MiR-155-5p accelerates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury via targeting DUSP14 by regulating NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the role of miR-155-5p in middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model in rats and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, this study also aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms to expect that miR-155-5p may be investigated as a new and effective diagnostic and therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The in vivo MCAO/R rat model and in vitro OGD/R cell model were established. The miR-155-5p mRNA expression was detected by quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Dual specificity ATPase (DUSP) 14 was predicted to be a potential target of miR-155-5p by TargetScan. The targeting relationship was confirmed by Luciferase assay. The cell viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The expression level of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were detected by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of DUSP14, the apoptotic protein Cleaved cysteine-aspartic acid protease (caspase)-3, and Cleaved PARP, as well as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and MAPKs signaling pathways related proteins.

RESULTS

MiR-155-5p was upregulated in both MCAO/R rats and OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y cells. MiR-155-5p knockdown inhibited OGD/R-induced cell injury and inflammation, as well as MCAO/R-induced brain injury. MiR-155-5p regulated the NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways by targeting DUSP14. DUSP14 knockdown partially reversed the protective effect of miR-155-5p knockdown on OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-155-5p accelerates cerebral I/R injury via targeting DUSP14 by regulating NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways. Inhibition of miR-155-5p significantly reduces apoptosis and brain injury. These results indicated that miR-155-5p plays a key role in cerebral I/R injury and has the potential to be explored as a new target for ischemic stroke.

HCN Channel Phosphorylation Sites Mapped by Mass Spectrometry in Human Epilepsy Patients and in an Animal Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Because hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) ion channels modulate the excitability of cortical and hippocampal principal neurons, these channels play a key role in the hyperexcitability that occurs during the development of epilepsy after a brain insult, or epileptogenesis. In epileptic rats generated by pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus, HCN channel activity is downregulated by two main mechanisms: a hyperpolarizing shift in gating and a decrease in amplitude of the current mediated by HCN channels, I_h. Because these mechanisms are modulated by various phosphorylation signaling pathways, we hypothesized that phosphorylation changes occur at individual HCN channel amino acid residues (phosphosites) during epileptogenesis. We collected CA1 hippocampal tissue from male Sprague Dawley rats made epileptic by pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus, and age-matched naïve controls. We also included resected human brain tissue containing epileptogenic zones (EZs) where seizures arise for comparison to our chronically epileptic rats. After enrichment for HCN1 and HCN2 isoforms by immunoprecipitation and trypsin in-gel digestion, the samples were analyzed by mass spectrometry. We identified numerous phosphosites from HCN1 and HCN2 channels, representing a novel survey of phosphorylation sites within HCN channels. We found high levels of HCN channel phosphosite homology between humans and rats. We also identified a novel HCN1 channel phosphosite S791, which underwent significantly increased phosphorylation during the chronic epilepsy stage. Heterologous expression of a phosphomimetic mutant, S791D, replicated a hyperpolarizing shift in I_h gating seen in neurons from chronically epileptic rats. These results show that HCN1 channel phosphorylation is altered in epilepsy and may be of pathogenic importance.

Effect of front-of-package nutrition labeling on food purchases: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

This study systematically reviewed evidence from interventions on the effect of front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling on food purchases.

STUDY DESIGN

The study design used in this study is a systematic review.

METHODS

Keyword search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies (10 randomized controlled trials, four pre-post studies, and one case-control study) met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Five studies were conducted in a controlled setting through the establishment of an online virtual supermarket or physical laboratory food store solely for the intervention. In contrast, the remaining ten studies were conducted in a naturalistic setting where people commonly purchase foods (e.g., supermarket, grocery store, school/hospital cafeteria, or vending machine). FOP labels assessed included traffic lights, health star rating, daily intake guides, health warnings, and high sugar symbol labels. Compared with the control, FOP labels were effective for helping participants make healthier food purchase decisions in five of the 12 studies that assessed traffic lights labels, in one of the two studies that assessed health warning labels, and in one study that assessed high sugar symbol labels. Three assessed health star ratings and one assessed daily intake guide labels, but none revealed an effect on food purchases compared with the control.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings on the effectiveness of FOP nutrition labels in 'nudging' consumers toward healthier food purchases remain mixed and inconclusive. Future studies should examine other types of FOP labels beside the traffic lights labels and explore the different effects by consumer affordability, population subgroup, and shopping environment.

Neutrophils can promote clotting via FXI and impact clot structure via neutrophil extracellular traps in a distinctive manner in vitro

Neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been shown to be involved in coagulation. However, the interactions between neutrophils or NETs and fibrin(ogen) in clots, and the mechanisms behind these interactions are not yet fully understood. In this in vitro study, the role of neutrophils or NETs on clot structure, formation and dissolution was studied with a combination of confocal microscopy, turbidity and permeation experiments. Factor (F)XII, FXI and FVII-deficient plasmas were used to investigate which factors may be involved in the procoagulant effects. We found both neutrophils and NETs promote clotting in plasma without the addition of other coagulation triggers, but not in purified fibrinogen, indicating that other factors mediate the interaction. The procoagulant effects of neutrophils and NETs were also observed in FXII- and FVII-deficient plasma. In FXI-deficient plasma, only the procoagulant effects of NETs were observed, but not of neutrophils. NETs increased the density of clots, particularly in the vicinity of the NETs, while neutrophils-induced clots were less stable and more porous. In conclusion, NETs accelerate clotting and contribute to the formation of a denser, more lysis resistant clot architecture. Neutrophils, or their released mediators, may induce clotting in a different manner to NETs, mediated by FXI.

[A prospective multi-center clinical investigation of HIV-negative pulmonary cryptococcosis in China]

Objective: To investigate the current status of the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary cryptococcosis in respiratory medicine and improve the understanding of the clinical characteristics of HIV-negative pulmonary cryptococcosis in China. Methods: A prospective multi-center open cohort study was designed to screen for pulmonary cryptococcosis in the general wards and intensive care units of the Department of Respiratory Diseases in 22 hospitals. The HIV-negative patients with positive cryptococcal etiological diagnosis based on smear culture, antigen detection and histopathology were enrolled in the study. The clinical data of enrolled patients were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 457 cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis were enrolled, among which 3.28% (15/457) were disseminated infections. The case fatality rate was 0.88% (4/457). The majority of the cases were diagnosed by histopathological examinations (74.40%, 340/457) and cryptococcus antigen detection (37.64%, 172/457). Patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis accounted for 2.04‰ (457/223 748) of the total hospitalized patients in the Department of Respiratory Diseases during the same period, and the ratio was the highest in south and east China. Meanwhile, 70.24% (321/457) of the patients had no underlying diseases, while 87.75% (401/457) were found to have immunocompetent status. Cough and expectoration were the most common clinical symptoms in patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis. However, 25.16% (115/457) of the patients had no clinical symptom or physical signs. In terms of imaging features on pulmonary CT, multiple pulmonary lesions were more common than isolated lesions, and there were more subpleural lesions than perihilar or medial lesions. Morphologically, most of the lesions were middle-sized nodules (1-5 cm) or small-sized nodules (3 mm to 1 cm). The sensitivity of serum cryptococcus antigen test was 71.99% (203/282). Moreover, antigen-positive patients differed from antigen-negative patients in terms of basic immune status, clinical symptoms, imaging features and infection types. Meanwhile, immunocompromised patients differed from immunocompetent patients in terms of clinical symptoms, physical signs, infection-related inflammation indicator levels, imaging features, serum cryptococcus antigen positive rate and prognosis. Conclusions: The majority of cases of HIV-negative pulmonary cryptococcosis in China had no underlying disease or immunocompromised status, and the overrall prognosis was favorable. However, early diagnosis of HIV-negative pulmonary cryptococcosis remains challenging due to the complicated manifestations of the disease.

