[Research status and challenges of low-level viremia in chronic hepatitis B]

Persistent low-level viremia during chronic hepatitis B therapy can promote drug-resistant mutations, liver fibrosis progression and even hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence, which further seriously affect the prognosis of patients. Herein, we hope to clarify and analyze the possible occurrence mechanisms and clinical outcomes of low-level viremia by sorting out the key points, so as to assist in the adjustment of individualized treatment plans and provide references for the diagnosis and treatment.

Hydrogen Coupling on Platinum Using Artificial Neural Network Potentials and DFT

To date, the understanding of reactions at solid-liquid interfaces has proven challenging, mainly because of the inaccessible nature of such systems to current experimental techniques with atomic resolution. This has meant that many important features, including free energy barriers and the atomistic structure of intermediates, remain unknown. To tackle these issues, we construct and utilize a high-dimensional neural network (HDNN) potential for the simulation of hydrogen evolution at the HCl(aq)/Pt(111) interface, taking into consideration the influence of adsorbate-adsorbate, adsorbate-solvent interactions, and ion solvation explicitly. Long time scale MD simulations reveal coadsorbed H_ad/H₂O_ad on the surface. The free energy profiles for the Tafel and Heyrovsky type hydrogen coupling are extracted using umbrella sampling. It is found that the preferential mechanism can change depending on the surface coverage, highlighting the dual mechanistic nature for HER on Pt(111). Our work demonstrates the importance of controlling the solvent-substrate interactions in developing catalysts beyond Pt.

Highly Ethylene-Selective Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Enabled by Isolated Cu-S Motifs in Metal-Organic Framework Based Precatalysts

Copper-based materials are efficient electrocatalysts for the conversion of CO₂ to C₂₊ products, and most these materials are reconstructed in situ to regenerate active species. It is a challenge to precisely design precatalysts to obtain active sites for the CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂ RR). Herein, we develop a strategy based on local sulfur doping of a Cu-based metal-organic framework precatalyst, in which the stable Cu-S motif is dispersed in the framework of HKUST-1 (S-HKUST-1). The precatalyst exhibits a high ethylene selectivity in an H-type cell with a maximum faradaic efficiency (FE) of 60.0 %, and delivers a current density of 400 mA cm^-2 with an ethylene FE up to 57.2 % in a flow cell. Operando X-ray absorption results demonstrate that Cu^δ+ species stabilized by the Cu-S motif exist in S-HKUST-1 during CO₂ RR. Density functional theory calculations indicate the partially oxidized Cu^δ+ at the Cu/Cu_x S_y interface is favorable for coupling of the *CO intermediate due to the modest distance between coupling sites and optimized adsorption energy.

[Correlation of qAnti-HBc with antiviral efficacy in children with chronic hepatitis B and exploration of its possible immune mechanism]

Objective: To compare the baseline difference in the quantitative hepatitis B core antibody levels (qAnti-HBc) between non-response and response group in children with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who received antiviral therapy, and further explore the proportion and functional activity of CD8 + memory T lymphocyte subsets with different qAnti-HBC levels in peripheral blood of children. Methods: The baseline anti-HBc quantification (qAnti-HBc) levels of 85 children with HBeAg-positive CHB who visited the Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2018 to December 2020 were detected retrospectively. The relationship between the baseline qAnti-HBc level and HBeAg serological response in 37 children who received antiviral therapy was analyzed. The proportion of CD8(+) memory T lymphocyte subsets and the secretion levels of interferon (IFN) γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α in peripheral blood of 59 children at baseline were detected by flow cytometry. The relationship between qAnti-HBc level and the proportion and functional activity of CD8(+) memory T lymphocyte subsets was analyzed. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to compare the count data. Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare measurement data between two or more groups, and Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used for the correlation between continuous variables. Results: Among 37 children who received entecavir (ETV, 21/37 cases) or pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN, 16/37 cases), 18 cases had developed HBeAg seroconversion (10/ 21 cases in the ETV group, 8/16 cases in the Peg-IFN group). The baseline qAnti-HBc level was significantly higher in the response group [4.71 (4.64~4.81) log(10)IU/ml] than the non-response group children [4.54 (4.45~4.64) log(10)IU/ml, Z = -3.316, P = 0.001]. The proportion of CD8(+) Tem, CD38(+)CD8(+) Tem, CD38(+)CD8(+) Temra cells and the levels of IFNγ and TNFα secreted by CD8(+) T lymphocytes were significantly higher in the high-qAnti-HBc group than the low-qAnti-HBc group (P < 0.05). The proportion of CD8(+) Tem, CD38(+)CD8(+) Tem and CD38(+)CD8(+) Temra cells was significantly higher in ALT > 1× upper limit of normal value (ULN) group than ALT≤1×ULN group (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the levels of IFNγ and TNFα secreted by CD8(+) T lymphocytes between the two groups (P > 0.05). Spearman's correlation analysis showed that qAnti-HBc was positively correlated with the proportion of CD8(+) Tem, CD38(+)CD8(+) Tem, CD38(+)CD8(+) Temra cells and the level of IFNγ secreted by CD8(+)T lymphocytes (P < 0.05). Additionally, ALT was only positively correlated with the proportion of CD38(+)CD8(+) TEM and CD38(+) CD8(+) Temra cells (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Raised baseline qAnti-HBc level is related to the HBeAg serological response to antiviral therapy in children with CHB. Peripheral blood effector CD8+ T lymphocytes of CHB children with higher qAnti-HBc show stronger phenotype and functional activation characteristics, which may shed some light on the underlying immune mechanism related to antiviral therapy efficacy in children with CHB.

Comprehensive evaluation of genetic variants using chromosomal microarray analysis and exome sequencing in fetuses with congenital heart defect

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate comprehensively, using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and exome sequencing (ES), the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities and sequence variants in unselected fetuses with congenital heart defect (CHD) and to evaluate the potential diagnostic yields of CMA and ES for different CHD subgroups.

METHODS

This was a study of 360 unselected singleton fetuses with CHD detected by echocardiography, referred to our department for genetic testing between February 2018 and December 2019. We performed CMA, as a routine test for aneuploidy and copy number variations (CNV), and then, in cases without aneuploidy or pathogenic CNV on CMA, we performed ES.

