Gut-Derived Exosomes Mediate the Microbiota Dysbiosis-Induced Spermatogenesis Impairment by Targeting Meioc in Mice

Diseases like obesity and intestinal inflammation diseases are accompanied by dysbiosis of the gut microbiota (DSGM), which leads to various complications, including systemic metabolic disorders. DSGM reportedly impairs the fertility of male mice; however, the regulatory mechanism is unclear. Exosomes are molecular mediators of intercellular communication, but the regulation of spermatogenesis by non-reproductive tissue-originated exosomes remains unknown. The present study shows that DSGM altered the miRNA expression profile of mouse circulating exosomes and impaired spermatogenesis. Moreover, the single-cell sequencing results indicate that circulating exosomes from mice with DSGM impaired spermatogenesis, while circulating exosomes from wild mice improved spermatogenesis by promoting meiosis. Further study demonstrates that DSGM leads to abnormal upregulation of miR-211-5p in gut-derived circulating exosomes, which inhibited the expression of meiosis-specific with coiled-coil domain (Meioc) in the testes and impaired spermatogenesis by disturbing meiosis process. In summary, this study defines the important role of gut-derived exosomes in connecting the "gut-testis" axis.

[Liver cancer treatment with mitochondrial homeostasis]

Systemic treatment, including molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, is an important means of achieving long-term survival in patients with intermediate-and advanced-stage liver cancer. However, some patients are insensitive to treatment and even develop drug resistance. Mitochondria are the center of cellular energy metabolism and, at the same time, are the priority targets for systemic therapy. Mitochondrial homeostasis plays an important role in the treatment of liver cancer. The relationship between the two advances is elucidated so as to provide better ideas for the clinical treatment of liver cancer.

YTHDF2 as a Mediator in BDNF-Induced Proliferation of Porcine Follicular Granulosa Cells

In female mammals, the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) are critical in determining the fate of follicles and are influenced by various factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Previous research has shown that BDNF primarily regulates GC proliferation through the PI3K/AKT, NF-kB, and CREB tumour pathways; however, the role of other molecular mechanisms in mediating BDNF-induced GC proliferation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the m6A reader YTH domain-containing family member 2 (YTHDF2) in BDNF-stimulated GC proliferation and its underlying mechanism. GCs were cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with varying BDNF concentrations (0, 10, 30, 75, and 150 ng/mL) for 24 h. The viability, number, and cell cycle of GCs were assessed using the CCK-8 assay, cell counting, and flow cytometry, respectively. Further exploration into YTHDF2's role in BDNF-stimulated GC proliferation was conducted using RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and sequencing. Our findings indicate that YTHDF2 mediates the effect of BDNF on GC proliferation. Additionally, this study suggests for the first time that BDNF promotes YTHDF2 expression by increasing the phosphorylation level of the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. This study offers a new perspective and foundation for further elucidating the mechanism by which BDNF regulates GC proliferation.

lnc RNA LOC102163816 Promotes Proliferation of Porcine Follicular Granulosa Cells Via miR-455-3p/PTK2B/PI3K/AKT Pathway

The proliferation and differentiation of granulosa cells (GCs) is a crucial process in follicular development. However, the molecular regulatory mechanism of follicular proliferation and differentiation of GCs needs further research. Studies have reported that follicular fluid exosomes are involved in regulation of proliferation of GCs, but the specific mechanism is unclear. This study demonstrated that LOC102163816 is upregulated in porcine GCs treated with follicular fluid exosomes. Further study defined LOC102163816 to be a novel long noncoding RNA that is highly homologous to human metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) and enriched in porcine follicular fluid exosomes. We have speculated that LOC102163816 might have a cell-proliferative effect similar to that of MALAT1. We found that overexpression of LOC102163816 promoted transition from the G1 phase to the S phase of the cell cycle, thereby promoting proliferation of GCs. To explore the specific mechanism underlying this promotion of proliferation, miRNA sequencing was performed after overexpression of LOC102163816. Our results showed that LOC102163816 sponged miR-455-3p, promoting expression of protein tyrosine kinase 2 beta (PTK2B), thereby activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to regulate proliferation of porcine follicular GCs. These findings provide useful insights into follicular development.

