The Ca2+ -regulated protein kinase CIPK1 integrates plant responses to phosphate deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency severely restricts plant growth and development, as Pi is an essential macronutrient. Calcium (Ca²⁺ ) is a ubiquitous second messenger in plants; calcineurin B-like proteins (CBL) and CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPK) are signalling pathways that act as an important Ca²⁺ signalling network which integrates plants to fine tune the response to stress; however, whether CIPK are involved in Pi deficiency stress remains largely unknown. In this study, we carried out a reverse genetic strategy to screen T-DNA insertion mutants of CIPK isoforms under Pi deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana. Then Pi content, transcription of phosphate starvation-induced (PSI) genes, acid phosphatase activity and hydrogen peroxide were determined in the wild-type (WT) and cipk1 mutant, respectively. The phenotype of CIPK1 complementation lines was analysed. The cipk1 mutant had a more sensitive phenotype, with lower root elongation and root length, and decreased Pi content compared with the WT under Pi deficiency. Moreover, CIPK1 mutation caused phosphate starvation-induced (PSI) genes to be significantly induced under Pi deficiency. Histological staining demonstrated that the cipk1 mutant had increased acid phosphatase activity and hydrogen peroxide concentration under Pi deficiency. By using the yeast two-hybrid system, we further demonstrated the interaction between CIPK1 and the WRKY transcription factors, WRKY6 and WRKY42. Overall, we demonstrate that CIPK1 is involved in the Pi deficiency signalling pathway in A. thaliana, revealing the important role of Ca²⁺ in the Pi nutrition signalling pathway, and potentially providing a theoretical foundation for molecular breeding of crops with better Pi utilization efficiency.

[Clinical feature changes of a COVID-19 patient from mild to critical condition and cardiopulmonary pathological results]

Objective: To analyse the clinical history, laboratory tests and pathological data of a patient who suffered from novel coronavirus pneumonia(COVID-19) and provide reference for the clinical treatment of similar cases. Methods: Data of clinical manifestation, laboratory examination, bronchoscopy, echocardiography and cardiopulmonary pathological results were retrospectively reviewed in a case of COVID-19 with rapid exacerbation from mild to critical condition. Results: This patient hospitalized at day 9 post 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV) infection, experienced progressive deterioration from mild to severe at day 12, severe to critical at day 18 and underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) and continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) as well as heart lung transplantation during day 28-45 post infection, and died at the second day post heart and lung transplantation. The patient had suffered from hypertension for 8 years. At the early stage of the disease, his symptoms were mild and the inflammatory indices increased and the lymphocyte count decreased continuously. The patient's condition exacerbated rapidly with multi-organ infections, and eventually developed pulmonary hemorrhage and consolidation, pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, malignant ventricular arrhythmias, liver dysfunction, etc. His clinical manifestations could not be improved despite viral RNAs test results became negative. The patient underwent lung and heart transplantation and finally died of multi organ failure at the second day post lung and heart transplantation. Pathological examination indicated massive mucus, dark red secretions and blood clots in bronchus. The pathological changes were mainly diffused pulmonary hemorrhagic injuries and necrosis, fibrosis, small vessel disease with cardiac edema and lymphocyte infiltration. Conclusions: The clinical course of severe COVID-19 can exacerbate rapidly from mild to critical with lung, liver and heart injuries.

[Bronchiolar adenoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 15 cases]

Objective: To study the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of bronchiolar adenoma (BA). Methods: Fifteen cases of BA were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from January 2016 to October 2019. The clinical data, imaging examination, morphology, immunostaining and molecular changes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: There were 3 males, 12 females, most of the patients were female, mainly in middle-aged to elderly (51-77 years). Three had smoking history. The patients usually had no clinical symptoms. Imaging findings were ground-glass and/or lobulated nodules. Grossly, the tumors were gray-whitish, taupe solid or focally microcystic nodules with distinct boundary but no capsule. The maximum diameter was 0.4-2.5 cm (mean 1.0 cm). Histologically, there were glandular, papillary, or flat patterns that were composed of basal cells, mucous cells, ciliated cells and type Ⅱ pneumocytes, some of which showed basal cell proliferation and squamous cell metaplasia. However, there were some cases with few or even without mucous and/or ciliated cells. Immunostaining highlighted the continuous basal cell layer (positive for p63, p40 and cytokeratin 5/6), which was the most important diagnostic evidence. Genetic tests did not show mutation in BRAF or EGFR genes. All patients were followed up for 1-41 months, and they were without recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions: BA is a benign neoplasm that develops in the peripheral lung with good prognosis. Definite diagnosis is very crucial for surgical treatment, especially in frozen consultation. Immunohistochemistry will be helpful if necessary.

FRI0261 DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF PERIPHERAL CD4+ T CELLS IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS AND MIXED CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE

Background:

The CD4+T cell subsets plays an important role in its pathogenesis, and its new research are constantly being published, but its specific changes between SSc and MCTD are still unclear.

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to explore the absolute numbers of CD4+T subsets in peripheral blood(PB) of patients with SSc and MCTD using our modified flow cryometric method and investigate the role in the pathogenesis of both.

Methods:

The PB samples from 54 patients with SSc, 51 patients with MCTD as well as 30 healthy control subjects were analyzed for lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry. Of these patients, 19 had pulmonary involvement, including 9 patients with SSc and 10 patients with MCTD. Using directly the percentages from flow cytometry combined with internal standard beads calculated absolute number of peripheral lymphocyte subsets from the subjects in each group.

Results:

Although there were some changes among CD4+T cell subsets in PB from these SSc patients and MCTD patients, the major alteration was the reductions of Treg cells. Compared with the normal controls, the absolute number of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg cells were significantly decreased in SSc patients and MCTD patients, and the absolute number of Th1 cells in MCTD patients is also significantly reduced. Notably, the absolute numbers of Th17 and Th2 cells were not different from those of normal controls, but the ratios of Th17/Treg in SSc patients and MCTD patients were significantly higher, causing by insufficient number of Treg cells (Fig 1). In addition, in patients with pulmonary involvement, we found that the absolute number of Treg cells was significantly reduced in patients with MCTD, while the absolute number of Th2 cells and Th17 cells was significantly reduced in patients with SSc(Fig 2).

Fig 1.

Comparison of the levels of CD4+T lymphocyte subsets in SSc patients, MCTD patients and healthy controls: (A) The absolute number of peripheral Th1 cells in patients with MCTD was significantly reduced; (B and C) There was no significant difference in the absolute number of Th2 cells in peripheral blood of different subjects; (D and E) The ratio of Th17/Treg cells in PB of patients with SSc and MCTD were significantly higher.*P< 0.05; **P< 0.01; ***P< 0.001.

Conclusion:

The number of peripheral Treg cells in patients with SSc and MCTD was significantly reduced, suggesting that that SSc and MCTD progression is associated with the imbalances between pro-inflammation cells to anti-inflammation Treg cells. In addition, we also found that the decrease in peripheral numbers of Treg cells may contribute to the development of MCTD-associated lung disease, whereas in SSc patients who had lung involvement, the reduce in peripheral number of Th17 cells may result in a severe imbalance of Th17/Treg cells, thereby promoting disease progression.

Fig 2.

