Plasmoid Formation and Strong Radiative Cooling in a Driven Magnetic Reconnection Experiment

We present the first experimental study of plasmoid formation in a magnetic reconnection layer undergoing rapid radiative cooling, a regime relevant to extreme astrophysical plasmas. Two exploding aluminum wire arrays, driven by the Z machine, generate a reconnection layer (S_{L}≈120) in which the cooling rate far exceeds the hydrodynamic transit rate (τ_{hydro}/τ_{cool}>100). The reconnection layer generates a transient burst of >1  keV x-ray emission, consistent with the formation and subsequent rapid cooling of the layer. Time-gated x-ray images show fast-moving (up to 50  km s^{-1}) hotspots in the layer, consistent with the presence of plasmoids in 3D resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations. X-ray spectroscopy shows that these hotspots generate the majority of Al K-shell emission (around 1.6 keV) prior to the onset of cooling, and exhibit temperatures (170 eV) much greater than that of the plasma inflows and the rest of the reconnection layer, thus providing insight into the generation of high-energy radiation in radiatively cooled reconnection events.

A Drug Repurposing Approach Reveals Targetable Epigenetic Pathways in Plasmodium vivax Hypnozoites

Radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria must include elimination of quiescent 'hypnozoite' forms in the liver; however, the only FDA-approved treatments are contraindicated in many vulnerable populations. To identify new drugs and drug targets for hypnozoites, we screened the Repurposing, Focused Rescue, and Accelerated Medchem (ReFRAME) library and a collection of epigenetic inhibitors against P. vivax liver stages. From both libraries, we identified inhibitors targeting epigenetics pathways as selectively active against P. vivax and P. cynomolgi hypnozoites. These include DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors as well as several inhibitors targeting histone post-translational modifications. Immunofluorescence staining of Plasmodium liver forms showed strong nuclear 5-methylcystosine signal, indicating liver stage parasite DNA is methylated. Using bisulfite sequencing, we mapped genomic DNA methylation in sporozoites, revealing DNA methylation signals in most coding genes. We also demonstrated that methylation level in proximal promoter regions as well as in the first exon of the genes may affect, at least partially, gene expression in P. vivax. The importance of selective inhibitors targeting epigenetic features on hypnozoites was validated using MMV019721, an acetyl-CoA synthetase inhibitor that affects histone acetylation and was previously reported as active against P. falciparum blood stages. In summary, our data indicate that several epigenetic mechanisms are likely modulating hypnozoite formation or persistence and provide an avenue for the discovery and development of improved radical cure antimalarials.

Laboratory Study of Collisionless Magnetic Reconnection

A concise review is given on the past two decades' results from laboratory experiments on collisionless magnetic reconnection in direct relation with space measurements, especially by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Highlights include spatial structures of electromagnetic fields in ion and electron diffusion regions as a function of upstream symmetry and guide field strength, energy conversion and partitioning from magnetic field to ions and electrons including particle acceleration, electrostatic and electromagnetic kinetic plasma waves with various wavelengths, and plasmoid-mediated multiscale reconnection. Combined with the progress in theoretical, numerical, and observational studies, the physics foundation of fast reconnection in collisionless plasmas has been largely established, at least within the parameter ranges and spatial scales that were studied. Immediate and long-term future opportunities based on multiscale experiments and space missions supported by exascale computation are discussed, including dissipation by kinetic plasma waves, particle heating and acceleration, and multiscale physics across fluid and kinetic scales.

Systemic Immunomodulatory Effects of Codonopsis pilosula Glucofructan on S180 Solid-Tumor-Bearing Mice

The immune functions of the body are intricately intertwined with the onset and advancement of tumors, and immunotherapy mediated by bioactive compounds has exhibited initial effectiveness in overcoming chemotherapy resistance and inhibiting tumor growth. However, the comprehensive interpretation of the roles played by immunologic components in the process of combating tumors remains to be elucidated. In this study, the Codonopsis pilosula glucofructan (CPG) prepared in our previous research was employed as an immunopotentiator, and the impacts of CPG on both the humoral and cellular immunity of S180 tumor-bearing mice were investigated. Results showed that CPG administration of 100 mg/kg could effectively inhibit tumor growth in mice with an inhibitory ratio of 45.37% and significantly improve the expression of Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α). Additionally, CPG clearly enhanced B-cell-mediated humoral immunity and immune-cell-mediated cellular immunity, and, finally, induced S180 cell apoptosis by arresting cells in the G0/G1 phase, which might result from the IL-17 signaling pathway. These data may help to improve comprehension surrounding the roles of humoral and cellular immunity in anti-tumor immune responses.