[Research progress on the mechanism and response strategies of molecular targeted drug resistance in liver cancer]

Molecular targeted drugs are one of the treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the primary factor influencing their therapeutic efficacy is drug resistance. Diminished drug intake, greater efflux, improved DNA damage repair capacity, aberrant signal pathways, hypoxia, epithelial-mesenchymal cell transition, and the cellular autophagy system are summarized herein as aspects of the drug resistance mechanism. Simultaneously, effective strategies for addressing drug resistance are elaborated, providing ideas for better clinical treatment of HCC.

[Association of category of dietary intake and physical activity with the risk of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study]

Objective: To investigate the association between dietary intake and physical activity category and their combined effects on all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Between December 2013 and December 2021, a prospective cohort study was conducted on 19 863 T2DM patients in Changshu City, Qingjiangpu District (formerly Qinghe District), and Huai'an District, included in the national basic health service management. Information on deaths and underlying causes of death was obtained from the Jiangsu Provincial CDC and Prevention Death Surveillance System. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the intensity of associations between dietary intake, physical activity, and their combined effects with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with T2DM. Results: As of December 31, 2021, the research subjects had been followed up for 150 283 person-years, with a median follow-up time of 8.15 years. During the follow-up period, 3 293 people died, including 1 124 deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 875 deaths from cancer. Cox regression analysis showed that compared with the population of 0-1 recommended food group, those having more than five recommended food groups had a 19% lower risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR)=0.81, 95%CI: 0.70-0.94] and a 33% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.52-0.87). Compared with the T2DM population in the physical activity Q1 group, the risk of all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, and cancer mortality among the physical activity Q4 group reduced by 50% (HR=0.50, 95%CI: 0.45-0.56), 50% (HR=0.50, 95%CI: 0.41-0.61), and 27% (HR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.60-0.88), respectively. The combined effect showed that compared with the population in the intake of food categories 0-2 and low physical activity groups, the risk of all-cause, CVD mortality, and cancer mortality in the intake of food categories 4-9 and high physical activity groups reduced by 55% (HR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.38-0.53), 56% (HR=0.44, 95%CI: 0.32-0.59), and 40% (HR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.44-0.82), respectively. Conclusion: Type of dietary intake, physical activity, and their combined effects are associated with a reduced mortality risk in patients with T2DM.

Long-Term Outcomes of De-Intensified Chemoradiotherapy for Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To report long-term oncologic outcomes among patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) treated with definitive de-intensified chemoradiotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Major criteria for de-intensification were (1) AJCC 7th edition T0-T3, N0-N2c, M0 (AJCC 8th edition T0-T3, N0-N2, M0), (2) pathologically confirmed p16 positive, and (3) no or minimal/remote smoking history (non-mutated p53 if ≥30 pack-years). Treatment was 60 Gy intensity-modulated radiotherapy with first-choice concurrent cisplatin 30 mg/m2 once per week (alternative regimens permissible for cisplatin ineligible patients). Patients with T0-T2 N0-1 (AJCC 7th edition) were recommended 60 Gy radiation alone. Systemic therapy received included: cisplatin 30 mg/m2 (n = 122), cetuximab (n = 15), cisplatin 40 mg/m2 (n = 12), carboplatin/paclitaxel (n = 2), and radiation alone (n = 25). Kaplan Meier estimates for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional control (LRC), and freedom from distant metastasis (FFDM) were calculated. Cox regression models were used for comparisons among subgroups.

