Alterations of oral microbiota in patients with panic disorder

The main characteristics of panic disorder (PD) include recurrent panic attacks and persistent worry, accompanied by other physical and cognitive symptoms. While recent studies have revealed that gut bacteria play an important role in anxiety and depression, little is known about the relationship between oral microbiota and PD. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore a possible correlation between oral microbiota and PD. We conducted 16S rRNA sequencing to compare differences in the oral microbiota of patients with PD (n = 26) and healthy controls (n = 40). Patients with PD exhibited higher alpha diversity (abundance and evenness) in their oral microbiota than healthy controls, while analysis of beta diversity revealed that the two groups differed in microbial community composition. Moreover, the relative abundance of 61 genera differed between them. Overall, PD resulted in distinct oral microbial profiles that could be potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Impact of nodular calcification on the outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

Background

Calcified plaque is thought to adversely impact clinical outcomes but the impact of nodular calcification after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear.

Purpose

This study sought to explore the impact of nodular calcification on the outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes.

Methods

Five-hundred culprit plaque with calcification were analysed from 495 ACS patients in whom PCI was performed. Plaques were divided into nodular calcification group (n=238) and non-nodular calcification group (n=262). Calcification is defined as an area with low back-scattering signal and a sharp border. Nodular calcification was defined as a protruding mass with an irregular surface, high backscattering, and signal attenuation on optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Results

Patients with nodular calcification were older (p<0.001) and had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.006) compared to patients with non-nodular calcification. Lesion length (31 (25.2, 38.5) vs. 29 (22.8, 34.1), p<0.001) was longer in plaques with nodular calcification. A higher prevalence of superficial calcium (p<0.001) was observed in plaques with nodular calcification compared with non-nodular calcification group. Minimum stent area (MSA) (5.0 (3.9, 6.3) vs. 5.4 (4.2, 6.7), p=0.011) and stent expansion (70 (62.7, 81.8) vs. 75 (65.2, 86.6), p=0.004) were significantly smaller in the nodular calcification group than in the non-nodular calcification group. Independent predictors of nodular calcification were age (p<0.001) lesion length (p=0.002) and calcium depth (p<0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the presence of nodular calcification is associated with unfavourable outcomes with smaller minimum stent area and higher incidence of stent under expansion in patients with ACS treated with primary PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Frequency and predictors of thin-cap fibroatheroma progression: a comprehensive and dynamic in-vivo OCT study

Purpose

To assess the evolution of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) and to explore predictors for its progression by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

We enrolled ACS patients with non-culprit TCFA at baseline and corresponding OCT images at follow-up of 9 to 15 months. Clinical, angiographic and OCT data were collected and analyzed according to established methods. TCFA was defined as a lipid plaque with maximum lipid arc >90° and fibrous cap thickness <65μm. Considering the resolution of OCT, the regression of TCFA was defined as an increase of fibrous cap thickness >10μm. Inversely, TCFA progression was defined as a decrease, constant or ≤10μm increase of fibrous cap thickness.

Results

41 patients with 55 non-culprit TCFAs were taken into final analysis. 17 patients (41.5%) had patient-level progression and 22 TCFAs (40.0%) progressed at plaque-level with a median follow-up duration of 371 days. 11 (20.0%) of the 55 TCFAs happened subclinical rupture at follow-up, including 10 with the formation a new layer and 1 without the detection of the new layer. Besides, another patient suffered re-myocardial infarction because of the rupture of TCFA induced acute thrombosis and lumen occlusion during follow-up. The baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between the two cohorts. The progression group had a significantly higher prevalence of macrophage infiltration and vasa vasorum at baseline than the non-progression group (Figure 1). Multivariate analysis identified macrophage infiltration (odds ratio [OR]: 5.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01 to 27.91; p=0.049]) as the independent predictor of TCFA progression. When it came to the evolution of lesion morphology and lipid components, the progression cohort had a higher percent change of lumen stenosis and lipid length (Figure 2).

Conclusions

About 40% of non-culprit TCFAs in ACS patients progressed in fibrous cap thickness at a median interval of 1 year. Macrophage infiltration was the independent predictor of non-culprit TCFA progression. The progression of fibrous cap thickness was usually accompanied with an aggressive evolution of other lesion characteristics.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): the National Key R&D Program of China Baseline OCT characteristicsPercent change of lesion morphology

Comparison of peripheral artery plaque characteristics between ACS patients with plaque rupture and plaque erosion in culprit coronary artery: an OCT and ultrasound study

Background

Recent research has found that the characteristics of peripheral arterial plaque are related to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, however, the relationship of plaque characteristics between peripheral artery and coronary is still unknown.

Purpose

To assess the correlation between coronary plaque characteristics assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and peripheral artery plaque characteristics assessed by ultrasound.

Methods

150 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) underwent coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled. OCT imaging of culprit vessel were performed during the procedure and ultrasound examination of bilateral carotid, iliofemoral and popliteal arteries was performed during hospitalization after procedure. Panvascular disease was defined as the presence of observable plaques in two or more vascular beds. Patients were divided into plaque rupture (PR) group and plaque erosion (PE) group according to culprit plaque characteristics on OCT.

