Discovery of selection-driven genetic differences of Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire pig breeds by EigenGWAS and Fst analyses

Pigs are one of the earliest domesticated animals and multiple breeds have been developed to meet the various demands of consumers. EigenGWAS is a novel strategy to identify candidate genes that underlying population genetic differences and to infer candidate regions under selection as well. In this study, EigenGWAS and F_st analyses were performed using the public re-sequencing data of three typical commercial pig breeds, Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire. The intersection of genome-wide significant SNPs detected by EigenGWAS and top-ranked 1% SNPs of F_st results were treated as signals under selection. Using the data of all three breeds, 3062 signals under selection were detected and the nearby genomic regions within 300 kb upstream and downstream covered 6.54% of whole genome. Pairs of breeds were analysed along with the pathway analysis. The gene function enrichment results indicated that many candidate genes located in the genomic regions of the signals under selection were associated with biological processes related to growth, metabolism, reproduction, sensory perception, etc. Among the candidate genes, the FSHB, AHR, PTHLH, KDR and FST genes were reported to be associated with reproductive performance; the KIT, KITLG, MITF, MC1R and EDNRB genes were previously identified to affect coat colour; the RETREG1, TXNIP, BMP5, PPARD and RBP4 genes were reported to be associated with lipid metabolism and growth traits. The identified genetic differences across the three commercial breeds will advance understanding of the artificial selection history of pigs and the signals under selection will suggest potential uses in pig genomic breeding programmes.

A New Framework for Performing Cardiac Strain Analysis from Cine MRI Imaging in Mice

Cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is one of the most rigorous form of imaging to assess cardiac function in vivo. Strain analysis allows comprehensive assessment of diastolic myocardial function, which is not indicated by measuring systolic functional parameters using with a normal cine imaging module. Due to the small heart size in mice, it is not possible to perform proper tagged imaging to assess strain. Here, we developed a novel deep learning approach for automated quantification of strain from cardiac cine MR images. Our framework starts by an accurate localization of the LV blood pool center-point using a fully convolutional neural network (FCN) architecture. Then, a region of interest (ROI) that contains the LV is extracted from all heart sections. The extracted ROIs are used for the segmentation of the LV cavity and myocardium via a novel FCN architecture. For strain analysis, we developed a Laplace-based approach to track the LV wall points by solving the Laplace equation between the LV contours of each two successive image frames over the cardiac cycle. Following tracking, the strain estimation is performed using the Lagrangian-based approach. This new automated system for strain analysis was validated by comparing the outcome of these analysis with the tagged MR images from the same mice. There were no significant differences between the strain data obtained from our algorithm using cine compared to tagged MR imaging. Furthermore, we demonstrated that our new algorithm can determine the strain differences between normal and diseased hearts.

3D porous framework of ZnO nanoparticles assembled from double carbon shells consisting of hard and soft carbon networks for high performance lithium ion batteries

Low electronic conductivity and large volume variation result in inferior lithium storage performance of ZnO. To overcome these shortcomings of ZnO, herein ZnO nanoparticles are encapsulated in resorcinol-formaldehyde resin-derived hard carbon and then further assembled into a 3-dimensional mesoporous framework structure using a polyvinyl pyrrolidone-derived soft carbon network. The synthesis methods include the polymerization of resorcinol-formaldehyde resin and a polyvinyl pyrrolidone-boiling method. ZnO@dual carbon has af large specific surface area (153.7 m² g^-1) and high porosity. It exhibits excellent cycling performance and high rate capability. After 350 cycles at 500 mA g^-1, the ZnO@dual carbon still delivers a discharge capacity of 701 mAh g^-1 while the actual discharge capacity of ZnO reaches 950.9 mAh g^-1. At 2 A g^-1, ZnO@dual carbon delivers the average discharge capacity of 469.6 mAh g^-1. The electrochemical performance of ZnO@dual carbon is remarkably superior to those of ZnO@single carbon, pure carbon and pure ZnO nanoparticles, demonstrating the superiority of the dual carbon-assembly structure. This composite structure greatly improves the structural stability of ZnO, enhances its electron conductivity and overall electron transport capacity; which facilitates electrolyte penetration and Li ion diffusion, leading to improved cycling stability and good rate capability.

