Photocurrent-driven transient symmetry breaking in the Weyl semimetal TaAs

Symmetry plays a central role in conventional and topological phases of matter, making the ability to optically drive symmetry changes a critical step in developing future technologies that rely on such control. Topological materials, like topological semimetals, are particularly sensitive to a breaking or restoring of time-reversal and crystalline symmetries, which affect both bulk and surface electronic states. While previous studies have focused on controlling symmetry via coupling to the crystal lattice, we demonstrate here an all-electronic mechanism based on photocurrent generation. Using second harmonic generation spectroscopy as a sensitive probe of symmetry changes, we observe an ultrafast breaking of time-reversal and spatial symmetries following femtosecond optical excitation in the prototypical type-I Weyl semimetal TaAs. Our results show that optically driven photocurrents can be tailored to explicitly break electronic symmetry in a generic fashion, opening up the possibility of driving phase transitions between symmetry-protected states on ultrafast timescales.

Cypripedium lichiangense (Orchidaceae) mimics a humus-rich oviposition site to attract its female pollinator, Ferdinandea cuprea (Syrphidae)

Most species in the genus Cypripedium (Cypripedioideae) produce trap flowers, making it a model lineage to study deceptive pollination. Floral attractants in most species studied appear to target bee species of different sizes. However, more recent publications report fly pollination in some subalpine species, suggesting novel suites of adaptive floral traits. Cypripedium lichiangense (section Trigonopedia) is an endangered subalpine species endemic to the Hengduan Mountains, China. We observed and analysed its floral traits, pollinators and breeding systems over 2 years in situ and in the lab. Cypripedium lichiangense was visited by females of Ferdinandea cuprea (Syrphidae). The pollinia were carried dorsally on the fly thoraces. The eggs of this fly were frequently found in the saccate labellum and on other floral organs, suggesting brood-site mimesis. The orchid is self-compatible, but cross-pollination produces more viable embryos. We propose a new mode of floral mimesis, humus-rich oviposition site mimicry, for C. lichiangense. Compared with the mimesis of aphid colonies attracting syrphid pollinators (subfamily Syrphinae), whose larvae are entomophagic, as reported in some Paphiopedilum species (Cypripedioideae), pollination by deceit in C. lichiangense represents a distinct and separate mode of exploitation of another saprophagic (or phytophagic) larvae syrphid lineage in the subfamily Eristalinae and appears to indicate diversity of pollination strategies in Section Trigonopedia of Cypripedium. However, this new brood-site mimesis seems to be less attractive to pollinators. As a possible adaptation to the weak attracted pollination strategy, this plant species has a long flowering period and extended lifespan of individual flowers to ensure reproductive success.

[Evaluation of screening strategies of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis among pulmonary tuberculosis patients of the different risk levels]

Objective: To evaluate the detection of MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients and to provide evidence for further improvement of MDR-TB and XDR-TB screening strategy. Methods: Patients who were under drug resistance surveillance, registered and reported by the TB Management Information System of the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System from 2012 to 2019 and resided in Guizhou province were retrospectively analyzed. The contribution of five high-risk subgroups to detection of MDR/XDR-TB were evaluated using population attributable risk proportion (PARP). Results: Of the 18 506 cases under drug resistance surveillance, patients who were male, aged between 25 and 54 years, with drug-resistant TB or with MDR/XDR-TB accounted for 68.65% (12 705/18 506), 47.69% (8 826/18 506), 15.90% (2 943/18 506) or 5.42% (1 003/18 506), respectively. Five high-risk subgroups made significant contributions to the detection of MDR/XDR-TB with a PARP of 57.00%. Specifically, the PARP were 21.70%, 19.49%, 11.90% and 2.30% for patients that were relapse and return, failed initial treatment, chronic/retreatment failure and smear-positive at the end of the second or third month, respectively. The detection rate of MDR/XDR-TB in high-risk groups was 15.89% (578/3 637) while in low-risk groups was 2.86% (425/14 869). Conclusions: Number of patients under drug resistance surveillance and the detection of MDR/XDR-TB trended to increase in Guizhou province from 2012 to 2019. The detection rate of MDR/XDR-TB in high-risk groups was higher than low-risk groups.

