Interplay of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and papillary thyroid carcinoma: insights from a Chinese cohort

PURPOSE

Thyroid cancer is one of a set of extrahepatic cancers that closely linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, the connection between MAFLD and the characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains unexplored.

METHODS

Between Jan 2020 and Oct 2022, surgical cases of PTC patients were examined at the first Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Clinical data extracted from the electronic medical system underwent a rigorous comparison between two groups, classified based on MAFLD criteria, using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

In this study of 4,410 PTC patients, 18.3% had MAFLD. MAFLD emerged as a distinct risk factor for lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.230, 95% CI 1.018-1.487) in this cohort, especially in females (OR = 1.321, 95% CI 1.026-1.702) and those with BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 (OR = 1.232, 95% CI 1.004-1.511). The presence of MAFLD was found to significantly elevate the risk of BRAF V600E mutation in both subgroups characterized by FIB-4 score ≥ 1.3 (OR = 1.968, 95% CI 1.107-3.496) and BMI < 23 kg/m2 (OR = 2.584, 95% CI 1.012-6.601). Moreover, among the subset of individuals without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), it was noted that MAFLD considerably increased the likelihood of tumor multifocality (OR = 1.697, 95% CI 1.111-2.592). Nevertheless, MAFLD did not exhibit any correlation with increased tumor size, extra-thyroidal extension (ETE), or later TNM stage in PTC.

CONCLUSION

In this cross-sectional study, we discovered a significant association between MAFLD and increased occurrences of lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, MAFLD was linked to a higher chance of BRAF V600E mutation and the presence of multiple tumors in certain subgroups.

Emergence of Long-Range Angular Correlations in Low-Multiplicity Proton-Proton Collisions

This Letter presents the measurement of near-side associated per-trigger yields, denoted ridge yields, from the analysis of angular correlations of charged hadrons in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV. Long-range ridge yields are extracted for pairs of charged particles with a pseudorapidity difference of 1.4<|Δη|<1.8 and a transverse momentum of 1 Collapse

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First Measurement of the |t| Dependence of Incoherent J/ψ Photonuclear Production

The first measurement of the cross section for incoherent photonuclear production of J/ψ vector mesons as a function of the Mandelstam |t| variable is presented. The measurement was carried out with the ALICE detector at midrapidity, |y|<0.8, using ultraperipheral collisions of Pb nuclei at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. This rapidity interval corresponds to a Bjorken-x range (0.3-1.4)×10^{-3}. Cross sections are given in five |t| intervals in the range 0.04<|t|<1  GeV^{2} and compared to the predictions by different models. Models that ignore quantum fluctuations of the gluon density in the colliding hadron predict a |t| dependence of the cross section much steeper than in data. The inclusion of such fluctuations in the same models provides a better description of the data.

First Measurement of η Meson Production in Neutrino Interactions on Argon with MicroBooNE

We present a measurement of η production from neutrino interactions on argon with the MicroBooNE detector. The modeling of resonant neutrino interactions on argon is a critical aspect of the neutrino oscillation physics program being carried out by the DUNE and Short Baseline Neutrino programs. η production in neutrino interactions provides a powerful new probe of resonant interactions, complementary to pion channels, and is particularly suited to the study of higher-order resonances beyond the Δ(1232). We measure a flux-integrated cross section for neutrino-induced η production on argon of 3.22±0.84(stat)±0.86(syst) 10^{-41}  cm^{2}/nucleon. By demonstrating the successful reconstruction of the two photons resulting from η production, this analysis enables a novel calibration technique for electromagnetic showers in GeV accelerator neutrino experiments.

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

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

[Investigation of the population diversity of intermediate host snails and crabs of Paragonimus along Jiulong River, Zhangjiang River and Dongxi River basins in southern Fujian Province]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the population distribution of intermediate host snails and crabs of Paragonimus along the Jiulongjiang River, Zhangjiang River, and Dongxi River basins in Bopingling Mountain, southern Fujian Province, so as to provide baseline data for researches on parasitic disease prevention and control and enlargement of samples in the parasitic resource bank.

METHODS

A total of 23 villages in 8 counties (districts) along the Jiulong River, Zhangjiang River, and Dongxi River basins in Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province were selected as survey sites during the period from November 2020 through March 2023, and snail and freshwater crabs were sampled from 1 to 3 streams and ditches neighboring residential areas in each village. Morphological identification of snails was performed according to the external morphological characteristics of collected snail shells, and the unidentified snail species sampled from the natural foci of paragonimiasis in Yunxiao County were subjected to se-quence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene. The crab species was identified by observing the morphological characteristics of the terminal segment of the first pleopod of male crabs, and Paragonimus cercariae and metacercariae were detected in collected snails.

RESULTS

The shells of the unidentified snails sampled from the natural foci of paragonimiasis in Yunxiao County were approximately 50 mm in height and 18 mm in width, thick and solid, long tower cone-shaped, and had 8 to 10 whorls. CO1 gene sequence analysis identified the snail species as Sulcospira hainanensis. A total of 6 freshwater snail species belonging to 5 genera within 3 families, identified 23 survey sites, including Semisulcospira libertina, Paludomus zhangchouensis and S. hainanensis that belonged to the Family Pleurceridae, Tricula fujianensis and T. huaanensis that belonged to the subfamily Triculinae, Family Pomatiopsidae, and Melanoides tuberculata (Family Thiaridae), and 11 species of freshwater crabs belonging to 5 genera within 2 families were identified, including Sinopotamon genus of S. jianglense, S. pinheense, and S. zhangzhouense, Huananpotamon genus of H. planopodum and H. zhangzhouense, Nanhaipotamon genus of N. huaanense and N. longhaiense, and Minpotamon genus of M. nasicum and M. auritum that belonged to the Family Potamidae, and Somanniathelphusa genus of S. huaanensis and S. zhangpuensis (Family Parathelphusidae). In addition, the prevalence of P. westermani cercariae infections was 0.08% (2/2 317) in P. zhangchouensis from Danyan Village in Changtai District and 0.09% (1/1 039) in S. hainanensis from Jinkeng Village in Yunxiao County, and the prevalence of P. westermani metacercariae infections was 25.81% (8/31) in S. jianglense from Danyan Village in Changtai District, and 26.31% (5/19) in S. zhangzhouense from Jinkeng Village in Yunxiao County, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a population diversity in the intermediate host snails and crabs along the Jiulongjiang River, Zhangjiang River, and Dongxi River basins in Bopingling Mountain, southern Fujian Province, and P. zhangzhouensis and S. hainanensis are, for the first time, confirmed as the first intermediate hosts of P. westermani.

Reference Values for Paravertebral Muscle Size and Myosteatosis in Chinese Adults, a Nationwide Multicenter Study

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The paravertebral muscles, characterized by their susceptibility to severe size loss and fat infiltration in old age, lack established reference values for age-related variations in muscle parameters. This study aims to fill this gap by establishing reference values for paravertebral muscles in a Chinese adult population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study utilized the baseline data from the prospective cohort China Action on Spine and Hip (CASH). A total of 4305 community-dwelling participants aged 21-80 years in China were recruited between 2013 and 2017. Pregnant women, individuals with metal implants, limited mobility or diseases/conditions (spinal tumor, infection, etc.) affecting lumbar vertebra were excluded from the study. Psoas and paraspinal muscles were measured in quantitative computed tomography (QCT) images at the L3 and L5 levels using Osirix software. Age-related reference values for muscle area, density, and fat fraction were constructed as percentile charts using the lambda-mu-sigma (LMS) method.