RESULTS

Overall, positive genetic diagnoses were made in 84 (23.3%) fetuses: chromosomal abnormalities were detected by CMA in 60 (16.7%) and sequence variants were detected by ES in a further 24 (6.7%) cases. The detection rate of pathogenic and likely pathogenic genetic variants in fetuses with non-isolated CHD (32/83, 38.6%) was significantly higher than that in fetuses with isolated CHD (52/277, 18.8%) (P < 0.001), this difference being due mainly to the difference in frequency of aneuploidy between the two groups. The prevalence of a genetic defect was highest in fetuses with an atrioventricular septal defect (36.8%), ventricular septal defect with or without atrial septal defect (28.4%), conotruncal defect (22.2%) or right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (20.0%). We also identified two novel missense mutations (c.2447G>C, p.Arg816Pro; c.1171C>T, p.Arg391Cys) and a new phenotype caused by variants in PLD1.

CONCLUSIONS

Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 16.7% and sequence variants in a further 6.7% of fetuses with CHD. ES should be offered to all pregnant women with a CHD fetus without chromosomal abnormality or pathogenic CNV identified by CMA, regardless of whether the CHD is isolated. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Towards the object-oriented design of active hydrogen evolution catalysts on single-atom alloys

Given a desired property, locating relevant materials is always highly desired but very challenging in a range of areas, including heterogeneous catalysis. Obviously, object-oriented design/screening is an ideal solution to this problem. Herein, we develop an inverse catalyst design workflow in Python (CATIDPy) that utilizes a genetic-algorithm-based global optimization method to guide on-the-fly density functional theory calculations, successfully realizing the highly accelerated location of active single-atom alloy (SAA) catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). 70 binary and 752 ternary SAA candidate catalysts are identified for the HER. Furthermore, via considering the segregation stability and cost of materials, we extracted 6 binary and 142 ternary SAA candidate catalysts that are recommended for experimental synthesis. Remarkably, guided by these theoretical identifications, homogeneously dispersed Ni-based bimetallic catalysts (e.g., NiMo, NiAl, Ni₃Al, NiGa, and NiIn) were synthesized experimentally to test the reliability of the CATIDPy workflow, and they showed superior HER performance to bare Ni foam, indicating huge potential for use in real-world water electrolysis techniques. Perhaps more importantly, these results demonstrate the capacity of such a proposed approach for investigating unexplored chemical spaces to efficiently design promising catalysts without knowledge from the expert domain, which has far-reaching implications.

An inverse catalyst design workflow in Python (CATIDPy) for discovering unexplored chemical spaces successfully realized the highly accelerated location of active single-atom alloy (SAA) catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

[Analysis of liver pathological characteristics and exploration of noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B]

Objective: To analyze and summarize the characteristics of liver pathology and their relation to clinical markers and further explore noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: Data of 80 hospitalized children with chronic hepatitis B who underwent liver biopsy without antiviral treatment from 2011 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Inflammation and liver fibrosis characteristics were analyzed in children of different ages and genders. Variables with good correlation with liver fibrosis stage were selected to establish a non-invasive diagnostic score of liver fibrosis in children. Measurement data was used to compare the t-test or rank sum test. Mantel-Haenszel χ (2) test was used for bidirectional ordered grouping data. Spearman's rank correlation test was used for rank correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the newly established diagnostic score in children with liver fibrosis. Results: The median age of the children was 6.4 years. HBV DNA level was high (P50 = 7.6 log(10) IU/ml), and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in P50 was 171 U/L (< ULN: 5 cases, ULN-2ULN: 10 cases, > 2 ULN: 65 cases). Pathological analysis showed that the incidence of liver tissue inflammation was 97.5%, and the proportion of patients with G≥2 was 42.5%, while S≥2 was 36.3%. The incidence rate of liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis was 81.3%, and 1.3%, respectively. The changes in liver tissue inflammation and fibrosis were gradually aggravated with the increase of age, and the proportion of high-grade inflammation and liver fibrosis in male children was higher than that in female children. Serum levels of glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), γ-glutamyltransferase/platelet ratio (GPR) and HBeAg had a good correlation with fibrosis stage (r(s) = 0.397, 0.389, and - 0.311) in children with chronic hepatitis B. The combination of GGT, GPR and HBeAg can establish a non-invasive diagnostic score for evaluating liver fibrosis in children. When the score is less than 1.5, it can be diagnosed as S0, and 1.5 ≤ score < 3.5, it can be diagnosed as S1; 3.5 ≤ score < 5.5, the diagnosis of fibrosis is S2; score≥ 5.5, the diagnosis of fibrosis is S≥3. The sensitivity and specificity were 80%, 83%, 86%, and 53%, 55%, 67%, respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of liver tissue inflammation in children with chronic hepatitis B with elevated and fluctuating transaminase levels is high, and the pathological changes of liver tissue aggravate with the age of the children. GGT, GPR and HBeAg have a good correlation with liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B. Therefore, combining the above-mentioned markers to establish a new noninvasive diagnostic score has certain diagnostic value for liver fibrosis stage S0-S3 in children with chronic hepatitis B.

Boosting Photocatalytic Water Oxidation Over Bifunctional Rh0 -Rh3+ Sites

Photocatalytic water splitting provides an economically feasible way for converting solar energy into hydrogen. Great efforts have been devoted to developing efficient photocatalysts; however, the surface catalytic reactions, especially for the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER), still remain a challenge, which limits the overall photocatalytic energy efficiency. Herein, we design a Rh_n cluster cocatalyst, with Rh⁰ -Rh³⁺ sites anchoring the Mo-doped BiVO₄ model photocatalytic system. The resultant photocatalyst enables a high visible-light photocatalytic oxygen production activity of 7.11 mmol g^-1  h^-1 and an apparent quantum efficiency of 29.37 % at 420 nm. The turnover frequency (TOF) achieves 416.73 h^-1 , which is 378 times higher than that of the photocatalyst only with Rh³⁺ species. Operando X-ray absorption characterization shows the OER process on the Rh⁰ -Rh³⁺ sites. The DFT calculations further illustrate a bifunctional OER mechanism over the Rh⁰ -Rh³⁺ sites, in which the oxygen intermediate attacks the Rh³⁺ sites with assistance of a hydrogen atom transfer to the Rh⁰ sites, thus breaking the scaling relationship of various oxygen intermediates.