[A prospective randomized controlled study of the application effect of hydrogel dressings on deep partial-thickness burn wounds after dermabrasion and tangential excision]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of applying hydrogel dressings in deep partial-thickness burn wounds after dermabrasion and tangential excision. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. From November 2015 to August 2019, 168 patients with deep partial-thickness burns hospitalized in Zibo Sixth People's Hospital met the inclusion criteria. According to the random number table, the patients were divided into hydrogel dressing+vaseline gauze group (84 cases, 67 males and 17 females) and vaseline gauze only group (84 cases, 65 males and 19 females) who were aged (31±16) and (35±17) years, respectively, and were given corresponding treatment after dermabrasion and tangential excision. The dressings were changed every 3-5 days. Autologous skin grafting was performed with split-thickness or medium-thickness skin grafts taken from trunk or thigh if the wounds failed to heal over 21 days or the wounds were less than 21 days but located in the joints, which might affect the functional activities at later stage. After operation, the general condition of the wounds was observed continuously and dynamically till the wounds were healed. The degree of dressing adhesion was evaluated during the first 4 dressing changes after operation, and the degree of pain was evaluated using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The wound healing rate on post operation day (POD) 3, 6, and 15 was calculated. The positive proportion of bacterial culture of wound exudates/cleanout fluid on admission and at dressing change on POD 3, 6, and 15 was calculated. The number of dressing changes were recorded, the rate of skin grafting operation was calculated, and the time of complete wound healing was recorded. Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used in 6 months of follow-up to evaluate the hyperplasia of scar. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: During the observation period after operation, the wound was moist with less exudates and the wound healed much faster in patients of hydrogel dressing+vaseline gauze group, with the inner dressing being easier to remove with mild pain, while the wounds showed more exudates and slower healing in patients of vaseline gauze only group with the obvious adhesions of inner dressing, stronger pain, and bleeding in the wounds. Compared with those in vaseline gauze only group, the degree of dressing adhesion and pain NRS score of patients in hydrogel dressing+vaseline gauze group decreased significantly during the first 4 dressing changes after operation (χ²=52.625, Z=-10.854, P<0.01), the wound healing rate increased significantly at dressing change on POD 3, 6, and 15 (t=10.347, 41.150, 167.627, P<0.01), the positive proportion of wound exudates/cleanout fluid bacterial culture did not change significantly on admission or at dressing change on POD 3 (P>0.05) but decreased significantly at dressing change on POD 6 and 15 (χ²=15.616, 15.226, P<0.01), the dressing change times was significantly reduced (t=-11.986, P<0.01), and the rate of skin grafting operation was significantly decreased (χ²=35.850, P<0.01). The complete wound healing time of patients in hydrogel dressing+vaseline gauze group was (17.6±2.8) d, significantly shorter than (27.1±3.0) d in vaseline gauze only group (t=-21.288, P<0.01). During the follow-up of 6 months, the VSS score of scar hyperplasia of patients in hydrogel dressing+vaseline gauze group was significantly lower than that in vaseline gauze only group (Z=-11.287, P<0.01). Conclusions: Compared with the use of vaseline gauze only, the application of vaseline gauze coated with hydrogel dressing in deep partial-thickness burn wounds after dermabrasion and tangential excision is more effective in moisturizing, significantly reducing the degree of dressing adhesion and patients' pain during dressing change, increasing wound healing rate, decreasing wound infection rate and the rate of skin grafting operation, and reducing the number of dressing changes. It shortens the time for complete wound healing, and effectively relieves scar hyperplasia.

[A comparative study on the difference of gut microbiota and its biomarkers between patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and healthy controls]

Objective: To analyze the differences in the composition and abundance of gut microbiota between patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and healthy controls, and to identify the specific bacteria as biomarkers to distinguish between the two groups. Methods: Patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis treated in three municipal designated tuberculosis medical institutions in Sichuan, Jiangsu and Shanghai from September 2017 to September 2019 were selected as the case group (n=88), and the healthy people without a history of tuberculosis from the same regions were recruited as the control group (n=62). The fecal samples of the two groups were detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the differences of gut microbiota diversity, community composition and relative abundance at phylum and genus level from the two groups were analyzed. The random forest method was used to construct a predictive model to assess whether the specific bacterial flora could be used as biomarkers to distinguish tuberculosis patients from healthy people. Results: The alpha diversity analysis showed that the species richness and evenness of gut microbiota in tuberculosis patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the composition of microbiota between the two groups (Bray-Curtis distance, P<0.001). In the gut microbiota of tuberculosis patients, opportunistic pathogens were relatively enriched, while some of the beneficial bacteria that can produce short-chain fatty acids were less abundant. The discrimination accuracy of the random forest model composed of Lachnospira, Lachnospiraceae ND3007 group and Roseburia was 76.67%, with area under the curve (AUC) being 75.29% (95%CI: 0.661-0.845). Conclusion: There were differences in gut microbiota between patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and healthy people, and specific bacterial flora showed the potential to be used as biomarkers to distinguish between the two groups.

