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Based on e+e− collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.5 fb−1 collected at the center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.699 GeV with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, the absolute branching fraction of the inclusive decay Λ+c→n+X, where X refers to any possible final state particles, is measured. The absolute branching fraction is determined to be B(Λ+c→n+X)=(32.4±0.7±1.5)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. Assuming CP symmetry, the measurement indicates that about one-fourth of Λ+c (Λ¯−c) decay modes with a neutron (an anti-neutron) in the final state have not been observed.
Using 7.33~fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies in the range of s√=4.128−4.226~GeV, we search for the rare decays D+s→h+(h0)e+e−, where h represents a kaon or pion. By requiring the e+e− invariant mass to be consistent with a ϕ(1020), 0.98<M(e+e−)<1.04 ~GeV/c2, the decay D+s→π+ϕ,ϕ→e+e− is observed with a statistical significance of 7.8σ, and evidence for the decay D+s→ρ+ϕ,ϕ→e+e− is found for the first time with a statistical significance of 4.4σ. The decay branching fractions are measured to be B(D+s→π+ϕ,ϕ→e+e−)=(1.17+0.23−0.21±0.03)×10−5, and B(D+s→ρ+ϕ,ϕ→e+e−)=(2.44+0.67−0.62±0.16)×10−5, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. No significant signal for the three four-body decays of D+s→π+π0e+e−, D+s→K+π0e+e−, and D+s→K0Sπ+e+e− is observed. For D+s→π+π0e+e−, the ϕ mass region is vetoed to minimize the long-distance effects. The 90% confidence level upper limits set on the branching fractions of these decays are in the range of (7.0−8.1)×10−5.
Using 9.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies from 4.178 to 4.278 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we perform the first search for the radiative transition χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823). No χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823) signal is observed. The upper limit on the ratio of branching fractions B(χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823), ψ2(3823)→γχc1)/B(χc1(3872)→π+π−J/ψ) is set as 0.075 at the 90\% confidence level. Our result contradicts theoretical predictions under the assumption that the χc1(3872) is the pure charmonium state χc1(2P).
We study the processes e+e−→K0SD+sD∗− and e+e−→K0SD∗+sD−, as well as their charge conjugated processes, at five center-of-mass energies between 4.628~GeV and 4.699~GeV, using data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.8 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. Based on a partial reconstruction technique, we find evidence of a structure near the thresholds for D+sD∗− and D∗+sD− production in the K0S recoil-mass spectrum, which we refer to as the Zcs(3985)0. Fitting with a Breit-Wigner line shape, we find the mass of the structure to be (3992.2±1.7±1.6) MeV/c2 and the width to be (7.7+4.1−3.8±4.3) MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The significance of the Zcs(3985)0 signal is found to be 4.6σ including both the statistical and systematic uncertainty. We report the Born cross section multiplied by the branching fraction at different energy points. The mass of the Zcs(3985)0 is close to that of the Zcs(3985)+. Assuming SU(3) symmetry, the cross section of the neutral channel is consistent with that of the charged one. Hence, we conclude that the Zcs(3985)0 is the isospin partner of the Zcs(3985)+.
The singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay Λ+c→Σ−K+π+ is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 6.4σ by using 4.5 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.699 GeV with the BESIII detector at BEPCII. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→Σ−K+π+ is measured to be (3.8±1.3stat±0.2syst)×10−4 in a model-independent approach. This is the first observation of a Cabibbo-suppressed Λ+c decay involving Σ− in the final state. The ratio of branching fractions between Λ+c→Σ−K+π+ and the Cabibbo-favored decay Λ+c→Σ−π+π+ is calculated to be (0.4±0.1)s2c, where sc≡sinθc=0.2248 with θc the Cabibbo mixing angle. This ratio significantly deviates from 1.0s2c and provides important information for the understanding of nonfactorization contributions in Λ+c decays.
The singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay Λ+c→Σ−K+π+ is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 6.4σ by using 4.5 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.699 GeV with the BESIII detector at BEPCII. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→Σ−K+π+ is measured to be (3.8±1.3stat±0.2syst)×10−4 in a model-independent approach. This is the first observation of a Cabibbo-suppressed Λ+c decay involving Σ− in the final state. The ratio of branching fractions between Λ+c→Σ−K+π+ and the Cabibbo-favored decay Λ+c→Σ−π+π+ is calculated to be (0.4±0.1)s2c, where sc≡sinθc=0.2248 with θc the Cabibbo mixing angle. This ratio significantly deviates from 1.0s2c and provides important information for the understanding of nonfactorization contributions in Λ+c decays.
Determination of U-spin breaking parameters with an amplitude analysis of the decay D⁰ → K⁰Lπ⁺π⁻
(2022)
We present a study of the resonant structure of the decay D0→K0Lπ+π−, using quantum-correlated D0D¯0 data produced at s√=3.773 GeV. The data sample was collected by the BESIII experiment and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb−1. This study is the first amplitude analysis of a decay mode involving a K0L, which also results in the first measurement of the complex U-spin breaking parameters (ρ^) related to various CP-eigenstate resonant modes through which the three-body decay proceeds. The moduli of the ρ^ parameters have central values in a wide range from 0.4 to 12.1, which indicates substantial U-spin symmetry breaking. We present the fractional resonant contributions and average strong-phase parameters over regions of phase space for both K0Sπ+π− and K0Lπ+π− modes. We also report the ratio of the branching fractions between K0Lπ+π− and K0Sπ+π− decay modes and the CP-even fraction of the K0Lπ+π− state calculated using the U-spin breaking parameters.
