Evidence for Chiral Wobbler in Nuclei.

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

Support for banning sale of smoked tobacco products among adults who smoke: findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Surveys (2018-2022).

BACKGROUND: Many people continue to smoke despite strong policies to deter use, thus stronger regulatory measures may be required. In four high-income countries, we examined whether people who smoke would support a total ban on smoked tobacco products under two differing policy scenarios. METHODS: Data were from 14 363 adults (≥18) who smoked cigarettes (≥monthly) and participated in at least one of the 2018, 2020 or 2022 International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Surveys in Australia, Canada, England and the USA. In 2018, respondents were asked whether they would support a law that totally bans smoked tobacco if the government provides smoking cessation assistance (Cessation Assistance scenario). In 2020 and 2022, respondents were asked a slightly different question as to whether they would support a law that totally bans smoked tobacco if the government encourages people who smoke to use alternative nicotine products like vaping products and nicotine replacement products instead (substitution scenario). Responses (support vs oppose/don't know) were estimated on weighted data. RESULTS: Support was greater for the cessation assistance scenario (2018, 36.6%) than the nicotine substitution scenario (2020, 26.9%; 2022, 26.3%, both p<0.0001). In the longitudinal analysis, there was a significant scenario by country interaction effect with lower support in Canada, the USA and Australia under the substitution scenario than in the cessation scenario, but equivalent levels in England under both scenarios. The strongest correlates of support under both scenarios were planning to quit smoking within 6 months, wanting to quit smoking 'a lot' and recent use of nicotine replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Opposition to banning smoked tobacco predominates among people who smoke, but less with a cessation assistance scenario than one encouraging nicotine substitution. Wanting to quit a lot was the strongest indicator of support.

Observation of the Exotic 0_{2}

We report here the first observation of the 0_{2}^{+} state of ^{8}He, which has been predicted to feature the condensatelike α+^{2}n+^{2}n cluster structure. We show that this state is characterized by a spin parity of 0^{+}, a large isoscalar monopole transition strength, and the emission of a strongly correlated neutron pair, in line with theoretical predictions. Our finding is further supported by the state-of-the-art microscopic α+4n model calculations. The present results may lead to new insights into clustering in neutron-rich nuclear systems and the pair correlation and condensation in quantum many-body systems under strong interactions.

Awareness, trial and use of heated tobacco products among adult cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users: findings from the 2018 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate heated tobacco product (HTP) awareness, trial and current use among adult cigarette smokers and vaping product users in four countries with varying regulations governing HTP sales. DESIGN: Data came from Wave 2 of the ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey, collected from February to July 2018. Respondents were current and former smokers and/or users of vaping products (18 years or older) from Canada (CA; n=3778), England (EN; n=4848), the USA (US; n=2846) and Australia (AU; n=1515). At the time of the survey, only Canada and England permitted the sale of contemporary HTPs (eg, IQOS). RESULTS: Overall, 30.2% of respondents reported being aware of HTPs (CA=30.4%; EN=31.0%; US=30.2%; AU=27.4%; p=0.346), 2.4% had ever tried HTPs (CA=3.3%; EN=2.4%; US=2.0%; AU=0.9%; p=0.001) and 0.9% currently used HTPs at least monthly (CA=0.8%; EN=1.2%; US=0.7%; AU=0.2%; p<0.001). Trial and current use were higher among those who concurrently smoked and vaped (at least monthly) versus other nicotine use categories (trial: 10.9% v. 1.2%-2.0%, p<0.001; current use: 8.4% v. 0.1%-1.0%, p<0.001). In multivariable analyses, HTP awareness did not differ across countries, whereas odds of trial and current use were lower where HTPs were unavailable. Odds of HTP trial did not differ by regulatory environment when restricting analysis to HTP-aware concurrent smokers-vapers. CONCLUSION: Approximately one third of respondents were aware of HTPs, even in the USA and Australia, where contemporary HTPs were not yet on the market. Trial and use were uncommon, except among concurrent smokers-vapers. Restrictions on availability may have limited HTP use generally, but less so for concurrent smokers-vapers.

[Clinicopathological features of clear cell carcinoma of salivary gland in the head and neck].

