Alternative solvable description of the E(5) critical point symmetry in the interacting boson model

A solvable extended Hamiltonian that includes multipair interactions among s and d bosons up to infinite order within the framework of the interacting boson model (IBM) is proposed to gain a better description of E(5) model results for finite-N systems. Numerical fits to low-lying energy levels and reduced E2 transition rates within this extended version of the theory are presented for various N values. The fits show that the extended Hamiltonian within the IBM provides a better description of the E(5) model results for small-N cases, while the results of the model in the large-N cases are close to those of the E(5)-β2n type models studied previously

Weak decays of heavy hadrons into dynamically generated resonances

In this paper, we present a review of recent works on weak decay of heavy mesons and baryons with two mesons, or a meson and a baryon, interacting strongly in the final state. The aim is to learn about the interaction of hadrons and how some particular resonances are produced in the reactions. It is shown that these reactions have peculiar features and act as filters for some quantum numbers which allow to identify easily some resonances and learn about their nature. The combination of basic elements of the weak interaction with the framework of the chiral unitary approach allow for an interpretation of results of many reactions and add a novel information to different aspects of the hadron interaction and the properties of dynamically generated resonances Read More: http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S021830131630001

Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of an Escherichia coliProduced Bivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: An Interim Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

HPV是一种常见的生殖道感染病毒，高危型HPV持续性感染能够导致几乎所有的宫颈癌，其中HPV 16型和18型危害最大，可导致约70%的宫颈癌。预防性HPV疫苗有望减少甚至最终消灭由疫苗型别导致的宫颈癌，降低HPV相关的疾病负担。该研究是在全国4个中心5个现场的18-45岁健康女性中进行的多中心、随机、双盲、对照（戊肝疫苗）的三期临床试验，该研究结果证实我校自主研发的双价人乳头瘤病毒疫苗（大肠杆菌）具有良好的安全性、免疫原性和免疫持久性，可有效地预防HPV 16型和/或18型相关的宫颈高度癌前病变及持续性感染。 该论文报告了我校和厦门万泰沧海生物技术有限公司自主研发的双价人乳头瘤病毒疫苗（大肠杆菌）三期临床试验的期中分析结果。这是第一个进入临床试验并提交药品注册申请的国产人乳头瘤病毒疫苗（HPV疫苗），有望成为世界上第四个上市的HPV疫苗，受到世界卫生组织和盖茨基金会等国际组织的高度关注。 中国医学科学院肿瘤医院乔友林教授、我校吴婷教授、广西壮族自治区疾病预防控制中心李荣成主任医师、江苏省疾病预防控制中心胡月梅主任医师、北京大学人民医院魏丽惠教授、中国食品药品检定研究院李长贵研究员、中国医学科学院肿瘤医院陈汶教授为该论文的共同第一作者，我校张军教授、夏宁邵教授和中国医学科学院肿瘤医院乔友林教授为该论文的共同通讯作者。【Abstract】Background The high cost and insufficient supply of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have slowed the pace of controlling cervical cancer. A phase 3 clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of a novel Escherichia coli-produced bivalent HPV-16/18 vaccine. Methods A multi-centre, randomized, double-blind trial started on November 22, 2012, in China. In total, 7372 eligible women aged 18-45 years were age-stratified and randomly assigned to receiving 3 doses of the test or control (hepatitis E) vaccine at months 0, 1 and 6. Co-primary endpoints included high-grade genital lesions and persistent infection (over 6 months) associated with HPV-16/18. The primary analysis was performed on a per-protocol susceptible population of individuals who were negative for relevant HPV type-specific neutralizing antibodies (at day 0) and DNA (at day 0 through month 7) and who received 3 doses of the vaccine. This report presents data from a pre-specified interim analysis used for regulatory submission. Results In the per-protocol cohort, the efficacies against high-grade genital lesions and persistent infection were 100.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 55.6% to 100.0%, 0/3306 in the vaccine group vs. 10/3296 in the control group) and 97.8% (95% CI = 87.1% to 99.9%, 1/3240 vs. 45/3246), respectively. The side effects were mild. No vaccine-related serious adverse events were noted. Robust antibody responses for both types were induced and persisted for at least 42 months. Conclusions The Escherichia coli-produced HPV-16/18 vaccine is well tolerated and highly efficacious against HPV-16/18 associated high-grade genital lesions and persistent infection in women.This work was supported by grants from the Chinese National High-tech R&D Program (863 program, 2012AA02A408), the Chinese National Major Scientific and Technological Special Project for “Significant New Drug Development” (2018ZX09308010 and 2012ZX09101316), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81673240 and U1705283), the Fujian Provincial Major Scientific and Technological Project (2015YZ0002), the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS, 2017-I2M-B&R-03, and 2016-I2M-1-019) and Xiamen Innovax. 该研究获得了国家高技术研究发展计划（863计划）、新药创制国家科技重大专项、国家自然科学基金、福建省科技重大专项、中国医学科学院医学与健康科技创新工程基金以及厦门万泰沧海生物技术有限公司的资助

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Measurement of CP asymmetries and branching fraction ratios of B− decays to two charm mesons

The $CP$ asymmetries of seven $B^-$ decays to two charm mesons are measured using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9\text{fb}^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment. Decays involving a $D^{*0}$ or $D^{*-}_s$ meson are analysed by reconstructing only the $D^0$ or $D^-_s$ decay products. This paper presents the first measurement of $\mathcal{A}^{CP}(B^- \rightarrow D^{*-}_s D^0)$ and $\mathcal{A}^{CP}(B^- \rightarrow D^{-}_s D^{*0})$, and the most precise measurement of the other five $CP$ asymmetries. There is no evidence of $CP$ violation in any of the analysed decays. Additionally, two ratios between branching fractions of selected decays are measured.The CP asymmetries of seven B$^{−}$ decays to two charm mesons are measured using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{−1}$ of proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment. Decays involving a D$^{*0}$ or ${D}_s^{\ast -}$ meson are analysed by reconstructing only the D$^{0}$ or ${D}_s^{-}$ decay products. This paper presents the first measurement of $\mathcal{A} ^{CP}$(B$^{−}$→${D}_s^{\ast -}$D$^{0}$) and $\mathcal{A} ^{CP}$(B$^{−}$→${D}_s^{-}$D$^{∗0}$), and the most precise measurement of the other five CP asymmetries. There is no evidence of CP violation in any of the analysed decays. Additionally, two ratios between branching fractions of selected decays are measured.[graphic not available: see fulltext]The $CP$ asymmetries of seven $B^-$ decays to two charm mesons are measured using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9\text{ fb}^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment. Decays involving a $D^{*0}$ or $D^{*-}_s$ meson are analysed by reconstructing only the $D^0$ or $D^-_s$ decay products. This paper presents the first measurement of $\mathcal{A}^{CP}(B^- \rightarrow D^{*-}_s D^0)$ and $\mathcal{A}^{CP}(B^- \rightarrow D^{-}_s D^{*0})$, and the most precise measurement of the other five $CP$ asymmetries. There is no evidence of $CP$ violation in any of the analysed decays. Additionally, two ratios between branching fractions of selected decays are measured