We report the measurement of the cross sections for e+e−→{nOCH} (nOCH stands for non-open charm hadrons) with improved precision at center-of-mass energies from 3.645 to 3.871 GeV. We observe for the first time a three-resonance structure in the energy-dependent lineshape of the cross sections, which are R(3760), R(3780) and R(3810) with significances of 9.4σ, 15.7σ, and 9.8σ, respectively. The R(3810) is observed for the first time. We found two solutions in analysis of the cross sections. For solution I [solution II], we measure the mass, the total width and the product of electronic width and nOCH decay branching fraction to be (3805.8±1.1±2.7) [(3805.8±1.1±2.7)] MeV/c2, (11.6±2.6±1.9) [(11.5±2.5±1.8)] MeV, and (10.8±3.2±2.3) [(11.0±2.9±2.4)] eV for the R(3810), respectively. In addition, we measure the branching fractions B(R(3760)→{nOCH})=(24.5±13.4±27.4)%[(6.8±5.4±7.6)%] for the first time, and B(R(3780)→{nOCH})=(11.6±5.8±7.8)%[(10.3±4.5±6.9)%]. Moreover, we determine the open-charm (OC) branching fraction B(R(3760)→{OC})=(75.5±13.4±27.4)%[(93.2±5.4±7.6)%], which supports the interpretation of R(3760) as an OC pair molecular state, but contained a simple four-quark state component. The first uncertainties are from fits to the cross sections, and the second are systematic.
We report the measurement of the inclusive cross sections for e+e−→nOCH (where nOCH denotes non-open charm hadrons) with improved precision at center-of-mass (c.m.) energies from 3.645 to 3.871 GeV. We observe three resonances: R(3760), R(3780), and R(3810) with significances of 8.1σ, 13.7σ, and 8.8σ, respectively. The R(3810) state is observed for the first time, while the R(3760) and R(3780) states are observed for the first time in the nOCH cross sections. Two sets of resonance parameters describe the energy-dependent line shape of the cross sections well. In set I [set II], the R(3810) state has mass (3805.7±1.1±2.7) [(3805.7±1.1±2.7)] MeV/c2, total width (11.6±2.9±1.9) [(11.5±2.8±1.9)] MeV, and an electronic width multiplied by the nOCH decay branching fraction of (10.9±3.8±2.5) [(11.0±3.4±2.5)] eV. In addition, we measure the branching fractions B[R(3760)→nOCH]=(25.2±16.1±30.4)%[(6.4±4.8±7.7)%] and B[R(3780)→nOCH]=(12.3±6.6±8.3)%[(10.4±4.8±7.0)%] for the first time. The R(3760) state can be interpreted as an open-charm (OC) molecular state, but containing a simple four-quark state component. The R(3810) state can be interpreted as a hadrocharmonium state.
Using a sample of (10087±44)×106 J/ψ events, which is about fifty times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the J/ψ→γ3(π+π−) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84 GeV/c2 in the line-shape of the 3(π+π−) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which is analogous to the behavior of X(1835) and could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, X(1840) and X(1880). The new state X(1880) is observed with a statistical significance of 14.7σ. The mass and width of X(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7 MeV/c2 and 30.7±5.5±2.4 MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a pp¯ bound state.
Measurement of e⁺e⁻ → ΛΛ¯η from 3.5106 to 4.6988 GeV and study of ΛΛ¯ mass threshold enhancement
(2022)
Using data samples with a total integrated luminosity of approximately 18 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII, the process e+e−→ΛΛ¯η is studied at center-of-mass energies between 3.5106 and 4.6988 GeV. The Born cross section for the process e+e−→ΛΛ¯η is measured. No significant structure is observed in the Born cross section line shape. An enhancement near the ΛΛ¯ mass threshold is observed for the first time in the process. The structure can be described by an S-wave Breit-Wigner function. Neglecting contribution of excited Λ states and potential interferences, the mass and width are determined to be (2356±7±17) MeV/c2 and (304±28±54) MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
Measurement of e⁺e⁻ → ΛΛ¯η from 3.5106 to 4.6988 GeV and study of ΛΛ¯ mass threshold enhancement
(2022)
Using data samples with a total integrated luminosity of approximately 18 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII, the process e+e−→ΛΛ¯η is studied at center-of-mass energies between 3.5106 and 4.6988 GeV. The Born cross section for the process e+e−→ΛΛ¯η is measured. No significant structure is observed in the Born cross section line shape. An enhancement near the ΛΛ¯ mass threshold is observed for the first time in the process. The structure can be described by an S-wave Breit-Wigner function. Neglecting contribution of excited Λ states and potential interferences, the mass and width are determined to be (2356±7±17) MeV/c2 and (304±28±54) MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
By analyzing e+e− annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.93 fb−1, collected at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, we search for the semileptonic decays D0→K−ηe+νe, D+→K0Sηe+νe and D+→ηηe+νe for the first time. We present evidence for D0→K−ηe+νe with a significance of 3.3σ. The branching fraction of D0→K−ηe+νe is measured to be (0.84+0.29−0.34±0.22)×10−4. Here, the first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones are systematic. No significant signals are observed for the decays D+→K0Sηe+νe and D+→ηηe+νe and we set the upper limits on their branching fractions.
By analyzing e+e− annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.93 fb−1, collected at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, we search for the semileptonic decays D0→K−ηe+νe, D+→K0Sηe+νe and D+→ηηe+νe for the first time. We present evidence for D0→K−ηe+νe with a significance of 3.3σ. The branching fraction of D0→K−ηe+νe is measured to be (0.84+0.29−0.34±0.22)×10−4. %Alternatively, under the assumption that this decay is dominated by non-resonant, the branching fraction is determined to be (1.12+0.45−0.38±0.05)×10−4. Here, the first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones are systematic. No significant signals are observed for the decays D+→K0Sηe+νe and D+→ηηe+νe and we set the upper limits on their branching fractions.
By analyzing e+e− annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.93 fb−1, collected at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, we search for the semileptonic decays D0→K−ηe+νe, D+→K0Sηe+νe and D+→ηηe+νe for the first time. We present evidence for D0→K−ηe+νe with a significance of 3.3σ. The branching fraction of D0→K−ηe+νe is measured to be (0.84+0.29−0.34±0.22)×10−4. Here, the first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones are systematic. No significant signals are observed for the decays D+→K0Sηe+νe and D+→ηηe+νe and we set the upper limits on their branching fractions.
