First Observation of the Decay B_{s}^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} and a Measurement of |V_{ub}|/|V_{cb}|

The first observation of the suppressed semileptonic B_{s}^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} decay is reported. Using a data sample recorded in pp collisions in 2012 with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2  fb^{-1}, the branching fraction B(B_{s}^{0}→K^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}) is measured to be [1.06±0.05(stat)±0.08(syst)]×10^{-4}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second one represents the combined systematic uncertainties. The decay B_{s}^{0}→D_{s}^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, where D_{s}^{-} is reconstructed in the final state K^{+}K^{-}π^{-}, is used as a normalization channel to minimize the experimental systematic uncertainty. Theoretical calculations on the form factors of the B_{s}^{0}→K^{-} and B_{s}^{0}→D_{s}^{-} transitions are employed to determine the ratio of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements |V_{ub}|/|V_{cb}| at low and high B_{s}^{0}→K^{-} momentum transfer.

[Progress on clinical trials of cancer drugs in China, 2020]

Objective: To explore the latest progress of oncology drug clinical trials in China under COVID-19, as well as to provide decision-making evidence for related stakeholders. Research progress of oncology drug trials and approved cancer drugs in China in 2020 were systematically summarized and compared with 2019. Methods: Information Disclosure Platform for Drug Clinical Studies and China Food and Drug Administration Query System for Domestic and Imported Drug were searched for registered clinical trials and approved oncology drugs, respectively. The trial scope, stage, drug type, effect and mechanism of domestic and global pharmaceutical enterprises were compared between 2019 and 2020. Results: A total of 722 cancer drug trials registered in China in 2020, with an annual growth rate of 52.3%, accounting for 28.3% of all registered trials. Among them, 603 (83.5%) trials were initiated by domestic pharmaceutical enterprises, and 105 (14.5%) were international multicenter trials, phase I trials accounted for 44.5%. For all those trials, there were 458 cancer drug varieties, with an annual growth rate of 36.7%, and 361 (85.8%) were developed by domestic enterprises. Most of the investigational products were therapeutic innovative drugs (77.1%), major in tumor treatment (92.8%). In terms of mechanism, targeted drugs were the most popular, accounting for 76.6%, and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) were the most common targets. In addition, there were 19 anticancer drugs from 17 companies approved in China in 2019, with 10 drugs from domestic companies. Lung cancer and breast cancer are the most common indications for both registered trials and marketed drugs. No statistically significant differences were found between 2020 and 2019 in terms of the distribution of trial sponsor, scope and stage, as well as the distribution of drug type, effect and mechanism (P>0.05). Conclusions: During the Covid-19 epidemic period, clinical trials of oncology drugs in China progress smoothly and maintain a high growth rate. Series of innovative products obtained by domestic enterprises in 2020 is the main driving force of development of oncology drug clinical trials in China.

[Anatomical partial lobectomy for the treatment of 3 336 cases of patients with lung nodule]

Objective: To explore the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of anatomical partial lobectomy. Methods: The clinical data of 3 336 patients with lung nodules underwent anatomical partial lobectomy in our center from November 2013 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. We set the safety margin distance according to the imaging feature of the lesion. The surgeons then anatomically detached the major vessels and bronchus in this region, resected the targeted lung tissue along the plane, and completed the resection of anatomical pulmonary lobe and clean and sampling of systemic lymph nodules. Results: A total of 668 cases were multiple nodules and 2 668 cases were solitary pulmonary nodules. According to the postoperative pathological results, 283 cases were benign, 1 197 cases were preinvasive lesions (including 38 cases of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, 445 cases of adenocarcinoma in situ and 714 cases of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma), 1 713 cases were invasive adenocarcinoma, 73 cases were non-adenocarcinoma and 70 cases were metastatic carcinoma. Among 1 786 invasive primary lung cancers, 11 cases received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and their postoperative pathologic diagnoses were stage ypIA. Other 1 775 cases who did not receive postoperative neoadjuvant treatment included 1 587 cases in stage ⅠA, 112 cases in stage ⅠB, 3 cases in stage ⅡA, 18 cases in stage ⅡB, 37 cases in stage ⅢA, 9 cases in stage ⅢB, 9 cases in stage Ⅳ. The average operation time was (127.3±55.3) minutes, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (4.8±2.4) days. The incidence rate of complications (grade>2) was 1.1%(38/3 336), and no death occurred during 30 days after operation. Conclusion: Anatomic partial lobectomy has good clinical applicability, safety and effectiveness, which is worthy of clinical application and recommendation.