RESULTS

The paravertebral muscles exhibited an age-related decline in muscle area and density, coupled with an increase in muscle fat fraction. Between the ages of 25 and 75, the reductions in psoas and paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area at the L3 level were - 0.47%/yr and - 0.53%/yr in men, and - 0.19%/yr and - 0.23%/yr in women, respectively. Notably, accelerated muscle loss was observed during menopause and postmenopause in women (45-75 years) and intermittently during middle and old age in men (35-55 and 60-75 years). Besides, the age-related decreases in PSMA, PMA, and PSMD and the increases in PSMFF were more pronounced in L5 than in L3 CONCLUSION: This study shows distinct patterns of accelerated muscle loss were identified in menopausal and postmenopausal women and in middle-aged and old men. The findings contribute valuable information for future investigations on paravertebral muscle loss and myosteatosis.

Single-crystal growth, structure and thermal transport properties of the metallic antiferromagnet Zintl-phase β-EuIn2As2

Zintl-phase materials have attracted significant research interest owing to the interplay of magnetism and strong spin-orbit coupling, providing a prominent material platform for axion electrodynamics. Here, we report the single-crystal growth, structure, magnetic and electrical/thermal transport properties of the antiferromagnet layer Zintl-phase compound β-EuIn2As2. Importantly, the new layered structure of β-EuIn2As2, in rhombohedral (R3̄m) symmetry, contains triangular layers of Eu2+ ions. The in-plane resistivity ρ(H, T) measurements reveal metal behavior with an antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition (TN ∼ 23.5 K), which is consistent with the heat capacity Cp(H, T) and magnetic susceptibility χ(H, T) measurements. Negative MR was observed in the temperature range from 2 K to 20 K with a maximum MR ratio of 0.06. Unique 4f7J = S = 7/2 Eu2+ spins were supposed magnetically order along the c-axis. The Seebeck coefficient shows a maximum thermopower |Smax| of about 40 μV K-1. The kink around 23 K in the Seebeck coefficient originates from the effect of the antiferromagnetic phase on the electron band structure, while the pronounced thermal conductivity peak at around 10 K is attributed to the phonon-phonon Umklapp scattering. The results suggest that the Eu2+ spin arrangement plays an important role in the magnetic, electrical, and thermal transport properties in β-EuIn2As2, which might be helpful for future potential technical applications.

Imaging the Meissner effect in hydride superconductors using quantum sensors

By directly altering microscopic interactions, pressure provides a powerful tuning knob for the exploration of condensed phases and geophysical phenomena1. The megabar regime represents an interesting frontier, in which recent discoveries include high-temperature superconductors, as well as structural and valence phase transitions2-6. However, at such high pressures, many conventional measurement techniques fail. Here we demonstrate the ability to perform local magnetometry inside a diamond anvil cell with sub-micron spatial resolution at megabar pressures. Our approach uses a shallow layer of nitrogen-vacancy colour centres implanted directly within the anvil7-9; crucially, we choose a crystal cut compatible with the intrinsic symmetries of the nitrogen-vacancy centre to enable functionality at megabar pressures. We apply our technique to characterize a recently discovered hydride superconductor, CeH9 (ref. 10). By performing simultaneous magnetometry and electrical transport measurements, we observe the dual signatures of superconductivity: diamagnetism characteristic of the Meissner effect and a sharp drop of the resistance to near zero. By locally mapping both the diamagnetic response and flux trapping, we directly image the geometry of superconducting regions, showing marked inhomogeneities at the micron scale. Our work brings quantum sensing to the megabar frontier and enables the closed-loop optimization of superhydride materials synthesis.

The ability of a portable near infrared instrument to evaluate the shelf-life of fresh and thawed goat muscles

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a portable near infrared (NIR) instrument to monitor the shelf-life of four goat muscles [longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), semimembranosus (SM), semitendinosus (ST) and biceps femoris (BF)] stored for up to 8 days (4 °C). The NIR spectra of the muscle samples were collected at day 0, and after 1, 4 and 8 days of storage using a MicroNIR instrument (900-1600 nm). The coefficient of determination in cross-validation (R2) and the standard error in cross validation (SECV) obtained for the prediction of days of storage ranged between 0.76 and 0.86, where the SECV ranged from 0.32 to 0.41. The best statistics in cross-validation were obtained for the prediction of days of storage in the BF samples, followed by the ST and LTL muscles. Differences in the PLS loadings for the cross-validation models were observed due to the interactions between the different muscle samples and days of storage. Overall, these results showed the potential of NIR spectroscopy to identify the time of storage in four different goat muscles. Similar data and techniques could be used to predict the remaining shelf life of meat derived from different species under storage. This information can then be used as a tool to predict and guarantee the safety of meat samples to the consumer along the meat supply and value chains.

[Clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of lung and its associated lung cancer in adults]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and genetic characteristics of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of lung and CCAM associated lung cancer in adults. Methods: A total of 13 cases of CCAM of lung in adults, diagnosed from June 2015 to May 2023, were collected from the Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China. Their histopathological features were correlated with probable development into lung cancer. Next-generation sequencing was performed on the benign and malignant areas of all cases. Results: The pathological classification of all cases were of CCAM of lung type 1. There were 4 male and 9 female cases, age ranged from 18 to 65 years, with a mean age of 41 years. Six cases were accompanied by lung cancer, all of them were mucinous adenocarcinoma. Next-generation sequencing showed no gene mutation in 2 of the 13 cases; KRAS mutations in exon 2 were detected in 7 cases, in which there were 6 cases complicated with lung mucinous adenocarcinoma and no matter in the malignant or benign regions, the same case exhibited the same mutation sites in KRAS gene. Conclusions: CCAM of the lung is a congenital disease, and in adults, type 1 is most commonly found in the pathological classification, and it is often accompanied by cancer. Gene mutations are frequently detected in CCAM of the lung, KRAS being the most recurrent mutation which may play an important role in the carcinogenesis.

ψ(2S) Suppression in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

The production of the ψ(2S) charmonium state was measured with ALICE in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, in the dimuon decay channel. A significant signal was observed for the first time at LHC energies down to zero transverse momentum, at forward rapidity (2.5 Collapse

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Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons in Electron-Positron and Neutral-Pion Final States with the MicroBooNE Detector

We present the first search for heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) decaying into νe^{+}e^{-} or νπ^{0} final states in a liquid-argon time projection chamber using data collected with the MicroBooNE detector. The data were recorded synchronously with the NuMI neutrino beam from Fermilab's main injector corresponding to a total exposure of 7.01×10^{20} protons on target. We set upper limits at the 90% confidence level on the mixing parameter |U_{μ4}|^{2} in the mass ranges 10≤m_{HNL}≤150  MeV for the νe^{+}e^{-} channel and 150≤m_{HNL}≤245  MeV for the νπ^{0} channel, assuming |U_{e4}|^{2}=|U_{τ4}|^{2}=0. These limits represent the most stringent constraints in the mass range 35 Collapse

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Comparisons between young adult waterpipe smokers and nonsmokers' reactions to pictorial health warning labels in Lebanon: a randomized crossover experimental study

This study compares the impact of pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) and their placements on waterpipe parts (device, tobacco and charcoal packages) on health communication outcomes between waterpipe smokers and nonsmokers in Lebanon. An online randomized crossover experimental study was conducted among young adults (n = 403, August 2021) who observed three conditions of HWLs: pictorial HWLs on the tobacco package, pictorial HWLs on all waterpipe's parts and text-only HWL on the tobacco package in random order. Participants completed post-exposure assessments of health communication outcomes after each image. Using linear mixed models, we examined the differences in the effect of HWL conditions on several outcomes (i.e. warning reactions) between waterpipe smokers and nonsmokers, controlling for confounders (i.e. age, sex). Nonsmokers reported greater attention (β = 0.54 [95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.82]), cognitive elaboration (0.31 [0.05-0.58]) and social interaction (0.41 [0.18-0.65]) for pictorial HWLs on the tobacco packages than text-only compared with smokers. Pictorial HWLs on three parts versus one part elicited higher cognitive reactions and perceived message effectiveness in nonsmokers compared with waterpipe smokers. These findings provide valuable information for policymakers about the potential of implementing HWLs specific to waterpipes to prevent their use among young adults and limit tobacco-related morbidity and mortality in Lebanon.

