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We analyze summertime photochemistry near the surface in Beijing, China, using a 1-D photochemical model (Regional chEmical and trAnsport Model, REAM-1D) constrained by in situ observations, focusing on the budgets of ROx (OH + HO2 + RO2 ) radicals and O3 formation. While the modeling analysis focuses on near-surface photochemical budgets, the implications for the budget of O3 in the planetary boundary layer are also discussed. In terms of daytime average, the total ROx primary production rate near the surface in Beijing is 6.6 ppbv per hour (ppbv h-1 , among the highest found in urban atmospheres. The largest primary ROx source in Beijing is photolysis of oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs), which produces HO2 and RO2 at 2.5 ppbv h-1 and 1.7 ppbv h-1 , respectively. Photolysis of excess HONO from an unknown heterogeneous source is the predominant primary OH source at 2.2 ppbv h-1 , much larger than that of O1 D+H2 O (0.4 ppbv h-1 ). The largest ROx sink is via OH + NO2 reaction (1.6 ppbv h-1 ), followed by formation of RO2 NO2 (1.0 ppbv h-1 ) and RONO2 (0.7 ppbv h-1 ). Due to the large aerosol surface area, aerosol uptake of HO2 appears to be another important radical sink, although the estimate of its magnitude is highly variable depending on the uptake coefficient value used. The daytime average O3 production and loss rates near the surface are 32 ppbv h-1 and 6.2 ppbv h-1 , respectively. Assuming NO2 to be the source of excess HONO, the NO2 to HONO transformation leads to considerable O3 loss and reduction of its lifetime. Our observation-constrained modeling analysis suggests that oxidation of VOCs (especially aromatics) and heterogeneous reactions (e.g. HONO formation and aerosol uptake HO2 ) play potentially critical roles in the primary radical budget and O3 formation in Beijing. One important ramification is that O3 production is neither NOx nor VOC limited, but in a transition regime where reduction of either NOx or VOCs could result in reduction of O3 production. The transition regime implies more flexibility in the O3 control strategies than a binary system of either NOx or VOC limited regime. The co-benefit of concurrent reduction of both NOx and VOCs in reducing column O3 production integrated in the planetary boundary layer is significant. Further research on the spatial extent of the transition regime over the polluted eastern China is critically important for controlling regional O3 pollution.

We report on a measurement of Spin Density Matrix Elements (SDMEs) in hard exclusive [Formula omitted] meson muoproduction at COMPASS using 160 GeV/c polarised [Formula omitted] and [Formula omitted] beams impinging on a liquid hydrogen target. The measurement covers the kinematic range 5.0 GeV/ [Formula omitted] [Formula omitted] 17.0 GeV/ [Formula omitted], 1.0 (GeV/c) [Formula omitted] [Formula omitted] 10.0 (GeV/c) [Formula omitted] and 0.01 (GeV/c) [Formula omitted] [Formula omitted] 0.5 (GeV/c) [Formula omitted]. Here, W denotes the mass of the final hadronic system, [Formula omitted] the virtuality of the exchanged photon, and [Formula omitted] the transverse momentum of the [Formula omitted] meson with respect to the virtual-photon direction. The measured non-zero SDMEs for the transitions of transversely polarised virtual photons to longitudinally polarised vector mesons ( [Formula omitted]) indicate a violation of s-channel helicity conservation. Additionally, we observe a dominant contribution of natural-parity-exchange transitions and a very small contribution of unnatural-parity-exchange transitions, which is compatible with zero within experimental uncertainties. The results provide important input for modelling Generalised Parton Distributions (GPDs). In particular, they may allow one to evaluate in a model-dependent way the role of parton helicity-flip GPDs in exclusive [Formula omitted] production.

We report the first measurement of the absolute branching fraction of the inclusive decay [Formula omitted]. The analysis is performed using an [Formula omitted] collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 567 [Formula omitted] taken at [Formula omitted] = 4.6 GeV with the BESIII detector. Using eleven Cabibbo-favored [Formula omitted] decay modes and the double-tag technique, this absolute branching fraction is measured to be [Formula omitted], where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The relative deviation between the branching fractions for the inclusive decay and the observed exclusive decays is [Formula omitted], which indicates that there may be some unobserved decay modes with a neutron or excited baryons in the final state.