Comparison of the levels of CD4+T lymphocyte subsets in patients who had pulmonary involvement and healthy controls: (A) There was no significant difference in the absolute number of Th1 cells in peripheral blood of different subjects; (B and C) The absolute number of peripheral Th2 cells and Th17 cells in patients with SSc were significantly reduced; (D and E) The ratio of Th17/Treg cells in PB of patients with MCTD were higher.*P< 0.05; **P< 0.01; ***P< 0.001.

References:

[1]Liu M, Wu W, Sun X, et al. New insights into CD4(+) T cell abnormalities in systemic sclerosis. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2016 Apr; 28:31-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2015.12.002.

Acknowledgments:

None

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Krüppel homologue 1 interacts directly with Hairy and regulates ecdysis in the brown planthopper

Juvenile hormone (JH) plays important roles in the growth and development of insects. JH and its receptor methoprene-tolerant (Met) regulate the expression of transcription factors to control the transcription of downstream genes. The expression of Hairy (Hry) and Krüppel homologue 1 (Kr-h1) is regulated by JH and JH receptors. Hry and Kr-h1 are both crucial in mediating JH signalling. However, whether they interact at the gene level in regulating metamorphosis and whether they interact physically at the protein level remain unknown. We used co-immunoprecipitation, glutathione S-transferase pull-down and RNA interference (RNAi) approaches to study the genetic and biochemical interactions of the two proteins Hry and Kr-h1. The results showed that brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) Hry and Kr-h1 interact directly: Hry binds to the N-terminal of Kr-h1, which includes five zinc-finger domains. The RNAi experiment showed that downregulation of Hry reduced the ratio of ecdysis failure caused by knockdown of Kr-h1, indicating that the downregulation of Hry might mitigate ecdysis failure via the downregulation of Kr-h1. The expression of Hry increased significantly when Kr-h1 was downregulated, whereas it did not change significantly when both were downregulated. Our results suggest that the binding of Hry protein with Kr-h1 prevents the N-terminal five zinc-finger domains from binding with DNA, which in turn inactivates the transcription activator or inhibitor function of Kr-h1. Hry could possibly be used as a target for pesticide applications in the future.

Study on influencing factors and mechanism of removal of Cr(VI) from soil suspended liquid by bentonite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron

In order to clarify the mechanism and effect of bentonite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI@Bent) on Cr(VI) removal in soil suspended liquid, nZVI@Bent was prepared by liquid-phase reduction method in this research. A number of factors, including the mass ratio of Fe²⁺ to bentonite during preparation of nZVI@Bent, nZVI@Bent dosage, soil suspended liquid pH value and reaction temperature were assessed to determine their impact on the reduction of Cr(VI) in soil suspended liquid. The nZVI@Bent was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to analyze the mechanism of removal of Cr(VI) from the soil. The results showed that the temperature of soil suspended liquid had a significant effect on the removal efficiency. Calculated by the Arrhenius formula, nZVI@Bent removes Cr(VI) from the soil suspended liquid as an endothermic reaction with a reaction activation energy of 47.02 kJ/mol, showed that the reaction occurred easily. The removal of mechanism Cr(VI) from the soil by nZVI@Bent included adsorption and reduction, moreover, the reduction process can be divided into direct reduction and indirect reduction. According to XPS spectrogram analysis, the content of Cr(III) in the reaction product was 2.1 times of Cr(VI), indicated that the reduction effect was greater than the adsorption effect in the process of Cr(VI) removal. The experiment proved that nZVI@Bent can effectively remove Cr(VI) from soil suspension, and can provide technical support for repairing Cr(VI)-polluted paddy fields.

AB0936 CLINICAL STUDY ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD IMMUNE FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH GOUTY ARTHRITIS

Background:

Gout is an inflammatory disease characterized by hyperuricemia and recurrent arthritis. In severe cases, joint disability and renal insufficiency may occur[1]. In recent years, many studies have found that immune dysfunction plays an important role in the occurrence and development of gout[2]. Therefore, in-depth study of its internal mechanism is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of gout.

Objectives:

This paper mainly discussed the expression of peripheral blood immune function in patients with gouty arthritis and the changes and significance of peripheral blood immune function in gout with different uric acid levels.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed on 258 outpatients and inpatients with gout in shanxi medical university from 2016 to 2019, all of which met the diagnostic criteria of the American college of rheumatology (ACR) in 1997, and 41 healthy controls. Complete clinical data and general laboratory data were collected, and peripheral blood lymphocyte and CD4+T cell counts were completed for all subjects.

Results:

(1) Total peripheral blood B cells of gout patients [238.00 (171.50,323.07) and 191.04 (149.66,253.14), Z=-2.759, P=0.006], Th cells [814.11 (617.50,1052.89) and 625.84 (562.52,750.15), Z=-3.905, P<0.001], Th/Ts [1.4 (1.04,2.00) and 1.11 (0.89,1.52), Z=-2.862,Th17/Treg [0.36 (0.20,0.60) and 0.24 (0.14,0.34), Z=-3.949, P=0.000] and the absolute counts of Th17 cells [9.06 (5.07,15.57) and 7.48 (4.31,10.18), Z=-2.520, P=0.012] were higher than those of the healthy control group, and the differences were statistically significant.The absolute count of Treg cells [28.82 (17.48,38.04) and 30.22 (22.74,39.46), Z=-2.249, P=0.025] was lower than that of the healthy control group, and the difference was statistically significant. (2) The Th17% [1.05 (0.71,1.42) and 1.27 (0.73,2.00), Z=-1.995, P=0.046] and the Th17/Treg [0.25 (0.14,0.44) and 0.39 (0.23,0.63), Z=-3.147, P=0.002] in peripheral blood of patients with high uric acid in the gout group were higher than those in the normal uric acid group, the difference was statistically significant. The Treg % [3.84 (2.65,5.02) and 3.12 (2.36,4.37), Z=-2.239, P=0.025], and the Treg cells [30.75 (21.97,43.27) and 24.07 (16.84,36.29), Z=-2.522, P=0.012] were lower than those in the uric acid control group, with statistically significant differences.

Conclusion:

The level of Th17 cells in peripheral blood of patients with gout increased significantly while the level of regulatory T cells decreased significantly. Th17 cell level in peripheral blood of the high uric acid group was significantly increased compared with the normal uric acid group, while the regulatory T cell level was also significantly decreased, and the Th17/Treg ratio was also increased. This suggests that regulatory T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of gout and are closely related to uric acid metabolism, so the study of internal mechanism can provide a new target for the treatment of gout.

References:

[1]Ragab G, Elshahaly M, et al. Gout: An old disease in new perspective - A review[J]. Adv Res. 2017;8(5):495–511. DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2017.04.008.

[2]Dai XJ, Tao JH, et al. Changes of Treg/Th17 Ratio in Spleen of Acute Gouty Arthritis Rat Induced by MSU Crystals. [J]. Inflammation. 2018;41(5):1955-1964. Doi: 10.1007/s10753-018-0839-y.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

0638 Evaluation of an Oral Drug Pyridostigmine Bromide in Patients with Mild to Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Introduction

A randomized, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled clinical study with pyridostigmine bromide (PYD) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients ranging from mild to moderate disease was conducted to evaluate its clinical efficacy and safety.

