Observation of Directed Flow of Hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report here the first observation of directed flow (v_{1}) of the hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in mid-central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV at RHIC. These data are taken as part of the beam energy scan program carried out by the STAR experiment. From 165×10^{6} events in 5%-40% centrality, about 8400 _{Λ}^{3}H and 5200 _{Λ}^{4}H candidates are reconstructed through two- and three-body decay channels. We observe that these hypernuclei exhibit significant directed flow. Comparing to that of light nuclei, it is found that the midrapidity v_{1} slopes of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H follow baryon number scaling, implying that the coalescence is the dominant mechanism for these hypernuclei production in the 3 GeV Au+Au collisions.

Beam Energy Dependence of Triton Production and Yield Ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}) in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the triton (t) production in midrapidity (|y|<0.5) Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7-200  GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The nuclear compound yield ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}), which is predicted to be sensitive to the fluctuation of local neutron density, is observed to decrease monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity (dN_{ch}/dη) and follows a scaling behavior. The dN_{ch}/dη dependence of the yield ratio is compared to calculations from coalescence and thermal models. Enhancements in the yield ratios relative to the coalescence baseline are observed in the 0%-10% most central collisions at 19.6 and 27 GeV, with a significance of 2.3σ and 3.4σ, respectively, giving a combined significance of 4.1σ. The enhancements are not observed in peripheral collisions or model calculations without critical fluctuation, and decreases with a smaller p_{T} acceptance. The physics implications of these results on the QCD phase structure and the production mechanism of light nuclei in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.

[Application of supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flap for reconstruction after removal of tumors in parotid and auricle area]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flap (SIF) for repairing the defect of parotid or auricle regions after tumor resection. Methods: From February 2019 to June 2021, 12 patients (11 males and 1 female, aged 54-77 years old), of whom 4 with parotid adenoid cystic carcinoma and 8 with auricular basal cell carcinoma underwent reconstruction surgery for postoperative defects in the parotid gland area and auricular area with SIF in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Size of the SIF, time for harvesting SIF, neck lymph node dissection and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: The flap areas were (6-9) cm × (8-13) cm, and the harvesting time for SIF ranged from 40 to 80 min, averaging 51.7 min. The donor sites were directly closed. All patients underwent ipsilateral levels Ⅰ-Ⅲ neck dissection, with 4 cases undergoing additional level Ⅳ neck dissection and 2 cases undergoing level Ⅳ-Ⅴ neck dissection. Of the 12 SIF, 10 were completely survival and 2 had flap arterial crisis with partial flap necrosis, in addition, 1 had donor site wound dehiscence. With follow-up of 10-42 months, there were no tumor recurrences in 10 patients, 1 patient was lost to follow-up at 10 months postoperatively, and 1 patient experienced local tumor recurrence at 11 months after surgery and died 15 months later. Conclusion: SIF is an easily harvested flap with good skin features matching the skin in parotid and auricle regions and less damage to donor site, and this flap has no need for microvascular anastomosis technique. SIF is feasible and effective for repairing defects in parotid and auricle area.

[Prevalence and trends of anemia among pregnant women in eight provinces of China from 2016 to 2020]

This study analyzed the anemia status and change trend of 219 835 pregnant women in eight provinces from 2016 to 2020 in the Maternal and Newborn Health Monitoring Program(MNHMP). The results showed that from 2016 to 2020, the anemia rate of pregnant women in eight provinces was 41.27%, and the rates of mild, moderate and severe anemia were 28.56%, 12.59% and 0.12% respectively; the anemia rates in eastern, central and western regions were 41.87%, 36.09% and 44.63% respectively, and the anemia rates in urban and rural areas were 39.87% and 42.23%. From 2016 to 2020, the anemia rate of pregnant women decreased from 44.93% to 38.22%, with an average annual decline of 3.86% (95%CI:-5.84%, -1.85%). The anemia rate among pregnant women of the eastern region (AAPC=-6.16%, 95%CI:-9.79%, -2.38%) fell faster than that among pregnant women of the central region (AAPC=0.71%, 95%CI:-6.59%, 8.57%) and western region (AAPC=-1.53%, 95%CI:-5.19%, 2.28%). From 2016 to 2020, the moderate anemia rate in pregnant women decreased from 14.98% to 10.74%, with an average annual decline of 8.72% (95%CI:-12.90%, -4.34%), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05); AAPC for mild and severe anemia in pregnant women was 1.56% (95%CI: 3.44%, 0.36%) and 18.86% (95%CI: 39.88%, 9.52%), respectively, without statistically significant difference (P>0.05).