The Protective Effects of Water-Soluble Alginic Acid on the N-Terminal of Thymopentin

Thymopentin (TP5) has exhibited strong antitumor and immunomodulatory effects in vivo. However, the polypeptide is rapidly degraded by protease and aminopeptidase within a minute at the N-terminal of TP5, resulting in severe limitations for further practical applications. In this study, the protective effects of water-soluble alginic acid (WSAA) on the N-terminal of TP5 were investigated by establishing an H22 tumor-bearing mice model and determining thymus, spleen, and liver indices, immune cells activities, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 levels, and cell cycle distributions. The results demonstrated that WSAA+TP5 groups exhibited the obvious advantages of the individual treatments and showed superior antitumor effects on H22 tumor-bearing mice by effectively protecting the immune organs, activating CD4+ T cells and CD19+ B cells, and promoting immune-related cytokines secretions, finally resulting in the high apoptotic rates of H22 cells through arresting them in S phase. These data suggest that WSAA could effectively protect the N-terminal of TP5, thereby improving its antitumor and immunoregulatory activities, which indicates that WSAA has the potential to be applied in patients bearing cancer or immune deficiency diseases as a novel immunologic adjuvant.

Physicochemical characterization, rheological properties, and hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of compound polysaccharides in Chinese herbal medicines by fractional precipitation

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different compound polysaccharides (CPs) extracted from Folium nelumbinis, Fructus crataegi, Fagopyrum tataricum, Lycium barbarum, Semen cassiae, and Poria cocos (w/w, 2:4:2:1:1.5:1) by gradient ethanol precipitation on the physicochemical properties and biological activities. Three CPs (CP50, CP70, and CP80) were obtained and comprised rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, and galactose in different proportions. The CPs contained different amounts of total sugar, uronic acid, and proteins. These also exhibited different physical properties, including particle size, molecular weight, microstructure, and apparent viscosity. Scavenging abilities of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals of CP80 were more potent compared to those of the other two CPs. Furthermore, CP80 significantly increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and hepatic lipase (HL) activity in the liver, while decreasing the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), along with LPS activity. Therefore, CP80 may serve as a natural novel lipid regulator in the field of medicinal and functional food.

Taylor-Couette flow for astrophysical purposes

A concise review is given of astrophysically motivated experimental and theoretical research on Taylor-Couette flow. The flows of interest rotate differentially with the inner cylinder faster than the outer, but are linearly stable against Rayleigh's inviscid centrifugal instability. At shear Reynolds numbers as large as [Formula: see text], hydrodynamic flows of this type (quasi-Keplerian) appear to be nonlinearly stable: no turbulence is seen that cannot be attributed to interaction with the axial boundaries, rather than the radial shear itself. Direct numerical simulations agree, although they cannot yet reach such high Reynolds numbers. This result indicates that accretion-disc turbulence is not purely hydrodynamic in origin, at least insofar as it is driven by radial shear. Theory, however, predicts linear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities in astrophysical discs: in particular, the standard magnetorotational instability (SMRI). MHD Taylor-Couette experiments aimed at SMRI are challenged by the low magnetic Prandtl numbers of liquid metals. High fluid Reynolds numbers and careful control of the axial boundaries are required. The quest for laboratory SMRI has been rewarded with the discovery of some interesting inductionless cousins of SMRI, and with the recently reported success in demonstrating SMRI itself using conducting axial boundaries. Some outstanding questions and near-future prospects are discussed, especially in connection with astrophysics. This article is part of the theme issue 'Taylor-Couette and related flows on the centennial of Taylor's seminal Philosophical Transactions paper (Part 2)'.

Preparation and structural characterization of acid-extracted polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa and antitumor activity on S180 tumor-bearing mice

In this study, an acid-extracted polysaccharide (GFP-A) was extracted from the fruiting bodies of G. frondosa with 1 % hydrochloric acid solution. Our study aimed to imitate the processes of digestion, absorption and antitumor activities of polysaccharides from G. frondosa under the acid environment of stomach in the body. The preliminary structural analysis resulted that GFP-A (about 1.10 × 10⁶ Da) was a neutral polysaccharide composed of xylose, mannose, glucose (molar ratio: 0.12:1.00:6.98) with α-type glycosidic linkages. Additionally, antitumor activities on S180 tumor-bearing mice showed that GFP-A could effectively inhibit the growth of S180 tumor cells by protecting immune organs (thymus and spleen), activating immune cells (NK cells, lymphocytes and macrophages), upregulating the secretion of serum cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2 and IFN-γ) in vivo. H & E staining and cell cycle determination further demonstrated that GFP-A could induce S180 tumor cells apoptosis via arresting them in G₁ phase. These results demonstrated that GFP-A could provide a theoretical basis for treatment of cancer.