Methods

Six diagnosed male patients with averages of age 48 yr (38 - 57 yr), BMI 28 (26 - 33), AHI 19.2 (15 - 26.2), minimum oxygen saturation (Min SaO2) 81% (75 - 87%) were enrolled to the study. The study consisted one-night acclimatization period followed immediately by a 2-night double-blind treatment period when subjects received either a single dose of PYD (a cholinesterase inhibitor, 90 mg) or placebo before sleep. Subjects were required to maintain in a supine position, and monitored by a standard polysomnography all the time. Sleep questionnaires (The SMH Sleep Questionnaire and ESS) were taken daily immediately after sleep and at the evening to evaluate the sleep satisfaction and the day-time quality, respectively. Safety of the drug was monitored and evaluated.

Results

Reductions of AHI (28.1%, p &lt; 0.01), apnea index (37.2%, p &lt; 0.05), % of total apnea/hypopnea time (36.4%, p &lt; 0.05) were observed in the treatment group compared with the placebo between 2-7 hours of sleep. Min SaO2 was increased, no change, or decreased by PYD in 3, 2, or 1 subject(s), respectively. PYD was generally well tolerated with minimum minor incidents. Subjects reported to have more satisfied sleep and more clear-headed in the treatment night, and more energy, more concentrated and less sleepy during the daytime following the treatment night.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the initial effectiveness of the PYD treatment for OSA, indicating that it may provide a new treatment option if the efficacy can be maintained in a large-scale clinical trial.

Support

N/A

Precision measurement of the neutral pion lifetime

The explicit breaking of the axial symmetry by quantum fluctuations gives rise to the so-called axial anomaly. This phenomenon is solely responsible for the decay of the neutral pion π⁰ into two photons (γγ), leading to its unusually short lifetime. We precisely measured the decay width Γ of the [Formula: see text] process. The differential cross sections for π⁰ photoproduction at forward angles were measured on two targets, carbon-12 and silicon-28, yielding [Formula: see text], where stat. denotes the statistical uncertainty and syst. the systematic uncertainty. We combined the results of this and an earlier experiment to generate a weighted average of [Formula: see text] Our final result has a total uncertainty of 1.50% and confirms the prediction based on the chiral anomaly in quantum chromodynamics.

NF-κB inhibitor QNZ protects human chondrocyte degeneration by promoting glucose uptake through Glut4 activation

OBJECTIVE

Glucose is not only an energy source but also raw material for proteoglycan biosynthesis of chondrocyte. The aim of the present study is to explore the role of QNZ in the progress of chondrocytes glucose uptake and investigate whether it will improve the chondrocytes degeneration through Glut4 activation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We isolated human chondrocytes from the cartilage by the patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty operations. Chondrocytes were pretreated with insulin or QNZ for 24 h. The uptake of glucose with stimulation, as well as the expression of Glut4, collagen II, aggrecan, MMP13, TNF-α, PCNA, and the p16 levels were determined by Western blot, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), or immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Both insulin and QNZ stimuli to chondrocytes contributed to the expression of Glut4 and glucose uptake compared to the normal cells. Additionally, collagen II and aggrecan expression was detected to a significant increase, along with the reduced levels of MMP13 and TNF-α after exposed to QNZ. Moreover, QNZ protected chondrocytes degeneration via promoting proliferation and delaying aging. After blocking Glut4, the glucose uptake significantly reduced in QNZ treatment, as well as the expression of collagen II and aggrecan. However, no significant changes were noticed in the MMP13 and TNF-α levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that inhibition of NF-κB activation by QNZ would improve the glucose uptake through Glut4 activation, which plays an important role in the protection of chondrocytes degeneration.

Efficacy and Safety of Anlotinib in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Real-World Study

Purpose

The ALTER0303 trial showed that anlotinib, a novel antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor, administered as third-line or further treatment prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This retrospective study investigated the efficacy and safety of anlotinib in real-world settings.

Patients and Methods

Medical records of patients with advanced NSCLC receiving anlotinib as third-line or further treatment were collected, and survival curves were derived using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate analysis was performed by log-rank testing. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the significance of factors obtained from the univariate analysis.

Results

Fifty-two patients with advanced NSCLC were included. The objective response rate was 16%, and the disease control rate was 80%. The median PFS was 4.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6–5.4), and the median OS was 9 months (95% CI: 6.5–11.5). Univariate analysis revealed that the group of patients with longer PFS and OS included Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) ≤1, ≤2 distant metastases, no liver metastases, ≤3 previous treatment lines, and ≤2 previous chemotherapy lines. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that only patients with ECOG PS ≤1 or no liver metastases had longer PFS and OS. Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events were reported in 14% of the patients, but no life-threatening adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Anlotinib was well tolerated and effective in patients with advanced NSCLC in real-world conditions. Patients with ECOG PS ≤1 or no liver metastases have longer PFS and OS.

[Strengthening basic and clinical research on ocular infection caused by coronavirus]

This article was published ahead of print on the official website of Chinese Jounal of Ophthalmology on February 19, 2020. The prevention and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) has reached the critical stage in China. Ocular surface represents a possible route for infection. Based on the previous studies and our own research, we summarize the potential transmission route and clinical symptoms of COVID-2019 in the eye, as well as the further prevention and research, with the expectation of contributing to the development in the field of infectious eye disease in China. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56:250-252).

[Feasibility, safety and long-term efficacy of laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreaticosplenectomy for T4b gastric cancer]

Objective: To explore the feasibility, safety and long-term efficacy of laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreaticosplenectomy for the treatment of T4b gastric cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Clinical data of consecutive patients with T4b gastric cancer invading pancreatic tail undergoing laparoscopic or open total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreaticosplenectomy from January 2010 to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Enrollment criteria: (1) primary gastric cancer confirmed by pathology as T4b adenocarcinoma; (2) chest+abdominal+pelvic enhanced CT indicated cancer invading pancreatic tail without distant metastasis, and R0 resection was evaluated as feasible before operation; (3) physical status was ECOG score 0 to 2, and was tolerant to operation. Patients with peritoneal implant metastasis and tumor invasion of other organs during operation, or changes in surgical methods for other reasons were excluded. All the operations were performed by the same surgical team, which had the experiences of more than 100 cases of laparoscopic and 100 cases of open radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. The choice of surgical procedure was discussed by the surgeon and the patient, and decided according to the patient's intension. Patients were divided into the laparoscopic group and open group according to the surgical method. Intraoperative and perioperative findings were compared between the two groups. The 3-year disease-free survival rate were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival curve and compared by using log-rank test. Results: A total of 37 consecutive patients were enrolled, including 21 in the laparoscopic group and 16 in the open group, and no one receiving laparoscopic procedure was converted to open surgery. The baseline data of two groups were comparable (all P>0.05). Compared with the open group, the laparoscopic group had significantly longer operation time [(264.0±35.1) minutes vs. (226.6±49.9) minutes, t=2.685, P=0.011], significantly less intraoperative blood loss [(65.7±37.4) ml vs. (182.2±94.6) ml, t=-4.658, P<0.001], significantly shorter time to postoperative flatus [(2.8±0.7) days vs. (4.1±0.7) days, t=-5.776, P<0.001] and significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay [(13.3±2.8) days vs. (16.6±4.3) days, t=-2.822, P=0.008]. Morbidity of postoperative complications, including anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistula, abdominal abscess, intraperitoneal hemorrhage and duodenal stump leakage, in two groups was similar [19.0% (4/21) vs. 4/16, P=0.705]. There were no cases of anastomotic bleeding or stenosis. The 30-day postoperative mortality was 0 in the laparoscopic group and 1/16 in the open group, respectively (P=0.432). The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 38.1% and 37.5% in the laparoscopic and open group, respectively (P=0.751). Conclusion: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreaticosplenectomy performed by experienced surgeons for T4b gastric cancer is safe and effective.