Effect of probiotic supplementation on cognition and depressive symptoms in patients with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression affects millions globally and often coexists with cognitive deficits. This study explored the potential of probiotics in enhancing cognition and ameliorating depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder patients.

METHODS

Utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol and the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, and Study design framework, we systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials examining probiotic effects on cognition and depressive symptoms. Searches spanned 7 databases from January 2010 to May 2022. Risk of bias was assessed using Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0, and meta-analysis was conducted with RevMan 5.4.1. Publication bias was evaluated via Egger test.

RESULTS

In a systematic review on the effects of probiotic supplementation on cognition and depressive symptoms in depression patients, 635 records were initially identified, with 4 studies ultimately included. These randomized controlled trials were conducted across diverse regions, primarily involving females, with assessment periods ranging from 1 to 2 months. Concerning cognitive outcomes, a statistically significant moderate improvement was found with probiotic supplementation, based on the mean difference and its 95% confidence interval. However, for depressive symptoms, the overall effect was negligible and not statistically significant. A heterogeneity test indicated consistent findings across studies for both cognitive and depressive outcomes (I² = 0% for both). The potential for publication bias was evaluated using the Egger linear regression test, suggesting no significant bias, though caution is advised due to the limited number of studies.

CONCLUSION

Probiotics may enhance cognitive domains and mitigate depressive symptoms, emphasizing the gut-brain axis role. However, methodological variations and brief intervention durations call for more standardized, extensive research.

Core atoms escape from the shell: reverse segregation of Pb-Al core-shell nanoclusters via nanoscale melting

Melting is a phase transition that profoundly affects the fabrication and diverse applications of metal nanoclusters. Core-shell clusters offer distinctive properties and thus opportunities compared with other classes of nano-alloys. Molecular dynamics simulations have been employed to investigate the melting behaviour of Pb-Al core-shell clusters containing a fixed Pb147 core and varying shell thickness. Our results show that the core and shell melt separately. Surprisingly, core melting always drives the core Pb atoms to break out the shell and coat the nanoclusters in a reversed segregation process at the nanoscale. The melting point of the core increases with the shell thickness to exceed that of the bare core cluster, but the thinnest shell always supresses the core melting point. These results can be a reference for the future fabrication, manipulation, and exploitation of the core-shell nanoalloys chosen. The system chosen is ideally suited for experimental observations.

[Clinical characteristics analysis of patients with severe immune checkpoint inhibitors related myocarditis]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with severe immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) related myocarditis. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on the 50 patients with ICIs-related myocarditis in the multidisciplinary cardio-oncology clinic of Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University from April 2020 to April 2022. The age of patients was (63.7±10.8) years old, including 37 males and 13 females. The patients were divided into the mild group (n=37) and the severe group (n=13) according to severity. The differences of basic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, auxiliary examination, combined irAEs, treatment and outcomes between the two groups of patients were analyzed. Results: The immunotherapy time [M(Q1,Q3)] of patients in the mild group and severe group were 81 (49, 134) and 24 (20, 116) days, respectively (P<0.05). In the severe group, the levels of cTnT [0.605 (0.317, 1.072) μg/L], NT-proBNP [1 126 (386, 1 744) ng/L], CK-MB [78 (48, 238) U/L], and CK-MM [240 (45, 6 543) U/L] were higher than those in the mild group [0.104 (0.045, 0.189) μg/L, 237 (39, 785) ng/L, 24 (20, 33) U/L, 108 (72, 168) U/L, respectively] (all P<0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction of the severe group [64% (57%, 65%)] was lower than that of the mild group [66% (63%, 69%)] (P<0.05), and the incidence of conduction block (n=4, 4/13) and abnormal ventricular wall motion (n=4, 4/13), the incidence of ICIs-related myositis (n=10, 10/13), ICIs-related hepatitis (n=4, 4/13) and ICIs-related neurotoxicity (n=4, 4/13) were higher than those in the mild group (n=1, 2.7%; n=2, 5.4%; n=16, 43.2%; n=2, 5.4%; n=1, 2.7%, respectively) (all P<0.05). The proportion of patients receiving intensified immunosuppressive therapy and mortality rate in the severe group were 12/13 (n=12) and 4/13 (n=4), which were both higher than those in the mild group [10.8% (n=4) and 0] (both P<0.05). Conclusions: The incidence of ICIs-related myocarditis is not high, but the severe rate and mortality are high. The differential diagnosis of severe ICIs related myocarditis should be combined with myocardial markers, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, and early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis of patients.

[Clinical and molecular biological characterization of patients with accelerated chronic lymphocytic leukemia]

Objective: To investigate the clinical and molecular biological characteristics of patients with accelerated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (aCLL) . Methods: From January 2020 to October 2022, the data of 13 patients diagnosed with aCLL at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed to explore the clinical and molecular biological characteristics of aCLL. Results: The median age of the patients was 54 (35-72) years. Prior to aCLL, five patients received no treatment for CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), while the other patients received treatment, predominantly with BTK inhibitors. The patients were diagnosed with aCLL through pathological confirmation upon disease progression. Six patients exhibited bulky disease (lesions with a maximum diameter ≥5 cm). Positron emission tomography (PET) -computed tomography (CT) images revealed metabolic heterogeneity, both between and within lesions, and the median maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the lesion with the most elevated metabolic activity was 6.96 (2.51-11.90). Patients with unmutated IGHV CLL accounted for 76.9% (10/13), and the most frequent genetic and molecular aberrations included +12 [3/7 (42.9% ) ], ATM mutation [6/12 (50% ) ], and NOTCH1 mutation [6/12 (50% ) ]. Twelve patients received subsequent treatment. The overall response rate was 91.7%, and the complete response rate was 58.3%. Five patients experienced disease progression, among which two patients developed Richter transformation. Patients with aCLL with KRAS mutation had worse progression-free survival (7.0 month vs 26.3 months, P=0.015) . Conclusion: Patients with aCLL exhibited a clinically aggressive course, often accompanied by unfavorable prognostic factors, including unmutated IGHV, +12, ATM mutation, and NOTCH1 mutation. Patients with CLL/SLL with clinical suspicion of disease progression, especially those with bulky disease and PET-CT SUVmax ≥5, should undergo biopsy at the site of highest metabolic uptake to establish a definitive pathological diagnosis.