Objective: To investigate the clinical, histologic, immunohistochemical (IHC) and molecular genetic features of clear cell carcinoma (CCC) of salivary gland in the head and neck regions. Methods: Seven cases of CCC diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2018 to 2021 were included. The clinical and pathologic data, HE sections and IHC staining were reviewed, and EWSR1 gene translocation was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The relevant literature was also reviewed. Results: There were five males and two females, with an age range of 32 to 71 years (mean 50 years). The tumors were located in the palate, base of tongue, subglottic, right submaxillary and nasopharynx. Histologically the tumors were composed of sheets, nests, and trabecular of large, monomorphic cells which possessed abundant clear and eosinophilic cytoplasm. The stroma was characterized by abundant hyalinized fibrous strands admixed with cellular fibrous (desmoplastic) tissue. The tumor growth was infiltrative. IHC staining revealed positivity for CKpan and squamous cell immunophenotypic markers (CK5/6, p63 and p40), but negativity for myoepithelial markers (SMA, calponin, GFAP and CD10). The EWSR1 gene translocation was detected by FISH. The prognosis was excellent, with the follow-up periods ranging from 8 months to 33 months. During this period, six patients survived without tumor, only one patient with cervical lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: CCC of salivary gland is rare and needs to be differentiated from various other types of tumors containing clear cells. Awareness of the histopathologic characteristics, and combined with IHC and molecular genetic examination can avoid misdiagnosis. The biological behavior of the tumor is indolent with a good overall prognosis.

[Clinicopathological features of ectopic meningothelial hamartoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ectopic meningothelial hamartoma (EMH). Methods: Three cases of EMH diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2014 to December 2020 were enrolled. All cases were evaluated by clinical and imaging features, HE and immunohistochemical staining, and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: There were one male and two female patients, aged 2, 67 and 19 years, respectively. Clinically, they presented as skin masses in the head and face region (two cases) and sacro-coccygeal region (one case). Grossly, the lesions ranged in size from 1.6 cm to 8.9 cm. Microscopically, the lesions were ill-defined, and located in the dermis and subcutis, and showed pseudovascular channels lined by monolayer of cuboidal to flattened epithelium with mild atypia, with variable cystic cavity formation. There was prominent interstitial fibrosis. Concentric, lamellated, onion skin-like arrangement with short spindle or ovoid cells and psammoma bodies were noted. Immunohistochemically, these cells were strongly positive for SSTR2, EMA, vimentin and progesterone receptor. Ki-67 positive index was low, approximately 1%. Conclusions: EMH is uncommon. Definitive diagnosis relies on histopathologic examination. The importance in recognizing the lesions is to differentiate from other more aggressive tumors.

First Observation of the Four-Proton Unbound Nucleus

^{18}Mg was observed, for the first time, by the invariant-mass reconstruction of ^{14}O+4p events. The ground-state decay energy and width are E_{T}=4.865(34) MeV and Γ=115(100) keV, respectively. The observed momentum correlations between the five particles are consistent with two sequential steps of prompt 2p decay passing through the ground state of ^{16}Ne. The invariant-mass spectrum also provides evidence for an excited state at an excitation energy of 1.84(14) MeV, which is likely the first excited 2^{+} state. As this energy exceeds that for the 2^{+} state in ^{20}Mg, this observation provides an argument for the demise of the N=8 shell closure in nuclei far from stability. However, in open systems this classical argument for shell strength is compromised by Thomas-Ehrman shifts.

[Efficacy and safety of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton for the treatment of erosive oral lichen planus].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr-CWS) for the treatment of erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP). METHODS: Sixty patients with clinically and pathologically diagnosed EOLP were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group according to the random number. Patients in the experimental group were treated with lyophilized powder containing Nr-CWS combined with normal saline. Patients in the control group received topical placebo without Nr-CWS combined with normal saline. Changes in the EOLP lesion area and the patient's pain level were recorded at the timepoints of weeks 1, 2, and 4 after the two different treatments, respectively. The changes of the patient's REU scoring system (reticulation, erythema, ulceration), the visual analogue scale and the oral health impact score (OHIP-14) were compared between the experimental group and control group after treatment, and the safety indicators of the two groups at the initial diagnosis and after 4 weeks' treatment were also observed, respectively. RESULTS: Totally, 62 patients with clinically and pathologically diagnosed EOLP were enrolled, 2 of whom were lost to the follow-up, with 31 in the experimental group, and 29 in the control group. The mean age of the experimental group and control group were (52.9±12.4) years and (54.07±12.40) years, respectively. There was no significant difference in the oral periodontal index between the experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, the erosive area of oral lichen planus was significantly reduced 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the Nr-CWS's treatment (P < 0.05), the reduction rate was 81.75%, the patient's pain index was also decreased (P < 0.05), and in addition, the OHIP-14 was reduced (P < 0.05). The changes of the REU scoring system, the visual analogue scale and the OHIP-14 were significantly different between the experimental group and control group after treatment. There was no significant difference in the safety index between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The priliminary data show that the Nr-CWS is effective and safe to treat EOLP.

