Ketamine-induced prevention of SD-associated late infarct progression in experimental ischemia

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) occur frequently in patients with malignant hemispheric stroke. In animal-based experiments, SDs have been shown to cause secondary neuronal damage and infarct expansion during the initial period of infarct progression. In contrast, the influence of SDs during the delayed period is not well characterized yet. Here, we analyzed the impact of SDs in the delayed phase after cerebral ischemia and the potential protective effect of ketamine. Focal ischemia was induced by distal occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery in C57BL6/J mice. 24 h after occlusion, SDs were measured using electrocorticography and laser-speckle imaging in three different study groups: control group without SD induction, SD induction with potassium chloride, and SD induction with potassium chloride and ketamine administration. Infarct progression was evaluated by sequential MRI scans. 24 h after occlusion, we observed spontaneous SDs with a rate of 0.33 SDs/hour which increased during potassium chloride application (3.37 SDs/hour). The analysis of the neurovascular coupling revealed prolonged hypoemic and hyperemic responses in this group. Stroke volume increased even 24 h after stroke onset in the SD-group. Ketamine treatment caused a lesser pronounced hypoemic response and prevented infarct growth in the delayed phase after experimental ischemia. Induction of SDs with potassium chloride was significantly associated with stroke progression even 24 h after stroke onset. Therefore, SD might be a significant contributor to delayed stroke progression. Ketamine might be a possible drug to prevent SD-induced delayed stroke progression.

Water, nitrogen, and phosphorus coupling improves gray jujube fruit quality and yield

Irrigation and fertilization are indispensable links in the jujube planting industry in southern Xinjiang, China. Regulating the relationship between fertilization and irrigation can effectively reduce costs and improve economic efficiency. A 2-year water and fertilizer optimization coupling test was conducted to determine the optimal water and nutrient supply scheme. The three-factor randomized block experiment included water (W), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). According to the principal component analysis of each index, each treatment's comprehensive score was obtained. Using yield and economic regression models, the theoretical value and yield value of the optimal economic benefit are inferred. When W, N, and P were applied together, the fruit quality and yield of each treatment significantly differed, and the vitamin C, soluble sugar, and sugar-acid ratio increased significantly with an increase in N fertilizer. However, the titratable acid decreased. An increase in irrigation and nitrogen application significantly increased fruit yield. The comprehensive score was the highest in the N4P3W2 treatment, which improved fruit quality, and the lowest in the N3P3W2 treatment. When the amounts of N, P, and W were 275.56 kg hm-2, 413. 66 kg hm-2, and 7278.19 m3 hm-2, respectively, the theoretical economic benefit was the best. The N4P3W2 treatment is the optimal treatment.

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.

Observation of Seven Astrophysical Tau Neutrino Candidates with IceCube

We report on a measurement of astrophysical tau neutrinos with 9.7 yr of IceCube data. Using convolutional neural networks trained on images derived from simulated events, seven candidate ν_{τ} events were found with visible energies ranging from roughly 20 TeV to 1 PeV and a median expected parent ν_{τ} energy of about 200 TeV. Considering backgrounds from astrophysical and atmospheric neutrinos, and muons from π^{±}/K^{±} decays in atmospheric air showers, we obtain a total estimated background of about 0.5 events, dominated by non-ν_{τ} astrophysical neutrinos. Thus, we rule out the absence of astrophysical ν_{τ} at the 5σ level. The measured astrophysical ν_{τ} flux is consistent with expectations based on previously published IceCube astrophysical neutrino flux measurements and neutrino oscillations.

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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Positive association between circulating Caveolin-1 and microalbuminuria in overt diabetes mellitus in pregnancy

AIMS

Mounting evidence has shown that caveolin-1 plays a pathological role in the progression of albuminuria. Our study aimed to provide clinical evidence showing whether circulating caveolin-1 levels were associated with microalbuminuria (MAU) in women with overt diabetes mellitus in pregnancy (ODMIP).

METHODS

A total of 150 pregnant women were enrolled in different groups, including 40 women with ODMIP and MAU (ODMIP + MAU), 40 women with ODMIP, and 70 women without ODMIP (Non-ODMIP). Plasma caveolin-1 levels were determined by ELISA. The presence of caveolin-1 in the human umbilical vein vascular wall was evaluated by immunohistochemical and western blot analysis, respectively. Albumin transcytosis across endothelial cells was measured using an established nonradioactive in vitro approach.

RESULTS

Significantly increased levels of plasma caveolin-1 were detected in ODMIP + MAU women. The Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between plasma caveolin-1 levels and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c %) as well as with MAU in the ODMIP + MAU group. Simultaneously, experimental knockdown or overexpression of caveolin-1 significantly decreased or increased the level of albumin transcytosis across both human and mouse glomerular endothelial cells (GECs), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed a positive association between plasma caveolin-1 levels and microalbuminuria in ODMIP + MAU.

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.

