First Measurement of R(X_{τ/ℓ}) as an Inclusive Test of the b→cτν Anomaly.

We measure the tau-to-light-lepton ratio of inclusive B-meson branching fractions R(X_{τ/ℓ})≡B(B→Xτν)/B(B→Xℓν), where ℓ indicates an electron or muon, and thereby test the universality of charged-current weak interactions. We select events that have one fully reconstructed B meson and a charged lepton candidate from 189 fb^{-1} of electron-positron collision data collected with the Belle II detector. We find R(X_{τ/ℓ})=0.228±0.016(stat)±0.036(syst), in agreement with standard-model expectations. This is the first direct measurement of R(X_{τ/ℓ}).

New insights on the association of weight loss with the reduction in carotid intima-media thickness among patients with obesity: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a noninvasive marker of atherosclerosis, a typical pathologic process underlying cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It is essential to explore the relationships between weight loss and the reduction of CIMT. STUDY DESIGN: This was an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to collect relevant clinical trials. The pooled results of meta-analyses were assessed by weighted mean difference (WMD) and the corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: Thirty-three articles involving 2273 participants were collected in this meta-analysis. Among all participants with obesity, the pooled mean of weight loss was -23.26 kg (95% CI: -27.71 to -18.81), and the pooled mean change of CIMT was -0.06 mm (95% CI: -0.08 to -0.04). Compared with Non-surgical interventions, Surgical ones could lead to much higher weight loss (Pbetween groups < 0.001). A more significant CIMT reduction was identified among Surgical intervention patients than among Non-surgical intervention participants (Pbetween groups < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Effective interventions, especially Surgical interventions, could reduce the weight of patients with obesity, followed by the decline of CIMT, which might further disturb atherosclerosis progression and lower CVD risk.

Strictureplasty may lead to increased preference in the surgical management of Crohn's disease: a case-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Resection and strictureplasty are the two surgical modalities used in the management of Crohn's disease (CD). The objective of this study was to compare morbidity and clinical recurrence between patients who underwent strictureplasty and patients who underwent resection. METHODS: Patients with CD who underwent strictureplasty between January 2012 and December 2022 were enrolled. The patients were well matched with patients who underwent resection without strictureplasty. Patient- and disease-specific characteristics, postoperative morbidity, and clinical recurrence were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients who underwent a total of 192 strictureplasties were well matched to 118 patients who underwent resection. The strictureplasty group exhibited significantly less blood loss (30 ml versus 50 ml, p < 0.001) and stoma creation (2.5% versus 16.9%, p < 0.001). No significant difference was found regarding postoperative complications or length of postoperative stay. At the end of the follow-up, the overall rate of clinical recurrence was 39.4%, and no difference was observed between the two groups. Postoperative prophylactic use of biologics (odds ratio = 0.2, p < 0.001) was the only protective factor against recurrence. CONCLUSION: Strictureplasty does not increase the risk of complications or recurrence compared with resection. It represents a viable alternative to resection in selected patients, and as such, it should have a broader scope of indications and greater acceptance among surgeons.

[The 507th case: hemolytic anemia, parvovirus B19, and multiple organ dysfunction].

A 19-year-old male patient with high-risk acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia received haploidentical stem cell transplantation. He developed anemia repeatedly and parvovirus B19 nucleic acid was positive in blood plasma. The patient was diagnosed with cold agglutinin syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction including respiratory failure and hepatitis. In the conflict between viral infection and the treatment of cold agglutinin syndrome, we provided supportive treatment, complement inhibitors to control hemolysis, and antiviral therapy. After timely glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy, the patient had achieved a good response.

[Incidence of hypogammaglobulinaemia in children with steroid-dependent/frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome treated with rituximab and its association with severe infections].