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.03(stat)±0.03(sys)±0.09(norm) and 0.26±0.08(stat)±0.02(sys)±0.06(norm), respectively, while the upper limit of the ϒ(3S) R_{AA} is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the ϒ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the ϒ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for ϒ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited ϒ states.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (for baryon chemical potential, μ_{B}≤110  MeV) which contains the crossover transition range. In addition, for energies above 7.7 GeV, the measured proton κ_{n}, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component (Poisson+binomial) shape of proton number distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyperorder proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, μ_{B}∼750  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV is starkly different from those at vanishing μ_{B}∼24  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and higher collision energies.

First-line of camrelizumab plus pyrotinib and chemotherapy in HER2-positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: A dose escalation and expansion phase I study

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Background: The combination of PD-1 and HER2 blockades showed potential benefit for patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of camrelizumab plus pyrotinib and chemotherapy in the first-line setting for HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Methods: This phase I, open-label, clinical trial (ChiCTR2000029717) included dose-escalation and dose-expansion cohorts. Patients aged 18 or older with HER2-positive G/GEJ cancer were enrolled. In dose-escalation phase, patients were administrated with three-week cycle of oral pyrotinib 240mg, 320mg or 400mg daily, intravenous camrelizumab 200mg and oxaliplatin 130mg/m2 on day 1, and oral capecitabine 1000mg/m2 twice a day for two weeks followed by one week off until unacceptable toxicities, progressive disease or death. Additional patients were enrolled in a dose-expansion phase and received maximum tolerated dose determined in the dose-escalation cohort. The primary endpoints were the safety and objective response rate (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1). Results: Between June, 2020 and June, 2022, a total of 31 patients were enrolled, with 9 patients in the dose-escalation phase (three patients received pyrotinib 240mg, 320mg or 400mg each) and 22 in the dose-expansion phase. During dose-escalation, five patients experienced six dose-limiting toxicity, including diarrhea (n=4), vomiting (n=1) and decreased appetite (n=1). The maximum tolerated dose of pyrotinib was 320 mg, which was chosen for dose-expansion. For 25 patients received pyrotinib 320 mg, 13 (52.0%) developed grade 3 or higher adverse events (AEs), and 6 (24.0%) discontinued treatment due to AE. The most common AE of any grade was diarrhea (96.0%), followed by vomiting (60.0%), decreased appetite (56.0%) and anemia (56.0%). The objective response rate and disease control rate were 96.0% and 100%, respectively. The 12-month progression-free survival rate and overall survival rate were 77.1% and 89.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Camrelizumab plus pyrotinib and chemotherapy showed promising efficacy in the first-line treatment of HER2-positive G/GEJ cancer, with acceptable safety profiles. The study is ongoing. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2000029717 .[Table: see text]

Collision-System and Beam-Energy Dependence of Anisotropic Flow Fluctuations

Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four-, and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193  GeV, Cu+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sqrt[s_{NN}]=11.5-200  GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and trento model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.