[The role of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging in distinguishing diabetic nephropathy from non-diabetic renal disease in diabetic patients]

Objective: To investigate the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the differential diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A diagnostic test. In this prospective study, patients with T2DM who underwent both IVIM-DWI and renal biopsy at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital between October 2017 and September 2021 were consecutively enrolled. IVIM-DWI parameters including perfusion fraction (f), pure diffusion coefficient (D), and pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*) were measured in the renal cortex, medulla, and parenchyma. Patients were divided into the DN group and NDRD group based on the renal biopsy results. IVIM-DWI parameters, clinical information, and diabetes-related biochemical indicators between the two groups were compared using Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. The correlation of IVIM-DWI parameters with diabetic nephropathy histological scores were analyzed using Spearman's correlation analyzes. The diagnostic efficiency of IVIM-DWI parameters for distinguishing between DN and NDRD were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: A total of 27 DN patients and 23 NDRD patients were included in this study. The DN group comprised 19 male and 8 female patients, with an average age of 52±9 years. The NDRD group comprised 16 male and 7 female patients, with an average age of 49±10 years. The DN group had a higher D* value in the renal cortex and a lower f value in the renal medulla than the NDRD group (9.84×10-3 mm2/s vs. 7.35×10-3 mm2/s, Z=-3.65; 41.01% vs. 46.74%, Z=-2.29; all P<0.05). The renal medulla D* value was negatively correlated with DN grades, interstitial lesion score, and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) score (r=-0.571, -0.409, -0.409; all P<0.05) while the renal cortex f value was positively correlated with vascular sclerosis score (r=0.413, P=0.032). The renal cortex D* value had the highest area under the curve (AUC) for discriminating between the DN and NDRD groups (AUC=0.802, sensitivity 91.3%, specificity 55.6%). Conclusion: IVIM-derived renal cortex D* value can be used non-invasively to differentiate DN from NDRD in patients with T2DM that can potentially facilitate individualized treatment planning for diabetic patients.

[Analysis of clinical phenotype and gene mutation characteristics of MYH9-related disorder]

Objective: To investigate the clinical phenotype and gene mutation characteristics of MYH9-related disorder (MYH9-RD). Methods: The clinical data of 66 patients with MYH9-RD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2010 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the bleeding symptom, the patients were divided into bleeding and non-bleeding group, and according to the mutation sites, the patients were divided into non-muscle myosin heavy chain ⅡA head region (MD) and tail region (TD) mutation group. Statistical analysis was made to explore the clinical features in different groups such as platelet counts, bleeding, renal function, cataracts and hearing as well as MYH9 gene mutations. Results: A total of 66 MYH9-RD patients were included, with 28 males and 38 females, diagnosis age of 1-63(26±2) years. And 41% (27/66) of the patients had no family history. All patients presented with macrothrombocytopenia and normal platelet aggregation(10/10), 92% (54/59) of the patients had visible blue inclusion bodies in neutrophils, 30% (20/66) had bleeding symptoms, 45% (22/49) had proteinuria or glomerulonephropathy, 20% (8/41) had bilateral hearing impairment, and 10% (4/42) had bilateral cataracts. 18 mutation sites were identified in total, including 15 missense, 1 splicing and 2 termination mutations. Among them, p.Asp1424Asn, p.Arg1933* and p.Arg702His/Cys mutations were identified in 56% (29/52) of the patients, and p.Ser96Leu, Arg1165Cys and p.Glu1841Lys mutations were recurrent mutations, while p.Ala44Thr, p.Asp1447Ala and c.3838-2A>G mutations were novel mutations. The average platelet count of patients in bleeding group was (19±3)×109/L, which was significantly less than (36±3)×109/L in non-bleeding group (P<0.001). Compared with TD mutation group, patients of MD mutation group were presented with lower platelet count and higher risk of bleeding, as well as more severe clinical presentations including renal and hearing impairment and cataracts (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Mutations of p.Asp1424Asn, p.Arg1933* and p.Arg702His/Cys in MYH9 gene are hotspot mutations for MYH9-RD patients, Compared with TD mutation group, patients of MD mutation group were presented with lower platelet count and higher risk of bleeding, as well as more severe clinical presentations including renal and hearing impairment and cataracts.

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.

Effects of dietary essential oil supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, and intestinal tight junctions of broilers with or without Eimeria challenge

The effects of dietary supplementation of essential oil on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, serum antioxidant capacity, and intestinal tight junctions of broilers with or without Eimeria challenge were investigated. A total of 576 one-day-old male broilers were randomly separated into 8 treatments (6 replication floor-pens per treatment, 12 broilers per pen) in a 4 × 2 factorial design. The 4 diets consisted of 1) a corn and soybean meal basal diet, 2) an anticoccidial diet (60 g nicarbazin and 60 g narasin per ton of feed), 3) an oregano oil diet (500 ppm oregano oil), and 4) a clove oil diet (500 ppm clove oil). On d 10, half chicks were challenged with 1 × 104 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella, E. acervulina, and E. maxima per chick, whereas the others were inoculated with an equal amount of dilution (0.5 mL). The Eimeria challenge induced a higher fecal oocyst output on d 18, a lower duodenum Occludin expression level on d 28, a lower serum catalase level, and a higher cook loss and protein loss in thigh muscle on d 42. The anticoccidial diet lowered fecal Eimeria output and increased d 1 to 42 BW gain as compared to the control diet. The clove oil treatment enhanced duodenum ZO-1 expression level in nonchallenged birds, increased BW gain from d 1 to 14 and breast yield on d 42. The oregano oil treatment enhanced ZO-1 expression of challenged birds, reduced feed intake from 15 to 28 d, and helped broilers gain more tender meat. For those Eimeria-challenged broilers, both clove and oregano oil treatments recovered drip loss in breast muscle. Our results suggested that Eimeria challenge in broiler early age could interrupt later serum antioxidant capacity and damage meat quality. The dietary supplementation of clove or oregano essential oils could improve broiler growth performance and partially relieve the coccidial damage in gut integrity and meat quality.

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.

Observation of high-energy neutrinos from the Galactic plane

The origin of high-energy cosmic rays, atomic nuclei that continuously impact Earth's atmosphere, is unknown. Because of deflection by interstellar magnetic fields, cosmic rays produced within the Milky Way arrive at Earth from random directions. However, cosmic rays interact with matter near their sources and during propagation, which produces high-energy neutrinos. We searched for neutrino emission using machine learning techniques applied to 10 years of data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. By comparing diffuse emission models to a background-only hypothesis, we identified neutrino emission from the Galactic plane at the 4.5σ level of significance. The signal is consistent with diffuse emission of neutrinos from the Milky Way but could also arise from a population of unresolved point sources.