[Incidence and mortality of corpus uteri cancer in China, 2015]

Objective: To estimate the incidence and mortality of corpus uteri cancer in China, 2015. Methods: Quality audit and evaluation of the data from 2015 cancer registration reported by 501 cancer registries were conducted, and 368 cancer registries were included in the analysis. The incidence rate and mortality rate of corpus uteri cancer were calculated according to the factors of the region (urban, rural, east, central, western), sex and age groups. The incidence and mortality of corpus uteri cancer with the 2015 population were estimated. Chinese standard population in 2000 and world Segi's population were used for the calculation of age-standardized rates (ASR) of incidence and mortality. Results: In 2015, 368 cancer registries included in the analysis covered a total of 309 553 499 populations in China, accounting for 22.52% of the national population. It is estimated that there were about 68 900 new cases of corpus uteri cancer in 2015, the incidence rate was 10.28/10(5), age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASR China) and world standard population (ASR world) were 6.86/10(5) and 6.66/10(5), respectively. The incidence rate of urban area (11.35/10(5)) was higher than that of rural area (8.90/10(5)), and the incidence of eastern region (12.12/10(5)) was higher than the central region (9.94/10(5)) and the western region (8.25/10(5)). It is estimated that in 2015, there were about 16 000 deaths of corpus uteri cancer, the mortality rate was 2.39/10(5), ASR China was 1.49/10(5), ASR world was 1.47/10(5). The mortality in urban areas (2.40/10(5)) is close to rural areas (2.39/10(5)); the mortality in central areas (2.55/10(5)) was higher than the eastern areas (2.32/10(5)) and the western areas (2.31/10(5)). Conclusions: In China, the incidence of corpus uteri cancer is on the rise and has a trend of youth, the burden of disease is gradually increasing, which threatens the health of women. Targeted prevention and control measures should be carried out in the different regions.

[Cancer incidence and mortality of kidney and unspecified urinary organs in China, 2015]

Objective: To estimate cancer incidence and mortality of kidney and unspecified urinary organs in China using cancer registry data in 2015. Methods: The cancer registry data from 501 local cancer registries in China were collected, checked and assessed based on the criteria of data quality control of the National Central Cancer Registry of China (NCCRC), and data from 368 registries were qualified for the analysis. Cancer incidence and mortality rates of kidney and unspecified urinary organs stratified by geographical location (eastern, middle, western areas), gender, age groups were calculated. Population data of 2015 was used to estimate the cancer cases and deaths of kidney and unspecified urinary organs in China. Chinese standard population in 2000 and Segi's world population were used for the calculation of age-standardized incidence and mortality rates. Results: A total of 74.2 thousand new cancer cases of kidney and unspecified urinary organs were diagnosed in 2015, 46.9 thousand of them were male, while 27.3 thousand were female, with a crude incidence rate of 5.40/10(5). The age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese (ASIRC) and world standard population (ASIRW) were 3.57/10(5) and 3.56/10(5), respectively. A total of 53.4 thousand and 20.8 thousand new cases were diagnosed in urban and rural area, with incidence rates of 6.93/10(5) and 3.45/10(5), respectively. The ASIRC of urban area was higher than that of rural area. There were 39.2 thousand, 20.6 thousand, and 14.4 thousand new cases diagnosed in eastern, middle, and western areas of China, respectively. The crude incidence rates were 7.60/10(5), 4.47/10(5), and 3.63/10(5), respectively, with a descend ASIRC of each area. A total of 27.1 thousand death cases reported, of them 16.9 thousand were male, while 10.2 thousand were female, with a crude mortality rate of 1.97/10(5), both of the ASIRC and ASMRW were 1.21/10(5). The deaths of urban and rural area were 19.5 thousand and 7.6 thousand cases, with the crude mortality rates of 2.53/10(5) and 1.26/10(5), respectively. The ASIRC of urban area was higher than that of rural area. There were 13.4 thousand, 8.4 thousand, and 5.1 thousand death cases reported in eastern, middle, and western areas, respectively, the crude mortality rates were 2.61/10(5), 1.83/10(5) and 1.30/10(5), respectively, with a descend ASIRC of each area. Conclusion: The disease burden of kidney cancer differs between urban area and rural area, and differs among eastern, middle, and western areas of China, therefore, different prevent and treatment strategies should be taken in different areas of China.