Measurements of Groomed-Jet Substructure of Charm Jets Tagged by D^{0} Mesons in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

Understanding the role of parton mass and Casimir color factors in the quantum chromodynamics parton shower represents an important step in characterizing the emission properties of heavy quarks. Recent experimental advances in jet substructure techniques have provided the opportunity to isolate and characterize gluon emissions from heavy quarks. In this Letter, the first direct experimental constraint on the charm-quark splitting function is presented, obtained via the measurement of the groomed shared momentum fraction of the first splitting in charm jets, tagged by a reconstructed D^{0} meson. The measurement is made in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, in the low jet transverse-momentum interval of 15≤p_{T}^{jet ch}<30  GeV/c where the emission properties are sensitive to parton mass effects. In addition, the opening angle of the first perturbative emission of the charm quark, as well as the number of perturbative emissions it undergoes, is reported. Comparisons to measurements of an inclusive-jet sample show a steeper splitting function for charm quarks compared with gluons and light quarks. Charm quarks also undergo fewer perturbative emissions in the parton shower, with a reduced probability of large-angle emissions.

Validation of a shortened MR imaging protocol for pediatric spinal pathology

OBJECTIVE

Conventional pediatric spine MRI protocols have multiple sequences resulting in long acquisition times. Sedation is consequently required. This study evaluates the diagnostic capability of a limited MRI spine protocol for selected common pediatric indications.

METHODS

Spine MRIs at CHEO between 2017 and 2020 were reviewed across pediatric patients younger than four years old. Two blinded neuroradiologists reviewed limited scan sequences, and results were independently compared to previously reported findings from the complete imaging series. T2 sagittal sequences from the craniocervical junction to sacrum and T1 axial sequence of the lumbar spine constitute the short protocol, with the outcomes of interest being cerebellar ectopia, syrinx, level of conus, filum < 2 mm, fatty filum, and spinal dysraphism.

RESULTS

A total of 105 studies were evaluated in 54 male and 51 female patients (mean age 19.2 months). The average combined scan time of the limited sequences was 15 min compared to 35 min for conventional protocols (delta = 20 min). The average percent agreement between full and limited sequences was > 95% in all but identifying a filum < 2 mm, where the percent agreement was 87%. Using limited MR sequences had high sensitivity (> 0.91) and specificity (> 0.99) for the detection of cerebellar ectopia, syrinx, fatty filum, and spinal dysraphism.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that selected spinal imaging sequences allow for consistent and accurate diagnosis of specific clinical conditions. A limited spine imaging protocol has potential as a screening test to reduce the need for full-sequence MRI scans. Further work is needed to determine utility of selected imaging for other clinical indications.

Dose Painting Radiotherapy Guided by Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance vs. 18F-FDG-PET/CT in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

This phase II randomized controlled trial aimed at comparing the efficacy and toxicity of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI)-guided dose painting radiotherapy (DP-RT), FDG-PET/CT-guided DP-RT, and conventional MRI-based radiotherapy (RT) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of 330 patients with stage III-IVa NPC disease were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy by DWI-guided DP-RT (group A, n = 110), FDG-PET/CT-guided DP-RT (group B, n = 110), or conventional MRI-based RT (group C, n = 110). All patients received volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). In group A, subvolume GTVnx-DWI (gross tumor volume of nasopharynx in DWI) was defined as the areas within the GTVnx (gross tumor volume of nasopharynx) with an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) below the mean ADC (ADC < mean). In group B, subvolume GTVnx-PET (gross tumor volume of nasopharynx in PET images) was defined within GTVnx as the SUV50%max isocontour. The doses to GTVnx-DWI in group A and GTVnx-PET in group B were escalated to 75.2 Gy/32 fx in patients with T1-2 disease and to 77.55 Gy/33 fx in those with T3-4 disease in 2.35 Gy per fraction. In group C, planning gross tumor volume of nasopharynx (PGTVnx) was irradiated at 70.4 to 72.6 Gy/32 to 33 fx in 2.2 Gy per fraction. This trial is registered with chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2200057476).

RESULTS

Group A and B showed significant higher complete response (CR) rates than group C (100%, 100%, and 96.4% for group A, B and C, respectively, p = 0.036). In groups A, B and C, the 1-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) rates were 100%, 100%, and 94.5%, respectively (p = 0.002). The 1-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 100%, 99.1%, and 92.7%, respectively (p = 0.001). The 1-year distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 100%, 99.1%, and 93.6%, respectively (p = 0.004). The 1-year overall survival (OS) rates were 100%, 100%, and 95.4%, respectively (p = 0.006). Group A and B had significantly higher 1-year LRFS, DFS, DMFS, and OS than those in group C. No significant differences were observed in LRFS, DFS, DMFS and OS between group A and B. Group B (PET/CT group) had a higher incidence of grade 3-4 acute ototoxicity (3.6%) than group A (0%) and group C (0%, p = 0.036). No significant differences in other grade 3-4 acute adverse events and late toxic effects were observed among the three groups, and no patient had grade 5 toxicities. Multivariate analysis showed that dose painting (DWI-guided DP-RT and PET/CT-guided DP-RT vs conventional MRI-based RT) was associated with improved LRFS, DFS, DMFS and OS.

CONCLUSION

Both DWI-guided DP-RT and PET/CT-guided DP-RT plus chemotherapy are associated with improved LRFS, DFS, DMFS and OS compared with conventional MRI-based RT among patients with locoregionally advanced NPC. DWI-guided DP-RT does not increase toxicities, but PET/CT-guided DP-RT has higher incidence of acute ototoxicity.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Different Target Volume Delineations of Radiotherapy Based on the Updated RTOG/NRG and EORTC Guidelines in Patients with High Grade Glioma: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Postoperative radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard of care for newly diagnosed high grade glioma, but the optimal method for target volume delineations for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is still unclear. We hypothesized that compared with the EORTC guidelines, IMRT based on the updated RTOG/NRG guidelines was equally effective, without increasing toxicities for patients with high-grade glioma. The purpose of this randomized phase 2 study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of IMRT based on different target volume delineations (updated RTOG/NRG versus EORTC guidelines) with concomitant and adjuvant TMZ for patients with high grade glioma.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of 302 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma (WHO grade 3-4) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive postoperative IMRT based on either updated RTOG/NRG guidelines (RTOG/NRG group, n = 151) or EORTC guideline (EORTC group, n = 151), with concomitant and adjuvant TMZ. In the RTOG/NRG group, an initial volume consisting of enhancement, postoperative cavity, plus surrounding edema (or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery [FLAIR] abnormality defined by magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and a 2-cm margin received 46 Gy in 23 fractions followed by a boost of 14 Gy in 7 fractions to the area of enhancement plus the cavity and a 2-cm margin. In the EORTC group, a single planning volume was used to deliver 60 Gy in 30 fractions to the area of enhancement and the cavity with a 2-cm margin. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicities associated with each treatment.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were observed between groups for 1-year OS (71.8% for RTOG/NRG group and 69.9% for EORTC group, respectively; P = 0.759) or 1-year PFS (46.7% for RTOG/NRG group and 43.6% for EORTC group, respectively; P = 0.674). Efficacy did not differ by MGMT methylation status. There were no differences in grade 3-4 toxicities (leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea and vomiting) between the two groups. No grade 5 toxicities were observed in both groups. Multivariate analyses showed that tumor MGMT status (methylated vs unmethylated) and WHO grade (grade 3 vs grade 4) were associated with OS and PFS. However, radiation type (RTOG/NRG group vs EORTC), sex, age, and Karnofsky scale did not significantly influence OS or PFS.

CONCLUSION

Compared with EORTC guidelines for postoperative radiotherapy, IMRT based on RTOG/NRG guidelines was equally effective, without increasing toxicities for patients with high-grade glioma. This trial is registered with chictr.org.cn, number ChiCTR2100046667.