A search has been performed for the semileptonic decays D0→K0SK−e+νe, D+→K0SK0Se+νe and D+→K+K−e+νe, using 7.9 fb−1 of e+e− annihilation data collected at the center-of-mass energy s√=3.773 GeV by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider. No significant signals are observed, and upper limits are set at the 90\% confidence level of 2.13×10−5, 1.54×10−5 and 2.10×10−5 for the branching fractions of D0→K0SK−e+νe, D+→K0SK0Se+νe and D+→K+K−e+νe, respectively.
The decay D→K−π+ is studied in a sample of quantum-correlated DD¯ pairs, based on a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93\,fb−1 collected at the ψ(3770) resonance by the BESIII experiment. The asymmetry between CP-odd and CP-even eigenstate decays into K−π+ is determined to be AKπ=0.132±0.011±0.007, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This measurement is an update of an earlier study exploiting additional tagging modes, including several decay modes involving a K0L meson. The branching fractions of the K0L modes are determined as input to the analysis in a manner that is independent of any strong phase uncertainty. Using the predominantly CP-even tag D→π+π−π0 and the ensemble of CP-odd eigenstate tags, the observable Aπππ0Kπ is measured to be 0.130±0.012±0.008. The two asymmetries are sensitive to rKπDcosδKπD, where rKπD and δKπD are the ratio of amplitudes and phase difference, respectively, between the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed and Cabibbo-favoured decays. In addition, events containing D→K−π+ tagged by D→K0S,Lπ+π− are studied in bins of phase space of the three-body decays. This analysis has sensitivity to both rKπDcosδKπD and rKπDsinδKπD. A fit to AKπ, Aπππ0Kπ and the phase-space distribution of the D→K0S,Lπ+π− tags yields δKπD=(187.6+8.9−9.7+5.4−6.4) degrees, where external constraints are applied for rKπD and other relevant parameters. This is the most precise measurement of δKπD in quantum-correlated DD¯ decays.
Using 9.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies from 4.178 to 4.278 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we perform the first search for the radiative transition χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823). No χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823) signal is observed. The upper limit on the ratio of branching fractions B(χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823),ψ2(3823)→γχc1)/B(χc1(3872)→π+π−J/ψ) is set as 0.075 at the 90\% confidence level. Our result contradicts theoretical predictions under the assumption that the χc1(3872) is the pure charmonium state χc1(2P).
We perform a study of the X(3872) lineshape using the data samples of e+e−→γX(3872), X(3872)→D0D¯0π0 and π+π−J/ψ collected with the BESIII detector. The effects of the coupled-channels and the off-shell D∗0 are included in the parameterization of the lineshape. The lineshape mass parameter is obtained to be MX=(3871.63±0.13+0.06−0.05) MeV. Two poles are found on the first and second Riemann sheets corresponding to the D∗0D¯0 branch cut. The pole location on the first sheet is much closer to the D∗0D¯0 threshold than the other, and is determined to be 7.04±0.15+0.07−0.08 MeV above the D0D¯0π0 threshold with an imaginary part −0.19±0.08+0.14−0.19 MeV.
By analyzing 7.33 fb−1 of e+e− annihilation data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, we report the observation of the semileptonic decay D+s→η′μ+νμ, with a statistical significance larger than 10σ, and the measurements of the D+s→ημ+νμ and D+s→η′μ+νμ decay dynamics for the first time. The branching fractions of D+s→ημ+νμ and D+s→η′μ+νμ are determined to be (2.235±0.051stat±0.052syst)% and (0.801±0.055stat±0.028syst)%, respectively, with precision improved by factors of 6.0 and 6.6 compared to the previous best measurements. Combined with the results for the decays D+s→ηe+νe and D+s→η′e+νe, the ratios of the decay widths are examined both inclusively and in several ℓ+νℓ four-momentum transfer ranges. No evidence for lepton flavor universality violation is found within the current statistics. The products of the hadronic form factors fη(′)+,0(0) and the c→s Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |Vcs| are determined. The results based on the two-parameter series expansion are fη+,0(0)|Vcs| = 0.452±0.010stat±0.007syst and fη′+,0(0)|Vcs| = 0.504±0.037stat±0.012syst, which help to constrain present models on fη(′)+,0(0). The forward-backward asymmetries are determined to be ⟨AηFB⟩=−0.059±0.031stat±0.005syst and ⟨Aη′FB⟩=−0.064±0.079stat±0.006syst for the first time, which are consistent with the theoretical calculation.
This paper reports the study of D+s→τ+ν via τ+→π+ν¯τ using a boosted decision tree method, with 7.33 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226~GeV. The branching fraction of D+s→τ+ντ is determined to be (5.44±0.17stat±0.13syst)%. The product of the D+s decay constant fD+s and the CKM matrix element |Vcs| is fD+s|Vcs| =(248.3±3.9stat±3.1syst±1.0input) MeV. Combining with the |Vcs| value obtained from the Standard Model global fit or the fD+s from the lattice quantum chromodynamics, we determine |Vcs| = 0.993±0.015stat±0.012syst±0.004input and fD+s =(255.0±4.0stat±3.2syst±1.0input) MeV. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second one is systematic and the third one is due to the input parameters, mainly the lifetime of D+s. All results obtained in this work supersede the BESIII previous results based on 6.32 fb−1 of e+e− collision data taken at center-of-mass energies between 4.178 and 4.226~GeV.
Precise measurement of the branching fractions of of J/ψ → Λ¯π⁺Σ⁻ + c.c. and J/ψ → Λ¯π⁻Σ⁺ + c.c.
(2023)
Based on a data sample of (10087±44)×106 J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, the branching fraction of J/ψ→Λ¯π+Σ−+c.c. is measured to be (1.221±0.002±0.038)×10−3, and the branching fraction of its isospin partner mode J/ψ→Λ¯π−Σ++c.c. is measured to be (1.244±0.002±0.045)×10−3 with improved precision. Here the first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones systematic. The isospin symmetry of the Σ baryon in charmonium hadronic decay and the "12% rule" are tested, and no violation is found. The potential of using these channels as Σ baryon sources for nuclear physics research is studied, and the momentum and angular distributions of these sources are provided.