The performance of left/right adrenal volume ratio and volume difference in predicting unilateral primary aldosteronism

PURPOSE

The role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) warrants attention, since the success application of adrenal venous sampling (AVS) remains limited. We aimed to investigate the value of CT-based volumetric indicators, including left-versus-right-adrenal-volume ratio (L/Rv) and left-subtract-right-adrenal-volume difference (L - Rv), in the diagnosis of unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA).

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study included 153 patients with PA and 1272 controls. AVS was used to classify patients into bilateral disease, left-sided disease, and right-sided disease groups.

RESULTS

Adrenal gland volume on both sides of PA patients was significantly larger than controls. The optimal cutoff values of L/Rv and L - Rv were 1.417 [area under the curve (AUC) 0.864] and 1.185 (AUC 0.827), respectively, for the diagnosis of left-sided PA, and 1.030 (AUC 0.767) and 0.220 (AUC 0.769), respectively, for the diagnosis of right-sided PA. The mean AUC for subsequent cross-validation ranged from 0.77 ± 0.03 to 0.86 ± 0.02. Based on the optimal cutoff values, the combination of L/Rv and L - Rv detected 69.6% of patients with left-sided PA and 74.3% of patients with right-sided PA, with a specificity of 93.5% and 89.0%, respectively. For a better clinical application, we reported the sub-optimal cutoffs corresponding to a specificity of 95%. A L/Rv higher than 1.431 and a L - Rv higher than 3.185 as sub-optimal cutoff values was detected in 26.1% of patients with left-sided PA (specificity: 97.2%). A L/Rv smaller than 0.892 and a L - Rv smaller than -0.640 could detect 48.6% of patients with right-sided PA (specificity: 97.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

CT-based L/Rv and L - Rv performed well in predicting UPA. The combination of L/Rv and L - Rv may serve as a potential indicator for guiding surgical decision making in centers without AVS programs.

Sidelobe-suppressed sub-diffraction-limit quasi-non-diffracting light sheets achieved by super-oscillatory lenses

Sub-diffraction-limit quasi-non-diffracting light sheets (SQLSs) are crucial for a resolution-enhanced and field of view (FOV)-enlarged light sheet microscope. However, it has aways been plagued by sidelobes inducing severe background noise. Here, a self-trade-off optimized method is proposed to generate sidelobe-suppressed SQLSs based on super-oscillatory lenses (SOLs). An SQLS thus obtained shows sidelobes of only 15.4%, first realizing the sub-diffraction-limit thickness, quasi-non-diffracting characteristic, and suppressed sidelobes simultaneously for static light sheets. Moreover, a window-like energy allocation is realized by the self-trade-off optimized method, successfully further suppressing the sidelobes. In particular, an SQLS with theoretical sidelobes of 7.6% is achieved within the window, which provides a new strategy to deal with sidelobes for light sheets and shows great potential in high signal-to-noise ratio light sheet microscopy (LSM).

Invasive fungal infection is associated with antibiotic exposure in preterm infants: a multi-centre prospective case-control study

BACKGROUND

Previous antibiotic exposure is an important risk factor for invasive fungal infection (IFI). Antibiotic overexposure is common in lower-income countries; however, multi-centre studies concerning IFI in relation to antibiotic exposure are scarce.

AIM

This prospective, multi-centre matched case-control study explored the correlation of IFI and antibiotic exposure in very preterm infants or very-low-birthweight infants admitted to 23 tertiary hospitals in China between 2018 and 2021.

METHODS

Using a 1:2 matched design for gestational age, birth weight and early-onset sepsis (yes/no), the risk factors between infants diagnosed with IFI and infection-free controls were compared. The antibiotic use rate (AUR) was calculated using calendar days of antibiotic therapy in the 4 weeks preceding IFI onset divided by onset day of IFI.

FINDINGS

In total, 6368 infants were included in the study, of which 90 (1.4%) were diagnosed with IFI. Median AUR, length of antibiotic therapy (LOT) and days of antibiotic therapy (DOT) within the 4 weeks preceding IFI onset were 0.90, 18 days and 30 days, respectively. Multi-variate analysis showed that a 10% increase in AUR, each additional day of DOT and LOT, and each additional day of third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems were notably associated with IFI.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged antibiotic therapy is common before the onset of IFI, and is an important risk factor, especially the use of third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. Antibiotic stewardship should be urgently developed and promoted for preterm infants in order to reduce IFI in lower-income countries such as China.

