Metabolic habitat imaging with hemodynamic heterogeneity predicts individual progression-free survival in high-grade glioma

AIM

We design a feasibility study to obtain a set of metabolic-hemodynamic habitats for tackling tumor spatial metabolic patterns with hemodynamic information.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Preoperative data from 69 high-grade gliomas (HGG) patients with subsequent histologic confirmation of HGG were prospectively collected (January 2016 to March 2020) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Four vascular habitats were automatically segmented by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The metabolic information, either at enhancing or edema tumor regions, was obtained by two neuroradiologists. The relative habitat volumes were used for weight estimation procedures for computing the coefficients of a linear regression model using weighted least squares (WLS) for metabolite semiquantifications (i.e. the Cho/NAA ratio and the Cho/Cr ratio) at vascular habitats. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses are used to obtain the odds ratio (OR) and develop a nomogram using weighted estimators corresponding to each covariate derived from Cox regression coefficients.

RESULTS

There was a strongly correlation between perfusion indexes and the Cho/Cr ratio (rCBV, r=0.71) or Cho/NAA ratio (rCBV, r=0.66) at high-angiogenic enhancing tumor habitats (HAT) habitat. Compared isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation to their wild type, the IDH wild type had significantly decreased Cho/Cr ratio (IDH mutation: Cho/Cr ratio = 2.44 ± 0.33, IDH wildtype: Cho/Cr ratio = 2.66 ± 0.36, p=0.02) and Cho/NAA ratio (IDH mutation: Cho/Cr ratio = 4.59 ± 0.61, IDH wildtype: Cho/Cr ratio = 4.99 ± 0.66, p=0.022) at the HAT. The C-index for the median progression-free survival (PFS) prediction was 0.769 for the Cho/NAA nomogram and 0.747 for the Cho/Cr nomogram through 1000 bootstrapping validation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that spatial metabolism combined with hemodynamic heterogeneity is associated with individual PFS to HGG patients post-CCRT.

Decreased Treg cells induced by bisphenol A is associated with up-regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and Foxp3 DNA methylation in spleen of adolescent mice

The current study aimed to explore whether bisphenol A (BPA) exposure aggravated the decrease in Tregs induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in adolescent female mouse models of asthma, and whether the process was associated with mTOR-mediated signaling pathways and DNA methylation levels. A total of 40 female C57BL/6 mice at the age of four weeks were used and divided into five groups after 1 week of domestication. Each group consisted of eight mice: the control group, OVA group, OVA + BPA (0.1 μg mL-1) group, OVA + BPA (0.2 μg mL-1) group, and OVA + BPA (0.4 μg mL-1) group. Results revealed that Foxp3 protein levels decreased in the spleens of mice exposed to BPA compared to those in the OVA group. After an elevation in BPA dose, the mRNAs of methyltransferases (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b) were gradually upregulated. The mechanism was related to the activity of TLR4/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways and the enhancement of Foxp3 DNA methylation. Our results, collectively, provided a new view for studying the mechanisms underlying BPA exposure-induced immune dysfunction. Investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of DNA methylation in the abnormal Th immune response caused by BPA exposure could help reveal the causes and molecular mechanisms underlying the high incidence of allergic diseases in children in recent years.

Potent inhibition of human and rat 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 by curcuminoids and the metabolites: 3D QSAR and in silico docking analysis

Curcumin, an extensively utilized natural pigment in the food industry, has attracted considerable attention due to its potential therapeutic effects, such as anti-tumorigenic and anti-inflammatory activities. The enzyme 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (17β-HSD1) holds a crucial position in oestradiol production and exhibits significant involvement in oestrogen-responsive breast cancers and endometriosis. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of curcuminoids, metabolites, and analogues on 17β-HSD1, a key enzyme in oestradiol synthesis. Screening 10 compounds, including demethoxycurcumin (IC50, 3.97 μM) and dihydrocurcumin (IC50, 5.84 μM), against human and rat 17β-HSD1 revealed varying inhibitory potencies. These compounds suppressed oestradiol secretion in human BeWo cells at ≥ 5-10 μM. 3D-Quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) and molecular docking analyses elucidated the interaction mechanisms. Docking studies and Gromacs simulations suggested competitive or mixed binding to the steroid or NADPH/steroid binding sites of 17β-HSD1. Predictive 3D-QSAR models highlighted the importance of hydrophobic regions and hydrogen bonding in inhibiting 17β-HSD1 activity. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the inhibitory effects and mode of action of curcuminoids, metabolites, and analogues on 17β-HSD1, which may have implications in the field of hormone-related disorders.

Comprehensive evaluation of digital village development in the context of rural revitalization: A case study from Jiangxi Province of China

Digital rural construction is a key strategic direction to promote China's rural revitalization and alleviate global climate problems. In order to put forward feasible suggestions for the subsequent development and ensure the smooth development of digital village construction, how to reflect the development level of the digital village through scientific and reasonable comprehensive evaluation has become an urgent problem to be solved. This paper establishes a comprehensive evaluation index system through the Delphi method and principal component analysis method, then assigns weights to the evaluation indicators based on the improved CRITIC-G1 method, and then grades the development level of digital villages according to the extension matter element method. Finally, taking Jiangxi Province in China as an example, the overall development level of digital villages in Jiangxi Province is evaluated from the provincial level according to the proposed method. And put forward the corresponding countermeasures and suggestions. Results: Firstly, the development level of digital villages in Jiangxi Province is good, and there is a trend of excellent development level. Secondly, from different aspects of digital rural development, the digitalization of infrastructure, services, economy, and green production in Jiangxi Province is at a good level, and the digitalization of life has reached an excellent level. Thirdly, from the perspective of development trends, the digitization of infrastructure has a progressive trend towards an excellent level of development, while the digitization of services, economy and green production has signs of development regression. According to the analysis results, the relevant countermeasures and suggestions are put forward from four aspects: talent, capital, governance system and development planning. Other regions can evaluate the development level of the digital village according to the evaluation model proposed in this paper so as to analyze the existing problems and put forward targeted solutions to promote the construction of the digital village.