Prognostic value of baseline hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio in small cell lung cancer: A retrospective analysis

Background

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of baseline hemoglobin‐to‐red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients with newly diagnosed SCLC who had received first‐line chemotherapy at the Department of Pulmonary Oncology of the PLA 307 Hospital between January 2008 and October 2018. The optimal cutoff value of the continuous variables was determined using the X‐tile software. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazard models. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used for survival analysis, with differences tested using the log‐rank test.

Results

A total of 146 patients were included. The cutoff value for HRR was determined as 0.985. Statistically significant differences were observed in sex, smoking history, stage, radiotherapy combination, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, hemoglobin, and red blood cell distribution width between the high and low HRR groups. The median overall survival (OS) was nine and 17.5 months in the low and high HRR groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was five and 8.5 months, respectively (P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed low HRR to be an independent predictor of a poor prognosis for OS (hazard ratio = 3.782; 95% confidence interval, 2.151–6.652; P < 0.001) and PFS (hazard ratio = 2.112; 95% confidence interval, 1.195–3.733; P = 0.01) in SCLC.

Conclusion

Low HRR was associated with poorer OS and PFS in patients with SCLC and can be a potentially valuable prognostic factor for these patients.

Key points

The prognostic value of the baseline hemoglobin‐to‐red blood cell distribution width ratio was evaluated in patients with small cell lung cancer.

In this population, this ratio was an independent predictor of overall survival and progression‐free survival. This ratio, an inexpensive and routine parameter, can be used as a prognostic factor in small cell lung cancer.

Effects of Radon From Hot Springs on Lymphocyte Subsets in Peripheral Blood

Objective:

To analyze changes in immune functions by detecting lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of residents in the vicinity of radon from hot springs.

Methods:

Two groups were randomly selected; 61 residents in the vicinity of the hot springs were assigned to the radon group, and 51 residents with a similar lifestyle and habits but no contact with hot springs were assigned to the control group. The percentages of lymphocyte subsets (CD3⁺, CD4⁺CD8⁻, CD4⁻CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺, and TCR/CD3) in the 2 groups were evaluated on a FACS Aria flow cytometer. The absolute values of lymphocytes (LYMPH#) and percentages of lymphocytes (LYMPH%) were measured by an automatic blood analyzer.

Results:

In the radon group, the numbers of CD3⁺ (Z = −0.140, P > .05) and CD4⁺CD8⁻ (Z = −0.964, P > .05) T cells were higher, as compared with the controls, but this difference was not significant. In addition, the number of CD4⁻CD8⁺ (t = −2.141, P < .05) T cells was significantly lower in the radon group. Furthermore, the average ratios of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ (t = −2.201, P < .05) and TCR/CD3 (t = 2.047, P < .05) cells were significantly higher in the radon group than in the controls. Compared with the control group, the LYMPH# (t = −0.485, P > .05) and LYMPH% (Z = −0.835, P > .05) showed no significant change.

Conclusion:

Radon-rich hot springs could alter the proportions of lymphocyte subsets and possibly affect immunologic functions.

[Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological analysis of twelve cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL). Methods: A total of 12 specimens were collected, which were surgically resected and verified as MEITL by postoperative pathology, immumohistochemical staining and gene rearrangement at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2012 to 2018, and all of these had complete clinical and pathological data. The MEITL cases were reviewed to compare the clinicopathological characteristics, including morphologic and immunophenotypic features and followed up by telephone and clinic visit. Results: All the cases were diagnosed with MEITL. There were 8 males and 4 females. Male to female ratio was 2∶1, at a median age of 54 years. The sites of involvement included jejunum (4 cases), ileum (5 cases), duodenum (1 case), ileocecal junction (1 case) and rectum (1 case). The neoplastic cells were monotonous of small to intermediate cells in size with round to slightly irregular nuclei in 11 cases. The immunophenotyping showed that CD3 (12/12), CD8 (11/12), CD43 (11/12), CD56 (11/12), TIA-1 (12/12) were positive; CD5 (12/12), Gran B (9/12), and perforin (7/12) were negative. Two cases aberrantly expressed the B-cell marker CD20. A high proliferation index was demonstrated by Ki-67 immunostaining. In situ hybridization for EBER was all negative(12/12). The whole exome sequencing(WES) mutational landscape of MEITL was remarkably homogeneous, showing significantly enriched clusters among histone modifier genes, JAK-STAT and MAPK-signal pathways. Histonelysine N-methytransferase SETD2 gene was mutated in 2/4 tumors. All the patients analyzed harbored at least one mutation in the JAK-STAT signal pathway, including STAT5B (2/4), JAK3 (3/4) and STAT5A (2/4). Furthermore, frequent alterations (TP53) were observed in the MAPK pathway in 3/4 of MEITL cases. The CNV analysis derived from WES data identified multiple regions of frequent gains and losses. In particular, gains in 1q, 7q and 9q, and recurrent losses involving 7p and 8p were observed. Conclusions: MEITL is a rare and aggressive type of extranodal T-cell lymphoma. The differential diagnosis of MEITL includes EATL, extranodal NT/T-cell lymphoma and other types of PTCL. Diagnosis should be correlated to clinical symptoms while the final diagnosis is mainly based on the pathological features, immunophenotypes and genetic testing.

Genomic Profiles of a Patient of Pulmonary Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma With High AFP Level: A Case Report

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of lung (HAL) is a rare and aggressive tumor. The current study reported a new HAL case in the right lower lung with high serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level in a 71-year-old male patient. After the confirmation of morphology and immunohistochemistry, the patient was diagnosed clinically with HAL and treated with radio-frequency ablation. However, the patient whose disease progressed eventually died 4 months after diagnosis. Whole genome sequencing analysis identified a driver gene mutation in the FAT atypical cadherin 1 gene (FAT1) and the copy number loss. The tumor was microsatellite-stable and tumor mutation burden (TMB) was 1.69 mutations/Mb. PD-L1 expression was negative by IHC. Our finding provide further clues for the molecular basis of HAL and the efficacy of immunotherapy needs to be explored.

[A sequential conditional mean model for assessing total effects of exposure in longitudinal data]

In prospective cohort study, multi follow up is often necessary for study subjects, and the observed values are correlated with each other, usually resulting in time-dependent confounding. In this case, the data generally do not meet the application conditions of traditional multivariate regression analysis. Sequential conditional mean model (SCMM) is a new approach that can deal with time-dependent confounding. This paper mainly summarizes the basic theory, steps and characteristics of SCMM.

Long non-coding RNA H19 protects acute myocardial infarction through activating autophagy in mice

OBJECTIVE

We investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA H19 in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were subjected to AMI and injected with lentivirus pcDNA-H19. After AMI procedures for 3 weeks, cardiac function was detected by echocardiography. The infarct size was stained by triphenyltetrazolium chloride. H19 expression in mice was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Protein expressions of LC3, Beclin-1, and ATG-7 in mice were measured by Western blot.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that H19 expression was significantly downregulated in the infarcted myocardium. Overexpression of H19 after injection with pcDNA-H19 in mice could reduce infarct size and improve cardiac function through upregulating the ratio of LC3-II/I and expressions of Beclin-1 and ATG-7.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of H19 could protect AMI in mice via activating autophagy.