MHC Class II Ubiquitination Regulates Dendritic Cell Function and Immunity

MHC class II (MHC II) Ag presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) is critical for CD4⁺ T cell immunity. Cell surface levels of MHC II loaded with peptide is controlled by ubiquitination. In this study, we have examined how MHC II ubiquitination impacts immunity using MHC IIKR^KI/KI mice expressing mutant MHC II molecules that are unable to be ubiquitinated. Numbers of conventional DC (cDC) 1, cDC2 and plasmacytoid DCs were significantly reduced in MHC IIKR^KI/KI spleen, with the remaining MHC IIKR^KI/KI DCs expressing an altered surface phenotype. Whereas Ag uptake, endosomal pH, and cathepsin protease activity were unaltered, MHC IIKR^KI/KI cDC1 produced increased inflammatory cytokines and possessed defects in Ag proteolysis. Immunization of MHC IIKR^KI/KI mice identified impairments in MHC II and MHC class I presentation of soluble, cell-associated and/or DC-targeted OVA via mAb specific for DC surface receptor Clec9A (anti-Clec9A-OVA mAb). Reduced T cell responses and impaired CTL killing was observed in MHC IIKR^KI/KI mice following immunization with cell-associated and anti-Clec9A-OVA. Immunization of MHC IIKR^KI/KI mice failed to elicit follicular Th cell responses and generated barely detectable Ab to anti-Clec9A mAb-targeted Ag. In summary, MHC II ubiquitination in DCs impacts the homeostasis, phenotype, cytokine production, and Ag proteolysis by DCs with consequences for Ag presentation and T cell and Ab-mediated immunity.

Tea crude extracts effectively inactivate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

It is well known that black and green tea extracts, particularly polyphenols, have antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic microbes including viruses. However, there is limited data on the antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), which emerged rapidly in China in late 2019 and which has been responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic globally. In this study, 20 compounds and three extracts were obtained from black and green tea and found that three tea extracts showed significant antiviral activity against SARS‐CoV‐2, whereby the viral titre decreased about 5 logs TCID₅₀ per ml by 1·375 mg ml⁻¹ black tea extract and two‐fold diluted tea bag infusion obtained from black tea when incubated at 25°C for 10 s. However, when concentrations of black and green tea extracts were equally adjusted to 344 µg ml⁻¹, green tea extracts showed more antiviral activity against SARS‐CoV‐2. This simple and highly respected beverage may be a cheap and widely acceptable means to reduce SARS‐CoV‐2 viral burden in the mouth and upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts in developed as well as developing countries.

Novel risk model for one-year mortality and guidance of management strategy in isolated severe secondary tricuspid regurgitation

Background

Isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a challenging valve lesion to manage because of adverse prognosis, and surgery remains controversial especially in secondary etiologies. We aimed to devise a risk model to predict one-year mortality in isolated secondary TR patients, and evaluated whether risk category influenced the association between tricuspid valve surgery and survival.

Methods

Consecutive patients with isolated severe secondary TR by echocardiography during 2004–2018 were retrospectively studied. A multivariable model was developed for one-year all-cause mortality from two thirds of study patients (randomly-selected derivation cohort), and then assessed in the remaining patients (validation cohort). Associations between tricuspid valve surgery and survival were analyzed overall and in risk categories in multivariable analyses.