Results

There were 132 (88%) ACS patients had panvascular disease in which 36 (24%) with generalized atherosclerosis (4 sites) and the prevalence of panvascular atherosclerosis in PR group was significantly higher than in PE group especially in carotid arteries and iliofemoral arteries (Figure 1, Figure 2). Compared to PE group, PR group had higher carotid plaque score (p=0.001) which indicates more plaques and severer atherosclerosis. Moreover, there were larger intima-media thickness (IMT) of iliofemoral arteries (6.9±1.4mm vs. 6.5±1.1mm, p=0.036) and more calcified plaques in PR group.

Conclusions

Panvascular disease is highly prevalent in ACS patients especially in patients with plaque rupture in culprit vessel, in which more than half of the patients had plaques in more than 3 sites of vascular beds. In addition, patients with plaque rupture had thicker iliofemoral IMT and higher panvascular atherosclerosis burden, which indicates that characteristics of coronary plaques are the focal expression of plaques in the whole panvcascular system.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Key R&D Program of China Figure 1. Prevalence of panvascular disease in ACSFigure 2. Comparison of peripheral artery plaques

Prevalence, predictors, and clinical prognosis of macrophage infiltrates in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction caused by plaque erosion as assessed by OCT

Background

Autopsy series showed that one of most common plaque phenotypes underlying coronary thrombi was plaque erosion. Identification of erosion may permit a less invasive management. Chronic inflammation is a common process in atherosclerosis. The severity of plaque inflammation can be assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) defined macrophages density. The impact of macrophage infiltrates (MØI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients caused by plaque erosion was still unknown.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate plaque morphology and clinical prognosis associated with MØI as assessed by optical coherence tomography in STEMI patients caused by plaque erosion.

Methods

From October 2014 to December 2017, 1561 STEMI with OCT imaging before percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled in this study. Finally, 312 STEMI patients caused by plaque erosion were split into two group according to the presence of MØI in culprit eroded plaques.

Results

163 (52.2%) STEMI patients presented plaque erosion with MØI, whereas 149 (47.8%) patients had no evidence of MØI. MØI were more frequency appeared in older patients (p=0.015). The severity and vulnerability of culprit lesions were higher in patients with MØI characterized by more aggressive and vulnerable features. Patients with MØI had worse long-term prognosis, compared with patient without MØI, mainly driven by a higher rate of target lesion revascularization (p=0.046), especially in STEMI patients presented plaque erosion with intensive antiplatelet therapy (p=0.035).

Conclusions

In the present study, we demonstrated that macrophage infiltrates at the site of erode plaques were associated with severity and vulnerability of culprit lesions. The long-term prognosis in patients with MØI were poorer especially in patients without stent implantation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Study flow chartPredictors of plaque erosion with MØI

Gender-specific difference of clinical and plaque characteristics in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive artery (MINOCA): insights from optical coherence tomography

Background

To date, sparse data are available with regard to gender differences in coronary plaque morphology and composition as underlying mechanism of MINOCA.

Purpose

To assess the differences in coronary plaque morphology in culprit lesion between women and men with MINOCA using intravascular optical coherence tomography.

Methods

Totally, 7404 consecutives acute myocardial infarction patients who underwent emergency coronary angiography between 2016 and 2019 were screened. MINOCA were identified in 292 patients (mean age: 72.6% male, 54.1% with ST-segment elevation). Optical coherence tomography was performed in 190 patients (men, n=142).

Results

Women with MINOCA were older (62.5±10.6 vs. 54.0±11.5, P<0.001) and more over 55 years (75.3% vs. 43.6%, P<0.001). Although women with MINOCA more frequently presented with NSTEMI (56.8% vs. 41.7%, P=0.025) and prior coronary artery disease (CAD) (33.3% vs. 6.3%, P<0.001), they were less likely smoker (27.2% vs. 58.8%, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in incidence of plaque rupture, erosion and calcified nodule between men and women. However, women were more likely to have thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (39.6% vs. 22.5%, P=0.025).

Conclusion

Women with MINOCA were older, more frequently presented with NSTEMI and less smoking compared to men. Besides, more TCFA were observed in women.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Clinical and OCT plaque profilesProportion of clinical and OCT profiles

Sulforaphane overcomes T790M-mediated gefitinib resistance in vitro through epithelial-mesenchymal transition

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of sulforaphane (SFN) on gefitinib-resistant cell lines with a T790 mutation (PC-9/AB11). The PC-9 and PC-9/AB11 cells were stained with H&E and visualized with a light microscope. The CCK-8 assay method was used to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of gefitinib and SFN on the cells. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were analyzed via flow cytometry. The cytotoxic interaction between the two drugs was evaluated in vitro using the combination index method, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and alterations in the signaling pathways were determined by Western blot analysis. Compared to the PC-9 cells, the gefitinib-resistant PC-9/AB11 cells acquired a T790M mutation and had characteristics in accordance with EMT. The combination of gefitinib and SFN induced dose-dependent antiproliferative effects in the PC-9 and PC-9/AB11 cells, while both induced cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis only in the PC-9/AB11 cells. The synergistic effect in the PC-9/AB11 cells was associated with this drug combination, as it caused an expression change of the epithelial (E-cadherin, claudin-1) and matrix proteins (vimentin, N-cadherin) in the cells, related to the reversal of EMT, as well as an expression change of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), p-EGFR, p-AKT, and p-ERK proteins. In this study, SFN overcame T790M-mediated gefitinib resistance in vitro through EMT. Thus, a combination of gefitinib and SFN may be a beneficial treatment strategy for lung cancer patients with acquired resistance due to T790M mutation.