The neutron electric dipole moment experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source

Novel experimental techniques are required to make the next big leap in neutron electric dipole moment experimental sensitivity, both in terms of statistics and systematic error control. The nEDM experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source (nEDM@SNS) will implement the scheme of Golub & Lamoreaux [Phys. Rep., 237, 1 (1994)]. The unique properties of combining polarized ultracold neutrons, polarized 3He, and superfluid 4He will be exploited to provide a sensitivity to ∼ 10−28 e · cm. Our cryogenic apparatus will deploy two small (3 L) measurement cells with a high density of ultracold neutrons produced and spin analyzed in situ. The electric field strength, precession time, magnetic shielding, and detected UCN number will all be enhanced compared to previous room temperature Ramsey measurements. Our 3He co-magnetometer offers unique control of systematic effects, in particular the Bloch-Siegert induced false EDM. Furthermore, there will be two distinct measurement modes: free precession and dressed spin. This will provide an important self-check of our results. Following five years of “critical component demonstration,” our collaboration transitioned to a “large scale integration” phase in 2018. An overview of our measurement techniques, experimental design, and brief updates are described in these proceedings.

Exploratory study on application of MALDI‑TOF‑MS to detect serum and urine peptides related to small cell lung carcinoma

Matrix‑assisted laser desorption/ionization time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‑TOF‑MS) was employed to analyze differential serum and urine peptides in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and healthy individuals, and SCLC diagnostic classification models were constructed. Serum and urine samples from 72 patients with SCLC, age‑ and gender‑matched with 72 healthy individuals, were divided into training and testing sets in a 3:1 ratio. Serum and urine peptides were extracted using copper ion‑chelating nanomagnetic beads, and mass spectra were obtained using MALDI‑TOF‑MS. Peptide spectra for the training set were analyzed, and the classification model was constructed using ClinProTools (CPT). The testing set was used for blinded model validation. For training‑set sera, 122 differential peptide signal peaks with a mass of 0.8‑10 kDa were observed, and 19 peptides showed significantly different expression [P<0.0005; area under curve (AUC) ≥0.80]. CPT screened 5 peptide peaks (0.8114, 0.83425, 1.86655, 4.11133 and 5.81192 kDa) to construct the classification model. The testing set was used for the blinded validation, which had 95.0% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity. For the training‑set urine, 132 differential peptide signal peaks with m/z ratios of 0.8‑10 kDa were observed, and 8 peptides had significantly different expression (P<0.0005; AUC ≥0.80). Then, 5 peaks (1.0724, 2.37692, 2.7554, 4.75475 and 4.7949 kDa) were used for classification model construction. The testing set was used for 36 blinded validation, which had 85.0% sensitivity and 80.0% specificity. Among the differential peptides, 3 had the same significant peaks at 2.3764, 0.8778 and 0.8616 kDa, identified as fibrinogen α, glucose‑6‑phosphate isomerase and cyclin‑dependent kinase‑1, respectively. The present study highlighted the differences that exist in serum and urine peptides between patients with SCLC and healthy individuals. Serum and urine peptide diagnostic classification models could be constructed using MALDI‑TOF‑MS, and showed high sensitivity and specificity.

Periodic stochastic high-order Degasperis–Procesi equation with cylindrical fBm

This paper studies the periodic stochastic high-order Degasperis–Procesi (DP) equation driven by a cylindrical fractional Brownian motion (fBm) which is white in space. And it has the covariance with Hurst parameter [Formula: see text] in the time variable. The local existence and uniqueness of the solution [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] are proved by fixed point theorem combined with the stochastic term estimations in the Besov-type Bourgain space [Formula: see text] and the second iteration of non-linear term.

A small proton charge radius from an electron-proton scattering experiment

Elastic electron-proton scattering (e-p) and the spectroscopy of hydrogen atoms are the two methods traditionally used to determine the proton charge radius, r_p. In 2010, a new method using muonic hydrogen atoms¹ found a substantial discrepancy compared with previous results², which became known as the 'proton radius puzzle'. Despite experimental and theoretical efforts, the puzzle remains unresolved. In fact, there is a discrepancy between the two most recent spectroscopic measurements conducted on ordinary hydrogen^3,4. Here we report on the proton charge radius experiment at Jefferson Laboratory (PRad), a high-precision e-p experiment that was established after the discrepancy was identified. We used a magnetic-spectrometer-free method along with a windowless hydrogen gas target, which overcame several limitations of previous e-p experiments and enabled measurements at very small forward-scattering angles. Our result, r_p = 0.831 ± 0.007_stat ± 0.012_syst femtometres, is smaller than the most recent high-precision e-p measurement⁵ and 2.7 standard deviations smaller than the average of all e-p experimental results⁶. The smaller r_p we have now measured supports the value found by two previous muonic hydrogen experiments^1,7. In addition, our finding agrees with the revised value (announced in 2019) for the Rydberg constant⁸-one of the most accurately evaluated fundamental constants in physics.

Circulating plasma lncRNAs as novel markers of EGFR mutation status and monitors of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations predict tumor response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, even patients with EGFR‐sensitive mutations in NSCLC have limited efficacy with EGFR‐TKI. Studies have shown that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is related to diagnosis and prognosis with NSCLC. This study aimed to explore the correlation between lncRNA in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation status and EGFR‐TKI efficacy.

Methods

The amplification‐refractory mutation system method was used to test the EGFR mutation status in tumor tissues and pleural effusions of NSCLC patients. Three EGFR‐mutant patients and three EGFR wild‐type patients were selected. Differential lncRNA was performed on the pleural effusions of the two selected groups of patients using Clariom D Human chip technology. Five lncRNAs significantly associated with EGFR mutation status were screened by FC value and GO analysis, and then evaluated by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in NSCLC patients' pleural effusions. Three were further analyzed in NSCLC patients' plasma.

Results

There were 61 significant differences in lncRNA between EGFR mutation‐positive and wild‐type patients. Among them, SCARNA7, MALAT1, NONHSAT017369, NONHSAT051892, and FTH1P2 were significantly associated with EGFR mutation status. SCARNA7, MALAT1, and NONHSAT017369 showed consistent results with plasma in pleural effusions compared to EGFR wild‐type, all upregulated in the EGFR mutation group.

Conclusion

This study shows that lncRNAs can be used not only as potential biomarkers for predicting the mutation status of EGFR and the efficacy of EGFR‐TKI, but also for monitoring the efficacy of EGFR‐TKI.

MoS2 pixel arrays for real-time photoluminescence imaging of redox molecules

Measuring the behavior of redox-active molecules in space and time is crucial for understanding chemical and biological systems and for developing new technologies. Optical schemes are noninvasive and scalable, but usually have a slow response compared to electrical detection methods. Furthermore, many fluorescent molecules for redox detection degrade in brightness over long exposure times. Here, we show that the photoluminescence of "pixel" arrays of monolayer MoS₂ can image spatial and temporal changes in redox molecule concentration. Because of the strong dependence of MoS₂ photoluminescence on doping, changes in the local chemical potential substantially modulate the photoluminescence of MoS₂, with a sensitivity of 0.9 mV / Hz on a 5 μm × 5 μm pixel, corresponding to better than parts-per-hundred changes in redox molecule concentration down to nanomolar concentrations at 100-ms frame rates. This provides a new strategy for visualizing chemical reactions and biomolecules with a two-dimensional material screen.