Search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson to a pair of pseudoscalars in the μμbb and ττbb final states

A search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson (H ) with a mass of 125Ge V to a pair of light pseudoscalars a 1 is performed in final states where one pseudoscalar decays to two b quarks and the other to a pair of muons or τ leptons. A data sample of proton-proton collisions at s = 13 Te V corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138fb - 1 recorded with the CMS detector is analyzed. No statistically significant excess is observed over the standard model backgrounds. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level (CL ) on the Higgs boson branching fraction to μ μ b b and to τ τ b b , via a pair of a 1 s. The limits depend on the pseudoscalar mass m a 1 and are observed to be in the range (0.17-3.3) × 10 - 4 and (1.7-7.7) × 10 - 2 in the μ μ b b and τ τ b b final states, respectively. In the framework of models with two Higgs doublets and a complex scalar singlet (2HDM+S), the results of the two final states are combined to determine upper limits on the branching fraction B ( H → a 1 a 1 → ℓ ℓ b b ) at 95% CL , with ℓ being a muon or a τ lepton. For different types of 2HDM+S, upper bounds on the branching fraction B ( H → a 1 a 1 ) are extracted from the combination of the two channels. In most of the Type II 2HDM+S parameter space, B ( H → a 1 a 1 ) values above 0.23 are excluded at 95% CL for m a 1 values between 15 and 60Ge V .

Assessing the role of programmed cell death signatures and related gene TOP2A in progression and prognostic prediction of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Kidney Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC), the predominant form of kidney cancer, exhibits a diverse therapeutic response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs), highlighting the need for predictive models of ICI efficacy. Our study has constructed a prognostic model based on 13 types of Programmed Cell Death (PCD), which are intertwined with tumor progression and the immune microenvironment. Validated by analyses of comprehensive datasets, this model identifies seven key PCD genes that delineate two subtypes with distinct immune profiles and sensitivities to anti-PD-1 therapy. The high-PCD group demonstrates a more immune-suppressive environment, while the low-PCD group shows better responses to PD-1 treatment. In particular, TOP2A emerged as crucial, with its inhibition markedly reducing KIRC cell growth and mobility. These findings underscore the relevance of PCDs in predicting KIRC outcomes and immunotherapy response, with implications for enhancing clinical decision-making.

Determination of Spin-Parity Quantum Numbers of X(2370) as 0^{-+} from J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'}

Based on (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'} is performed. The mass and width of the X(2370) are measured to be 2395±11(stat)_{-94}^{+26}(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and 188_{-17}^{+18}(stat)_{-33}^{+124}(syst)  MeV, respectively. The corresponding product branching fraction is B[J/ψ→γX(2370)]×B[X(2370)→f_{0}(980)η^{'}]×B[f_{0}(980)→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}]=(1.31±0.22(stat)_{-0.84}^{+2.85}(syst))×10^{-5}. The statistical significance of the X(2370) is greater than 11.7σ and the spin parity is determined to be 0^{-+} for the first time. The measured mass and spin parity of the X(2370) are consistent with the predictions of the lightest pseudoscalar glueball.

Antimicrobial sensitisers: Gatekeepers to avoid the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria

The resistance of multidrug-resistant bacteria to existing antibiotics forces the continued development of new antibiotics and antibacterial agents, but the high costs and long timeframe involved in the development of new agents renders the hope that existing antibiotics may again play a part. The "antibiotic adjuvant" is an indirect antibacterial strategy, but its vague concept has, in the past, limited the development speed of related drugs. In this review article, we put forward an accurate concept of a "non-self-antimicrobial sensitisers (NSAS)", to distinguish it from an "antibiotic adjuvant", and then discuss several scientific methods to restore bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics, and the sources and action mechanism of existing NSAS, in order to guide the development and further research of NSAS.

Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with early breast cancer

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with early breast cancer were updated and published online in 2023, and adapted, according to previously established standard methodology, to produce the Pan-Asian adapted (PAGA) ESMO consensus guidelines for the management of Asian patients with early breast cancer. The adapted guidelines presented in this manuscript represent the consensus opinions reached by a panel of Asian experts in the treatment of patients with breast cancer representing the oncological societies of China (CSCO), Indonesia (ISHMO), India (ISMPO), Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), the Philippines (PSMO), Singapore (SSO), Taiwan (TOS) and Thailand (TSCO), co-ordinated by ESMO and KSMO. The voting was based on scientific evidence and was independent of the current treatment practices, drug access restrictions and reimbursement decisions in the different Asian regions represented by the 10 oncological societies. The latter are discussed separately in the manuscript. The aim is to provide guidance for the optimisation and harmonisation of the management of patients with early breast cancer across the different regions of Asia, drawing on the evidence provided by both Western and Asian trials, whilst respecting the differences in screening practices, molecular profiling, as well as the age and stage at presentation. Attention is drawn to the disparity in the drug approvals and reimbursement strategies, between the different regions of Asia.

[Primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma with Sjögren's syndrome and positive cerebrospinal fluid Epstein-Barr virus: a case report and literature review]

The study presents an analysis of the diagnostic and treatment protocol for a patient with a first episode of nasopharyngeal carcinoma who also has Sjogren's syndrome and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) positive cerebrospinal fluid, as detected through metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). It reviews existing literature to examine the connections between EBV and various conditions including Sjogren's syndrome, encephalitis or meningitis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, emphasizing the importance of EBV positive cerebrospinal fluid. The study focuses on a case from the Eighth Medical Center of the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, where a patient was admitted with headaches as the primary symptom on March 3, 2021. This patient had a history of Sjogren's syndrome and was later diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The research involved reviewing both domestic and international databases for cases related to cerebrospinal fluid EBV positive encephalitis or meningitis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It aimed to aggregate data on demographics, initial symptoms, treatment methods, and patient outcomes. Findings suggest that positive cerebrospinal fluid EBV is linked to autoimmune diseases, viral encephalitis or meningitis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, albeit infrequently in the context of Sjogren's syndrome. Notably, EBV positive cerebrospinal fluid is commonly associated with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma rather than initial episodes. The study concludes that for patients with an immune condition, exhibiting symptoms like headaches or cranial nerve issues, or in cases where nasopharyngeal carcinoma is suspected, early testing through cerebrospinal fluid mNGS or EBV DNA is recommended. This approach facilitates risk assessment, prognosis determination, and the creation of individualized treatment plans.