Using a sample of [Formula omitted] events collected with the BESIII detector, we perform a study of [Formula omitted]. X(2370) is observed in the [Formula omitted] invariant-mass distribution with a statistical significance of [Formula omitted]. Its resonance parameters are measured to be [Formula omitted] and [Formula omitted]. The product branching fractions for [Formula omitted] and [Formula omitted] are determined to be [Formula omitted] and [Formula omitted], respectively. No evident signal for X(2120) is observed in the [Formula omitted] invariant-mass distribution. The upper limits for the product branching fractions of [Formula omitted] and [Formula omitted] are determined to be [Formula omitted] and [Formula omitted] at the 90% confidence level, respectively.

Background Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) syndrome is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer predisposition associated with germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in the CDH1 gene. Identifying early stage HDGC is difficult, and prophylactic measures can be effective in preventing incidence. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) can provide information about CDH1 variant status, HDGC risk, and limit familial transmission of CDH1 variants. To date, however, little is known about the attitudes of individuals with CDH1 variants towards PGT. Methods Given that little is known about the reproductive attitudes of individuals with HDGC, we recruited participants with CDH1 variants from a familial gastric cancer registry and administered a cross-sectional survey with open- and closed-ended response items. We assessed attitudes regarding PGT and the effect of HDGC on quality of life. Results Participants ( n  = 21) were predominantly partnered (61.9%), had a personal cancer history (71.4%), and had biological children (71.4%). Interest in learning about PGT was high; 66.7% of participants were interested in PGT and 90.5% approved of healthcare providers discussing PGT with individuals with CDH1 variants. Attitudes regarding personal use were varied. Among all participants, 35% would not, 25% were uncertain, and 40% would use PGT. Personal philosophy and preferences for family and reproduction were key factors related to PGT attitudes. HDGC had moderate effects on participants’ quality of life, including social relationships, health behaviors, and emotional experiences including worry about cancer risk and guilt regarding familial implications. Conclusion PGT was identified by participants as acceptable for use in a variety of contexts and benefits of reproductive counseling involving PGT may extend beyond CDH1 carriers to family members’ reproductive behaviors. Dispositions towards PGT are governed by personal philosophy or belief systems. These findings can help guide providers counseling individuals with CDH1 variants.

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak started, children have been considered marginally involved compared to adults, with a quite significant percentage of asymptomatic carriers. Very recently, an overwhelming inflammatory activation, which shares clinical similarities with Kawasaki disease (KD), has been described in children exposed to COVID-19. We report three KD-like cases that occurred during the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a highly affected area of Northern Italy. The clinical presentation was characterized by the presence of unremitting fever, diarrhea and elevated inflammatory markers. Case #1 and Case #2 occurred one week apart and shared other clinical features: laboratory tests confirmed COVID-19 exposure and high inflammatory activation with myocardial involvement. Case #3 followed a more typical pattern for KD. Interestingly, this patient showed lower levels of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, D-dimers, and ferritin compared to the other two cases, whereas platelet count was higher. We hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 might act in children as a trigger, either inducing a classical KD phenotype or causing a systemic inflammatory response leading to a severe KD-like phenotype, eventually characterized by myocardial impairment. We think that bringing these cases and their differences to the attention of the rheumatology community during the COVID-19 pandemic will be beneficial in order to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and to increase awareness of this new phenomenon.