PharmaPy: An object-oriented tool for the development of hybrid pharmaceutical flowsheets

Process design and optimization continue to provide computational challenges as the chemical engineering and process optimization communities seek to address more complex and larger scale applications. Software tools for digital design and flowsheet simulation are readily available for traditional chemical processing applications such as in commodity chemicals and hydrocarbon processing; however, tools for pharmaceutical manufacturing are much less well developed. This paper introduces, PharmaPy, a Python-based modelling platform for pharmaceutical manufacturing systems design and optimization. The versatility of the platform is demonstrated in simulation and optimization of both continuous and batch processes. The structure and features of a Python-based modeling platform, PharmaPy are presented. Illustrative examples are shown to highlight key features of the platform and framework.

What is an appropriate caesarean delivery rate for China: a multicentre survey

Objective

To assess the current status of caesarean delivery (CD) in China, propose reference CD rates for China overall, and by regions, investigate the main indications for CDs and identify possible areas for safe reduction.

Design

A multicentre cross‐sectional study.

Setting

A total of 94 hospitals across 23 provinces in China.

Population

A total of 73 977 randomly selected deliveries.

Methods

We used a modified Robson classification to characterise CDs in subgroups and by regions, and the World Health Organization (WHO) C‐Model to calculate reference CD rates.

Main outcome measures

CD rates in China.

Results

In 2015–2016, the overall CD rate in China was 38.9% (95% CI 38.6–39.3%). Considering the obstetric characteristics of the population, the multivariable model‐based reference CD rate was estimated at 28.5% (95% CI 28.3–28.8%). Accordingly, an absolute reduction of 10.4% (or 26.7% relative reduction) may be considered. The CD rate varied substantially by region. Previous CD was the most common indication in all regions, accounting for 38.2% of all CDs, followed by maternal request (9.8%), labour dystocia (8.3%), fetal distress (7.7%) and malpresentation (7.6%). Overall, 12.7% of women had prelabour CDs, contributing to 32.8% of the total CDs.

Conclusions

Nearly 39% of births were delivered by caesarean in China but a reduction of this rate by a quarter may be considered attainable. Repeat CD contributed more than one‐third of the total CDs. Given the large variation in maternal characteristics, region‐specific or even hospital‐specific reference CD rates are needed for precision management of CD.

Tweetable abstract

The caesarean rate in 2015–2016 in China was 38.9%, whereas the reference rate was 28.5%.

The caesarean rate in 2015–2016 in China was 38.9%, whereas the reference rate was 28.5%.

Linked article This article is commented on by M Varner, p. 148 in this issue. To view this mini commentary visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16953.

New insights into ESIPT mechanism of three sunscreen compounds in solution: A combined experimental and theoretical study

In this present work, we have successfully designed and investigated three flavonoid sunscreen compounds. Based on steady-state spectroscopy and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), the mechanism of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of sunscreen compounds was studied. The calculated UV-vis absorption spectra and fluorescence emission spectra are in good agreement with the experimental results in methanol solution. The potential energy curve demonstrates that the ESIPT process can easily occur in the three sunscreen compounds without energy barrier. Therefore, the absorbed excitation energy can get back to the ground state through a non-radiative relaxation process. Light stability tests ensure that the three flavonoids have the potential as sunscreens. This work provides not only an application of the ESIPT process in sunscreen mechanisms, but also a theory basis for the development of novel sunscreen molecules.

Unveiling the photoluminescence regulation of colloidal perovskite quantum dots via defect passivation and lattice distortion by potassium cations doping: Not the more the better

In this work, we have first demonstrated that the potassium cation doping effect on photoluminescence (PL) regulation of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ (CH₃NH₃⁺=MA⁺) colloidal perovskite quantum dots (QDs) is significantly different from the other alkali cation doping effects. The PL intensity will be generally enhanced with the increase doping amounts of other alkali cations. Herein, we have unveiled that the PL of the potassium-doped perovskite QDs is initially prompted by the potassium ions doping and then inhibited with further growing doping amount of the potassium ions. Furthermore, we have also demonstrated that the PL inhibition phenomenon is ascribed as quick trapping of redundant photogenerated electrons by the trap states after huge amount doping besides defect passivation and octahedral structure distortion induced by the initial doping. At the same time, the specific excited state transient absorption and the lifetime of MA_xK_1-xPbBr₃ also confirm that the radiation recombination process is enhanced via defect passivation and lattice distortion, which is induced by moderate potassium cations doping. In addition, the PL of colloidal perovskite quantum dots can be adjusted from orange to cyan within the wavelength range of 300 nm - 600 nm and exhibit better stability.

Improving spectral efficiency of digital radio-over-fiber transmission using two-dimensional discrete cosine transform with vector quantization

Radio-over-fiber (RoF) transmission is a quite reliable technology to support the current and future demands of rapidly progressing broadband wireless network with large capacity and high spectral efficiency. In this paper, we report and demonstrate a digital RoF transmission system using two-dimensional discrete cosine transform with vector quantization (2D-DCT-VQ). By employing the 2D-DCT-VQ technique, the spectral efficiency can be greatly improved, while the system performance is comparable to the traditional approach without compression. The proposed method is experimentally demonstrated in a 20-km 5-Gbaud/λ four-level pulse modulation intensity-modulation/direct-detection optical link. In the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing -modulated downlink illustrated experimentally, the transmission rate rises by 69.49% on account of the compressed samples by using the proposed method.

The glutathione S-transferase (PxGST2L) may contribute to the detoxification metabolism of chlorantraniliprole in Plutella xylostella(L.)