The disconnection technique with the use of a bronchial blocker for improving nonventilated lung collapse in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

High Glucose Induces Endothelial COX2 and iNOS Expression via Inhibition of Monomethyltransferase SETD8 Expression

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) overexpression results in endothelial apoptosis, thus mediating vascular endothelial injury in hyperglycaemia. E26 transformation-specific sequence transcription factor-1 (ESE-1), which belongs to the E26 transformation-specific family of transcription factors, has been demonstrated to be involved in COX2 and iNOS gene transcription. Our previous study indicated that SET domain-containing protein 8 (SETD8) downregulation is involved in high glucose-mediated endothelial inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Here, we report that SETD8 plays a major role in hyperglycaemia-induced COX2 and iNOS expression. In HUVECs, upregulation of ESE-1 expression was related to high glucose-mediated apoptosis and COX2 and iNOS expression. High glucose inhibited SETD8 expression, and overexpression of SETD8 diminished the effects of high glucose treatment. Consistently, RNA silencing of SETD8 led to the opposite effect. Furthermore, SETD8 was found to interact with specificity protein 1 (SP1). Blockade of SP1 protected against high glucose-mediated endothelial injury. Mechanistically, we showed that H4K20me1, a downstream target of SETD8, and SP1 were enriched at the ESE-1 promoter region by ChIP assay. Luciferase reporter assays indicated that SETD8 overexpression attenuated ESE-1 promoter activity and augmented the inhibitory effect of siSP1 on ESE-1 promoter activity. In general, our data indicate that SETD8 interacts with SP1 to coregulate ESE-1 expression, which is involved in hyperglycaemia-mediated endothelial apoptosis in HUVECs.

Piezoelectric polymer nanofibers for pressure sensors and their applications in human activity monitoring

Miniaturized, wearable and self-powered sensors are crucial for applications in artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare, and communication devices. In particular, piezoelectric polymer-based sensing systems have the advantages of light weight, large piezoelectricity and mechanical flexibility, offering great opportunities in flexible and stretchable electronic devices. Herein, free-standing large-size nanofiber (NF) membranes have been fabricated by an electrospinning technique. Our results show that the as-synthesized P(VDF–TrFE) NFs are pure β-phase and exhibit excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Besides having high sensitivity and operational stability, the fibrous sensor can generate remarkable electrical signals from applied pressure, with an output voltage of 18.1 V, output current of 0.177 μA, and power density of 22.9 μW cm⁻². Moreover, such sensors also produce significant electrical performance of up to a few volts under human mechanical stress, thereby allowing for the monitoring of biomechanical movement of the human foot, elbow, and finger. Our study sheds light onto the use of piezoelectric polymers for flexible self-powered sensing electronics and wearable devices.

Miniaturized, wearable and self-powered sensors are crucial for applications in artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare, and communication devices.

Impact of perioperative red blood cell transfusion on postoperative recovery and long-term outcome in patients undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer: A propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

The impact of perioperative red blood cell transfusion (PRBCT) on cancer survival has remained controversial.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study in patients undergoing primary debulking surgery (PDS) for ovarian cancer between January 2013 and December 2017. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received PRBCT. Clinical characteristics were compared between groups. After propensity score matching, perioperative systemic inflammation-based scores, quality of recovery, postoperative outcomes, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between groups. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between covariates and survival outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 1037 patients were enrolled in this study, and 31.7% of patients received PRBCT. After propensity matching, there was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics between groups. Patients receiving PRBCT had more postoperative fluctuations in systemic inflammatory response-related indicators (P < 0.001), a higher incidence of postoperative grade II complications (28.4% vs. 14.8%), a longer length of stay (10.6 d vs. 6.2 d) and higher 30-day and total readmission rates (7.1% vs. 4.4% and 11.2% vs. 8.1%, P < 0.001, respectively) than patients who did not receive PRBCT. The OS and DFS rates 3 years after surgery were significantly lower in the patients receiving PRBCT than in patients not receiving PRBCT (58.9% vs. 74.5%, 39.6% vs. 52.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