Selective adsorption of tetracycline and copper(II) on ion-imprinted porous alginate microspheres: performance and potential mechanisms

A novel epichlorohydrin and thiourea grafted porous alginate adsorbent (UA-Ca/IIP) was synthesized using ion-imprinting and direct templating to remove copper ions (Cu(II)) and tetracycline (TC) in aqueous solution. UA-Ca/IIP demonstrated great selectivity for Cu(II) and TC among different coexisting anions (CO32-, PO43- and SO42-), cations (Ca2+, Mg2+ and NH4+), and antibiotics (oxytetracycline and sulfamethoxazole). The adsorption of TC and Cu(II) by UA-Ca/IIP was significantly affected by the pH of the solution, and the quantity of TC and Cu(II) adsorbed reached a maximum at pH 5. A pseudo-second-order model better fitted the kinetic data; the Langmuir model predicted the maximum adsorption quantities 3.527 mmol TC g-1 and 4.478 mmol Cu(II) g-1 at 298 K. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the TC and Cu(II) adsorption was more rapid at a higher temperature. Antagonistic and synergistic adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption capacity of TC would increase significantly with the increase of Cu(II) concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that along with the influence of pH, electrostatic interaction and complexation were the main mechanisms of TC and Cu(II) adsorption. Regeneration experiments revealed that TC and Cu(II) were removed efficiently and that UA-Ca/IIP was recyclable over the long term. These results show that the modified porous alginate microsphere is a green and recyclable adsorbent, which has good selectivity and high adsorption performance for the removal of TC and Cu(II).

A Pilot Study of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy and 177Lu-PSMA-617 for Oligometastatic Hormone Sensitive Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly used for oligorecurrent prostate cancer (OPC). Despite excellent local control, distant metastasis free survival rates are more modest. We hypothesized SBRT outcomes could be optimized with improved staging imaging and integration of a well-tolerated targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy (RLT) for microscopic disease. We report initial results of a prospective, single-institution pilot (NCT05079698) of a novel, PSMA-based theranostic strategy for OPC.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Men with castrate sensitive OPC and 1-3 sites of PSMA PET avid disease ("index lesions") and no PSMA non-avid sites were eligible. No androgen deprivation therapy was permitted. Subjects first received 2 cycles of 177Lu-PSMA-617 RLT (7.47±0.14 GBq) spaced 6 weeks apart. In vivo dosimetry was performed during cycle 1. Four weeks post-cycle 2, patients were restaged with 68Ga-PSMA PET for an interim (post-RLT) response assessment. Index lesions were then consolidated with SBRT (9 Gy x 3) irrespective of post-RLT PET response. The primary outcome was feasibility defined as successful completion of protocol-mandated therapy without intercurrent distant failure on post-RLT PET.

RESULTS

Six men were treated with nine total index lesions (5 nodal, 3 osseous, 1 visceral). The study met its primary endpoint; all completed required interventions and no distant progression was seen on interim PSMA PET. Treatment was well tolerated; no grade 3+ toxicities, 2/6 had grade 2 toxicities (transient anemia and hyperbilirubinemia) and 5/6 had grade 1 toxicities. Median baseline lesion-level PSMA SUVmax was 16.8±8.7. Median interim SUVmax was 6.2±2.5 and declined for all but one lesion post-RLT (median -65%). Median SUVmax at 3-mos post-SBRT was 3.3±2.5 and decreased for all evaluable lesions (median -80%). Median baseline PSA was 2.01 ng/mL (range: 0.72-4.56) which declined in 5/6 post-RLT. The 6th patient experienced biochemical rise with interim PET showing only greater avidity in the known index lesion and SBRT was completed per protocol. All 4 evaluable patients with at least one post-SBRT follow-up have improved PSA at last visit (range 5.5-12 mos from cycle 1), and 2/4 have undetectable PSA. Composite dosimetry, correlatives and quality of life studies are forthcoming.

CONCLUSION

Our pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a novel PSMA anchored theranostic strategy combining SBRT with targeted RLT for OPC. Preliminary data suggests promising outcomes, including the possibility of achieving an undetectable biochemical disease state without hormone therapy.

[Prognostic significance and immune cell infiltration analysis of differentially expressed genes in malignant pleural mesothelioma]

Objective: To explore and analyze differential expressed genes in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) by bioinformatics method, and to study their prognostic value in MPM and their potential role in immunotherapy. Methods: In January 2022, the dataset GSE51024 was downloaded from the GEO database, and MPM (55 cases) and normal tissue (41 cases) samples were obtained. Using R software and HMDD and miRNet database, MPM-related differential genes were screened and co-expressed genes were identified. Co-expressed genes were enriched and functionally annotated, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed and key genes were identified using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. TRRUST and GEPIA databases were used to predict transcription factors of key genes and to analyze prognosis and survival. The correlation between key genes and the degree of infiltration of immune cells was analyzed using TIMER. Results: A total of 435 co-expressed genes were obtained, which were mainly concentrated in the extracellular matrix tissue and the signaling pathways of cell adhesion molecules. Combined with PPI and TRRUST database, seven key MPM prognostic genes were identified. Among them, cyclin 20 (CDC20) , cell cycle checkpoint kinase 1 (CHEK1) , enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) , ribonucleotide reductase subunit M2 (RRM2) , topoisomerase 2A (TOP2A) , ubiquitin like plant homeodomain and ring finger domain 1 (UHRF1) were significantly up-regulated in MPM, while cyclin A1 (CCNA1) was significantly down-regulated. The expressions of CCNA1, CDC20, CHEK1, EZH2, RRM2, TOP2A and UHRF1 genes were significantly associated with MPM overall survival (P<0.05) . The expressions of CDC20, CHEK1, EZH2, RRM2 and TOP2A genes were positively correlated with B cells and dendritic cells (P<0.05) , and negatively correlated with neutrophils (P<0.05) . Conclusion: CCNA1, CDC20, CHEK1, EZH2, RRM2, TOP2A and UHRF1 may be potential prognostic markers in MPM patients, and their expressions may be related to MPM tumor immunity.

First Double-Differential Measurement of Kinematic Imbalance in Neutrino Interactions with the MicroBooNE Detector

We report the first measurement of flux-integrated double-differential quasielasticlike neutrino-argon cross sections, which have been made using the Booster Neutrino Beam and the MicroBooNE detector at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The data are presented as a function of kinematic imbalance variables which are sensitive to nuclear ground-state distributions and hadronic reinteraction processes. We find that the measured cross sections in different phase-space regions are sensitive to different nuclear effects. Therefore, they enable the impact of specific nuclear effects on the neutrino-nucleus interaction to be isolated more completely than was possible using previous single-differential cross section measurements. Our results provide precision data to help test and improve neutrino-nucleus interaction models. They further support ongoing neutrino-oscillation studies by establishing phase-space regions where precise reaction modeling has already been achieved.

Measurement of the Lifetime and Λ Separation Energy of _{Λ}^{3}H

The most precise measurements to date of the _{Λ}^{3}H lifetime τ and Λ separation energy B_{Λ} are obtained using the data sample of Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV collected by ALICE at the LHC. The _{Λ}^{3}H is reconstructed via its charged two-body mesonic decay channel (_{Λ}^{3}H→^{3}He+π^{-} and the charge-conjugate process). The measured values τ=[253±11(stat)±6(syst)]  ps and B_{Λ}=[102±63(stat)±67(syst)]  keV are compatible with predictions from effective field theories and confirm that the _{Λ}^{3}H structure is consistent with a weakly bound system.