Mouse model of Graves' orbitopathy induced by the immunization with TSHR A and IGF-1R α subunit gene

PURPOSE

The study aimed to establish a mouse model of Graves' disease (GD) with Graves' orbitopathy (GO; GD + GO) that can represent the clinical disease characteristics.

METHODS

A eukaryotic expression plasmid of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) α subunit (pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα) and a thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) A subunit plasmid (pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289) were injected in female BALB/c mice followed by immediate electroporation to induce a GD + GO model. Grouping was performed according to the frequency of injection (2- to 4-week intervals) and type of injected plasmids: T: pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289( +), I: pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα( +), or co-injection T + I: pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289( +) and pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα( +). Serum TSH, T4, TSAb, TSBAb, body weight, and blood glucose levels were evaluated. Thyroid 99mTcO4- imaging and retrobulbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed, and bilateral eye muscle volumes were measured. Immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin-eosin staining were performed on the relevant tissues, and semi-quantitative analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 60% of mice (3/5, one mouse died) in the T group developed GD + GO. In the T + I group, 83.3% of mice (5/6) developed GD + GO. Mice in the I group did not develop GD. Compared with the control group, serum T4, TSAb, and TSBAb of the mice in the GD + GO model groups were increased to varying degrees (P < 0.05), and serum TSH and body weight were significantly lower compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The thyroid uptake capacity of 99mTcO4- and the volume of eye muscle of mice in the GD + GO group were significantly higher compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The thyroid and retrobulbar muscles of these mice showed varying inflammatory infiltration and interstitial muscle edema. The severity of GD + GO in the co-injection group was not related to injection frequency; however, GD and ocular signs in co-injection mice were more severe compared to the T group.

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully induced a GD + GO mouse model by a repeated co-injection of pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα and pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289 plasmids. Injection of pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα alone failed to induce GD. Co-injection of two plasmids induced more severe GD + GO than pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289( +) alone.

[Semiparametric analysis of nonparametric proportional hazards models with mixed dependent censored data]

OBJECTIVE

To construct a nonparametric proportional hazards (PH) model for mixed informative interval-censored failure time data for predicting the risks in heart transplantation surgeries.

METHODS

Based on the complexity of mixed informative interval-censored failure time data, we considered the interdependent relationship between failure time process and observation time process, constructed a nonparametric proportional hazards (PH) model to describe the nonlinear relationship between the risk factors and heart transplant surgery risks and proposed a two-step sieve estimation maximum likelihood algorithm. An estimation equation was established to estimate frailty variables using the observation process model. Ⅰ-spline and B-spline were used to approximate the unknown baseline hazard function and nonparametric function, respectively, to obtain the working likelihood function in the sieve space. The partial derivative of the model parameters was used to obtain the scoring equation. The maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters was obtained by solving the scoring equation, and a function curve of the impact of risk factors on the risk of heart transplantation surgery was drawn.

RESULTS

Simulation experiment suggested that the estimated values obtained by the proposed method were consistent and asymptotically effective under various settings with good fitting effects. Analysis of heart transplant surgery data showed that the donor's age had a positive linear relationship with the surgical risk. The impact of the recipient's age at disease onset increased at first and then stabilized, but increased against at an older age. The donor-recipient age difference had a positive linear relationship with the surgical risk of heart transplantation.

CONCLUSION

The nonparametric PH model established in this study can be used for predicting the risks in heart transplantation surgery and exploring the functional relationship between the surgery risks and the risk factors.

[Shenqi Chongcao Formula ameliorates inflammatory response in rats with pulmonary fibrosis by activating the ASS1/src/STAT3 signaling pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of Shenqi Chongcao (SQCC) Formula on the ASS1/src/STAT3 signaling pathway in a rat model of lung fibrosis and explore its therapeutic mechanism.

METHODS

A total of 120 male SD rats were divided equally into 5 groups, including a blank control group with saline treatment and 4 groups of rat models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. One day after modeling, the rat models were treated with daily gavage of 10 mL/kg saline, SQCC decoction (0.423 g/kg), pirfenidone (10 mL/kg), or intraperitoneal injection of arginine deiminase (ADI; 2.25 mg/kg, every 3 days) for 28 days. After the treatments, the lung tissues of the rats were collected for calculating the lung/body weight ratio, observing histopathology using HE and Masson staining, and analyzing the inflammatory cells in BALF using Giemsa staining. Serum chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels were measured with ELISA. The protein expressions of src, p-srcTry529, STAT3, and p-STAT3Try705 and the mRNA expressions of ASS1, src and STAT3 in the lung tissues were detected using Western blotting and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

The neutrophil, macrophage and lymphocyte counts and serum levels of CCL2 and TGF-β1 were significantly lower in SQCC, pirfenidone and ADI treatment groups than in the model group at each time point of measurement (P < 0.05). P-srcTry529 and p-STAT3Try705 protein expression levels and ASS1, src, and STAT3 mRNA in the lung tissues were also significantly lower in the 3 treatment groups than in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SQCC Formula can alleviate lung fibrosis in rats possibly by activating the ASS1/src/STAT3 signaling pathway in the lung tissues.

Observation of Structures in the Processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2}

We present measurements of the Born cross sections for the processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s] from 4.308 to 4.951 GeV. The measurements are performed with data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 11.0  fb^{-1} collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider storage ring. Assuming the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c2} signals come from a single resonance, the mass and width are determined to be M=(4413.6±9.0±0.8)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(110.5±15.0±2.9)  MeV, respectively, which is consistent with the parameters of the well-established resonance ψ(4415). In addition, we also use one single resonance to describe the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} line shape and determine the mass and width to be M=(4544.2±18.7±1.7)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(116.1±33.5±1.7)  MeV, respectively. The structure of this line shape, observed for the first time, requires further understanding.