Results

Amongst 8575 isolated TR patients with secondary etiologies, mean age was 71.3±14.5 years and 5153 (60.1%) were female. Tricuspid valve surgery was performed in 487 (5.7%) patients, and was independently associated with improved survival during follow-up with hazards ratio 0.57 (95% confidence interval 0.41–0.81) in multivariable analysis. One-year mortality occurred in 2108 (24.6%) patients, and an additive risk score out of 14 based on independent predictors of one-year mortality is shown in the Table 1. The c-statistic for the derivation cohort was 0.712, and for the validation cohort 0.729. By risk score category, one-year mortality was 5.7% for 0–1 (low), 10.1% for 2–3 (mildly elevated), 24.3% for 4–7 (moderately elevated) and 50.9% for &gt;7 (severely elevated), as shown in Figure 1. Surgery was associated with improved survival in the three higher score categories of isolated TR patients (P&lt;0.001 to P=0.037), but did not improve survival in lower risk patients with scores of 0–1 (P=0.140).

Conclusion

We devised and validated a novel risk model which moderately discriminated one-year mortality for isolated severe secondary TR. The score may help guide decision-making for management strategy in those with elevated scores, when the under-utilized tricuspid valve surgery is associated with improved survival, and further research is necessary to apply this score for those considering for transcatheter therapies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): National Heart Foundation of New Zealand Table 1Figure 1

Implications of ESC-high tthrombotic risk features and ARC-high bleeding risk criteria on clinical outcomes in all-comer patients undergoing PCI

Background

High thrombotic risk (HTR) and high bleeding risk (HBR) features after PCI can occur in the same patient. The individualized risks of ischemic vs. bleeding events are needed to be considered for determining the optimal duration of DAPT. We aimed to evaluate long-term ischemic and bleeding outcomes in patients who are at both HTR and HBR after DES implantation.

Methods

All consecutive patients who underwent PCI with DES were prospectively enrolled in Fuwai PCI Registry. HTR criteria based on 2017 ESC DAPT guidelines were defined as: diffuse multivessel diabetic CAD patients, chronic kidney disease, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 stents lesions treated, bifurcation with two stents implanted, total stent length &gt;60 mm, or chronic total occlusion. Patients were defined as HBR if they met at least 1 major or 2 minor Academic Research Consortium (ARC)-HBR criteria. The primary ischemic outcome was major adverse cardiac event (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and stent thrombosis.

Results

Among 10,167 patients, 4,430 (43.6%) qualified as HTR. The rate of HBR patients was significantly higher in the HTR group than in the non-HTR group (18.9% versus 12.2%, P&lt;0.001). Compared to those having non-HTR., Patients with ESC-HTR had higher 30-month rates of MACE (hazard ratio [HR] adjust: 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34–1.82; P&lt;0.001), device-oriented composite endpoint (composite of cardiac death, target-vessel MI, and target lesion revascularization) (HRadjust: 1.52 [1.27–1.83]; P&lt;0.001), cardiac mortality, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, any revascularization, and stroke, without increasing the risk of BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. MACE rates at 30 months among those without HTR or HBR, HBR alone, HTR alone, and both HTR and HBR were 5.1%, 6.0%, 8.3%, and 8.8%, respectively (P&lt;0.001). Associations between HTR and adverse events were similar in HBR and no HBR groups, without evidence of interaction; however, adverse event rates were highest among subjects with both HBR and HTR.

Conclusions

A combination of ESC-HTR and ARC-HBR may increase the risk of long-term ischemic events, including cardiac mortality, emphasizing the importance of considering the net clinical benefit including high ischemic and bleeding features. Our data suggest that ESC-HTR criteria was useful for stratifying post-PCI patients into risk strata for future ischemic events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Beijing Municipal Health Commission (Grant No. 2020-1-4032) Kaplan-Meier event rates

Degree of peripheral Thyroxin Deiodination and recurrent cardiovascular events in euthyroid patients undergoing PCI: five-year findings from a large single-center cohort study

Background

In euthyroid patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), it is still unclear whether thyroxin deiodination level can predict the recurrence of cardiovascular events (CVEs). Using free triiodothyronine to free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) ratio, a marker of peripheral thyroxin deiodination, we aim to investigate its association with recurrent long-term adverse events in this population.

Methods

3549 euthyroid patients with prior CVEs history undergoing PCI were consecutively enrolled in our study and subsequently divided into three FT3/FT4 ratio tertiles (T1&lt;2.41, n=1170; 2.41≤T2&lt;2.75, n=1198; T3&gt;2.75, n=1181). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke and revascularization. The secondary endpoints were all-cause death and cardiac death.