Effects of Early Transplantation of the Faecal Microbiota from Tibetan Pigs on the Gut Development of DSS-Challenged Piglets

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of early transplantation of the faecal microbiota from Tibetan pigs on the gut development of dextran sulphate sodium- (DSS-) challenged piglets. In total, 24 3-day-old DLY piglets were divided into four groups (n = 6 per group); a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used, which included faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) (from Tibetan pigs) and DSS challenge. The whole trial lasted for 55 days. DSS infusion increased the intestinal density, serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, and colonic Escherichia coli count (P < 0.05), and decreased the Lactobacillus spp. count and mRNA abundances of epidermal growth factor (EGF), glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), occludin, mucin 2 (MUC2), regeneration protein IIIγ (RegIIIγ), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the colon (P < 0.05). FMT increased the Lactobacillus spp. count and mRNA abundances of GLP-2, RegIIIγ, and IL-10 in the colon (P < 0.05), and decreased the intestinal density, serum DAO activity, and colonic E. coli number (P < 0.05). In addition, in DSS-challenged piglets, FMT decreased the disease activity index (P < 0.05) and attenuated the effect of DSS challenge on the intestinal density, serum DAO activity, and colonic E. coli number (P < 0.05). These data indicated that the faecal microbiota from Tibetan pigs could attenuate the negative effect of DSS challenge on the gut development of piglets.

Model-Independent Study of Structure in B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} Decays

The only anticipated resonant contributions to B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} decays are charmonium states in the D^{+}D^{-} channel. A model-independent analysis, using LHCb proton-proton collision data taken at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}, is carried out to test this hypothesis. The description of the data assuming that resonances only manifest in decays to the D^{+}D^{-} pair is shown to be incomplete. This constitutes evidence for a new contribution to the decay, potentially one or more new charm-strange resonances in the D^{-}K^{+} channel with masses around 2.9  GeV/c^{2}.

Constraints on the K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} Branching Fraction

A search for the decay K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6  fb^{-1} and collected with the LHCb experiment during 2016, 2017, and 2018 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The observed signal yield is consistent with zero, yielding an upper limit of B(K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<2.2×10^{-10} at 90% C.L.. The limit reduces to B(K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<2.1×10^{-10} at 90% C.L. once combined with the result from data taken in 2011 and 2012.

Observation of Enhanced Double Parton Scattering in Proton-Lead Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

A study of prompt charm-hadron pair production in proton-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 30  nb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb experiment. Production cross sections for different pairs of charm hadrons are measured and kinematic correlations between the two charm hadrons are investigated. This is the first measurement of associated production of two charm hadrons in proton-lead collisions. The results confirm the predicted enhancement of double parton scattering production in proton-lead collisions compared to the single parton scattering production.

Life's simple 7 cardiovascular health metrics versus Fuster-BEWAT score to predict the new 4-tiered left ventricular hypertrophy classification: insight from a large Asian population

Background

AHA's Life's Simple 7 cardiovascular health score is recommended for use in primary prevention. Simpler tools not requiring laboratory tests, such as the Fuster-BEWAT score (FBS) (blood pressure [B], exercise [E], weight [W], alimentation [A], and tobacco [T]), are also available. This study sought to compare the effectiveness of Life's Simple 7 and FBS in predicting the newly proposed 4-tiered LVH classification based on LV dilatation (high LV end-diastolic volume [EDV] index) and concentricity (mass/end-diastolic volume [M/EDV]0.67) in the general Chinese population.