Accurate compensation and prediction of the temperature cross-sensitivity of tilted FBG cladding mode resonances

The temperature dependence of core mode resonance has been thoroughly studied in fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs), but it is not the case for cladding mode resonances in multi-resonance gratings such as tilted FBGs (TFBGs). In this work, the temperature sensitivity of ultraviolet written TFBGs in SMF-28 fibers is assessed, demonstrating in the first, to the best of our knowledge, place that a single gauge factor K T =6.25⋅10-6±0.02⋅10-6 ∘ C -1 can be employed to characterize the response to temperature of the resonances over the full spectrum in the 10°-50°C range. Then, a simulation model is obtained, enabling to predict TFBG spectra in the 10°-50°C range with high accuracy. This requires a calibration of the core index and dispersion of the TFBG measured in air at 25°C, and determination of the glass refractive index thermo-optic coefficient (d n/d T=8.46⋅10-6±0.1⋅10-6 ∘ C -1, common to both core and cladding glasses), leading to a mean error on the wavelength position of resonances between 1 and 3 pm. This mean error can be further reduced (less than 1 pm) by considering a linear dependence with temperature of d n/d T. Therefore, this model will enable to completely remove the temperature-induced shifts of all resonances in TFBG sensing applications and measure with great accuracy the variables of interest by using the scaled averages of groups of resonances instead of (less accurate) individual shifts.

[Diagnostic value of multiparametric MRI-based models in the assessment of extra-prostatic extension of prostate cancer]

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) based models in the assessment of extra-prostatic extension (EPE) of prostate cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included 168 consecutive men with prostate cancers [aged 48 to 82 (66.6±6.8) years] who underwent radical prostatectomy and preoperative mpMRI examinations at the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from January 2021 to February 2022. According to European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) score, EPE grade and mEPE score, all cases were independently evaluated by two radiologists, with disagreement reviewed by a senior radiologist as the final result. The diagnostic performance of each MRI-based model for pathologic EPE prediction was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and the differences between the corresponding area under the curve (AUC) were compared using the DeLong test. The weighted Kappa test was used to evaluate the inter-reader agreement of each MRI-based model. Results: A total of 62 (36.9%) prostate cancer patients had pathologic confirmed EPE after radical prostatectomy. The AUC of ESUR score, EPE grade and mEPE score for predicting pathologic EPE were 0.836 (95%CI: 0.771-0.888), 0.834 (95%CI: 0.769-0.887) and 0.785 (95%CI: 0.715-0.844), respectively. The AUC of ESUR score and EPE grade were both superior to that of mEPE score with significant differences (all P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the ESUR score and EPE grade models (P=0.900). EPE grading and mEPE score had good inter-reader consistency, with weighted Kappa values of 0.65 (95%CI: 0.56-0.74) and 0.74 (95%CI: 0.64-0.84), respectively. The inter-reader consistency of ESUR score was moderate, and the weighted Kappa value was 0.52 (95%CI: 0.40-0.63). Conclusion: All MRI-based models showed good preoperative diagnostic value in predicting EPE, among which the EPE grade resulted in more reliable performance with substantial inter-reader agreement.

Clinical Relevance of Plaque Distribution for Basilar Artery Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is no clear association between plaque distribution and postoperative complications in patients with basilar artery atherosclerotic stenosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether plaque distribution and postoperative complications after endovascular treatment for basilar artery stenosis are related.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study enrolled patients with severe basilar artery stenosis who were scanned with high-resolution MR imaging and followed by DSA before the intervention. According to high-resolution MR imaging, plaques can be classified as ventral, lateral, dorsal, or involved in 2 quadrants. Plaques affecting the proximal, distal, or junctional segments of the basilar artery were classified according to DSA. An experienced independent team assessed ischemic events after the intervention using MR imaging. Further analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between plaque distribution and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 140 eligible patients were included in the study, with a postoperative complication rate of 11.4%. These patients were an average age of 61.9 (SD, 7.7) years. Dorsal wall plaques accounted for 34.3% of all plaques, and plaques distal to the anterior-inferior cerebellar artery accounted for 60.7%. Postoperative complications of endovascular treatment were associated with plaques located at the lateral wall (OR = 4.00; 95% CI, 1.21-13.23; P = .023), junctional segment (OR = 8.75; 95% CI, 1.16-66.22; P = .036), and plaque burden (OR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; P = .042).

CONCLUSIONS

Plaques with a large burden located at the junctional segment and lateral wall of the basilar artery may increase the likelihood of postoperative complications following endovascular therapy. A larger sample size is needed for future studies.

GWAS and genetic and phenotypic correlations of plasma metabolites with complete blood count traits in healthy young pigs reveal implications for pig immune response

Introduction: In this study estimated genetic and phenotypic correlations between fifteen complete blood count (CBC) traits and thirty-three heritable plasma metabolites in young healthy nursery pigs. In addition, it provided an opportunity to identify candidate genes associated with variation in metabolite concentration and their potential association with immune response, disease resilience, and production traits.

Methods: The blood samples were collected from healthy young pigs and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was used to quantify plasma metabolites. CBC was determined using the ADVIA® 2120i Hematology System. Genetic correlations of metabolite with CBC traits and single step genome-wide association study (ssGWAS) were estimated using the BLUPF90 programs.