Results

The median follow-up time was 5 years. The incidence of all-cause death, cardiac death and MACCE were significantly higher among patients in the lowest FT3/FT4 tertile (P&lt;0.05). After adjustment of confounding factors, decreased FT3/FT4 ratio was independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause death (HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.13–2.93, P=0.014), cardiac death (HR 1.90, 95% CI 1.04–3.46, P=0.036) and MACCE (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10–1.60, P=0.003).

Conclusions

In euthyroid patients undergoing PCI, FT3/FT4 ratio, a surrogate marker of peripheral thyroxin deiodination, demonstrates a strong association with long-term recurrent cardiovascular events. Routine assessment of FT3/FT4 ratio might be a simple and effective tool for risk stratification in this specific patient population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFC1301300, 2016YFC1301301); National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81770365)

Effect of risk enhancers versus technical aspects of high thrombotic risk criteria on adverse clinical events after PCI: insights from 2020 ESC NSTE-ACS Guidelines

Background

The long-term clinical outcome after PCI is affected by various clinical and angiographic risk features. The present study was designed to investigate the long-term prognostic impact of risk enhancers and technical aspects as defined by 2020 ESC NSTE-ACS Guidelines for high thrombotic risk (HTR) criteria on the risk of adverse events after PCI.

Methods

A total of 10,167 patients were enrolled from the Fuwai PCI registry. Risk enhancers and technical aspects were retrospectively assessed according to 2020 ESC NSTE-ACS Guidelines. Risk enhancers were defined as having at least one of the following characteristics: diabetes mellitus requiring medication, history of recurrent MI, any multivessel CAD, peripheral artery disease, premature (&lt;45 years) CAD, and chronic kidney disease. Technical aspects were defined as having at least one of the following characteristics: ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, total stent length &gt;60 mm, left main PCI, bifurcation stenting with ≥2 stents implanted, and chronic total occlusion. The primary endpoint was 30-month major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE, a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction [MI], stent thrombosis, any revascularization, and ischemic stroke).

Results

MACCE occurred in 1188 (11.7%) patients during the follow-up period (median duration: 881 days). Risk enhancers were present in 8,437 patients (83.0%) and was associated with increased 30-month risk for the MACCE (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR]: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.72–2.60). Technical aspects were present in 3,335 patients (32.8%) and was an independent predictor of MACCE at 30 months (adjHR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.17–1.49). The risk of MACCE associated with risk enhancers was significantly higher than for technical aspects (2.11 vs. 1.32; relative risk [RR]: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.47–1.75). Results were consistent when risk enhancers and technical aspects were modeled as a continuous variable. Adjusted HRs of MACCE within the 12 months for patients with risk enhancers and technical aspects were 2.35 (95% CI: 1.80–3.07) and 1.50 (95% CI: 1.30–1.73), respectively. Risk enhancers significantly influenced MACCE beyond 12 months (adjHR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.29–2.46), whereas technical aspects were not associated with very late (12-month to 30-month) MACCE (adjHR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.82–1.25). Both risk enhancers and technical aspects were not significantly associated with BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding within 12 months and between 12 and 30 months.

Conclusions

Both risk enhancers and technical aspects of HTR criteria significantly affected long-term ischemic clinical events but not major bleeding in patients undergoing PCI. Risk enhancers appeared to have a greater and more prolonged effect on poor prognosis than technical aspects, suggesting the importance of compliance with guideline-directed medical therapy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Beijing Municipal Health Commission (Grant No. 2020-1-4032)Chinese College of Cardiovascular Physicians, CS Optimizing Antithrombotic Research Fund (Grant number: BJUHFCSOARF201801-01)

Comparison between a novel sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffold with everolimus-eluting metallic stent in patients with coronary artery disease: three-year follow-up from the neovas rct study

Background

Previous trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that risk of adverse clinical events, especially thrombosis and target vessel myocardial infarction is increasing between 1 and 3 years after Bioresorbable Scaffolds (BRS) implantation.

Purpose

We sought to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of a novel NeoVas BRS in comparison with cobalt chromium everolimus-eluting stent (EES) following implantation in patients with coronary artery disease by 3-year follow-up results from the NeoVas RCT.

Methods

Overall, 560 patients with a single de novo native coronary artery lesion with reference vessel diameter 2.5–3.75 mm and lesion length ≤20 mm were randomized 1:1 to NeoVas BRS vs. cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (CoCr-EES). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) were both performed in a pre-specified subgroup at 3-year follow-up. Clinical outcomes from NeoVas RCT were analyzed by randomized device (intention to treat) cumulative to 3 years.

