Oil-in-water and oleogel-in-water emulsion encapsulate with hemp seed oil containing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol: Stability, degradation and in vitro simulation characteristics

The present study focused on investigating the stability and in vitro simulation characteristics of oil-in-water (O/W) and oleogel-in-water (Og/W) emulsions. Compared with O/W emulsion, the Og/W emulsion exhibited superior stability, with a more evenly spread droplet distribution, and the Og/W emulsion containing 3 % hemp seed protein (HSP) showed better stability against environmental factors, including heat treatment, ionic strength, and changes in pH. Additionally, the stability of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabinol (CBN) and the in vitro digestion of hemp seed oil (HSO) were evaluated. The half-life of CBN in the Og/W emulsion was found to be 131.82 days, with a degradation rate of 0.00527. The in vitro simulation results indicated that the Og/W emulsion effectively delayed the intestinal digestion of HSO, and the bioaccessibility of Δ9-THC and CBN reached 56.0 % and 58.0 %, respectively. The study findings demonstrated that the Og/W emulsion constructed with oleogel and HSP, exhibited excellent stability.

Unraveling interplay between lignocellulosic structures caused by chemical pretreatments in enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis

To investigate the interplay between substrate structure and enzymatic hydrolysis (EH) efficiency, poplar was pretreated with acidic sodium-chlorite (ASC), 3 % sodium-hydroxide (3-SH), and 3 % sulfuric acid (3-SA), resulting in different glucose yields of 94.10 %, 74.35 %, and 24.51 %, respectively, of pretreated residues. Residues were fractionated into cellulose, lignin and unhydrolyzed residue after EH (for lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC) analysis) and analyzed using HPLC, FTIR, XPS, CP MAS 13C NMR and 2D-NMR (Lignin and LCC analysis). After delignification, holocellulose exhibited a dramatic increase in glucose yield (74.35 % to 90.82 % for 3-SH and 24.51 % to 80.0 % for 3-SA). Structural analysis of holocellulose suggested the synergistic interplay among cellulose allomorphs to limit glucose yield. Residual lignin analysis from un/pretreated residues indicated that higher β-β' contents and S/G ratios were favorable to the inhibitory effect but unfavourable to the holocellulose digestibility and followed the trend in the following order: 3-SA (L3) > 3-SH (L2) > native-lignin (L1). Analysis of enzymatically unhydrolyzed pretreated residues revealed the presence of benzyl ether (BE1,2) LCC and phenyl glycoside (PG) bond linking to xylose (X) and mannose (M), which yielded a xylan-lignin-glucomannan network. The stability, steric hindrance and hydrophobicity of this network may play a central role in defining poplar recalcitrance.

COMP promotes pancreatic fibrosis by activating pancreatic stellate cells through CD36-ERK/AKT signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic fibrosis is one of the most important pathological features of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the key cells of fibrosis. As an extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is critical for collagen assembly and ECM stability and recent studies showed that COMP exert promoting fibrosis effect in the skin, lungs and liver. However, the role of COMP in activation of PSCs and pancreatic fibrosis remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the role and specific mechanisms of COMP in regulating the profibrotic phenotype of PSCs and pancreatic fibrosis.

METHODS

ELISA method was used to determine serum COMP in patients with CP. Mice model of CP was established by repeated intraperitoneal injection of cerulein and pancreatic fibrosis was evaluated by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining (H&E) and Sirius red staining. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression changes of COMP and fibrosis marker such as α-SMA and Fibronectin in pancreatic tissue of mice. Cell Counting Kit-8, Wound Healing and Transwell assessed the proliferation and migration of human pancreatic stellate cells (HPSCs). Western blotting, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the expression of fibrosis marker, AKT and MAPK family proteins in HPSCs. RNA-seq omics analysis as well as small interfering RNA of COMP, recombinant human COMP (rCOMP), MEK inhibitors and PI3K inhibitors were used to study the effect and mechanism of COMP on activation of HPSCs.

RESULTS

ELISA showed that the expression of COMP significantly increased in the serum of CP patients. H&E and Sirius red staining analysis showed that there was a large amount of collagen deposition in the mice in the CP model group and high expression of COMP, α-SMA, Fibronectin and Vimentin were observed in fibrotic tissues. TGF-β1 stimulates the activation of HPSCs and increases the expression of COMP. Knockdown of COMP inhibited proliferation and migration of HPSCs. Further, RNA-seq omics analysis and validation experiments in vitro showed that rCOMP could significantly promote the proliferation and activation of HPSCs, which may be due to promoting the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT through membrane protein receptor CD36. rCOMP simultaneously increased the expression of α-SMA, Fibronectin and Collagen I in HPSCs.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study showed that COMP was up-regulated in CP fibrotic tissues and COMP induced the activation, proliferation and migration of PSCs through the CD36-ERK/AKT signaling pathway. COMP may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of CP. Interfering with the expression of COMP or the communication between COMP and CD36 on PSCs may be the next direction for therapeutic research.

Assessment of rTMS treatment effects for methamphetamine use disorder based on EEG microstates

Microstates have been proposed as topographical maps representing large-scale resting-state networks and have recently been suggested as markers for methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). However, it is unknown whether and how they change after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) intervention. This study included a comprehensive subject population to investigate the effect of rTMS on MUD microstates. 34 patients with MUD underwent a 4-week randomized, double-blind rTMS intervention (active=17, sham=17). Two resting-state EEG recordings and VAS evaluations were conducted before and after the intervention period. Additionally, 17 healthy individuals were included as baseline controls. The modified k-means clustering method was used to calculate four microstates (MS-A∼MS-D) of EEG, and the FC network was also analyzed. The differences in microstate indicators between groups and within groups were compared. The durations of MS-A and MS-B microstates in patients with MUD were significantly lower than that in HC but showed significant improvements after rTMS intervention. Changes in microstate indicators were found to be significantly correlated with changes in craving level. Furthermore, selective modulation of the resting-state network by rTMS was observed in the FC network. The findings indicate that changes in microstates in patients with MUD are associated with craving level improvement following rTMS, suggesting they may serve as valuable evaluation markers.

Preclinical toxicity evaluation of novel antibacterial contezolid acefosamil in rats and dogs

Contezolid acefosamil (CZA) is an intravenous prodrug of oxazolidinone antibiotic contezolid (CZD). It is being developed to treat infections due to Gram-positive bacteria including multidrug-resistant pathogens, while addressing myelosuppression and neurotoxicity limitations associated with long-term use of this class of antibiotics. In vivo, CZA is rapidly deacylated into its first metabolite MRX-1352, which is then dephosphorylated to release active drug CZD. Four-week repeat-dose toxicity studies of intravenous CZA were conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats (40, 80, and 160/120 mg/kg/dose twice a day [BID]) and beagle dogs (25, 50, and 100/75 mg/kg/dose BID). The high doses administered to both rats and dogs were adjusted due to adverse effects including decreased body weight and food consumption. Additionally, a dose-dependent transient reduction in erythrocyte levels was recorded at the end of dosing phase. Importantly, no myelosuppressive reduction in platelet counts was observed, in contrast to the myelosuppression documented for standard-of-care oxazolidinone linezolid. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of CZA was 80 and 25 mg/kg/dose BID in rats and dogs, respectively. Separately, 3-month neuropathological evaluation in Long-Evans rats (25, 37.5, and 50 mg/kg/dose, oral CZA, BID) demonstrated no neurotoxicity in the central, peripheral, and optical neurological systems. Toxicokinetic data from these studies revealed that CZD exposures at NOAELs were higher than or comparable with that for the intended clinical dose. These results confirm the favorable safety profile for CZA and support its clinical evaluation for long-term therapy of persistent Gram-positive infections, beyond the application for earlier oxazolidinones.

[Enhancing survival outcomes in stage Ⅲ gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer: a retrospective study of immune checkpoint inhibitors and adjuvant chemotherapy based on real-world data]

Objective: To explore the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with phase III gastric cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer. Methods: This study used a retrospective cohort study method based on real-world data. Clinical data of 403 patients with stage III gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer who underwent gastrectomy followed by adjuvant therapy in the Department of Gastric Surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The study cohort comprised 147 (36.5%) patients with stage IIIA, 130 (32.3%) with stage IIIB, and 126 (31.3%) with stage IIIC gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer. Of them, 15 (3.7%) were HER-2 positive, 25 (6.2%) dMMR, and 22 (5.5%) patients Epstein-Barr virus encoding RNA (EBER) positive. Based on treatment plans, the patients were divided into immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with chemotherapy group (immune therapy group, n=110, 71 males and 39 females, median age 59 years old) and chemotherapy alone group (chemotherapy group, n=293, 186 males and 107 females, median age 60 years old). All patients in the immunotherapy group received immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1). Of them, 85 received pembrolizumab, 10 received sintilimab, 8 received tislelizumab, 4 received camrelizumab, 2 received toripalimab, and 1 received pabocizumab. The adjuvant chemotherapy regimens used among the chemotherapy alone group includes SOX regimen (132 cases), XELOX (102 cases), S-1 monotherapy (44 cases), and other regimens (15 cases). The 3-year DFS rate of the two groups was compared, and subgroup analysis was conducted based on different ages, molecular phenotypes, pTNM staging, extranodal infiltration, and tumor length. Results: The median follow-up was 20.5 months (range 3.1~46.3), with a 3-year overall DFS rate of 61.4% for the entire 403 patients. The 3-year DFS rate for the immunotherapy group was 82.7%, higher than the chemotherapy alone group (58.8%), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.021). Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative immunotherapy was a protective factor for DFS (HR=0.352, 95%CI: 0.180~0.685). Subgroup analysis showed that stage IIIC (HR=0.416, 95%CI: 0.184~0.940), aged ≥60 years (HR=0.336, 95%CI: 0.121~0.934) and extranodal invasion (HR=0.378, 95%CI: 0.170~0.839) were associated with benefit from the combined immune adjuvant chemotherapy, while no association was observed for MMR, HER-2 or EBER status. Conclusion: Stage III gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer patients may benefite from postoperative immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with adjuvant chemotherapy in real-world settings.