[Feasibility and efficacy of preserving internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve in endoscopic surgery for hypopharyngeal squamous cancer: an observational study]

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the feasibility of preservation of internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve(ibSLN) during transoral endoscopic surgery for hypopharyngeal squamous cancer(HSCC) and the influence on patient's swallowing function after operation. Methods: From May 2020 to June 2021, the data of 29 HSCC patients who required for transoral endoscopic surgery in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were prospectively included, and the included patients were divided into two groups randomly by lottery. According to whether ibSLN was actively dissected during operation, they were divided into ibSLN preservation group (n=15) and control group (n=14, without ibSLN preservation). Operation time, intraoperative hemorrhage, intraoperative neck dissection, postoperative radiotherapy, postoperative recurrence within 1 year, retention and swallowing function, the recovery of oral soft diet and the quality of life were compared between two groups. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The study included 29 eligible patients, including 25 males and 4 females.The age ranged from 42 to 67 (56.07±5.93) years. There were no significant differences(P>0.05) between 2 groups in the following data,including age(t=-0.56), gender(χ2=0.01), TNM stage(T stageχ2=0.29, N stage χ2=0.02), pathological diagnosis(χ2=0.03), preoperative swallowing function(χ2=0.00) and M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory(MDADI) score(global t=0.55, emotional t=0.16, functional t=0.60, physical t=0.64), operation time(t=1.62) and intraoperative hemorrhage(t=-1.46), intraoperative neck dissection(χ2=0.01), postoperative radiotherapy(χ2=0.32), postoperative recurrence within 1 year(P>0.050). The swallowing function was evaluated by water swallowing test after operation. The swallowing function of ibSLN preservation group was better than control group, and the difference between two groups was statistically significant on the 1st (χ2=4.44, P=0.035), 5th (χ2=4.24, P=0.039) and 7th (χ2=4.55, P=0.033) day after operation. On the 14th day after operation, the MDADI scores of patients in the ibSLN preservation group were higher than those in the control group in global (t=2.45, P=0.021), functional (t=2.54, P=0.017) and physical (t=2.24, P=0.034) dimensions, except for emotional dimension (t=1.89, P=0.070). The median time of oral soft diet(U=23.00, P<0.001), normal oral diet(U=21.00, P<0.001) and the nasogastric tube removal time (U=18.50, P<0.001) in ibSLN preservation group was 2 days, 5 days and 6 days respectively, earlier than that in control group, which had statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Our results show that it is feasible to preserve the ibSLN during HSCC transoral endoscopic surgery, which can achieve rapid recovery of postoperative swallowing function.

[The relationships between functional gastrointestinal diseases and psychological factors, diet and lifestyles: a network analysis]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between common functional gastrointestinal diseases symptoms with psychological factors, diet and lifestyles by using the network analysis method which has achieved great success in the field of psychology in recent years. Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted in two military units using the cluster sampling method during July 2020, and a total of 1 805 subjects were included. Functional gastrointestinal disease symptoms were evaluated with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). The state, trait anxiety scale and stress response scale were used to evaluate the mental and psychological state by self-evaluation. R was used to build the network and calculate statistical parameters. Results: 1 486 of the 1 805 subjects (82.3%) had experienced functional gastrointestinal diseases symptoms within 2 weeks, but most of them were mild. Network analysis shows that there was a strong interaction between digestive system symptoms with different clinical manifestations (Spearman coefficient ranges 0.31-0.56). There was a clear relationship between functional gastrointestinal symptoms and mental and psychological factors (Spearman coefficient ranges 0.16-0.27), but there was no clear interaction with diet, age, education level, body mass index, etc. Functional gastrointestinal diseases symptoms were connected with mental and psychological factors through two nodes: stress and indigestion. The stability coefficient of node strength correlation was 0.75, indicating that the network was stable. Conclusions: The current study revealed the network structure and features of functional gastrointestinal diseases symptoms with mental and psychological factors. The key linking nodes provided potential interfering target for controlling functional gastrointestinal symptoms related to mental and psychological factors.

Associations of comorbidity patterns and in-hospital outcomes in Chinese young females (&lt;55 years) presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a nationwide registry study

Background

Recent evidence demonstrated an increasing trend for acute myocardial infarction (MI) incidence in young females globally. Identification of distinct clinical comorbidity patterns in this population may allow more precise therapy and improvement in clinical care.