Accelerating Metadynamics-Based Free-Energy Calculations with Adaptive Machine Learning Potentials

There is an increasing demand for free-energy calculations using ab initio molecular dynamics these days. Metadynamics (MetaD) is frequently utilized to reconstruct the free-energy surface, but it is often computationally intractable for the first-principles calculations. Machine learning potentials (MLPs) have become popular alternatives. However, the training could be a long and arduous process before using them in practical applications. To accelerate MetaD use with MLPs for the free-energy calculation in an easy manner, we propose the adaptive machine learning potential-accelerated metadynamics (AMLP-MetaD). In this method, the MLP in the form of a Gaussian approximation potential (GAP) can adapt itself based on its uncertainty estimation, which decides whether to accept the model prediction or recalculate it with a reference method (usually density functional theory) for further training during the MetaD simulation. We demonstrate that the free-energy landscape similar to the ab initio one can be obtained using AMLP-MetaD with a 10-time speedup. Moreover, the quality of the free-energy results can be deeply improved using Δ-MLP, which is the GAP-corrected density functional tight binding in our case. We exemplify this novel method with two model systems, CO adsorption on the Pt₁₃ cluster and the Pt(111) surface, which are of vital importance in heterogeneous catalysis. The successful application in these two tests highlights that our proposed method can be used in both cluster and periodic systems and for up to two collective variables.

Perspective on computational reaction prediction using machine learning methods in heterogeneous catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis plays a significant role in the modern chemical industry. Towards the rational design of novel catalysts, understanding reactions over surfaces is the most essential aspect. Typical industrial catalytic processes such as syngas conversion and methane utilisation can generate a large reaction network comprising thousands of intermediates and reaction pairs. This complexity not only arises from the permutation of transformations between species but also from the extra reaction channels offered by distinct surface sites. Despite the success in investigating surface reactions at the atomic scale, the huge computational expense of ab initio methods hinders the exploration of such complicated reaction networks. With the proliferation of catalysis studies, machine learning as an emerging tool can take advantage of the accumulated reaction data to emulate the output of ab initio methods towards swift reaction prediction. Here, we briefly summarise the conventional workflow of reaction prediction, including reaction network generation, ab initio thermodynamics and microkinetic modelling. An overview of the frequently used regression models in machine learning is presented. As a promising alternative to full ab initio calculations, machine learning interatomic potentials are highlighted. Furthermore, we survey applications assisted by these methods for accelerating reaction prediction, exploring reaction networks, and computational catalyst design. Finally, we envisage future directions in computationally investigating reactions and implementing machine learning algorithms in heterogeneous catalysis.

High-resolution MRI of the vessel wall helps to distinguish moyamoya disease from atherosclerotic moyamoya syndrome

AIM

To evaluate the value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the vessel wall (VWI) for differentiating moyamoya disease (MMD) from atherosclerotic moyamoya syndrome (AS-MMS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients with MMD or AS-MMS were assessed retrospectively by two independent raters regarding and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) stage grading score; collateral development in the lateral fissure and basal ganglia on MRA; and pattern of the thickening of the arterial wall; presence, degree, and pattern of enhancement; presence and distribution of deep tiny flow voids (DTFVs) and collateral development in the lateral fissure and basal ganglia on VWI. After univariate analysis between the two groups, logistic regression models based on imaging findings of MRA or VWI were implemented respectively, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare the discriminatory power of the two imaging methods for diagnosis of MMD. Interrater agreement was analysed using an unweighted Cohen's κ or interclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

MMD manifested as more concentric thickening, more homogeneous enhancement, higher presence of DTFV, smaller outer-wall boundary area of stenosis or occlusion, and smaller remodelling index on VWI. After Bonferroni-Holm correction for multiple comparisons, for AS-MMS, collaterals in both the lateral fissure and basal ganglia were not usually present on either MRA or VWI. The diagnostic performance of the multivariate logistic regression model based on VWI with an accuracy of 87.1% for classification was higher than MRA. Interrater agreement was moderate or substantial for all the imaging findings.

CONCLUSIONS

VWI might be a useful and feasible method for differentiating MMD from AS-MMS and a prospective tool for guiding first-line treatment.

Plasma metabolic differences in cows affected by inactive ovaries or normal ovarian function post partum

Anestrus is essential to an unsuccessful pregnancy in dairy cows. One of the many factors that influences anestrus is the inactive ovary. To characterize in detail the plasma metabolic pro- file, anestrus cows suffering from inactive ovaries were compared with those with natural estrus. The Holstein cows 60 to 90 day postpartum in an intensive dairy farm were assigned into inactive ovaries groups (IO, n=20) and natural estrus group (CON, n=22) according to estrus signs and rectal palpation of ovaries. Plasma samples from two groups of cows were collected from the tail vein to screen differential metabolites using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques and multivariate statistical analysis and pathways. The results showed that 106 compounds were screened by GC/MS and 14 compounds in the IO group were decreased by analyzing important variables in the projection values and p values of MSA.Through pathway analysis, 14 compounds, mainly associated with carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid meta- bolism, were identified to results in IO, which may seriously affect follicular growth. Metabolo- mics profiling, together with MSA and pathway analysis, showed that follicular growth and development in dairy cows is related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism by a single or multiple pathway(s).

Investigating the innate selectivity issues of methane to methanol: consideration of an aqueous environment

The higher reactivity of the methanol product over the methane reactant for the direct oxidation of methane to methanol is explored. C-H activation, C-O coupling, and C-OH coupling are investigated as key steps in the selective oxidation of methane using DFT. These elementary steps are initially considered in the gas phase for a variety of fcc (111) pristine metal surfaces. Methanol is found to be consistently more reactive for both C-H activation and subsequent oxidation steps. With an aqueous environment being understood experimentally to have a profound effect on the selectivity of this process, these steps are also considered in the aqueous phase by ab initio molecular dynamics calculations. The water solvent is modelled explicity, with each water molecule given the same level of theory as the metal surface and surface species. Free energy profiles for these steps are generated by umbrella sampling. It is found that an aqueous environment has a considerable effect on the kinetics of the elementary steps yet has little effect on the methane/methanol selectivity-conversion limit. Despite this, we find that the aqueous phase promotes the C-OH pathway for methanol formation, which could enhance the selectivity for methanol formation over that of other oxygenates.

Influence of surface defects on activity and selectivity: a quantitative study of structure sensitivity of Pd catalysts for acetylene hydrogenation

The structure sensitivity of Pd catalysed acetylene hydrogenation is quantitatively examined using a coverage-dependent microkinetic model. Pd(211) was found to be more active than Pd(111), but present a poorer selectivity toward ethylene.