PRBCT was significantly associated with more fluctuations in systemic inflammatory indicators, a prolonged length of stay, higher postoperative complication rates and increased cancer recurrence and overall mortality in ovarian cancer patients undergoing PDS.

A novel, rapid and simple method for detecting brucellosis based on rapid vertical flow technology

AIMS

To prevent the spread of brucellosis, a simple and rapid vertical flow technology (RVFT) for the detection of antibodies targeting brucellosis was developed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, Brucella sp. lipopolysaccharide was purified and used to detect brucellosis antibodies. Sheep IgG was used as a negative control. Colloidal gold-labeled recombinant staphylococcus aureus protein A was sprayed on a fibreglass membrane to prepare immunogold pads. Rapid vertical flow technology was used to detect Brucella in 1668 Sheep, 2743 bovine, 674 red deer and 420 human samples. The results indicated that the accuracy of this assay can reach 98%.

CONCLUSIONS

The established RVFT uses a single multifunctional buffer that can be used to detect antibodies in serum, plasma, whole blood and other biological samples while preserving the advantages of lateral-flow immunoassays.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This technology would be of great use in primary medical units and veterinary stations, and it is of great significance for the control of epidemic diseases.

Flexible Ultra-Wideband Terahertz Absorber Based on Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes

Ultra-wideband absorbers have been extensively used in wireless communications, energy harvesting, and stealth applications. Herein, with the combination of experimental and theoretical analyses, we develop a flexible ultra-wideband terahertz absorber based on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs). Measured results show that the proposed absorber is able to work efficiently within the entire THz region (e.g., 0.1-3.0 THz), with an average power absorptance of >98% at normal incidence. The absorption performance remains at a similar level over a wide range of incident angle up to 60°. More importantly, our devices can function normally, even after being bent up to 90° or after 300 bending cycles. The total thickness of the device is about 360 μm, which is only 1/8 of the wavelength for the lowest evaluated frequency of 0.1 THz. The new insight into the VACNT materials paves the way for applications such as radar cross-section reduction, electromagnetic interference shielding, and flexible sensing because of the simplicity, flexibility, ultra-wideband operation, and large-scale fabrication of the device.

Propofol attenuates the adhesion of tumor and endothelial cells through inhibiting glycolysis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Propofol is one of the most commonly used intravenous anesthetics and plays an important role in tumor suppression. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism by which propofol attenuates tumor endothelial cells (TECs) and tumor cell adhesion to inhibit tumor metastasis in vitro. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium were treated with tumor conditioned medium for 24 h, followed by 4 h of treatment with or without 25 μM of propofol, 10 μM of KN93, 500 μM of MK801, or 20 μM of rapastinel. It was found that propofol inhibited TEC adhesion and the glycolysis level of TECs. Consistently, propofol inhibited the expressions of adhesion molecules (E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1) and glycolysis proteins (GLUT1, HK2, and LDHA) in TECs. Moreover, propofol attenuated the expression of HIF-1α, the phosphorylation of AKT and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and the Ca2+ concentration in TECs. MK801, an inhibitor of NMDA receptor, and KN93, an inhibitor of CaMKII, both inhibited the expressions of adhesion molecules and glycolysis proteins, in a manner similar to propofol. Additionally, rapastine, an activator of NMDA receptor, could counteract the effects of propofol. Our results indicated that propofol attenuates intracellular Ca2+ concentration, CaMKII and AKT phosphorylation, and HIF-1α expression, probably via inhibiting the NMDA receptor, thus inhibiting glycolysis and adhesion of tumor and endothelial cells.