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.), is an economic pest of cruciferous plants worldwide, which causes great economic loss to cruciferous plants production. However, the pest has developed resistance to insecticides. One of such insecticides is chlorantraniliprole. The study of the mechanisms underlying resistance is key for the effective management of resistance. In this study, a comparative proteomics approach was used to isolate and identify various proteins that differed between chlorantraniliprole-susceptible and -resistant strains of P. xylostella. Eleven proteins were significantly different and were successfully identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Metabolism-related proteins accounted for the highest proportion among the eleven different proteins. The function of the PxGST2L protein was validated by RNAi. Knockdown of PxGST2L reduced the GST activity and increased the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole to the diamondback moth. The resistance ratio of diamondback moth to chlorantraniliprole was reduced from 1029 to 505. The results indicated that PxGST2L is partly responsible for chlorantraniliprole insecticide resistance in DBM. Our finding contributes to the understanding of the mechanism underlying resistance to chlorantraniliprole in the DBM, to develop effective resistance management tactics.

Pyroptosis: the pathological process that dominates granulomatous lobular mastitis

The aim of this study is to explore the pathogenesis of granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) via pathology and molecular biology. This single-center study included 28 female patients who received a diagnosis of pathologically confirmed GLM from January 2020 to September 2020 at Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Tissue samples and serum were collected during radical surgery. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to determine caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the ultrastructure of cells. Finally, the results were analyzed. The expression of activated GSDMD and caspase-1 were all increased in the lesion group (P < 0.05). The TEM results showed clear features of pyroptosis. We concluded that pyroptosis was important in the development of GLM and inhibitad apoptosis to some degree. The inhibition of pyroptosis response may help to discover new drugs for GLM.

Adsorption removal of Ni(II) and phenol from aqueous solution by modified attapulgite and its composite hydrogel

Attapulgite (ATP) and its organically modified products have been investigated for potential applications in environmental remediation. In this work, a variety of modifiers with different functional groups, including saturated sodium chloride solution (NaCl), cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and humic acid (HA), were used to treat attapulgite clay firstly, and then with the modified ATP as adsorbent and acrylamide (AAm) as monomer, polyacrylamide/modified attapulgite (PAAm/modified ATP) composite hydrogel which could adsorb heavy metal ions Ni(II) and organic pollutants phenol were synthesized. The structure of the raw ATP and modified ATP was specified with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM). The experiments indicated that the modified ATP and composite hydrogel possessed good adsorption properties for Ni(II) ions and phenol. The adsorption capacity of PAAm/HA-ATP hydrogel for Ni(II) was as high as 64.3 mg/g, which was 194.9% of pure hydrogel. The adsorption isotherm of HA-modified ATP (HA-ATP) and adsorption kinetics of PAAm/HA-ATP composite hydrogel was particularly concerned. The adsorption isotherm equation fitted well on the Langmuir model and R_L values ranged from 0.04 to 0.12 with different temperatures, indicated that the HA-ATP was a suitable adsorbent for adsorption of Ni(II) ions from wastewater. The obtained kinetics data for Ni(II) ions adsorption onto the PAAm/HA-ATP were described well by the pseudo-second-order model (R² > 0.99). As for the adsorption of phenol, double-modification proved to be the most effective method, and its optimal adsorption capacity was obtained on PAAm/CTAB-HA-ATP hydrogel.

Development of an 11-channel multi wavelength imaging diagnostic for divertor plasmas in MAST Upgrade

Divertor detachment and alternative divertor magnetic geometries are predicted to be promising approaches to handle the power exhaust of future fusion devices. In order to understand the detachment process caused by volumetric losses in alternative divertor magnetic geometries, a Multi-Wavelength Imaging (MWI) diagnostic has recently been designed and built for the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade. The MWI diagnostic will simultaneously capture 11 spectrally filtered images of the visible light emitted from divertor plasmas and provide crucial knowledge for the interpretation of observations and modeling efforts. This paper presents the optical design, mechanical design, hardware, and test results of an 11-channel MWI system with a field of view of 40°. The optical design shows better than 5 mm FWHM spatial resolution at the plasma on all 11 channels across the whole field of view. The spread of angle of incidence on the surface of each filter is also analyzed to inform the bandwidth specification of the interference filters. The results of the initial laboratory tests demonstrate that a spatial resolution of better than 5 mm FWHM is achieved for all 11 channels, meeting the specifications required for accurate tomography.

Excited state electronic structures and photochemistry of different oxidation states of 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)

The molecular structures of 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), were calculated by using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) model with M062X method with 6-311G (d, p) basis set. In this work, the ABTS were theoretically investigated from the geometric structure, the energy levels of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the energy level gap ΔE_HOMO-LUMO of the molecular ground state, excited stated properties and the electronic absorption spectra of different oxidation states. We studied the energy levels of LUMO and HOMO of ABTS in different oxidation states. Frontier molecular orbital analysis can provide insight into the nature of excited states. ABTS was synthesized from N-ethylamine by total synthesis. Then, we measured the UV-Vis spectra of ABTS before and after being oxidized by K₂S₂O₈. The calculated electronic structures and photochemical properties of different oxidation state of ABTS were in accordance with the experimental result. This work demonstrates the relationship between the electronic structures and photochemistry of different oxidation states ABTS hence paves the way for the rationally synthesis and deepen understanding of the photophysical properties of ABTS materials.