Rational catalyst design for CO oxidation: a gradient-based optimization strategy

In this work, we proposed a gradient-based optimization strategy for rational catalyst design.

Clinical Characteristics and Short-Term Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury Missed Diagnosis in Older Patients with Severe COVID-19 in Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVES

Patients with severe or critical COVID-19 are at higher risk for developing acute kidney injury (AKI). However, whether AKI is diagnosed in all the patients and the correlation between the outcomes of COVID-19 are not well understood.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cohort study was conducted from February 4, 2020 to April 16, 2020 in Wuhan, China. All consecutive inpatients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO 2012 criteria. The outcomes of patients with and without AKI and whether AKI was or was not recognized were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 107 elderly patients were included in the final analysis. The median age was 70 (64-78) years, and 69 (64.5%) were men. Overall, 48 of 107 patients (44.9%) developed AKI during hospitalization. Meanwhile, 22 (45.8%) cases with AKI was not recognized (missed diagnosis) in this cohort. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that survival was better in the non-AKI group than in the AKI group (log-rank, all P < 0.001); in the subgroups of the patients with AKI, the hospital survival rate decreased when AKI was not recognized. The survival of patients with recognized AKI was better than that of patients with unrecognized AKI (log-rank, all P < 0.001). According to the multivariate regression analysis, the independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality were AKI (recognized AKI vs non-AKI: HR = 2.413; 95% CI = 1.092-5.333; P = 0.030 and unrecognized AKI vs non-AKI: HR = 4.590; 95% CI = 2.070-10.175; P <0.001), C-reactive protein level (HR = 1.004; 95% CI = 1.000-1.008; P = 0.030), lactate level (HR = 1.236; 95% CI = 1.098-1.391; P < 0.001), and disease classification (critical vs severe: HR = 0.019; 95% CI = 1.347-26.396; P = 5.963).

CONCLUSIONS

AKI is not an uncommon complication in elderly patients with COVID-19 who admitted to ICU. Extremely high rates of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of AKI have resulted in an elevated in-hospital mortality rate. Kidney protection is an important issue that cannot be ignored, and intensive care kidney specialists should take responsibility for leading the battle against AKI.

The role of liver metabolism in compensatory-growth piglets induced by protein restriction and subsequent protein realimentation

The aim of this work was to study the role of hepatic metabolism of compensatory growth in piglets induced by protein restriction and subsequent protein realimentation. Thirty-six weaned piglets were randomly distributed in a control group and a treatment group. The control group piglets were fed with a normal protein level diet (18.83% CP) for the entire experimental period (day 1-28). The treatment group piglets were fed with a protein-restriction diet (13.05% CP) for day 1 to day 14, and the diet was restored to normal protein level diet for day 15 to day 28. RNA-seq is used to analyze samples of liver metabolism on day 14 and day 28, respectively. Hepatic RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that some KEGG signaling pathways involved in glycolipid metabolism (eg, "AMPK signaling pathway," "insulin signaling pathway," and "glycolysis or gluconeogenesis") were significantly enriched on day 14 and day 28. On day 14, protein restriction promoted hepatic lipogenesis by increasing the genes expression level of ACACA, FASN, GAPM, and SREBP1C, decreasing protein phosphorylation levels of AMPKɑ and ACC in AMPK signaling pathway. In contrast, on day 28, protein realimentation promoted hepatic gluconeogenesis by increasing the concentration of G6Pase and PEPCK, decreasing protein phosphorylation levels of IRS1, Akt, and FoXO1 in insulin signaling pathway. In addition, protein realimentation activated the GH-IGF1 axis between the liver and skeletal muscle. Overall, these findings revealed the importance of liver metabolism in achieving compensatory growth.

[Risk factors associated with the progression of chronic HBV infection in patients with normal ALT]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the common causes of chronic hepatitis in China. Active antiviral therapy can effectively reduce the occurrence risk of end-stage liver diseases, such as decompensated cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. The existing international and domestic guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B recommends regular follow-up for patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Studies have shown that a high percentage (25.4%-88.9%) of patients with chronic HBV infection have normal ALT levels; however, hepatic histopathology revels obvious inflammation, fibrosis (G≥2 and/or S≥2), cirrhosis and liver cancer. In this paper, we reviewed the relatively insidious risk factors associated with the progression of chronic HBV infection in patients with normal ALT.

A general doping rule: rational design of Ir-doped catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

Revealing how to rationally select a suitable dopant or the host counterpart is greatly important for optimizing the catalytic activity of transition metal oxides (TMOs). We systematically report the adsorption trends of atomic O and H, two selected representative adsorbates, on numerous doped rutile-type TMO surfaces under two different doping modes, aiming to demonstrate adsorption energy (AE) variations of different adsorbates across doped TMO surfaces. A "host-guest interaction" induced adsorption tuning rule for the ternary doping systems is identified, which rationally directs the proposal of cost-effective Ir-doped CrO2 or MnO2 catalysts for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction compared with the common IrO2.

[Economic evaluation of plasma exchange combined with dual plasma adsorption therapy for early, mid and late stage liver failure]

Objective: To compare the economic characteristics of the four artificial liver models [plasma exchange, half-dose plasma exchange combined with double plasma adsorption (DPMAS), pre-equal amount of plasma exchange followed by DPMAS, and pre-DPMAS followed by equal amount of plasma exchange] in the treatment of liver failure. Methods: A decision tree model was established with the Treeage pro 2011 software. The cost-effectiveness ratio and incremental cost-effectiveness value of four different treatment modalities were calculated and compared in patients with liver failure at early, mid and late stages, respectively. The sensitivity analysis of the model was performed using data from the preliminary research results of these groups. Results: The cost-effectiveness ratio and incremental cost-effectiveness value of patients treated with artificial liver therapy with half-dose plasma exchange combined with DPAMS plan in early stage liver failure were 89 547.79 and 34 665.34, which was lower than per capita GDP, so the increased cost had cost-effective advantages. In the middle and late stage of liver failure, the cost-effectiveness ratio and incremental cost-effectiveness value of pre-DPMAS followed by equal plasma exchange plan was 122 865.5 and 284 334.97, and 70 744.55 and 75 299.48, respectively, which was less than three times of per capita GDP. The increased cost was acceptable and had economic advantages. The sensitivity analysis results showed that the basic analysis results were reliable. Conclusion: Half-dose plasma exchange combined with DPAMS plan is the most cost-effective treatment for early liver failure, while pre-DPMAS followed by equal plasma exchange plan is the most economical treatment for mid and late stage liver failure.