Scoping review of obesity interventions: Research frontiers and publication status

Obesity and overweight are significant global health issues, and numerous obesity intervention studies have been conducted. Summarizing current knowledge of interventions aims to inform researchers and policymakers to keep up-to-date with the latest scientific advancements and trends. In this review, we comprehensively retrieved and screened 4,541 studies on obesity intervention published between 2018 and 2022 in the Web of Science Core Collection, and objectively presented research frontiers using bibliometric analysis. The research frontiers of intervention are mainly focused on dietary, exercise, pharmacological interventions, bariatric surgery, environmental, and cognitive interventions. Time-restricted eating is the hottest research topic, followed by probiotics and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Gut microbiota is located in the "Basic and transversal themes" quadrant with a high centrality and low density, which has great development potentiality. Obesity intervention is becoming increasingly common,and we advocate for researchers to undertake more focused research endeavors that consider the specific characteristics of diverse populations or patients.

Validation of Artificial Intelligence-based Bowel Preparation Assessment in Screening Colonoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Accurate bowel preparation assessment is essential for determining colonoscopy screening intervals. Patients with suboptimal bowel preparation are at a high risk of missing >5mm adenomas, and should undergo an early repeat colonoscopy. In this study, we employed artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate bowel preparation and validated the ability of the system in accurately identifying patients who are at high risk of missing >5mm adenoma due to inadequate bowel preparation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective, single-center, observational study was conducted at the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from October 8, 2021, to November 9, 2022. Eligible patients underwent screening colonoscopy were consecutively enrolled. The AI assessed bowel preparation using e-Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) while endoscopists evaluated using BBPS. If both BBPS and e-BBPS deemed preparation adequate, the patient immediately underwent a second colonoscopy, otherwise the patient underwent bowel re-cleansing before the second colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Among the 393 patients, 72 ＞5mm adenomas were detected, while 27 ＞5mm adenomas were missed. In unqualified-AI patients, the >5mm AMR was significantly higher than in qualified-AI patients (35.71% vs 13.19%, p=0.0056, OR 0.2734, 95% CI 0.1139, 0.6565), as were the AMR (50.89% vs 20.79%, p<0.001, OR 0.2532, 95% CI 0.1583, 0.4052) and >5mm PMR (35.82% vs 19.48%, p=0.0152, OR 0.4335, 95% CI 0.2288, 0.8213).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed that patients classified as inadequate by AI showed unacceptable >5mm AMR, provided key evidence for implementing AI in guiding the bowel re-cleansing, potentially standardizing the future colonoscopy screening; ClincialTrials.gov, NCT05145712.

Insights into microbial contamination and antibiotic resistome traits in pork wholesale market: An evaluation of the disinfection effect of sodium hypochlorite

Chlorine and its derivatives, such as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and chlorine dioxide, are frequently employed as disinfectants throughout the pork supply chain in China. Nevertheless, the extensive use of NaClO has the potential to cause the creation of 'chlorine-tolerant bacteria' and accelerate the evolution of antibiotic resistance. This study evaluated the efficacy of NaClO disinfection by examining alterations in the microbiome and resistome of a pork wholesale market (PWM), and bacteria isolation and analysis were performed to validate the findings. As expected, the taxonomic compositions of bacteria was significantly different before and after disinfection. Notably, Salmonella enterica (S. enterica), Salmonella bongori (S. bongori), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) were observed on all surfaces, indicating that the application of NaClO disinfection treatment in PWM environments for pathogenic bacteria is limited. Correlations were identified between antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) associated with aminoglycosides (aph(3'')-I, aph(6')-I), quinolone (qnrB, abaQ), polymyxin (arnA, mcr-4) and disinfectant resistance genes (emrA/BD, mdtA/B/C/E/F). Furthermore, correlations were found between risk Rank I ARGs associated with aminoglycoside (aph(3')-I), tetracycline (tetH), beta_lactam (TEM-171), and disinfectant resistance genes (mdtB/C/E/F, emrA, acrB, qacG). Importantly, we found that Acinetobacter and Salmonella were the main hosts of disinfectant resistance genes. The resistance mechanisms of the ARGs identified in PWM were dominated by antibiotic deactivation (38.7%), antibiotic efflux (27.2%), and antibiotic target protection (14.4%). The proportion of genes encoding efflux pumps in the PWM resistome increased after disinfection. Microbial cultures demonstrated that the traits of microbial contamination and antibiotic resistane were consistent with those observed by metagenomic sequencing. This study highlights the possibility of cross-resistance between NaClO disinfectants and antibiotics, which should not be ignored.

Artemisinin and its derivatives as promising therapies for autoimmune diseases

Artemisinin, a traditional Chinese medicine with remarkable antimalarial activity. In recent years, studies demonstrated that artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs) showed anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects. ARTs have been developed and gradually applied to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, their role in the treament of patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in particular is less well recognized. This review will briefly describe the history of ARTs use in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, the theorized mechanisms of action of the agents ARTs, their efficacy in patients with autoinmmune and inflammatory diseases. Overall, ARTs have numerous beneficial effects in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and have a good safety profile.

Chiral Iridium-Based TLD-1433 Analogues: Exploration of Enantiomer-Dependent Behavior in Photodynamic Cancer Therapy

Metallodrug-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents have demonstrated significant superiority against cancers, while their different chirality-induced biological activities remain largely unexplored. In this work, we successfully developed a pair of enantiopure mononuclear Ir(III)-based TLD-1433 analogues, Δ-Ir-3T and Λ-Ir-3T, and their enantiomer-dependent anticancer behaviors were investigated. Photophysical measurements revealed that they display high photostability and chemical stability, strong absorption at 400 nm with high molar extinction coefficients (ε = 5.03 × 104 M-1 cm-1), and good 1O2 relative quantum yields (ΦΔ ≈ 47%). Δ- and Λ-Ir-3T showed potent efficacy against MCF-7 cancer cells, with a photocytotoxicity index of ≤44 238. This impressive result, to the best of our knowledge, represents the highest value among reported mononuclear Ir(III)-based PDT agents. Remarkably, Λ-Ir-3T tended to be more potent than Δ-Ir-3T when tested against SK-MEL-28, HepG2, and LO2 cells, with consistent results across multiple test repetitions.

Traditional Herbal Medicine: Therapeutic Potential in Acute Gouty Arthritis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Acute Gouty Arthritis (AGA) is characterized by a rapid inflammatory reaction caused by the build-up of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the tissues surrounding the joints. This condition often associated with hyperuricemia, is distinguished by its symptoms of intense pain, active inflammation, and swelling of the joints. Traditional approaches in AGA management often fall short of desired outcomes in clinical settings. However, recent ethnopharmacological investigations have been focusing on the potential of Traditional Herbal Medicine (THM) in various forms, exploring their therapeutic impact and targets in AGA treatment.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review briefly summarizes the current potential pharmacological mechanisms of THMs - including active ingredients, extracts, and prescriptions -in the treatment of AGA, and discusses the relevant potential mechanisms and molecular targets in depth. The objective of this study is to offer extensive information and a reference point for the exploration of targeted AGA treatment using THMs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review obtained scientific publications focused on in vitro and in vivo studies of anti-AGA Traditional Herbal Medicines (THMs) conducted between 2013 and 2023. The literature was collected from various journals and electronic databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The retrieval and analysis of relevant articles were guided by keywords such as "acute gouty arthritis and Chinese herbal medicine," "acute gouty arthritis herbal prescription," "acute gouty arthritis and immune cells," "acute gouty arthritis and inflammation," "acute gouty arthritis and NLRP3," "acute gouty arthritis and miRNA," and "acute gouty arthritis and oxidative stress."

RESULTS

We found that AGA has a large number of therapeutic targets, highlighting the effectiveness the potential of THMs in AGA treatment through in vitro and in vivo studies. THMs and their active ingredients can mitigate AGA symptoms through a variety of therapeutic targets, such as influencing macrophage polarization, neutrophils, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and addressing factors like inflammation, NLRP3 inflammasome, signaling pathways, oxidative stress, and miRNA multi-target interactions. The anti-AGA properties of THMs, including their active components and prescriptions, were systematically summarized and categorized based on their respective therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSION

phenolic, flavonoid, terpenoid and alkaloid compounds in THMs are considered the key ingredients to improve AGA. THMs and their active ingredients achieve enhanced efficacy through interactions with multiple targets, of which NLRP3 is a main therapeutic target. Nonetheless, given the intricate composition of traditional Chinese medicine, additional research is required to unravel the underlying mechanisms and molecular targets through which THMs alleviate AGA.