Purpose

This study was designed to identify specific comorbidity patterns and to examine their associations with in-hospital outcomes in female ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients under 55 years of age based on the China Chest Pain Center (CCPC) Database.

Methods

From March 7, 2017, to December 29, a total of 267,405 STEMI patients (66,568 females, 24.9%) were admitted to CCPC. Comorbidity patterns were derived among 6,024 female patients (48.5±5.6 years old) under 55 years of age, using hierarchical clustering applied to 15 medical conditions/histories. The study outcome was defined as the composite of in-hospital adverse events (death, new-onset/worsening heart failure, mechanical complications, recurrent MI, and cerebral ischemic stroke). Associations between multimorbidity patterns and clinical outcomes were evaluated by multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models.

Results

Three comorbidity patterns were derived based on hierarchical clustering, including P1 (histories of hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure and coronary artery disease), P2 (histories peripheral arterial disease, atrial fibrillation, thyroid dysfunction, anemia, chronic kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease and peptic ulcer) and P3 (obesity, histories of hyperlipidemia, diabetes and smoking, family history of cardiovascular diseases). After adjustment for age, admission levels of systolic blood pressure and heart rate, receiving reperfusion treatment or not, and medical therapies in-hospital (antiplatelet drugs, statins, β-blockers and anticoagulants), compared with participants without multimorbidity, P1 (odds ratios [OR] = 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26 to 2.04) and P3 (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10 to1.92) demonstrated relatively higher risks for in-hospital composite outcomes. Compared with patients without comorbidity patterns, the clustering of the above comorbidity patterns dose-dependently augmented the risks for in-hospital composite outcomes, from any one pattern (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23 to1.81), to any two patterns (OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.82 to 3.34) and to three patterns (OR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.12 to 18.16).

Conclusion

In a nationwide STEMI registry, our results provided the proof-of-concept evidence that specific comorbidity patterns of young female STEMI were associated with differential in-hospital outcomes. Further work is needed to validate the utility and values in decision making of these multimorbidity patterns for appropriate management strategies in young female STEMI patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

[Clinical efficacy of split liver transplantation in the treatment of children with biliary atresia]

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of split liver transplantation (SLT) and living donor liver transplantation(LDLT) in the treatment of children with biliary atresia. Methods: The clinical data of 64 children with biliary atresia who underwent SLT and 44 children who underwent LDLT from June 2017 to May 2022 at Liver Surgery & Liver Transplantation Center,the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively analyzed. Among the children who received SLT, there were 40 males and 24 females. The median age at transplantation was 8 months (range:4 to 168 months). Among the patients who received LDLT, there were 24 males and 20 females. The age at transplantation ranged from 4 to 24 months,with a median age of 7 months. Sixty-four children with biliary atresia were divided into two groups according to the SLT operation time: 32 cases in the early SLT group(June 2017 to January 2019) and 32 cases in the technically mature SLT group (February 2019 to May 2022). Rank sum test or t test was used to compare the recovery of liver function between the LDLT group and the SLT group,and between the early SLT group and the technically mature SLT group. The incidence of postoperative complications was compared by χ² test or Fisher exact probability method. Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used for survival analysis. Results: The cold ischemia time(M (IQR)) (218 (65) minutes), intraoperative blood loss(175 (100) ml) and graft-to-recipient body weight ratio (3.0±0.7) in the LDLT group were lower than those in the SLT group(500 (130) minutes, 200 (250) ml, 3.4±0.8) (Z=-8.064,Z=-2.969, t=-2.048, all P<0.05). The cold ischemia time(457(158)minutes) and total hospital stay ((37.4±22.4)days) in the technically mature SLT group were lower than those in the early SLT group(510(60)minutes, (53.0±39.0)days).The differences were statistically significant (Z=-2.132, t=1.934, both P<0.05).The liver function indexes of LDLT group and SLT group showed unimodal changes within 1 week after operation. The peak values of ALT, AST, prothrombin time, activeated partial thromboplasting time, international normalized ratio, fibrinogen and creatinine all appeared at 1 day after operation, and the peak value of prothrombin activity appeared at 3 days after operation. All indicators returned to normal at 7 days after operation. The 1-,2-,and 3-year overall survival rates were 95.5% in LDLT group and 93.5% in the technically mature SLT group, and the difference was not statistically significant. The 1-,2-,and 3-year overall survival rates were 90.2% in the early SLT group and 93.5% in the technically mature SLT group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). The main complications of the early SLT group were surgery-related complications(28.1%,9/32), and the main complications of the technically mature SLT group were non-surgery-related complications(21.9%,7/32). There were 5 deaths in the SLT group,including 4 in the early SLT group and 1 in the technically mature SLT group. Conclusion: The survival rate of SLT in the treatment of biliary atresia is comparable to that of LDLT.

