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b → s transitions are flavour-changing neutral current (FCNC) processes that play an important role in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model (SM). Contributions from virtual particles in the loop are predicted to deviate observables, such as the branching fraction, from their SM expectations. Using data from the BaBar experiment, we present the first search for the rare decay B+ → K+ τ+τ-. The BABAR results on the measurement of the angular asymmetries of B → K* l+l-, where l = e or μ, are also reported. In addition, using a time-dependent analysis of B → Ks0π+π-γ, the mixing induced CP-asymmetry for the radiative FCNC decay, B → Ks0ργ, is measured, along with an amplitude analysis of the mKπ and mKππ spectrum.

Abstract Using data samples of 983.0 fb −1 and 427.9 fb −1 accumulated with the Belle and Belle II detectors operating at the KEKB and SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy e + e − colliders, singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays Ξ c + → p K S 0$$ {\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to p{K}_S^0 $$, Ξ c + → Λ π +$$ {\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to \\Lambda {\\pi}^{+} $$, and Ξ c + → Σ 0 π +$$ {\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Sigma}^0{\\pi}^{+} $$are observed for the first time. The ratios of branching fractions of Ξ c + → p K S 0$$ {\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to p{K}_S^0 $$, Ξ c + → Λ π +$$ {\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to \\Lambda {\\pi}^{+} $$, and Ξ c + → Σ 0 π +$$ {\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Sigma}^0{\\pi}^{+} $$relative to that of Ξ c + → Ξ − π + π +$$ {\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Xi}^{-}{\\pi}^{+}{\\pi}^{+} $$are measured to be B Ξ c + → p K S 0 B Ξ c + → Ξ − π + π + = 2.47 ± 0.16 ± 0.07 % , B Ξ c + → Λ π + B Ξ c + → Ξ − π + π + = 1.56 ± 0.14 ± 0.09 % , B Ξ c + → Σ 0 π + B Ξ c + → Ξ − π + π + = 4.13 ± 0.26 ± 0.22 % .$$ {\\displaystyle \\begin{array}{c}\\frac{\\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to p{K}_S^0\\right)}{\\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Xi}^{-}{\\pi}^{+}{\\pi}^{+}\\right)}=\\left(2.47\\pm 0.16\\pm 0.07\\right)\\%,\\\ {}\\frac{\\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to \\Lambda {\\pi}^{+}\\right)}{\\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Xi}^{-}{\\pi}^{+}{\\pi}^{+}\\right)}=\\left(1.56\\pm 0.14\\pm 0.09\\right)\\%,\\\ {}\\frac{\\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Sigma}^0{\\pi}^{+}\\right)}{\\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Xi}^{-}{\\pi}^{+}{\\pi}^{+}\\right)}=\\left(4.13\\pm 0.26\\pm 0.22\\right)\\%.\\end{array}} $$Multiplying these values by the branching fraction of the normalization channel, B Ξ c + → Ξ − π + π + = 2.9 ± 1.3 %$$ \\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Xi}^{-}{\\pi}^{+}{\\pi}^{+}\\right)=\\left(2.9\\pm 1.3\\right)\\% $$, the absolute branching fractions are determined to be B Ξ c + → p K S 0 = 7.16 ± 0.46 ± 0.20 ± 3.21 × 10 − 4 , B Ξ c + → Λ π + = 4.52 ± 0.41 ± 0.26 ± 2.03 × 10 − 4 , B Ξ c + → Σ 0 π + = 1.20 ± 0.08 ± 0.07 ± 0.54 × 10 − 3 .$$ {\\displaystyle \\begin{array}{c}\\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to p{K}_S^0\\right)=\\left(7.16\\pm 0.46\\pm 0.20\\pm 3.21\\right)\\times {10}^{-4},\\\ {}\\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to \\Lambda {\\pi}^{+}\\right)=\\left(4.52\\pm 0.41\\pm 0.26\\pm 2.03\\right)\\times {10}^{-4},\\\ {}\\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Sigma}^0{\\pi}^{+}\\right)=\\left(1.20\\pm 0.08\\pm 0.07\\pm 0.54\\right)\\times {10}^{-3}.\\end{array}} $$The first and second uncertainties above are statistical and systematic, respectively, while the third ones arise from the uncertainty in B Ξ c + → Ξ − π + π +$$ \\mathcal{B}\\left({\\Xi}_c^{+}\\to {\\Xi}^{-}{\\pi}^{+}{\\pi}^{+}\\right) $$.