Integrated proteogenomic and metabolomic characterization of papillary thyroid cancer with different recurrence risks

Although papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has a good prognosis, its recurrence rate is high and remains a core concern in the clinic. Molecular factors contributing to different recurrence risks (RRs) remain poorly defined. Here, we perform an integrative proteogenomic and metabolomic characterization of 102 Chinese PTC patients with different RRs. Genomic profiling reveals that mutations in MUC16 and TERT promoter as well as multiple gene fusions like NCOA4-RET are enriched by the high RR. Integrative multi-omics analyses further describe the multi-dimensional characteristics of PTC, especially in metabolism pathways, and delineate dominated molecular patterns of different RRs. Moreover, the PTC patients are clustered into four subtypes (CS1: low RR and BRAF-like; CS2: high RR and metabolism type, worst prognosis; CS3: high RR and immune type, better prognosis; CS4: high RR and BRAF-like) based on the omics data. Notably, the subtypes display significant differences considering BRAF and TERT promoter mutations, metabolism and immune pathway profiles, epithelial cell compositions, and various clinical factors (especially RRs and prognosis) as well as druggable targets. This study can provide insights into the complex molecular characteristics of PTC recurrences and help promote early diagnosis and precision treatment of recurrent PTC.

Study of association between corneal shape parameters and axial length elongation during orthokeratology using image-pro plus software

BACKGROUND

The aim was to validate the correlation between corneal shape parameters and axial length growth (ALG) during orthokeratology using Image-Pro Plus (IPP) 6.0 software.

METHODS

This retrospective study used medical records of myopic children aged 8-13 years (n = 104) undergoing orthokeratology. Their corneal topography and axial length were measured at baseline and subsequent follow-ups after lens wear. Corneal shape parameters, including the treatment zone (TZ) area, TZ diameter, TZ fractal dimension, TZ radius ratio, eccentric distance, pupil area, and pupillary peripheral steepened zone(PSZ) area, were measured using IPP software. The impact of corneal shape parameters at 3 months post-orthokeratology visit on 1.5-year ALG was evaluated using multivariate linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

ALG exhibited significant associations with age, TZ area, TZ diameter, TZ fractal dimension, and eccentric distance on univariate linear regression analysis. Multivariate regression analysis identified age, TZ area, and eccentric distance as significantly correlated with ALG (all P < 0.01), with eccentric distance showing the strongest correlation (β = -0.370). The regressive equation was y = 1.870 - 0.235a + 0.276b - 0.370c, where y represents ALG, a represents age, b represents TZ area, and c represents eccentric distance; R2 = 0.27). No significant relationships were observed between the TZ radius ratio, pupillary PSZ area, and ALG.

CONCLUSIONS

IPP software proves effective in capturing precise corneal shape parameters after orthokeratology. Eccentric distance, rather than age or the TZ area, significantly influences ALG retardation.

The value of LCI-based modified Kyoto classification risk scoring system in predicting the risk of early gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

To study and compare the value of the Kyoto classification risk scoring system and the modified Kyoto classification risk scoring system based on linked color imaging (LCI) in predicting the risk of early gastric cancer.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty patients with pathologically confirmed non-cardia early gastric cancer by endoscopic LCI and 150 non-gastric cancer patients matched for age and gender were included. Basic patient data and whole gastric endoscopic images under LCI were collected, and the images were scored according to the LCI-based Kyoto classification risk scoring system and the LCI-based modified Kyoto classification risk scoring system.

RESULTS

Compared with the LCI-based Kyoto classification risk scoring system, the LCI-based modified Kyoto classification risk scoring system had a higher AUC for predicting the risk of early gastric cancer (0.723 vs. 0.784, p = 0.023), with a score of ≥3 being the best cutoff value for predicting the risk of early gastric cancer (sensitivity 61.33%, specificity 86.00%), and scores of 3 to 5 were significantly associated with early gastric carcinogenesis significantly (OR = 9.032, 95% CI: 4.995-16.330, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the LCI-based Kyoto classification risk scoring system, the LCI-based Kyoto modified classification risk scoring system has a better value for predicting the risk of early gastric cancer, and the score of 3 to 5 is a high-risk factor for the risk of early gastric cancer development, which is more strongly correlated with the risk of early gastric cancer.

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

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

Tracking investigation of archaeal composition and methanogenesis function from parental to offspring pigs

Archaea play a crucial role in microbial systems, including driving biochemical reactions and affecting host health by producing methane through hydrogen. The study of swine gut archaea has a positive significance in reducing methane emissions and improving feed utilization efficiency. However, the development and functional changes of archaea in the pig intestines have been overlooked for a long time. In this study, 54 fecal samples were collected from 36 parental pigs (18 boars and 18 pregnant/lactating sows), and 108 fecal samples from 18 offspring pigs during lactation, nursery, growing, and finishing stages were tracked and collected for metagenomic sequencing. We obtained 14 archaeal non-redundant metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). These archaea were classified as Methanobacteriota and Thermoplasmatota at the phylum level, and Methanobrevibacter, Methanosphaera, MX-02, and UBA71 at the genus level, involving hydrogenotrophic, methylotrophic, and acetoclastic pathways. The hydrogenotrophic pathway dominated the methanogenesis function, and the vast majority of archaea participated in it. Dietary changes profoundly affected the archaeal composition and methanogenesis function in pigs. The abundance of hydrogen-producing bacteria in parental pigs fed high-fiber diets was higher than that in offspring pigs fed low-fiber diets. The methanogenesis function was positively correlated with fiber decomposition functions and negatively correlated with the starch decomposition function. Increased abundance of sulfate reductase and fumarate reductase, as well as decreased acetate/propionate ratio, indicated that the upregulation of alternative hydrogen uptake pathways competing with methanogens may be the reason for the reduced methanogenesis function. These findings contribute to providing information and direction in the pig industry for the development of strategies to reduce methane emissions, improve feed efficiency, and maintain intestinal health.

Population pharmacokinetic rationale for intravenous contezolid acefosamil followed by oral contezolid dosage regimens

Contezolid is a novel oxazolidinone antibiotic with a promising safety profile. Oral contezolid and its intravenous (IV) prodrug contezolid acefosamil (CZA) are in development for treatment of diabetic foot and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). The prodrug CZA is converted to active contezolid via intermediate MRX-1352. This study aimed to provide the pharmacokinetic rationale for safe, effective, and flexible dosage regimens with initial IV CZA followed by oral contezolid. We simultaneously modeled plasma concentrations from 110 healthy volunteers and 74 phase 2 patients with ABSSSI via population pharmacokinetics (using the importance sampling estimation algorithm), and optimized dosage regimens by Monte Carlo simulations. This included data on MRX-1352, contezolid, and its metabolite MRX-1320 from 66 healthy volunteers receiving intravenous CZA (150-2400 mg) for up to 28 days, and 74 patients receiving oral contezolid [800 mg every 12 h (q12h)] for 10 days. The apparent total clearance for 800 mg oral contezolid with food was 16.0 L/h (23.4% coefficient of variation) in healthy volunteers and 17.7 L/h (53.8%) in patients. CZA was rapidly converted to MRX-1352, which subsequently transformed to contezolid. The proposed dosage regimen used an IV CZA 2000 mg loading dose with 1000 mg IV CZA q12h as maintenance dose(s), followed by 800 mg oral contezolid q12h (with food). During each 24-h period, Monte Carlo simulations predicted this regimen to achieve consistent areas under the curve of 91.9 mg·h/L (range: 76.3-106 mg·h/L) under all scenarios. Thus, this regimen was predicted to reliably achieve efficacious contezolid exposures independent of timing of switch from IV CZA to oral contezolid.IMPORTANCEThis study provides the population pharmacokinetic rationale for the dosage regimen of the intravenous (IV) prodrug contezolid acefosamil (CZA) followed by oral contezolid. We developed the first integrated population model for the pharmacokinetics of the MRX-1352 intermediate prodrug, active contezolid, and its main metabolite MRX-1320 based on data from three clinical studies in healthy volunteers and phase 2 patients. The proposed regimen was predicted to reliably achieve efficacious contezolid exposures independent of timing of switch from IV CZA to oral contezolid.

[Comparison of the microbiota diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Culex pipiens pallens]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the microbiota composition and diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Culex pipiens pallens, so as to provide insights into unraveling the pathogenesis of autogeny in Cx. pipiens pallens.

METHODS

Autogenous and anautogenous adult Cx. pipiens pallens samples were collected at 25 ℃, and the hypervariable regions of the microbial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene was sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. The microbiota abundance and diversity were evaluated using the alpha diversity index, and the difference in the microbiota structure was examined using the beta diversity index. The microbiota with significant differences in the abundance between autogenous and anautogenous adult Cx. pipiens pallens samples was identified using the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe).