Traumatic fractures in China from 2012 to 2014: a National Survey of 512,187 individuals

The China National Fracture Study has been conducted to provide a national dataset of traumatic fractures across China. A national representative sample of 512,187 individuals was selected. The population-weighted incidence rates, distribution, injury mechanisms, and risk factors for traumatic fractures were identified for various groups of individuals.

INTRODUCTION

The China National Fracture Study (CNFS) has been conducted to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date national dataset of traumatic fractures across China. This study aims to report the national incidences and distributions of traumatic fractures that occurred in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and to analyze the risk factors.

METHODS

A national representative sample of individuals was selected from 24 rural counties and 24 urban cities of 8 provinces using stratified random sampling and the probability proportional to size (PPS) methodology. Participants were interviewed to identify whether they sustained traumatic fractures of the trunk and/or four extremities that had occurred in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The main risk factors associated with traumatic fractures were analyzed by multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 512,187 individuals, including 259,649 males and 252,538 females, participated in the CNFS. The population-weighted incidence rates of traumatic fractures in China were calculated to be 2.5 (95% CI, 2.2-2.8) per 1000 population in 2012, 2.8 (95% CI, 2.5-3.3) in 2013, and 3.2% (95% CI, 2.8-3.6) in 2014. The population-weighted incidence rates of fragility fractures among participants aged 65 years and older were calculated to be 27.4 (95% CI, 21.4-33.4) per 1000 population in 2012, 36.0 (95% CI, 28.6-43.5) in 2013, and 42.4 (95% CI, 34.9-49.9) in 2014. The most common cause of fracture was low-energy injuries, followed by traffic accidents. For all age groups, sleeping less than 7 h was a risk factor for traumatic fractures. Alcohol consumption and previous fracture history were identified as risk factors for adults aged 15 years and over. Cigarette smoking was found to be a risk factor for males aged 15-64 years old. For individuals aged 15-64 years old, underweight incurred a risk effect for males and overweight for females. Alcohol consumption, sleeping less than 7 h per day, living in the central and eastern regions, a body mass index less of than 18.5, and having a previous fracture history were identified as strong risk factors for fragility fractures.

CONCLUSION

The national incidence, distribution, and injury mechanisms for traumatic fractures were revealed in the CNFS. Risk factors were identified for various groups of individuals.

Unraveling the Photogenerated Electron Localization on the Defect-Free CH3NH3PbI3(001) Surfaces: Understanding and Implications from a First-Principles Study

The localization of photogenerated electrons in photovoltaic and photocatalytic materials is crucial for reducing the electron-hole recombination rate. Here, the photogenerated electron localization is systematically investigated on the CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPbI₃) perovskite using first-principles calculations. It is found that under vacuum conditions, the photogenerated electron is delocalized in the MAPbI₃ bulk as well as on the stochiometric MAPbI₃(001) surface with the CH₃NH₃I (MAI) termination, while it is trapped on the defect-free PbI₂-terminated surface. Our ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the introduction of solutions will prompt the formation of localized electronic states. The photogenerated electron is discovered to be localized on both the MAI- and PbI₂-terminated surfaces in the presence of solutions with different concentrations of HI, from pure water to the saturated solution. We demonstrate that the Pb-I bond weakening or breaking resulting in an unsaturated coordination of a Pb site is the prerequisite to trap the photogenerated electron.

Combination of pegylated interferon-alpha and nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment enhances the activity of natural killer cells in nucleos(t)ide analogue experienced chronic hepatitis B patients

A combination of pegylated interferon-alpha (peg-IFN-α) and nucleos(t)ides analogue (NA) therapy can effectively reduce hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), especially in NA-experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, the immune mechanism of this therapy is unclear. Forty NA-experienced CHB patients were enrolled into this study. The frequencies of peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, T helper (Th) cells, regulatory T cells (T_reg ), B cells and follicular T helper (Tfh) cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. Seven of the 40 patients converted to peg-IFN-α combined with NA treatment, while the other 33 continued to NA therapy. The decrease in HBsAg was more pronounced in the combination treatment group, and only patients receiving combination treatment achieved HBsAg loss. The frequency and absolute number of CD56^bright NK cells in the combination treatment group increased significantly compared with the NA treatment group, whereas the CD56^dim NK cells were decreased. In the NA treatment group, the proportions of CD4⁺ T_N , CD8⁺ T_N , CD19⁺ B and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4)⁺ CD4⁺ T cells were increased, while the proportions of CD4⁺ T_EM , CD8⁺ T_EM , CD25⁺ CD4⁺ T_reg , CD25^high CD4⁺ T_reg , CD127^low CD25⁺ T_reg , programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)⁺ CD4⁺ T, PD-1⁺ CD8⁺ T, CTLA-4⁺ CD8⁺ T, CCR4⁺ CD25⁺ T_reg and CCR4⁺ CD25^high T_reg cells were decreased after therapy. For NA-experienced CHB patients who achieved low HBsAg levels, combination treatment is more likely to result in HBsAg decline and HBsAg clearance by increasing the activity of CD56^bright NK cells.

Effect of endostatin on proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of basal cell carcinoma cell A431

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of endostatin on the proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cells (A431).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CCK-8 assay and transwell chamber assay were performed to detect cell proliferation and invasion abilities, respectively. Western blot was performed for the detection of the expressions of EMT-related proteins levels. The therapeutic effect of endostatin on tumor formation was tested using a mouse xenograft model.

RESULTS

After endostatin treatment, transwell assay showed that the number of invasive cells in the observation group and control group were (38.25±8.13) and (98.25±9.14), respectively; the relative expression level of E-cadherin protein in the observation group was (0.34±0.03), which was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.14±0.01); the relative expression levels of N-cadherin protein in the observation group was (0.18±0.05), which was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.43±0.03), (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression levels of Vimentin and Fibronectin proteins were significantly lower, while the expression levels of α-smooth muscle Actin (α-SMA) were significantly higher in the observation group than those in the control group. Treatment with endostatin significantly inhibited tumor growth in the mouse xenograft model. Therefore, endostatin can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and EMT in BCC.