Positive-Parity Linear-Chain Molecular Band in

An inelastic excitation and cluster-decay experiment ^{2}H(^{16}C,^{4}He+^{12}Be or ^{6}He+^{10}Be)^{2}H was carried out to investigate the linear-chain clustering structure in neutron-rich ^{16}C. For the first time, decay paths from the ^{16}C resonances to various states of the final nuclei were determined, thanks to the well-resolved Q-value spectra obtained from the threefold coincident measurement. The close-threshold resonance at 16.5 MeV is assigned as the J^{π}=0^{+} band head of the predicted positive-parity linear-chain molecular band with (3/2_{π}^{-})^{2}(1/2_{σ}^{-})^{2} configuration, according to the associated angular correlation and decay analysis. Other members of this band were found at 17.3, 19.4, and 21.6 MeV based on their selective decay properties, being consistent with the theoretical predictions. Another intriguing high-lying state was observed at 27.2 MeV which decays almost exclusively to ^{6}He+^{10}Be(∼6 MeV) final channel, corresponding well to another predicted linear-chain structure with the pure σ-bond configuration.

Cross-country comparison of cigarette and vaping product marketing exposure and use: findings from 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To compare exposure to and use of certain cigarette and vaping product marketing among adult smokers and vapers in four countries with contrasting regulations-Australia (AU), Canada, England and the USA. DATA SOURCES: Adult smokers and vapers (n=12 294) from the 2016 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey (4CV1). ANALYSIS: Self-reported exposure to cigarette and vaping product advertising through point-of-sale, websites/social media, emails/texts, as well as exposure to and use of price offers were assessed for country differences using logistic regression models adjusted for multiple covariates. RESULTS: Reported exposure to cigarette advertising exposure at point-of-sale was higher in the USA (52.1%) than in AU, Canada and England (10.5%-18.5%). Exposure to cigarette advertising on websites/social media and emails/texts was low overall (1.5%-10.4%). Reported exposure to vaping ads at point-of-sale was higher in England (49.3%) and USA (45.9%) than in Canada (32.5%), but vaping ad exposure on websites/social media in Canada (15.1%) was similar with England (18.4%) and the USA (12.1%). Exposure to vaping ads via emails/texts was low overall (3.1%-9.9%). Exposure to, and use of, cigarette price offers was highest in the USA (34.0 % and 17.8 %, respectively), but the use rate among those exposed was highest in AU (64.9%). Exposure to, and use of, price offers for vaping products was higher in the USA (42.3 % and 21.7 %) than in AU, Canada and England (25.9%-31.5 % and 7.4%-10.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of cigarette and vaping product marketing exposure generally reflected country-specific policies, except for online vaping ads. Implications for research and policy are discussed.

[Clinicopathological significance of cyclin D1 expression in Rosai-Dorfman disease].

Objective: To study the clinicopathological significance of cyclin D1 expression in Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD). Methods: Seventeen cases of RDD were evaluated by HE, immunohistochemical staining and molecular genetic analysis. Expression of cyclin D1 was compared between RDDs and control group that included 29 cases of reactive histiocytosis, 9 cases of IgG4-related disease, and 2 cases of Erdheim-Chester disease. Results: Cyclin D1 was expressed in RDDs (17/17), reactive histiocytosis (11/29), IgG4-related diseases (3/9), and Erdheim-Chester disease (2/2), respectively, with nuclear staining in the RDD cells or proliferative histiocytes. Chi-square test showed that expression of cyclin D1 was significantly higher in RDDs than in reactive histiocytosis and IgG4-related diseases (P<0.01), but not in Erdheim-Chester diseases (P>0.05). The expression threshold for recalculating the percentage of cyclin D1 positive cells was 27.5% (AUC=0.981, P<0.01) by ROC curve. However, CCND1 gene had no rearrangement detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization, but with increased copies of gene in some RDD cells. ARMS-PCR analysis also did not detect KRAS, BRAF and NRAS gene mutations in any cases. Conclusions: Cyclin D1 may serve as an additional diagnostic marker for RDDs. Its high expression may be related to activation of MAPK pathway, but the pathogenetic significance of cyclin D1 in RDDs needs further study.

[Clinicopathological features of dedifferentiated liposarcomas with meningothelial-like whorls: report of six cases].