LincRNA-EPS Alleviates Inflammation in TMJ Osteoarthritis by Binding to SRSF3

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a common inflammatory disease that can cause pain, cartilage degradation, and subchondral bone loss. However, the key regulatory factors and new targets for the treatment of TMJOA have yet to be determined. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have shown remarkable potential in regulating tissue homeostasis and disease development. The long intergenic RNA-erythroid prosurvival (lincRNA-EPS) is reported to be an effective inhibitor of inflammation, but its role in TMJOA is unexplored. Here, we found that lincRNA-EPS is downregulated and negatively correlated with inflammatory factors in the condyles of TMJOA mice. LincRNA-EPS knockout aggravated inflammation and tissue destruction after TMJOA modeling. The in vitro studies confirmed that loss of lincRNA-EPS facilitated inflammatory factor expression in condylar chondrocytes, while recovered expression of lincRNA-EPS showed anti-inflammatory effects. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing revealed that the inflammatory response pathway nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was mostly affected by lincRNA-EPS deficiency. Moreover, lincRNA-EPS was proved to effectively bind to serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3) and inhibit its function in pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) formation, thus restraining the PKM2/NF-κB pathway and the expression of inflammatory factors. In addition, local injection of the lincRNA-EPS overexpression lentivirus significantly alleviated inflammation, cartilage degradation, and subchondral bone loss in TMJOA mice. Overall, lincRNA-EPS regulated the inflammatory process of condylar chondrocytes by binding to SRSF3 and showed translational application potential in the treatment of TMJOA.

Determination of diffusivities in binary fluid mixtures with various Lewis numbers as well as positive and negative Soret coefficients by the shadowgraph method

The present work demonstrates the accessibility of the Fick diffusion coefficient D11 and/or the thermal diffusivity a of the binary mixtures dicyclohexylmethane/diphenylmethane, n-hexane/carbon dioxide, 1-hexanol/carbon dioxide, and methane/propane by the analysis of the dynamics of non-equilibrium fluctuations using the shadowgraph method. It is evidenced that D11 and a can be simultaneously determined for binary mixtures with Lewis numbers Le = a/D11 ranging over two orders of magnitude down to Le ≈ 5 or in the presence of minor advection for binary mixtures possessing a negative Soret coefficient in the investigated temperature and pressure ranges from (298.15 to 473.15) K and from about (0.5 to 25) MPa. The determined diffusivities are compared with those measured by heterodyne dynamic light scattering or obtained from the literature, with a focus on achievable uncertainties. By this comparison, it is shown that the determination of a by the shadowgraph method was hindered by mode-coupling effects for Le ≈ 5, whereas a determination of D11 was always possible for mixtures with Le ≥ 5. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that even in the presence of solutal advection, the description of the purely diffusive behavior of non-equilibrium fluctuations in concentration remains valid.

Measurement of the J/ψ Polarization with Respect to the Event Plane in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

We study the polarization of inclusive J/ψ produced in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV at the LHC in the dimuon channel, via the measurement of the angular distribution of its decay products. We perform the study in the rapidity region 2.5 Collapse

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First Measurement of Antideuteron Number Fluctuations at Energies Available at the Large Hadron Collider

The first measurement of event-by-event antideuteron number fluctuations in high energy heavy-ion collisions is presented. The measurements are carried out at midrapidity (|η|<0.8) as a function of collision centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV using the ALICE detector. A significant negative correlation between the produced antiprotons and antideuterons is observed in all collision centralities. The results are compared with a state-of-the-art coalescence calculation. While it describes the ratio of higher order cumulants of the antideuteron multiplicity distribution, it fails to describe quantitatively the magnitude of the correlation between antiproton and antideuteron production. On the other hand, thermal-statistical model calculations describe all the measured observables within uncertainties only for correlation volumes that are different with respect to those describing proton yields and a similar measurement of net-proton number fluctuations.

Enhanced Deuteron Coalescence Probability in Jets

The transverse-momentum (p_{T}) spectra and coalescence parameters B_{2} of (anti)deuterons are measured in p-p collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV for the first time in and out of jets. In this measurement, the direction of the leading particle with the highest p_{T} in the event (p_{T}^{lead}>5  GeV/c) is used as an approximation for the jet axis. The event is consequently divided into three azimuthal regions, and the jet signal is obtained as the difference between the toward region, that contains jet fragmentation products in addition to the underlying event (UE), and the transverse region, which is dominated by the UE. The coalescence parameter in the jet is found to be approximately a factor of 10 larger than that in the underlying event. This experimental observation is consistent with the coalescence picture and can be attributed to the smaller average phase-space distance between nucleons in the jet cone as compared with the underlying event. The results presented in this Letter are compared to predictions from a simple nucleon coalescence model, where the phase-space distributions of nucleons are generated using pythia8 with the Monash 2013 tuning, and to predictions from a deuteron production model based on ordinary nuclear reactions with parametrized energy-dependent cross sections tuned on data. The latter model is implemented in pythia8.3. Both models reproduce the observed large difference between in-jet and out-of-jet coalescence parameters, although the almost flat trend of the B_{2}^{Jet} is not reproduced by the models, which instead give a decreasing trend.

[A method for sensitivity analysis of deviation factor for geometric correction of cone-beam CT system]

OBJECTIVE

To propose a sensitivity test method for geometric correction position deviation of cone-beam CT systems.

METHODS

We proposed the definition of center deviation and its derivation. We analyzed the influence of the variation of the three-dimensional spatial center of the steel ball point, the projection center and the size of the steel ball point on the deviation of geometric parameters and the reconstructed image results by calculating the geometric correction parameters based on the Noo analytical method using the FDK reconstruction algorithm for image reconstruction.

RESULTS

The radius of the steel ball point was within 3 mm. The deviation of the center of the calibration parameter was within the order of magnitude and negligible. A 10% Gaussian perturbation of a single pixel in the 3D spatial coordinates of the steel ball point produced a deviation of about 3 pixel sizes, while the same Gaussian perturbation of the 2D projection coordinates of the steel ball point produced a deviation of about 2 pixel sizes.

CONCLUSION

The geometric correction is more sensitive to the deviation generated by the three-dimensional spatial coordinates of the steel ball point with limited sensitivity to the deviation generated by the two-dimensional projection coordinates of the steel ball point. The deviation sensitivity of a small diameter steel ball point can be ignored.

[Clinicopathological features and prognosis of SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung carcinoma: an analysis of 127 cases]

Objective: To investigate and elucidate the clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics of SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: The clinicopathological and prognostic data were collected in 127 patients with SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China from January 2020 to March 2022. The variation and expression of biomarkers related to treatment were retrospectively reviewed. Results: One hundred and twenty-seven patients were eligible for enrollment. Among them 120 patients (94.5%) were male and 7 cases (5.5%) were female, while the average age was 63 years (range 42-80 years). There were 41 cases (32.3%) of stage Ⅰ cancer, 23 cases (18.1%) of stage Ⅱ, 31 cases (24.4%) of stage Ⅲ and 32 cases (25.2%) of stage Ⅳ. SMARCA4 expression detected by immunohistochemistry was completely absent in 117 cases (92.1%) and partially absent in 10 cases (7.9%). PD-L1 immunohistochemical analyses were performed on 107 cases. PD-L1 was negative, weakly positive and strongly positive in 49.5% (53/107), 26.2% (28/107) and 24.3% (26/107) of the cases, respectively. Twenty-one cases showed gene alterations (21/104, 20.2%). The KRAS gene alternation (n=10) was most common. Mutant-type SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer was more commonly detected in females, and was associated with positive lymph nodes and advanced clinical stage (P<0.01). Univariate survival analysis showed that advanced clinical stage was a poor prognosis factor, and vascular invasion was a poor predictor of progression-free survival in patients with surgical resection. Conclusions: SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer is a rare tumor with poor prognosis, and often occurs in elderly male patients. However, SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancers with gene mutations are often seen in female patients. Vascular invasion is a prognostic factor for disease progression or recurrence in patients with resectable tumor. Early detection and access to treatment are important for improving patient survivals.