Results: Results showed low phenotypic correlation estimates between plasma metabolites and CBC traits. The highest phenotypic correlation was observed between lactic acid and plasma basophil concentration (0.36 ± 0.04; p &lt; 0.05). Several significant genetic correlations were found between metabolites and CBC traits. The plasma concentration of proline was genetically positively correlated with hemoglobin concentration (0.94 ± 0.03; p &lt; 0.05) and L-tyrosine was negatively correlated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH; −0.92 ± 0.74; p &lt; 0.05). The genomic regions identified in this study only explained a small percentage of the genetic variance of metabolites levels that were genetically correlated with CBC, resilience, and production traits.

Discussion: The results of this systems approach suggest that several plasma metabolite phenotypes are phenotypically and genetically correlated with CBC traits, suggesting that they may be potential genetic indicators of immune response following disease challenge. Genomic analysis revealed genes and pathways that might interact to modulate CBC, resilience, and production traits.

A266 DIET-BASED THERAPIES FOR INTESTINAL DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE INFECTION

Background

Chronic gut dysfunction occurs in up to 25% of patients following antibiotic-treated C. difficile infection (CDI). We developed a humanized mouse model in which germ free mice colonized with microbiota from patients with severe constipation post-CDI developed slow colonic transit, as a result of damage to the Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) network by pro-inflammatory macrophages. Colonic transit, immune activation and the ICC network normalized after fecal microbiota transplantation using samples from healthy mice, as well after treatment with psyllium fiber. Here we explored the long-term effects of psyllium and evaluated the therapeutic potential of pectin and quercetin in this model.

Purpose

1) To investigate the time course of the beneficial effect of psyllium on colonic motility.

2) To explore possible therapeutic properties of flavonoids and pectin.

Method

Germ-free mice were colonized with microbiota from the post-CDI (PCDI) patient or healthy controls (HC). After 3 weeks, the mice were fed for 4-5 weeks with a control diet or diets with 15% psyllium (PSY), 10% pectin (PCT) or 0.05% quercetin (QCT). To evaluate time course of PSY on motility, control diet was administered for 3-weeks following PSY treatment. The bead expulsion test was used to assess colonic motility. Stool samples were collected for microbial profiling, and short and branched-chain fatty acids (SCFA/BCFA) analysis. Macrophages morphology and counts, and ICC network structure were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Result(s)

Compared to HC microbiota, colonization with post-CDI microbiota induced slow colonic transit in recipient mice, and this was normalized by PSY (n=13; p=0.02). The benefit of PSY was transient as colonic transit slowed following discontinuation of PSY (p=0.001). The changes in colonic transit were paralleled by switch in macrophages phenotype and damage to the ICC network. Additionally, discontinuation of PSY resulted in a return of microbial diversity (p< 0.001), SCFA/BCFA levels (acetic and propionic acid/ iso-butyric and valeric acid) and specific bacterial species abundances, to values seen in untreated mice colonized with post-CDI microbiota. Microbial analysis predicted potential pathways involved in macrophage polarization, including the synthesis of SCFA/BCFA, degradation of inositol and production of acetylglucosamine.

PCT also normalized slow intestinal transit in mice colonized with post-CDI microbiota (p=0.003), restored phenotype of infiltrating macrophages, and improved the structural integrity of the ICC network. In contrast, QCT failed to improve gut dysfunction in PCDI mice.

Conclusion(s)

Our results suggest that the beneficial effects of psyllium in this model are transient. Dietary pectin, but not quercetin, may also serve as a novel treatment strategy to restore colonic motility and immune homeostasis in humans with severe constipation post-CDI.

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W. Garfield Weston Foundation

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A62 IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIFIC COLONIC DEEP MUSCLE LAYER MACROPHAGES SUBSETS BY THE CD64 (FCΓRI) MARKER

Background

Although intestinal muscle layer macrophages have been suggested to play an important role in the colonic transit by interacting with the myenteric plexus neurons, they have not been fully characterized. CD64 (FcγRI) is one of the most generally used markers for intestinal macrophages, but several studies suggested existence of a subpopulation of macrophages that lack CD64. In addition, the muscle layer macrophage subsets currently identified are considered to be same in the small intestine and colon, although this has not been formally tested.

Purpose

In this study, we aim to identify and characterize the subsets of muscle layer macrophages by CD64 marker. We hypothesize that colon specific CD64-macrophages have a different role from CD64+ conventional macrophages.

Method

The muscle layers of small intestine (ileum) and colon were separated from SPF mice and cells from each muscle layer were analyzed by flow cytometry and fluorescent staining. The muscle layer macrophages were gated withCD45+, F4/80+, CD11b+ and Ly6c-, and analyzed with CD64 and MHCⅡmarkers by flow cytometry. In additional experiments, fluorescent staining with CD64 and F4/80 was assessed in whole-mount tissue of the separated muscle layer.

Result(s)

Within the macrophage population from the colon muscle layer, we found not only CD64+ cells, a conventional marker of macrophage, but also CD64- cell population (CD45+, F4/80+, CD11b+, Ly6c-). However, in the small intestine, this CD64- cell population was barely detectable. In addition, colonic CD64+ cells had mostly high expression of MHCⅡ marker, while CD64- cells had low expression of MHCⅡ. A similar pattern was found when we examined intestinal and colonic tissues by immunofluorescent staining.

Conclusion(s)

We identified a colon-specific CD64- subset of macrophage in muscle layer. Additional experiments are needed to characterize their immunomodulatory properties.

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CLIINICAL PRACTICE

The role and molecular mechanism of gut microbiota in Graves' orbitopathy

PURPOSE

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is an autoimmune orbital disorder. Gut microbiota dysfunction plays a vital role in autoimmune diseases, including Graves' disease (GD) and GO. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the change of gut microbiota in GD/GO using mouse model.