Factors associated with depression in residents in the post-epidemic era

OBJECTIVE

To explore the factors associated with depression in residents in the post-epidemic era of COVID-19.

METHODS

A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among community residents through self-designed questionnaires and self-rating depression scale (SDS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the influencing factors of depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 1993 residues completed the survey of depression status. The incidence of depressive symptoms was 27.04%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female (odds ratio (OR): 6.239, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.743-10.698), body mass index (BMI) > 24 (OR: 2.684, 95% CI: 1.059-3.759) and drinking (OR: 1.730, 95% CI: 1.480-3.153) were the risk factors for developing depressive symptoms. Married (OR: 0.417, 95% CI: 0.240-0.652), monthly income (3001-5000 yuan, OR: 0.624, 95% CI: 0.280-0.756; >5000 yuan, OR: 0.348, 95% CI: 0.117-0.625), ordinary residents (OR: 0.722, 95% CI: 0.248-0.924) and urban residents (OR: 0.655, 95% CI: 0.394-0.829) were the protective factors of depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the post-epidemic era of COVID-19, depressive symptoms are still common among community residents in China. Gender, BMI, drinking, marriage, monthly income and nature of personnel and residential area are associated with the incidence of depressive symptoms.

[Association of nutritional status with clinical outcomes of stroke patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion after emergency endovascular treatment]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the influence of nutritional status on 90-day functional outcomes of stroke patients with acute large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation after endovascular treatment (EVT).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the baseline, laboratory, surgical and 90-day follow-up data of patients with stroke resulting from acute large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation, who underwent emergency endovascular treatment in our hospital from July, 2015 to December, 2020. A favorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin scale score ≤2 at 90 days. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between nutritional status and 90-day functional outcomes of the patients.

RESULTS

A total of 459 patients (mean age of 68.29±11.21 years, including 260 males) were enrolled in this study. According to their prognostic nutritional index (PNI), the patients were divided into normal nutrition group (392 cases, 85.4%), moderate malnutrition group (44 cases, 9.6%), and severe malnutrition group (23 cases, 5.0%). Univariate analysis showed that the patients with good clinical outcomes had a lower proportion of malnutrition with a younger age, a lower rate of diabetes, lower baseline blood pressure, lower baseline NIHSS score, higher baseline ASPECT score, and higher rates of good collateral circulation and complete vascular recanalization. Multivariate analysis showed that in addition to age, diabetes, baseline systolic blood pressure, successful recanalization, baseline ASPECT score, baseline NIHSS score and collateral circulation, a greater PNI was a protective factor for a good 90-day outcome of patients after EVT (moderate vs severe: OR=0.245, 95% CI: 0.066-0.908, P=0.035; normal vs severe: OR=0.185, 95% CI: 0.059-0.581, P=0.004).

CONCLUSION

Nutritional status an important factor affecting the 90-day outcomes after EVT of stroke patients with acute large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation.