Synthesis of macromolecular Astragalus polysaccharide-nano selenium complex and the inhibitory effects on HepG2 cells

In the present study, the previously obtained macromolecuar-weight Astragalus polysaccharide (average molecular weight of 1.61 × 10⁶ Da) was used as a stabilizer and dispersing agent for nano-composites preparation by modifying selenium nanoparticles, and then the anti-hepatoma activity on HepG2 cells was investigated as well. Results showed that the nano-composites were obtained under polysaccharide concentration of 2 mg/mL and selenium/polysaccharide mass ratio of 1:15, and exhibited symmetrical spheroid with an average diameter of 62.3 nm, which has a good stability for 35 days at 4 °C. Furthermore, the in vitro anti-hepatoma experiments demonstrated that the composites could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and could induce the morphological changes, arrest the cell cycle in S phase, finally triggering HepG2 cells apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway. These data revealed that the composites had the potential to be a novel therapeutic drug or adjuvant for hepatoma-bearing patient treatments.

DWI in Brains of Fetuses with Congenital Heart Disease: A Case-Control MR Imaging Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Abnormal ADC values are seen in ischemic brain lesions such as acute or chronic hypoxia. We aimed to assess whether ADC values in the developing brain measured by in utero DWI were different in fetuses with congenital heart disease compared with healthy controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In utero DWI was performed in 50 fetuses with congenital heart disease and 100 healthy controls at a similar gestational age. Pair-wise ADC values of the ROIs were manually delineated on each side of the frontal and periatrial WM and in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellar hemisphere, as well as a single measurement in the pons.

RESULTS

Fetuses with congenital heart disease had significantly lower ADC values in frontal and periatrial WM and the pons than controls (all P < .05) in the early stages of pregnancy. However, ADC values in the thalamus were higher for fetuses with congenital heart disease than for controls (gestational age, ≥26 weeks). For ADC values in the cerebellar hemisphere, there was no obvious significance between cases and controls (P = .07) in the late stages of pregnancy. Basal ganglia ADC values were consistently not significantly different between the 2 groups during the early and late stages of pregnancy (P = .47; .21).

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal brain diffusivity can be detected using in utero DWI in fetuses with congenital heart disease. Abnormal ADC values found at a mean gestational age of 26 weeks suggest structural changes, which may provide an early indicator of the impact of congenital heart disease on the developing brain.

Thermodynamic Phase Transition in Magnetic Reconnection

By examining the entropy production in fully kinetic simulations of collisional plasmas, it is shown that the transition from collisional Sweet-Parker reconnection to collisionless Hall reconnection may be viewed as a thermodynamic phase transition. The phase transition occurs when the reconnection electric field satisfies E=E_{D}sqrt[m_{e}/m_{i}], where m_{e}/m_{i} is the electron-to-ion mass ratio and E_{D} is the Dreicer electric field. This condition applies for all m_{i}/m_{e}, including m_{i}/m_{e}=1, where the Hall regime vanishes and a direct phase transition from the collisional to the kinetic regime occurs. In the limit m_{e}/m_{i}→0, this condition is equivalent to there being a critical electron temperature T_{e}≈m_{i}Ω_{i}^{2}δ^{2}, where Ω_{i} is the ion cyclotron frequency and δ is the current sheet half-thickness. The heat capacity of the current sheet changes discontinuously across the phase transition, and a critical power law is identified in an effective heat capacity. A model for the time-dependent evolution of an isolated current sheet in the collisional regime is derived.

LncRNA PSMA3-AS1 promotes colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion via regulating miR-4429

OBJECTIVE

Many studies have revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are related to various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aims to explore the biological function of lncRNA PSMA3-AS1 in CRC progression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression levels of PSMA3-AS1 and miR-4429 were assessed by RT-qPCR. CRC progression was explored by cell viability, migration, and invasion using CCK-8 and transwell assays. The interaction between PSMA3-AS1 and miR-4429 was verified by bioinformatics analysis, Dual-Luciferase assay, and RIP assay.

RESULTS

It was found that PSMA3-AS1 expression was increased and miR-4429 expression was decreased in CRC tissues and cells. In addition, PSMA3-AS1 interference markedly hindered the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. MiR-4429 was a direct target of PSMA3-AS1, and the knockdown of PSMA3-AS1 significantly suppressed miR-4429 expression. The depletion of PSMA3-AS1 inhibited CRC progression, which was neutralized by miR-4429 inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS

PSMA3-AS1 accelerated CRC progression by regulating miR-4429 expression, which could be used as a potential therapeutic target for CRC patients.