BackgroundThe impact of ATM, CHEK2, and PALB2, the three most prevalent moderate-risk breast cancer genes, on surgical decision making is not well known.MethodsOur retrospective study included patients with resectable non-metastatic breast cancer who underwent multigene panel testing between July 2014 and January 2020 with at least one genetic alteration (pathogenic or variant of uncertain significance [VUS] in ATM [n = 49], CHEK [n = 57], or PALB2 [n = 27]). Our objectives were to determine the rate of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) and the rate of bilateral breast cancer. Univariable analyses (UVA) and multivariable analyses (MVA) were performed to identify factors associated with CPM and bilateral breast cancer.ResultsThe rate of CPM was 39% (n = 49/127), with 54% (n = 25/46) of patients with a pathogenic mutation and 30% (n = 24/81) of patients with a VUS choosing CPM. On MVA, premenopausal status (odds ratio [OR] 3.46) and a pathogenic alteration (OR 3.01) were associated with increased use of CPM. Bilateral disease was noted in 16% (n = 22/138). Patients with pathogenic mutations had a 22% (n = 11/51) incidence of bilateral breast cancer, while patients with VUS had a 13% (n = 11/87) incidence, although this was not statistically significant on UVA or MVA. On MVA, premenopausal status was associated with a decreased risk of bilateral disease (OR 0.33, p = 0.022). During follow-up, a breast cancer event occurred in 16% (n = 22/138).ConclusionsOur study identified a high rate of CPM among those with ATM, CHEK2, and PALB2 alterations, including VUS. Further studies are needed to clarify reasons for CPM among patients with moderate-risk alterations.

Propagation of R5 strains of HIV-1 on CD4 lymphocytes and macrophages requires expression of the CCR5 coreceptor on the cell surface. Individuals lacking CCR5 (CCR5Δ32 homozygous genotype) are phenotypically normal and resistant to infection with HIV-1. CCR5 expression on lymphocytes depends on signaling through the IL-2 receptor. By FACS analysis we demonstrate that rapamycin (RAPA), a drug that disrupts IL-2 receptor signaling, reduces CCR5 surface expression on T cells at concentrations as low as 1 nM. In addition, lower concentrations of RAPA (0.01 nM) were sufficient to reduce CCR5 surface expression on maturing monocytes. PCR analysis on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) showed that RAPA interfered with CCR5 expression at the transcriptional level. Reduced expression of CCR5 on PBMCs cultured in the presence of RAPA was associated with increased extracellular levels of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α and MIP-1β. In infectivity assays, RAPA suppressed the replication of R5 strains of HIV-1 both in PBMC and macrophage cultures. In total PBMC cultures, RAPA-mediated inhibition of CCR5-using strains of HIV-1 occurred at 0.01 nM, a concentration of drug that is ≈ 103times lower than therapeutic through levels of drug in renal transplant recipients. In addition, RAPA enhanced the antiviral activity of the CCR5 antagonist TAK-779. These results suggest that low concentrations of RAPA may have a role in both the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection.

By analyzing 2.93 fb [Formula omitted] of data collected at [Formula omitted] GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the absolute branching fraction [Formula omitted], which is consistent with previous measurements within uncertainties but with significantly improved precision. Combining the Particle Data Group values of [Formula omitted], [Formula omitted], and the lifetimes of the [Formula omitted] and [Formula omitted] mesons with the value of [Formula omitted] measured in this work, we determine the following ratios of partial widths: [Formula omitted] and [Formula omitted].

Detection of early carotid vascular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is considered mandatory for evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis (ATS), and various ultrasonographic (US) parameters have been proposed. In the present investigation, 33 SLE and 33 healthy age-matched females have been studied by colour-coded sonography of the common carotid artery, assessing intima-media thickness (IMT), vascular strain (VS), vascular distensibility (VD), vascular stiffness (VSf) and pressure-strain elastic modulus (PSEM) as possible markers of early ATS. Patients with SLE, despite equivalent exposure to “traditional” cardiovascular risk factors, presented a higher mean IMT of the common carotid artery than healthy subjects (0.7 ± 0.2 mm vs 0.5 ± 0.1 mm – P < 0.0001). Of the stiffness parameters, patients with lupus showed a mean VSf of 0.72 ± 0.38 vs 0.54 ± 0.14 in controls (P < 0.0001) and a mean PSEM of 6.0 ± 2.8 Pa vs 3.0 ± 1.4 Pa in controls (P < 0.0001). Mean VS and VD were significantly lower in patients with SLE than in healthy subjects (P < 0.0001). Among individuals with IMT < 0.6 mm, patients with SLE presented more compromised stiffness parameters. IMT was shown to be a useful parameter in the evaluation of vascular damage, even in a “sub-clinical” phase, while stiffness parameters provide additional details regarding endothelial and vessel functional state. Combined evaluation may allow ATS to be detected in the early stages in patients with SLE.