Coupled-Channel Analysis of the χ_{c1}(3872) Line Shape with BESIII Data

We perform a study of the χ_{c1}(3872) line shape using the data samples of e^{+}e^{-}→γχ_{c1}(3872), χ_{c1}(3872)→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0}π^{0}, and π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ collected with the BESIII detector. The effects of the coupled channels and the off-shell D^{*0} are included in the parametrization of the line shape. The line shape mass parameter is obtained to be M_{X}=(3871.63±0.13_{-0.05}^{+0.06})  MeV. Two poles are found on the first and second Riemann sheets corresponding to the D^{*0}D[over ¯]^{0} branch cut. The pole location on the first sheet is much closer to the D^{*0}D[over ¯]^{0} threshold than the other, and is determined to be 7.04±0.15_{-0.08}^{+0.07}  MeV above the D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0}π^{0} threshold with an imaginary part -0.19±0.08_{-0.19}^{+0.14}  MeV.

Observation of the Anomalous Shape of X(1840) in J/ψ→γ3(π^{+}π^{-}) Indicating a Second Resonance Near pp[over ¯] Threshold

Using a sample of (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events, which is about 45 times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the J/ψ→γ3(π^{+}π^{-}) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84  GeV/c^{2} in the line shape of the 3(π^{+}π^{-}) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, X(1840) and X(1880). The new state X(1880) is observed with a statistical significance larger than 10σ. The mass and width of X(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7  MeV/c^{2} and 30.7±5.5±2.4  MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a pp[over ¯] bound state.

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.

The impact of breast density notification on psychosocial outcomes in racial and ethnic minorities: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

High breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer and decreases the sensitivity of mammography. This systematic review synthesizes the evidence on the impact of breast density (BD) information and/or notification on women's psychosocial outcomes among women from racial and ethnic minority groups.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in March 2023, and the articles were identified using CINHAL, Embase, Medline, and PsychInfo databases. The search strategy combined the terms "breast", "density", "notification" and synonyms. The authors specifically kept the search terms broad and did not include terms related to race and ethnicity. Full-text articles were reviewed for analysis by race, ethnicity and primary language of participants. Two authors evaluated the eligibility of studies with verification from the study team, extracted and crosschecked data, and assessed the risk of bias.

RESULTS

Of 1784 articles, 32 articles published from 2003 to 2023 were included. Thirty-one studies were conducted in the United States and one in Australia, with 28 quantitative and four qualitative methodologies. The overall results in terms of breast density awareness, knowledge, communication with healthcare professionals, screening intentions and supplemental screening practice were heterogenous across studies. Barriers to understanding BD notifications and intentions/access to supplemental screening among racial and ethnic minorities included socioeconomic factors, language, health literacy and medical mistrust.

CONCLUSIONS

A one-size approach to inform women about their BD may further disadvantage racial and ethnic minority women. BD notification and accompanying information should be tailored and translated to ensure readability and understandability by all women.

Novel sfericase protease improves amino acid digestibility of soybean meal and rapeseed meal in broiler chickens

1. Two experiments were conducted to explore the effects of an exogenous sfericase protease on the apparent ileal nutrient digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) and rapeseed meal (RSM) in broiler chickens.2. In each experiment, a total of 256 sixteen-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were fed one of four semi-purified experimental diets, comprising two different batches (A and B) of samples for either SBM (Exp. 1) or RSM (Exp. 2) without or with an exogenous sfericase (0 or 30,000 NFP/kg). Each experimental diet was fed to eight replicate pens of broiler chickens from 16 to 21 d of age (eight birds per cage), and ileal digesta were collected for measuring the digestibility coefficients.3. In Exp. 1, the amino acid digestibility was greater (P < 0.05) in SBM B compared with SBM A for Arg and Val, and a similar trend (P < 0.1) was observed for Tyr, Leu and Thr. Exogenous sfericase increased (P < 0.10) digestibility of most of amino acids except Gly, His and Trp. There was an interaction between SBM source and sfericase, whereby digestibility of P, N and Asp was increased by sfericase for SBM B but not for SBM A. In Exp. 2, there was no interaction (P > 0.05) between RSM source and sfericase for ileal nutrient digestibility. Digestibility was greater in RSM A compared to RSM B for all non-essential AA and most essential AA (except for Trp), while the reverse was noted for Ca and P (P < 0.05). Exogenous sfericase increased (P < 0.1) digestibility for all amino acids except Cys and Met.4. In conclusion, the current studies showed that both SBM and RSM batches influenced amino acid digestibility. Sfericase protease supplementation increased amino acid digestibility for both SBM and RSM. The digestibility effects were greater in the SBM batch with low digestibility for N and Asp which was in line with an increase in P digestibility.

Non-invasive in-utero quantification of vascular reactivity in human placenta

OBJECTIVE

Placental vascular reactivity (PlVR) indicates the ability of the placental vasculature to match blood supply to fetal demand. Many pregnancy disorders alter the characteristics of PlVR, resulting in suboptimal oxygen delivery, although current understanding is limited by the lack of non-invasive, repeatable methods to measure PlVR in utero. Our objective was to quantify PlVR by measuring the placental response to transient changes in maternal carbon dioxide (CO2) using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that PlVR will increase with gestational age to meet the changing demands of a growing fetus, and that PlVR will be driven by a maternal response to changes in CO2 concentration.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 35 women with a healthy singleton pregnancy, of whom 31 were included in the analysis. The median gestational age was 32.6 (range, 22.6-38.4) weeks. Pregnant women were instructed to follow audiovisual breathing cues during a MRI scan. Maternal end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) was measured concurrently with resting placental BOLD MRI for a total of 7-8 min. Preprocessing of magnetic resonance images consisted of manual delineation of placental anatomy and motion correction. In each placental voxel, vascular reactivity was computed using a coherence-weighted general linear model between MRI signal and EtCO2 stimulus. Global PlVR was computed as the mean of voxel-wise PlVR values across the placenta.