Methods

Participants from Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health study who underwent cardiac echocardiography (n=11,261) were enrolled. Patients with LVH were divided into 4 groups–eccentric nondilated (normal M/EDV and EDV), eccentric dilated (increased EDV, normal M/EDV), concentric nondilated (increased M/EDV, normal EDV), and concentric dilated (increased M/EDV and EDV)–and compared with patients with normal LVM. LVH was classified as increased LV mass when indexed to height2.7 using thresholds of≥48 g/m2.7 for men and ≥39 g/m2.7 for women. Previously defined thresholds for elevated EDV indexed to BSA (≥74 ml/m2 for men and ≥68 ml/m2 for women) and M/EDV0.67 (≥9.1 g/ml0.67 for men and ≥8.1 g/ml0.67 for women) were used.

Results

With poor Life's Simple 7 and FBS as references, individuals with ideal Life's Simple 7 and FBS showed lower adjusted odds of having eccentric nondilated (Life's Simple 7, odds ratio [OR]: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20 to 0.34 vs. FBS, OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.38), eccentric dilated (OR: 0.73 [0.57–0.94] vs. OR: 0.57 [0.43–0.76]), concentric nondilated (OR: 0.12 [0.04–0.38] vs. OR: 0.19 [0.07–0.52]), and concentric dilated LVH (OR: 0.12 [0.03–0.37] vs. OR: 0.26 [0.10–0.72]). For the total ICHS and FBS on a continuous scale from 0 (all 7 poor) to 7 (all 7 ideal), risk reductions of the four distinct LVH patterns were of comparable magnitude for each 1-point increment of ICHS and FBS. Similar levels of significantly discriminating accuracy were found for Life's Simple 7 and FBS with respect to the eccentric nondilated (C-statistic: 0.737; 95% CI: 0.725 to 0.750 vs. 0.731; 95% CI: 0.718 to 0.744, respectively), eccentric dilated (0.684 [0.670–0.699] vs. 0.686 [0.671–0.701]), concentric nondilated (0.658 [0.624–0.692] vs. 0.650 [0.615–0.684]), and concentric dilated LVH (0.711 [0.678–0.744] vs. 0.698 [0.663–0.733]).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that the FBS appears capable of performing just as well as does the Life's Simple 7 in predicting the novel 4-group classification of LVH, making the FBS particularly suited as a reliable low-cost indicator of CV health in settings where access to laboratory analysis is limited and health care resources are constrained. Therefore, it may be considered the first option in settings where access to laboratory analysis is limited.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): National Natural Science Foundation of China

Fuster-BEWAT score versus American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 To predict subclinical target organ damage: findings from a large-scale Asian population

Background

The AHA's Life's Simple 7 score is recommended for use in primordial prevention. Simpler tools not requiring laboratory tests, such as the Fuster-BEWAT score (FBS) (blood pressure [B], exercise [E], weight [W], alimentation [A], and tobacco [T]), are also available. We aimed to investigate the relationships of FBS and Life's Simple 7 with several subclinical markers of target organ damage (TOD) representing myocardial structure and function (i.e., ECG-LVH and LV diastolic dysfunction), carotid structure (i.e., carotid intima-media thickness), and vascular function (i.e., arterial stiffness) in the framework of general Chinese population.

Methods

The study population consisted of 11,163 community-based adults (mean age 53.9 years; 54% female) who were recruited in the NCRCH (Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health) study between January 2013 and August 2013. A SD + SV4 ≥2.3 mV for female subjects and ≥2.8 mV for male subjects were considered positive for LVH according to Peguero–Lo Presti criteria. Participants with LV diastolic dysfunction was defined as septal e' velocity &lt;7 cm/s, average E/e' ratio&gt;14, or left atrial volume index&gt;34 mL/m2. Carotid intima-media thickness &gt;0.9mm was assessed for the detection of carotid wall thickness. The highest tertile of pulse pressure/stroke volume indexed to height2.04 (&gt;2.76 mm Hg/ml) was chosen to reflect increased arterial stiffness.