Optimising diffusion-weighted imaging of the thyroid gland using dedicated surface coil

AIM

To assess the feasibility of applying field-of-view (FOV) optimised and constrained undistorted single-shot (FOCUS) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the thyroid gland by comparing its image quality with conventional DWI (C-DWI) qualitatively and quantitatively using a dedicated surface coil exclusively designed for the thyroid gland at 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, 32 healthy volunteers who had undergone 3 T the thyroid gland MRI with FOCUS-DWI and C-DWI were enrolled. Two independent reviewers assessed the overall image quality, artefacts, sharpness, and geometric distortion based on a five-point Likert scale. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were quantified for both sequences. Interobserver agreement, qualitative scores, and quantitative parameters were compared between two sequences.

RESULTS

Agreement between the two readers was good for FOCUS-DWI (κ = 0.714-0.778) and moderate to good for C-DWI (κ = 0.525-0.672) in qualitative image quality assessment. Qualitatively, image quality (overall image quality, artefacts, sharpness, and geometric distortion) was significantly better in FOCUS-DWI than that in the C-DWI (all p<0.05); however, quantitatively, FOCUS-DWI had significantly lower SNRs (p<0.001) and CNRs (p=0.012) compared with C-DWI. The ADC value on FOCUS-DWI was significantly higher than that on C-DWI (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

FOCUS-DWI depicted the thyroid gland with significantly better image quality qualitatively and less ghost artefacts, but had significantly lower SNR and CNR quantitatively, compared with C-DWI, suggesting that both DWI sequences have advantages and could be chosen for different purposes.

Evidence for Nonlinear Gluon Effects in QCD and Their Mass Number Dependence at STAR

The STAR Collaboration reports measurements of back-to-back azimuthal correlations of di-π^{0}s produced at forward pseudorapidities (2.6<η<4.0) in p+p, p+Al, and p+Au collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. We observe a clear suppression of the correlated yields of back-to-back π^{0} pairs in p+Al and p+Au collisions compared to the p+p data. The observed suppression of back-to-back pairs as a function of transverse momentum suggests nonlinear gluon dynamics arising at high parton densities. The larger suppression found in p+Au relative to p+Al collisions exhibits a dependence of the saturation scale Q_{s}^{2} on the mass number A. A linear scaling of the suppression with A^{1/3} is observed with a slope of -0.09±0.01.

[MiR-372-5p regulates PI3K/AKT/CXCL12 signaling pathway by targeting PTEN to promote colorectal cancer cell metastasis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether miR-372-5p regulates PI3K/AKT/CXCL12 signaling pathway by targeting PTEN to promote metastasis of colorectal cancer cells.

METHODS

We detected the differential expression of miR-372-5p using RT-qRCR in colorectal cancer and adjacent tissues, colorectal cancer cells and normal intestinal epithelial cells. Bioinformatic analysis and double luciferase assay were performed for verification of the targeting relationship between miR-372-5p and PTEN. Western blotting was used to assess the effects of transfection with miR-372-5p inhibitor and miR-372-5p mimics alone, co-transfection with miR-372-5p inhibitor and si-PTEN, and co-transfection with miR-372-5p mimics and PI3K inhibitor on the expressions of PTEN and CXCL12 and the activation of PI3K/AKT signal pathway; Transwell assay and scratch assay were used to examine the changes in the migration ability of the transfected cells, the cells co-transfected with miR-372-5p mimics and si-CXCL12, and the cells treated with conditioned medium from HCT116 cells transfected with miR-372-5p mimics.