[Clinical study of apatinib combined with chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer with negative driving genes]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with negative driving genes. Methods: From January 2016 to March 2018, 62 advanced NSCLC patients with negative driving genes diagnosed at Xuzhou Cancer Hospital were randomly divided into study group (30 cases) and control group (32 cases), respectively. The patients in the study group were treated with standard first-line chemotherapy combined with apatinib, while those in control group were treated with chemotherapy alone. Results: The disease control rate (DCR) and objective remission rate (ORR) in the study group were 60.0% and 16.7%, respectively, higher than 46.9% and 9.3% in the control group, but without statistical difference (P>0.05). The median progression-free survival (PFS) of study group and control group were 6.4 months and 4.9 months, respectively (P=0.004), and the median overall survival (OS) were 11.3 months and 9.2 months, respectively (P=0.006). Multivariate survival analysis indicated that treatment regimen (P=0.001) was the independent prognostic factor of PFS, and PS score (P=0.002), clinical stage (P=0.02) and treatment regimen (P<0.001) were the independent prognostic factors of OS. After treatment, the incidence of hypertension and hand-foot syndrome in the study group were 46.7% and 53.3%, respectively, significantly higher than 3.3% and 0 in the control group, respectively (P<0.05). The incidence of grade 3-4 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the study group was 26.7% (8/30), mainly including hypertension, hand-foot syndrome and bone marrow suppression. The incidence of grade 3-4 ADRs in the control group was 15.6% (5/32), all of which were bone marrow suppression, without significant difference (P=0.286). There was no difference in serum levels of VEGF and CEA between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the serum level of VEGF in the study group was (169.3±10.1) pg/ml, lower than (211.8±16.7) pg/ml of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Apatinib combined with first-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC patients with negative driving genes is safe and beneficial for survival. This therapeutic strategy can significantly prolong the PFS and OS, and further improvement and application can be considered as a choice in the clinical treatment.

Metformin relieves acute respiratory distress syndrome by reducing miR-138 expression

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether metformin can relieve acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Its potential mechanism was also explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ARDS model was established by injecting LPS into mice that received metformin in advance and the mice in the control group. Pulmonary edema was detected by W/D ratios (wet-to-dry weight ratios), and the vascular exudation was reflected by the protein content and cell number of alveolar lavage fluid. Meanwhile, MPO (myeloperoxidase) activity assay was performed to analyze the neutrophil aggregation. The expression of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This series of experiments reflected the alleviation effect of metformin on ARDS. To further study the mechanism, we cultured alveolar macrophages (NR8383) in vitro and treated them with LPS and metformin. Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation levels of p38, ERK, NF-kB, and SIRT1 expression level. Bioinformatics method was then used to predict the binding of miR-138 to SIRT1. The mRNA and protein expression of SIRT1 was detected in NR8383 cells transfected with miR-138 inhibitor. The dual luciferase gene reporter assay was used to detect the relative luciferase activities of miR-138 and SIRT1.

RESULTS

Pulmonary edema, vascular exudation, and neutrophil accumulation were observed in the ARDS model mice, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1b, IL-6, and IL-17 were significantly increased. After metformin treatment, these pulmonic damage indicators were found to be partially reversed. At the same time, metformin could significantly reduce LPS-induced death. After NR8383 was treated with metformin and LPS, the expression of SIRT1 was higher than that of LPS treatment alone, but the expression of p-p38, p-ERK, and p-NF-κB was significantly decreased. After the addition of metformin in NR8383 after LPS treatment, the expression level of miR-138-5p was significantly decreased, and miR-138-5p was confirmed to target SIRT1 and regulate its expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Metformin could reduce LPS-induced pulmonic injury and increase expression of inflammatory factors. A possible mechanism might be that metformin-induced low expression of mir-138-5p could target SIRT1 to increase its expression and suppress the MAPK pathway, thus alleviating ARDS.