Maternal immune activation alters adult behavior, intestinal integrity, gut microbiota and the gut inflammation

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia is characterized by several core behavioral features, in which the gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently reported. Maternal immune activation (MIA) has been developed in a rodent model to study neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia. However, the changes in the gut environment of MIA rats remain largely unknown.

METHODS

10 mg/kg of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) on gestational day 9 was intravenously administered to rats to induce MIA in order to assess changes in behavior, the intestinal barrier and microbiota in offspring.

RESULTS

Maternal immune activation offspring shown increased anxiety as indicated by reduced exploration of central area in open field test and decreased exploration of open arms in elevated plus test. Cognitive impairment of MIA offspring was confirmed by reduced exploration of novel arm in Y maze test and deficiency of PPI. Intestinal muscle thickness became thinner and some specific microbial anomalies previously identified clinically were observed in MIA offspring. In addition, an increase of inflammatory responses was found in the gut of MIA offspring.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal immune activation alters behavior, intestinal integrity, gut microbiota and the gut inflammation in adult offspring.

The cross-polarization scattering system for the magnetic fluctuation measurement in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak

The cross-polarization scattering (CPS) system for magnetic fluctuation measurements in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) has been designed and installed. Different from the Doppler reflectometer (DR) system, the CPS system detects the perpendicular polarization of the electromagnetic wave induced by magnetic fluctuations B̃. The CPS system in the EAST has been developed from the existing Doppler reflectometer system, and they are integrated together for simultaneous measurement of magnetic and density fluctuations. Ray-tracing simulations are used to calculate the scattering locations and the wavenumber coverage of the magnetic fluctuation for CPS. In the experiments, the CPS and DR system data were different in Doppler shift, amplitude, and spectrum broadening. In this article, the hardware design, the ray tracing, and the preliminary results of the system in the EAST are presented.

Water purification performance enhancement of PVC ultrafiltration membrane modified with tourmaline particles

In this study, a novel PVC/tourmaline ultrafiltration membrane was fabricated by phase inversion method in order to improve anti-fouling performance and water quality. FESEM was used to examine the changes in the morphology of pure PVC and PVC/tourmaline hybrid membranes. The introduction of tourmaline resulted in the increase of porosity and mean pore size. EDX images indicated that tourmaline particles were homogeneously dispersed in the membranes when the amount were less than 1.0 wt%. The hybrid membranes exhibited lower contact angle (78.7°) and higher water flux (121.3 L/m2 h) than the pure PVC membrane. The anti-fouling performance of the membranes were studied by filtration of BSA solution. The results demonstrated that the hybrid membrane with 1.0 wt% tourmaline particles exhibited the best anti-fouling performance and the highest BSA rejection. In addition, the pH and conductivity of the filtered water were measured by pH meter and electrical conductivity meter. And the results showed that the quality of the filtered water was improved after treating through the hybrid membranes.

Quercetin alleviates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive-like behaviors by promoting adult hippocampal neurogenesis via FoxG1/CREB/ BDNF signaling pathway

Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been reported to exert antidepressant effects, however, the underlying mechanisms are still uncertain. Recent studies have demonstrated that Forkhead box transcription factor G1 (FoxG1) regulates the process of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) and exerts neuroprotective effects. In this study, we explored whether quercetin plays an anti-depressant role via regulation of FoxG1 signaling in mice and revealed the potential mechanisms. To explore the antidepressant effects of quercetin, mice were subjected to behavioral tests after a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) exposure. We found that chronic quercetin treatment (15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg) obviously restored the weight loss of mice caused by CUMS and alleviated CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors, such as increased sucrose consumption, improved locomotor activity and shorten immobility time. In addition, to clarify the relationship between quercetin and AHN, we detected neurogenesis markers in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Furthermore, FoxG1-siRNA was employed and then stimulated with quercetin to further investigate the mechanism by which FoxG1 participates in the antidepressant effects of quercetin. Our results indicate that chronic quercetin treatment dramatically increased the number of doublecortin (DCX)-positive and BrdU/NeuN-double positive cells. Besides, the expression levels of FoxG1, p-CREB and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were also enhanced by quercetin in the DG. Strikingly, quercetin failed to reverse the levels of p-CREB and BDNF after FoxG1-siRNA was performed in SH-SY5Y cells and Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs). Our results thus far suggest that quercetin might exert antidepressant effects via promotion of AHN by FoxG1/CREB/ BDNF signaling pathway.

Psychometric Properties of the Suicide Stroop Task in a Chinese College Population

Objective

This study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the suicide stroop task in a Chinese college population.

Methods

College students (n = 121) who were in the 1st–4th grade, fluent in Chinese, and without color blindness were recruited from a university in Guangzhou, China from September to December 2019. Participants were administered the suicide stroop task at baseline and 1-month follow-up.

Results

The suicide stroop task showed excellent internal reliability (Cronbach’s α ranged from 0.940 to 0.953). However, the suicide stroop task did not reveal suicide-related attentional biases among current suicide ideators and was not significantly associated with the severity of suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, nor anhedonia (all p values > 0.05), indicating a lack of concurrent validity for the task. Additionally, the two-time data of interference scores could not generate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) due to a negative average covariance among data, which indicated poor test–retest consistency for the task.

Conclusion

The results of this study did not support the use of the suicide stroop task on the identification of suicidal risk among Chinese college students. It is crucial to assess the psychometric properties of behavioral measures rigorously as self-report measures before large applications in clinical and community settings.