RESULTS

The microbiota in autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples belonged to 18 phyla, 28 classes, 70 orders, 113 families, and 170 genera, and the dominant phyla included Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and so on. At the genus level, Wolbachia was a common dominant genus, and the relative abundance was (77.6 ± 11.3)% in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples and (47.5 ± 8.5)% in anautogenous mosquito samples, while Faecalibaculum (0.4% ± 0.1%), Dubosiella (0.5% ± 0.0%) and Massilia (0.5% ± 0.1%) were specific species in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples. Alpha diversity analysis showed that higher Chao1 index and ACE index in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples than in anautogenous samples (both P values > 0.05), and lower Shannon index (P > 0.05) and Simpson index (P < 0.05) in autogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples than in anautogenous samples. LEfSe analysis showed a total of 48 significantly different taxa between autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens samples (all P values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant difference in the microbiota diversity between autogenous and anautogenous Cx. pipiens pallens.

Subregional thalamic functional connectivity abnormalities and cognitive impairments in first-episode schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have documented thalamic functional connectivity (FC) abnormalities in schizophrenia, typically examining the thalamus as a whole. The specific link between subregional thalamic FC and cognitive deficits in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) remains unexplored.

METHODS

Using data from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared whole-brain FC with thalamic subregions between patients and HCs, and analyzed FC changes in drug-naïve patients separately. We then examined correlations between FC abnormalities with both cognitive impairment and clinical symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 33 FES patients (20 drug-naïve) and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were included. Compared to HCs, FES patients exhibited increased FC between specific thalamic subregions and cortical regions, particularly bilateral middle temporal lobe and cuneus gyrus, left medial superior frontal gyrus, and right inferior/superior occipital gyrus. Decreased FC was observed between certain thalamic subregions and the left inferior frontal triangle. These findings were largely consistent in drug-naïve patients. Notably, deficits in social cognition and visual learning in FES patients correlated with increased FC between certain thalamic subregions and cortical regions involving the right superior occipital gyrus and cuneus gyrus. The severity of negative symptoms was associated with increased FC between a thalamic subregion and the left middle temporal gyrus.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest FC abnormalities between thalamic subregions and cortical areas in FES patients. Increased FC correlated with cognitive deficits and negative symptoms, highlighting the importance of thalamo-cortical connectivity in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

The Use of Real-World Evidence for Regulatory Decisions in China

There is a growing demand for the use of high-quality real-world evidence (RWE) to support regulatory decision-making worldwide and in China, which highlights the need for conducting literature reviews to evaluate the available data and evidence. This study aims to review the use of RWE in Chinese regulatory decisions and to summarize relevant regulatory and methodological considerations to inform the future use of RWE in China. We identified policy documents, technical guidance documents, and cases on official Chinese government websites and extracted their contents separately. We consulted experts from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and academic institutes and searched case-related articles for enrichment. We also searched and included articles related to the use of RWE/Real-world data in Chinese regulatory decisions. Six trial versions of technical guidance documents, 7 case studies, and 40 articles related to the Chinese regulatory decisions were included in this study. Based on the technical guidance, data quality, and appropriate study design and statistical analysis are the main concerns for RWE generation. The cases and articles related to regulatory decisions revealed 9 main concerns, including data sources and applicability, data quality, strength of existing evidence, appropriate study design and statistical analysis, regulated and transparent process for analysis and evidence generation, product safety and efficacy, product characteristics and clinical needs, ethical considerations and data security, and communicate adequately with regulatory authorities. Among these concerns, data issues are central. Preliminary attempts have been made by the NMPA to promote the use of RWE, but substantial challenges still remain.

Recent Progress of Anti-Freezing, Anti-Drying, and Anti-Swelling Conductive Hydrogels and Their Applications

Hydrogels are soft-wet materials with a hydrophilic three-dimensional network structure offering controllable stretchability, conductivity, and biocompatibility. However, traditional conductive hydrogels only operate in mild environments and exhibit poor environmental tolerance due to their high water content and hydrophilic network, which result in undesirable swelling, susceptibility to freezing at sub-zero temperatures, and structural dehydration through evaporation. The application range of conductive hydrogels is significantly restricted by these limitations. Therefore, developing environmentally tolerant conductive hydrogels (ETCHs) is crucial to increasing the application scope of these materials. In this review, we summarize recent strategies for designing multifunctional conductive hydrogels that possess anti-freezing, anti-drying, and anti-swelling properties. Furthermore, we briefly introduce some of the applications of ETCHs, including wearable sensors, bioelectrodes, soft robots, and wound dressings. The current development status of different types of ETCHs and their limitations are analyzed to further discuss future research directions and development prospects.

Quantitative characterization and dynamics of bacterial communities in ready-to-eat chicken using high-throughput sequencing combined with internal standard-based absolute quantification

Ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken products are prone to bacterial contamination, posing foodborne illness risks. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) has been widely used to study the distribution of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria in RTE chicken products but lacks quantitative data on taxa abundances. In this study, we employed a method combining HTS with absolute quantification, using Edwardsiella tarda as an internal standard strain, to achieve the relative and absolute abundances of microbiota in RTE chicken products stored at 4 and 25 °C. The results showed that the addition of appropriate concentration of internal standard strains exhibited no significant impact on the structure composition, relative abundance, and absolute abundance of bacterial communities in chicken meat, achieving comprehensive absolute quantification in RTE chicken products. Furthermore, the absolute abundance of bacterial genera at the end of storage followed a log-normal distribution, with most genera having an absolute abundance between 103 and 105 CFU/g. This study provides insights into the quantification of bacterial communities in RTE chicken products, laying a foundation for the development of strategies to extend the shelf life of RTE products.

Modeling autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa by using patient-specific retinal organoids with a class-3 RHO mutation

Rhodopsin-mediated autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-adRP) causes progressive vision loss and is potentially incurable, accounting for 25% of adRP cases. Studies on RHO-adRP mechanism were at large based on the biochemical and cellular properties, especially class-3. Nonetheless, the absence of an appropriate model for class-3 RHO-adRP has impeded comprehensive exploration. Here, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated from a healthy control and two sibling RP patients with the same point mutation, c.403C>T (p.R135W). The first three-dimensional (3D) retinal organoid model of a class-3 RHO point mutation from patient-derived iPSCs was generated. Significant defects were observed in rod photoreceptors in terms of localization, morphology, transcriptional profiling and single cell resolution, to better understand the human disease resulting from RHO mutations from a developmental perspective. This first human model of class-3 RHO-adRP provides a representation of patient's retina in vitro and displays features of RHO-adRP retinal organoids relevant for therapeutic development.

In situ coupling of carbon dots with zeolitic imidazolate frameworks enabling highly red emission in solid state

In this work, an extraordinary solid red emissive phosphor was prepared based on red-emitting carbon dots (R-CDs). The synthesis was conducted under an in-situ strategy, with assistance of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks. The obtained phosphor possesses a stronger red emission located at 630 nm in solid state, with CIE coordinate of (0.63, 0.35) and quantum yield of ∼ 45 %. As a consequence, not only aggregation-induced fluorescence quenching of R-CDs is avoided in solid state, but also an enhanced emission with high quantum yield is presented. Fluorescence properties were further explored in detail. The emission is found to be responsive to temperature and applied pressure. Based on the excellent emissive performance, the material has great potentials in anti-counterfeiting, latent fingerprint imaging, and temperature/pressure-sensing. This work provides a facile and promising way of preparing solid carbon-based phosphors for special applications.

The usefulness of traction-assisted endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary early tumors(with video)

Objective Endoscopic papillectomy(EP) is a minimally invasive treatment for early ampullary tumors. However, the optimal method is unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of traction-assisted EP treatments for ampullary early tumors.Methods We retrospective analyzed the patients with ampullary adenoma or early adenocarcinoma underwent endoscopic papillectomy between January 2010 and August 2023, including patient characteristics, lesion size, papilla type, pathological diagnosis and lesion surrounding conditions, en-bloc resection rate, complete resection rate, procedure time, complications, recurrences.Results During the study period, a total of 106 patients with ampullary adenoma or early adenocarcinoma underwent EP. The number of patients in traction group (clip combined with dental floss traction, CDT-EP) and non-traction group (hot snare papillectomy, HSP or endoscopic mucosal resection, EMR) were 45 and 61 respectively. The traction group has a higher en-bloc resection rate and complete resection rate than the non-traction group (92.86% vs. 68.85%, p = 0.003; 90.48% vs. 60.66%, p = 0.001), and the procedure time is slightly shorter[(1.57 ± 1.93)min vs. (1.98 ± 1.76)min, p = 0.039]. The complications and recurrence in the traction group were lower than those in the non-traction group (7.14% vs. 19.72%, p = 0.076; 7.14% vs. 11.78%, p = 0.466), and all complications were successfully treated by endoscopy or conservative medical treatment. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of patient characteristics, papilla type, pathological diagnosis and lesion surrounding conditions (p > 0.050), but there were differences in lesion size[(13 ± 1.09)mm vs. (11 ± 1.65)mm, p = 0.002]. The recurrence rate of the traction group is lower than that of the non-traction group, but the difference is not significant(7.14% vs. 13.11%, p = 0.335), and the non-traction group mainly has early recurrence. Further analysis shows that the size of the lesion, whether en-bloc resection or not, and the method of resection as independent risk factors for incomplete resection (OR = 1.732, p = 0.031; OR = 3.716, p = 0.049; OR = 2.120, p = 0.027).Conclusions CDT- EP, HSP and EMR are all suitable methods for the treatment of ampullary adenoma or early adenocarcinoma. Assisted traction technology can reduce the operation difficulty of large and difficult to expose lesions, thereby improving the efficacy and safety of EP.