[Extra-pulmonary clinical manifestations of novel coronavirus pneumonia]

COVID-19 has been prevalent in many countries and regions of the world since the end of December 2019. Studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 infects the human body and replicates effectively through angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2). ACE2 is widely distributed in various tissues and organs of the human body, such as intestinal epithelial cells, cardiomyocytes, renal tubular epithelial cells, and testicular stromal cells, etc. This could be one of the reasons for the diversity of clinical manifestations of COVID-19, or it may be the cause of accelerated disease progression and multi-system damage. This article reviews the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 related to the extrapulmonary system such as digestive, circulatory, urogenital, hematopoietic and nervous.

Novel GLI3 Mutations in Chinese Patients with Non-syndromic Post-axial Polydactyly

BACKGROUND

Polydactyly, characterized by supernumerary digits in the upper or lower extremities, is the most common congenital digital abnormalities. It derives from the defective patterning of anteroposterior axis of the developing limb, with various etiology and clinical heterogeneity. The patients with post-axial polydactyly type A (PAPA) have the typical symptom of a well-formed supernumerary digit outside the fifth digit.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of present study was to identify the causative mutations of two unrelated Han Chinese patients with non-syndromic PAPA.

METHODS

Two unrelated Han Chinese patients and 100 ethnicity-matched, unrelated normal controls were recruited for this study. BGISEQ-500 exome sequencing was performed in the two patients, followed by validation in the patients and 100 controls by using Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

Two mutations in the GLI family zinc finger 3 gene (GLI3), including a frameshift mutation c.3437_3453delTCGAGCAGCCCTGCCCC (p.L1146RfsX95) and a nonsense mutation c.3997C>T (p.Q1333X), were identified in two patients but were absent in the 100 healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

The two GLI3 mutations, p.L1146RfsX95 and p.Q1333X, may account for non-syndromic PAPA in the two patients, respectively. The findings of this study may expand the mutational spectrum of GLI3-PAPA and provide novel insights into the genetic basis of polydactyly.

AB0131 RESPIRATORY TRACT POLY(I:C) STIMULATION ACCELERATES SALIVARY GLAND IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION IN SPONTANEOUS SJOGREN’S SYNDROME ANIMAL MODEL

Background:

Sjogren’s syndrome is one of the most common autoimmune diseases, with a prevalence of 0.33% to 0.77% in Chinese people, characterized by focal infiltration of lymphocytes in glands and the production of multiple autoantibodies. Studies have shown that virus infection may play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of this disease.

Objectives:

It has been shown that airway stimulation with poly(I:C) can mimic respiratory tract viral infection to some extent. Thus, this study was aimed to investigate the dynamic immune responses in salivary gland after respiratory tract poly(I:C) stimulation in NOD mice.

Methods:

The 5-week-old NOD mice were given respiratory tract poly(I:C) stimulation to mimic the respiratory virus infection once every other day for a total of 5 times (the total dose is 100μg), and the control group were given the same dose of sterile PBS. After 8 weeks, the mice were sacrificed to obtain and analyze the salivary gland tissues.

Results:

We found that the salivary gland flow rate was decreased and the blood glucose was influenced by the Viroid stimulation during the early stage in poly(I:C) stimulated group compared with that in PBS group. Accordingly, the pathological injury of salivary gland tissues in poly(I:C) stimulated group was more serious, including decreased volumes of the salivary glands, increased number of pathological focus score and the increased area of lymphocyte infiltration. Furthermore, we found that the expression of IL-33 in salivary glands of poly(I:C) stimulated NOD mice was increased, especially the expression of IL-33 in the acini and ducts. Moreover, the expression of IFN-I and IFN-II is up-regulated in salivary glands.

Conclusion:

The results of this study suggest that respiratory tract poly(I:C) stimulation accelerates salivary gland immune dysfunction in spontaneous sjogren’s syndrome NOD mice, which mechanisms need to be further investigated.

References:

[1] Pathogenetic mechanisms in the initiation and perpetuation of Sjogren’s syndrome. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2010; 6: 529-537.

[2]Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome. N Engl J Med.2018 378(10):931-939.

[3]Epidemiology of primary Sjögren’s syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Rheum Dis 2015; 74: 1983-9.

[4]Vitamin D insufficiency in a large MCTD population. Autoimmun Rev 10:317–324.

[5]Epstein-Barr virus persistence and infection of autoreactive plasma cells in synovial lymphoid structures in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 72:1559–1568

[6]Liew, F., Girard, J. & Turnquist, H. Interleukin-33 in health and disease. Nat Rev Immunol 16, 676–689 (2016) doi:10.1038/nri.2016.95

[7]Interleukin-33 and the function of innate lymphoid cells. Trends in Immunology, August 2012, Vol. 33, No. 8

[8]Increased Levels of Interleukin 33 in Sera and Synovial Fluid from Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis YASUSHI MATSUYAMA et al The Journal of Rheumatology January 2010, 37 (1) 18-25

[9]Potential involvement of the IL-33-ST2 axis in the pathogenesis of primary Sjogren’s syndrome, Ann Rheum Dis, 2014, 73(6): 1259-1263.

[10]The Interleukin 33/ST2 axis in patients with primary Sjogren syndrome: expression in serum and salivary glands, and the clinical association, J Rheumatol, 2015, 42(2): 264-271.

[11]Kok MR, Baum BJ, Tak PP, et al Use of localised gene transfer to develop new treatment strategies for the salivary component of Sjögren’s syndrome Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2003;62:1038-1046.

Acknowledgments:

NO

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Salinomycin enhances radiotherapy sensitivity and reduces expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of salinomycin (Sal) on expressions of baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5 (BIRC5) and Nei endonuclease VIII-like 2 (NEIL2) and radiotherapy sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human NPC CNE-2 cell lines were used as research objects in this study. Subsequently, the cells received intervention with Sal at different concentrations, radioactive rays at different doses and Sal combined with radioactive rays. The growth inhibition rate of CNE-2 cells was detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The dose-effect relations of Sal, radioactive rays and combination therapy with the inhibitory effect on CNE-2 cells were obtained. CNE-2 cells receiving intervention with Sal at an appropriate concentration or radioactive rays at an appropriate dose alone and Sal combined with radioactive rays were used as intervention groups (Sal group, Radiation group and Combination group). However, those added with an equal amount of DMSO were set as Control group. Next, the cycle, apoptosis and apoptotic morphology of CNE-2 cells were observed via flow cytometry and Hoechst assay, respectively. Moreover, the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), as well as BIRC5 and NEIL2 proteins in CNE-2 cells were determined using Western blotting.