We report on new flavor tagging algorithms developed to determine the quark-flavor content of bottom (\\(B\\)) mesons at Belle II. The algorithms provide essential inputs for measurements of quark-flavor mixing and charge-parity violation. We validate and evaluate the performance of the algorithms using hadronic \\(B\\) decays with flavor-specific final states reconstructed in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of \\(62.8\\) fb\\(^{-1}\\), collected at the \\(\\Upsilon\\)(4\\(S\\)) resonance with the Belle II detector at the SuperKEKB collider. We measure the total effective tagging efficiency to be \\(\\varepsilon_{\\rm eff} = \\big(30.0 \\pm 1.2(\\text{stat}) \\pm 0.4(\\text{syst})\\big)\\%\\) for a category-based algorithm and \\(\\varepsilon_{\\rm eff} = \\big(28.8 \\pm 1.2(\\text{stat}) \\pm 0.4(\\text{syst})\\big)\\%\\) for a deep-learning-based algorithm.

PurposeTo describe the perioperative safety, functional and immediate post-operative oncological outcomes of minimally invasive RPLND (miRPLND) for testis cancer.MethodsWe performed a retrospective multi-centre cohort study on testis cancer patients treated with miRPLND from 16 institutions in eight countries. We measured clinician-reported outcomes stratified by indication. We performed logistic regression to identify predictors for maintained postoperative ejaculatory function.ResultsData for 457 men undergoing miRPLND were studied. miRPLND comprised laparoscopic (n = 56) or robotic (n = 401) miRPLND. Indications included pre-chemotherapy in 305 and post-chemotherapy in 152 men. The median retroperitoneal mass size was 32 mm and operative time 270 min. Intraoperative complications occurred in 20 (4%) and postoperative complications in 26 (6%). In multivariable regression, nerve sparing, and template resection improved ejaculatory function significantly (template vs bilateral resection [odds ratio (OR) 19.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.5–75.6], nerve sparing vs non-nerve sparing [OR 5.9, 95% CI 2.3–16.1]). In 91 men treated with primary RPLND, nerve sparing and template resection, normal postoperative ejaculation was reported in 96%. During a median follow-up of 33 months, relapse was detected in 39 (9%) of which one with port site (< 1%), one with peritoneal recurrence and 10 (2%) with retroperitoneum recurrences.ConclusionThe low proportion of complications or peritoneal recurrences and high proportion of men with normal postoperative ejaculatory function supports further miRPLND studies.

Mannose-oligosaccharide (MOS) pre-biotics are widely deployed in animal agriculture as immunomodulators as well as to enhance growth and gut health. Their mode of action is thought to be mediated through their impact on host microbial communities and the associated metabolism. Bio-Mos is a commercially available pre-biotic currently used in the agri-feed industry. To assess Bio-Mos for potential use as a prebiotic growth promotor in salmonid aquaculture, we have modified an established Atlantic salmon in vitro gut model, SalmoSim, to evaluate its impact on the host microbial communities. Inoculated from biological triplicates of adult farmed salmon pyloric caeca compartments, the microbial communities were stabilised in SalmoSim followed by a twenty-day exposure to the prebiotic and in turn followed by an eight day ‘wash out’ period. Dietary inclusion of MOS resulted in a significant increase in formate (p=0.001), propionate (p=0.037) and isovalerate (p=0.024) levels, correlated with increased abundances of several, principally, anaerobic microbial genera (Fusobacterium, Agarivorans, Pseudoalteromonas). DNA metabarcoding with the 16S rDNA marker confirmed a significant shift in microbial community composition in response to MOS supplementation with observed increase in lactic acid producing Carnobacterium. In conjunction with previous in vivo studies linking enhanced volatile fatty acid production alongside MOS supplementation to host growth and performance, our data suggests that Bio-Mos may be of value in salmonid production. Furthermore, our data highlights the potential role of in vitro gut models to augment in vivo trials of microbiome modulators.