Results

Over 3 years, the overall target lesion failure (TLF) rate was 6.9% in the NeoVas group and 6.1% in the CoCr-EES group (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.59 to 2.18; p=0.71). There was no statistically significant difference of the definite or probable stent thrombosis between the NeoVas group and the CoCr-EES group (1.1% vs. 0.7%, HR 1.51, 95% CI 0.26 to 8.73, p=0.64). In a landmark analysis of TLF, we found no difference in rate of late events from 2 to 3 years between two groups. FFR was not significantly different between the two group at 3 years (NeoVas vs. CoCr-EES, 0.89±0.07 vs. 0.90±0.05). NeoVas was largely absorbed (72.26% ± 13.21%) examined by OCT follow-up. Of 55 patients who finished 3-year absorption analysis, NeoVas was totally absorbed in 4 patients.

Conclusions

At the 3-year follow-up in the Neovas RCT trial, overall TLF rates were comparable between Neovas BRS and CoCr-EES, and adverse event rates relating to device safety were not increased with Neovas BRS compared with CoCr-EES up to 3 years after implantation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Prognostic utility of fibrinogen in patients with coronary artery disease and prediabetes or diabetes following percutaneous coronary intervention: five-year findings from a large single-center cohort

Background

The prognosis for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unfavorable despite advances in treatment. Fibrinogen (FIB) is an independent risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular events in general population. However, the relationship between FIB and long-term mortality among CAD patients undergoing PCI is less investigated, especially in individuals concomitated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes (Pre-DM).

Methods

6140 patients with CAD undergoing PCI were consecutively enrolled in our study and subsequently divided into three groups according to FIB levels (FIB-L, FIB-M, FIB-H). These patients were further grouped by glycemic metabolism state [normoglycemia (NG), Pre-DM, DM]. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoint was cardiac mortality.

Results

FIB was positively associated with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) both in CAD patients with and without DM. During a median follow-up time of 5.1 years, elevated FIB was significantly associated with long-term mortality from all-cause (adjusted HR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.28–2.69; P=0.001) and cardiac specific (adjusted HR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.15–2.89; P=0.011). Similarly, patients with DM but not Pre-DM had increased risk of all-cause and cardiac mortality (all P&lt;0.05). When grouped by both FIB levels and glycemic metabolism state, diabetic patients with medium and high FIB levels had higher risk of mortality [(adjusted HR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.12–5.89), (adjusted HR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.35–6.82), all P&lt;0.05]. Notably, prediabetic patients with high FIB also had higher mortality risk (adjusted HR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.01–5.12).

Conclusion

FIB was strongly associated with long-term all-cause and cardiac mortality among CAD patients undergoing PCI, especially in persons concomitated with DM and Pre-DM, indicating FIB test may help identify high-risk individuals in this specific patient population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFC1301300, 2016YFC1301301); National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81770365)

D-dimer as a potential novel thrombus biomarker for predict stent thrombosis in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

At present, it is worth noting that there is a lack of biomarker for the residual risk of thrombosis in patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). D-dimer is an important thrombus marker and widely used in clinical practice.

Purpose

We aim to investigate the correlation between D-dimer and the risk of stent thrombosis (ST) after PCI.

Method

This is a prospective, observational study of 10,724 patients who underwent PCI. The primary endpoint was ST, which was defined according to the Academic Research Consortium including definite, probable, and possible.

Results

Finally, 8565 patients were included in this study after excluding 2159 people with missing D-dimer data or lost to follow-up. After 2-year follow-up, there were 77 ST occurred. D-dimer levels were significantly higher in the ST group (0.33 [0.28, 0.56] μg/ml) than in the non-ST group (0.28 [0.20, 0.41] μg/ml) (P=0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis showed that patients with high D-dimer levels had higher cumulative ST according to the median D-dimer level (0.28 μg/ml) in the total population, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) subgroup, and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) subgroup, respectively. (log-rank test, all P&lt;0.001) (Figure 1). After multivariate-adjusted cox hazard analysis, high D-dimer levels (≥0.28 μg/ml) were significantly associated with ST in the total population (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–3.95, P=0.005) and ACS subgroup (HR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.09–4.16, P=0.027); however, we did not find a statistically significant in the SCAD subgroup (HR: 2.56, 95% CI: 0.92–7.1, P=0.072).