METHODS

The murine model of GD/GO was established by the challenge of adenovirus expressing thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) (Ad-TSHR). The histological changes of orbital and thyroid tissues were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

The GD/GO model was established successfully, as manifested as the broadened eyelid, exophthalmia and conjunctive redness, severe inflammatory infiltration among thyroid glands and between extraocular muscle space, hypertrophic extraocular muscles, elevated thyroxine (T4) and decreased TSH, and positive CD34, CD40, collagen I, and α-SMA staining. A total of 222 operational taxonomic units (OUTs) were overlapped between mice in the Ad-NC and Ad-TSHR groups. The microbial composition of the samples in the two groups was mainly Bacteroidia and Clostridia, and the Ad-NC group had a significantly lower content of Bacteroidia and higher content of Clostridia. KEGG orthology analysis results revealed differences in dehydrogenase, aspartic acid, bile acid, chalcone synthase, acetyltransferase, glutamylcyclotransferase, glycogenin, and 1-phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase between two groups; enzyme commission (EC) analysis results revealed differences in several dehydrogenase, oxidase, thioxy/reductase between two groups; MetaCyc pathways analysis results revealed differences in isoleucine degradation, oxidation of C1 compounds, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle IV, taurine degradation, and biosynthesis of paromamine, heme, colonic acid building blocks, butanediol, lysine/threonine/methionine, and histidine/purine/pyrimidine between two groups.

CONCLUSION

This study induced a mouse model of GD/GO by Ad-TSHR challenge, and gut microbiota characteristics were identified in the GD/GO mice. The Bacteroidia and Clostridia abundance was changed in the GD/GO mice. These findings may lay a solid experimental foundation for developing personalized treatment regimens for GD patients according to the individual gut microbiota. Given the potential impact of regional differences on intestinal microbiota, this study in China may provide a reference for the global overview of the gut-thyroid axis hypothesis.

[Clinical diagnosis and treatment of hereditary thrombocytopenia and purpura: a report of five cases and literature review]

Objective: To report the clinical manifestations and laboratory features of five patients with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) and explore its standardized clinical diagnosis and treatment along with a review of literature. Methods: Clinical data of patients, such as age of onset, disease manifestation, personal history, family history, and misdiagnosed disease, were collected. Treatment outcomes, therapeutic effects of plasma infusion, and organ function evaluation were observed. The relationship among the clinical manifestations, treatment outcomes, and ADAMTS13 gene mutation of patients with cTTP was analyzed. Additionally, detection of ADAMTS13 activity and analysis of ADAMTS13 gene mutation were explored. Results: The age of onset of cTTP was either in childhood or adulthood except in one case, which was at the age of 1. The primary manifestations were obvious thrombocytopenia, anemia, and different degrees of nervous system involvement. Most of the patients were initially suspected of having immune thrombocytopenia. Acute cTTP was induced by pregnancy and infection in two and one case, respectively. ADAMTS13 gene mutation was detected in all cases, and there was an inherent relationship between the mutation site, clinical manifestations, and degree of organ injury. Therapeutic or prophylactic plasma transfusion was effective for treating cTTP. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of cTTP vary among individuals, resulting in frequent misdiagnosis that delays treatment. ADAMTS13 activity detection in plasma and ADAMTS13 gene mutation analysis are important bases to diagnose cTTP. Prophylactic plasma transfusion is vital to prevent the onset of the disease.

[Value of clear cell likelihood score in differentiation between renal oncocytoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the value of clear cell likelihood score (ccLS) in identifying renal oncocytoma (RO) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods: Retrospective data of pathologically confirmed 43 RO patients [24 men and 19 women, aged 22-77 (54±14) years] between February 2008 and September 2021 and 43 ccRCC patients [30 men and 13 women, aged 29-78 (56±12) years] between May and July 2021 were consecutively included in the department of radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital. Two radiologists used ccLS to assess each case independently, and disagreements were resolved by consensus. The ability of ccLS to identify RO and ccRCC was examined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve which identified the best optimal diagnostic cut-off values, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Results: The mean tumor diameter was 3.8 cm in RO patients and 3.7 cm in ccRCC patients. Central scar and segmental enhancement inversion (SEI) were more frequently observed in the RO group compared to the ccRCC group [53.5% (23∶43) versus 11.6% (5∶43) and 41.9% (18∶43) versus 7.0% (3∶43), respectively], with statistical differences (P<0.001). The ccLS scores in the RO group ranged from 1 to 4, while 79.0% of the cases were 3. The ccLS scores in the ccRCC group ranged from 2 to 5, while 72% of the cases were 4. The scores of the two groups were statistically different (P<0.001). The ccLS showed the best performance when the threshold was 4 according to the ROC curve. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ccLS for distinguishing RO from ccRCC were 83.7%, 90.7%, 87.2%, 90.0%, and 84.8%, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve value was 0.879. Conclusion: The ccLS has credible sensitivity and specificity in differentiating renal oncocytoma from clear cell carcinoma, which may be helpful for the preoperative diagnosis.

Thrombectomy Using the EmboTrap Clot-Retrieving Device for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Glimpse of Clinical Evidence

BACKGROUND

The EmboTrap Recanalization Device is a novel stent retriever for thrombectomy in the setting of acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion.

PURPOSE

Our aim was to summarize the safety and efficacy of the EmboTrap Recanalization Device in acute ischemic stroke-large-vessel occlusion through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched up to April 2022.

STUDY SELECTION

Nine observational studies using the EmboTrap Recanalization Device were selected.