A light scalar X0 or vector X1 particles have been introduced as a possible explanation for the (g−2)μ anomaly and dark matter phenomena.
Using (8.998±0.039)×109 $\jpsi$ events collected by the BESIII detector, we search for a light muon philic scalar X0 or vector X1 in the processes J/ψ→μ+μ−X0,1 with X0,1 invisible decays. No obvious signal is found, and the upper limits on the coupling g′0,1 between the muon and the X0,1 particles are set to be between 1.1×10−3 and 1.0×10−2 for the X0,1 mass in the range of 1<M(X0,1)<1000 MeV/c2 at 90% confidence level.
A search has been performed for the semileptonic decays D0→K0SK−e+νe, D+→K0SK0Se+νe and D+→K+K−e+νe, using 7.9 fb−1 of e+e− annihilation data collected at the center-of-mass energy s√=3.773 GeV by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider. No significant signals are observed, and upper limits are set at the 90\% confidence level of 2.13×10−5, 1.54×10−5 and 2.10×10−5 for the branching fractions of D0→K0SK−e+νe, D+→K0SK0Se+νe and D+→K+K−e+νe, respectively.
Six C-even states, denoted as X, with quantum numbers JPC=0−+, 1±+, or 2±+, are searched for via the e+e−→γD±sD∗∓s process using (1667.39±8.84) pb−1 of e+e− collision data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring at center-of-mass energy of s√=(4681.92±0.30) MeV. No statistically significant signal is observed in the mass range from 4.08 to 4.32 GeV/c2. The upper limits of σ[e+e−→γX]⋅B[X→D±sD∗∓s] at a 90% confidence level are determined.
Using 24.1 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, the Born cross sections and effective form factors of the e+e−→Σ+Σ¯− reaction are measured. The measurements are performed at center-of-mass energies ranging from 3.510 to 4.951 GeV. No significant evidence for the decay of the charmonium(-like) states, ψ(3770), ψ(4040), ψ(4160), Y(4230), Y(4360), ψ(4415), and Y(4660), into a Σ+Σ¯− final state is observed. Consequently, upper limits for the products of the branching fractions and the electronic partial widths at the 90% confidence level are reported for these decays.
Using data samples with an integrated luminosity of 4.67 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, we search for the process e+e−→η′ψ(2S) at center-of-mass energies from 4.66 to 4.95 GeV. No significant signal is observed, and upper limits for the Born cross sections σB(e+e−→η′ψ(2S)) at the 90\% confidence level are determined.
Using (27.12±0.14)×108 ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector, we present the first observation of the decays χcJ→ΛΛ¯ω, where J=0,1,2, with statistical significances of 11.7σ,11.2σ, and 11.8σ. The branching fractions of these decays are determined to be B(χc0→ΛΛ¯ω)=(2.37±0.22±0.23)×10−4, B(χc1→ΛΛ¯ω)=(1.01±0.10±0.11)×10−4, and B(χc2→ΛΛ¯ω)=(1.40±0.13±0.17)×10−4, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. We observe no clear intermediate structures.
Using (2712.4 ± 14.3)×106 ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, a partial wave analysis of the decay ψ(3686)→ϕηη′ is performed with the covariant tensor approach. An axial-vector state with a mass near 2.3 GeV/c2 is observed for the first time. Its mass and width are measured to be 2316 ±9stat±30systMeV/c2 and 89 ±15stat±26systMeV, respectively. The product branching fractions of B(ψ(3686)→X(2300)η′)B(X(2300)→ϕη) and B(ψ(3686)→X(2300)η)B(X(2300)→ϕη′) are determined to be (4.8 ±1.3stat±0.7syst)×10−6 and (2.2 ±0.7stat±0.7syst)×10−6, respectively. The branching fraction B(ψ(3686)→ϕηη′) is measured for the first time to be (3.14±0.17stat±0.24syst)×10−5.
The first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
Search for rare decays of Dₛ⁺ to final states π⁺e⁺e⁻, ρ⁺e⁺e⁻, π⁺π⁰e⁺e⁻, K⁺π⁰e⁺e⁻, and Kₛ⁰π⁺e⁺e⁻
(2024)
Using 7.33~fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies in the range of s√=4.128−4.226~GeV, we search for the rare decays D+s→h+(h0)e+e−, where h represents a kaon or pion. By requiring the e+e− invariant mass to be consistent with a ϕ(1020), 0.98<M(e+e−)<1.04 ~GeV/c2, the decay D+s→π+ϕ,ϕ→e+e− is observed with a statistical significance of 7.8σ, and evidence for the decay D+s→ρ+ϕ,ϕ→e+e− is found for the first time with a statistical significance of 4.4σ. The decay branching fractions are measured to be B(D+s→π+ϕ,ϕ→e+e−)=(1.17+0.23−0.21±0.03)×10−5, and B(D+s→ρ+ϕ,ϕ→e+e−)=(2.44+0.67−0.62±0.16)×10−5, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. No significant signal for the three four-body decays of D+s→π+π0e+e−, D+s→K+π0e+e−, and D+s→K0Sπ+e+e− is observed. For D+s→π+π0e+e−, the ϕ mass region is vetoed to minimize the long-distance effects. The 90% confidence level upper limits set on the branching fractions of these decays are in the range of (7.0−8.1)×10−5.
The processes hc→γP(P=η′, η, π0) are studied with a sample of (27.12±0.14)×108 ψ(3686) events collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The decay hc→γη is observed for the first time with the significance of 9.0σ, and the branching fraction is determined to be (3.77±0.55±0.13±0.26)×10−4, while B(hc→γη′) is measured to be (1.40±0.11±0.04±0.10)×10−3, where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second systematic, and the third from the branching fraction of ψ(3686)→π0hc. The combination of these results allows for a precise determination of Rhc=B(hc→γη)B(hc→γη′), which is calculated to be (27.0±4.4±1.0)%. The results are valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of η−η′ mixing, and its manifestation within quantum chromodynamics. No significant signal is found for the decay hc→γπ0, and an upper limit is placed on its branching fraction of B(hc→γπ0)<5.0×10−5, at the 90% confidence level.