RESULTS

Under the intervention with Sal or radioactive rays alone, the growth inhibition rate of CNE-2 cells rose in a concentration/dose-dependent manner. With the increase in Sal concentration in combination therapy, the growth inhibition rate of CNE-2 cells significantly increased (p<0.05). Compared with Control group, Sal group, Radiation group, and Combination group exhibited remarkably lower colony formation rate, higher proportion of CNE-2 cells in the G2/M phase, enhanced apoptosis of CNE-2 cells with nuclear fragmentation, increased expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Caspase-3 and Bax, decreased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and lower protein expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in cells (p<0.05). Compared with Radiation group, the Combination group had significantly decreased colony formation rate, increased proportion of CNE-2 cells in the G2/M phase, enhanced apoptosis of CNE-2 cells with more nuclear fragmentation and other apoptosis characteristics, increased expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Caspase-3 and Bax, decreased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and decreased protein expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in cells (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Sal enhances the radiotherapy sensitivity of NPC and reduces the protein expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in cells.

The mechanism and ligand effects of single atom rhodium supported on ZSM-5 for the selective oxidation of methane to methanol

The mechanism for the partial oxidation of methane to methanol on single atom rhodium supported on ZSM-5 is investigated by DFT. The most favoured mechanism for methane activation is shown to be via oxidative addition at an undercoordinated rhodium metal centre and not through a typical metal oxo intermediate. The formation of a C-OH bond, and not methane activation, is found to be the rate determining step. CO coordinated to the rhodium centre is observed to strongly promote this bond formation. Water is required in the system to help prevent catalyst poisoning by CO, which greatly hinders the methane activation step, and to protonate an intermediate RhOOH species. These results suggest that more focus is required on methyl-oxygen bond formation and that exclusive consideration of methane activation will not completely explain some methane partial oxidation systems.

A fast species redistribution approach to accelerate the kinetic Monte Carlo simulation for heterogeneous catalysis

The first-principles kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulation has been demonstrated as a reliable multiscale modeling approach in silico to disclose the interplay among all the elementary steps in a complex reaction network for heterogeneous catalysis. Heterogeneous catalytic systems frequently contain fast surface diffusion processes of some adsorbates while the elementary steps in it would be much slower than those in fast diffusion. Consequently, the kMC simulation for these systems is easily trapped in the sub-basins of a super basin on a potential energy surface due to the continuous and repeated sampling of these fast processes, which would significantly increase the total accessible simulation time and even make it impossible to get the reasonable simulation results using the kMC simulation. In this work, we present an improved fast species redistribution (FSR) method for the kMC simulation to overcome the stiffness problem resulting from the low-barrier surface diffusion to accelerate the heterogeneous catalytic kMC simulation. Taking CO oxidations on Pt(111) and Pt(100) as examples, we demonstrate that the FSR approach can properly reproduce the results of an equivalent first-principles microkinetic model simulation with more reasonable reaction rates. The improved kMC simulation based on the FSR method can accurately incorporate the effect of the fast diffusion of species on the surface and provide several orders of magnitude of acceleration compared to the standard kMC simulation.

Sex-Based Diverse Plaque Microbiota in Children with Severe Caries

Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is a multifactorial disease that can lead to suffering and reduced oral health-related quality of life in young children. The bacterial and fungal composition of dental plaque and how children's sex is associated with S-ECC are largely unknown. In this study, V4-16S rRNA and ITS1 rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to compare the plaque bacteriome and mycobiome of children <72 mo of age: 40 with S-ECC (15 males, 25 females) and 40 caries-free (19 males, 21 females). Health- and nutrition-related questionnaire data were also investigated. This study aimed to analyze potential sex-based differences in the supragingival plaque microbiota of young children with S-ECC and those caries-free. Behavioral and nutritional habit differences were observed between children with S-ECC and those caries-free and between male and female children. Overall, higher levels of Veillonella dispar, Streptococcus mutans, and other bacterial species were found in the S-ECC group as compared with caries-free controls (P < 0.05). A significant difference in the abundance of Neisseria was observed between males and females with S-ECC (P < .05). Fungal taxonomic analysis showed significantly higher levels of Candida dubliniensis in the plaque of children with S-ECC as compared with those caries-free (P < 0.05), but no differences were observed with Candida albicans (P > 0.05). Significant differences in the relative abundance of Mycosphaerella, Cyberlindnera, and Trichosporon fungal species were also observed between the caries-free and S-ECC groups (P < 0.05). Machine learning analysis revealed the most important bacterial and fungal species for classifying S-ECC versus caries-free. Different patterns of crosstalk between microbial species were observed between male and female children. Our work demonstrates that plaque microbiota and sex may be important determinants for S-ECC and could be factors to consider for inclusion in caries risk assessment tools.

[Analysis of follow-up information and pregnancy outcomes of cell free DNA prenatal screening]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of cell free DNA (cf-DNA) screening in prenatal care by analyzing the follow-up information and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: All cf-DNA cases conducted in Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August 2011 to December 2017 were enrolled. The general information of the pregnancies, cf-DNA results, confirmatory testing results, and the follow-up results were collected. The pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in cases with low risk cf-DNA results as well as with high risk results for common trisomies, which were trisomy 21 (T21), trisomy 18 (T18), and trisomy 13 (T13). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of cf-DNA screening were calculated. Results: (1) A total of 43 615 cf-DNA cases were involved, with 44 cases (0.10%, 44/43 615) test failure results, 314 cases (0.72%, 314/43 571) high risk results for common trisomies and 43 257 cases (99.27%, 43 257/43 571) low risk results. (2) Among 277 cases (88.21%, 277/314) high risk cases were successfully followed up, and 228 cases (82.31%, 228/277) underwent invasive confirmatory prenatal diagnosis. In the low risk results, 36 826 cases (85.13%, 36 826/43 257) were successfully followed up, and 572 (1.55%, 572/36 826) cases were found to have adverse pregnancy outcomes, among which 4 false negative cf-DNA results were confirmed. (3) In the 37 103 successfully followed up cf-DNA cases, the sensitivity for T21, T18, T13 were calculated as 97.96%, 96.67% and 100.00%, respectively; the specificity for T21, T18, T13 were calculated as 99.96%, 99.95% and 99.95%, respectively. The positive predictive value for T21, T18, T13 were calculated as 90.57%, 63.04% and 17.39%, respectively. The negative predictive value for T21, T18, T13 were calculated as 99.99%, 99.98% and 100.00%. Conclusions: Cf-DNA is effective in detecting common trisomies, with a high sensitivity and specificity. However, the follow-up information revealed several potential limitations in current clinical practice, such as a number of cases with high risk results rejected invasive confirmatory testing, as well as the genetic diagnostic results for most low risk cases with an adverse pregnancy outcome aren't obtained. Genetic counseling and the follow-up for all the cf-DNA cases should be emphasized in the future.