Small extracellular vesicles facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps via the miR-375-3p/QKI axis

BACKGROUND

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, the involvement of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in EMT and their contributions to CRSwNP has not been extensively investigated.

METHODS

SEVs were isolated from nasal mucosa through ultracentrifugation. MicroRNA sequencing and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were employed to analyze the differential expression of microRNAs carried by sEVs. Human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) were used to assess the EMT-inducing effect of sEVs/microRNAs. EMT-associated markers were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine the target gene of miR-375-3p. MicroRNA mimic, lentiviral, and plasmid transduction were used for functional experiments.

RESULTS

In line with the greater EMT status in eosinophilic CRSwNP (ENP), sEVs derived from ENP (ENP-sEVs) could induce EMT in hNECs. MiR-375-3p was elevated in ENP-sEVs compared to that in control and nonENP. MiR-375- 3p carried by ENP-sEVs facilitated EMT by directly targeting KH domain containing RNA binding (QKI) at seed sequences of 913-919, 1025-1033, and 2438-2444 in 3'-untranslated region. Inhibition of QKI by miR-375-3p overexpression promoted EMT, which could be reversed by restoration of QKI. Furthermore, the abundance of miR-375-3p in sEVs was closely correlated with the clinical symptom score and disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-375-3p-enriched sEVs facilitated EMT by suppressing QKI in hNECs. The association of miR-375-3p with disease severity underscores its potential as both a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for the innovative management of CRSwNP.

Analysis of differentially expressed proteins in lymph fluids related to lymphatic metastasis in a breast cancer rabbit model guided by contrast‑enhanced ultrasound

The aim of the present study was to identify differentially expressed proteins in the lymph fluid of rabbits with breast cancer lymphatic metastasis compared with healthy rabbits and to analyze and verify these proteins using proteomics technologies. In the process of breast cancer metastasis, the composition of the lymph fluid will also change. Rabbits with breast cancer lymph node metastasis and normal rabbits were selected for analysis. Lymph fluid was extracted under the guidance of percutaneous contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Label-free quantitative proteomics was used to detect and compare differences between the rabbit cancer model and healthy rabbits and differential protein expression results were obtained. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology analysis software, selecting the most significantly differentially expressed proteins. Finally, parallel reaction monitoring technology was applied for validation. A total of 547 significantly differentially expressed proteins were found in the present study, which included 371 upregulated proteins and 176 downregulated proteins. The aforementioned genes were mainly involved in various cellular and metabolic pathways, including upregulated proteins, such as biliverdin reductase A and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 and downregulated proteins, such as pyridoxal kinase. The upregulated proteins protein disulfide-isomerase 3, protein kinase cAMP-dependent type I regulatory subunit α and ATP-binding cassette sub-family C member 4 participated in immune regulation, endocrine regulation and anti-tumor drug resistance regulation, respectively. Compared with healthy rabbits, rabbits with breast cancer metastasis differentially expressed of a number of different proteins in their lymph, which participate in the pathophysiological process of tumor occurrence and metastasis. Through further research, these differential proteins can be used as predictive indicators of breast cancer metastasis and new therapeutic targets.

Cloning and characterization of luciferase from an Asian firefly Pygoluciola qingyu and its comparison with other beetle luciferases

The bioluminescence system of luminescent beetles has extensive applications in biological imaging, protein labeling and drug screening. To explore wild luciferases with excellent catalytic activity and thermal stability, we cloned the luciferase of Pygoluciola qingyu, one species living in areas of high temperature and with strong bioluminescence, by combining transcriptomic sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The total length of luciferase gene is 1638 bp and the luciferase consists 544 amino acids. The recombinant P. qingyu luciferase was produced in vitro and its characteristics were compared with those of eight luciferases from China firefly species and two commercial luciferases. Compared with these luciferases, the P. qingyu luciferase shows the highest luminescence activity at room temperature (about 25-28 ℃) with similar KM value for D-luciferin and ATP to the Photinus pyralis luciferase. The P. qingyu luciferase activity was highest at 35 ℃ and can keep high activity at 30-40 ℃, which suggests the potential of P. qingyu luciferase for in vivo and cell application. Our results provide new insights into P. qingyu luciferase and give a new resource for the application of luciferases.

Delay-driven phase transitions in an epidemic model on time-varying networks

A complex networked system typically has a time-varying nature in interactions among its components, which is intrinsically complicated and therefore technically challenging for analysis and control. This paper investigates an epidemic process on a time-varying network with a time delay. First, an averaging theorem is established to approximate the delayed time-varying system using autonomous differential equations for the analysis of system evolution. On this basis, the critical time delay is determined, across which the endemic equilibrium becomes unstable and a phase transition to oscillation in time via Hopf bifurcation will appear. Then, numerical examples are examined, including a periodically time-varying network, a blinking network, and a quasi-periodically time-varying network, which are simulated to verify the theoretical results. Further, it is demonstrated that the existence of time delay can extend the network frequency range to generate Turing patterns, showing a facilitating effect on phase transitions.

Characterization of a novel γ-type carbonic anhydrase, Sjγ-CA2, in Saccharina japonica: Insights into carbon concentration mechanism in macroalgae

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is a crucial component of CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) in macroalgae. In Saccharina japonica, an important brown seaweed, 11 CAs, including 5 α-, 3 β-, and 3 γ-CAs, have been documented. Among them, one α-CA and one β-CA were localized in the periplasmic space, one α-CA was found in the chloroplast, and one γ-CA was situated in mitochondria. Notably, the known γ-CAs have predominantly been identified in mitochondria. In this study, we identified a chloroplastic γ-type CA, Sjγ-CA2, in S. japonica. Based on the reported amino acid sequence of Sjγ-CA2, the epitope peptide for monoclonal antibody production was selected as 165 Pro-305. After purification and specificity identification, anti-SjγCA2 monoclonal antibody was employed in immunogold electron microscopy. The results illustrated that Sjγ-CA2 was localized in the chloroplasts of both gametophytes and sporophytes of S. japonica. Subsequently, immunoprecipitation coupled with LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that Sjγ-CA2 mainly interacted with photosynthesis-related proteins. Moreover, the first 65 amino acids at N-terminal of Sjγ-CA2 was identified as the chloroplast transit peptide by the transient expression of GFP-SjγCA2 fused protein in tabacco. Real-time PCR results demonstrated an up-regulation of the transcription of Sjγ-CA2 gene in response to high CO2 concentration. These findings implied that Sjγ-CA2 might contribute to minimizing the leakage of CO2 from chloroplasts and help maintaining a high concentration of CO2 around Rubisco.

Borneol serves as an adjuvant agent to promote the cellular uptake of curcumin for enhancing its photodynamic fungicidal efficacy against Candida albicans

Candida albicans (C. albicans), a major opportunistic pathogenic fungus, is known to cause superficial skin infections. Unfortunately, the misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug resistance in fungi. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), a non-antibiotic alternative, has shown potential in treating drug-resistant fungal infections. Curcumin is a photodynamically active phytochemical whose photodynamic fungicidal efficacy is largely dependent on its intracellular accumulation. However, curcumin faces challenges in penetrating the cytoplasm due to its poor water solubility and the fungal cell wall. Borneol, another monoterpenoid phytochemical, is known for its ability to enhance drug absorption. In this study, we showed that borneol improved the cellular uptake of curcumin, thereby enhancing its photodynamic fungicidal efficacy against C. albicans. This effect was attributed to borneol's ability to increase cell permeability. Transcriptomic analysis further confirmed that borneol disrupted the normal structure and function of the C. albicans cell wall and membrane, resulting in dysregulated mRNA expression of related genes and ultimately increased cell permeability. As a result, the excessive accumulation of curcumin in C. albicans triggered the overproduction of intracellular ROS upon exposure to blue light. These excessive intracellular ROS disrupted various cellular structures, interfered with essential cellular processes, inhibited biofilm formation and reduced virulence. Remarkably, borneol was also found to enhance curcumin uptake by C. albicans within biofilms, further enhancing the anti-biofilm efficacy of curcumin-mediated aPDT (Cur-aPDT). In conclusion, the results of this study strongly support the potential of borneol as an adjuvant agent to Cur-aPDT in treating superficial cutaneous fungal infections.

B cell lineage reconstitution underlies CAR-T cell therapeutic efficacy in patients with refractory myasthenia gravis

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), expressed in plasmablasts and plasma cells, could serve as a promising therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases. We reported here chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting BCMA in two patients with highly relapsed and refractory myasthenia gravis (one with AChR-IgG, and one with MuSk-IgG). Both patients exhibited favorable safety profiles and persistent clinical improvements over 18 months. Reconstitution of B-cell lineages with sustained reduced pathogenic autoantibodies might underlie the therapeutic efficacy. To identify the possible mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T cells in these patients, longitudinal single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing was conducted on serial blood samples post infusion as well as their matching infusion products. By tracking the temporal evolution of CAR-T phenotypes, we demonstrated that proliferating cytotoxic-like CD8 clones were the main effectors in autoimmunity, whereas compromised cytotoxic and proliferation signature and profound mitochondrial dysfunction in CD8+ Te cells before infusion and subsequently defect CAR-T cells after manufacture might explain their characteristics in these patients. Our findings may guide future studies to improve CAR T-cell immunotherapy in autoimmune diseases.