64 SIN3 transcription regulator family member A regulates porcine early embryonic development by modulating CCNB1 expression

SIN3 transcription regulator family member A (SIN3A) is the central scaffold protein of the SIN3/HDAC (histone deacetylase) transcriptional repressor complex. We previously found that SIN3A participates in the mouse pre-implantation development by finetuning HDAC1 expression. However, it remains unresolved whether this functional significance of SIN3A is conserved in other mammals. The objective of this work was thus to characterise the expression profiles and the functional role of SIN3A in pre-implantation development using non-rodent animal models. RNA sequencing results show that a large amount of SIN3A mRNA is present in oocytes and early embryos before embryonic genome activation and a low amount thereafter, suggesting a maternal origin of SIN3A in all species examined. Interestingly, immunofluorescence data show that SIN3A protein level peaks at the 4-cell stage in pigs compared with the morula stage in cattle, suggesting a differential role of SIN3A among species. To explore the function of SIN3A in early embryonic development, we used a short interfering (si)RNA-mediated knockdown approach in porcine parthenogenetic activated (PA) embryos. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that SIN3A levels were diminished ∼80% compared with nonspecific siRNA (NC) injected control (n=3). To monitor the developmental potential of embryo depleted of SIN3A, we injected SIN3A-siRNA into MII stage oocytes, followed by parthenogenetic activation, and percent cleavage and blastocyst formation were recorded. We found that SIN3A knockdown (KD) did not affect the cleavage rate (NC vs. KD, 83.63±3.63% vs. 80.08±4.66%, n=5), but significantly reduced blastocyst rate compared with the NC group (NC vs. KD, 36.64±4.28% vs. 6.33±3.12%, n=5). Specifically, SIN3A depletion in early embryos causes developmental arrest at 2-cell stage in pigs but does not affect early embryonic development in bovines. In contrast with mouse data, SIN3A depletion results in only a slight decrease and even no difference in HDAC1 expression in porcine and bovine early embryos, respectively. In addition, HDAC1 knockdown does not cause 2-cell block but leads to a reduced blastocyst rate, suggesting that the effect of SIN3A depletion on porcine early embryos is independent of HDAC1. RNA-Seq analysis was used to compare the global transcript content between NC and KD 2-cell embryos. A total of 23 genes (14 upregulated and 9 downregulated) had undergone significant changes. Interestingly, cyclin B1 (CCNB1) ranked second among downregulated genes. To test whether knockdown of CCNB1 would display a similar phenotype in porcine early embryos, we injected CCNB1-siRNA into pronuclear stage. CCNB1 KD resulted in a similar phenotype as SIN3A depletion. Injection of exogenous CCNB1 mRNA into SIN3A-depleted embryos could partly rescue embryonic development. In conclusion, our results indicate SIN3A plays an essential role in porcine early embryonic development, probably involving the regulation of CCNB1 expression. This work was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.

RETRACTED: ORIENT-3: A randomized, open-label, phase III study of sintilimab versus docetaxel in previously treated advanced/metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC)

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article was retracted at the request of the authors. The authors of this abstract have advised that full agreement between authors and sponsors on publication of the abstract has not been reached and they are therefore unable to publish this data at present.

[Association between grip strength, rapid gait speed and cognition in people aged 50 and above in Shanghai during 2009-2010]

Objective: To investigate the association between grip strength, rapid gait speed and cognition in people aged 50 and above in Shanghai. Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from the World Health Organization (WHO) study on global ageing and adult health (SAGE) wave 1 (2009-2010). A questionnaire survey was conducted among 8 643 participants aged 50 years old and above selected by using multistage random cluster sampling strategies in Shanghai. Factor analysis was applied to evaluate and generate cognitive function overall score.Association between grip strength, rapid gait speed and cognition was examined by a two-level hierarchical linear model. Results: A total of 8 175 participants were included in this study, who were (62.9±9.7) years old, including 3 782 (46.3%) males. The average grip strength and rapid gait speed of participants were (27.46±12.01) kg and (1.44±0.43) m/s respectively. The average scores of verbal recall (VR), verbal fluency (VF), forward digit span (FDS), backward digit span (BDS) and total cognitive scores were (5.72±0.09), (12.67±0.35), (6.84±0.10), (4.32±0.14) and (60.50±0.95) respectively. Grip strength was positively associated with VR, VF, FDS, BDS and overall cognition (standardized β=0.036, 0.079, 0.042, 0.046 and 0.043 respectively, P<0.05), and rapid gait speed was also positively associated with VR, VF and overall cognition (standardized β=0.040, 0.031, 0.039 respectively, P<0.05) after adjusted for age, sex, residence, education level, marital status, household income, co-morbidity of chronic conditions, BMI, drinking, smoking, fruits, vegetables intake and physical activities. Conclusion: Grip strength and rapid gait speed are both positively associated with cognitive function of people aged 50 and above, which would be indicators to evaluate their cognition.

Hydrogen sulfide in the nucleus tractus solitarii regulates gastric acid secretion in rats

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a neuromodulator in the central nervous system. The physiological function of H₂S in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) has rarely been reported. This research aimed to explore the role of H₂S in regulating gastric functions. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS; 4 and 8 nmol) groups, physiological saline (PS) group, capsazepine (10 pmol) + NaHS (4 nmol) group, L703606 (4 nmol) + NaHS (4 nmol) group, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (4 nmol) + NaHS (4 nmol) group. The pH values of gastric acid were measured using a pH meter pre- and post-injection. It was found that the microinjetion of NaHS (4 and 8 nmol), an exogenous H₂S donor, into the NTS (n = 6) remarkably decreased the pH values of gastric juice. The inductive effect of NaHS on gastric juice production could be suppressed by capsazepine (a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 antagonist), L703606 (a NK1 receptor antagonist) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (a nuclear fator-κB inhibitor). However, the same amount of PS did not induce any significant change in the pH value of gastric acid (P > 0.05). The findings of this study revealed that NaHS within the NTS remarkably promoted gastric acid secretion via the activation of TRPV1 channels and nuclear factor-κB-dependent mechanism in rats.

Patient and clinical characteristics of heart failure patients concomitantly prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors and sacubitril/valsartan, a database cohort study using the Optum electronic health record data

Background and purpose

Sacubitril/valsartan (sac/val), an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor, reduces the risk for cardiovascular (CV) death or hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are approved in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and have shown to reduce the CV risk in T2D patients with established CV or at risk of CV disease. The SGLT2i dapagliflozin has shown to improve outcomes in patients with chronic HFrEF, with or without T2D, when used in addition to standard of care including sac/val. As the use of SGLT2i in HF evolves, and given the large overlap of HF and T2D populations, it is of interest to understand the population with concomitant use of sac/val and SGLT2i. This study describes the clinical characteristics of patients treated concomitantly with sac/val and SGLT2i or concomitantly with sac/val and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1), two comparable second line anti-diabetic drug classes.

Methods

This retrospective non-interventional study describes two mutually exclusive adult patient cohorts diagnosed with HF and T2D concomitantly prescribed sac/val and SGLT2i (cohort 1), or concomitantly prescribed sac/val and DDP4i/GLP1 (cohort 2). The index date was defined as the first date of concomitant use with prescriptions overlapping a minimum of 21 days. Patients were identified any time between 1/1/2015 and 30/6/2019 in the Optum® de-identified electronic health record (EHR) data from providers across the continuum of care.

Results

2.3 million HF patients were identified, and 41.6% had a T2D diagnosis. 560 patients were concomitantly prescribed sac/val and SGLT2i (cohort 1) and 1,566 concomitantly sac/val and DDP4/GLP1 (cohort 2). There was a higher proportion of females in cohort 2 (35.0% vs 27.9%). Mean age was higher in cohort 2 (66.4 vs 61.4 years). The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 85.93 (SD 23.43) ml/min/1.73m2 (cohort 1) and 72.10 (Std. 27.11) ml/min/1.73m2 (cohort 2). The proportion of stage 3 CKD (&lt;60 to &gt;30 ml/min/1.73m2) was 11.8% (cohort 1) and 24.4% (cohort 2). Mean systolic blood pressure was similar, 120 mmHg (cohort 1) and 122 mmHg (cohort 2). Mean hemoglobin was 13.60 g/dl (cohort 1) and 12.43 g/dl (cohort 2). Median (IQR) NT-proBNP differed between the two cohorts, 914 (2154) pg/ml (cohort 1) and 2,290 (5,301) pg/ml (cohort 2) but with complete values available in only 17.7 and 19.0% of each cohort.

Conclusions

This descriptive analysis of concomitant prescription of sac/val and SGLT2i or DPP4/GLP1 highlights differences in the clinical characteristics between the two cohorts. The patients treated with sac/val and SGLT2i start with a more favorable clinical profile compared to the patients treated with sac/val and DPP4/GLP1. Further analyses are needed to determine if these differences are driven by age, gender or other factors.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Novartis Pharma AG

A single dose of zoledronate preserves bone mineral density for up to 2 years after a second course of romosozumab

This phase 2 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of transitioning to zoledronate following romosozumab treatment in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. A single dose of 5 mg zoledronate generally maintained the robust BMD gains accrued with romosozumab treatment and was well tolerated.