[Analysis of the prevalence of blindness and major blinding diseases in China]

With the growth of the global population and the acceleration of the aging process, the situation of blindness all over the world is increasingly severe. According to the latest data published by the Vision Loss Expert Group in 2017, there were an estimated 36 million blind people worldwide in 2015. The 66(th) World Health Assembly has endorsed the "Universal eye health: a global action plan 2014-2019" , which aims to reduce the prevalence of avoidable visual impairment by 25% by 2019 from the baseline of 2010. As a country with the largest number of blind people in the world, China has an arduous task of preventing and treating eye diseases.This review article summarizes and analyzes the relevant literature on the prevalence of blindness, the main blinding diseases and prevention measures in China, so as to provide reference materials for ophthalmologists to better carry out eye health work and reduce the number of blind people in China. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55:625-628).

Four weeks of hypoxia training improves cutaneous microcirculation in trained rowers

Hypoxia training can improve endurance performance. However, the specific benefits mechanism of hypoxia training is controversial, and there are just a few studies on the peripheral adaptation to hypoxia training. The main objective of this study was to observe the effects of hypoxia training on cutaneous blood flow (CBF), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), nitric oxide (NO), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Twenty rowers were divided into two groups for four weeks of training, either hypoxia training (Living High, Exercise High and Training Low, HHL) or normoxia training (NOM). We tested cutaneous microcirculation by laser Doppler flowmeter and blood serum parameters by ELISA. HHL group improved the VO(2peak) and power at blood lactic acid of 4 mmol/l (P(4)) significantly. The CBF and the concentration of moving blood cells (CMBC) in the forearm of individuals in the HHL group increased significantly at the first week. The HIF level of the individuals in the HHL group increased at the fourth week. The NO of HHL group increased significantly at the fourth week. In collusion, four weeks of HHL training resulted in increased forearm cutaneous blood flow and transcutaneous oxygen pressure. HHL increases rowers' NO and VEGF, which may be the mechanism of increased blood flow. The increased of CBF seems to be related with improving performance.

[Minimally invasive therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma]

Over 70% of hepatocellular carcinoma patients have not received traditional surgery because of their own disease characteristics and the limitations of traditional surgical methods. With the advancement of medical technology and the development of minimally invasive concepts, minimally invasive surgery, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, and local ablation have received increasing attention. The combination of various treatment methods can help to strengthen the characteristics of each treatment, but the guiding standard of comprehensive treatment still needs further exploration and research.

Genetic determinates for conjugated linolenic acid production in Lactobacillus plantarum ZS2058

AIMS

To investigate the genetic determinates for conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) production in Lactobacillus plantarum ZS2058, a high CLNA producer.

METHODS AND RESULTS

After culturing with α-linolenic acid (ALA) in the medium, the fatty acid compositions of supernatant fluid and cell pellets were analysed via GC-MS. cis9,trans11,cis15-CLNA was identified to be the predominant isomer. And during CLNA production, 10-hydroxy-cis12-cis15-octadecenoic acid (10-HOEA) and 10-oxo-cis12-cis15-octadecenoic acid (10-OXOA) were accumulated. The E. coli recombinants harbouring genes encoding myosin-cross-reactive antigen (MCRA), short-chain dehydrogenase/oxidoreductase (DH) and acetoacetate decarboxylase (DC), respectively, were analysed for their roles in CLNA production. The results indicated that MCRA converted ALA to 10-HOEA, following converted to 10-OXOA by DH. While with the combination of three recombinants, ALA could be transformed into CLNA plus 10-HOEA and 10-OXOA. When the three genes were deleted, none of the L. plantarum ZS2058 knockout mutants could produce any CLNA, after complementation, and all the complementary mutants recovered the CLNA-production ability at similar levels as the wild strain.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactobacillus plantarum ZS2058 produced CLNA from ALA with 10-HOEA and 10-OXOA as intermediates. The triple-component isomerase of MCRA, DH and DC was the unique genetic determinant for CLNA generation.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The current results firstly provided conclusive evidence that the triple-component isomerase complex was shared by both CLA and CLNA production in lactobacilli.

[Analysis of early renal damage markers under different renal ultrasonic manifestations in gout patients]

Objective: To observe the relationship between early renal damage markers and renal ultrasonic manifestations in gout patients, and whether early renal damage is reversible after uric acid-reducing treatment. Methods: The gout patients from the Department of Rheumatology of Beijing Haidian Hospital and Peking University People's Hospital between July 2016 and December 2017 were recruited in this study. According to the results of renal ultrasonography, the patients were divided into the following three groups. Group A was normal. Group B was punctate crystallization. Group C was renal calculi. Each group included 30 patients. The patients in group B and group C who could insist on regular uric acid-reducing treatment for one year were selected. The levels of urinary RBP, β(2)-MG and NAG were measured in different groups and one year before and after uric acid-reducing treatment. Results: The urinary concentration of β(2)-MG in group A, group B and group C were (128.59±107.32), (316.08±207.41) and (311.25±162.85)mg/L, respectively. There were significant differences among the three groups (P<0.001). The urinary concentration of NAG were (13.41±5.12)U/L,(17.88±6.19)U/L and (18.48±9.84)U/L, respectively. There were differences among the three groups (P<0.01).There was no significant difference in urinary RBP concentration among the three groups (P=0.188). After one year of uric acid-reducing treatment, the levels of urinary RBP, β(2)-MG and NAG were lower than that before treatment. There were significant differences before and after treatment in each group (P<0.05). Compared with group C, the levels of urinary β(2)-MG and NAG were decreased in group B after uric acid-reducing treatment (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Renal ultrasonography is helpful for the diagnosis of early renal damage in gout patients. Early renal damage markers in gout patients decreased after uric acid-reducing treatment, suggesting that early renal damage can be reversible if early diagnosis and timely treatment can be made in gout patients.

[Combined anluohuaxianwan and entecavir treatment significantly improve the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection]

Objective: To explore the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who received entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxianwan for 78 weeks. Methods: Patients with chronic HBV infection were randomly treated with entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxian for 78 weeks. Ishak fibrosis score was used for blind interpretation of liver biopsy specimens. The improvement in liver fibrosis condition before and after the treatment was compared. Student's t test and non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U-Test and Kruskal-Wallis test) were used to analyze the measurement data. The categorical variables were analyzed by Chi-square test method and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to test bivariate associations. Results: Liver fibrosis improvement rate after 78 weeks of treatment was 36.53% (80/219) and the progression rate was 23.29% (51/219). The improvement of liver fibrosis was associated to the degree of baseline fibrosis and treatment methods (P < 0.05). The improvement rate of hepatic fibrosis in patients treated with anluohuaxianwan combined with entecavir at baseline F < 3 (54.74%, 52/95) was significantly higher than that in patients treated only with entecavir (33.33%, 16/48), P = 0.016 and the progression rate of hepatic fibrosis (13.68%, 13/95) was lower than that in patients treated alone (18.75%, 9/48), P = 0.466. In patients with baseline F < 3, the proportion of patients with improved and stable liver fibrosis in the combined treatment group (68.1%, 32/47) was higher than that in the treatment group alone (51.7%, 15/29). Conclusion: Combined anluohuaxianwan and entecavir treatment can significantly improve the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Furthermore, it has the tendency to improve the stability rate and reduce the rate of progression of liver fibrosis.