RESULTS

A total 176 patients received de-intensified treatment (n = 153 prospective protocol, n = 23 off-protocol). Median follow-up was 52.6 months (range 5.3 - 102.0, 90.8% with minimum 2-year follow-up); 56.8% (n = 100) were never smokers and 43.2% (n = 76) former smokers; former smokers had median 9 pack-years smoking history (range 0.25 - 50) with 46% ≥10 pack-years. Outcomes were as follows: 2-year OS 99.4% and 5-year OS 91.8%; 2-year PFS 94.1% and 5-year PFS 84.3%; 2-year LRC 98.3% and 5-year LRC 95.8%; 2-year FFDM 95.8% and 5-year FFDM 93.2%. Median time to progression events were 21.1 months (range, 7.2 - 54.1) with 37.5% (6 of 16) of recurrences occurring after 24 months. Six total locoregional events occurred (five recurrences and one site of persistent disease), within the 60 Gy planning target volume. Twenty-three patients with T0-T2 N0-1 disease received radiation alone with 2-year PFS 92.9% (5-year 83.8%) and 2-year LRC 100% (5-year 95.2%). Outcomes for former smokers with ≥10 pack-years were comparable to patients with less or no smoking history (2-year PFS 94.1% vs 94.1%; 5-year PFS 90.6% vs 82.7%; HR 0.58, p = 0.38). Early results suggest similar oncologic outcomes among those treated off-protocol (median follow-up 25.6 months) with 1 of 23 patients experiencing locoregional recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Dose de-intensification of 60 Gy radiotherapy with weekly cisplatin results in favorable long-term tumor control in patients with HPV-associated OPSCC. De-intensified 60 Gy alone may be efficacious in carefully selected patients with T0-T2 N0-1 (AJCC 7th edition) disease. Inclusion of biologically favorable patients with more extensive former smoking history in de-intensification clinical trials may be warranted.

The Role of Whole Abdomen and Pelvis Radiation Therapy in Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare entity that typically presents in adolescent and young adult men with widespread abdominopelvic disease. The benefit of whole abdomen and pelvis radiation therapy (WAPRT) after chemotherapy and maximal surgical resection is unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the oncologic benefit and toxicity of WAPRT in this rare and aggressive disease.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We conducteda retrospective review of patients with DSRCT treated at our institution primarily between 2018-2021. The cumulative incidence (CI) of intra-abdominopelvic failure was compared among those who received WAPRT after chemotherapy and surgery vs those who received chemotherapy and surgery alone without WAPRT utilizing Gray's method. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were also compared among patients who did and did not receive WAPRT using the Kaplan-Meier method from the date of surgery. Toxicity was graded per CTCAE v5.0 criteria.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients were included (median age 17.5 years; range 6-38 years; 78% male, 22% female). All patients received chemotherapy with VDC/IE, all but one underwent extensive tumor resection, and all but two received HIPEC at time of resection. Nineteen patients (median age 13 years) received WAPRT after surgery, while 9 patients (median age 24 years) were treated with systemic therapy and surgery alone. Patients who received WAPRT were generally treated to 30 Gy in 20 fractions utilizing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), with a boost to gross disease to a total dose of 45-50 Gy in 9 patients. Median follow up was 20 months. The CI of intra-abdominopelvic failure at 12 and 24 months was 16% and 50% with WAPRT vs 74% and 87% without WAPRT (p = 0.003), with a median time from surgery to intra-abdominopelvic failure of 15 months after WAPRT vs 5 months without. PFS was also improved with WAP-RT (94% and 83% at 12 and 24 months) vs without WAPRT (67% and 0% at 12 and 24 months), p = 0.001. Among those who received WAPRT, patients who received a boost to gross disease had similar intra-abdominopelvic control as those who had no gross disease to boost and received WAPRT only (CI at 24 months 50% without boost vs 48% with, p = 0.95). OS did not differ between those who did and did not receive WAPRT (OS at 24 months, 88% vs 83%, p = 0.89). Most toxicities after WAPRT were mild, including grade 1-2 fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, with the exception of one patient who developed veno-occlusive disease.

CONCLUSION

Although limited by selection bias and short follow up, our study shows durable intra-abdominopelvic control and an improvement in PFS after WAPRT with IMRT, without an effect on OS. Additional larger, prospective investigations evaluating the value and toxicity of WAPRT for DSRCT are warranted.

Results of a Multi-institutional Randomized Phase 3 Trial of Parotid-Sparing Whole Brain Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Observational studies have reported that xerostomia is common after conventional whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and associated with parotid dose. In this multi-institutional, single-blind randomized controlled trial, we hypothesized that patient-reported xerostomia is reduced in patients randomized to parotid-sparing vs. standard WBRT fields.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Between 2018 and 2021, patients receiving conventional WBRT (30-35 Gy in 10-15 fractions) for any diagnosis were enrolled at 3 academic institutions. Patients were randomized between standard WBRT fields covering the C1 vertebra with no prospective parotid delineation (control) vs. parotid-sparing fields without C1 coverage (experimental). Patients completed the University of Michigan Xerostomia Questionnaire (Scored 0-100, higher is worse) at baseline, EndRT, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Patients were excluded from toxicity analyses if baseline xerostomia score was >50 or if they did not complete any post-baseline questionnaires. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients with ≥15 point absolute increase in xerostomia score from baseline to 1 month; 108 patients were needed for an 80% power to detect a 22% absolute difference (1-sided significance of 0.05). The secondary endpoint was the rate of marginal failures.