RESULTS

PlVR, quantified by the placental response to induced, transient changes in maternal CO2, was consistently measured in utero using BOLD MRI. PlVR increased non-linearly with advancing gestational age (P < 0.001) and was higher on the fetal side of the placenta. PlVR was associated positively with fetal brain volume after accounting for gestational age. PlVR did not show any significant associations with maternal characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

We present, for the first time, a non-invasive paradigm to quantify PlVR in ongoing human pregnancies without the use of exogenous gases or contrast agents. Our findings suggest that PlVR is driven by a fetal response to changes in maternal CO2. Ease of translation to the clinical setting makes PlVR a promising biomarker for the identification and management of high-risk pregnancies. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Multichannel Doppler fiber-imager spectrometer for spatiotemporal characterization of high-intensity laser-driven plasmas

We demonstrate a flexible multichannel fiber-based imaging Doppler spectrometer to characterize plasmas in high intensity (≥1 × 1018 W/cm2) laser-plasma experiments at high repetition rates. This instrument collects data from ×21 different plasma locations combining optical fibers and a single imaging spectrometer. This diagnostic maps the plasma velocity evolution as a function of time with sub-pico-second resolution. Experimental results showing 2D velocity measurements of plasma with 20 μm spatial resolution are presented. Intensities of the order of 1018 W/cm2 were used to generate a plasma, while a much less intense, frequency doubled (400 nm), probe beam (1011 W/cm2) was used to measure the Doppler shift from the plasma critical surface. The instrument can be scaled to a larger number of channels (e.g., 100) still using a single spectrometer.

The regulatory relationship between NAMPT and PD-L1 in cancer and identification of a dual-targeting inhibitor

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Although both tumor metabolism and tumor immune microenvironment are recognized as driving factors in tumorigenesis, the relationship between them is still not well-known, and potential combined targeting approaches remain to be identified. Here, we demonstrated a negative correlation between the expression of NAMPT, an NAD+ metabolism enzyme, and PD-L1 expression in various cancer cell lines. A clinical study showed that a NAMPTHigh PD-L1Low expression pattern predicts poor prognosis in patients with various cancers. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of NAMPT results in the transcription upregulation of PD-L1 by SIRT-mediated acetylation change of NF-κB p65, and blocking PD-L1 would induce NAMPT expression through a HIF-1-dependent glycolysis pathway. Based on these findings, we designed and synthesized a dual NAMPT/PD-L1 targeting compound, LZFPN-90, which inhibits cell growth in a NAMPT-dependent manner and blocks the cell cycle, subsequently inducing apoptosis. Under co-culture conditions, LZFPN-90 treatment contributes to the proliferation and activation of T cells and blocks the growth of cancer cells. Using mice bearing genetically manipulated tumors, we confirmed that LZFPN-90 exerted target-dependent antitumor activities, affecting metabolic processes and the immune system. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the relevance of NAD+-related metabolic processes in antitumor immunity and suggest that co-targeting NAD+ metabolism and PD-L1 represents a promising therapeutic approach.

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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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.

Observation of WWγ Production and Search for Hγ Production in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The observation of WWγ production in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1} is presented. The observed (expected) significance is 5.6 (5.1) standard deviations. Events are selected by requiring exactly two leptons (one electron and one muon) of opposite charge, moderate missing transverse momentum, and a photon. The measured fiducial cross section for WWγ is 5.9±0.8(stat)±0.8(syst)±0.7(modeling)  fb, in agreement with the next-to-leading order quantum chromodynamics prediction. The analysis is extended with a search for the associated production of the Higgs boson and a photon, which is generated by a coupling of the Higgs boson to light quarks. The result is used to constrain the Higgs boson couplings to light quarks.

[Surveillance of echinococcosis in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2017 to 2022]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the echinococcosis surveillance results in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2017 to 2022, so as to provide insights into formulation of echinococcosis control measures in the prefecture.

METHODS

Villagers were randomly sampled using a multistage sampling method from class I and II echinococcosis endemic counties in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture from 2017 to 2022 for detection of human echinococcosis, while all patients undergoing ultrasound examinations in medical institutions in class III endemic counties received active echinococcosis screening. In addition, livestock in centralized slaughterhouses or slaughtering sites were screened for echinococcosis using the palpation and necropsy method, and fresh domestic dog feces samples were collected from randomly selected dog owners in each administrative village for detection of Echinococcus copro-antigen in domestic dogs. The trends in detection of human and livestock echinococcosis, detection of newly diagnosed human echinococcosis cases and detection of Echinococcus coproantigen in domestic dogs were analyzed in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture from 2017 to 2022.

RESULTS

The mean detection rate of human echinococcosis was 0.13% (540/407 803) in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture from 2017 to 2022, which appeared a tendency towards a decline over years (χ2trend = 1 217.21, P < 0.001), and the highest detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was seen in Hejing County (0.28%, 191/67 865). The detection of livestock echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a decline over years from 2017 to 2022 (χ2trend = 147.02, P < 0.001), with the highest detection rate seen in Hejing County (3.44%, 86/2 500), and the detection of Echinococcus copro-antigen in domestic dogs appeared a tendency towards a decline over years from 2017 to 2022 (χ2trend = 302.46, P < 0.001), with the highest detection rate in Qiemo County (2.74%, 118/4 313).

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of human and livestock echinococcosis and dog feces antigens Echinococcus copro-antigen in domestic dogs all appeared a tendency towards a decline in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2017 to 2022; however, there is still a high echinococcosis transmission risk in local areas. Sustainable integrated echinococcosis control is required in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture.

New Structures in the J/ψJ/ψ Mass Spectrum in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search is reported for near-threshold structures in the J/ψJ/ψ invariant mass spectrum produced in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV from data collected by the CMS experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 135  fb^{-1}. Three structures are found, and a model with quantum interference among these structures provides a good description of the data. A new structure is observed with a local significance above 5 standard deviations at a mass of 6638_{-38}^{+43}(stat)_{-31}^{+16}(syst)  MeV. Another structure with even higher significance is found at a mass of 6847_{-28}^{+44}(stat)_{-20}^{+48}(syst)  MeV, which is consistent with the X(6900) resonance reported by the LHCb experiment and confirmed by the ATLAS experiment. Evidence for another new structure, with a local significance of 4.7 standard deviations, is found at a mass of 7134_{-25}^{+48}(stat)_{-15}^{+41}(syst)  MeV. Results are also reported for a model without interference, which does not fit the data as well and shows mass shifts up to 150 MeV relative to the model with interference.