DATA ANALYSIS

We adapted effect size with 95% CIs for dichotomous data. P value <.05 was statistically significant.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The estimated rate of successful recanalization (modified TICI 2b-3) was 90% (95% CI, 86%-95%; I ² = 82.4%); 90-day favorable outcome (mRS 0-2), 53% (95% CI, 42%-63%; I ² = 88.6%); modified first-pass effect, 43% (95% CI, 35%-51%; I ² = 63.7%); and first-pass effect, 36% (95% CI, 29%-46%; I ² = 10.7%). The rate of any intracerebral hemorrhage was 19% (95% CI, 16%-22%; I ² = 0.0%); symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, 5% (95% CI, 1%-8%; I ² = 84.6%); and 90-day mortality, 14% (95% CI, 9%-19%; I ² = 79.3%). Subgroup analysis showed higher rates of complete recanalization for EmboTrap II than for the EmboTrap System.

LIMITATIONS

The included studies are single-arm without direct comparison with other stent retrievers. Some of the studies recruited had a small sample size and were limited by the retrospective study design. In addition, the uncertain heterogeneity among studies was high.

CONCLUSIONS

The EmboTrap Recanalization Device is safe and efficient in treating acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion.

Evidence for neutrino emission from the nearby active galaxy NGC 1068

A supermassive black hole, obscured by cosmic dust, powers the nearby active galaxy NGC 1068. Neutrinos, which rarely interact with matter, could provide information on the galaxy’s active core. We searched for neutrino emission from astrophysical objects using data recorded with the IceCube neutrino detector between 2011 and 2020. The positions of 110 known gamma-ray sources were individually searched for neutrino detections above atmospheric and cosmic backgrounds. We found that NGC 1068 has an excess of 79 − 20 + 22 neutrinos at tera–electron volt energies, with a global significance of 4.2σ, which we interpret as associated with the active galaxy. The flux of high-energy neutrinos that we measured from NGC 1068 is more than an order of magnitude higher than the upper limit on emissions of tera–electron volt gamma rays from this source.

[P2X7R promotes migration and invasion of Lewis lung cancer cells by activating the AKT signaling pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in migration and invasion of mouse Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells and examine the tumorigenic ability of LLC cells in P2X7R-knockout mice.

METHODS

RT-PCR was used to examine P2X7R mRNA expression in LLC cells. LLC cells were treated with ATP (as a P2X7R agonist) or 2'- 3'- O- (4-benzoyl- benzoyl)-ATP (BzATP) (a P2X7R agonist) with or without pretreatment with P2X7R antagonist oxATP or A438079. The changes in migration and invasive abilities of the cells were evaluated using wound healing assay and Transwell assay; Western blotting was performed to determine the activation level of the key proteins in the AKT signaling pathway. The effects of BzATP, A438079, and LY294002 (a inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT pathway) on migration and invasion of LLC cells were also examined. In wild-type (WT) and P2X7R knockout (P2X7^-/-) C57BL/6 mice, the growth of subcutaneous LLC cell xenografts were observed by measuring tumor volume and weight.

RESULTS

P2X7R expression was detected in LLC cells. Treatment with P2X7R agonist significantly enhanced migration and invasion abilities of LLC cells, and this effect was inhibited by application of P2X7R antagonists (P < 0.001). Western blotting showed that BzATP treatment of LLC cells significantly increased the expression level of p-AKT protein, which was obviously lowered by treatment with P2X7R antagonist (P < 0.01). P2X7R antagonist strongly inhibited BzATP-induced enhancement of LLC cell migration and invasion (P < 0.001). In the tumor- bearing mice, the tumor volume and weight were significantly lower in P2X7^-/- mice than in WT mice (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

P2X7R promotes migration and invasion of LLC cells by activating the AKT signaling pathway, and LLC cells show lowered tumorigenic capacity in P2X7^-/- mice.

Search for Unstable Sterile Neutrinos with the IceCube Neutrino Observatory

We present a search for an unstable sterile neutrino by looking for a resonant signal in eight years of atmospheric ν_{μ} data collected from 2011 to 2019 at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Both the (stable) three-neutrino and the 3+1 sterile neutrino models are disfavored relative to the unstable sterile neutrino model, though with p values of 2.8% and 0.81%, respectively, we do not observe evidence for 3+1 neutrinos with neutrino decay. The best-fit parameters for the sterile neutrino with decay model from this study are Δm_{41}^{2}=6.7_{-2.5}^{+3.9}  eV^{2}, sin^{2}2θ_{24}=0.33_{-0.17}^{+0.20}, and g^{2}=2.5π±1.5π, where g is the decay-mediating coupling. The preferred regions of the 3+1+decay model from short-baseline oscillation searches are excluded at 90% C.L.

Toripalimab (anti-PD-1) versus High-Dose Interferon-α2b as Adjuvant Therapy in Resected Mucosal Melanoma: A Phase II Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

No standard of care for mucosal melanoma (MM) in the adjuvant setting has been established. Meanwhile, relapse-free survival (RFS) is only about five months after surgery alone. This phase II trial aimed to compare toripalimab vs. high-dose interferon-α2b (HDI) as an adjuvant therapy for resected MM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From July 2017 to May 2019, 145 patients with resected MM were randomized (1:1) to receive HDI (N = 72) or toripalimab (N = 73) for one year until disease relapse/distant metastasis, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. The primary endpoint was RFS. The secondary endpoints included distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 26.3 months, the numbers of RFS, OS, and DMFS events were 51 vs. 46, 33 vs. 29, and 49 vs. 44 in the toripalimab arm and the HDI arm, respectively. The median RFS were 13.6 (95%CI: 8.31-19.02) months and 13.9 (95%CI: 8.28-19.61) months in the toripalimab arm and HDI arm, respectively. The DMFS was not significantly different between the two arms (HR: 1.00, 95%CI: 0.65-1.54). The median OS was 35.1 months (95%CI: 27.93-NR) in the toripalimab arm, with no significant difference in all-cause death (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.66-1.84) for the two arms. The median sums of the patients' actual infusion doses were 3672 mg and 1054.5 MIU in the toripalimab arm and HDI arm, respectively. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events with a grade ≥ 3 was much higher in the HDI arm than in the toripalimab arm (87.5% vs. 27.4%).