RESULTS

The expression of miR-372-5p was significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissues than in adjacent tissues, and higher in HCT116 and SW620 cells than in NCM460 cells (P < 0.01). Double luciferase assay confirmed that PTEN was a potential target gene of miR-372-5p (P < 0.05). Transfection of HCT116 cells with miR-372-5p mimics obviously decreased PTEN protein expression, increase CXCL12 expression and the phosphorylation level of AKT, and lowered the cell migration ability, while transfection with miR-372-5p inhibitor produced the opposite effects (P < 0.05); si-PTEN obviously neutralized the effect of miR-372-5p inhibitor (P < 0.01). PI3K inhibitor significantly decreased CXCL12 expression and inhibited the cell migration (P < 0.05), and this effect was mitigated by miR-372-5p mimics (P < 0.01). Treatment with the conditioned medium from HCT116 cells transfected with miR-372-5p mimics significantly enhanced the migration ability of NCM460 cells, and this effect was suppressed by transfection with si-CXCL12 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

MiR-372-5p activates PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by targeting PTEN and up-regulates CXCL12 expression to promoting metastasis of colorectal cancer cells.

MRI-based radiomics analysis in differentiating solid non-small-cell from small-cell lung carcinoma: a pilot study

AIM

To investigate the ability of a T2-weighted (W) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics signature to differentiate solid non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) from small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present retrospective study enrolled 152 eligible patients (NSCLC = 125, SCLC = 27). All patients underwent MRI using a 3 T scanner and radiomics features were extracted from T2W MRI. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression model was used to identify the optimal radiomics features for the construction of a radiomics model to differentiate solid NSCLC from SCLC. Threefold cross validation repeated 10 times was used for model training and evaluation. The conventional MRI morphology features of the lesions were also evaluated. The performance of the conventional MRI morphological features, and the radiomics signature model and nomogram model (combining radiomics signature with conventional MRI morphological features) was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

Five optimal features were chosen to build a radiomics signature. There was no significant difference in age, gender, and the largest diameter. The radiomics signature and conventional MRI morphological features (only pleural indentation and lymph node enlargement) were independent predictive factors for differentiating solid NSCLC from SCLC. The area under the ROC curves (AUCs) for MRI morphological features, and the radiomics model, and nomogram model was 0.69, 0.85, and 0.90 (ROC), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The T2W MRI-based radiomics signature is a potential non-invasive approach for distinguishing solid NSCLC from SCLC.

[Inhibition of Sonic Hedgehog signaling inhibits fibrous scar formation and adversely affects functional outcome after ischemic brain injury in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of inhibiting Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling on fibrous scar formation and functional outcome after ischemic brain injury.

METHODS

Adult SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion (I/R) group, I/R with intraventricular empty adenoviral vector (rAd-NC) injection group, and I/R with adenovirus-mediated Shh knockdown (rAd-ShShh) group. After the treatments, the neurological deficits of the rats were assessed, and the protein and mRNA expressions of fibronectin (Fn), α-SMA, and Shh in the ischemic hemisphere were detected with immunofluorescence assay and qPCR; TUNEL staining was used for detecting neural cell apoptosis. In the cell experiment, primary meningeal fibroblasts isolated from neonatal SD rats were pretreated for 24 h with TGF-β1 or TGF-β1 plus cyclopamine (CYC) before oxygen-glucose deprivation for 150 min followed by reoxygenation for 72 h (OGD/R). CCK-8 assay and scratch test were performed to examine the changes in cell proliferation and migration, and immunofluorescence assay, qPCR and Western blotting were used for detecting cell transformation and the expressions of Shh, α-SMA, and Fn.

RESULTS

Cerebral I/R injury significantly increased the protein and mRNA expressions of Shh, α-SMA, and Fn in the ischemic hemisphere of the rats, but their expression levels were significantly lowered by intraventricular injection of rAd-Shshh (P < 0.05), which obviously increased cell apoptosis in the ischemic hemisphere (P < 0.05) and improved modified mNSS and modified Bederson scores of the rats (P < 0.05). In the cell experiment, pretreatment with TGF-β1 and TGF-β1+CYC both increased the viability of the primary meningeal fibroblasts after OGD/R. TGF-β1 significantly enhanced the migration ability and induced obvious transformation of the exposed cells (P < 0.05), but these effects were significantly attenuated by co-treatment with CYC (P < 0.05). The expressions of Shh, α-SMA and Fn in the TGF-β1 group were all significantly higher in TGF-β1-treated cells (P < 0.05) and were obviously lowered by co-treatment with CYC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Inhibition of Shh signaling may inhibit fibrous scar formation and functional recovery in rats after ischemic brain injury.