Clinical Analysis and Mental Health Survey of Hemophilia Carriers: a Cross-sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

Hemophilia carriers (HCs), who are heterozygous for mutations in the clotting factor VIII/clotting factor IX gene (F8 or F9), may have a wide range of clotting factor levels, from very low, similar to afflicted males, to the upper limit of normal, and may experience mental health issues. The purpose of this study was to provide genetic information on mothers of hemophilia patients and to understand the clotting factor activity and phenotype of HCs. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the mental health status of HCs in China.

METHODS

A total of 127 hemophilia mothers, including 93 hemophilia A (HA) mothers and 34 hemophilia B (HB) mothers, were enrolled in this study. Long distance PCR, multiplex PCR, and Sanger sequencing were used to analyze mutations in F8 or F9. Coagulation factor activity was detected by a one-stage clotting assay. The Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90, China/Mandarin version) was given to HCs at the same time to assess their mental health.

RESULTS

A total of 90.6% of hemophilia mothers were diagnosed genetically as carriers, with inversion in intron 22 and missense mutations being the most common mutation types in HA and HB carriers, respectively. The median clotting factor level in carriers was 0.74 IU/mL (ranging from 0.09 to 1.74 IU/mL) compared with 1.49 IU/mL (ranging from 0.93 to 1.89 IU/mL) in noncarriers, of which 14.3% of HCs had clotting factor levels of 0.40 IU/mL or below. A total of 53.8% (7/13) of HA carriers with low clotting factor levels (less than 0.50 IU/mL) had a history of bleeding, while none of the HB carriers displayed a bleeding phenotype. The total mean score and the global severity index of the SCL-90 for surveyed HCs were 171.00 (±60.37) and 1.78 (±0.59), respectively. A total of 67.7% of the respondents had psychological symptoms, with obsessive-compulsive disorder being the most prevalent and severe. The pooled estimates of all nine factors were significantly higher than those in the general population (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The detection rate of gene mutations in hemophilia mothers was 90.6%, with a median clotting factor level of 0.74 IU/mL, and 14.3% of HCs had a clotting factor level of 0.40 IU/mL or below. A history of bleeding was present in 41.2% of HCs with low clotting factor levels (less than 0.50 IU/mL). Additionally, given the fragile mental health status of HCs in China, it is critical to develop efficient strategies to improve psychological well-being.

Indolent growth of low‑grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of the knee with the resemblance of a benign lesion: A case report

Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is a rare soft-tissue malignant neoplasm originating from the stromal cells that is predominantly comprised of atypical myofibroblasts. The present study reports the case of a patient with low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma in the soft tissue of the knee. The patient exhibited a soft, painless mass on the medial side of the left knee. During surgery, a yellow-white mass above the posterior margin of the sartorius muscle was identified. This mass, which was irregular and adherent to surrounding tissues, had a blurry boundary, indicative of invasive growth. The morphology of the mass significantly differed from conventional lipomas and was lacking typical features. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of a malignant LGMS. The patient experienced no recurrence over 1 year of follow-up and reported complete recovery of knee range of motion. The present study suggests that an incisional biopsy may be performed if LGMS is suspected based on patient symptoms and imaging results. In addition, long-term follow-up is crucial for the timely detection and management of any recurrence, playing a key role in the patient's ongoing care and treatment.

The clinical applications of D-type parastomal hernia repair surgery

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the use of a modified laparoscopic repair of paraostomy hernia technique, called "D-Type parastomal hernia repair surgery" which combines abdominal wall and extraperitoneal stoma reconstruction, in patients with parastomal hernia (PSH) following colorectal stoma surgery. The aim was to determine whether D-type parastomal hernia repair surgery is a promising surgical approach compared to the traditional laparoscopic repair technique (Sugarbaker method) for patients with PSH.

METHODS

PSH patients were selected and retrospectively divided into two groups: the study group underwent D-type parastomal hernia repair, while the control group underwent laparoscopic Sugarbaker repair. Clinical data from both groups were analyzed.

RESULT

Compared to control group (n = 68), the study group undergoing D-type stoma lateral hernia repair had significant increase in total operative time (98.82 ± 12.37 min vs 124.61 ± 34.99 min, p < 0.001). The study group also showed better postoperative stoma bowel function scores in sensory ability, frequency of bowel movements, and clothing cleanliness without a stoma bag (p = 0.037, 0.001, 0.002). The treatment cost was significantly higher in the control group (3899.97 ± 260.00$ vs 3215.91 ± 230.03$, p < 0.001). The postoperative recurrence rate in the control group was 26.4%, while in the study group, it was 4.3%, with a significant statistical difference (p = 0.024). In terms of long-term postoperative complications, the study group had an overall lower incidence compared to the control group (p = 0.035). Other parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The study suggests that D-type parastomal hernia repair surgery is a safe and feasible procedure. Compared to traditional surgery, it can reduce the recurrence of lateral hernia, improve postoperative stoma bowel function, and save medical resources.

A revisit of drugs and potential therapeutic targets against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: learning from clinical trials

PURPOSE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease, with a worldwide prevalence of 25%. Although numerous clinical trials have been conducted over the last few decades, an effective treatment has not been approved yet. Extensive research has accumulated a large amount of data and experience; however, the vast number of clinical trials and new therapeutic targets for NAFLD make it impossible to keep abreast of the relevant information. Therefore, a systematic analysis of the existing trials is necessary.

METHODS

Here, we reviewed clinical trials on NAFLD registered in the mandated federal database, ClinicalTrials.gov, to generate a detailed overview of the trials related to drugs and therapeutic targets for NAFLD treatment. Following screening for pertinence to therapy, a total of 440 entries were identified that included active trials as well as those that have already been completed, suspended, terminated, or withdrawn.

RESULTS

We summarize and systematically analyze the state, drug development pipeline, and discovery of treatment targets for NAFLD. We consider possible factors that may affect clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we discussed these results to explore the mechanisms responsible for clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

We summarised the landscape of current clinical trials and suggested the directions for future NAFLD therapy to assist internal medicine specialists in treating the whole clinical spectrum of this highly prevalent liver disease.

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

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

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

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

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Affiliation(s)