RESULTS

The study closed early after 56 patients were randomized. Median survival was 4.6 months. 46 patients (23 in each arm) were eligible for analysis. Mean parotid dose was 17 vs. 10 Gy in the standard vs. parotid-sparing arms, respectively. The table below shows mean xerostomia score and proportion of patients with ≥15 increase in xerostomia score at each time point. There was no difference in the proportion of patients experiencing ≥15 increase in xerostomia score at 1 month, though there was a trend toward lower xerostomia score at 1 month in patients randomized to parotid-sparing fields (p = 0.07, Table). Xerostomia rates were also significantly improved in the parotid-sparing arm at EndRT (p = 0.03), but no longer-term difference was observed with greater attrition at 3 and 6 months. On linear regression, there was a trend toward association between mean parotid dose and xerostomia score at 1 month (p = 0.06). There were no reported marginal failures in either arm.

CONCLUSION

Parotid-sparing without coverage of the C1 vertebra appears safe and may meaningfully reduce acute xerostomia in patients with limited life expectancy who are candidates for conventional WBRT, although the study was underpowered to detect a significant difference at 1 month.

Safety and Efficacy of Stereotactic Radiosurgery with Concurrent Targeted Systemic Therapy for Brain Metastases

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Data describing the safety and efficacy of central nervous system (CNS)-active targeted systemic therapies in combination with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS, 1 fraction) and/or radiotherapy (SRT, 3-5 fractions) for brain metastases are emerging but limited. We report rates of local and intracranial failure and radiation necrosis in patients receiving CNS-active targeted systemic therapy and SRS/SRT.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients with intact brain metastases at two institutions from 2009-2022 who were treated with SRS/SRT and CNS-active targeted systemic therapy in any sequence. Patients were followed for a minimum of 3 months after SRS/SRT with brain MRI. Patients typically stopped the targeted agent 2-4 days prior to radiation and resumed 2-4 days after. Targeted therapies included inhibitors of ALK/ROS1 (Alectinib, Ceritinib, Crizotinib, Lorlatinib), EGFR (Afatinib, Erlotinib, Gefitinib, Osimertinib), BRAF (Dabrafenib, Encorafenib, Vemurafenib), MEK (Binimetinib, Trametinib), CDK 4/6 (Abemaciclib, Palbociclib, Ribociclib), HER2 (Afatinib, Lapatinib, Neratinib, Pertuzumab, Trastuzumab, T-DM1, T-DXd, Tucatinib), KRAS (Adagrasib and Sotorasib), PARP (Niraparib, Olaparib), VEGF(R) (Axitinib, Bevacizumab, Ramucirumab), and less-selective tyrosine (receptor) kinase inhibitors (Bosutinib, Brigatinib, Entrectinib, Lenvatinib, Pazopanib, Sorafenib, Sunitinib). Local failure (LF) and radiation necrosis were determined radiographically with clinical impression (grade 2 (symptomatic) or higher (G2+)) and compared between different systemic agents.

RESULTS

The study included 95 patients with 310 metastases (SRS 246, SRT 64 metastases). Most common primary histologies were non-small cell lung cancer (36% 34/95), breast cancer (28% 27/95), and melanoma (16% 15/95). Overall survival at 1 and 2 years was 80% (76/95) and 55% (52/95), respectively. Median follow-up was 16.6 (range 3-91) months. Median tumor size was 7mm (range 1-75mm). Median number of brain metastases per patient was 2.5 (range 1-12). The G2+ radiation necrosis rate was 5.8% (18/310) while the LF rate was 9.7% (30/310) per metastasis. There was no significant difference in G2+ radiation necrosis by class of targeted therapy. Sixty-two percent (59/95) of patients experienced distant intracranial failure. Median intracranial progression free survival (PFS) was 8.0 (range 0.4-61.4) months.