P741Next generation miRNA sequencing and changes in coagulation measured by thrombelastography (TEG) in patients with cardiovascular disease

Background

Thrombelastography (TEG), an ex-vivo clotting assay can identify subjects at high risk of subsequent coronary thrombotic events. Synthesis of clotting factors is subject to post-translational regulation, which is modulated at least in part by miRNA.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that miRNA sequencing may identify specific miRNA linked with measures of hypercoaguability by TEG.

Methods

Kaolin activated thrombelastography was performed in platelet poor citrate plasma from 61 subjects referred for cardiac catheterization. Time to clot formation (R), clot stabilization time (K), and maximal fibrin clot strength (MA) was measured. Next generation miRNA sequencing was done from RNA isolated from whole blood samples, which includes miRNA derived from leukocytes and platelets. Prediction of miRNA gene targets was performed with targetscan.

Results

Sequencing resulted in quantification of 371 distinct miRNA from whole blood samples. We found 13 miRNA correlating with alteration in TEG-R, 33 miRNA correlating with TEG-K, and 21 miRNA correlating with TEG-MA. Coagulation factors or genes associated with coagulation were found to be among predicted targets in 49 out of these 67 miRNA. Most common predicted targets included factors II, V, VII, X, XIII, fibrinogen, plasminogen-activator inhibitor, and tissue factor. Factor XIIIA1 was highly conserved gene target by miR-96-5p (one of only 3miRNA predicted for this gene). MiR-96-5p correlated with clot stabilization time (ρ=-0.26, p=0.047) which has been shown to be dependent on FXIIIa activity. MiR-22-3p was significantly correlated with TEG-K (ρ=0.28, p=0.034) and was only miRNA with highly conserved target site for prothrombin (Factor II).

Conclusions

In patients with cardiovascular disease miRNA sequencing combined with coagulation phenotype in silico analysis may identify novel links to coagulation that are associated with increased thrombotic risk.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Charles Fisch Cardiovascular Research Award endowed by S. Knoebel

Tetraphenylethylene@Graphene Oxide with Switchable Fluorescence Triggered by Mixed Solvents for the Application of Repeated Information Encryption and Decryption

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials present unique solid-state fluorescence. However, there remains a challenge in the switching of fluorescence quenching/emitting of AIE materials, limiting the application in information encryption. Herein, we report a composite of tetraphenylethylene@graphene oxide (TPE@GO) with switchable microstructure and fluorescence. We choose GO as a fluorescence quencher to control the fluorescence of TPE by controlling the aggregation structure. First, TPE coating with an average thickness of about 31 nm was deposited at the GO layer surface, which is the critical thickness at which the fluorescence can be largely quenched because of the fluorescence resonance energy transfer. After spraying a mixed solvent (good and poor solvents of TPE) on TPE@GO, a blue fluorescence of TPE was emitted during the drying process. During the treatment of mixed solvents, the planar TPE coating was dissolved in THF first and then the TPE molecules aggregated into nanoparticles (an average diameter of 65 nm) in H₂O during the volatilization of THF. We found that the fluorescence switching of the composite is closely related to the microstructural change of TPE between planar and granular structures, which can make the upper TPE molecules in and out of the effective quenching region of GO. This composite, along with the treatment method, was used as an invisible ink in repeated information encryption and decryption. Our work not only provides a simple strategy to switch the fluorescence of solid-state fluorescent materials but also demonstrates the potential for obtaining diverse material structures through compound solvent treatment.

The estrogen receptor α-selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol improves glucose tolerance in ob/ob mice: potential molecular mechanisms

The authors and journal apologise for an error in the above paper, which appeared in volume 199 part 2, pages 275–286. The error relates to Fig. 10, given on page 283.

Accuracies of genomic prediction for twenty economically important traits in Chinese Simmental beef cattle

Genomic prediction has been widely utilized to estimate genomic breeding values (GEBVs) in farm animals. In this study, we conducted genomic prediction for 20 economically important traits including growth, carcass and meat quality traits in Chinese Simmental beef cattle. Five approaches (GBLUP, BayesA, BayesB, BayesCπ and BayesR) were used to estimate the genomic breeding values. The predictive accuracies ranged from 0.159 (lean meat percentage estimated by BayesCπ) to 0.518 (striploin weight estimated by BayesR). Moreover, we found that the average predictive accuracies across 20 traits were 0.361, 0.361, 0.367, 0.367 and 0.378, and the averaged regression coefficients were 0.89, 0.86, 0.89, 0.94 and 0.95 for GBLUP, BayesA, BayesB, BayesCπ and BayesR respectively. The genomic prediction accuracies were mostly moderate and high for growth and carcass traits, whereas meat quality traits showed relatively low accuracies. We concluded that Bayesian regression approaches, especially for BayesR and BayesCπ, were slightly superior to GBLUP for most traits. Increasing with the sizes of reference population, these two approaches are feasible for future application of genomic selection in Chinese beef cattle.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs342275, rs342293, rs7694379, rs11789898, and rs17824620) showed significant association with lobaplatin-induced thrombocytopenia

This study aimed to investigate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with lobaplatin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with advanced lung cancer in China. Thirty-nine patients who received lobaplatin-based chemotherapy in the 307 Hospitals of Chinese People's Liberation Army from April 2017 to March 2018 were enrolled as study subjects. Peripheral blood DNA was extracted, and 79 candidate SNP positions were selected. A Sanger sequencing platform was employed to measure genotypes for locating the SNP positions associated with lobaplatin-induced thrombocytopenia. Of the 79 candidate genes, SNPs rs342275 and rs7694379 were significantly associated with lobaplatin-induced decrease in platelet (PLT) count (P < 0.05). SNPs rs342275, rs342293, rs11789898, and rs17824620 showed significant association with lobaplatin-induced lowest PLT counts (P < 0.05). SNPs rs342275, rs342293, rs11789898, rs17824620, and rs7694379 can be used as predictors of thrombocytopenia induced by lobaplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced lung cancer in China.

A PD-L1-Based Cancer Vaccine Elicits Antitumor Immunity in a Mouse Melanoma Model

Engagement of programmed death 1 receptor (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1/2 induces a signal transduction pathway that inhibits the activity of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes and promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Antibodies blocking PD-1 or PD-L1 can restore antitumor T cell responses and cause long-term remission in a subset of cancer patients with advanced or refractory tumors. In this study, we asked whether PD-L1 vaccination could confer tumor control in mouse tumor models. To address the central tolerance toward self-molecules, we fused the extracellular domain of PD-L1 (PD-L1E) to the C-terminal of the translocation domain of diphtheria toxin (DTT). DTT is able to elicit CD4+ T cell responses required for inducing robust immune responses against self-molecules. The fusion molecule is called DPDL1E. When formulated with incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (IFA), DPDL1E elicited robust immune responses biased toward the Th1 type and inhibited tumor growth in both preventive and therapeutic mouse tumor models. We further showed that the anti-DPDL1E sera blocked PD-L1 binding to PD-1 in vitro. The DPDL1E vaccination increased the levels of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) and reduced the levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) as well as exhausted LAG3+PD-1+ CD8+ T cells. All of these data suggest that DPDL1E vaccination reverses the suppressive phenotype of the tumor microenvironment and that it is a promising strategy for cancer therapy.