Investigation of the ΔI=1/2 Rule and Test of CP Symmetry through the Measurement of Decay Asymmetry Parameters in Ξ^{-} Decays

Using (10087±44)×10^{6}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, numerous Ξ^{-} and Λ decay asymmetry parameters are simultaneously determined from the process J/ψ→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+}→Λ(pπ^{-})π^{-}Λ[over ¯](n[over ¯]π^{0})π^{+} and its charge-conjugate channel. The precisions of α_{Λ0} for Λ→nπ^{0} and α[over ¯]_{Λ0} for Λ[over ¯]→n[over ¯]π^{0} compared to world averages are improved by factors of 4 and 1.7, respectively. The ratio of decay asymmetry parameters of Λ→nπ^{0} to that of Λ→pπ^{-}, ⟨α_{Λ0}⟩/⟨α_{Λ-}⟩, is determined to be 0.873±0.012_{-0.010}^{+0.011}, where the first and the second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The ratio is smaller than unity more than 5σ, which signifies the existence of the ΔI=3/2 transition in Λ for the first time. Besides, we test for CP symmetry in Ξ^{-}→Λπ^{-} and in Λ→nπ^{0} with the best precision to date.

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

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

DGAT2 inhibition blocks SREBP-1 cleavage and improves hepatic steatosis by increasing phosphatidylethanolamine in the ER

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) catalyzes the final step of triglyceride (TG) synthesis. DGAT2 deletion in mice lowers liver TGs, and DGAT2 inhibitors are under investigation for the treatment of fatty liver disease. Here, we show that DGAT2 inhibition also suppressed SREBP-1 cleavage, reduced fatty acid synthesis, and lowered TG accumulation and secretion from liver. DGAT2 inhibition increased phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) levels in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and inhibited SREBP-1 cleavage, while DGAT2 overexpression lowered ER PE concentrations and increased SREBP-1 cleavage in vivo. ER enrichment with PE blocked SREBP-1 cleavage independent of Insigs, which are ER proteins that normally retain SREBPs in the ER. Thus, inhibition of DGAT2 shunted diacylglycerol into phospholipid synthesis, increasing the PE content of the ER, resulting in reduced SREBP-1 cleavage and less hepatic steatosis. This study reveals a new mechanism that regulates SREBP-1 activation and lipogenesis that is independent of sterols and SREBP-2 in liver.

Human dental pulp stem cell-derived exosomes decorated titanium scaffolds for promoting bone regeneration

Exosomes, nanoscale extracellular vesicles crucial for intercellular communication, hold great promise as a therapeutic avenue in cell-free tissue regeneration. In this study, we identified and utilized exosomes to adorn anodized titanium scaffolds, inducing osteogenic differentiation in human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). The osteogenesis of hDPSCs was stimulated by exosomes derived from hDPSCs that underwent various periods of osteogenic differentiation. After purification, these exosomes were loaded onto anodized titanium scaffolds. Notably, the scaffolds loaded with exosomes deriving from osteogenic differentiated hDPSCs demonstrated superior bone tissue regeneration compared to those loaded with exosomes deriving from hDPSCs within 10-week. RNA-sequencing analysis shed light on the underlying mechanism, revealing that the osteogenic exosomes carried specific cargo, which is due to upregulated miRNAs (Hsa-miR-29c-5p, Hsa-miR-378a-5p, Hsa-miR-10b-5p and Hsa-miR-9-3p) associated with osteogenesis. And down-regulated anti-osteogenic miRNA (Hsa-miR-31-3p, Hsa-miR-221-3p, Hsa-miR-183-5p and Hsa-miR-503-5p). In conclusion, the identification and utilization of exosomes derived from osteogenic differentiated stem cells offer a novel and promising strategy for achieving cell-free bone regeneration.

Comprehensive genomic profiling to identify actionable alterations for breast cancer brain metastases in the Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) is a crucial issue in the treatment of breast cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, novel therapeutic targets are urgently needed in clinical practice. In this study, we aimed to identify potential actionable targets in brain metastases (BMs) utilising the FoundationOne® CDx (F1CDx).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archived specimens including 16 primary breast tumours (PTs), 49 BCBMs and 7 extracranial metastases (ECMs) from 54 patients who underwent surgery for BCBM were tested using F1CDx. Tumour-infiltrated lymphocytes (TILs) of BMs were also tested using haematoxylin-eosin staining.

RESULTS

The median tumour mutational burden (TMB) and TILs in BMs were 5.0 (range 0-29) mut/Mb and 1.0% (range 0%-5.0%), respectively. High TMB (≥10 mut/Mb) was detected in four cases (8%). Genomic alterations (GAs) were detected in all samples. The top-ranked somatic mutations in BMs were TP53 (82%), PIK3CA (35%), MLL2 (22%), BRCA2 (14%) and ATM (14%) and the most prevalent copy number alterations were ERBB2 (64%), RAD21 (36%), CCND1 (32%), FGF19 (30%) and FGF3 (30%). The most prevalent GAs were relatively consistent between paired PTs and BMs. Actionable GAs were detected in 94% of all BMs. Consistent rate in actionable GAs was 38% (6/16) between paired PTs/ECMs and BMs. Compared to matched PTs/ECMs, additional actionable GAs (BRAF, FGFR1, PTEN, KIT and CCND1) were discovered in 31% (5/16) of the BMs.

CONCLUSIONS

TMB and TILs were relatively low in BCBMs. Comparable consistency in actionable GAs was identified between BCBMs and matched PTs/ECMs. It was, therefore, logical to carry out genomic testing for BCBMs to identify potential new therapeutic targets when BCBM specimens were available, as ∼31% of samples carried additional actionable GAs.