Conclusion

In this real world and large sample data study, we reported for the first time that D-dimer was strong independent thrombosis biomarker in patient who underwent PCI. In the future, we may use D-dimer to guide individualized antithrombotic therapy after PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences; Young and middle-aged talents in the XPCC Science and Technology Project

Development and validation of a three-immune-related gene signature prognostic risk model in papillary thyroid carcinoma

PURPOSE

Increasing evidence indicates that there is a correlation between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) prognosis and the immune signature. Our goal was to construct a new prognostic tool based on immune genes to achieve more accurate prognosis predictions and earlier diagnoses of PTC.

METHODS

The 493 PTCs samples and 58 tumor-adjacent normal tissues were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA). Immune genes were obtained from the ImmPort database. First, this cohort was randomly divided into training cohort and testing cohort. Second, the differentially expressed (DE) immune genes from the training set were used to construct the prognostic model. Then, the testing and entire data cohorts were used to validate the model, and the data were analyzed to determine the correlation of the clinical prognostic model with immune cell infiltration and expression profiles of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. Finally, an analysis of the gene ontology (GO) annotation was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 189 upregulated and 128 downregulated DE immune genes were identified. We developed and validated a three-immune gene model for PTC that includes Hsp70, NOX5, and FGF23. This model was demonstrated to be an independent prognostic variable. In addition, the overall immune activity of the high-risk group was higher than that of the low-risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed and validated a three-immune gene model for PTC that includes HSPA1A, NOX5, and FGF23. This model can be used as a validated tool to predict outcomes in PTC.

Cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery and non-surgical weight management programmes for adults with severe obesity: a decision analysis model

OBJECTIVES

To determine the most cost-effective weight management programmes (WMPs) for adults, in England with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2), who are more at risk of obesity related diseases.

METHODS

An economic evaluation of five different WMPs: 1) low intensity (WMP1); 2) very low calorie diets (VLCD) added to WMP1; 3) moderate intensity (WMP2); 4) high intensity (Look AHEAD); and 5) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, all compared to a baseline scenario representing no WMP. We also compare a VLCD added to WMP1 vs. WMP1 alone. A microsimulation decision analysis model was used to extrapolate the impact of changes in BMI, obtained from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of WMPs and bariatric surgery, on long-term risks of obesity related disease, costs, quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) measured as incremental cost per QALY gained over a 30-year time horizon from a UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. Sensitivity analyses explored the impact of long-term weight regain assumptions on results.

RESULTS

RYGB was the most costly intervention but also generated the lowest incidence of obesity related disease and hence the highest QALY gains. Base case ICERs for WMP1, a VLCD added to WMP1, WMP2, Look AHEAD, and RYGB compared to no WMP were £557, £6628, £1540, £23,725 and £10,126 per QALY gained respectively. Adding a VLCD to WMP1 generated an ICER of over £121,000 per QALY compared to WMP1 alone. Sensitivity analysis found that all ICERs were sensitive to the modelled base case, five year post intervention cessation, weight regain assumption.

CONCLUSIONS

RYGB surgery was the most effective and cost-effective use of scarce NHS funding resources. However, where fixed healthcare budgets or patient preferences exclude surgery as an option, a standard 12 week behavioural WMP (WMP1) was the next most cost-effective intervention.

Chlorine dioxide is a more potent antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 than sodium hypochlorite

BACKGROUND

A new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) abruptly emerged in Wuhan, China, in 2019 and rapidly spread globally to cause the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM

To examine the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of the potent disinfectant Cleverin, the major disinfecting component of which is chlorine dioxide (ClO₂); and to compare the results with that of sodium hypochlorite in the presence or absence of 0.5% or 1.0% foetal bovine serum (FBS).

METHODS

Concentrated SARS-CoV-2 viruses were treated with various concentrations of ClO₂ and sodium hypochlorite and 50% tissue culture infective dose was calcurated to evaluate the antiviral activity of each chemical.