CONCLUSION

Although heterogeneous, patients treated with SRS/SRT and ongoing CNS-active targeted systemic therapies have on average >6 month intracranial PFS and little evidence of significant toxicity. We observed <6% G2+ radiation necrosis for this cohort, and no particular class of agent was associated with a significantly higher rate of G2+ radiation necrosis.

Comparison of Standard vs. Relative Risk Models to Define Candidates for Deintensification in Locoregionally Advanced P16+ Oropharyngeal Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Various methods to identify candidates for treatment deintensification with p16+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) have been used, but the optimal approach is unknown.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Multi-institutional cohort study of 385 patients with previously untreated p16+ OPSCC undergoing definitive radiotherapy (RT) with or without systemic therapy between 2009-2020. Chemotherapy intensity was categorized as high (bolus cisplatin and/or induction chemotherapy), medium (weekly cisplatin), or low (non-cisplatin or RT alone). Standard favorable vs. unfavorable risk was defined using NRG HN005 eligibility criteria. High vs. low relative risk (RR) group was defined using the HNCIG omega score (≥ 0.80 vs. < 0.80), which quantifies the proportion of a patient's overall event risk due to cancer. We used multivariable ordinal logistic regression to estimate effects of age (yrs), sex, performance status (PS), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), T/N (AJCC 8th), current smoking, and pack-years (> 10 vs. ≤ 10) on treatment allocation. Effects on relative event hazards were estimated using generalized competing event regression.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time was 44.2 months. Chemotherapy intensity was high in 206 (54%), medium in 108 (28%), and low in 71 (18%). 280 patients (73%) were unfavorable risk and 197 (51%) were high RR. 178 patients (46%) had discordant risk classification. On univariable analysis, significant predictors of higher intensity chemotherapy (normalized odds ratio (OR)) were CCI 0-1 (OR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23-1.79), high omega score (OR 1.46; 1.20-1.77), decreased age (OR 1.43; 1.18-1.74), and PS 0 (OR 1.22; 1.01-1.48). Controlling for CCI, higher omega score was associated with significantly higher odds of intensive chemotherapy (OR 1.35; 1.10-1.65, but unfavorable risk (HN005 ineligibility) was not (OR 1.19; 0.98-1.44). Higher omega score was also associated with significantly higher RR for cancer recurrence (Rec) vs. competing mortality (CM) events (relative HR (rHR) 1.76; 1.12-2.75), but unfavorable risk was not (rHR 1.05; 0.63-1.75). Among patients receiving cisplatin, 50 favorable risk patients (58%) had high RR; all of their event risk was due to cancer recurrence (Table). The 110 unfavorable risk patients (48%) with low omega score had significantly lower RR for cancer events compared to the high omega score group (rHR 0.49; 0.29-0.84).

CONCLUSION

Many patients with favorable risk p16+ OPSCC have high relative risk for cancer events, which correlates with a benefit of intensive treatment. The HNCIG omega score is a strong predictor of allocation to intensive chemotherapy and may help identify candidates for deintensification.

Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy (STaRT) for Brain Metastases: Initial Experience from a Prospective Multi-Institutional Registry

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Resection and intraoperative brachytherapy for patients with large, operable brain metastasis allows for both relief of mass effect and the delivery of radiotherapy (RT) to the resection cavity with a favorable dosimetric profile. The objective of this study was to analyze early patterns-of-care and treatment-related toxicity outcomes for brain metastasis patients treated with surgically targeted radiation therapy (STaRT) using a novel brachytherapy carrier.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with brain metastasis, de novo and recurrent disease, who enrolled onto a prospective multi-institutional observational study (NCT04427384) were the subject of this analysis. Patients underwent resection and immediate implantation of bioresorbable, conformable, 20 mm x 20 mm x 4 mm collagen tile brachytherapy device(s) containing four uniform-intensity Cesium-131 sources. Toxicities were categorized using the CTCAE v5.0 adverse event (AE) criteria.