Observation of D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, Precision Test of Lepton Flavor Universality with D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}l^{+}ν_{l}, and First Measurements of D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}μ^{+}ν_{μ} Decay Dynamics

By analyzing 7.33  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, we report the observation of the semileptonic decay D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, with a statistical significance larger than 10σ, and the measurements of the D_{s}^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ} decay dynamics for the first time. The branching fractions of D_{s}^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ} are determined to be (2.235±0.051_{stat}±0.052_{syst})% and (0.801±0.055_{stat}±0.028_{syst})%, respectively, with precision improved by factors of 6.0 and 6.6 compared to the previous best measurements. Combined with the results for the decays D_{s}^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}e^{+}ν_{e}, the ratios of the decay widths are examined both inclusively and in several ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} four-momentum transfer ranges. No evidence for lepton flavor universality violation is found within the current statistics. The products of the hadronic form factors f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0) and the c→s Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cs}| are determined. The results based on the two-parameter series expansion are f_{+,0}^{η}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.452±0.010_{stat}±0.007_{syst} and f_{+,0}^{η^{'}}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.504±0.037_{stat}±0.012_{syst}, which help to constrain present models on f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0). The forward-backward asymmetries are determined to be ⟨A_{FB}^{η}⟩=-0.059±0.031_{stat}±0.005_{syst} and ⟨A_{FB}^{η^{'}}⟩=-0.064±0.079_{stat}±0.006_{syst} for the first time, which are consistent with the theoretical calculation.

Evidence for Chiral Wobbler in Nuclei

Three ΔI=1 bands with the πg_{9/2}⊗νg_{9/2} configuration have been identified in _{35}^{74}Br_{39}. Angular distribution, linear polarization, and lifetime measurements were performed to determine the multipolarity, type, mixing ratio, and absolute transition probability of the transitions. By comparing these experimental observations with the corresponding fingerprints and the quantum particle rotor model calculations, the second and third lowest bands are, respectively, suggested as the chiral partner and one-phonon wobbling excitation built on the yrast band. The evidence indicates the first chiral wobbler in nuclei.

Placebo and Nocebo Responses in Pharmacological Trials of Tic Disorders: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials of new drugs for tic disorders (TD) often fail to yield positive results. Placebo and nocebo responses play a vital role in interpreting the outcomes of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), yet these responses in RCTs of TD remain unexplored.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to assess the magnitude of placebo and nocebo responses in RCTs of pharmacological interventions for TD and identify influencing factors.

METHODS

A systematic search of the Embase, Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO databases was conducted. Eligible studies were RCTs that compared active pharmacological agents with placebos. Placebo response was defined as the change from baseline in TD symptom severity in the placebo group, and nocebo response as the proportion experiencing adverse events (AEs) in this group. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to explore modifying factors.

RESULTS

Twenty-four trials involving 2222 participants were included in this study. A substantial placebo response in TD symptom severity was identified, with a pooled effect size of -0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.99 to -0.59; I2 = 67%). Forty-four percent (95% CI 27% to 63%; I2 = 92%) of patients experienced AEs while taking inert pills. Sample size, study design, and randomization ratio were correlated with changes in placebo and nocebo responses.

CONCLUSION

There were considerable placebo and nocebo responses in TD clinical trials. These results are of great relevance for the design of future trials and for clinical practice in TD.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration ID CRD42023388397. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Murine IRF8 Mutation Offers New Insight into Osteoclast and Root Resorption

Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), a transcription factor expressed in immune cells, functions as a negative regulator of osteoclasts and helps maintain dental and skeletal homeostasis. Previously, we reported that a novel mutation in the IRF8 gene increases susceptibility to multiple idiopathic cervical root resorption (MICRR), a form of tooth root resorption mediated by increased osteoclast activity. The IRF8 G388S variant in the highly conserved C-terminal motif is predicted to alter the protein structure, likely impairing IRF8 function. To investigate the molecular basis of MICRR and IRF8 function in osteoclastogenesis, we generated Irf8 knock-in (KI) mice using CRISPR/Cas9 technique modeling the human IRF8G388S mutation. The heterozygous (Het) and homozygous (Homo) Irf8 KI mice showed no gross morphological defects, and the development of hematopoietic cells was unaffected and similar to wild-type (WT) mice. The Irf8 KI Het and Homo mice showed no difference in macrophage gene signatures important for antimicrobial defenses and inflammatory cytokine production. Consistent with the phenotype observed in MICRR patients, Irf8 KI Het and Homo mice demonstrated significantly increased osteoclast formation and resorption activity in vivo and in vitro when compared to WT mice. The oral ligature-inserted Het and Homo mice displayed significantly increased root resorption and osteoclast-mediated alveolar bone loss compared to WT mice. The increased osteoclastogenesis noted in KI mice is due to the inability of IRF8G388S mutation to inhibit NFATc1-dependent transcriptional activation and downstream osteoclast specific transcripts, as well as its impact on autophagy-related pathways of osteoclast differentiation. This translational study delineates the IRF8 domain important for osteoclast function and provides novel insights into the IRF8 mutation associated with MICRR. IRF8G388S mutation mainly affects osteoclastogenesis while sparing immune cell development and function. These insights extend beyond oral health and significantly advance our understanding of skeletal disorders mediated by increased osteoclast activity and IRF8's role in osteoclastogenesis.

In ovo injection of AZD6244 suppresses feather follicle development by the inhibition of ERK and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in goose embryos (Anser cygnoides)

1. Feathers are an important product from poultry, and the state of feather growth and development plays an important role in their economic value.2. In total, 120 eggs were selected for immunoblotting and immunolocalisation experiments of ERK and β-catenin proteins in different developmental stages of goose embryos. The ERK protein was highly expressed in the early stage of goose embryo development, while β-catenin protein was highly expressed in the middle stage of embryo development.3. The 120 eggs were divided into four treatment groups, including an uninjected group (BLANK), a group injected with 100 µl of cosolvent (CK), a group injected with 100 µl of AZD6244 containing cosolvent in a dose of 5 mg/kg AZD6244 containing cosolvent (AZD5) and a group injected with 100 µl of AZD6244 containing cosolvent in a dose of 15 mg/kg AZD6244 containing cosolvent (AZD15). The eggs were injected on the ninth day of embryonic development (E9). Samples were collected at E21.5 to observe feather width, feather follicle diameter, ERK and Wnt/β-catenin pathway protein expression.4. The AZD5 and AZD15 doses were within the embryonic safety range compared to the BLANK and CK groups and had no significant effect on the survival rate and weight at the inflection point, but significantly reduced the feather width and feather follicle diameter (p < 0.05). The AZD6244 treatment inhibited ERK protein phosphorylation levels and blocked the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which in turn significantly down-regulated the expression levels of FZD4, β-catenin, TCF4 and LEF1 (p < 0.05), with an inhibitory effect in the AZD15 group being more significant. The immunohistochemical results of β-catenin and p-ERK were consistent with Western blot results.5. The small molecule inhibitor AZD6244 regulated the growth and development of feather follicles in goose embryos by the ERK and Wnt/β-catenin pathways.