CONCLUSION

Toripalimab showed a similar RFS and a more favorable safety profile than HDI, both better than historical data, suggesting that toripalimab might be the better treatment option. However, additional translational studies and better treatment regimens are still warranted to improve the clinical outcome of MM.

Strong Constraints on Neutrino Nonstandard Interactions from TeV-Scale ν_{μ} Disappearance at IceCube

We report a search for nonstandard neutrino interactions (NSI) using eight years of TeV-scale atmospheric muon neutrino data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. By reconstructing incident energies and zenith angles for atmospheric neutrino events, this analysis presents unified confidence intervals for the NSI parameter ε_{μτ}. The best-fit value is consistent with no NSI at a p value of 25.2%. With a 90% confidence interval of -0.0041≤ε_{μτ}≤0.0031 along the real axis and similar strength in the complex plane, this result is the strongest constraint on any NSI parameter from any oscillation channel to date.

O-008 Low grade blastocysts result in healthy live births and should not be discarded

Study question

Does transfer of low grade blastocysts results in acceptable live birth rates the birth of healthy babies?

Summary answer

While BC/CB/CC blastocysts have a reduced chance of live birth compared with AA/AB/BA/BB blastocysts, the absolute chances are still reasonable.

What is known already

Transfer of poorer quality embryos and blastocysts result in lower live birth rates, though to what extent is unclear, nor if there is an absolute threshold below which live births are very rare or even do not occur. Further, the developmental competence of the inner cell mass (ICM) or trophectoderm (TE) could at least theoretically impact the pregnancy and/or the health of the baby. Many clinics do not transfer or freeze poor quality embryos and blastocysts, and prefer to submit the patient to a further stimulation cycle.

Study design, size, duration

We performed a retrospective analysis of 10,978 couples undergoing singleton blastocyst transfers between 2009 and March 2020. We included all single blastocyst transfers for which there was complete data on blastocyst quality, singleton or twin births, birthweight and gestation at delivery, irrespective of blastocyst grading, female age, cause of infertility, ovarian response or endometrial thickness. We recorded live birth rates, birth weight and gestational age.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Data from 14 clinics in 3 countries, 8 from China, 5 from New Zealand, and 1 from Australia were included in the final dataset. We compared the impact of blastocyst grading using multiple logistic regression. Blastocyst grading was based on the Gardner classification, in which the first letter denotes the grade of the inner cell mass (A is best), and the second letter the grade of the trophectoderm.

Main results and the role of chance

Overall, 10,978 single blastocyst cycles resulted in 4,261 live births (38.8%) (4195 singletons and 132 twins). Live birth rates were 47% after transfer of AA blastocysts (n = 2306); 42% after AB/BA (n = 2088); 33% after BC (n = 1973); 25% after CB (n = 715) and 14% after CC (n = 117). There were too few AC (n = 27) or CA (n = 12) blastocysts to include in the analysis. The odds of live birth for BC/CB/CC blastocysts compared with AA/AB/BA blastocysts, vary between 0.8 and 0.9.

The live birth rate appears to be more dependent on ICM quality (C grade, n = 844, 23.2%) rather than TE quality (C grade, n = 2117, 32.1%), with the odds of live birth 0.43 and 0.57 respectively compared to A grade ICM or TE.

The average birth weight (singleton only) was 3336.9+/-570.3 g (range 3323 to 3386 g), and the average gestation at delivery (singleton only) was 38+6+/-2.0 weeks (range 38+2 to 39+1). There was no significant difference for birth weight or gestational age at delivery between blastocysts of different grades.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This was a retrospective study. Grading was based on inner cell mass and trophectoderm and not on degree of expansion, or on day of transfer.

It is likely that higher quality blastocysts were transferred first, in a fresh cycle, and poorer quality blastocysts frozen for later transfer.

Wider implications of the findings

The most important finding is that reasonable live birth rates are obtained in CC-blastocysts.

We therefore advocate that CC-blastocysts should be replaced or frozen for later transfer. It is reassuring that there was no impact of blastocyst quality on birth weights or gestational age at the time of delivery.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering Cross Section at High Bjorken x_{B}

We report high-precision measurements of the deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) cross section at high values of the Bjorken variable x_{B}. DVCS is sensitive to the generalized parton distributions of the nucleon, which provide a three-dimensional description of its internal constituents. Using the exact analytic expression of the DVCS cross section for all possible polarization states of the initial and final electron and nucleon, and final state photon, we present the first experimental extraction of all four helicity-conserving Compton form factors (CFFs) of the nucleon as a function of x_{B}, while systematically including helicity flip amplitudes. In particular, the high accuracy of the present data demonstrates sensitivity to some very poorly known CFFs.

Hypertriton Production in p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The study of nuclei and antinuclei production has proven to be a powerful tool to investigate the formation mechanism of loosely bound states in high-energy hadronic collisions. The first measurement of the production of _{Λ}^{3}H in p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV is presented in this Letter. Its production yield measured in the rapidity interval -1<y<0 for the 40% highest-multiplicity p-Pb collisions is dN/dy=[6.3±1.8(stat)±1.2(syst)]×10^{-7}. The measurement is compared with the expectations of statistical hadronization and coalescence models, which describe the nucleosynthesis in hadronic collisions. These two models predict very different yields of the hypertriton in charged particle multiplicity environments relevant to small collision systems such as p-Pb, and therefore the measurement of dN/dy is crucial to distinguish between them. The precision of this measurement leads to the exclusion with a significance larger than 6.9σ of some configurations of the statistical hadronization model, thus constraining the theory behind the production of loosely bound states at hadron colliders.