Piezoelectric modulation of broadband photoresponse of flexible tellurium nanomesh photodetectors

Flexible photodetector shows great potential applications in intelligent wearable devices, health monitoring, and biological sensing. In this work, single crystal β-tellurium nanowires were grown on flexible muscovite by molecular beam epitaxy, constructing high-density ordered nanomesh structure. The prepared photodetectors based on tellurium nanomesh exhibit excellent mechanical flexibility, fast response in a broad range from ultraviolet to near-infrared, and good photosensitivity. We found that the flexible photodetectors with Shottky contact drastically suppressed dark current, while the response speed was lowered in comparison to the devices with ohmic contact, as holes would take a long time to tunnel through the Shottky barrier between metal and p-type Te. Moreover, the photoresponse of flexible Shottky photodetectors can be modulated by piezoelectricity of tellurium, and pronounced photocurrent increase after bending many times. Under external stress, polarization charges could tune Shottky barrier height of the metal/tellurium, resulting in variation of photocurrent. This research not only explores the broadband photoresponse and piezoelectric effect of tellurium nanomesh, but also promotes the integration and development of broadband flexible optoelectronic devices.

[Correlation between alanine aminotransaminase level and hepatocellular carcinoma in antiviral therapy of chronic viral hepatitis]

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is the most abundant enzyme in human liver cells. When liver lesions occur, the permeability of liver cell membrane is enhanced and ALT is released into the blood. Clinically, the nature and degree of liver lesions are understood by measuring the level of ALT in peripheral blood. Serum ALT levels after chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while the normalization of ALT in antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients is an independent surrogate indicator for predicting HCC development.

[Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the temporal bone: a rare case]

SummaryEwing's sarcoma is a malignant, round cell tumor arising from the bones and primarily affecting children and adolescent. Involvement of the skull bones is rarely reported, constituting 1%-6% of the total Ewing's sarcoma cases. We describe a 33 years old male patient having Ewing sarcoma of the mastoid and petrous parts of temporal bone, whose clinical presentation mimicked mastoiditis with facial nerve palsy. We discuss the clinical and therapeutic course of an extensive primary Ewing sarcoma of the temporal bone and review this entity's literature in detail. The etiopathology of an acute peripheral facial palsy is often hard to identify. If the facial weakness starts together with symptoms suggesting an inflammatory process, the differential diagnosis may be focused first on diseases like herpes zoster oticus and a severe course of acute purulent otitis media. As an uncommon tumor of the temporal bone, physicians should consider Ewing's sarcoma in the differential diagnosis of children and adolescents who present with facial nerve paralysis. And in the case of ambiguous clinical findings, a surgical exposure of the middle ear is recommended.

An effective structural descriptor to quantify the reactivity of lattice oxygen in CeO2 subnano-clusters

Subnano-clusters are commonly the important active components on many catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis and finding an effective structural descriptor is key to designing new catalysts. However, the progress of obtaining such a descriptor falls far-short of expectation due to their well-known complicated structures. Herein, we propose a function of sigmoid coordination number (f(SCN)) as a structural descriptor, and develop an explicit equation to predict adsorption energies on Ce_nO_2n (n = 1-10) subnano-clusters using H adsorption as an example because of the importance of (de)hydrogenation in heterogeneous catalysis. We show an excellent linear correlation between H-adsorption energies and f(SCN) with RMSE = 0.05 eV and R² = 0.97. The generality of this equation is also verified using other different sizes Ce_nO_2n (n = 12-14) subnano-clusters with RMSE = 0.02 eV. We demonstrate that the structural descriptor not only provides an excellent quantitative structure-reactivity relationship for metal oxide clusters, but also deepens the understanding of structure-reactivity relationship, which may have far-reaching implications in heterogeneous catalysis.

Achieving rational design of alloy catalysts using a descriptor based on a quantitative structure–energy equation

Rational design of high-activity alloy catalysts for NO oxidation.

Systematic analysis of copy-number variations associated with early pregnancy loss

OBJECTIVES

Embryonic numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities are the most common cause of early pregnancy loss. However, the role of submicroscopic copy-number variations (CNVs) in early pregnancy loss is unclear, and little is known about the critical regions and candidate genes for miscarriage, because of the large size of structural chromosomal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to identify potential miscarriage-associated submicroscopic CNVs and critical regions of large CNVs as well as candidate genes for miscarriage.

METHODS

Over a 5-year period, 5180 fresh miscarriage specimens were investigated using quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction/CNV sequencing or chromosomal microarray analysis. Statistically significant submicroscopic CNVs were identified by comparing the frequency of recurrent submicroscopic CNVs between cases and a published control cohort. Furthermore, genes within critical regions of miscarriage-associated CNVs were prioritized by integrating the Residual Variation Intolerance Score and the human gene expression dataset for identification of potential miscarriage candidate genes.

RESULTS

Results without significant maternal-cell contamination were obtained in 5003 of the 5180 (96.6%) cases. Clinically significant chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 59.1% (2955/5003) of these cases. Three recurrent submicroscopic CNVs (microdeletions in 22q11.21, 2q37.3 and 9p24.3p24.2) were significantly more frequent in miscarriage cases, and were considered to be associated with miscarriage. Moreover, 44 critical regions of large CNVs were observed, including 14 deletions and 30 duplications. There were 309 genes identified as potential miscarriage candidate genes through gene-prioritization analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified potential miscarriage candidate CNVs and genes. These data demonstrate the importance of CNVs in the etiology of miscarriage and highlight the importance of ongoing analysis of CNVs in the study of miscarriage. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.