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

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

Determination of the Σ^{+} Timelike Electromagnetic Form Factors

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, the process e^{+}e^{-}→Σ^{+}Σ[over ¯]^{-} is studied at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=2.3960, 2.6454, and 2.9000 GeV. Using a fully differential angular description of the final state particles, both the relative magnitude and phase information of the Σ^{+} electromagnetic form factors in the timelike region are extracted. The relative phase between the electric and magnetic form factors is determined to be sinΔΦ=-0.67±0.29(stat)±0.18(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.3960  GeV, ΔΦ=55°±19°(stat)±14°(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.6454  GeV, and 78°±22°(stat)±9°(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.9000  GeV. For the first time, the phase of the hyperon electromagnetic form factors is explored in a wide range of four-momentum transfer. The evolution of the phase along with four-momentum transfer is an important input for understanding its asymptotic behavior and the dynamics of baryons.

GDF-15 alleviates diabetic nephropathy via inhibiting NEDD4L-mediated IKK/NF-κB signalling pathways

Podocyte inflammatory injury has been indicated to play a pivotal role in the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the pathogenesis of inflammation remains unclear. Recent researches have shown that GDF-15, a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, were elevated under pathological conditions, such as myocardial ischemia, cancer, as well as inflammation. Here, we demonstrated that GDF-15 could alleviate podocyte inflammatory injury by modulating the NF-κB pathway. GDF-15 and other pro-inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were upregulated in the serum of HFD/STZ rat models. GDF-15 was also elevated in diabetic glomeruli and hyperglycemic stimuli treated-podocytes. The silence of GDF-15 in HG-stimulated podocytes further augmented inflammation and podocyte injury, while overexpression of GDF-15 significantly reduced the inflammatory response in podocytes. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that GDF-15 could inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB through IKK and IκBα by interaction with ubiquitin ligase NEDD4L. Taken together, our data suggested a protective mechanism of elevated GDF-15 in DN through obstruction of ubiquitin degradation of IKK by inhibiting NEDD4L expression, thus decreasing the activation of NF-κB and relieving the inflammation. GDF-15 could serve as a potential therapeutic target for DN.

Search for Scalar Leptoquarks Produced via τ-Lepton-Quark Scattering in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The first search for scalar leptoquarks produced in τ-lepton-quark collisions is presented. It is based on a set of proton-proton collision data recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1}. The reconstructed final state consists of a jet, significant missing transverse momentum, and a τ lepton reconstructed through its hadronic or leptonic decays. Limits are set on the product of the leptoquark production cross section and branching fraction and interpreted as exclusions in the plane of the leptoquark mass and the leptoquark-τ-quark coupling strength.

Dapagliflozin improves podocytes injury in diabetic nephropathy via regulating cholesterol balance through KLF5 targeting the ABCA1 signalling pathway

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), one of the more prevalent microvascular complications in patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, is attributed as the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Lipotoxicity in podocytes caused by hyperglycemia has been recognised as a significant pathology change, resulting in the deterioration of the glomerular filtration barrier. Research has demonstrated how dapagliflozin, a kind of SGLT2i, exhibits a multifaceted and powerful protective effect in DN, entirely independent of the hypoglycemic effect, with the specific mechanism verified. In this present study, we found that dapagliflozin has the potential to alleviate apoptosis and restore cytoskeleton triggered by high glucose (HG) in vivo and in vitro. We also discovered that dapagliflozin could mitigate podocyte cholesterol accumulation by restoring the expression of ABCA1, which is the key pathway for cholesterol outflows. This research also mechanistically demonstrates that the protective effect of dapagliflozin can be mediated by KLF-5, which is the upstream transcription factor of ABCA1. Taken together, our data suggest that dapagliflozin offers significant potential in alleviating podocyte injury and cholesterol accumulation triggered by high glucose. In terms of the mechanism, we herein reveal that dapagliflozin could accelerate cholesterol efflux by restoring the expression of ABCA1, which is directly regulated by KLF-5.

Combination of click chemistry and Schiff base reaction: Post-synthesis of covalent organic frameworks as an immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography platform for efficient capture of global phosphopeptides in serum with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Reasonable design and construction of functionalized materials are of great importance for the enrichment of global phosphopeptides. In this work, Ti4+ functionalized hydrophilic covalent organic frameworks by introducing glutathione (GSH) and 2,3,4-trihydroxy benzaldehyde (THBA) via click chemistry and Schiff base reaction (COF-V@GSH-THBA-Ti4+ ) was constructed and applied for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides in serum. Benefit from the high surface area, excellent hydrophilicity as well as regular mesoporous structure, COF-V@GSH-THBA-Ti4+ displayed high selectivity (molar ratio of 2000:1), low limit of detection (0.5 fmol), high load capacity (100.0 mg/g) and excellent size-exclusion effect (1:10000) for enrichment of phosphopeptides. For actual bio-sample analysis, 15 phosphopeptides assigned to 10 phosphoproteins with 16 phosphorylated sites and 33 phosphopeptides assigned to 25 phosphoproteins with 34 phosphorylated sites were detected from the serum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and normal controls. Biological processes and molecular functions analysis further disclosed the difference of serums with phosphoproteomics between COPD and normal controls.