First Measurement of Quasielastic Λ Baryon Production in Muon Antineutrino Interactions in the MicroBooNE Detector

We present the first measurement of the cross section of Cabibbo-suppressed Λ baryon production, using data collected with the MicroBooNE detector when exposed to the neutrinos from the main injector beam at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The data analyzed correspond to 2.2×10^{20} protons on target running in neutrino mode, and 4.9×10^{20} protons on target running in anti-neutrino mode. An automated selection is combined with hand scanning, with the former identifying five candidate Λ production events when the signal was unblinded, consistent with the GENIE prediction of 5.3±1.1 events. Several scanners were employed, selecting between three and five events, compared with a prediction from a blinded Monte Carlo simulation study of 3.7±1.0 events. Restricting the phase space to only include Λ baryons that decay above MicroBooNE's detection thresholds, we obtain a flux averaged cross section of 2.0_{-1.7}^{+2.2}×10^{-40}  cm^{2}/Ar, where statistical and systematic uncertainties are combined.

First Constraints on Heavy QCD Axions with a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber Using the ArgoNeuT Experiment

We present the results of a search for heavy QCD axions performed by the ArgoNeuT experiment at Fermilab. We search for heavy axions produced in the NuMI neutrino beam target and absorber decaying into dimuon pairs, which can be identified using the unique capabilities of ArgoNeuT and the MINOS near detector. This decay channel is motivated by a broad class of heavy QCD axion models that address the strong CP and axion quality problems with axion masses above the dimuon threshold. We obtain new constraints at a 95% confidence level for heavy axions in the previously unexplored mass range of 0.2-0.9 GeV, for axion decay constants around tens of TeV.

[Effect of Friday surgery on clinical outcome of elderly patients with hip fracture under multidisciplinary treatment]

Objective: To assess the impact of Friday surgery on clinical outcomes in elderly patients with hip fracture under multidisciplinary treatment. Methods: A retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 414 geriatric patients with hip fractures admitted to Zhongda Hospital Affiliated with Southeast University from January 2018 to March 2021 were analyzed retrospectively, including 126 males and 288 females with a mean age of (81.3±7.6) years. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they underwent surgery on Friday or not. The Friday group(n=69) and the non-Friday group(n=345) were compared in terms of general information, American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) classification, fracture type, injury to admission time, preoperative waiting time, surgical method, anesthesia type and use of intensive care unit (ICU) fast track. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed based on age, ASA grade, time from injury to admission, preoperative waiting time, hemoglobin and albumin levels at admission. Clinical outcomes were collected and compared between the two groups, including length of hospital stay, total hospitalization cost and 30-day, 90-day and 1-year mortality rates, and postoperative complications. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify influencing factors for 1-year mortality in geriatric patients with hip fracture. Results: Baseline data showed statistically significant differences in hemoglobin, albumin and preoperative waiting time between the two groups (all P<0.05). After PSM matching, 69 patients were included in each group, and no significant differences were observed in baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant differences in 30-day mortality rate (4.3% vs 0, P=0.080), 90-day mortality rate (7.2% vs 1.4%, P=0.095), length of hospital stay [(10.85±4.45)d vs (10.92±3.68)d, P=0.919], total hospitalization cost [(60.9±15.4) thousands yuan vs (59.1±15.4) thousands yuan, P=0.489], postoperative complications [pneumonia (11.6% vs 13.0%, P=0.796), cardio-cerebrovascular complications (11.6% vs 8.7%, P=0.573) and delirium (5.7% vs 2.9%, P=0.245)] between the Friday group and the non-Friday group (all P>0.05). However, the 1-year mortality rate was higher in the Friday group than that in the non-Friday group(18.8% vs 4.3%, P=0.008). Multivariate analysis revealed that surgery on Friday (OR=11.222, 95%CI: 2.198-57.291, P=0.004), low hemoglobin levels at admission (OR=0.920, 95%CI: 0.875-0.967, P=0.001), hemiarthroplasty treatment (OR=5.127, 95%CI: 1.308-20.095, P=0.019) and longer surgery duration (OR=0.958, 95%CI: 0.927-0.989, P=0.009) were influencing factors for 1-year mortality in geriatric patients with hip fracture. Conclusions: In the context of multidisciplinary treatment, Friday surgery does not increase short-term mortality, length of hospital stay, total hospitalization cost or incidence of complications in geriatric patients with hip fracture. However, it remains a influencing factor for 1-year mortality in those patients.

[Circular RNA hsa_circ_0087893 participates in intraventricular hemorrhage occurrence and progression possibly as a competitive endogenous RNA in preterm infants]

OBJECTIVE

To screen for differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the serum of preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and explore the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism of circRNAs in IVH in these infants.

METHODS

Fifty preterm infants (gestational age of 28 to 34 weeks) admitted in our department between January, 2019 and January, 2020 were enrolled in this study, including 25 with a MRI diagnosis of IVH and 25 without IVH. Serum samples were collected from 3 randomly selected infants from each group for profiling differentially expressed circRNAs using circRNA array technique. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analyses were performed to reveal the function of the identified circRNAs. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed to identify the co-expression network of hsa_circ_ 0087893.

RESULTS

A total of 121 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified in the infants with IVH, including 62 up-regulated and 59 down-regulated circRNAs. GO and pathway analyses showed that these circRNAs were involved in multiple biological processes and pathways, including cell proliferation, activation and death, DNA damage and repair, retinol metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, cell adhesion molecules. Among these circRNAs, hsa_circ_0087893 was found to have significant down-regulation in IVH group and co-express with 41 miRNAs and 15 mRNAs (such as miR-214-3p, miR-761, miR-183-5p, AKR1B1, KRT34, PPP2CB, and HPRT1).

CONCLUSION

The circRNA hsa_circ_0087893 may function as a ceRNA and play an important role in the occurrence and progression of IVH in preterm infants.

Extending Plasmonic Enhancement Limit with Blocked Electron Tunneling by Monolayer Hexagonal Boron Nitride

Fabricating ultrasmall nanogaps for significant electromagnetic enhancement is a long-standing goal of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) research. However, such electromagnetic enhancement is limited by quantum plasmonics as the gap size decreases below the quantum tunneling regime. Here, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is sandwiched as a gap spacer in a nanoparticle-on-mirror (NPoM) structure, effectively blocking electron tunneling. Layer-dependent scattering spectra and theoretical modeling confirm that the electron tunneling effect is screened by monolayer h-BN in a nanocavity. The layer-dependent SERS enhancement factor of h-BN in the NPoM system monotonically increases as the number of layers decreases, which agrees with the prediction by the classical electromagnetic model but not the quantum-corrected model. The ultimate plasmonic enhancement limits are extended in the classical framework in a single-atom-layer gap. These results provide deep insights into the quantum mechanical effects in plasmonic systems, enabling the potential novel applications based on quantum plasmonic.

Detection of haemodynamic obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using the sub-aortic complex: a cardiac MRI and Doppler study

AIM

To investigate the "sub-aortic complex (SAC)", a new cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI)-derived parameter, for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), compared with conventional CMRI parameters and Doppler echocardiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 157 consecutive patients with HCM were recruited retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups, 87 with LVOT obstruction and 70 without obstruction. The SAC was defined as a specific anatomical SAC affecting the LVOT, which were measured on the LV three-chamber steady-state free precession (SSFP) cine image at the end-systolic phase. The relations between the existence and severity of obstruction and SAC index (SACi) were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and logistic regression.