Based on (27.12±0.14)×108 ψ(2S) events collected with the BESIII detector, we search for the decay ηc(2S)→π+π−ηc with ηc→K0SK±π∓ and ηc→K+K−π0. No significant signal is observed, and the upper limit on the product branching fraction B(ψ(2S)→γηc(2S))×B(ηc(2S)→π+π−ηc) is determined to be 2.21×10−5 at the 90\% confidence level. In addition, the analysis of the process ψ(2S)→γηc(2S),ηc(2S)→π+π−K0SK±π∓ gives a clear ηc(2S) signal with a statistical significance of 10σ for the first time, %The product branching fraction B(ψ(2S)→γηc(2S))×B(ηc(2S)→π+π−K0SKπ) is measured to be (9.31±0.72±2.77)×10−6, and and the branching fraction B(ηc(2S)→π+π−K0SK±π∓) is determined to be (1.33±0.11±0.4±0.95)×10−2, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third uncertainty is due to the quoted B(ψ(2S)→γηc(2S)).
Based on a sample of (448.1±2.9)×106 ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, the decays of ψ(3686)→K−ΛΞ¯¯¯¯++c.c. with Ξ¯¯¯¯+→Λ¯¯¯¯π+, Λ¯¯¯¯→p¯¯¯π+ are this http URL excited hyperons, Ξ(1690)− and Ξ(1820)−, are observed with large significance (≫10σ) in the K−Λ invariant mass distributions. A partial wave analysis is performed, and the spin-parities of Ξ(1690)− and Ξ(1820)− are determined to be 12− and 32−, respectively. The masses, widths, and product branching fractions of Ξ(1690)− and Ξ(1820)− are also measured.
Based on a sample of (448.1±2.9)×106 ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, the decays of ψ(3686)→K−ΛΞ¯¯¯¯++c.c. with Ξ¯¯¯¯+→Λ¯¯¯¯π+, Λ¯¯¯¯→p¯¯¯π+ are this http URL excited hyperons, Ξ(1690)− and Ξ(1820)−, are observed with large significance (≫10σ) in the K−Λ invariant mass distributions. A partial wave analysis is performed, and the spin-parities of Ξ(1690)− and Ξ(1820)− are determined to be 12− and 32−, respectively. The masses, widths, and product branching fractions of Ξ(1690)− and Ξ(1820)− are also measured.
The J/ψ,ψ(3686)→Σ0Σ¯0 processes and subsequent decays are studied using the world's largest J/ψ and ψ(3686) data samples collected with the BESIII detector. The strong-CP symmetry is tested in the decays of the Σ0 hyperons for the first time by measuring the decay parameters, αΣ0=−0.0017±0.0021±0.0018 and α¯Σ0=0.0021±0.0020±0.0022. The weak-CP test is performed in the subsequent decays of their daughter particles Λ and Λ¯. Also for the first time, the transverse polarizations of the Σ0 hyperons in J/ψ and ψ(3686) decays are observed with opposite directions, and the ratios between the S-wave and D-wave contributions of the J/ψ,ψ(3686)→Σ0Σ¯0 decays are obtained. These results are crucial to understand the decay dynamics of the charmonium states and the production mechanism of the Σ0−Σ¯0 pairs.
Based on (2712.4±14.3)×106 ψ(3686) events, we investigate four hadronic decay modes of the P-wave charmonium spin-singlet state hc(1P1)→h+h−π0/η (h=π or K) via the process ψ(3686)→π0hc at BESIII. The hc→π+π−π0 decay is observed with a significance of 9.6σ after taking into account systematic uncertainties. Evidences for hc→K+K−π0 and hc→K+K−η are found with significances of 3.5σ and 3.3σ, respectively, after considering the systematic uncertainties. The branching fractions of these decays are measured to be B(hc→π+π−π0)=(1.36±0.16±0.14)×10−3, B(hc→K+K−π0)=(3.26±0.84±0.36)×10−4, and B(hc→K+K−η)=(3.13±1.08±0.38)×10−4, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. No significant signal of hc→π+π−η is found, and the upper limit of its decay branching fraction is determined to be B(hc→π+π−η)<4.0×10−4 at 90% confidence level.
Using 7.9 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at s√=3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we search for the massless dark photon with the flavor-changing neutral current processes D0→ωγ′ and D0→γγ′ for the first time. No significant signals are observed, and the upper limits at the 90% confidence level on the massless dark photon branching fraction are set to be 1.1×10−5 and 2.0×10−6 for D0→ωγ′ and D0→γγ′, respectively. These results provide the most stringent constraint on the new physics energy scale associated with cuγ′ coupling in the world, with the new physics energy scale related parameter |C|2+|C5|2<8.2×10−17 GeV−2 at the 90% confidence level.
The process e+e−→D∗+sD∗−s is studied with a semi-inclusive method using data samples at center-of-mass energies from threshold to 4.95 GeV collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross sections of the process are measured for the first time with high precision in this energy region. Two resonance structures are observed in the energy-dependent cross sections around 4.2 and 4.4 GeV. By fitting the cross sections with a coherent sum of three Breit-Wigner amplitudes and one phase-space amplitude, the two significant structures are assigned masses of (4186.5±9.0±30) MeV/c2 and (4414.5±3.2±6.0) MeV/c2, widths of (55±17±53) MeV and (122.6±7.0±8.2) MeV, where the first errors are statistical and the second ones are systematic. The inclusion of a third Breit-Wigner amplitude is necessary to describe a structure around 4.79 GeV.