Single-agent anti-PD-1 or combined with ipilimumab in patients with mucosal melanoma: an international, retrospective, cohort study

BACKGROUND

Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare melanoma subtype with distinct biology and poor prognosis. Data on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is limited. We determined the efficacy of ICIs in MM, analysed by primary site and ethnicity/race.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective cohort study from 25 cancer centres in Australia, Europe, USA and Asia. Patients with histologically confirmed MM were treated with anti-PD1+/-ipilimumab. Primary endpoints were response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) by primary site (naso-oral, urogenital, anorectal, other), ethnicity/race (Caucasian, Asian, Other) and treatment. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

In total, 545 patients were included: 331 (63%) Caucasian, 176 (33%) Asian and 20 (4%) Other. Primary sites included 113 (21%) anorectal, 178 (32%) urogenital, 206 (38%) naso-oral and 45 (8%) other. 348 (64%) received anti-PD1 and 197 (36%) anti-PD1/ipilimumab. RR, PFS and OS did not differ by primary site, ethnicity/race or treatment. RR for naso-oral was numerically higher for anti-PD1/ipilimumab (40%, 95% CI 29-54%) compared with anti-PD1 (29%, 95% CI 21-37%). 35% of patients that initially responded progressed. Median duration of response (mDOR) was 26 months (95% CI 18-NR [Not Reached]). Factors associated with short PFS were ECOG PS ≥3 (p<0.01), LDH >ULN (p=0.01), lung metastases (p<0.01) and ≥1 previous treatments (p<0.01). Factors associated with short OS were ECOG PS ≥1 (p<0.01), LDH >ULN (p=0.03), lung metastases (p<0.01) and ≥1 previous treatments (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

MM has poor prognosis. Treatment efficacy of anti-PD1+/-ipilimumab was similar and did not differ by ethnicity/race. Naso-oral primaries had numerically higher response to anti-PD1/ipilimumab, without difference in survival. The addition of ipilimumab did not show greater benefit over anti-PD1 for other primary sites. In responders, mDOR was short and acquired resistance was common. Other factors, including site and number of metastases were associated with survival.

Sensitive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Detection Using Gold Nanoparticle-Based Satellite Network With Potential For Early Diagnosis Of Diabetes Related Infection

Background:

As pathogenic bacteria account for the leading cause of diabetes related infections, sensitive detection of bacteria from clinical samples has attracted abundant attention.

Methods:

We propose here an innovative DNA-AuNP-based sensing system which integrates low-speed centrifugal bacteria isolation, detection and protein analysis. In the method, RCA (rolling circle amplification) is utilized to produce a long-ssDNA (single-strand DNA) which can form hairpin structure comprising repeats of functional domains, such as PBP2a aptamer. When aptamers bind to target bacteria, the hairpin structure in RCA product changes its conformation, exposing AuNP binding sequence. As a result, the probe on the surface of AuNP hybridizes with AuNP binding sequence in RCA product by strand displacement reaction, releasing the fluorescent labeled complementary probe as the detection signal. The simultaneous formation of the bacteria-DNA-AuNP satellite network enables isolation of target bacteria by low-speed centrifugation.

Results:

Eventually, we have applied the method for MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) detection and obtained a favorable detection performance with a limit of detection of 275 cfu/μL.

Conclusion:

We believe that the method has potential application in the field of early diagnosis of diabetes related infections.

Polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] Hyperons along the Beam Direction in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s]_{NN}=5.02 TeV

The polarization of the Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam (z) direction, P_{z}, has been measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV recorded with ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The main contribution to P_{z} comes from elliptic flow-induced vorticity and can be characterized by the second Fourier sine coefficient P_{z,s2}=⟨P_{z}sin(2φ-2Ψ_{2})⟩, where φ is the hyperon azimuthal emission angle and Ψ_{2} is the elliptic flow plane angle. We report the measurement of P_{z,s2} for different collision centralities and in the 30%-50% centrality interval as a function of the hyperon transverse momentum and rapidity. The P_{z,s2} is positive similarly as measured by the STAR Collaboration in Au-Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV, with somewhat smaller amplitude in the semicentral collisions. This is the first experimental evidence of a nonzero hyperon P_{z} in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. The comparison of the measured P_{z,s2} with the hydrodynamic model calculations shows sensitivity to the competing contributions from thermal and the recently found shear-induced vorticity, as well as to whether the polarization is acquired at the quark-gluon plasma or the hadronic phase.

Measurement of the Nucleon F_{2}^{n}/F_{2}^{p} Structure Function Ratio by the Jefferson Lab MARATHON Tritium/Helium-3 Deep Inelastic Scattering Experiment

The ratio of the nucleon F_{2} structure functions, F_{2}^{n}/F_{2}^{p}, is determined by the MARATHON experiment from measurements of deep inelastic scattering of electrons from ^{3}H and ^{3}He nuclei. The experiment was performed in the Hall A Facility of Jefferson Lab using two high-resolution spectrometers for electron detection, and a cryogenic target system which included a low-activity tritium cell. The data analysis used a novel technique exploiting the mirror symmetry of the two nuclei, which essentially eliminates many theoretical uncertainties in the extraction of the ratio. The results, which cover the Bjorken scaling variable range 0.19<x<0.83, represent a significant improvement compared to previous SLAC and Jefferson Lab measurements for the ratio. They are compared to recent theoretical calculations and empirical determinations of the F_{2}^{n}/F_{2}^{p} ratio.