INTRODUCTION

Follow-on therapy with an antiresorptive agent is necessary to maintain the skeletal benefits of romosozumab therapy. We evaluated the use of zoledronate following romosozumab treatment.

METHODS

This phase 2, dose-finding study enrolled postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD). Subjects who received various romosozumab doses or placebo from months 0-24 were rerandomized to denosumab (60 mg SC Q6M) or placebo for 12 months, followed by open-label romosozumab (210 mg QM) for 12 months. At month 48, subjects who had received active treatment for 48 months were assigned to no further active treatment and all other subjects were assigned to zoledronate 5 mg IV. Efficacy (BMD, P1NP, and β-CTX) and safety were evaluated for 24 months, up to month 72.

RESULTS

A total of 141 subjects entered the month 48-72 period, with 51 in the no further active treatment group and 90 in the zoledronate group. In subjects receiving no further active treatment, lumbar spine (LS) BMD decreased by 10.8% from months 48-72 but remained 4.2% above the original baseline. In subjects receiving zoledronate, LS BMD was maintained (percentage changes: - 0.8% from months 48-72; 12.8% from months 0-72). Similar patterns were observed for proximal femur BMD in both groups. With no further active treatment, P1NP and β-CTX decreased but remained above baseline at month 72. Following zoledronate, P1NP and β-CTX levels initially decreased but approached baseline by month 72. No new safety signals were observed.

CONCLUSION

A zoledronate follow-on regimen can maintain robust BMD gains achieved with romosozumab treatment.

Brain Tumor Segmentation Using 3D Generative Adversarial Networks

Brain tumors have high morbidity and may lead to highly lethal cancer. In clinics, accurate segmentation of tumors is the means for diagnosis and determination of subsequent treatment options. Due to the irregularity and blurring of tumor boundaries, accurately segmenting the tumor lesions has received extensive attention in medical image analysis. In view of this situation, this paper proposed a brain tumor segmentation method based on generative adversarial networks (GANs). The GAN architecture consists of a densely connected three-dimensional (3D) U-Net used for segmentation and a classification network for discrimination, both of which use 3D convolutions to fuse multi-dimensional context information. The densely connected 3D U-Net model introduces a dense connection to accelerate network convergence, extracting more detailed information. The adversarial training makes the distribution of segmentation results closer to that of labeled data, which enables the network to segment some unexpected small tumor subregions. Alternately, train two networks and finally achieve a highly accurate classification of each voxel. The experiments conducted on BraTS2017 brain tumor MRI dataset show that the proposed method has higher accuracy in brain tumor segmentation.

Comparison of outcomes using radiotherapy or brachytherapy after resection of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma in oral and maxillofacial regions

We wished to investigate the outcome of surgery combined with external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or brachytherapy (¹²⁵I seeds) for the treatment of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the oral and maxillofacial region. Data of patients with primary ACC were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into EBRT and brachytherapy groups. Wide tumor excision was done to achieve negative margins. Standard radiotherapy in the EBRT group was 60 Gy. A treatment-planning system was used to create implantation plans with a prescribed dose of 60-120 Gy and ¹²⁵I seeds were implanted postoperatively. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to analyze local control and survival. The median duration of followup was 66.1 and 46.8 months for the EBRT group and brachytherapy group, respectively. There was no significant difference in local control, control of metastasis to regional lymph nodes, or control of distant metastasis between the two groups. There was no significant difference in overall survival, disease-specific survival, or disease-free survival in the two groups at 3 years and 5 years. The prevalence of complications in the brachytherapy group was lower than that in the EBRT group. Both methods elicited good treatment effects, but the prevalence of adverse events was lower in the brachytherapy group.

Latent-transforming growth factor beta-binding protein-2 (LTBP-2) is required for longevity but not for development of zonular fibers

Latent-transforming growth factor beta-binding protein 2 (LTBP-2) is a major component of arterial and lung tissue and of the ciliary zonule, the system of extracellular fibers that centers and suspends the lens in the eye. LTBP-2 has been implicated previously in the development of extracellular microfibrils, although its exact role remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the three-dimensional structure of the ciliary zonule in wild type mice and used a knockout model to test the contribution of LTBP-2 to zonule structure and mechanical properties. In wild types, zonular fibers had diameters of 0.5-1.0 micrometers, with an outer layer of fibrillin-1-rich microfibrils and a core of fibrillin-2-rich microfibrils. LTBP-2 was present in both layers. The absence of LTBP-2 did not affect the number of fibers, their diameters, nor their coaxial organization. However, by two months of age, LTBP-2-depleted fibers began to rupture, and by six months, a fully penetrant ectopia lentis phenotype was present, as confirmed by in vivo imaging. To determine whether the seemingly normal fibers of young mice were compromised mechanically, we compared zonule stress/strain relationships of wild type and LTBP-2-deficient mice and developed a quasi-linear viscoelastic engineering model to analyze the resulting data. In the absence of LTBP-2, the ultimate tensile strength of the zonule was reduced by about 50%, and the viscoelastic behavior of the fibers was altered significantly. We developed a harmonic oscillator model to calculate the forces generated during saccadic eye movement. Model simulations suggested that mutant fibers are prone to failure during rapid rotation of the eyeball. Together, these data indicate that LTBP-2 is necessary for the strength and longevity of zonular fibers, but not necessarily for their formation.

Efficacy of intrauterine perfusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for infertile women before embryo transfer: meta-analysis

This meta-analysis was intended to evaluate the effects of intrauterine perfusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) on the pregnancy outcomes including clinical pregnancy rates, embryo implantation rates, live birth rates and miscarriage rates of infertile women who were undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. By searching Pubmed, Embase database, five articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included, and 1173 women were enrolled (intrauterine PBMC group: n = 514; NO-PBMC group: n = 659). For the entire IVF/ICSI population and one or two embryo transfer failure patients, there was no significant difference in endometrial thickness, embryo implantation rates, live birth rates, and miscarriage rates between the PBMC group and NO-PBMC group. Although the clinical pregnancy rates of the PBMC group were higher than that of the NO-PBMC group, the confidence interval was close to the line of unity. As for the patients with three or more implantation failures, the clinical pregnancy rates, embryo implantation rates and live birth rates were much higher in the PBMC group than that of the NO-PBMC group. In summary, current evidence suggests that intrauterine perfusion of PBMC can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes in patients who have three or more implantation failures.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? An increasing number of studies have shown that immune cells play an important role in embryo transfer. There is no reliable evidence to confirm the clinical efficacy of intrauterine perfusion of PBMC.What do the results of this study add? The current evidence suggests that intrauterine perfusion of PBMC can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes in patients who have three or more implantation failures.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? To the best of our knowledge, this meta-analysis is the first to evaluate the effect of intrauterine perfusion of PBMC on pregnancy outcomes before embryo transfer. Our study indicated that intrauterine perfusion of PBMC significantly increased clinical pregnancy rates, embryo implantation rates, and live birth rates in patients who failed more than three implants.

[Influence of Halogenated Hydroxyl-Alkanes Inhalation Anesthetic on the Determination of Ethanol Content in Blood]

Objective To study the influence of halogenated hydroxyl-alkanes inhalation anesthetic on the determination of ethanol content in blood. Methods Halogenated hydroxyl-alkanes were analyzed by headspace gas chromatography with double column confirmatory detection method. The influence of halogenated hydroxyl-alkanes on determination of ethanol content in blood sample by headspace gas chromatography was explored under the different detection conditions of KB-BAC1/ KB-BAC2 and J&W DB-ALC1/DB-ALC2 gas chromatographic column. Results The retention time of sevoflurane and enflurane was similar to that of ethanol and tert butanol respectively when using the J&W DB-ALC1/DB-ALC2 gas chromatographic column, and interfered with the detection of ethanol content in blood; only J&W DB-ALC1 gas chromatographic column can separate the sevoflurane and ethanol components, so as to eliminate their influence on the detection of ethanol content in blood. When using KB-BAC1/KB-BAC2 gas chromatographic column, the retention time of sevoflurane, isoflurane and ethanol is similar, especially that of sevoflurane and ethanol, and sevoflurane obviously interferes with the determination of ethanol content in blood. Conclusion Halogenated hydroxy-alkanes interfere with determination of ethanol content in blood by headspace gas chromatography. The interference can be discriminated effectively by choosing the suitable chromatographic column and double column confirmatory detection.