Longitudinal Profiling of Antibody Response in Patients With COVID-19 in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Beijing, China

The novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which elicits a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, with the potential to lead to death. Although used as the standard method to screen patients for SARS-CoV-2 infection, real-time PCR has challenges in dealing with asymptomatic patients and those with an undetectable viral load. Serological tests are therefore considered potent diagnostic tools to complement real-time PCR-based diagnosis and are used for surveillance of seroprevalence in populations. However, the dynamics of the antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 currently remain to be investigated. Here, through analysis of plasma samples from 84 patients with COVID-19, we observed that the response of virus-specific antibodies against three important antigens, RBD, N and S, dynamically changed over time and reached a peak 5–8 weeks after the onset of symptoms. The antibody responses were irrespective of sex. Severe cases were found to have higher levels of antibody response, larger numbers of inflammatory cells and C-reactive protein levels. Within the mild/moderate cases, pairwise comparison indicated moderate association between anti-RBD vs. anti-N, anti-RBD vs. anti-S1S2, and anti-N vs. anti-S1S2. Furthermore, the majority of cases could achieve IgM and IgG seroconversion at 2 weeks since the disease onset. Analysis of neutralizing antibodies indicated that these responses were able to last for more than 112 days but decline significantly after the peak. In summary, our findings demonstrate the longitudinally dynamic changes in antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2, which can contribute to the knowledge of humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection and are informative for future development of vaccine and antibody-based therapies.

[Progress of researches on animal models of Blastocystis hominis infections]

Blastocystis hominis is a common parasitic protozoa in human and animal intestines; however, its pathogenicity remains controversial. Construction of animal models is of great significance to investigate the pathogenicity, pathogenic mechanisms and drug screening of B. hominis. Experimental animals, mode of infections, parasite strains and host immune status are important factors affecting the successful modeling of B. hominis infections in animals. Hereby, we review the progress of researches on animal models of B. hominis infections, and summarize the influencing factors and application of animal models of B. hominis infections, in order to provides insights into the selection of animals models of B. hominis infections.

[Progress of researches on global prevalence of Blastocystis hominis human infections and its subtypes]

Blastocystis hominis is a parasite that parasitizes in the intestines of humans and animals, and is closely related to a variety of gastrointestinal diseases such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. B. hominis is distributed worldwide, and the prevalence of B. hominis infections and dominant subgenotypes vary in countries and in regions from the same country. This paper reviews the global prevalence of B. hominis human infections, its subtypes and geographical distribution, so as to provide insights into the understanding of the global epidemiology of B. hominis and the management of B. hominis infections.

ORAOV1-B Promotes OSCC Metastasis via the NF-κB-TNFα Loop

Metastasis, a powerful prognostic indicator of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is chiefly responsible for poor cancer outcomes. Despite an increasing number of studies examining the mechanisms underlying poor outcomes, the development of potent strategies is hindered by insufficient characterization of the crucial regulators. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been gaining interest as significant modulators of OSCC metastasis; however, the detailed mechanisms underlying lncRNA-mediated OSCC metastasis remain relatively uncharacterized. Here, we identified a novel alternative splice variant of oral cancer overexpressed 1 (ORAOV1), named as ORAOV1-B, which was subsequently validated as an lncRNA and correlated with OSCC lymph node metastasis; significantly increased invasion and migration were observed in ORAOV1-B-overexpressing OSCC cells. RNA pulldown and mass spectrometry identified Hsp90 as a direct target of ORAOV1-B, and cDNA microarrays suggested TNFα as a potential downstream target of ORAOV1-B. ORAOV1-B was shown to directly bind to and stabilize Hsp90, which maintains the function of client proteins, receptor-interaction protein, and IκB kinase beta, thus activating the NF-κB pathway and inducing TNFα. Additionally, TNFα reciprocally enhanced p-NF-κB-p65 and the downstream epithelial-mesenchymal transition. ORAOV1-B effects were reversed by a TNFα inhibitor, demonstrating that TNFα is essential for ORAOV1-B-regulated metastatic ability. Consistent epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the ORAOV1-B group was demonstrated via an orthotopic model. In the metastatic model, ORAOV1-B significantly contributed to OSCC-related lung metastasis. In summary, the novel splice variant ORAOV1-B is an lncRNA, which significantly potentiates OSCC invasion and metastasis by binding to Hsp90 and activating the NF-κB-TNFα loop. These findings demonstrate the versatile role of ORAOV1 family members and the significance of genes located within 11q13 in promoting OSCC. ORAOV1-B might serve as an attractive OSCC metastasis intervention target.

Research progress in structural and nutritional characterization and technologically processing impact on cool-season adapted oat and barley cereal kernels with wet chemistry and advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy

This study aims to provide research progress and update on structural, physicochemical, nutritional characteristics and technologically processing impact on cool-season adapted oat and barley cereal kernels. The study focused on cool-season adapted oats grain production and nutrition in ruminant systems and strategies to improve the utilization of the oat grain through processing techniques. The updated evaluation methods and advanced molecular spectroscopy techniques to study molecular structures with attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy were reviewed. This study summarizes the methods and provides a potential approach on how to use vibrational molecular spectroscopy to study molecular chemistry and molecular structure and molecular nutrition interaction of grain.