Using e+e− collision data corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 12.9 fb−1 collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, the exclusive Born cross sections and the effective form factors of the reaction e+e−→Ξ−Ξ¯+ are measured via the single baryon-tag method at 23 center-of-mass energies between 3.510 and 4.843 GeV. Evidence for the decay ψ(3770)→Ξ−Ξ¯+ is observed with a significance of 4.5σ by analyzing the measured cross sections together with earlier BESIII results. For the other charmonium(-like) states ψ(4040), ψ(4160), Y(4230), Y(4360), ψ(4415), and Y(4660), no significant signal of their decay to Ξ−Ξ¯+ is found. For these states, upper limits of the products of the branching fraction and the electronic partial width at the 90% confidence level are provided.
The process e+e−→D∗+sD∗−s is studied with a semi-inclusive method using data samples at center-of-mass energies from threshold to 4.95 GeV collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross sections of the process are measured for the first time with high precision in this energy region. Two resonance structures are observed in the energy-dependent cross sections around 4.2 and 4.4 GeV. By fitting the cross sections with a coherent sum of three Breit-Wigner amplitudes and one phase-space amplitude, the two significant structures are assigned masses of (4186.5±9.0±30) MeV/c2 and (4414.5±3.2±6.0) MeV/c2, widths of (55±17±53) MeV and (122.6±7.0±8.2) MeV, where the first errors are statistical and the second ones are systematic. The inclusion of a third Breit-Wigner amplitude is necessary to describe a structure around 4.79 GeV.
Using (447.9 ± 2.3) million ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector, the decays of χcJ→ϕϕ (J=0, 1, 2) have been studied via the decay ψ(3686)→γχcJ. The branching fractions of the decays χcJ→ϕϕ (J=0, 1, 2) are determined to be (8.48±0.26±0.27)×10−4, (4.36±0.13±0.18)×10−4, and (13.36±0.29±0.49)×10−4, respectively, which are the most precise measurements to date. From a helicity amplitude analysis of the process ψ(3686)→γχcJ,χcJ→ϕϕ,ϕ→K+K−, the polarization parameters of the χcJ→ϕϕ decays are determined for the first time.
Introduction: The Retro-IDEAL (ILUVIEN Implant for chronic DiabEtic MAcuLar edema) study is a retrospective study designed to assess real-world outcomes achieved with the ILUVIEN® (0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide (FAc)) in patients with chronic diabetic macular edema (DME) in clinical practices in Germany.
Methods: This study was conducted across 16 sites in Germany and involved 81 eyes (63 patients) with persistent or recurrent DME and a prior suboptimal response to a first-line intravitreal therapy (primarily anti-VEGF intravitreal therapies).
Results: Patients were followed-up for 30.8 ± 11.3 months (mean ± standard deviation) and had a mean age of 68.0 ± 10.4 years. Best-recorded visual acuity (BRVA) improved by +5.5 letters at month 9 (P ⩽ 0.005, n=56; from a baseline of 49 letters) and this was maintained through to month 30 (P ⩽ 0.05, n = 42). There was a concurrent improvement in central macular thickness with a reduction from 502 µm at baseline to 338 µm at year 1 (P ⩽ 0.0001, n = 43). This effect was sustained to year 3 (i.e. 318 µm; P ⩽ 0.0001, n = 29). Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) remained constant between baseline and year 3 with a peak change of 1.9 mm Hg occurring at year 1. Elevated IOP was observed in a similar percentage of patients prior to (22.2% of cases) and following (27.2%) treatment with the FAc implant. In the majority of cases, these elevations were managed effectively with IOP medications.
Conclusions: Despite substantial amounts of prior intravitreal treatments – primarily with anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs – this real-world study showed that sustained structural and functional improvements can last for up to 3 years with a single FAc implant.
In den vorangehenden Kapiteln wurde die besondere Charakteristik sowie die bundes- und europaweite Bedeutung des Schutzgebietssystems um die Mansfelder Seen und vordringlich des ehemaligen Salzigen Sees herausgestellt. Es wurde ebenfalls deutlich, dass die Wiederentstehung des Salzigen Sees einen schwerwiegenden Eingriff in den bestehenden Gebietswasserhaushalt darstellt, dessen langfristige Konsequenzen noch nicht in allen Aspekten absehbar sind. Welche Auswirkungen kann dieses Vorhaben nun auf die hoch schutzwürdige Fauna und Flora haben und welche Vorkehrungen müssen getroffen werden, damit die Chancen für den Arten- und Biotopschutz, die der Wiederentstehung des Sees zweifellos innewohnen, zum Tragen kommen?
The Tarim River basin, located in Xinjiang, NW China, is the largest endorheic river basin in China and one of the largest in all of Central Asia. Due to the extremely arid climate, with an annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, the water supply along the Aksu and Tarim rivers solely depends on river water. This is linked to anthropogenic activities (e.g., agriculture) and natural and semi-natural ecosystems as both compete for water. The ongoing increase in water consumption by agriculture and other human activities in this region has been enhancing the competition for water between human needs and nature. Against this background, 11 German and 6 Chinese universities and research institutes have formed the consortium SuMaRiO (Sustainable Management of River Oases along the Tarim River; http://www.sumario.de), which aims to create a holistic picture of the availability of water resources in the Tarim River basin and the impacts on anthropogenic activities and natural ecosystems caused by the water distribution within the Tarim River basin. On the basis of the results from field studies and modeling approaches as well as from suggestions by the relevant regional stakeholders, a decision support tool (DST) will be implemented that will then assist stakeholders in balancing the competition for water, acknowledging the major external effects of water allocation to agriculture and to natural ecosystems. This consortium was formed in 2011 and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. As the data collection phase was finished this year, the paper presented here brings together the results from the fields from the disciplines of climate modeling, cryology, hydrology, agricultural sciences, ecology, geoinformatics, and social sciences in order to present a comprehensive picture of the effects of different water availability schemes on anthropogenic activities and natural ecosystems along the Tarim River. The second objective is to present the project structure of the whole consortium, the current status of work (i.e., major new results and findings), explain the foundation of the decision support tool as a key product of this project, and conclude with application recommendations for the region. The discharge of the Aksu River, which is the major tributary of the Tarim, has been increasing over the past 6 decades. From 1989 to 2011, agricultural area more than doubled: cotton became the major crop and there was a shift from small-scale to large-scale intensive farming. The ongoing increase in irrigated agricultural land leads to the increased threat of salinization and soil degradation caused by increased evapotranspiration. Aside from agricultural land, the major natural and semi-natural ecosystems are riparian (Tugai) forests, shrub vegetation, reed beds, and other grassland, as well as urban and peri-urban vegetation. Within the SuMaRiO cluster, focus has been set on the Tugai forests, with Populus euphratica as the dominant tree species, because these forests belong to the most productive and species-rich natural ecosystems of the Tarim River basin. At sites close to the groundwater, the annual stem diameter increments of Populus euphratica correlated with the river runoffs of the previous year. However, the natural river dynamics cease along the downstream course and thus hamper the recruitment of Populus euphratica. A study on the willingness to pay for the conservation of the natural ecosystems was conducted to estimate the concern of the people in the region and in China's capital. These household surveys revealed that there is a considerable willingness to pay for conservation of the natural ecosystems, with mitigation of dust and sandstorms considered the most important ecosystem service. Stakeholder dialogues contributed to creating a scientific basis for a sustainable management in the future.