[Comprehensive benefits of agroforestry snail control forests in Eryuan County, Yunnan Province]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficiency of various agroforestry systems for snail control in plateau hilly schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province, so as to provide insights into the construction of agroforestry schistosomiasis control projects in plateau hilly regions.

METHODS

The pilot areas of snail control forests with various agroforestry systems were built in snail-breeding farmlands in Eryuan County, Yunnan Province in 2010, and the economic benefits and snail control effect were investigated in 2018. In addition, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model was created to screen the agroforestry system with high comprehensive benefits.

RESULTS

A total of 14 types of pilot areas of snail control forests with various agroforestry systems were built. Economic benefit analysis showed that the"walnut + garlic"pattern had the best economic benefit, with annual economic benefits of 270 000 Yuan/hm², followed by the"walnut + chili"pattern (annual economic benefits of 120 000 Yuan/hm²) and the "walnut + vegetables"pattern (annual economic benefits of 105 000 Yuan/hm²). No snails were detected in 8 types of the agroforestry systems, including the"walnut + chili"pattern, the"walnut + tobacco"pattern and the"walnut + garlic"pattern; however, there were snail found with various densities in other types of systems. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation showed that the"walnut + garlic"pattern had the best comprehensive control effect, followed by the"walnut + chili"pattern and the"walnut + tobacco" pattern, while the pure grassland pattern showed no effect on snail control.

CONCLUSIONS

The agroforestry system is a preferential approach of forestry schistosomiasis control in plateau hilly schistosomiasis-endemic areas, which not only achieves snail control effects, but also promotes economic development and ecological construction in poor hilly areas.

[Effects of hypoxia-pretreated rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium on wound healing of rats with full-thickness defects]

Objective: To investigate the effects of hypoxia-pretreated rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) conditioned medium on wound healing of rats with full-thickness defects. Methods: (1) A 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rat was sacrificed by cervical dislocation, the bilateral inguinal adipose tissue was collected, the third generation ADSCs were isolated by collagenase digestion method, and the cells morphology was observed. The cells were harvested and divided into adipogenic induction group and osteogenic induction group according to the random number table (the same grouping method below), with 6 wells in each group. The cells in adipogenic induction group were cultured for 14 days to observe adipogenesis, and cells in osteogenic induction group were cultured for 28 days to observe osteogenesis. (2) The third generation ADSCs were collected and divided into normoxic group and hypoxic group. Cells in normoxic group was incubated in normal oxygen incubator with oxygen volume fraction of 21%, and cells in hypoxic group was incubated in low oxygen incubator with oxygen volume fraction of 2% respectively, with 3 samples in each group for each time point. Three samples in normoxic group on 3 h of culture and in hypoxic group on 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of culture were collected for detecting the following indexes. The mRNA expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) were detected by real time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The cell culture supernatant in the two groups was collected, centrifuged, and filtered to obtain normoxic conditioned medium (normo-CM ) and hypoxic conditioned medium (hypo-CM). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect content of VEGF, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in conditioned medium. (3) Twenty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6-8 weeks were collected and divided into phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group, normo-CM group, and hypo-CM group, with 9 rats in each group. A circular full-thickness skin defect wound with diameter of 1 cm was made on the back of each rat, and the wounds of rats in PBS, normo-CM, and hypo-CM groups were respectively dropped with 50 μL PBS, normo-CM, and hypo-CM. On post injury day (PID) 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, the gross condition of wound was observed, wound area was measured, and the non-healing rate of wound was calculated. The wound tissue was collected for hematoxylin eosin staining to observe inflammatory reaction of wound on PID 3, 9, and 11 and re-epithelialization of wound on PID 9. Masson staining was used to observe the collagen deposition and analyze collagen volume fraction of wound on PID 11. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, one-way analysis of variance, t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) The isolated cells showed a fusiform, in adherent growth and close arrangement when in low fusion degree. On 14 d of culture, the red lipid droplets stained with oil red O were observed in cells in adipogenic induction group, and on 28 d of culture, the red nodules stained with alizarin red S were observed in cells in osteogenic induction group. The cells were identified as ADSCs. (2) Compared with that in normoxic group, the mRNA expression of HIF-1α was significantly increased at 12 and 24 h of culture (t=5.43, 5.11, P<0.05), the mRNA expression of VEGF was significantly increased at 6 and 12 h of culture (t=3.29, 2.33, P<0.05 or P<0.01), the mRNA expression of bFGF was significantly increased at 12 h of culture (t=12.59, P<0.01) and significantly reduced at 48 h of culture (t=9.34, P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of PPAR-γ was significantly reduced at 3, 12, and 24 h of culture in hypoxic group (t=5.14, 6.56, 4.97, P<0.05). (3) Compared with that in normoxic group, the VEGF content was significantly increased at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of culture (t=5.74, 12.37, 14.80, 15.70, 34.63, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the IGF content was significantly increased at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of culture (t=5.65, 8.06, 20.12, 22.99, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the content of TGF-β and EGF showed no obvious change at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of culture in hypoxic group. (4) From PID 0 to 11, the wound of rats in the three groups shrank to varying degrees, with no obvious infection or exudate. On PID 11, the wound area of rats in PBS group was still large, which was larger than that in normo-CM group, and the wound area of rats in hypo-CM group was basically healed. On PID 0, 3, and 5, the non-healing rates of wound of rats in the three groups were similar. On PID 7, the non-healing rates of wound of rats in normo-CM and hypo-CM groups were significantly lower than that in PBS group (t=10.26, 16.03, P<0.05). On PID 9, the non-healing rate of wound of rats in hypo-CM group was significantly lower than that of PBS group and normo-CM group, respectively (t=17.25, 6.89, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the non-healing rate of wound of rats in normo-CM group was significantly lower than that in PBS group (t=8.81, P<0.05). On PID 11, the non-healing rate of wound of rats in hypo-CM group was (2.4±1.5)%, which was significantly lower than (20.0±5.0)% in PBS group and (7.7±1.7)% in normo-CM group (t= 30.15, 84.80, P<0.05). (5) On PID 3, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the wound of rats in hypo-CM group was obviously more than those in the other two groups. On PID 9, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the wound of rats in hypo-CM and normo-CM groups was obviously less than that in PBS group. On PID 11, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the wound of rats in hypo-CM group was obviously less than those in PBS and normo-CM groups. On PID 9, the length of " epidermal migration tongue" on the wound of rats in hypo-CM group was longer than those of the other two groups, and the epidermis thickness was close to normal skin. On PID 11, compared with those in PBS and normo-CM groups, a large number of collagen deposits with dense structure, neat arrangement, and higher maturity were seen in the wound of rats in hypo-CM group. The wound collagen volume fraction of rats in PBS group was (22.90±1.25)%, which was significantly lower than (31.96±0.14)% in normo-CM group and (56.10±1.50)% in hypo-CM group (t=12.48, 29.43, P<0.05), and the wound collagen volume fraction of rats in normo-CM group was significantly lower than that in hypo-CM group (t=27.73, P<0.05). Conclusions: Hypoxia-pretreated can significantly enhance paracrine effect of rat ADSCs. Hypoxia-pretreated rat ADSC conditioned medium can accelerate the healing of full-thickness skin defect wound in rats by regulating inflammatory cell infiltration, promoting re-epithelialization and collagen deposition in the wound.

[The therapeutic effect of carnosine combined with dexamethasone in the lung injury of seawater-drowning]

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of carnosine and dexamethasone in lung injury caused by seawater drowning. Methods: The in vitro experiments with A549 cells were divided into 5 groups: blank control group (C), seawater injury group (S), seawater injury+dexamethasone treatment group (S+D), seawater injury+carnosine treatment group (S+C), seawater injury dexamethasone and carnosine combined therapy(S+D+C) group. The optimal therapeutic dose of drugs for the treatment of seawater drowning lung injury was tested in vitro. Based on the optimal dose, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in each group at different time points were detected at the cell level by ELISA. The level of apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The in vivo experiments with SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8 each): blank control group (RC),seawater drowning injury group (RS),seawater drowning injury+dexamethasone treatment group (RSD),seawater drowning injury+carnosine treatment group (RSC),seawater drowning injury+dexamethasone+carnosine combined treatment group (RSDC). The animal model with seawater inhalation acute lung injury was made by intratracheal infusion (4 ml/kg). The pathological changes of the lungs were observed. The expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in each group was detected by Western blot. Results: The results of in vitro experiments showed significant increase of apoptosis after seawater injury. The normal cell rate in group C was 98.3% while the apoptosis rate was 1.7%. The normal cell in group S was 18.8%, and the apoptosis rate was 81% (P<0.01). TNF-α and IL-6 levels in group S increased to 180.25 ng/L and 61.56 ng/L, respectively, which were statistically significant compared with group C (P<0.01). After drug protection, apoptosis was reduced in S+D group, S+C group and S+D+C group, with apoptosis rates of 65.4%, 70.9% and 42.6%, respectively. The contents of TNF-α and IL-6 also decreased in the S+D+C group (P<0.01). The results of in vivo experiments showed obvious lung injury and disordered lung tissue structures in the RS group at 4 h after modeling. There was hemorrhage in the pulmonary interstitium and a large number of inflammatory cells. Results of western blot showed that the expression of SOD increased in the RS group. Compared with RS group, the treatment alleviated acute lung injury and decreased the expression level of SOD in RSD, RSC and RSDC groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: Dexamethasone and carnosine reduced the influence of seawater inhalation on the lung in the rat model. The positive effect of combination of these two drugs on lung injury caused by seawater inhalation was stronger than a single drug.