RESULTS

The SACs were significantly different between the obstructive and non-obstructive groups. The ROC curves indicated that the SACi was able to discriminate obstructive and non-obstructive patients with the best predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.949, p<0.001). The SACi was an independent predictor of LVOT obstruction and there was a significant negative correlation between resting LVOT pressure gradient and SACi (r=0.72 p<0.001). In the subgroup of patients with or without severe basal septal hypertrophy, the SACi was still able to predict LVOT obstruction with excellent diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.944 and 0.948, p<0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The SAC is a reliable and straightforward CMRI marker for assessing LVOT obstruction. It is more effective than CMRI two-dimensional flow in diagnosing the severity of obstruction in patients with HCM.

Probing many-body dynamics in a two-dimensional dipolar spin ensemble

The most direct approach for characterizing the quantum dynamics of a strongly interacting system is to measure the time evolution of its full many-body state. Despite the conceptual simplicity of this approach, it quickly becomes intractable as the system size grows. An alternate approach is to think of the many-body dynamics as generating noise, which can be measured by the decoherence of a probe qubit. Here we investigate what the decoherence dynamics of such a probe tells us about the many-body system. In particular, we utilize optically addressable probe spins to experimentally characterize both static and dynamical properties of strongly interacting magnetic dipoles. Our experimental platform consists of two types of spin defects in nitrogen delta-doped diamond: nitrogen-vacancy colour centres, which we use as probe spins, and a many-body ensemble of substitutional nitrogen impurities. We demonstrate that the many-body system's dimensionality, dynamics and disorder are naturally encoded in the probe spins' decoherence profile. Furthermore, we obtain direct control over the spectral properties of the many-body system, with potential applications in quantum sensing and simulation.

Xanthotoxol alleviates secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage by inhibiting microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Oxidative damage and inflammation are two critical mechanisms underlying secondary brain injury (SBI) following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Xanthotoxol is reported to alleviate brain edema and inhibit inflammatory responses. Herein, we investigated the effects of xanthotoxol and its related mechanisms in SBI post-ICH.

METHODS

To explore the clinical effects of xanthotoxol an animal model of ICH was established. Neurological scores, survival rates and brain water content were measured. Inflammatory responses and oxidative damage in the peri-hemorrhagic areas were determined by measuring pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative related factors. The activation of the M1/M2 phenotype was detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Xanthotoxol improved the neurological functions and reduced cerebral edema in ICH mice. Additionally, xanthotoxol inhibited microglia activation and promotes microglial phagocytosis. Simultaneously, xanthotoxol promoted the transformation of BV2 cells from M1 phenotype to M2 phenotype, and protected BV2 cells against hemin-induced inflammation and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, xanthotoxol inactivated the NF-κB p65 signaling pathway in the hemin-challenged BV2 cells.

CONCLUSION

Xanthotoxol ameliorates SBI post-ICH by suppressing microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress and enhancing microglial phagocytosis through inhibition of NF-κB signaling.

Fick diffusion coefficients probed by the shadowgraph method considering confinement and advection

The present work contributes to the development of the shadowgraph method for its routine application for an accurate determination of the Fick diffusion coefficient D₁₁ of binary fluid mixtures. In this context, measurement and data evaluation strategies for thermodiffusion experiments where confinement and advection are potentially present are elaborated by studying two binary liquid mixtures with positive and negative Soret coefficients, i.e., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene/n-dodecane and acetone/cyclohexane. For obtaining accurate D₁₁ data, the dynamics of non-equilibrium fluctuations in concentration is analyzed considering recent theory by data evaluation procedures that are demonstrated to be suitable for different experimental configurations.

[Diagnostic value of rapid exchange test in patients with peritoneal dialysis catheter dysfunction]

A total of 36 patients with suspected peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter dysfunction in the First Hospital of China Medical University from June 2020 to August 2022 were included, and five patients with normal PD catheter were also included as the control group. There were 22 males and 19 females, and aged (45±21) years. The volume of rapid-phase drainage in the control and dysfunction groups was (2 086±65) and (1 181±637) ml, and the total drainage time was (15.2±1.3) and (38.3±14.9) min, respectively. The volume of rapid-phase drainage in the dysfunction group was reduced and the total drainage time was longer than that in the control group (both P<0.05). Compared with group with PD catheter migration, the duration of new bag instillation was prolonged, the drainage volume in the rapid-phase was reduced, the total drainage duration was prolonged, and the ultrafiltration volume was decreased in the group with PD catheter obstruction (all P<0.05). The rapid exchange test can provide an early preliminary diagnosis of PD catheter dysfunction and identify the type of catheter dysfunction.

[Efficiency and safety analysis of Plerixafor combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on autologous hematopoietic stem cell mobilization in lymphoma]

Objective: To evaluate the advantages and safety of Plerixafor in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in autologous hematopoietic stem cell mobilization of lymphoma. Methods: Lymphoma patients who received autologous hematopoietic stem cell mobilization with Plerixafor in combination with G-CSF or G-CSF alone were obtained. The clinical data, the success rate of stem cell collection, hematopoietic reconstitution, and treatment-related adverse reactions between the two groups were evaluated retrospectively. Results: A total of 184 lymphoma patients were included in this analysis, including 115 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (62.5%) , 16 cases of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (8.7%) , 11 cases of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (6.0%) , 10 cases of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (5.4%) , 6 cases of mantle cell lymphoma (3.3%) , and 6 cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (3.3%) , 6 cases of NK/T-cell lymphoma (3.3%) , 4 cases of Burkitt's lymphoma (2.2%) , 8 cases of other types of B-cell lymphoma (4.3%) , and 2 cases of other types of T-cell lymphoma (1.1%) ; 31 patients had received radiotherapy (16.8%) . The patients in the two groups were recruited with Plerixafor in combination with G-CSF or G-CSF alone. The baseline clinical characteristics of the two groups were basically similar. The patients in the Plerixafor in combination with the G-CSF mobilization group were older, and the number of recurrences and third-line chemotherapy was higher. 100 patients were mobilized with G-CSF alone. The success rate of the collection was 74.0% for one day and 89.0% for two days. 84 patients in the group of Plerixafor combined with G-CSF were recruited successfully with 85.7% for one day and 97.6% for two days. The success rate of mobilization in the group of Plerixafor combined with G-CSF was substantially higher than that in the group of G-CSF alone (P=0.023) . The median number of CD34(+) cells obtained in the mobilization group of Plerixafor combined with G-CSF was 3.9×10(6)/kg. The median number of CD34(+) cells obtained in the G-CSF Mobilization group alone was 3.2×10(6)/kg. The number of CD34(+) cells collected by Plerixafor combined with G-CSF was considerably higher than that in G-CSF alone (P=0.001) . The prevalent adverse reactions in the group of Plerixafor combined with G-CSF were grade 1-2 gastrointestinal reactions (31.2%) and local skin redness (2.4%) . Conclusion: The success rate of autologous hematopoietic stem cell mobilization in lymphoma patients treated with Plerixafor combined with G-CSF is significantly high. The success rate of collection and the absolute count of CD34(+) stem cells were substantially higher than those in the group treated with G-CSF alone. Even in older patients, second-line collection, recurrence, or multiple chemotherapies, the combined mobilization method also has a high success rate of mobilization.