Results

With poor Life's Simple 7 and FBS as references, subjects with ideal Life's Simple 7 and FBS presented substantially lower adjusted odds of having ECG-LVH (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.49–0.66 vs. OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.46–0.64), LV diastolic dysfunction (OR, 0.34 [0.26–0.45] vs. OR, 0.43 [0.33–0.57]), carotid wall thickness (OR, 0.66 [0.51–0.87] vs. OR, 0.68 [0.50–0.93]), and arterial stiffness (OR, 0.22 [0.19–0.26] vs. OR, 0.21 [0.18–0.25]). In a similar model, per each additional metric at recommended optimal level of Life's Simple 7 (0–7) and FBS (0–5) was predictive to a similar degree of reduced odds of all subclinical TOD. Similar levels of significantly discriminating accuracy were found for Life's Simple 7 and FBS with respect to ECG-LVH (Life's Simple 7: C-statistic of 0.623; FBS: C-statistic of 0.625), LV diastolic dysfunction (FBS C-statistic of 0.729; CVHS C-statistic of 0.721), carotid wall thickness (FBS: C-statistic of 0.720; Life's Simple 7: C-statistic of 0.721) and arterial stiffness (FBS: C-statistic of 0.701; Life's Simple 7: C-statistic of 0.704).

Conclusions

Both scores exhibited comparable discriminatory values for detection of subclinical TOD in a large sample of middle-aged adults, highlighting the potential usefulness and clinical relevance of FBS as an easy, practical, and affordable option for elucidating the impact of CV risk behaviors and factors on subclinical CVD in settings where limited access to laboratory analysis and resource-constrained health-care areas hinder the possibility of estimating CV risk.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences; National Natural Science Foundation of China

CRISPR-mediated BMP9 ablation promotes liver steatosis via the down-regulation of PPARα expression

Obesity drives the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by hepatic steatosis. Several bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) except BMP9 were reported related to metabolic syndrome. This study demonstrates that liver cytokine BMP9 is decreased in the liver and serum of NAFLD model mice and patients. BMP9 knockdown induces lipid accumulation in Hepa 1-6 cells. BMP9-knockout mice exhibit hepatosteatosis due to down-regulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) expression and reduced fatty acid oxidation. In vitro, recombinant BMP9 treatment attenuates triglyceride accumulation by enhancing PPARα promoter activity via the activation of p-smad. PPARα-specific antagonist GW6471 abolishes the effect of BMP9 knockdown. Furthermore, adeno-associated virus-mediated BMP9 overexpression in mouse liver markedly relieves liver steatosis and obesity-related metabolic syndrome. These findings indicate that BMP9 plays a critical role in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism in a PPARα-dependent manner and may provide a previously unknown insight into NAFLD therapeutic approaches.

Community diversity and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria in shrimp pond sediment at different culture stages

AIMS

Ammonia oxidation is a significant process of nitrogen cycles in a lot of ecosystems sediments while there are few studies in shrimp culture pond (SCP) sediments. This paper attempted to explore the community diversity and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in SCP sediments at different culture stages.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We collected SCP sediments and analysed the community diversity and abundance of AOA and bacteria in shrimp pond sediment at different culture stages using the ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) gene with quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The AOB-amoA gene abundance was showed higher than AOA-amoA gene abundance in SCP sediments on Day 50 and Day 60 after shrimp larvae introducing into the pond, and the diversity of AOA in SCP sediments was higher than that of AOB. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the most of AOA were the member of Nitrosopumilus and Nitrososphaera, and the majority of AOB sequences were clustered into Nitrosospira, Nitrosomonas clusters 6a and 7. The AOA community has close relationship with total organic carbon (TOC), pH, total phosphorus (TP), nitrate reductase, urease, acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase. The AOB community was related to TOC, C/N and nitrate reductase.

CONCLUSIONS

AOA and AOB play the different ecological roles in SCP sediments at different culture stages.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our results suggested that the different community diversity and abundance of AOA and AOB in SCP sediments, which may improve our ecological cognition of shrimp culture stages in SCP ecosystems.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae lipids license TLR-4 for activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy to evoke a proinflammatory response