Resveratrol as a plant type antioxidant modifier for polysulfone membranes to improve hemodialysis-induced oxidative stress

Resveratrol (RES) is a plant extract with excellent antioxidant, biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory and inhibition of platelet aggregation. RES-modified polysulfone (PSF) hemodialysis membranes have been fabricated using an immersion phase transformation method. The antioxidant properties of the blend membranes were evaluated in terms of their 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS⁺), reactive oxygen species (ROS) free radicals scavenging, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of serum and lipid peroxidation inhibition. The observed results of decreasing DPPH and ABTS⁺ levels, scavenging ROS, significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation and improving the T-AOC of serum all contribute to the recovery of oxidative balance and the use of RES as an antioxidant modifier. The antioxidant stability of PSF/RES blend membranes was also studied. Moreover, the results of blood compatibility experiments showed that the addition of RES improved the blood compatibility of PSF membrane, inhibited the adhesion of red blood cells and platelets; inhibited complement activation; and reduced the blood cells deformation rate. The dialysis simulation experiment indicated that PSF/RES membrane (M-3) can clear 90.33% urea, 89.50% creatinine, 74.60% lysozyme and retention 90.47% BSA. All these results showed the new PSF/RES blend membranes have potential to be used in the field of hemodialysis to improve oxidative stress status in patients.

Association Between Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Chinese Women

Background: Dementia, as a global public health problem, is becoming increasingly serious. As a precursor of dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) plays an important role in the diagnosis and prevention of dementia. Recent studies have found a correlation between gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels and cognitive function in men. The relationship between GGT levels and cognitive function in women remains unclear because GGT activity and expression differ between the sexes. Method: We recruited a total of 2,943 Chinese women from Jidong and Taian in 2019. We grouped the participants according to GGT levels, diagnosed MCI using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scale, and modeled the study outcomes using logistic regression to explore the relationship between GGT level and MCI. We also analyzed the interaction of obesity, sleep duration, and hyperuricemia with GGT in the development of MCI. Results: The prevalence of MCI increased with increasing GGT level, from the lowest quartile to the highest quartile of GGT: 8.4% (66/786), 14.2% (119/840), 17.6% (108/613), and 21.4% (151/704), respectively. At the same time, as GGT levels increased, so did the risk of MCI. In the fully adjusted model, compared with those for participants in the lowest GGT quartiles, the odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for MCI for participants in the second, third, and fourth GGT quartiles were 1.49 (1.04-2.12), 1.53(1.06-2.21), and 1.88 (1.33-2.65), respectively. The risk of developing MCI was further increased in people with high GGT levels who were obese (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.39-2.76, P < 0.001), slept less (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.35-2.71, P < 0.001), had high levels of uric acid (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.03-2.32, P < 0.001), or after menopause (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 2.07-4.12, P < 0.001). Conclusion: We found that MCI is more common in women with elevated GGT levels, so GGT could be a potential diagnostic marker for MCI. Meanwhile, our findings indicated that women with high GGT levels had an increased risk of MCI when they were obese, sleep deprived, had high serum uric acid (SUA) levels or underwent menopause.

Spectroscopic Determination of Key Energy Scales for the Base Hamiltonian of Chromium Trihalides

The van der Waals (vdW) chromium trihalides (CrX₃) exhibit field-tunable, two-dimensional magnetic orders that vary with the halogen species and the number of layers. Their magnetic ground states with proximity in energies are sensitive to the degree of ligand-metal (p-d) hybridization and relevant modulations in the Cr d-orbital interactions. We use soft X-ray absorption (XAS) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) spectroscopy at Cr L-edge along with the atomic multiplet simulations to determine the key energy scales such as the crystal field 10 Dq and interorbital Coulomb interactions under different ligand metal charge transfer (LMCT) in CrX₃ (X= Cl, Br, and I). Through this systematic study, we show that our approach compared to the literature has yielded a set of more reliably determined parameters for establishing a base Hamiltonian for CrX₃.

Octreotide-mediated neurofunctional recovery in rats following traumatic brain injury. Role of H2S, Nrf2 and TNF-α

Purpose:

To explore the role and mechanisms of octreotide in neurofunctional recovery in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) model.

Methods:

Rats were subjected to midline incision followed by TBI in the prefrontal cortex region. After 72 hours, the behavioural and neurological deficits tests were performed, which included memory testing on Morris water maze for 5 days. Octreotide (15 and 30 mg/kg i.p.) was administered 30 minutes before subjecting to TBI, and its administration was continued for three days.

Results:

In TBI-subjected rats, administration of octreotide restored on day 4 escape latency time (ELT) and increased the time spent in the target quadrant (TSTQ) on day 5, suggesting the improvement in learning and memory. It also increased the expression of H₂S, Nrf2, and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) in the prefrontal cortex, without any significant effect on cystathionine-β-synthase. Octreotide also decreased the TNF-α levels and neurological severity score. However, co-administration of CSE inhibitor (D,L-propargylglycine) abolished octreotide-mediated neurofunctional recovery, decreased the levels of H₂S and Nrf2 and increased the levels of TNF-α.

Conclusions:

Octreotide improved the neurological functions in TBI-subjected rats, which may be due to up-regulation of H₂S biosynthetic enzyme (CSE), levels of H₂S and Nrf2 and down-regulation of neuroinflammation.