[Chaihu Guizhi Decoction plus or minus formula combined with capecitabine inhibits IL-6/STAT3 signaling to suppress triple-negative breast cancer xenografts in nude mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Chaihu Guizhi Decoction (CHGZD) combined with capecitabine on growth and apoptosis of subcutaneous triple-negative breast cancer xenografts in nude mice and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODS

Nude mouse models bearing subcutaneous triple-negative breast cancer xenografts were randomized into 6 groups (n=10) for treatment with distilled water (model group), low (10.62 g/kg), medium (21.23 g/kg) and high (42.46 g/kg) doses of CHGZD, capecitabine (0.2 mg/kg), or the combination of CHGZD (42.46 g/kg) and capecitabine (0.2 mg/k) once daily for 21 consecutive days. The general condition of mice was observed, and after 21-day treatments, the tumors were dissected for measurement of tumor volume and weight and histopathological examination with HE staining. Serum IL-6 levels of the mice were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of IL-6, STAT3, p-STAT3, Bax, Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 in the tumor tissues were detected using real-time PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Compared with those in the model group, the tumor-bearing mice receiving treatments with CHGZD showed significantly increased food intake with good general condition, sensitive responses, increased body weight, and lower tumor mass (P < 0.01). Compared with capecitabine treatment alone, treatment with CHGZD alone at the medium and high doses and the combined treatment all resulted in significantly higher tumor inhibition rates (P < 0.01), induced obvious tumor tissue degeneration and reduced the tumor cell density. Treatments with CHGZD, both alone and in combination with capecitabine, significantly decreased serum IL-6 level, lowered the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and STAT3, the protein expressions of IL-6, STAT3 and P-STAT3 (P < 0.05), and the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 (P < 0.05), and increased the mRNA and protein expressions of Bax in the tumor tissues (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CHGZD combined with capecitabine can significantly inhibit tumor growth in nude mice bearing triple-negative breast cancer xenografts, the mechanism of which may involve the inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and regulation of Bax, Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 expressions to suppress tumor cell proliferation and differentiation and induce cell apoptosis.

E2F7/8 is involved in cardiomyocyte polyploidy but does not affect myocardial reperfusion injury recovery

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): CSC fellowship

Background

Polyploidy cells consist of more than two complete sets of homologous chromosomes. Although a characteristic feature of cardiomyocytes and observed in all mammalian species, its molecular mechanism and biological functions are still unknown. Cardiomyocytes polyploidy in rodents occurs mainly through incomplete cytokinesis and increases with age. Studies have demonstrated that E2F7/8 transcription factors are key regulators of polyploidy in the liver and pancreas, however, it remains unclear if E2F7/8 control the generation of polyploidy cardiomyocytes and what the functional consequence is post-myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

By using a tamoxifen inducible Cre/LoxP approach in new-born mice, we deleted E2F7/8 transcription factors ubiquitously and evaluated the biological significance of postnatal E2F7/8 loss. Mice underwent myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) and heart function was assessed by 4D-echocardiography. Cardiomyocyte nucleus polyploidy was measured by FACS and microscope.

Results

Deficiency of E2F7/8 significantly suppress cardiomyocyte mononucleated and multinucleated polyploidy, as well as dramatically decreased hepatocytes polyploidy. E2F7/8 defect also led to a decrease in cardiac stress related marker lever such as ANP, BNP, MMP2, β-MHC/α-MHC and an increase in CD31 expression level. Surprisingly, E2F7/8 deletion did not have impact on cardiac function and dimensions post-IRI.

Conclusion

In summary, we identified that E2F7/8 activity is involved in the cellular polyploidy in the heart but did not affect myocardial function after myocardial injury.