Objective: To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) in children with steroid-dependent/frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (SDNS/FRNS) treated with rituximab (RTX), and its relationship with the risk of severe infections. Methods: The clinical data of children with SDNS/FRNS treated with RTX at the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2020 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. RTX treatment was performed using a B-cell-guided regimen (a single dose of 375 mg/m2, a maximum of 500 mg/dose, and an additional one dose when reassessment of peripheral blood CD19+B cells≥1%). Patients were divided into HGG and non-HGG groups according to the presence or absence of HGG during the follow-up period. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of HGG, and the predictive value of each influencing factor on HGG was assessed by plotting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: A total of 59 SDNS/FRNS children (48 males and 11 females) were included, and aged [M (Q1, Q3)] 9.4 (6.5, 12.2) years at the time of the first RTX treatment, with a median application of 3 (2, 4) doses of RTX. During the follow-up period of 15.5 (9.9, 22.8) months, the HGG was present in 16 (27.1%) children, of which seven persisted for more than 1 year. Compared with non-HGG group, HGG group had a shorter duration of the disease [3.3 (2.1, 3.6) vs 4.6 (2.4, 8.0) years, P=0.030], younger age at the time of the first RTX treatment [6.2 (5.6, 7.4) vs 11.3 (8.8, 13.3) years, P<0.001], and lower serum IgG levels [5.9 (4.9, 6.4) vs 7.5 (6.1, 8.2) g/L, P<0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that young age at the time of the first RTX treatment (OR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.35-0.78, P=0.002) was an influencing factor of HGG. The area under the curve (AUC) for age at first RTX treatment to predict HGG was 0.887 (95%CI: 0.778-0.955, P<0.001), with an optimal cut-off value of 8.3 years. During the follow-up period, six children (10.2%) developed severe infectious, and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of serious infections between the HGG and non-HGG groups [12.5% (2/16) vs 9.3% (4/43), P=1.000]. Conclusions: HGG is frequent in children with SDNS/FRNS treated with RTX, and nearly half of HGG persists for more than 1 year. The possibility of HGG is greater in those≤8.3 years at the first RTX treatment, but HGG does not increase the risk of severe infections in children.

[Thoughts and suggestions on digital services to enhance the level of vaccination management].

With the development of information technology and the increasing demand for vaccination services among the people, it is a definite trend to enhance the quality of vaccination services through digitization. This article starts with a clear concept of digital services for vaccination, introduces the current development status in China and abroad, analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of existing models in leading regions, takes a glean from the summation, and proposes targeted solutions. This study suggests establishing a departmental coordination mechanism for data interconnection and sharing, formulating data standards and functional specifications, enhancing the functionalities of the immunization planning information system, strengthening data collection and analytical usage, and intensifying appointment management and science and health education to provide expert guidance for the construction of digital vaccination services across the country in the future.

[Prognostic significance of textbook outcome in advanced gastric patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors and prognostic value of the textbook outcome (TO) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 253 patients with AGC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy in the Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively included. There were 195 males and 58 females, aged (60.3±10.0) years (range: 27 to 75 years). The patients were then divided into the TO group (n=168) and the non-TO group (n=85). Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent predictors of TO. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were used to analyze independent prognosis factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Propensity score matching was performed to balance the TO and non-TO groups, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves. Results: Among the 253 patients, 168 patients (66.4%) achieved TO. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score (OR=0.488, 95%CI: 0.278 to 0.856, P=0.012) and ypN stage (OR=0.626, 95%CI:0.488 to 0.805, P<0.01) were independently predictive of TO. Multivariate analysis revealed that TO was an independent risk factor for both OS (HR=0.662, 95%CI: 0.457 to 0.959,P=0.029) and DFS (HR=0.687, 95%CI: 0.483 to 0.976, P=0.036). After matching, the 5-year OS rate (42.2% vs. 27.8%) and the 5-year DFS rate (37.5% vs. 27.8%) were significantly higher in the TO group than in the non-TO group (both P<0.05). Furthermore, patients in the non-TO group benefited significantly from postoperative chemotherapy (both P<0.05), but those in the TO group did not (both P>0.05). Conclusion: TO is an independent prognosis factor in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for AGC and is associated with postoperative chemotherapy benefits.

Measurement of the Λ_{c}

An absolute measurement of the Λ_{c}^{+} lifetime is reported using Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+} decays in events reconstructed from data collected by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy electron-positron collider. The total integrated luminosity of the data sample, which was collected at center-of-mass energies at or near the ϒ(4S) resonance, is 207.2 fb^{-1}. The result, τ(Λ_{c}^{+})=203.20±0.89±0.77 fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic, is the most precise measurement to date and is consistent with previous determinations.

Search for the Lepton Flavor Violating Decays B

We present a search for the lepton flavor violating decays B^{+}→K^{+}τ^{±}ℓ^{∓}, with ℓ=(e,µ), using the full data sample of 772×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs recorded by the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We use events in which one B meson is fully reconstructed in a hadronic decay mode. We find no evidence for B^{±}→K^{±}τℓ decays and set upper limits on their branching fractions at the 90% confidence level in the (1-3)×10^{-5} range. The obtained limits are the world's best results.

Test of Light-Lepton Universality in the Rates of Inclusive Semileptonic B-Meson Decays at Belle II.