Objectives: An increasing number of treatment-determining biomarkers has been identified in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and molecular testing is recommended to enable optimal individualized treatment. However, data on implementation of these recommendations in the “real-world” setting are scarce. This study presents comprehensive details on the frequency, methodology and results of biomarker testing of advanced NSCLC in Germany.
Patients and methods: This analysis included 3,717 patients with advanced NSCLC (2,921 non-squamous; 796 squamous), recruited into the CRISP registry at start of systemic therapy by 150 German sites between December 2015 and June 2019. Evaluated were the molecular biomarkers EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, KRAS, MET, TP53, RET, HER2, as well as expression of PD-L1.
Results: In total, 90.5 % of the patients were tested for biomarkers. Testing rates were 92.2 % (non-squamous), 70.7 % (squamous) and increased from 83.2 % in 2015/16 to 94.2% in 2019. Overall testing rates for EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and BRAF were 72.5 %, 74.5 %, 66.1 %, and 53.0 %, respectively (non-squamous). Testing rates for PD-L1 expression were 64.5 % (non-squamous), and 58.5 % (squamous). The most common testing methods were immunohistochemistry (68.5 % non-squamous, 58.3 % squamous), and next-generation sequencing (38.7 % non-squamous, 14.4 % squamous). Reasons for not testing were insufficient tumor material or lack of guideline recommendations (squamous). No alteration was found in 37.8 % (non-squamous), and 57.9 % (squamous), respectively. Most common alterations in non-squamous tumors (all patients/all patients tested for the respective biomarker): KRAS (17.3 %/39.2 %), TP53 (14.1 %/51.4 %), and EGFR (11.0 %/15.1 %); in squamous tumors: TP53 (7.0 %/69.1 %), MET (1.5 %/11.1 %), and EGFR (1.1 %/4.4 %). Median PFS (non-squamous) was 8.7 months (95 % CI 7.4–10.4) with druggable EGFR mutation, and 8.0 months (95 % CI 3.9–9.2) with druggable ALK alterations.
Conclusion: Testing rates in Germany are high nationwide and acceptable in international comparison, but still leave out a significant portion of patients, who could potentially benefit. Thus, specific measures are needed to increase implementation.
Purpose: While more advanced COVID-19 necessitates medical interventions and hospitalization, patients with mild COVID-19 do not require this. Identifying patients at risk of progressing to advanced COVID-19 might guide treatment decisions, particularly for better prioritizing patients in need for hospitalization.
Methods: We developed a machine learning-based predictor for deriving a clinical score identifying patients with asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 at risk of progressing to advanced COVID-19. Clinical data from SARS-CoV-2 positive patients from the multicenter Lean European Open Survey on SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients (LEOSS) were used for discovery (2020-03-16 to 2020-07-14) and validation (data from 2020-07-15 to 2021-02-16).
Results: The LEOSS dataset contains 473 baseline patient parameters measured at the first patient contact. After training the predictor model on a training dataset comprising 1233 patients, 20 of the 473 parameters were selected for the predictor model. From the predictor model, we delineated a composite predictive score (SACOV-19, Score for the prediction of an Advanced stage of COVID-19) with eleven variables. In the validation cohort (n = 2264 patients), we observed good prediction performance with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.73 ± 0.01. Besides temperature, age, body mass index and smoking habit, variables indicating pulmonary involvement (respiration rate, oxygen saturation, dyspnea), inflammation (CRP, LDH, lymphocyte counts), and acute kidney injury at diagnosis were identified. For better interpretability, the predictor was translated into a web interface.
Conclusion: We present a machine learning-based predictor model and a clinical score for identifying patients at risk of developing advanced COVID-19.
Background: Preclinical studies demonstrate synergism between cancer immunotherapy and local radiation, enhancing anti-tumor effects and promoting immune responses. BI1361849 (CV9202) is an active cancer immunotherapeutic comprising protamine-formulated, sequence-optimized mRNA encoding six non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-associated antigens (NY-ESO-1, MAGE-C1, MAGE-C2, survivin, 5T4, and MUC-1), intended to induce targeted immune responses.
Methods: We describe a phase Ib clinical trial evaluating treatment with BI1361849 combined with local radiation in 26 stage IV NSCLC patients with partial response (PR)/stable disease (SD) after standard first-line therapy. Patients were stratified into three strata (1: non-squamous NSCLC, no epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, PR/SD after ≥4 cycles of platinum- and pemetrexed-based treatment [n = 16]; 2: squamous NSCLC, PR/SD after ≥4 cycles of platinum-based and non-platinum compound treatment [n = 8]; 3: non-squamous NSCLC, EGFR mutation, PR/SD after ≥3 and ≤ 6 months EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment [n = 2]). Patients received intradermal BI1361849, local radiation (4 × 5 Gy), then BI1361849 until disease progression. Strata 1 and 3 also had maintenance pemetrexed or continued EGFR-TKI therapy, respectively. The primary endpoint was evaluation of safety; secondary objectives included assessment of clinical efficacy (every 6 weeks during treatment) and of immune response (on Days 1 [baseline], 19 and 61).