M Ablikim Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
M N Achasov Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS (BINP), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
P Adlarson Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden
X C Ai Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
R Aliberti Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
A Amoroso University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
M R An Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
Q An State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y Bai Southeast University, Nanjing 211100, People's Republic of China
O Bakina Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
I Balossino INFN Sezione di Ferrara, INFN Sezione di Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
Y Ban Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
H-R Bao University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
V Batozskaya Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China National Centre for Nuclear Research, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
K Begzsuren Institute of Physics and Technology, Peace Avenue 54B, Ulaanbaatar 13330, Mongolia
N Berger Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
M Berlowski National Centre for Nuclear Research, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
M Bertani INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, I-00044 Frascati, Italy
D Bettoni INFN Sezione di Ferrara, INFN Sezione di Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
F Bianchi University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
E Bianco University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
A Bortone University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
I Boyko Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
R A Briere Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
A Brueggemann University of Muenster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 9, 48149 Muenster, Germany
H Cai Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
X Cai Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
A Calcaterra INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, I-00044 Frascati, Italy
G F Cao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
N Cao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S A Cetin Turkish Accelerator Center Particle Factory Group, Istinye University, 34010 Istanbul, Turkey
J F Chang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
T T Chang Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, People's Republic of China
W L Chang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
G R Che Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
G Chelkov Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
C Chen Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Chao Chen Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
G Chen Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H S Chen Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
M L Chen Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S J Chen Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
S L Chen North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, People's Republic of China
S M Chen Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
T Chen Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X R Chen Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X T Chen Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y B Chen Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y Q Chen Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
Z J Chen Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
S K Choi Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
X Chu Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
G Cibinetto INFN Sezione di Ferrara, INFN Sezione di Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
S C Coen Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
F Cossio INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
J J Cui Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
H L Dai Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
J P Dai Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, People's Republic of China
A Dbeyssi Helmholtz Institute Mainz, Staudinger Weg 18, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
R E de Boer Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
D Dedovich Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
Z Y Deng Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
A Denig Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
I Denysenko Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
M Destefanis University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
F De Mori University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
B Ding Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People's Republic of China
X X Ding Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
Y Ding Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, People's Republic of China
Y Ding Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
J Dong Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
L Y Dong Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
M Y Dong Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X Dong Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
M C Du Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S X Du Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
Z H Duan Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
P Egorov Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
Y H Fan North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, People's Republic of China
J Fang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
S S Fang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
W X Fang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y Fang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y Q Fang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
R Farinelli INFN Sezione di Ferrara, INFN Sezione di Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
L Fava University of Eastern Piedmont, I-15121 Alessandria, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
F Feldbauer Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
G Felici INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, I-00044 Frascati, Italy
C Q Feng State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
J H Feng Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
K Fischer University of Oxford, Keble Road, Oxford OX13RH, United Kingdom
M Fritsch Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
C D Fu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J L Fu University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y W Fu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H Gao University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y N Gao Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
Yang Gao State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
S Garbolino INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
I Garzia INFN Sezione di Ferrara, INFN Sezione di Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy University of Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
P T Ge Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
Z W Ge Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
C Geng Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
E M Gersabeck University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
A Gilman University of Oxford, Keble Road, Oxford OX13RH, United Kingdom
K Goetzen GSI Helmholtzcentre for Heavy Ion Research GmbH, D-64291 Darmstadt, Germany
L Gong Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, People's Republic of China
W X Gong Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
W Gradl Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
S Gramigna INFN Sezione di Ferrara, INFN Sezione di Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy University of Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
M Greco University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
M H Gu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y T Gu Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, People's Republic of China
C Y Guan Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z L Guan Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
A Q Guo Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
L B Guo Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
M J Guo Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
R P Guo Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People's Republic of China
Y P Guo Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
A Guskov Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
J Gutierrez Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
T T Han Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
W Y Han Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
X Q Hao Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, People's Republic of China
F A Harris University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
K K He Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
K L He Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
F H H Heinsius Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
C H Heinz Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
Y K Heng Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
C Herold Suranaree University of Technology, University Avenue 111, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
T Holtmann Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
P C Hong Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
G Y Hou Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X T Hou Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y R Hou University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z L Hou Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
B Y Hu Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
H M Hu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J F Hu South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
T Hu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y Hu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
G S Huang State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
K X Huang Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
L Q Huang Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X T Huang Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Y P Huang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
T Hussain University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590, Pakistan
N Hüsken Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
N In der Wiesche University of Muenster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 9, 48149 Muenster, Germany
M Irshad State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
J Jackson Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
S Jaeger Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
S Janchiv Institute of Physics and Technology, Peace Avenue 54B, Ulaanbaatar 13330, Mongolia
J H Jeong Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
Q Ji Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Q P Ji Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, People's Republic of China
X B Ji Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X L Ji Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y Y Ji Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
X Q Jia Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Z K Jia State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
H J Jiang Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
P C Jiang Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
S S Jiang Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
T J Jiang Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, People's Republic of China
X S Jiang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y Jiang University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J B Jiao Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Z Jiao Huangshan College, Huangshan 245000, People's Republic of China
S Jin Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
Y Jin University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People's Republic of China
M Q Jing Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X M Jing University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
T Johansson Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden
X Kui Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S Kabana Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Casilla 7D, Arica 1000000, Chile
N Kalantar-Nayestanaki University of Groningen, NL-9747 AA Groningen, The Netherlands
X L Kang China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
X S Kang Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, People's Republic of China
M Kavatsyuk University of Groningen, NL-9747 AA Groningen, The Netherlands
B C Ke Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
V Khachatryan Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
A Khoukaz University of Muenster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 9, 48149 Muenster, Germany
R Kiuchi Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
R Kliemt GSI Helmholtzcentre for Heavy Ion Research GmbH, D-64291 Darmstadt, Germany
O B Kolcu Turkish Accelerator Center Particle Factory Group, Istinye University, 34010 Istanbul, Turkey
B Kopf Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
M Kuessner Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
A Kupsc National Centre for Nuclear Research, Warsaw 02-093, Poland Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden
W Kühn Justus-Liebig-Universitaet Giessen, II. Physikalisches Institut, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
J J Lane University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
P Larin Helmholtz Institute Mainz, Staudinger Weg 18, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
A Lavania Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
L Lavezzi University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
T T Lei State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Z H Lei State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
H Leithoff Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
M Lellmann Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
T Lenz Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
C Li Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, People's Republic of China
C Li Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
C H Li Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
Cheng Li State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
D M Li Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
F Li Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
G Li Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H Li State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
H B Li Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H J Li Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, People's Republic of China
H N Li South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
Hui Li Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
J R Li Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
J S Li Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
J W Li Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Ke Li Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
L J Li Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
L K Li Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Lei Li Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, People's Republic of China
M H Li Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
P R Li Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
Q X Li Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
S X Li Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
T Li Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
W D Li Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
W G Li Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X H Li State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
X L Li Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Xiaoyu Li Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y G Li Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
Z J Li Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
Z X Li Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, People's Republic of China
C Liang Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
H Liang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H Liang State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y F Liang Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, People's Republic of China
Y T Liang Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
G R Liao Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, People's Republic of China
L Z Liao Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Y P Liao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J Libby Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
A Limphirat Suranaree University of Technology, University Avenue 111, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
D X Lin Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
T Lin Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
B J Liu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
B X Liu Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
C Liu Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
C X Liu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
F H Liu Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, People's Republic of China
Fang Liu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Feng Liu Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, People's Republic of China
G M Liu South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
H Liu Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
H B Liu Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, People's Republic of China
H M Liu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Huanhuan Liu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Huihui Liu Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, People's Republic of China
J B Liu State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
J Y Liu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
K Liu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
K Y Liu Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, People's Republic of China
Ke Liu Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
L Liu State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
L C Liu Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Lu Liu Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
M H Liu Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
P L Liu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Q Liu University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S B Liu State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
T Liu Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
W K Liu Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
W M Liu State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
X Liu Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
Y Liu Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
Y Liu Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
Y B Liu Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Z A Liu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z Q Liu Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
X C Lou Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
F X Lu Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
H J Lu Huangshan College, Huangshan 245000, People's Republic of China
J G Lu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
X L Lu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y Lu Central South University, Changsha 410083, People's Republic of China
Y P Lu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Z H Lu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
C L Luo Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
M X Luo Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China
T Luo Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
X L Luo Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
X R Lyu University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y F Lyu Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
F C Ma Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, People's Republic of China
H Ma Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, People's Republic of China
H L Ma Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J L Ma Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
L L Ma Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
M M Ma Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Q M Ma Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
R Q Ma Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X Y Ma Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y Ma Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
Y M Ma Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
F E Maas Helmholtz Institute Mainz, Staudinger Weg 18, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
M Maggiora University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
S Malde University of Oxford, Keble Road, Oxford OX13RH, United Kingdom
Q A Malik University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590, Pakistan
A Mangoni INFN Sezione di Perugia, I-06100 Perugia, Italy
Y J Mao Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
Z P Mao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S Marcello University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
Z X Meng University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People's Republic of China
J G Messchendorp GSI Helmholtzcentre for Heavy Ion Research GmbH, D-64291 Darmstadt, Germany University of Groningen, NL-9747 AA Groningen, The Netherlands
G Mezzadri INFN Sezione di Ferrara, INFN Sezione di Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
H Miao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
T J Min Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
R E Mitchell Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
X H Mo Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
B Moses Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
N Yu Muchnoi Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS (BINP), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
J Muskalla Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
Y Nefedov Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
F Nerling Helmholtz Institute Mainz, Staudinger Weg 18, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
I B Nikolaev Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS (BINP), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
Z Ning Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
S Nisar COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road, 54000 Lahore, Pakistan
Q L Niu Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
W D Niu Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
Y Niu Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
S L Olsen University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Q Ouyang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S Pacetti INFN Sezione di Perugia, I-06100 Perugia, Italy University of Perugia, I-06100 Perugia, Italy
X Pan Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
Y Pan Southeast University, Nanjing 211100, People's Republic of China
A Pathak Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
P Patteri INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, I-00044 Frascati, Italy
Y P Pei State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
M Pelizaeus Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
H P Peng State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y Y Peng Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
K Peters GSI Helmholtzcentre for Heavy Ion Research GmbH, D-64291 Darmstadt, Germany
J L Ping Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
R G Ping Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S Plura Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
V Prasad Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Casilla 7D, Arica 1000000, Chile
F Z Qi Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H Qi State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
H R Qi Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
M Qi Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
T Y Qi Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
S Qian Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
W B Qian University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
C F Qiao University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J J Qin University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
L Q Qin Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, People's Republic of China
X S Qin Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Z H Qin Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
J F Qiu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S Q Qu Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
C F Redmer Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
K J Ren Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
A Rivetti INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
M Rolo INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
G Rong Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Ch Rosner Helmholtz Institute Mainz, Staudinger Weg 18, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
S N Ruan Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
N Salone National Centre for Nuclear Research, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
A Sarantsev Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
Y Schelhaas Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
K Schoenning Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden
M Scodeggio INFN Sezione di Ferrara, INFN Sezione di Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy University of Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
K Y Shan Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
W Shan Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, People's Republic of China
X Y Shan State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
J F Shangguan Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
L G Shao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
M Shao State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
C P Shen Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
H F Shen Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
W H Shen University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X Y Shen Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
B A Shi University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H C Shi State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
J L Shi Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
J Y Shi Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Q Q Shi Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
R S Shi Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X Shi Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
J J Song Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, People's Republic of China
T Z Song Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
W M Song Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
Y J Song Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
Y X Song Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
S Sosio University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
S Spataro University of Turin and INFN, University of Turin, I-10125 Turin, Italy INFN, I-10125, Turin, Italy
F Stieler Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
Y J Su University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
G B Sun Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
G X Sun Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H Sun University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H K Sun Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J F Sun Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, People's Republic of China
K Sun Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
L Sun Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
S S Sun Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
T Sun Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
W Y Sun Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
Y Sun China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
Y J Sun State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y Z Sun Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z T Sun Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Y X Tan State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
C J Tang Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, People's Republic of China
G Y Tang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J Tang Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
Y A Tang Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
L Y Tao University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
Q T Tao Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
M Tat University of Oxford, Keble Road, Oxford OX13RH, United Kingdom
J X Teng State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
V Thoren Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden
W H Tian Shanxi Normal University, Linfen 041004, People's Republic of China
W H Tian Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
Y Tian Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z F Tian Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
I Uman Near East University, Nicosia, North Cyprus, 99138, Mersin 10, Turkey
Y Wan Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
S J Wang Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
B Wang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
B L Wang University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Bo Wang State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
C W Wang Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
D Y Wang Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
F Wang University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
H J Wang Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
J P Wang Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
K Wang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
L L Wang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
M Wang Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Meng Wang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
N Y Wang University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S Wang Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
S Wang Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
T Wang Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
T J Wang Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
W Wang Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
W Wang University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
W P Wang State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
X Wang Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
X F Wang Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
X J Wang Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
X L Wang Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
Y Wang Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
Y D Wang North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, People's Republic of China
Y F Wang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y L Wang Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, People's Republic of China
Y N Wang North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, People's Republic of China
Y Q Wang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Yaqian Wang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China Hebei University, Baoding 071002, People's Republic of China
Yi Wang Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
Z Wang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Z L Wang University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
Z Y Wang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Ziyi Wang University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
D Wei University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051, People's Republic of China
D H Wei Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, People's Republic of China
F Weidner University of Muenster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 9, 48149 Muenster, Germany
S P Wen Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
C W Wenzel Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
U Wiedner Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
G Wilkinson University of Oxford, Keble Road, Oxford OX13RH, United Kingdom
M Wolke Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden
L Wollenberg Bochum Ruhr-University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
C Wu Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
J F Wu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China China Center of Advanced Science and Technology, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
L H Wu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
L J Wu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X Wu Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
X H Wu Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
Y Wu University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y H Wu Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
Y J Wu Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
Z Wu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
L Xia State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
X M Xian Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
T Xiang Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
D Xiao Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
G Y Xiao Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
S Y Xiao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y L Xiao Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
Z J Xiao Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
C Xie Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
X H Xie Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
Y Xie Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Y G Xie Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y H Xie Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, People's Republic of China
Z P Xie State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
T Y Xing Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
C F Xu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
C J Xu Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
G F Xu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H Y Xu University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People's Republic of China
Q J Xu Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, People's Republic of China
Q N Xu Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, People's Republic of China
W Xu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
W L Xu University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, People's Republic of China
X P Xu Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
Y C Xu Yantai University, Yantai 264005, People's Republic of China
Z P Xu Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
Z S Xu University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
F Yan Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
L Yan Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
W B Yan State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
W C Yan Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
X Q Yan Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H J Yang Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
H L Yang Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
H X Yang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Tao Yang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y Yang Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
Y F Yang Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Y X Yang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Yifan Yang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z W Yang Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
Z P Yao Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
M Ye Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
M H Ye China Center of Advanced Science and Technology, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
J H Yin Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z Y You Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
B X Yu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
C X Yu Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
G Yu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J S Yu Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
T Yu University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
X D Yu Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
C Z Yuan Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
L Yuan Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
S C Yuan Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y Yuan Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z Y Yuan Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
C X Yue Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
A A Zafar University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590, Pakistan
F R Zeng Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
S H Zeng University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
X Zeng Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
Y Zeng Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
Y J Zeng Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X Y Zhai Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
Y C Zhai Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Y H Zhan Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
A Q Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
B L Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
B X Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
D H Zhang Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
G Y Zhang Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, People's Republic of China
H Zhang University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
H C Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H H Zhang Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
H H Zhang Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
H Q Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
H Y Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
J Zhang Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
J Zhang Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
J J Zhang Shanxi Normal University, Linfen 041004, People's Republic of China
J L Zhang Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People's Republic of China
J Q Zhang Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
J W Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J X Zhang Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China
J Y Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J Z Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Jianyu Zhang University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
L M Zhang Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
L Q Zhang Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
Lei Zhang Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
P Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Q Y Zhang Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
Shuihan Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Shulei Zhang Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People's Republic of China
X D Zhang North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, People's Republic of China
X M Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X Y Zhang Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
Y Zhang University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
Y Zhang University of Oxford, Keble Road, Oxford OX13RH, United Kingdom
Y T Zhang Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
Y H Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Yan Zhang State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Yao Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z D Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z H Zhang Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z L Zhang Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
Z Y Zhang Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Z Y Zhang Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
G Zhao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J Y Zhao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J Z Zhao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Lei Zhao State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Ling Zhao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
M G Zhao Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
R P Zhao University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S J Zhao Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
Y B Zhao Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Y X Zhao Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou 730000, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Z G Zhao State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
A Zhemchugov Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow region, Russia
B Zheng University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
J P Zheng Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
W J Zheng Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
Y H Zheng University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
B Zhong Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
X Zhong Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
H Zhou Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
L P Zhou Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
X Zhou Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
X K Zhou Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, People's Republic of China
X R Zhou State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
X Y Zhou Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
Y Z Zhou Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
J Zhu Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
K Zhu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
K J Zhu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
L Zhu Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
L X Zhu University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
S H Zhu University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051, People's Republic of China
S Q Zhu Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China
T J Zhu Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
W J Zhu Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
Y C Zhu State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China
Z A Zhu Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J H Zou Institute of High Energy Physics, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
J Zu State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics, Beijing 100049, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, People's Republic of China