Research and analysis of 74 bloodstream infection cases of Acinetobacter baumannii and drug resistance

OBJECTIVE

We aimed at investigating the clinical and bacteriological features and drug resistance of bloodstream infection of Acinetobacter baumannii, so as to provide new evidence for treatment of bloodstream infection of Acinetobacter baumannii.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Statistical analysis was carried out for the clinical and bacteriological features and drug sensitivity of 74 bloodstream infection cases of Acinetobacter baumannii who were admitted to this hospital between July 2016 and June 2017.

RESULTS

Among 74 patients, about 72.0% of them were admitted to the ICU and Respiratory Department; the average age of these patients was 63 years old. Among 74 patients, 62 patients stayed in the hospital for over 2 weeks (83.8%), and 35 for over 1 month (47.3%); 72.0% of patients experienced intrusive operation, in which 28.0% of patients dead. The experiment of drug sensitivity showed that tigecycline had the highest sensitivity (100%), sequentially followed by amikacin (over 90.0%) and other anti-bacterial drugs (less than 40.0%). Pan-drug resistance was identified in 42 patients, accounting for 56.8%. Comparison between the pan-drug resistant and non-pan-drug resistant patients showed that in the first two weeks before the positive blood culture, there were statistically significant differences in administration of carbapenem antibiotics and intrusive operation (p<0.05). Among the patients, the lowest resistance to carbapenem antibiotics was 8.16%, while the rate of resistance to other 12 antibiotics was more than 40.00%. Multiple-resistant strain mainly originated from the ICU and the burn center.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with bloodstream infection of Acinetobacter baumannii, the pan-drug resistant strains account for a vast majority with a high mortality rate. Age, intrusive operation and length of stay in hospital longer than 2 weeks are the common susceptible factors, while the administration of carbapenem antibiotics and intrusive operations might be the high-risk factors leading to pan-drug resistant cases.

Simultaneous non-contrast angiography and intraplaque haemorrhage (SNAP) imaging for cervical artery dissections

AIM

To evaluate the feasibility of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a simultaneous non-contrast angiography and intraplaque haemorrhage (SNAP) sequence in identifying cervical artery dissections (CeAD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-three patients with suspected CeAD underwent the SNAP sequence (including non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography [MRA] and heavy T1-weighting vessel wall images simultaneously in a single scan) and conventional MRI sequences (including three-dimensional [3D] time-of-flight MRA and T1-weighted black-blood imaging [T1W BB]) and cervical vascular ultrasound (CVUS). In diagnosis of CeAD, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of SNAP, and the diagnostic coherence between SNAP and conventional sequences and between SNAP and CVUS was analysed. At follow-up, the absolute signal (AS) and signal index (SI) of the intramural haematoma (IMH) between vessel wall images on SNAP and T1W-BB images were compared. The image quality of SNAP was analysed by comparing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between vessel wall images from the SNAP and T1W-BB sequences.

RESULTS

The SNAP sequence was found to provide good performance in the diagnosis of CeAD (sensitivity 72.2%, specificity 98.2%); good agreement was found between SNAP and conventional sequences (Cohen's κ=0.76, p<0.05); and excellent agreement was found between SNAP and CVUS (Cohen's κ=0.83, p<0.05). There was no significant difference between AS or SI of the IMH of the vessel wall images within the SNAP and T1W-BB sequences during the review. The SNAP sequence had higher SNR of the IMH compared to T1W-BB, T2W-BB, proton-density-weighted volume isotropic turbo-spin-echo acquisition imaging (PD-VISTA) sequences (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The SNAP sequence holds the potential to be preferred choice for screening of patients with a high suspicion of CeAD and for the follow-up of IMH after treatment.