We present the first measurement of the ratio of branching fractions of inclusive semileptonic B-meson decays, R(X_{e/µ})=B(B→Xeν)/B(B→Xµν), a precision test of electron-muon universality, using data corresponding to 189 fb^{-1} from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. In events where the partner B meson is fully reconstructed, we use fits to the lepton momentum spectra above 1.3 GeV/c to obtain R(X_{e/µ})=1.007±0.009(stat)±0.019(syst), which is the most precise lepton-universality test of its kind and agrees with the standard-model expectation.

Search for Lepton-Flavor-Violating τ Decays to a Lepton and an Invisible Boson at Belle II.

We search for lepton-flavor-violating τ^{-}→e^{-}α and τ^{-}→µ^{-}α decays, where α is an invisible spin-0 boson. The search uses electron-positron collisions at 10.58 GeV center-of-mass energy with an integrated luminosity of 62.8 fb^{-1}, produced by the SuperKEKB collider and collected with the Belle II detector. We search for an excess in the lepton-energy spectrum of the known τ^{-}→e^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e}ν_{τ} and τ^{-}→µ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{µ}ν_{τ} decays. We report 95% confidence-level upper limits on the branching-fraction ratio B(τ^{-}→e^{-}α)/B(τ^{-}→e^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e}ν_{τ}) in the range (1.1-9.7)×10^{-3} and on B(τ^{-}→µ^{-}α)/B(τ^{-}→µ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{µ}ν_{τ}) in the range (0.7-12.2)×10^{-3} for α masses between 0 and 1.6 GeV/c^{2}. These results provide the most stringent bounds on invisible boson production from τ decays.

Observation of e

We study the processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{bJ}(1P) (J=0, 1, or 2) using samples at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=10.701, 10.745, and 10.805 GeV, corresponding to 1.6, 9.8, and 4.7 fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity, respectively. These data were collected with the Belle II detector during special operations of the SuperKEKB collider above the ϒ(4S) resonance. We report the first observation of ωχ_{bJ}(1P) signals at sqrt[s]=10.745 GeV. By combining Belle II data with Belle results at sqrt[s]=10.867 GeV, we find energy dependencies of the Born cross sections for e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{b1,b2}(1P) to be consistent with the shape of the ϒ(10753) state. These data indicate that the internal structures of the ϒ(10753) and ϒ(10860) states may differ. Including data at sqrt[s]=10.653 GeV, we also search for the bottomonium equivalent of the X(3872) state decaying into ωϒ(1S). No significant signal is observed for masses between 10.45 and 10.65 GeV/c^{2}.

First Simultaneous Determination of Inclusive and Exclusive |V_{ub}|.

The first simultaneous determination of the absolute value of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element V_{ub} using inclusive and exclusive decays is performed with the full Belle data set at the ϒ(4S) resonance, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 711 fb^{-1}. We analyze collision events in which one B meson is fully reconstructed in hadronic modes. This allows for the reconstruction of the hadronic X_{u} system of the semileptonic b→uℓν[over ¯]_{ℓ} decay. We separate exclusive B→πℓν[over ¯]_{ℓ} decays from other inclusive B→X_{u}ℓν[over ¯]_{ℓ} and backgrounds with a two-dimensional fit that utilizes the number of charged pions in the X_{u} system and the four-momentum transfer q^{2} between the B and X_{u} systems. Combining our measurement with information from lattice QCD and QCD calculations of the inclusive partial rate as well as external experimental information on the shape of the B→πℓν[over ¯]_{ℓ} form factor, we determine |V_{ub}^{excl}|=(3.78±0.23±0.16±0.14)×10^{-3} and |V_{ub}^{incl}|=(3.88±0.20±0.31±0.09)×10^{-3}, respectively, with the uncertainties being the statistical error, systematic errors, and theory errors. The ratio of |V_{ub}^{excl}|/|V_{ub}^{incl}|=0.97±0.12 is compatible with unity.

Precise Measurement of the D_{s}

We measure the lifetime of the D_{s}^{+} meson using a data sample of 207 fb^{-1} collected by the Belle II experiment running at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The lifetime is determined by fitting the decay-time distribution of a sample of 116×10^{3} D_{s}^{+}→ϕπ^{+} decays. Our result is τ_{D_{s}^{+}}=(499.5±1.7±0.9) fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This result is significantly more precise than previous measurements.

Tests of Light-Lepton Universality in Angular Asymmetries of B

We present the first comprehensive tests of the universality of the light leptons in the angular distributions of semileptonic B^{0}-meson decays to charged spin-1 charmed mesons. We measure five angular-asymmetry observables as functions of the decay recoil that are sensitive to lepton-universality-violating contributions. We use events where one neutral B is fully reconstructed in ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] decays in data corresponding to 189 fb^{-1} integrated luminosity from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. We find no significant deviation from the standard model expectations.