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

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

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

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

Unrevealing the influence of reagent properties on disruption and digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass during alkaline pretreatment

Beyond the conventional consideration of pretreatment severity (PS) responsible for biomass disruption, the influence of reagent properties on biomass (LCB) disruption is often overlooked. To investigate the LCB disruption as a function of reagent properties, reagents with distinct cations (NaOH and KOH) and significantly higher delignification potential were chosen. NaOH solution (3 % w/v) with a measured pH of 13.05 ± 0.01 is considered the reference, against which a KOH solution (pH = 13.05 ± 0.01) was prepared for LCB pretreatment under the same PS. Despite comparable lignin content, varying glucose yield of NaOH (68.76 %) and KOH (46.88 %) pretreated residues indicated the presence of heterogeneously disrupted substrate. Holocellulose extracted from raw poplar (ASC, control) and alkaline pretreated residues (C-NaOH and C-KOH) were analyzed using HPLC, XRD, SEM, TGA/DTG, XPS, and 13CP MAS NMR to investigate the pretreatment-induced structural modification. Results revealed that, despite the same pretreatment severity, better disruption in C-NaOH (higher accessible fibril surface and less-ordered region) leading to higher digestibility than C-KOH, likely due to the smaller ionic radius of Na+, facilitates better penetration into dense LCB matrix. This study elucidates the importance of considering the reagent properties during LCB pretreatment, eventually enhancing consciousness while selecting reagents for efficient LCB utilization.

Pathological proliferation: a potential mechanism for poor CD4+ T cell recovery in people living with HIV

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) fail to achieve normalization of CD4+ T cell counts and function, especially in immunological non-responders (INRs). The frequencies of Ki67+CD4+ T cells were inversely associated with CD4+ T cell counts in HIV infected patients. Early ART did not normalize CD4+ T cell proliferation. However, the features of the abnormal proliferation CD4+ T cell in INRs are far from known.

Method

PLWH were divided into INRs (n= 16) and immunological responders (IRs, n= 53) groups. Mass cytometry was applied to peripheral blood T cells to profile the immune cells and liquid chip technique was used to measure plasma levels of cytokines and chemokines. Correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between the degree of CD4+ T cell proliferation and immune function.

Results

The percentage of Ki67+ CD4+ T cells were significant higher in INRs, and we defined these cells with significant higher level of Ki67, as over-proliferating cells. No significant difference of markers' expression (HLA-DR, CD38, CD57, PD-1, PD-L1, CD107a, perforin) was found between INRs and IRs. Compared with naïve CD4+ T cells in INRs, Ki67+ CD4+ T cells exhibited lower levels of CD57 and CD38. Whereas Ki67+ T cells exhibited higher levels of CD38 and CD57 and activation compared with differentiated mature central memory CD4+ T cells and effector memory CD4+ T cells. Ki67+ cells did not show higher levels of senescence and activation compared to certain Ki67- CD4+ central memory T cells in IRs. Furthermore, Ki67+ CD4+ Tcm cells exhibited positive correlations with pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusion

We proposed and validated the hypothesis of "pathological proliferation" in INRs: excessive proliferation of CD4+ T cells in INRs may be accompanied by aberrant activation, senescence and loss of immune function. Eventually, such over-proliferating but poor-quality cells in INRs result in incomplete recovery of both CD4+ T cell counts and function. An intervention that enhancing the proliferative capacity or functional ability or both of CD4+ T cell in INRs might therefore be beneficial.

Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extracts ameliorate hepatic fibrosis and promote the communication between metabolites and gut microbiota g_Ruminococcus through the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smads pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional edible medicinal mushroom, has been widely reported to improve liver diseases as a dietary intervention for people. Ganoderma lucidum extracts, primarily total triterpenoids (GLTTs), are one of the bioactive ingredients that have excellent beneficial effects on hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, its prevention and reversal are particularly critical due to the increasing number of patients with chronic liver diseases worldwide.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to evaluate whether GLTTs had a hepatoprotective effect against hepatic fibrosis through metabolic perturbations and gut microbiota changes and its underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The compound compositions of GLTTs were quantified, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis rats were used to investigate the cause of the improvement in various physiological states with GLTTs treatment, and to determine whether its consequent effect was associated with endogenous metabolites and gut microbiota using UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology.

RESULTS

GLTTs alleviated physical status, reduced liver pathological indicators, proinflammatory cytokines, and deposition of hepatic collagen fibers via regulating the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smads pathways. The untargeted metabolomics analysis identified 16 potential metabolites that may be the most relevant metabolites for gut microbiota dysbiosis and the therapeutic effects of GLTTs in hepatic fibrosis. Besides, although GLTTs did not significantly affect the α-diversity indexes, significant changes were observed in the composition of microflora structure. In addition, Spearman analysis revealed strong correlations between endogenous metabolites and gut microbiota g_Ruminococcus with hepatic fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

GLTTs could provide a potential target for the practical design and application of novel functional food ingredients or drugs in the therapy of hepatic fibrosis.