The puzzles in B→ππB\to \pi\pi and πK \pi K decays: possible implications for R-parity violating supersymmetry

Recent experiments suggest that certain data of $B \to \pi\pi,\pi K$ decays are inconsistent with the standard model expectations. We try to explain the discrepancies with R-parity violating suppersymmetry. By employing the QCD factorization approach, we study these decays in the minimal supersymmetric standard model with R-parity violation. We show that R-parity violation can resolve the discrepancies in both $B \to \pi\pi$ and $B \to \pi K$ decays, and find that in some regions of parameter spaces all these requirements, including the CP averaged branching ratios and the direct CP asymmetries, can be satisfied. Furthermore, we have derived stringent bounds on relevant R-parity violating couplings from the latest experimental data, and some of these constraints are stronger than the existing bounds.Comment: 24 pages, 6 figures and 5 tables. Text revised. Final version to appear in PR

Polarizations in decays B_{u,d}\to VV and possible implications for R-parity violating SUSY

Recently BABAR and Belle have measured anomalous large transverse polarizations in some pure penguin $B \to VV$ decays, which might be inconsistent with the Standard Model expectations. We try to explore its implications for R-parity violating (RPV) supersymmetry. The QCD factorization approach is employed for the hadronic dynamics of B decays. We find that it is possible to have parameter spaces solving the anomaly. Furthermore, we have derived stringent bounds on relevant RPV couplings from the experimental data, which is useful for further studies of RPV phenomena.Comment: 26 pages, 12 eps figures. Typos corrected and references added. Final version to appear in PR

The Rare Radiative Annihilation Decays Bˉs,d0→J/ψγ\bar{B}^0_{s,d} \to J/\psi\gamma

We investigate the physics potential of the annihilation decays $\bar{B}^0_{s,d} \to J/\psi$ $\gamma$ in the Standard Model and beyond. In naive factorization approach, the branching ratios are estimated to be $\mathcal{B}(\bar{B}^0_s \to J/\psi\gamma)=1.40\times 10^{-6}$ and $\mathcal{B}(\bar{B}^0_d \to J/\psi\gamma)=5.29\times 10^{-8}$. In the framework of QCD factorization, we compute the non-factorizable corrections and get $\mathcal{B}(\bar{B}^0_s \to J/\psi\gamma) = 2.11\times10^{-7}$, $\mathcal{B}(\bar{B}^0_d \to J/\psi\gamma) =7.65\times10^{-9}$. Future measurements of these decays would be useful for testing the factorization frameworks. The smallness of these decays in the SM make them sensitive probes of New Physics. As an example, we will consider the possible admixture of (V+A) charge current to the standard (V-A) current. This admixture will give significant contributions to the decays.Comment: 13pages, 3figure

Transmembrane peptide 4 and 5 of APJ are essential for its heterodimerization with OX1R

Increasing evidence indicates some G protein-coupled receptors function as a heterodimer, which provide a novel target for therapeutics investigation. However, study on the receptor-receptor interaction interface, a potent target on interfering dimer formation, are still limited. Here, using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) combined with co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), we found a new constitutive GPCR heterodimer, apelin receptor (APJ)-orexin receptor type 1 (OX1R). Both APJ and OX1R co-internalized when constantly subjected to cognate agonist (apelin-13 or orexin-A) specific to either protomer. Combined with BRET and immunostaining, the in vitro synthesized transmembrane peptides (TMs) interfering experiments suggests that TM4 and 5 of APJ act as the interaction interface of the APJ-OX1R heterodimer, and co-internalization could be disrupted by these peptides as well. Our study not only provide new evidence on GPCR heterodimerization, but address a novel heterodimerization interface, which can be severed as a potential pharmacological target

Key steps in the structure-based optimization of the hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease inhibitor SCH503034

Crystal structures of protease/inhibitor complexes guided optimization of the buried nonpolar surface area thereby maximizing hydrophobic binding. The resulting potent tripeptide inhibitor is in clinical trials

Sequential multi-stage extraction of biocompounds from Spirulina platensis: Combined effect of ohmic heating and enzymatic treatment