Second-harmonic generation of single-mode Laguerre-Gaussian beams with an improved quasi-phase-matching method

In the second-harmonic generation processes involving Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams, the generated second-harmonic wave is generally composed of multiple modes with different radial quantum numbers. To generate single-mode second-harmonic LG beams, a type of improved quasi-phase-matching method is proposed. The Gouy phase shift has been considered in the optical superlattice designing and an adjustment phase item is introduced. By changing the structure parameters, each target mode can be phase-matched selectively, whose purity can reach up to 95%. The single LG mode generated from the optical superlattice can be modulated separately and used as the input signals in the mode division multiplexing system.

[Emergency laboratory construction and reflection in infectious hospital under the epidemic situation]

Emerging infectious diseases are a common type of public health emergencies, which occur frequently around the world in recent years, seriously threatening the safety of human life and property. In the process of dealing with epidemic situation, medical laboratories have played an important role in disease diagnosis, treatment, efficacy evaluation and prognosis judgment and so on. Beijing Youan Hospital, as the designated hospital of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has set up an emergency laboratory in the capital for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 by carrying out routine tests and virus nucleic acid tests, it provides timely and effective evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. To provide ideas and references for the building of the Emergency Laboratory in infectious hospitals. This article discuss how to set up an independent emergency laboratory efficiently, strengthen the cooperation with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, make the best use of all resources, and share the enlightenment gained in the process of construction.

Time-resolved RIXS experiment with pulse-by-pulse parallel readout data collection using X-ray free electron laser

Time-resolved resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) is one of the developing techniques enabled by the advent of X-ray free electron laser (FEL). It is important to evaluate how the FEL jitter, which is inherent in the self-amplified spontaneous emission process, influences the RIXS measurement. Here, we use a microchannel plate (MCP) based Timepix soft X-ray detector to conduct a time-resolved RIXS measurement at the Ti L₃-edge on a charge-density-wave material TiSe₂. The fast parallel Timepix readout and single photon sensitivity enable pulse-by-pulse data acquisition and analysis. Due to the FEL jitter, low detection efficiency of spectrometer, and low quantum yield of RIXS process, we find that less than 2% of the X-ray FEL pulses produce signals, preventing acquiring sufficient data statistics while maintaining temporal and energy resolution in this measurement. These limitations can be mitigated by using future X-ray FELs with high repetition rates, approaching MHz such as the European XFEL in Germany and LCLS-II in the USA, as well as by utilizing advanced detectors, such as the prototype used in this study.

Optimization of microemulsion cleaning sludge conditions using response surface method

Microemulsion cleaning method has been proved to be an effective way to clean oily sludge with low interfacial tension and high solubilizing ability for non-miscible liquids. In this paper, the percentage range of the microemulsion in the formulation was obtained by studying phase behavior of the microemulsion. The response surface method was used to model and optimize the microemulsion to obtain the best formulation: n-BuOH content at 9.89%, NaCl content at 2.24% and AES/APG ratio at 3.75, and the oil removal rate reached 97.28%. Meanwhile, the cleaning conditions of oil sludge were also optimized by the response surface method and the optimal cleaning parameters were determined as liquid-solid ratio at 4.2, stirring rate at 157 r·min^-1, and stirring time at 38 min. In addition, some experiments were carried out to confirm the simulation results, affording the oil removal rate of 98.79%. SEM and FTIR confirmed that the oil on the sludge can be removed by microemulsion.

Micro/nanoscale magnetic robots for biomedical applications

Magnetic small-scale robots are devices of great potential for the biomedical field because of the several benefits of this method of actuation. Recent work on the development of these devices has seen tremendous innovation and refinement toward ​improved performance for potential clinical applications. This review briefly details recent advancements in small-scale robots used for biomedical applications, covering their design, fabrication, applications, and demonstration of ability, and identifies the gap in studies and the difficulties that have persisted in the optimization of the use of these devices. In addition, alternative biomedical applications are also suggested for some of the technologies that show potential for other functions. This study concludes that although the field of small-scale robot research is highly innovative ​there is need for more concerted efforts to improve functionality and reliability of these devices particularly in clinical applications. Finally, further suggestions are made toward ​the achievement of commercialization for these devices.

Characterization of CBL-CIPK signaling complexes and their involvement in cold response in tea plant

Calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins, a class of Ca²⁺-binding proteins, play vital roles in calcium signal transduction by interacting specifically with CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs), and these two gene families and their interacting complexes are involved in regulating plant responses to various environmental stimuli. In the present study, eight CBL and 25 CIPK genes were identified in tea plant and divided into four and five subfamilies, respectively. Analysis of the expression of these genes in response to abiotic stresses (mature leaves treated with cold, salinity, and PEG and young shoots treated with cold) revealed that CsCBL1/3/5 and CsCIPK1/4/5/6a/7/8/10b/10c/12/14a/19/23a/24 could be induced by at least two stresses. Under cold stress, CsCBL9 and CsCIPK4/6a/6b/7/11/14b/19/20 were upregulated in both mature leaves and young shoots, CsCBL1/3/5 and CsCIPK1/8/10a/10b/10c/12/14a/23a/24 were induced only in mature leaves, and CsCIPK5/25 were induced only in young shoots. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that CsCBL1 could interact with CsCIPK1/10b/12 but not with CsCIPK6a/7/11/14b/20. CsCBL9 was found to interact with CsCIPK1/10b/12/14b but not with CsCIPK6a/7/11/20. These results suggest divergent responses to cold stress regulated by CBL-CIPK complexes between tea plant and Arabidopsis, as well as between mature leaves and young shoots in tea plant. A model of Ca²⁺-CsCBL-CsCIPK module-mediated abiotic stress signaling in tea plant is proposed.