[Progress and challenge of vaccine development against 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)]

The outbreak of 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection poses a serious threat to global public health. Vaccination is an effective way to prevent the epidemic of the virus. 2019-nCoV along with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) belong to the same β-genus of coronavirus family. Basing on the previous experience and the technical platform of developing SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV vaccines, scientists from all over the world are working hard and quickly on the related fields. There are substantial progress in these fields including characterizing the 2019-nCoV virus, identification of candidate antigens and epitopes, establishment of animal models, characterizing the immune responses, and the design of vaccines. The development of 2019-nCoV vaccines covers all types: inactivated virus vaccine, recombinant protein vaccine, viral vector-based vaccine, mRNA vaccine, and DNA vaccine, et al. As of March 2020, two 2019-nCoV vaccines have entered phase I clinical trials. One is named as Ad5-nCoV developed by the Chinese Institute of Biotechnology of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Tianjin Cansino Biotechnology Inc. Ad5-nCoV is based on the replication-defective adenovirus type 5 as the vector to express 2019-nCoV spike protein. The another vaccine is mRNA-1273 developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Moderna, Inc.. RNA-1273 is an mRNA vaccine expressing 2019-nCoV spike protein. Although the rapid development of 2019-nCoV vaccine, it still faces many unknown challenges, including the antigenic characteristics of the 2019-nCoV, the influence of antigenic variation, the protective immune response of host, the protection of the elderly population, and the downstream manufacturing process of the new vaccine. The safety and efficacy of vaccines are the first priority for vaccine development and should be carefully evaluated.

[Relationship between both quality and duration of sleep and type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and elderly people in Shanghai]

Objective: To analyze the relationship between both quality and duration of sleep and type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and elderly people in Shanghai. Method: Baseline data was from the '2017 epidemiological survey in Shanghai community residents aged 35 and above on type 2 diabetes'. Restricted cubic splines were used to draw dose-response curves to show the relationship between PSQI score, sleep duration and type 2 diabetes. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the effects of quality and duration of sleep as well as the interaction, on type 2 diabetes. Results: Results showed that the average PSQI score was (4.09±0.10) points, the proportion of poor sleep quality was 12.55% (95%CI: 10.77-14.58) and the average sleep duration was (7.19±0.03) hours. The relationship between PSQI score and diabetes appeared linear, with the relationship between sleep duration and diabetes as U-shaped. After adjusting for confounders, both poor sleep quality (>7 for PSQI score) and short sleep duration (sleep duration <6 hours) significantly increased the risk of type 2 diabetes, with OR=1.17 (95%CI: 1.06-1.30) and 1.20 (95%CI: 1.01-1.41), respectively. From the interaction analysis, data showed that after adjusting for confounders, both sleep duration <6 hours (OR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.12-1.52) and ≥8 hours (OR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.04-3.07) with poor sleep quality would increase the risks on diabetes. Conclusion: Both poor sleep quality and short sleep duration were associated with the risk of diabetes, while long sleep duration was only associated with the risk of diabetes when accompanied by poor quality of sleep.

Prenatal anxiety and obstetric decisions among pregnant women in Wuhan and Chongqing during the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the mental status of pregnant women and to determine their obstetric decisions during the COVID-19 outbreak.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Two cities in China--Wuhan (epicentre) and Chongqing (a less affected city).

POPULATION

A total of 1947 pregnant women.

METHODS

We collected demographic, pregnancy and epidemic information from our pregnant subjects, along with their attitudes towards COVID-19 (using a self-constructed five-point scale). The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used to assess anxiety status. Obstetric decision-making was also evaluated. The differences between cities in all of the above factors were compared and the factors that influenced anxiety levels were identified by multivariable analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Anxiety status and its influencing factors. Obstetric decision-making.

RESULTS

Differences were observed between cities in some background characteristics and women's attitudes towards COVID-19 in Wuhan were more extreme. More women in Wuhan felt anxious (24.5 versus 10.4%). Factors that influenced anxiety also included household income, subjective symptom and attitudes. Overall, obstetric decisions also revealed city-based differences; these decisions mainly concerned hospital preference, time of prenatal care or delivery, mode of delivery and infant feeding.

CONCLUSIONS

The outbreak aggravated prenatal anxiety and the associated factors could be targets for psychological care. In parallel, key obstetric decision-making changed, emphasising the need for pertinent professional advice. Special support is essential for pregnant mothers during epidemics.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 outbreak increased pregnant women's anxiety and affected their decision-making.

[Clinical and laboratory characteristics in patients with myeloid neoplasms complicated with clonal T large granular lymphocyte proliferation]

Objective: To analyze the clinical manifestations and laboratory features in patients with myeloid neoplasms complicated with clonal T large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) proliferation. Methods: The clinical data of 5 patients with myeloid neoplasms complicated with clonal T-LGL proliferation from November 2017 to November 2018 in Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The median age was 60 years old. All patients had a history of abnormal peripheral blood cell counts for over 6 months. The absolute lymphocyte count in peripheral blood was less than 1.0×10(9)/L. In addition to the typical T-LGL phenotype, the immunophenotype was heterogenous including CD4(+)CD8(-) in 2 patients, the other 3 CD4(-)CD8(+). Four patients were αβ type T cells, the other one was γδ type. STAT3 mutation was detected in 1 patient by next-generation sequencing, the other 4 cases were negative. Conclusions: Clonal T-LGL proliferation with myeloid neoplasm develops in an indolent manner, mainly in elderly patients. Hemocytopenia is the most common manifestation. The diagnosis of T-LGL proliferation does not have specific criteria, that it should be differentiated from other T cell proliferative disorders, such as T-cell clones of undetermined significance. STAT3 or STAT5b mutation may help distinguish.

Dose dependency PM2.5 aggravated airway inflammation in asthmatic mice via down-regulating expression of ITGB4

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate whether PM2.5 has the potential to exacerbate neutrophil airway inflammation and to analyze the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The high-volume air sampler (Laoying 2033B, Qingdao, China) was used to collect PM2.5 from January 01, 2016 to December 21, 2016 in Yantai, Shandong Province, China. BALB/c mice were divided into the following four groups: control group, ovalbumin (OVA) group, low-dose PM2.5 group and high-dose PM2.5 group. Mice except for control group were sensitized and challenged by OVA, and those in low-dose PM2.5 group and high-dose PM2.5 group were intranasally administered by PM2.5 suspension. Airway responsiveness of mice was measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was used to evaluate the expressions of interleukin 17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum samples. Cell counting in BALF and histological examination were measured to explore PM2.5-induced airway inflammation. Protein expression of Integrin β4 (ITGB4) was assessed by Western blot.

RESULTS

Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) exacerbated in PM2.5 exposed asthmatic mice in progressively increased doses of acetylcholine chloride (ACH). Levels of IL-17 and TNF-αin BALF and serum increased significantly in PM2.5 groups compared with other groups with significant differences between two PM2.5 groups. PM2.5 exposure exacerbated inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion in airways of asthmatic mice. Percentage of neutrophils in PM2.5 groups was significantly higher in dose-dependent manner. OVA and PM2.5 co-exposure inhibited the expression of ITGB4. In particular, ITGB4 expression in mice of high-dose PM2.5 group was significantly lowered than the low-dose PM2.5 group.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that PM2.5 exposure exacerbates neutrophil airway inflammation in asthmatic mice though up-regulating expressions of IL-17 and TNF-α but down-regulating the expression of ITGB4.