[Cumulative risk assessment of phthalates exposure in preschool children]

Objective: The urine concentrations of phthalate metabolites were used to estimate the cumulative risk assessment in preschool children in Ma'anshan of Anhui province. Methods: Based on the China-Anhui Birth Cohort, the demographic information and urine samples of 3 743 children were collected in Ma'anshan from April 2014 to April 2015. The concentrations of 7 metabolites' [monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono (2-ethyl- 5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) and mono (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP)] of 5 phthalates [dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)] in the urine samples of the children were measured by solid-phase extration-triple quadrupole high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-isotope method. In addition, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of 5 phthalates were calculated according to the metabolites' concentrations. Cumulative risk assessment was performed using hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) methods. Results: The M (Q(R)) of seven metabolite concentrations were 29.58 (18.69-48.26), 26.65 (13.44-56.09), 256.86 (150.99-438.51), 0.12 (0.04-0.32), 6.27 (3.71-11.13), 17.94 (11.94-28.42) and 24.80 (16.05-40.32) μg/g creatinine, respectively. For the EDIs of 5 phthalates, DBP ranked first, followed by DEHP, DMP, DEP and BBzP with the M (Q(R)) of 7.54 (4.41-12.85), 3.35 (2.20-5.42), 0.75 (0.47-1.24), 0.71 (0.36-1.52) and 0.003 (0.001-0.009) μg/(kg·d), respectively. The HQ and HI varied with age, gender and sampling season, the differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: These results indicated that risk of cumulative exposure to phthalates was high in preschool children aged 3-6 years in Ma'anshan. Age, gender and sampling season were influencing factors.

[Prevalence and risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving antiviral therapy]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) receiving antiviral treatment. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 3 477 cases with CHB who received antiviral therapy. The prevalence of NAFLD was investigated, and then the risk factors were screened and analyzed by stepwise regression method in CHB patients with NAFLD as the dependent variable and the related influencing factors as independent variables. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD was 24.1% in CHB patients who received antiviral therapy. After adjusting for age and gender, central obesity (OR: 7.44, 95%CI: 6.06 ~ 9.14), hypertension (OR: 1.74, 95%CI: 1.51 ~ 2.20), and triglyceride (OR: 1.52, 95%CI: 1.18 ~ 1.96) were positively associated with NAFLD, and cirrhosis was negatively associated with NAFLD (OR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.34 ~ 0.53). Patients with long-term antiviral therapy had increased risk of NAFLD. Conclusion: A significant proportion of CHB patients receiving antiviral therapy have suffered from NAFLD. Therefore, CHB patients receiving long-term antiviral treatment should pay more attention to the prevalence of NAFLD.

[Therapeutic effect of rigid permeable contact lenses on irregular astigmatism after keratoplasty]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of rigid permeable contact lenses (RGPCL) in the correction of irregular astigmatism after keratoplasty. Methods: Retrospective case study. From June 2012 to December 2016, 31 patients (37 eyes) who underwent corneal transplantation were tested and fitted with RGPCL. The patients' data of primary disease, interval from keratoplasty to contact lens fitting, uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, best RGPCL-corrected visual acuity, contrast visual acuity before and after RGPCL wear, corneal topography and corneal endothelium parameters before and after RGPCL wear were collected, including ocular complications and comfort of contact lenses. Results: Among the 31 patients, 24 were male and 7 were female, with age of (31.3±5.8) years. The mean interval between grafting and initial contact lens fitting was (4.6±2.3) years. Uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and best RGPCL-corrected visual acuity were 0.81±0.21, 0.54±0.13, and 0.10±0.07, respectively (t=7.170, 16.617, 17.866; all P<0.05). The average astigmatism was -5.76±2.23 D and -0.83±0.47 D before and after wearing RGPCL (t=8.531, P<0.05). After wearing RGPCL, the contrast visual acuity of 100%, 25%, 10%, and 5% was increased from 0.95±0.33, 1.18±0.21, 1.40±0.00, and 1.40±0.00 to 0.12±0.15, 0.37±0.17, 0.65±0.25, and 0.96±0.29, respectively (t=5.972, 8.473, 9.243, 5.104; all P<0. 05). There were no obvious changes of corneal endothelium parameters during the observation period. No obvious corneal allograft rejection or other complications occurred, and 94.6% (35/37) of the patients felt comfortable with wearing RGPCL. Conclusions: RGPCL wear is safe and effective in correcting irregular astigmatism after corneal transplantation. We can obtain good corrected vision and improve contrast visual acuity, especially for patients who can not wear spectacles. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 413-418).

Genome-wide association study reveals candidate genes associated with body measurement traits in Chinese Wagyu beef cattle

We performed a genome-wide association study to identify candidate genes for body measurement traits in 463 Wagyu beef cattle typed with the Illumina Bovine HD 770K SNP array. At the genome-wide level, we detected 18, five and one SNPs associated with hip height, body height and body length respectively. In total, these SNPs are within or near 11 genes, six of which (PENK, XKR4, IMPAD1, PLAG1, CCND2 and SNTG1) have been reported previously and five of which (CSMD3, LAP3, SYN3, FAM19A5 and TIMP3) are novel candidate genes that we found to be associated with body measurement traits. Further exploration of these candidate genes will facilitate genetic improvement in Chinese Wagyu beef cattle.

Asymmetric Synthesis of cis-(S,R)-3-Amino-4-fluoro-1-methylpyrrolidine

The development of the stereoselective synthesis of cis-(S,R)-3-amino-4-fluoro-1-methylpyrrolidine is described starting from chiral, non-racemic 1-[(3S,4S)-3-azido-4-hydroxypyrrolidin-1-yl]-2,2,2-trifluoroethan-1-one. Two sets of deoxyfluorination conditions are developed for achieving inversion of the chiral center with high or complete stereoselectivity.

Comparison of the gut microbiota composition between the wild and captive Tibetan wild ass (Equus kiang)

Aims

The gut microbiota has a great effect on the health and nutrition of the host. Manipulation of the intestinal microbiota may improve animal health and growth performance. The objectives of our study were to characterize the faecal microbiota between wild and captive Tibetan wild asses and discuss the differences and their reasons.

Methods and Results

Through high‐throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V4‐V5 region, we studied the gut microbiota composition and structure of Tibetan wild asses in winter, and analysed the differences between wild and captive groups. The results showed that the most common bacterial phylum in Tibetan wild ass faeces samples was Bacteroidetes, while the phylum Firmicutes was dominant in captive Tibetan wild ass faecal samples. The relative abundance of Firmicutes, Tenericutes and Spirochaetes were significantly higher (P < 0·01) than in the wild groups.

Conclusions

Captivity reduces intestinal microbial diversity, evenness and operational taxonomic unit number due to the consumption of industrial food, therefore, increasing the risk of disease prevalence and affecting the health of wildlife.

Significance and Impact of the Study

We studied the effect of the captive environment on intestinal micro‐organisms. This article provides a theoretical basis for the ex‐situ conservation of wild animals in the future.