Ion temperature measurements from tomographic reconstruction of Doppler spectra in the presence of multi-component flow in two dimensions

A new ion Doppler diagnostic has been constructed to measure ion temperature profiles in the presence of multi-component flow during magnetic reconnection experiments. The inversion technique and diagnostic setup are applicable to axisymmetric plasmas with two-component flow across the measurement cross section, which occurs during magnetic reconnection. The particular design discussed here is optimized for operation on the Magnetic Reconnection eXperiment (MRX) at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. To prove the viability of this diagnostic for MRX and the future Facility for Laboratory Reconnection Experiments, measurements have been taken and ion temperature and perpendicular flow profiles have been obtained. The radial velocity on MRX does not contribute to the Doppler shift of the measured spectra but does contribute to the broadening of the spectra, while toroidal flow contributes to both. It is shown that neglecting the radial velocity for v_R = 20 km/s leads to an error in the ion temperature inversion of 20%. Results from MRX discharges are shown, and the impact of radial velocity on ion temperature inversions is discussed.

MiR-613 blocked the progression of cervical cancer by targeting LETM1

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effects of miR-613 on the development of cervical squamous cell cancer (CSCC) and the relevant mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression level of miR-613 was detected in CSCC tissues and cells by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Thereafter, online prediction software and Luciferase reporter assays were used to evaluate the possible target of miR-613, and the effects of the miR-613 on SiHa cells were determined in vitro. Then, the changes of protein expression in cells were measured by Western blot. Finally, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing and transwell assays were performed to analyze cell proliferation, invasion, and migration.

RESULTS

It was found that compared with that in normal tissues and cells, miR-613 expression was found suppressed in CSCC tissues and cells. Based on bioinformatics and Luciferase results, miR-613 could target and bind to LETM1. Besides, it was found that miR-613 could regulate the expression of LETM1 in SiHa cells, and miR-613 had a valuable suppressive effect on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of SiHa cells through the subsequent experiments. However, when co-transfection of miR-613 mimics and LV-LETM1 into SiHa cells, the anti-cancer effects of miR-613 on SiHa cells vanished.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken all, this research discovered the function of miR-613 on CSCC by targeting LETM1, revealing that miR-613/LETM1 signal pathway might be a potential therapeutic target for the diagnosis and treatment of CSCC.

Longitudinal Flow Decorrelations in Xe+Xe Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.44 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

The first measurement of longitudinal decorrelations of harmonic flow amplitudes v_{n} for n=2-4 in Xe+Xe collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.44  TeV is obtained using 3  μb^{-1} of data with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The decorrelation signal for v_{3} and v_{4} is found to be nearly independent of collision centrality and transverse momentum (p_{T}) requirements on final-state particles, but for v_{2} a strong centrality and p_{T} dependence is seen. When compared with the results from Pb+Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, the longitudinal decorrelation signal in midcentral Xe+Xe collisions is found to be larger for v_{2}, but smaller for v_{3}. Current hydrodynamic models reproduce the ratios of the v_{n} measured in Xe+Xe collisions to those in Pb+Pb collisions but fail to describe the magnitudes and trends of the ratios of longitudinal flow decorrelations between Xe+Xe and Pb+Pb. The results on the system-size dependence provide new insights and an important lever arm to separate effects of the longitudinal structure of the initial state from other early and late time effects in heavy-ion collisions.

Non-invasive evaluation of the common carotid artery in normal adults using ultrasound radiofrequency data technology

AIM

To evaluate the changes in CCA-IMT and vascular elasticity in healthy subjects in relation to age using radiofrequency data technology, to produce reference values for potential clinical applications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The following variables were measured in 160 subjects using radiofrequency data techniques: CCA-IMT, carotid distensibility (CD), local pulse-wave velocity (PWVβ), and stiffness (β). The subjects were divided into four age groups (30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69 years), with 20 men and 20 women in each group. The above parameters were compared among the different age groups.

RESULTS

CCA-IMT increased significantly with age (p<0.05). CD decreased significantly in the 40-49-years compared with the 30-39-years age group (p<0.05). PWVβ showed a significant increase in the 30-39-, 40-49-, and 50-59-years age groups (p<0.05). β increased significantly in the 50-59- compared with the 40-49-years age group (p<0.05). Compared with the 50-59-years age group, CD, PWVβ, and β showed no significant changes in the 60-69-years age group (p>0.05), with mean values of 329.39 ± 102.06 μm, 7.22 ± 1.91 m/s, and 10.04 ± 4.91, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound radiofrequency data technology provides a non-invasive method for quantitatively and accurately assessing increased CCA-IMT and reduced vascular elasticity in healthy subjects in different age groups. The reference values produced in this study will be useful in clinical practice.