Knockdown of TRIM24 suppresses growth and induces apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia through downregulation of Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling

Tripartite motif-containing protein 24 (TRIM24) has currently emerged as a crucial cancer-related gene present in a wide range of human cancer types. However, the involvement of TRIM24 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has not been well investigated. The present study aims to investigate the significance, cellular function, and potential regulatory mechanism of TRIM24 in AML. We found that TRIM24 expression was significantly upregulated in AML compared with normal tissues. AML patients with low expression of TRIM24 had higher survival rates than those expressing TRIM24 at higher levels. High expression of TRIM24 was also detected in AML cells and its knockdown markedly restricted proliferation and promoted apoptosis in AML cells. Further investigation revealed that TRIM24 contributed to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which was associated with modulating the phosphorylation status of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Inactivation of GSK-3β partially reversed the TRIM24 knockdown-mediated antitumor effects observed in AML cells. Furthermore, knockdown of TRIM24 retarded the growth of AML-derived xenograft tumors in nude mice in vivo. Overall, these findings demonstrate that knockdown of TRIM24 impedes the AML tumor growth through the modulation of Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling. These findings highlight the potential TRIM24 as an attractive anticancer target to treat AML.

Dataset of wind blow sand erosion test on ultrasonic surface treated cementitious composites

In this paper, we take cement mortar and paste as specimens, a novelty method named ultrasonic surface treatment(UST) was employed to form a hardening surface layer on cementitious specimens to improve its wind-blown sand erosion resistance, surface hardness and apparent density. The specimens with curing ages of 1-day, 3-days, 7-days, and 28-days were adopted. The wind blown sand erosion test was carried out in a wind-blown sand erosion test system, which simulated a wind blown sand environment of a wind speed of 30 m/s and a sand feed rate of 30 g/min. The erosion angle of 30°, 60°, 90° were adopted. The mass loss in erosion process was measured, then the erosion resistance was calculated. The surface hardness was tested with a Vickers micro hardness tester. The apparent density of cement paste was measured with mass volume method. The data provided reveal the improvement on wind blown sand erosion resistance, surface hardnenss and apparent density of cementitious materials with ultrasonic surface treatment. That may be used in the investigation on improving the erosion resistance and to evaluate the effectiveness of the UST method on cementitious materials.

ZNF295-AS1 inhibits autophagy via the ZNF295-AS1/miR-508-5p/ATG7 axis in AS

OBJECTIVE

As a result of gene-environment interactions, the incidence of atherosclerosis (AS) is rapidly increasing worldwide. Autophagy in endothelial cells is a key process of AS and is difficult to control when it becomes excessive in the end stage of AS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we found increased expression levels of ZNF295-AS1 in the serum of AS patients, as well as in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. The autophagy level was also upregulated in both samples. We demonstrated that ZNF295-AS1 may interact directly with miR-508-5p to act as a miR-508-5p sponge. The negative relationship between ZNF295-AS1 and miR-508-5p indicated that ZNF295-AS1 may be an upstream suppressor of miR-508-5p.

RESULTS

ATG7 plays a critical role in autophagy and was predicted to be a target of miR-508-5p. Therefore, we overexpressed miR-508-5p, which reduced the expression level of ATG7, enhanced cell proliferation and prevented autophagy. These data indicated that the ZNF295-AS1/miR-508-5p/ATG7 axis may participate in autophagy regulation in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. The subsequent rescue experiments revealed the specificity of the ZNF295-AS1/miR-508-5p/ATG7 axis in the contribution of ZNF295-AS1 to autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism by which ZNF295-AS1 silencing regulates ATG7 reduction and inhibits autophagy, which may delay the progression of AS. The ZNF295-AS1/miR-508-5p/ATG7 axis may be of therapeutic significance in AS.

THU0076 SONIC HEDGEHOG PROMOTES SYNOVIAL HYPERPLASIA AND BONE DAMAGE THROUGH P38 MAPK SIGNALING IN EXPERIMENTAL ARTHRITIS

Background:

Abnormal activation of sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling has been found in synovium from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Inhibition of SHH signaling is reported to attenuate inflammation and cartilage damage in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). Previously we have demonstrated that SHH signaling promoted the tumor-like behavior of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) through p38 MAPKin vitro.

Objectives:

In the current study, we aim to further explore the role of SHH-p38 MAPK signaling in regulating synovial hyperplasia and bone erosion in experimental arthritis.

Methods:

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model was induced and the mice were injected with adenovirus associated virus (AAV) overexpressing SHH or treated with small molecule inhibitors GDC-0449. SB203580 was administrated for the inhibition of p38 MAPK. The severity of paw inflammation was graded and serum levels of TNFα, IL-6 were detected. The histological features of arthritis were evaluated by H&E staining. The bone erosion was identified by micro-CT assessment and the number and function of osteoclasts were determined.

Results:

Blockade of SHH by GDC-0449 significantly alleviated the symptoms and decreased the synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory infiltration, cartilage and bone damage in ankles of CIA. The bone erosions in the area of the metatarsophalangeal and ankle joints and production of TNFα, IL-6 were decreased by SHH inhibition. In addition, the administration of GDC-0449 significantly decreased the number of TRAP positive cells and the expression of NFATc1. On the contrary, SHH overexpression led to increased severity of arthritis and pathological changes. We also observed the accelerated bone injury accompanied with increased number and activity of osteoclasts and increased production of serum IL-6 in mice with upregulation of SHH expression. Of note, the administration of p38 MAPK inhibitor reversed the effects of SHH overexpression, with a reduction of joint swelling and histological scores. Inhibition of p38 MAPK prevented the bone erosion and decreased the number of TRAP positive cells and the expression of NFATc1, which were promoted by SHH overexpression.

Conclusion:

The study indicates that SHH promotes the synovial hyperplasia and bone erosion of CIA in a p38 MAPK-dependent manner. SHH-p38 MAPK signaling could be a potential target for the treatment of RA.

Acknowledgments:

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81571584, 81701609).

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

OP0159 EFFICACY OF COMPREHENSIVE TECHNOLOGY-ASSISTED HOME-BASED EXERCISE IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background:

Clinical practice guidelines recommend that exercise is an essential component in the self-management of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Attending supervised interventions requiring periodic medical center visits can be burdensome and patients may decline participation, whereas, effective home-based exercise interventions that do not need regular medical center visits are likely to be more accessible and acceptable for patients with AS. Recently, increasing evidences have been accumulated that the wearable devices could facilitate patients with inflammatory arthritis by giving exercise instructions and improving self-efficacy. Therefore, patients with AS may benefit from an effective technology-assisted home-based exercise intervention.

Objectives:

To investigate the efficacy of a comprehensive technology-assisted home-based exercise intervention on disease activity in patients with AS.

Methods:

This study was a 16-week assessor-blinded, randomized, waiting-list controlled trial (ChiCTR1900024244). Patients with AS were randomly allocated to the home-based exercise intervention group and the waiting-list control group. A 16-week comprehensive exercise program consisting of a moderate intensity (64%-76% HRmax) aerobic training for 30min on 5 days/week and a functional training for 60min on 3 days/week was given to patients in the intervention group immediately after randomization, with 1.5h training sessions for two consecutive days by a study physical therapist at baseline and Week 8. The aerobic exercise intensity was controlled by a Mio FUSE Wristband with a smartphone application. The functional training consisted of the posture training, range of motion exercises, strength training, stability training and stretching exercises. Patients in control group received standard care during the 16-week follow-up and started to receive the exercise program at Week 16. The primary outcome was ASDAS at Week 16. The secondary outcomes were BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ASAS HI, peak oxygen uptake, body composition and muscle endurance tests. The mean difference between groups in change from baseline was analyzed with the analysis of covariance.

Results:

A total of 54 patients with AS were enrolled (26 in intervention group and 28 in control group) and 46 (85.2%) patients completed the 16-week follow-up. The mean difference of ASDAS between groups in change from baseline to 16-week follow-up was −0.2 (95% CI, −0.4 to 0.003, P = 0.032), and the mean change from baseline was -0.4 (95% CI, -0.5 to -0.2) in the intervention group vs -0.1 (95% CI, -0.3 to 0.01) in the control group, respectively. Significant between-group differences were found between groups for BASDAI (−0.5 [95% CI, −0.9 to −0.2], P = 0.004), BASMI (−0.7 [95% CI, −1.1 to −0.4], P <0.001), BASFI (−0.3 [95% CI, −0.6 to 0.01], P=0.035), peak oxygen uptake (2.7 [95% CI, 0.02 to 5.3] ml/kg/min, P=0.048) and extensor endurance test (17.8 [95% CI, 0.5 to 35.2]s, P=0.044) at Week 16. Between-group differences were detected in ASAS HI (−0.9 [95% CI, −1.7 to −0.1], P=0.030), body fat percentage (−1.0 [95% CI, −2.0 to −0.01] %, P=0.048) and visceral adipose tissue (−4.9 [95% CI, −8.5 to −1.4] cm2, P=0.008) at Week 8, but not at Week 16. No significant between-group differences were detected in the total lean mass, time up and go test and the flexor endurance test during the follow-up.