RESULTS

From 10/2020 to 01/2023, 13 participating sites enrolled and treated 48 patients with 51 metastases (13 with de novo and 35 patients with recurrent brain metastases), and 3 patients had 2 lesions implanted at the same procedure. Median age was 61 years (range: 28-80), 52% were female, and the most common primary types were lung (56%) and breast (13%). The median maximum pre-operative dimension was 3.4 cm (range: 1.7-5.7) and median pre-operative tumor volume 13.7cm3 (range: 1.7-132). 64% had received prior RT with a median time from last RT to STaRT of 14.6 months range: 3.5-57.3). Median KPS at screening was 80 (range: 50-100), and remained stable at post op visit (80, range: 50-100), and at 3-months following treatment (80, range 50-100), respectively (p>0.05). The median time for implantation was 3 minutes (range: 0.4-30). At a median follow-up of 4 months (range: <1-18), no patient experienced a radiation-attributed AE, and only 1 attributable Gr >3 AE was noted (Gr 5 intracerebral hemorrhage deemed probably related to surgery and unrelated to the implanted device).

CONCLUSION

Early results from this prospective multi-center trial demonstrate the feasibility and safety of STaRT. The lack of radiation-related AE, even with short follow-up, is intriguing given the relatively large lesion size and proportion of patients treated for recurrent, previously irradiated disease. Additional follow-up will provide data on tumor control outcomes and radiation necrosis rates using this novel technique.

An Automated Brain Metastasis Detection and Segmentation System from MRI with a Large Multi-Institutional Dataset

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Developments of automated systems for brain metastasis (BM) detection and segmentation from MRI for assisting early detection and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) have been reported but most based upon relatively small datasets from single institutes. This work aims to develop and evaluate a system using a large multi-institutional dataset, and to improve both identification of small/subtle BMs and segmentation accuracy of large BMs.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A 3D U-Net system was trained and evaluated to detect and segment intraparenchymal BMs with a size > 2mm using 1856 MRI volumes from 1791 patients treated with SRS from seven institutions (1539 volumes for training, 183 for validation, and 134 for testing). All patients had 3D post-Gd T1w MRI scans pre-SRS. Gross tumor volumes (GTVs) of BMs for SRS were curated by each institute first. Then, additional efforts were spent to create GTVs for the untreated and/or uncontoured BMs, including central reviews by two radiologists, to improve accuracy of ground truth. The training dataset was augmented with synthetic BMs of 3773 MRIs using a 3D generative pipeline. Our system consists of two U-Nets with one using small 3D patches dedicated for detecting small BMs and another using large 3D patches for segmenting large BMs, and a random-forest based fusion module for combining the two network outputs. The first U-Net was trained with 3D patches containing at least one BM < 0.1 cm3. For detection performance, we measured BM-level sensitivity and case-level false-positive (FP) rate. For segmentation performance, we measured BM-level Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and 95-percentile Hausdorff distance (HD95). We also stratified performances based upon BM sizes.

RESULTS

For 739 BMs in the 134 testing cases, the overall lesion-level sensitivity was 0.870 with an average case-level FP of 1.34±1.92 (95% CI: 1.02-1.67). The sensitivity was >0.969 for the BMs >0.1 cm3, but dropped to 0.755 for the BMs < 0.1 cm3 (Table 1). The average DSC and HD95 for all detected BMs were 0.786 and 1.35mm. The worse performance for BMs > 20 cm3 was caused by a case with 83 cm3 GTV and artifacts in the MRI volume.

CONCLUSION

We achieved excellent detection sensitivity and segmentation accuracy for BMs > 0.1 cm3, and promising performance for small BMs (<0.1cm3) with a controlled FP rate using a large multi-institutional dataset. Clinical utility for assisting early detection and SRS planning will be investigated. Table 1: Per-lesion detection and segmentation performance stratified by individual BM size. N is the number of BMs in each category.

Identifying a Dose Constraint for the Parotid Ducts: Impact on Patient Reported Xerostomia and Comparison to Conventional Parotid Gland Mean Dose Sparing

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

(1) Identify a dose constraint for the parotid ducts to reduce patient reported xerostomia and compare effectiveness to QUANTEC constraint. (2) Determine if conventionally planned patients meet this constraint by using atlas-based duct segmentation.