Abstract Mannose-oligosaccharide (MOS) pre-biotics are widely deployed in animal agriculture as immunomodulators as well as to enhance growth and gut health. Their mode of action is thought to be mediated through their impact on host microbial communities and associated metabolism. Bio-MOS is a commercially available pre-biotic currently used in the agri-feed industry. To assay Bio-MOS for potential use as a pre-biotic growth promotor in salmonid aquaculture, we modified an established Atlantic salmon in vitro gut model, SalmoSim, to evaluate its impact on host microbial communities. In biological triplicate, microbial communities were stabilised in SalmoSim followed by twenty-day exposure to the pre-biotic and then an eight day ‘wash out’ period. Exposure the MOS resulted in a significant increase in formate (p=0.001), propionate (p=0.037) and isovalerate (p=0.024) levels, correlated with increased abundances of several principally anaerobic microbial genera (Fusobacteria, Agarivorans, Pseudoalteromonas, Myroides). 16S rDNA sequencing confirmed a significant shift in microbial community composition in response to supplementation. In conjunction with previous in vivo studies linking enhanced VFA production alongside MOS supplementation to host growth and performance, our data suggest that Bio-MOS may be of value in salmonid production. Furthermore, our data highlight the potential role of in vitro gut models to augment in vivo trials of microbiome modulators. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Abstract Atlantic salmon are a species of major economic importance. Intense innovation is underway to improve salmon feeds and feed additives to enhance fish performance, welfare, and the environmental sustainability of the industry. Several gut models targeted at monogastric vertebrates are now in operation. Here we report progress in the development of an Atlantic salmon in vitro gut model, SalmoSim, to simulate three gut compartments (stomach, pyloric caecum and mid gut) and associated microbial communities. The artificial gut model was established in a series of linked bioreactors seeded with biological material derived for adult marine phase salmon. In biological triplicate, the response of the in vitro system to two distinct dietary formulations (fish meal and fish meal free) was compared to a parallel in vivo trial over forty days. 16S rDNA sequencing, qPCR, ammoniacal nitrogen and volatile fatty acid measurements were undertaken to survey microbial community dynamics and function. SalmoSim communities were indistinguishable (p=0.230) from their founding inocula at 20 days and most abundant genera (e.g. Psycrobacter, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas) proliferated the in vitro system. Real salmon and SalmoSim responded similarly to the introduction of the novel feed, with most taxa (96% Salmon, 97% SalmoSim) unaffected, while a subset of taxa was affected non-identically across both systems. Consistent with a low impact of the novel feed on microbial community function, VFA profiles were not significantly different in SalmoSim pre and post the switch feed. This study represents an important first-step in the development of an in vitro gut system as a tool for the improvement of salmon nutrition. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Lacking a peptidoglycan cell wall, mycoplasmas are the smallest self-replicating life forms. Members of this bacterial genus are known to parasitise a wide array of metazoans including vertebrates. Whilst much research has been significant targeted at parasitic mammalian mycoplasmas, very little is known about their role in other vertebrates. In the current study, we aim to explore the biology and evolution of Mycoplasma in salmonids, including cellular niche, genome size structure and gene content. Using Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH), mycoplasmas were identified in epithelial tissues across the digestive tract (stomach, pyloric caecum and midgut) during the developmental stages (eggs, parr, subadult) of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), showing a high abundance in acidic compartments. With high throughput sequencing from subadults farmed Atlantic salmon, we assembled a nearly complete genome (~0.57 MB) via shotgun-metagenomics. The phylogenetic inference from the recovered genome revealed successful taxonomic proximity to Mycoplasma penetrans (~1.36 Mb) from the recovered genome. Although, no significant correlation between genome size and its phylogeny was observed, we recovered functional signatures, especially, riboflavin encoding genes pathway and sugars transporters, suggesting a symbiotic relationship between Mycoplasma and the host. Though 247 strains of Mycoplasma are available in public databases, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate ecological and functional association between Mycoplasma and Salmo salar which delineates symbiotic reductive evolution and genome erosion primarily and also serves as a proxy for salmonid health in aquaculture processes (cell lines, in vitro gut models).