Conclusion:

Comprehensive technology-assisted home-based exercise has been shown to have beneficial effects on disease activity, physical function, spinal mobility, aerobic capacity, and body composition as well as in improving fatigue and morning stiffness of patients with AS.

References:

[1]van der Heijde D, Ramiro S, Landewé R, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2017;76:978–991.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

[Long-term efficacy of robotic radical total gastrectomy for gastric cancer and analysis of prognostic factors]

Objective: To analyze long-term outcomes and prognostic factors of gastric cancer patients after robotic radical total gastrectomy. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Inclusion criteria: (1) receiving robotic radical total gastrectomy; (2) gastric adenocarcinoma was confirmed by postoperative pathology; (3) no previous history of other malignant tumors; (4) no preoperative chemotherapy or radiation therapy performed. Exclusion criteria: (1) age <18 years old or age >80 years old;(2)distant metastasis before surgery, or palliative surgery; (3) conversion to laparotomy;(4) R1 or R2 resection; (5)emergency surgery; (6) remnant gastric cancer or recurrence; (7)died of severe complications during hospitalization or within 1 month after surgery. Overall survival rates (OS) and disease-free survival rates (DFS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to identify prognosis factors for overall survival. Results: According to the above criteria, 166 gastric cancer patients who underwent robotic radical total gastrectomy between March 2010 and November 2018 were included in this study. Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed in all patients. Reconstruction were achieved using extracorporeal method through a minilaparotomy in 149 case and intracorporeal anastomosis in 17 cases. The number of harvested lymph nodes was (34.8±17.5), and the number of harvested lymph nodes at group 2 was (10.1±6.7). The number of patients with lymph node metastasis of group 2 was 73 (44.0%). The median follow-up time was 25 months (range 2-109). There were 55 (33.1%) cases of recurrence during follow-up. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 55.8% and 46.2% respectively. The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 53.4% and 45.4% respectively. The 5-year overall survival rates grouped based on TNM stage were 78.9% for stage I, 58.5% for stage II, and 37.1% for stage III. The 5-year disease-free survival rates grouped based on TNM stage were 78.9% for stage I, 59.2% for stage II, and 34.6% for stage III. Univariate analysis suggested that TNM stage, the number of harvested lymph nodes and number of harvested lymph nodes at group 2 were associated with overall survival rates (all P<0.05). Multivariate analyses revealed that TNM stage (P<0.001; stage IIIB: HR=5.357, 95%CI:1.182 to 24.275; stage IIIC: HR=11.937, 95%CI: 2.677 to 53.226) and number of harvested lymph nodes at group 2 (P=0.034; 6-10: HR=0.562,95%CI:0.326 to 0.969; >10: HR=0.388, 95%CI: 0.176 to 0.857) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusion: The long-term outcomes of robotic radical total gastrectomy were satisfactory. TNM stage and number of harvested lymph nodes at group 2 were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.

The new function of circRNA: translation

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been considered a special class of non-coding RNAs without 5' caps and 3' tails which are covalently closed RNA molecules generated by back splicing of mRNA. For a long time, circRNAs have been considered to be directly involved in various biological processes as functional RNA. In recent years, a variety of circRNAs have been found to have translational functions, and the resultant peptides also play biological roles in the emergence and progression of human disease. The discovery of these circRNAs and their encoded peptides has enriched genomics, helped us to study the causes of diseases, and promoted the development of biotechnology. The purpose of this review is to summarize the research progress of the detection methods, translation initiation mechanism, as well as functional mechanism of peptides encoded by circRNAs, with the goal of providing the directions for the discovery of biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets for human disease.

[A pathological report of three COVID-19 cases by minimal invasive autopsies]

Objective: To investigate the pathological characteristics and the clinical significance of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-infected pneumonia (termed by WHO as coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19). Methods: Minimally invasive autopsies from lung, heart, kidney, spleen, bone marrow, liver, pancreas, stomach, intestine, thyroid and skin were performed on three patients died of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Chongqing, China. Hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE), transmission electron microcopy, and histochemical staining were performed to investigate the pathological changes of indicated organs or tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells as well as the expression of 2019-nCoV proteins. Real time PCR was carried out to detect the RNA of 2019-nCoV. Results: Various damages were observed in the alveolar structure, with minor serous exudation and fibrin exudation. Hyaline membrane formation was observed in some alveoli. The infiltrated immune cells in alveoli were majorly macrophages and monocytes. Moderate multinucleated giant cells, minimal lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils were also observed. Most of infiltrated lymphocytes were CD4-positive T cells. Significant proliferation of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia and focal desquamation of alveolar epithelia were also indicated. The blood vessels of alveolar septum were congested, edematous and widened, with modest infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes. Hyaline thrombi were found in a minority of microvessels. Focal hemorrhage in lung tissue, organization of exudates in some alveolar cavities, and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were observed. Part of the bronchial epithelia were exfoliated. Coronavirus particles in bronchial mucosal epithelia and type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia were observed under electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining showed that part of the alveolar epithelia and macrophages were positive for 2019-nCoV antigen. Real time PCR analyses identified positive signals for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. Decreased numbers of lymphocyte, cell degeneration and necrosis were observed in spleen. Furthermore, degeneration and necrosis of parenchymal cells, formation of hyaline thrombus in small vessels, and pathological changes of chronic diseases were observed in other organs and tissues, while no evidence of coronavirus infection was observed in these organs. Conclusions: The lungs from novel coronavirus pneumonia patients manifest significant pathological lesions, including the alveolar exudative inflammation and interstitial inflammation, alveolar epithelium proliferation and hyaline membrane formation. While the 2019-nCoV is mainly distributed in lung, the infection also involves in the damages of heart, vessels, liver, kidney and other organs. Further studies are warranted to investigate the mechanism underlying pathological changes of this disease.

Hsa_circ_0017639 expression promotes gastric cancer proliferation and metastasis by sponging miR-224-5p and upregulating USP3

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor having poor prognosis globally. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a circular endogenous RNA generated by special selective splicing that occurs in various traits. Studies show that hsa_circ_0017639 is abnormally expressed and involved in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, the hsa_circ_0017639 role in GC is unknown. This study detected hsa_circ_0017639 expression in a GC cell line using RT-qPCR. Subcellular localization of hsa_circ_0017639 was verified via FISH. We assessed correlations amongst miRNA, hsa_circ_0017639 and relative protein levels using luciferase reporter assays and RNA pulldown assays. The data illustrated that in hsa_circ_assays, expression was enhanced in GC cell. Downregulation of hsa_circ_0017639 decreased GC cell proliferation and migration in in vitro and in vivo experiments. RNA pulldown and RT-qPCR analysis verified that hsa_circ_0017639 sponged miR-224-5p. Bioinformatic and luciferase reporter assays validated that miR-224-5p and USP3 were downstream targets of hsa_circ_0017639. Upregulation of USP3 or downregulation of miR-224-5p restored proliferation and migration by MKN-28 and MGC-803 cells after hsa_circ_0017639 silencing. Upregulation of USP3 restored MKN-28 and MGC-803 cell proliferation and migration after overexpression of miR-224-5p. Our collective findings advised that hsa_circ_0017639 takes part in GC progression through regulating the miR-224-5p/USP3 axis, highlighting its potential as an effective GC therapeutic target.

A risk prediction model for the development of subsequent primary melanoma in a population-based cohort

BACKGROUND

Guidelines for follow-up of patients with melanoma are based on limited evidence.

OBJECTIVES

To guide skin surveillance, we developed a risk prediction model for subsequent primary melanomas, using demographic, phenotypical, histopathological, sun exposure and genomic risk factors.

METHODS

Using Cox regression frailty models, we analysed data for 2613 primary melanomas from 1266 patients recruited to the population-based Genes, Environment and Melanoma study in New South Wales, Australia, with a median of 14 years' follow-up via the cancer registry. Discrimination and calibration were assessed.