Measurement of CP Violation in B

We report a measurement of the CP-violating parameters C and S in B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0} decays at Belle II using a sample of 387×10^{6} BB[over ¯] events recorded in e^{+}e^{-} collisions at a center-of-mass energy corresponding to the ϒ(4S) resonance. These parameters are determined by fitting the proper decay-time distribution of a sample of 415 signal events. We obtain C=-0.04_{-0.15}^{+0.14}±0.05 and S=0.75_{-0.23}^{+0.20}±0.04, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

Search for an Invisible Z

The L_{µ}-L_{τ} extension of the standard model predicts the existence of a lepton-flavor-universality-violating Z^{'} boson that couples only to the heavier lepton families. We search for such a Z^{'} through its invisible decay in the process e^{+}e^{-}→µ^{+}µ^{-}Z^{'}. We use a sample of electron-positron collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV collected by the Belle II experiment in 2019-2020, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 79.7 fb^{-1}. We find no excess over the expected standard-model background. We set 90%-confidence-level upper limits on the cross section for this process as well as on the coupling of the model, which ranges from 3×10^{-3} at low Z^{'} masses to 1 at Z^{'} masses of 8 GeV/c^{2}.

Evaluation of immunogenicity of enterobactin conjugate vaccine for the control of Escherichia coli mastitis in dairy cows.

Mastitis is the most common disease of dairy cows that incurs severe economic losses to the dairy industry. Currently, environmental mastitis pathogens are a major problem for most dairy farms. A current commercially available Escherichia coli vaccine does not prevent clinical mastitis and production losses, likely due to antibody accessibility and antigenic variation issues. Therefore, a novel vaccine that prevents clinical disease and production losses is critically needed. Recently a nutritional immunity approach, which restricts bacterial iron uptake by immunologically sequestering conserved iron-binding enterobactin (Ent), has been developed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of the keyhole limpet hemocyanin-enterobactin (KLH-Ent) conjugate vaccine in dairy cows. Twelve pregnant Holstein dairy cows in their first through third lactations were randomized to the control or vaccine group, with 6 cows per group. The vaccine group received 3 subcutaneous vaccinations of KLH-Ent with adjuvants at drying off (D0), 20 (D21), and 40 (D42) days after drying off. The control group was injected with phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4) mixed with the same adjuvants at the same time points. Vaccination effects were assessed over the study period until the end of the first month of lactation. The KLH-Ent vaccine did not cause any systemic adverse reactions or reduction in milk production. Compared with the control group, the vaccine elicited significantly higher levels of serum Ent-specific IgG at calving (C0) and 30 d postcalving (C30), mainly its IgG2 fraction, which was significantly higher at D42, C0, C14, and C30 d, with no significant change in IgG1 levels. Milk Ent-specific IgG and IgG2 levels in the vaccine group were significantly higher on C30. Fecal microbial community structures were similar for both control and vaccine groups on the same day and shifted directionally along the sampling days. In conclusion, the KLH-Ent vaccine successfully triggered strong Ent-specific immune responses in dairy cows without significantly affecting the gut microbiota diversity and health. The results show that Ent conjugate vaccine is a promising nutritional immunity approach in control of E. coli mastitis in dairy cows.

Association between chronic disease and depression among older adults in China: the moderating role of social participation.

OBJECTIVES: Depression is an increasingly serious mental health problem worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between chronic disease and depression and to further test the moderating role of social participation in this association. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: We screened 6421 subjects from the 2018 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study database. Social participation and depressive symptoms were assessed using the 12-item self-made scale and 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, respectively. Hierarchical regression was used to determine the main effect of chronic disease and depression and the moderating effect of social participation on the relationship between chronic disease and depression. RESULTS: In this study, 3172 (49.40%) eligible participants were male, 4680 (72.90%) older adults were concentrated in the 65-74 years group, and 68.20% reported good health status. In addition, gender, area, education level, marital status, health status, health insurance, health service utilization, and physical activity intensity were significant factors associated with participants' depression status (P < 0.05). The results also showed that a higher number of chronic diseases were associated with a higher depression score after adjusting for confounders (single disease: ß = 0.074, P < 0.001; multimorbidity: ß = 0.171, P < 0.001) and that social participation played a moderating role in this association (ß = -0.030, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study tentatively suggests that a higher number of chronic diseases are associated with rising depression scores in the older Chinese population. In addition, the moderating effect of social participation suggests that more active social engagement should be promoted in this population to alleviate the depressive mood.

[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.