A sequential multi-stage procedure was applied on the extraction of biocompounds from Spirulina platensis. The process consisted in three steps: 1) aqueous extraction, using conventional thermal extraction (CE), ohmic heating (OH, 7V/cm), enzymatic treatment (EAE, 0.8 mgLysozyme/mL), or both OH and EAE combined; 2) ethanolic extraction; 3) CHCl3/MeOH extraction. The results evidenced that the combined OH-EAE extraction allowed selective recovery of phycobiliproteins in the 1st step, with increments of more than 100% in yield in comparison with CE. Pigments and lipids were selectively extracted in the 2nd step. The combination of OH and EAE in the 1st step resulted in higher amounts of extracted compounds in the following phases compared to processes using non-combined technologies. Results demonstrate that the intensification of extraction steps facilitates the use of environmentally friendly technologies in a multi-stage process capable of recovering and isolating different fractions with bio-functional properties, targeting waste reduction and circular economy. Industrial relevance Spirulina plantensis represents a potential biomass feedstock due to its potential as a source of compounds of great economic value (including antioxidants, proteins, lipids and natural pigments, in particular blue colorants). The combined use of ohmic heating and enzymes in the aqueous extraction step fosters the use of environmentally friendly technologies to implement sequential high yield and high purity extraction of the different valuable fractions with bio-functional properties, targeting waste reduction and contributing to the implementation of circular economy strategies. This can be integrated with a design of Industry 4.0 driving the development of new products.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit, by program Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant (MSCA-RISE; FODIAC; 778388) and by project OH2O - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029145 (funded by FCT, COMPETE2020 – Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program and European Fund for Regional Development - FEDER). Pedro Santos is recipient of a PhD fellowship supported by a doctoral advanced training (call NORTE-69-2015-15), funded by the European Social Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (NORTE-08-5369-FSE-000036). Sílvia Miranda acknowledges the financial support provided by FCT through the Doctoral grant SFRH/BD/144188/2019. Spirulina platensis was kindly supplied by EVRA S.r.l. (Potenza, Italy).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Actively implementing an evidence-based feeding guideline for critically ill patients (NEED): a multicenter, cluster-randomized, controlled trial

Background: Previous cluster-randomized controlled trials evaluating the impact of implementing evidence-based guidelines for nutrition therapy in critical illness do not consistently demonstrate patient benefits. A large-scale, sufficiently powered study is therefore warranted to ascertain the effects of guideline implementation on patient-centered outcomes. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, cluster-randomized, parallel-controlled trial in intensive care units (ICUs) across China. We developed an evidence-based feeding guideline. ICUs randomly allocated to the guideline group formed a local "intervention team", which actively implemented the guideline using standardized educational materials, a graphical feeding protocol, and live online education outreach meetings conducted by members of the study management committee. ICUs assigned to the control group remained unaware of the guideline content. All ICUs enrolled patients who were expected to stay in the ICU longer than seven days. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 28 days of enrollment. Results: Forty-eight ICUs were randomized to the guideline group and 49 to the control group. From March 2018 to July 2019, the guideline ICUs enrolled 1399 patients, and the control ICUs enrolled 1373 patients. Implementation of the guideline resulted in significantly earlier EN initiation (1.20 vs. 1.55 mean days to initiation of EN; difference − 0.40 [95% CI − 0.71 to − 0.09]; P = 0.01) and delayed PN initiation (1.29 vs. 0.80 mean days to start of PN; difference 1.06 [95% CI 0.44 to 1.67]; P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality (14.2% vs. 15.2%; difference − 1.6% [95% CI − 4.3% to 1.2%]; P = 0.42) between groups. Conclusions: In this large-scale, multicenter trial, active implementation of an evidence-based feeding guideline reduced the time to commencement of EN and overall PN use but did not translate to a reduction in mortality from critical illness. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN12233792. Registered November 20th, 2017

Actively implementing an evidence-based feeding guideline for critically ill patients (NEED): a multicenter, cluster-randomized, controlled trial.

BackgroundPrevious cluster-randomized controlled trials evaluating the impact of implementing evidence-based guidelines for nutrition therapy in critical illness do not consistently demonstrate patient benefits. A large-scale, sufficiently powered study is therefore warranted to ascertain the effects of guideline implementation on patient-centered outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, cluster-randomized, parallel-controlled trial in intensive care units (ICUs) across China. We developed an evidence-based feeding guideline. ICUs randomly allocated to the guideline group formed a local "intervention team", which actively implemented the guideline using standardized educational materials, a graphical feeding protocol, and live online education outreach meetings conducted by members of the study management committee. ICUs assigned to the control group remained unaware of the guideline content. All ICUs enrolled patients who were expected to stay in the ICU longer than seven days. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 28 days of enrollment.ResultsForty-eight ICUs were randomized to the guideline group and 49 to the control group. From March 2018 to July 2019, the guideline ICUs enrolled 1399 patients, and the control ICUs enrolled 1373 patients. Implementation of the guideline resulted in significantly earlier EN initiation (1.20 vs. 1.55 mean days to initiation of EN; difference - 0.40 [95% CI - 0.71 to - 0.09]; P = 0.01) and delayed PN initiation (1.29 vs. 0.80 mean days to start of PN; difference 1.06 [95% CI 0.44 to 1.67]; P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality (14.2% vs. 15.2%; difference - 1.6% [95% CI - 4.3% to 1.2%]; P = 0.42) between groups.ConclusionsIn this large-scale, multicenter trial, active implementation of an evidence-based feeding guideline reduced the time to commencement of EN and overall PN use but did not translate to a reduction in mortality from critical illness.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN12233792 . Registered November 20th, 2017