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an obligate pathogen that causes pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, pharyngitis and asthma in humans. It is well recognized that membrane lipoproteins are immunostimulants exerting as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory responses upon M. pneumoniae infection. Here, we report that the M. pneumoniae-derived lipids are another proinflammatory agents. Using an antibody-neutralizing assay, RNA interference or specific inhibitors, we found that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) is essential for M. pneumoniae lipid-induced tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β production. We also demonstrate that NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome (NLRP3) inflammasome, autophagy and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-dependent pathways are critical for the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, while inhibition of TLR-4 significantly abrogates these events. Further characterization revealed that autophagy-mediated inflammatory responses involved the activation of NF-κB. In addition, the activation of NF-κB promoted lipid-induced autophagosome formation, as revealed by assays using pharmacological inhibitors, 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and Bay 11-7082, or silencing of atg5 and beclin-1. These findings suggest that, unlike the response to lipoprotein stimulation, the inflammation in response to M. pneumoniae lipids is mediated by the TLR-4 pathway, which subsequently initiates the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and formation of a positive feedback loop between autophagy and NF-κB signalling cascade, ultimately promoting TNF-α and Il-1β production in macrophages.

[Statistical analysis of incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China, 2015]

Objective: To estimate the incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in China in 2015. Methods: The data from 501 cancer registries in China collected by the National Cancer Center were reviewed and evaluated, and the qualified data were included in the final analysis. According to the national population data in 2015, the nationwide incidence and mortality of the prostate cancer were estimated. Chinese standard population in 2000 and world Segi's population were used to calculate the age-standardized (ASR) incidence and mortality rates (ASR China and world, respectively). Results: After data review, the data reported by 368 registries were included in the final analysis, covering a total population of 309 553 499, accounting for 22.52% of the national population at the end of 2015. There were 72 thousand new prostate cancer cases estimated in China in 2015, with a crude incidence rate of 10.23/100 000. The ASR China and ASR world are 6.59/100 000 and 6.47/100 000, respectively, which is the sixth incidence of male malignant tumor.The estimated number of prostate cancer death was 3.07 thousand in China in 2015, with a crude mortality rate of 4.36/100 000; The ASR China and ASR world mortality rates were 2.61/100 000 and 2.65/100 000, respectively, which is the tenth leading cause of death in male malignant tumor.The ASR China incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in males were higher in urban areas (8.40/100 000 and 3.11/100 000) than those in rural areas (4.16/100 000 and 1.90/100 000). The incidence and mortality rates in the eastern areas (8.54/100 000 and 2.99/100 000) were higher than those in the central (5.28/100 000 and 2.34/100 000) and western areas (5.32/100 000 and 2.37/100 000) of China. Conclusions: The incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in China are lower than the global average, but there is an increasing trend. The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China have obvious regional differences.

[Analysis on genetic characteristics of H9N2 avian influenza virus isolated from human infection and external environment in Gansu province]

Objective: To analyze the genomic characteristics of human infection with H9N2 avian influenza virus in Gansu province. Methods: The etiological analysis was conducted for human infection with H9N2 avian influenza virus detected in influenza like illness cases in northwestern China in 2016. Molecular bioinformatics Mega 7.0 software was used to analyze the full genomic sequences of the viral isolate. Results: The gene fragments of HA, NA, MP, NP, NS, PA, PB1 and PB2 of the isolate were highly similar (>90%) to those of H9N2 avian influenza virus strain isolated in external environment in Gansu from 2014 to 2019. The HA gene belonged to BJ/94-like branch, PB2 and MP belonged to G1/97-like branch, and the PB1, PA, NS, and NP genes belonged to F/98-like branch. MP and PB2 were closely related to H7N9, H10N8 and H5N6 viruses. Amino acid sequence alignment showed that the HA cleavage site was arranged in PSRSSR ↓ GLF, H183N and Q226L mutated which included 7 HA glycosylated sites; 62-64 sites of NA absented 3 amino acids (ITE); and M2-31N, NS1-42S, PA-356R, and PA-409N mutated. Conclusions: Apparently, this case of human infection with human infection with H9N2 avian influenza virus was an incidental. However, the isolates of H9N2 influenza virus in external environment of Gansu had a series of mammalian adaptive molecular markers, suggesting that the risk of human infection is higher. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance by multi departments to deal with influenza pandemic.

Translating instruments into multiple Mayan languages for a hypertension T4 study in Guatemala

Issue

Guatemala is a culturally and linguistically diverse country. Mayan languages are primarily spoken languages; few people know their written form. Health features and outcomes are difficult to assess due to the lack of validated instruments in these languages.