Objective: To investigate the histopathologic, immunohistochemical, molecular genetic characteristics of dedifferentiated liposarcomas with meningothelial-like whorls(DDLMW). Methods: Six cases of DDLMW diagnosed at Jiangsu Province Hospital(the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University) from March 2012 to August 2018 were enrolled. The cases were analyzed by routine HE staining, immunohistochemistry(MDM2, CDK4 and p16) and fluorescent in-situ hybridization(FISH) on MDM2 gene. Related literatures were also reviewed. Results: Three of the 6 patients were male.The patient ages ranged from 40 to 77 years (mean, 58 years). Four tumors occurred in the retroperitoneum and two in the mediastinum. Histologically, the tumors showed, in addition to foci of well-differentied liposarcoma, characteristic, scattered meningothelial-like concentrical whorls. The whorls were composed of tightly, concentrically arranged, spindle to ovoid cells with mild to mederate cytological atypia. Metaplastic bone was present within or in their immediate vicinity in four case. The tumors cell also showed strong and diffuse immunoreactivity to MDM2, CDK4 and p16, but no immunoreactivity to S-100 protein, SMA, SOX10, EMA, CD21, CD23 or CD35. The Ki-67 labeling indexes were low, while FISH showed high levels of MDM2 amplification in all cases. Conclusions: DDLMW is a rare morphologic variant of dedifferentiated liposarcoma. The whorls in DDLMW do not represent perineurial or follicular dendritic differentiation. Recognition and familiarity with its existence, as well as combined application of immunohistochemical staining and MDM FISH, are important to avoid confusion with other lesions.

[Effect of shikonin on function of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast like synoviocytes].

To observe the effect of shikonin on the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) fibroblast like synoviocytes induced by tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and to explore its mechanism of action from aspects of protein kinase B(Akt) and mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways. TNF-α(20 ng·mL~(-1)) was used in this experiment to induce human RA fibroblast like synovial cell line(MH7 A). After addition of different concentrations of shikonin(0.025, 0.05, 0.1 pmol·L~(-1)), the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion ability of MH7 A cells were detected by MTT test, scratch test, adhesion test, Transwell invasion test, respectively. Protein expression of Akt and MAPK signaling pathway molecules in MH7 A cells was detected by Western blot. The results showed that as compared with the control group, TNF-α could significantly induce the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion of MH7 A cells, and increase the phosphorylation level of Akt, JNK, p38 and extracellular regulatory protein kinase(ERK). As compared with the TNF-α group, shikonin had no significant effect on TNF-α-induced proliferation of MH7 A cells after 24 h treatment, and it could reduce the TNF-α-induced proliferation of MH7 A cells in a concentration dependent manner after 48 h treatment. Shikonin also significantly reduced the TNF-α-induced migration, adhesion, invasion and phosphorylation levels of Akt, JNK, p38, ERK in MH7 A cells within 24 h. These results suggested that shikonin could reduce the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion ability of MH7 A cells induced by TNF-α, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of Akt and MAPK signaling pathway activation.

The function of spineless in antenna and wing development of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens.

A wide array of sensilla are distributed on insect antennae, and they play a variety of important roles. Rice planthoppers, destructive pests on rice, have a unique antenna sensilla structure called the 'sensory plaque organ'. The spineless (ss) gene encodes a bHLH-PAS transcription factor and plays a key role in antenna development. In the current study, a 3029 bp full-length cDNA of the Nilaparvata lugens ss gene (Nlss) was cloned, and it encodes 654 amino acid residues. The highest level of Nlss expression was detected in the thorax of fourth-instar nymphs. Knockdown of Nlss in nymphs led to a decrease in the number and size of plaque organs. Moreover, the flagella of the treated insects were poorly developed, wilted, and even dropped off from the pedicel. Nlss-knockdown also resulted in twisted wings in both long-winged and short-winged brown planthoppers. Y-type olfactometer analyses indicated that antenna defects originating from Nlss depletion resulted in less sensitivity to host volatiles. This study represents the first report of the characteristics and functions of Nlss in N. lugens antenna and wing development and illuminates the function of the plaque organ of N. lugens in host volatile perception.

Proton Shell Evolution below

The ß-delayed γ-ray spectroscopy of neutron-rich ^{123,125}Ag isotopes is investigated at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory of RIKEN, and the long-predicted 1/2^{-} ß-emitting isomers in ^{123,125}Ag are identified for the first time. With the new experimental results, the systematic trend of energy spacing between the lowest 9/2^{+} and 1/2^{-} levels is extended in Ag isotopes up to N=78, providing a clear signal for the reduction of the Z=40 subshell gap in Ag towards N=82. Shell-model calculations with the state-of-the-art V_{MU} plus M3Y spin-orbit interaction give a satisfactory description of the low-lying states in ^{123,125}Ag. The tensor force is found to play a crucial role in the evolution of the size of the Z=40 subshell gap. The observed inversion of the single-particle levels around ^{123}Ag can be well interpreted in terms of the monopole shift of the π1g_{9/2} orbitals mainly caused by the increasing occupation of ν1h_{11/2} orbitals.