Results: Study treatment was well tolerated; injection site reactions and flu-like symptoms were the most common BI1361849-related adverse events. Three patients had grade 3 BI1361849-related adverse events (fatigue, pyrexia); there was one grade 3 radiation-related event (dysphagia). In comparison to baseline, immunomonitoring revealed increased BI1361849 antigen-specific immune responses in the majority of patients (84%), whereby antigen-specific antibody levels were increased in 80% and functional T cells in 40% of patients, and involvement of multiple antigen specificities was evident in 52% of patients. One patient had a partial response in combination with pemetrexed maintenance, and 46.2% achieved stable disease as best overall response. Best overall response was SD in 57.7% for target lesions.
Conclusion: The results support further investigation of mRNA-based immunotherapy in NSCLC including combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01915524.
The Tarim River Basin, located in Xinjiang, NW China, is the largest endorheic river basin of China and one of the largest in whole Central Asia. Due to the extremely arid climate with an annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, the water supply along the Aksu and Tarim River solely depends on river water. This applies for anthropogenic activities (e.g. agriculture) as well as for the natural ecosystems so that both compete for water. The on-going increase of water consumption by agriculture and other human activities in this region has been enhancing the competition for water between human needs and nature. Against this background, 11 German and 6 Chinese universities and research institutes formed the consortium SuMaRiO (www.sumario.de), which aims at gaining a holistic picture of the availability of water resources in the Tarim River Basin and the impacts on anthropogenic activities and natural ecosystems caused by the water distribution within the Tarim River Basin. The discharge of the Aksu River, which is the major tributary to the Tarim, has been increasing over the past 6 decades due to enhanced glacier melt. Alone from 1989 to 2011, the area under agriculture more than doubled. Thereby, cotton became the major crop and there was a shift from small-scale farming to large-scale intensive farming. The major natural ecosystems along the Aksu and Tarim River are riparian ecosystems: Riparian (Tugai) forests, shrub vegetation, reed beds, and other grassland. Within the SuMaRiO Cluster the focus was laid on the Tugai forests, with Populus euphratica as dominant tree, because the most productive and species-rich natural ecosystems can be found among those forests. On sites with groundwater distance of less than 7.5 m the annual increments correlated with river runoffs of the previous year. But, the further downstream along the Tarim River, the more the natural river dynamics ceased, which impacts on the recruitment of Populus euphratica. Household surveys revealed that there is a considerable willingness to pay for conservation of those riparian forests with the mitigation of dust and sandstorms considered as the most important ecosystem service. This interdisciplinary project will result in a decision support tool (DST), build on the participation of regional stakeholders and models based on results and field experiments. This DST finally shall assist stakeholders in balancing the water competition acknowledging the major external effects of any water allocation.
HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 genetic diversity modulates response to lithium in bipolar affective disorders
(2021)
Bipolar affective disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric illness, for which lithium (Li) is the gold standard for acute and maintenance therapies. The therapeutic response to Li in BD is heterogeneous and reliable biomarkers allowing patients stratification are still needed. A GWAS performed by the International Consortium on Lithium Genetics (ConLiGen) has recently identified genetic markers associated with treatment responses to Li in the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) region. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this association, we have genetically imputed the classical alleles of the HLA region in the European patients of the ConLiGen cohort. We found our best signal for amino-acid variants belonging to the HLA-DRB1*11:01 classical allele, associated with a better response to Li (p < 1 × 10−3; FDR < 0.09 in the recessive model). Alanine or Leucine at position 74 of the HLA-DRB1 heavy chain was associated with a good response while Arginine or Glutamic acid with a poor response. As these variants have been implicated in common inflammatory/autoimmune processes, our findings strongly suggest that HLA-mediated low inflammatory background may contribute to the efficient response to Li in BD patients, while an inflammatory status overriding Li anti-inflammatory properties would favor a weak response.
Introduction: Evidence from a number of open-label, uncontrolled studies has suggested that rituximab may benefit patients with autoimmune diseases who are refractory to standard-of-care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of rituximab in several standard-of-care-refractory autoimmune diseases (within rheumatology, nephrology, dermatology and neurology) other than rheumatoid arthritis or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a real-life clinical setting.
Methods: Patients who received rituximab having shown an inadequate response to standard-of-care had their safety and clinical outcomes data retrospectively analysed as part of the German Registry of Autoimmune Diseases. The main outcome measures were safety and clinical response, as judged at the discretion of the investigators.
Results: A total of 370 patients (299 patient-years) with various autoimmune diseases (23.0% with systemic lupus erythematosus, 15.7% antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated granulomatous vasculitides, 15.1% multiple sclerosis and 10.0% pemphigus) from 42 centres received a mean dose of 2,440 mg of rituximab over a median (range) of 194 (180 to 1,407) days. The overall rate of serious infections was 5.3 per 100 patient-years during rituximab therapy. Opportunistic infections were infrequent across the whole study population, and mostly occurred in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. There were 11 deaths (3.0% of patients) after rituximab treatment (mean 11.6 months after first infusion, range 0.8 to 31.3 months), with most of the deaths caused by infections. Overall (n = 293), 13.3% of patients showed no response, 45.1% showed a partial response and 41.6% showed a complete response. Responses were also reflected by reduced use of glucocorticoids and various immunosuppressives during rituximab therapy and follow-up compared with before rituximab. Rituximab generally had a positive effect on patient well-being (physician's visual analogue scale; mean improvement from baseline of 12.1 mm).
Conclusions: Data from this registry indicate that rituximab is a commonly employed, well-tolerated therapy with potential beneficial effects in standard of care-refractory autoimmune diseases, and support the results from other open-label, uncontrolled studies.