Description of the Problem

A cluster randomized trial to improve hypertension control is being conducted in 36 municipalities where Mayan languages are spoken in addition to Spanish. Instruments for measuring study outcomes were developed in Spanish and cross-culturally adapted into five Mayan languages following WHO's methodology. First, data were gathered on the proportion of people only fluent in a Mayan language in each district. We prioritized those Mayan languages spoken by more than 20% of the non-Spanish speaking population: Achí, K'iche', Kaqchikel, Tz'utujil and Mam. Second, forward translation to the Mayan languages was conducted by a local healthcare professional, who verbally recorded each instrument. The study team identified key words and concepts to guarantee content equivalence. Third, back-translation was conducted by two independent healthcare providers, who were blinded to the original instruments. The research team formally compared the original questionnaires with the back-translated versions to ensure they were conceptually equivalent and culturally adapted. Discrepancies were corrected as needed. Finally, local interviewers were trained on how to accurately use the written Spanish questionnaires and the Mayan language verbal recordings.

Results

By following this methodology, we achieved cross-culturally adapted instruments to improve the information-gathering process in communities where only Mayan languages are spoken.

Lessons

Having culturally adapted tools will allow researchers to reach a broader range of the target population, obtain more accurate information, and take into account participants' culture and cosmovision.

Key messages

Translating questionnaires to people’s native language allows researchers to obtain more accurate information in a standardized way and better understand participants’ culture and cosmovision. The described methodology is beneficial for conducting research in linguistically diverse countries. It promotes effective and inclusive communication among researchers and participants.

Understanding colossal barocaloric effects in plastic crystals

Plastic crystal neopentylglycol (NPG) exhibits colossal barocaloric effects (BCEs) with record-high entropy changes, offering exciting prospects for the field of solid-state cooling through the application of moderate pressures. Here, we show that the intermolecular hydrogen bond plays a key role in the orientational order of NPG molecules, while its broken due to thermal perturbation prominently weakens the activation barrier of orientational disorder. The analysis of hydrogen bond strength, rotational entropy free energy and entropy changes provides insightful understanding of BCEs in order-disorder transition. External pressure reduce the hydsrogen bond length and enhance the activation barrier of orientational disorder, which serves as a route of varying intermolecular interaction to tune the order-disorder transition. Our work provides atomic-scale insights on the orientational order-disorder transition of NPG as the prototypical plastic crystal with BCEs, which is helpful to achieve superior caloric materials by molecular designing in the near future.

Analysis of a registry database for esophageal cancer from high-volume centers in China

Esophageal cancer has a high incidence among malignancies in China, but a comprehensive picture of the status of its surgical management in China has hitherto not been available. A nationwide database has recently been established to address this issue.

METHOD

A National Database was setup through a network platform, and data was collected from 70 high-volume centers (>100 esophagectomies/per year) across China. Data was entered between January 2009 and December 2014, and was analyzed in June 2015 after a minimal follow-up of 6 months for all patients. 8181 patients with complete data who received surgery for primary esophageal cancer on the Database were included in the analysis.

RESULT

In this series, there were 6052 males and 2129 females, with a mean age of 60.5 years (range: 22-90 years). The pathology in 95.5% of patients was squamous cell carcinoma. The pathological stage distribution was 1.2% in stage 0, 2.5% in Ia, 11.5% in Ib, 14.8% in IIa, 36.1% in IIb, 19.3% in IIIa, 8.3% in IIIb, 6.2% in IIIc. 1800 patients (22.0%) with locally advanced disease received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy and 3592 patients (43.9%) underwent postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The esophagectomies were performed through left thoracotomy approach in 5870 cases (72.6%), through right chest approach in 2215 cases (27.4%) including right thoracotomy (21.3%) and VATS (6.1%). The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 0.6% (43 patients), and the overall postoperative complication rate was 11.6% (951 patients). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 82.6%, 61.6%, and 52.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This National Registry Database from high-volume centers provides a comprehensive picture of surgical management for esophageal cancer in China for the first time. Squamous cell carcinoma predominates, but there is heterogeneity with respect to the surgical approach and perioperative oncologic management. Overall, surgical mortality and morbidity rates are low, and good survival rates have been achieved due to improvement of surgical treatment technology in recent years.