[Effect of 2-year resistance exercises on cardiovascular disease risk in prediabetes patients]

Objective: To investigate the effect of a 2-year resistance and aerobic training on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with prediabetes. Methods: A total of 248 patients with prediabetes were enrolled from Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from January to April 2014, and Danyang People's Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from May to December 2014.Based on random number table method, the patients were divided into 3 groups: the resistance training group (RT group, 82 cases), the aerobic training group (AT group, 83 cases) and control group (83 cases). Participants in the RT group and the AT group underwent a total of 24 months of exercise training. Changes in indicators (blood glucose,blood lipid, etc.) at baseline and the end of 12 and 24 months among the groups were compared. Results: After intervention, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood pressure and homeostasis model 2 insulin resistance index (HOMA2-IR) in the RT and AT groups tended to decrease, and the steady state model 2 β cell function index (HOMA2-β) tended to increase. At the end of 24 months, HbA1c [5.80 (5.43, 6.20) %, 5.70 (5.50, 6.00)% vs. 6.20 (5.70, 6.60) %, all P ≤ 0.01], LDL-C [3.07 (2.69, 3.58) mmol/L, 2.97 (2.62, 3.95) mmol/L vs. 3.21(2.54, 3.78) mmol/L, all P<0.05] and HOMA2-IR [0.96 (0.82, 1.47), 1.20 (0.99, 1.43) vs. 1.34 (1.09, 1.51), all P<0.05] were significantly decreased in the RT and AT groups than in the control group. In addition, HOMA2-β [84.50 (60.55, 107.33), 93.00 (78.60, 119.75) vs. 53.40 (37.70, 80.40), all P = 0.001] was significantly increased in the AT and RT groups compared with that in the control group. There were no significant differences in triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) levels between the training groups and the control group (all P>0.05). After adjusting for age, sex and blood pressure, the cardiovascular risk of prediabetes was significantly reduced in RT (P =0.017) and AT groups (P =0.018). The Cox regression analyses showed that both the resistance training (HR=0.419, 95%CI =0.415-0.942, P=0.037) and the aerobic training (HR=0.310, 95%CI=0.447-0.866, P=0.026) were protective factors for cardiovascular disease in prediabetic patients after adjustment of age, sex, statins, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio, which reduced the risks of cardiovascular disease in prediabetic patients by 58.1% and 69.0%, respectively. Conclusions: Two years of aerobic and resistance training interventions have obvious advantages on glycemic and insulin resistance control in prediabetes patients. The resistance training can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and it is, thus, recommended for prediabetic patients without obvious exercise contraindications.

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

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

Search for Higgs Boson Decays into a Z Boson and a Light Hadronically Decaying Resonance Using 13 TeV pp Collision Data from the ATLAS Detector

A search for Higgs boson decays into a Z boson and a light resonance in two-lepton plus jet events is performed, using a pp collision dataset with an integrated luminosity of 139  fb^{-1} collected at sqrt[s]=13  TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the CERN LHC. The resonance considered is a light boson with a mass below 4 GeV from a possible extended scalar sector or a charmonium state. Multivariate discriminants are used for the event selection and for evaluating the mass of the light resonance. No excess of events above the expected background is found. Observed (expected) 95% confidence-level upper limits are set on the Higgs boson production cross section times branching fraction to a Z boson and the signal resonance, with values in the range 17-340 pb (16_{-5}^{+6}-320_{-90}^{+130}  pb) for the different light spin-0 boson mass and branching fraction hypotheses, and with values of 110 and 100 pb (100_{-30}^{+40} and 100_{-30}^{+40}  pb) for the η_{c} and J/ψ hypotheses, respectively.

Peripheral artery disease impairs myocardial perfusion through increasing pulse wave reflection: the Northern Shanghai study

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is prevalent and substantially contributes to cardiovascular mortality particularly in the elderly, although the pathophysiological impact of PAD on heart itself still needs further investigation. In theory, PAD can increase pulse wave reflection which is an important determinant of subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), a valuable estimate of myocardial perfusion as indicated by previous invasive studies. Thus, we hypothesize that PAD impairs myocardial perfusion through increasing pulse wave reflection. In this study, we aim to test this hypothesis in a large cohort from the Northern Shanghai Study.

Methods

A total of 2947 community-dwelling elderly Chinese (43.6% male, mean age: 71.3±5.9 years) were recruited. Ankle-brachial index were measured with the VP1000 device and used to diagnose PAD. Pulse wave reflection was estimated as aortic augmentation pressure (AP). Aortic BP, AP and SEVR were assessed by radial applanation tonometry. Multiple linear regression with SEVR and AP as dependent variable and PAD as independent variable, meanwhile adjusted for other covariates, were performed, respectively.

Results

375 (12.7%) participants presented PAD. Compared to subjects without PAD, those with PAD showed significantly lower SEVR (126 vs. 132, P&lt;0.001) but higher AP (19 vs. 17 mmHg, P&lt;0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that both SEVR (regression coefficient [B] = −1.69, P=0.04, R2=0.61) and AP (B=1.19, P=0.04, R2=0.56) significantly associated with PAD, respectively. However, the association between SEVR and PAD was abolished when further adjusted for AP (B=−0.49, P=0.52). Similar results were obtained when inter-leg systolic BP difference was used to diagnose PAD.