RESULTS

The median time to diagnosis of a subsequent primary melanoma decreased with each new primary melanoma. The final model included 12 risk factors. Harrell's C-statistic was 0·73 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·68-0·77], 0·65 (95% CI 0·62-0·68) and 0·65 (95% CI 0·61-0·69) for predicting second, third and fourth primary melanomas, respectively. The risk of a subsequent primary melanoma was 4·75 times higher (95% CI 3·87-5·82) for the highest vs. the lowest quintile of the risk score. The mean absolute risk of a subsequent primary melanoma within 5 years was 8·0 ± SD 4.1% after the first primary melanoma, and 46·8 ± 15·0% after the second, but varied substantially by risk score.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of developing a subsequent primary melanoma varies considerably between individuals and is particularly high for those with two or more primary melanomas. The risk prediction model and its associated nomograms enable estimation of the absolute risk of subsequent primary melanoma, on the basis of on an individual's risk factors, and can be used to tailor surveillance intensity, communicate risk and provide patient education. What's already known about this topic? Current guidelines for the frequency and length of follow-up to detect new primary melanomas in patients with one or more previous primary melanomas are based on limited evidence. People with one or more primary melanomas have, on average, a higher risk of developing another primary invasive melanoma, compared with the general population, but an accurate way of estimating individual risk is needed. What does this study add? We provide a comprehensive risk prediction model for subsequent primary melanomas, using data from 1266 participants with melanoma (2613 primary melanomas), over a median 14 years' follow-up. The model includes 12 risk factors comprising demographic, phenotypical, histopathological and genomic factors, and sun exposure. It enables estimation of the absolute risk of subsequent primary melanomas, and can be used to tailor surveillance intensity, communicate individual risk and provide patient education.

Ultrafast Control of Excitonic Rashba Fine Structure by Phonon Coherence in the Metal Halide Perovskite CH_{3}NH_{3}PbI_{3}

We discover hidden Rashba fine structure in CH_{3}NH_{3}PbI_{3} and demonstrate its quantum control by vibrational coherence through symmetry-selective vibronic (electron-phonon) coupling. Above a critical threshold of a single-cycle terahertz pump field, a Raman phonon mode distinctly modulates the middle excitonic states with persistent coherence for more than ten times longer than the ones on two sides that predominately couple to infrared phonons. These vibronic quantum beats, together with first-principles modeling of phonon periodically modulated Rashba parameters, identify a threefold excitonic fine structure splitting, i.e., optically forbidden, degenerate dark states in between two bright ones with a narrow, ∼3  nm splitting. Harnessing of vibronic quantum coherence and symmetry inspires light-perovskite quantum control and sub-THz-cycle "Rashba engineering" of spin-split bands for ultimate multifunction device.

[Real world study of influenza vaccination intervention among key population of chronic disease management in Shanghai community]

Objective: To analyze the effect of influenza vaccination intervention among key populations of chronic disease management in communities of Shanghai. Methods: A total of 50 787 patients aged ≥60 with diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Huangpu, Yangpu, Baoshan and Qingpu districts of Shanghai from January 2013 to August 2017 were selected as the intervention group, and 52 268 people from key populations with chronic disease management in Xuhui, Hongkou, Jiading and Fengxian districts were selected as the control group according to the geographical location and economic level. The intervention group accepted follow-up and health education of influenza vaccination via chronic disease outpatient based on information system. The implementation time of the intervention was from September 2017 to January 2018. The basic information and diagnosis information of two groups, and intervention completion of the intervention group were obtained from Shanghai chronic disease management information system and hospital record system. Results: The age of the intervention group and the control group were (76.76±8.33) and (77.97±8.51) years old, respectively (P<0.001); and there were statistical differences in gender, occupational and influenza vaccination rate between the two groups (P<0.001). A total of 28 644 (56.40%) subjects of the intervention group received intervention. There was no significant difference in age composition between finished and unfinished intervention groups (P=0.095), and there was significant difference in gender composition (P=0.044). Before the intervention, the vaccination rate of the intervention group was 0.75% (382 subjects) which was lower than that of the control group with 1.02% (533 subjects) (χ(2)=20.96, P<0.001). After the intervention, the vaccination rate of the intervention group was 1.73% (496 subjects) which was higher than that of the control group with 1.42% (744 subjects) (χ(2)=11.65, P=0.001). Subjects that were male, younger, uptake of influenza vaccine before the intervention, received intervention and professional and technical personnel were more likely to take influenza vaccine, with OR (95%CI) 1.29 (1.13-1.47), 0.97 (0.96-0.98), 260.30 (215.21-314.83), 1.85 (1.61-2.11) and 1.48 (1.10-1.99), respectively. Conclusion: Influenza vaccination intervetion raised the vaccination rate of key population of chronic disease management. Male, younger, those who had been vaccinated before the intervention, who received the intervention, and professional and technical personnel were more likely to be vaccinated.

[Impact of water body environments on the microbial community of Oncomelania hupensis snails in marshlands around the eastern Dongting Lake]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of water body environments on the microbial community of Oncomelania hupensis snails in marshlands of the eastern Dongting Lake where natural extinction of O. hupensis snails are found, so as to explore the correlation between the natural extinction of O. hupensis snails and the microbial community in snails.

METHODS

Snails were caged water bodies in the Qianliang Lake marshland (Qianliang Lake regions) where natural extinction of snails was found and in the Junshan Park marshland (Junshan Park regions) in the eastern Dongting Lake for 30 days, and then all snails were collected and identified for survival or death. DNA sequencing of the fungi and bacteria was performed in snails before and after immersion in waters, and the biodiversity and abundance were analyzed.

RESULTS

The survival rates of O. hupensis snails were 28.0% (70/250) and 64.8% (162/250) in Qianliang Lake regions and Junshan Park regions 30 days after immersion in waters, respectively (χ² = 81.365, P < 0.01). The number of the fungal community and the biodiversity of the bacterial community were both greater in snails caged in Qianliang Lake regions post-immersion than pre-immersion, and there was a significant difference in the structure of the fungal and bacterial communities. The microbial community with a significant difference included Flavobacteriaceae,which was harmful to O. hupensis snails.

CONCLUSIONS

The water body environment affects the composition of the microbial community in O. hupensis snails in marshlands with natural snail distinction around the eastern Dongting Lake; however, further studies are required to investigate whether the natural distinction of snails is caused by water body environments-induced changes of the microbial spectrum in O. hupensis snails.

[Evaluation on the effect of clinic standardized blood pressure measurement model applying to first blood pressure measurement among community population aged 35 years old and above]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of clinic standardized blood pressure measurement model (SBPM) applying to first blood pressure measurement among community population aged 35 years old and above. Methods: SBPM was implemented in the community health service center of Dapuqiao street, Huangpu district of Shanghai from June 1, 2018, and the data between June 1 and December 31, 2018 was used as the SBPM data. The first-diagnosis blood pressure measurement data in this center between June 1 and December 31, 2017 was used as the conventional measurement (CM) model data. The detection rate of elevated blood pressure under SBPM was standardized according to the gender and age distribution of subjects in CM. The equilibrium of the value distribution of the end digit of blood pressure value in different pressure-measuring models and difference of elevated blood pressure rate of subjects with different characteristics and seasons were analyzed by using the χ(2) test, and the difference of standardized elevated blood pressure rate in different pressure-measuring models was analyzed by using the U test. Results: The SBPM included 1 548 subjects and 639 (41.28%) of them were males. The CM included 2 952 inpatients and 1 196 (40.51%) of them were males. The frequency of the end digit of blood pressure in SBPM ranged from 9.04% to 10.72%, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed a balanced distribution of end digit (P values were 0.996 and 0.981 respectively). The frequency of blood pressure end digital in the CM ranged from 0.37% to 67.92%, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed an unbalanced distribution (both P values <0.001). The crude rate and standardized elevated blood pressure rate in SBPM were 23.19% (359/1 548) and 23.05%, which were higher than that in CM, about 7.22% (213/2 952) (both P values <0.001). The elevated blood pressure rate in SBPM in summer, autumn and winter was 18.85% (141/748), 26.72% (152/591) and 31.58% (66/209), respectively, which was higher than that in CM, about 6.28% (91/1 450), 7.20% (82/1 139) and 11.02% (40/363), respectively (all P values <0.001). Conclusion: The quality of blood pressure data and the efficiency of hypertension screening of SBPM are better than those of CM when applying to first blood pressure measurement among community population aged 35 years old and above.