FINDINGS

When SARS-CoV-2 viruses were treated with 0.8 ppm ClO₂ or sodium hypochlorite, viral titre was decreased only by 1 log₁₀ TCID₅₀/mL in 3 min. However, the viral titre was decreased by more than 4 log₁₀ TCID₅₀/mL when treated with 80 ppm of each chemical for 10 s regardless of presence or absence of FBS. It should be emphasized that treatment with 24 ppm of ClO₂ inactivated more than 99.99% SARS-CoV-2 within 10 s or 99.99% SARS-CoV-2 in 1 min in the presence of 0.5% or 1.0% FBS, respectively. By contrast, 24 ppm of sodium hypochlorite inactivated only 99% or 90% SARS-CoV-2 in 3 min under similar conditions. Notably, except for ClO₂, the other components of Cleverin such as sodium chlorite, decaglycerol monolaurate, and silicone showed no significant antiviral activity.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, the results strongly suggest that although ClO₂ and sodium hypochlorite are strong antiviral agents in absence of organic matter but in presence of organic matter, ClO₂ is a more potent antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 than sodium hypochlorite.

Multifunctional Thio-Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles for Near-Infrared Fluorescence Detection and Imaging of Activated Caspase-3

Background

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are commonly used in nanomedicine because of their unique spectral properties, chemical and biological stability, and ability to quench the fluorescence of organic dyes attached to their surfaces. However, the utility of spherical AuNPs for activatable fluorescence sensing of molecular processes have been confined to resonance-matched fluorophores in the 500 nm to 600 nm spectral range to maximize dye fluorescence quenching efficiency. Expanding the repertoire of fluorophore systems into the NIR fluorescence regimen with emission >800 nm will facilitate the analysis of multiple biological events with high detection sensitivity.

Objective

The primary goal of this study is to determine if spherical AuNP-induced radiative rate suppression of non-resonant near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes can serve as a versatile nanoconstruct for highly sensitive detection and imaging of activated caspase-3 in aqueous media and cancer cells. This required the development of activatable NIR fluorescence sensors of caspase-3 designed to overcome the nonspecific degradation and release of the surface coatings in aqueous media.

Method

We harnessed the fluorescence-quenching properties and multivalency of spherical AuNPs to develop AuNP-templated activatable NIR fluorescent probes to detect activated caspase-3, an intracellular reporter of early cell death. Freshly AuNPs were coated with a multifunctional NIR fluorescent dye-labeled peptide (LS422) consisting of an RGD peptide sequence that targets α_vβ₃-integrin protein (α_vβ₃) on the surface of cancer cells to mediate the uptake and internalization of the sensors in tumor cells; a DEVD peptide sequence for reporting the induction of cell death through caspase-3 mediated NIR fluorescence enhancement; and a multidentate hexacysteine sequence for enhancing self-assembly and stabilizing the multifunctional construct on AuNPs. The integrin binding affinity of LS422 and caspase-3 kinetics were determined by a radioligand competitive binding and fluorogenic peptide assays, respectively. Detection of intracellular caspase-3, cell viability, and the internalization of LS422 in cancer cells were determined by confocal NIR fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy.

Results

Narrow size AuNPs (13 nm) were prepared and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. When assembled on the AuNPs, the binding constant of LS422 for α_vβ₃ improved 11-fold from 13.2 nM to 1.2 nM. Whereas the catalytic turnover of caspase-3 by LS422-AuNPs was similar to the reference fluorogenic peptide, the binding affinity for the enzyme increased by a factor of 2. Unlike the α_vβ₃ positive, but caspase-3 negative breast cancer MCF-7 cells, treatment of the α_vβ₃ and caspase-3 positive lung cancer A549 cells with Paclitaxel showed significant fluorescence enhancement within 30 minutes, which correlated with caspase-3 specific activation of LS422-AuNPs fluorescence. Incorporation of a 3.5 mW NIR laser source into our spectrofluorometer increased the detection sensitivity by an order of magnitude (limit of detection ~0.1 nM of cypate) and significantly decreased the signal noise relative to a xenon lamp. This gain in sensitivity enabled the detection of substrate hydrolysis at a broad range of inhibitor concentrations without photobleaching the cypate dye.

Conclusion

The multifunctional AuNPs demonstrate the use of a non-resonant quenching strategy to design activatable NIR fluorescence molecular probes. The nanoconstruct offers a selective reporting method for detecting activated caspase-3, imaging of cell viability, identifying dying cells, and visualizing the functional status of intracellular enzymes. Performing these tasks with NIR fluorescent probes creates an opportunity to translate the in vitro and cellular analysis of enzymes into in vivo interrogation of their functional status using deep tissue penetrating NIR fluorescence analytical methods.