Conclusions

PAD significantly and independently associates with myocardial perfusion; moreover, this association is mediated by increased pulse wave reflection. These findings provide a new dimension for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiac damage of PAD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Dijet Resonance Search with Weak Supervision Using sqrt[s]=13 TeV pp Collisions in the ATLAS Detector

This Letter describes a search for narrowly resonant new physics using a machine-learning anomaly detection procedure that does not rely on signal simulations for developing the analysis selection. Weakly supervised learning is used to train classifiers directly on data to enhance potential signals. The targeted topology is dijet events and the features used for machine learning are the masses of the two jets. The resulting analysis is essentially a three-dimensional search A→BC, for m_{A}∼O(TeV), m_{B},m_{C}∼O(100  GeV) and B, C are reconstructed as large-radius jets, without paying a penalty associated with a large trials factor in the scan of the masses of the two jets. The full run 2 sqrt[s]=13  TeV pp collision dataset of 139  fb^{-1} recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is used for the search. There is no significant evidence of a localized excess in the dijet invariant mass spectrum between 1.8 and 8.2 TeV. Cross-section limits for narrow-width A, B, and C particles vary with m_{A}, m_{B}, and m_{C}. For example, when m_{A}=3  TeV and m_{B}≳200  GeV, a production cross section between 1 and 5 fb is excluded at 95% confidence level, depending on m_{C}. For certain masses, these limits are up to 10 times more sensitive than those obtained by the inclusive dijet search. These results are complementary to the dedicated searches for the case that B and C are standard model bosons.

CP Properties of Higgs Boson Interactions with Top Quarks in the tt[over ¯]H and tH Processes Using H→γγ with the ATLAS Detector

A study of the charge conjugation and parity (CP) properties of the interaction between the Higgs boson and top quarks is presented. Higgs bosons are identified via the diphoton decay channel (H→γγ), and their production in association with a top quark pair (tt[over ¯]H) or single top quark (tH) is studied. The analysis uses 139  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Assuming a CP-even coupling, the tt[over ¯]H process is observed with a significance of 5.2 standard deviations. The measured cross section times H→γγ branching ratio is 1.64_{-0.36}^{+0.38}(stat)_{-0.14}^{+0.17}(sys)  fb, and the measured rate for tt[over ¯]H is 1.43_{-0.31}^{+0.33}(stat)_{-0.15}^{+0.21}(sys) times the Standard Model expectation. The tH production process is not observed and an upper limit on its rate of 12 times the Standard Model expectation is set. A CP-mixing angle greater (less) than 43 (-43)° is excluded at 95% confidence level.

Search for Heavy Higgs Bosons Decaying into Two Tau Leptons with the ATLAS Detector Using pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search for heavy neutral Higgs bosons is performed using the LHC Run 2 data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector. The search for heavy resonances is performed over the mass range 0.2-2.5 TeV for the τ^{+}τ^{-} decay with at least one τ-lepton decaying into final states with hadrons. The data are in good agreement with the background prediction of the standard model. In the M_{h}^{125} scenario of the minimal supersymmetric standard model, values of tanβ>8 and tanβ>21 are excluded at the 95% confidence level for neutral Higgs boson masses of 1.0 and 1.5 TeV, respectively, where tanβ is the ratio of the vacuum expectation values of the two Higgs doublets.

Measurement of the Lund Jet Plane Using Charged Particles in 13 TeV Proton-Proton Collisions with the ATLAS Detector

The prevalence of hadronic jets at the LHC requires that a deep understanding of jet formation and structure is achieved in order to reach the highest levels of experimental and theoretical precision. There have been many measurements of jet substructure at the LHC and previous colliders, but the targeted observables mix physical effects from various origins. Based on a recent proposal to factorize physical effects, this Letter presents a double-differential cross-section measurement of the Lund jet plane using 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector using jets with transverse momentum above 675 GeV. The measurement uses charged particles to achieve a fine angular resolution and is corrected for acceptance and detector effects. Several parton shower Monte Carlo models are compared with the data. No single model is found to be in agreement with the measured data across the entire plane.