Characteristics of the salivary microbiota in cheilitis granulomatosa.

BACKGROUND: Cheilitis granulomatosa (CG) is a disturbing and persistent idiopathic lip swelling. The cause and treatment has not been wholly elucidated. Some reports infer that CG is mainly associated with dental infection but no firm or reliable microbiological evidence has been provided for a causative organism. This study aimed to evaluate whether microorganisms contribute to the etiology of CG in order to inform appropriate treatment op tions in clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Unstimulated saliva was collected from 15 CG patients who were diagnosed clinically and pathologically and 15 healthy controls (HC). DNA was extracted from the precipitate of the centrifuged saliva for 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing using the Miseq PE300 platform. The distribution of the microbiome between the two groups was compared. RESULTS: CG patients had a greater microbial flora that was more diverse than the HC. Prevotella, Alloprevotella, Porphyromonas, Actinomyces, Rothia, Fusobacterium, Haemophilus, and Aggregatibacter had a significantly higher abundance in CG patients. In contrast, Streptococcus and Campylobacter were the most abundant genera in HC with a mean relative abundance of 63% and 2%, respectively. The microbiological network indicated that most of the bacteria that were enriched at greater levels in CG patients were likely to be Prevotella, Actinomyces, and Rothia. These have been shown to co-exist with other bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: The composition and structure of bacterial communities in CG patients were different from HC. Most of the genera observed in CG patients were associated with periodontitis and pulp infection. These findings might be helpful in understanding the etiology of CG. Further study will be needed to confirm these findings and explore the underlying pathological mechanism.

[DNA cytometry of exfoliated cells in the diagnosis of oral potential malignant disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of oral mucosa disease, especially oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potential malignant disorders (OPMDs) by DNA cytometry compared with histopathological diagnosis, so as to find a convenient, simple and low-invasive method for screening and follow-up. METHODS: 203 subjects with OSCC, OPMDs and other oral mucosa disease without dysplasia according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were recruited from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. The mean age was (52.44±13.55) years, 98 males and 105 females. Brush biopsy was taken before scalpel biopsy at the same site. The brush biopsy sample was screened by moticytometer system for DNA cytometry after Feulgen stain, and histopathological examination were taken for the scalpel tissue. Data from DNA cytometry were used to calculate the parameters, such as sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, odds ratios, Youden index (YI), positive and negative likelihood ratios, compared with the golden standard, histopathological diagnosis. DNA cytometry and histopathological diagnosis were performed back to back. RESULTS: Totally, 42 OSCC and 4 tumor in situ (TIS), 39 oral leukoplakia (OLK) with dysplasia (17 mild dysplasia, 13 medium dysplasia and 9 severe dysplasia), 29 OLK with hyperplasia, 1 verrucous OLK, 83 oral lichen planus (OLP) and 5 inflammation were included in our research. We grouped the OSCC, TIS and dysplasia as the positive group and others without dysplasia as the negative group, the sensitivity of DNA cytometry was 79.07%, the specificity was 81.20%, and the diagnostic accuracy was 80.30%,We grouped the OSCC and TIS as the tumor group, OLP, OLK with hyperplasia and inflammation as the non-tumor group, The sensitivity of DNA cytometry in diagnosing OSCC and TIS was 95.65%, and the specificity was 81.2%, The diagnostic accuracy was 85.28%. positive predictive values 66.67%, negative predictive values 97.94%, ratio odds 95, positive likelihood ratio 5.09, negative likelihood ratio 0.05, and Youden index 0.77. For the dysplasia, we grouped the different dysplasia together as the dyaplasia group, OLP, OLK with hyperplasia and inflammation as the non-tumor group, the sensitivity of DNA cytometry in diagnosing dyaplasia is 60%, the specificity is 81.2%. The diagnostic accuracy is 75.8%, positive predictive values 52.17%, negative predictive values 85.59%, ratio odds 6.48, positive likelihood ratio 3.19, negative likelihood ratio 0.49, and Youden index 0.41. CONCLUSION: DNA cytometry is convenient and low-invasive, which can be used as an adjuvant method for screening the early OSCC and OPMDs, monitoring the prognosis of OSCC after surgery. Further large-scale and long period prospective studies are necessary to validate the better value of DNA cytometry.