A novel synthetic chitosan selenate (CS) induces apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells via the Fas/FasL pathway

Selenium is important to human health, particularly for immune response and cancer prevention. Chitosan has good biocompatibility and low toxicity. In this paper, we synthesized chitosan selenate (CS), a novel therapeutic compound, using chitosan and selenium. CS synthesis was evaluated using FTIR, which verified the presence of a characteristic SeO absorption peak at 892 cm-1, and with HPGPC, which calculated the molecular weight as approximately 41.8 kDa. Next, we evaluated the proliferation-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of CS on lung cancer A549 cells and explored its potential molecular mechanisms. MTT assay indicated that CS could significantly inhibit A549 cells viability in a dose-dependent manner. Typical morphological features of apoptosis were observed by Hoechst staining in A549 cells treated with CS, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining confirmed that CS induced cell death via apoptosis and not necrosis. Cell cycle detection showed that CS triggered S and G2/M phase arrest in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, western blot analysis indicated that CS up-regulated the expression levels of Fas, FasL, and Fadd; subsequently, activated the caspase cascade in A549 cells. These results show that CS induces apoptosis in A549 cells via the Fas/FasL signaling pathway, and has potential chemopreventive effects for lung cancer treatment.

HER2 exon 20 insertions in non-small-cell lung cancer are sensitive to the irreversible pan-HER receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor pyrotinib

BACKGROUND

Effective targeted therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) mutations remains an unmet need. This study investigated the antitumor effect of an irreversible pan-HER receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, pyrotinib.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using patient-derived organoids and xenografts established from an HER2-A775_G776YVMA-inserted advanced lung adenocarcinoma patient sample, we investigated the antitumor activity of pyrotinib. Preliminary safety and efficacy of pyrotinib in 15 HER2-mutant NSCLC patients in a phase II clinical trial are also presented.

RESULTS

Pyrotinib showed significant growth inhibition of organoids relative to afatinib in vitro (P = 0.0038). In the PDX model, pyrotinib showed a superior antitumor effect than afatinib (P = 0.0471) and T-DM1 (P = 0.0138). Mice treated with pyrotinib displayed significant tumor burden reduction (mean tumor volume, -52.2%). In contrast, afatinib (25.4%) and T-DM1 (10.9%) showed no obvious reduction. Moreover, pyrotinib showed a robust ability to inhibit pHER2, pERK and pAkt. In the phase II cohort of 15 patients with HER2-mutant NSCLC, pyrotinib 400 mg resulted in a objective response rate of 53.3% and a median progression-free survival of 6.4 months.

CONCLUSION

Pyrotinib showed activity against NSCLC with HER2 exon 20 mutations in both patient-derived organoids and a PDX model. In the clinical trial, pyrotinib showed promising efficacy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02535507.

Measurement of Azimuthal Anisotropy of Muons from Charm and Bottom Hadrons in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

The elliptic flow of muons from the decay of charm and bottom hadrons is measured in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV using a data sample with an integrated luminosity of 150  pb^{-1} recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The muons from heavy-flavor decay are separated from light-hadron decay muons using momentum imbalance between the tracking and muon spectrometers. The heavy-flavor decay muons are further separated into those from charm decay and those from bottom decay using the distance-of-closest-approach to the collision vertex. The measurement is performed for muons in the transverse momentum range 4-7 GeV and pseudorapidity range |η|<2.4. A significant nonzero elliptic anisotropy coefficient v_{2} is observed for muons from charm decays, while the v_{2} value for muons from bottom decays is consistent with zero within uncertainties.

Search for Magnetic Monopoles and Stable High-Electric-Charge Objects in 13 Tev Proton-Proton Collisions with the ATLAS Detector

A search for magnetic monopoles and high-electric-charge objects is presented using 34.4  fb^{-1} of 13 TeV pp collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC during 2015 and 2016. The considered signature is based upon high ionization in the transition radiation tracker of the inner detector associated with a pencil-shape energy deposit in the electromagnetic calorimeter. The data were collected by a dedicated trigger based on the tracker high-threshold hit capability. The results are interpreted in models of Drell-Yan pair production of stable particles with two spin hypotheses (0 and 1/2) and masses ranging from 200 to 4000 GeV. The search improves by approximately a factor of 5 the constraints on the direct production of magnetic monopoles carrying one or two Dirac magnetic charges and stable objects with electric charge in the range 20≤|z|≤60 and extends the charge range to 60<|z|≤100.

Observation of Electroweak Production of a Same-Sign W Boson Pair in Association with Two Jets in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the observation and measurement of electroweak production of a same-sign W boson pair in association with two jets using 36.1  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis is performed in the detector fiducial phase-space region, defined by the presence of two same-sign leptons, electron or muon, and at least two jets with a large invariant mass and rapidity difference. A total of 122 candidate events are observed for a background expectation of 69±7 events, corresponding to an observed signal significance of 6.5 standard deviations. The measured fiducial signal cross section is σ^{fid}=2.89_{-0.48}^{+0.51}(stat)_{-0.28}^{+0.29}(syst)  fb.