MATERIALS/METHODS

(1) 38 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) were treated prospectively on trial with MRI sialography guided parotid duct sparing radiation therapy (parotid duct sparing cohort). These patients were compared to a historical cohort of 89 similar patients treated with conventional parotid gland mean dose sparing for salivary gland dosimetry and patient reported xerostomia (PRO-CTCAE ≥ Moderate). (2) A contour atlas comprised of 24 patients with MRI sialograms was created. Atlas-based segmentation was generated on the remaining 14 patients with MRI sialograms to assess for contour accuracy. Atlas-based parotid duct contours were generated on 111 patients treated with conventional parotid gland mean dose sparing to facilitate a dosimetric comparison to the parotid duct sparing cohort.

RESULTS

(1) In the parotid duct sparing cohort, patients whose parotid ducts (bilateral) were planned for a mean dose <14 Gy reported significantly (p<0.01) lower rates of xerostomia compared to patients whose ducts were planned to receive >14 Gy (26% (5/19) versus 86% (12/14) at 6 months post-RT and 22% (4/18) versus 73% (8/11) at 12 months post-RT). This improvement compares favorably to the QUANTEC constraint of bilateral parotid glands < 25 Gy (see Table). (2) The atlas-based duct contours were found to have a mean distance-to-agreement of 5mm and an average absolute dose difference of 4.5 Gy compared to the MRI sialography defined duct contours. The average duct dose for those undergoing MRI sialography guided duct sparing was found to be 13.5 Gy compared to an estimated (via atlas-based segmentation) 22.3 Gy for those receiving conventional parotid gland mean dose sparing (p < 0.01). 20% (22/111) patients receiving conventional parotid gland mean dose sparing met the 14 Gy parotid duct constraint versus 60% of patients undergoing MRI sialography guided parotid duct sparing.

CONCLUSION

Parotid duct sparing (parotid duct dose <14 Gy) was both more effective (∼50% [76% to 26%] absolute xerostomia reduction at 6mo and ∼24% [46% to 22%] absolute xerostomia reduction at 12 mo) and more achievable (∼60% of patients vs ∼35% patients) than mean dose parotid gland sparing per QUANTEC constraint. Atlas-based segmentation estimated that MRI sialography guided parotid duct sparing reduced the parotid duct dose by 9 Gy and that only 20% of patients met the parotid duct dose constraint (<14 Gy) with conventional parotid gland mean dose sparing.

Multi-Institutional Report of Re-Irradiation for Recurrent High-Grade Glioma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Significant heterogeneity exists with regards to prior published reports of re-irradiation (re-RT) in patients with recurrent high grade glioma (HGG). A multi-institutional database of 10 academic centers across the United States was created to analyze prognostic outcomes for re-RT for recurrent HGG, which included WHO Grade III and Grade IV tumors.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with HGG who had initially received standard radiotherapy (RT) and were subsequently treated with a course of re-RT at recurrence were included in the study. Factors assessed to delineate a significant association with overall survival (OS) and toxicity included age, KPS, number of relapses, dose, use of bevacizumab (BEV) or temozolomide (TMZ), time from prior RT, histology, RT target, re-RT target> 5cm and extent of resection, and MGMT methylation status. The Kaplan-Meier Method was used to estimate OS. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify factors associated with OS. Toxicity outcomes were assessed using logistic regression. Significance was assumed if p<0.05. Data management and decision management software were used for all analyses.

RESULTS

Between 2001 and 2022, 280 patients from 10 academic institutions were treated with re-RT for diagnosis of recurrent HGG. 133 patients (71.1%) had a histologic glioblastoma (GBM) at the time of re-RT, with the remainder having Grade 3 gliomas. Median dose delivered at re-RT was 47 Gy BED10 (IQR 47 - 53 Gy BED10), with the most common regimen being 35 Gy in 10 fractions. 83 patients (56%) had GTV greater than 5 cm treated with re-RT. 183 patients (79%) received concurrent systemic therapy, including 95 (41%) who received concurrent TMZ and 86 (45%) who received concurrent BEV. Median OS for the entire cohort was 10 months. Increasing dose at re-RT was associated with improved OS (OR 0.80 95% CI 0.67-0.95, p = 0.10 per 10 Gy BED10), as was dose greater than 47 Gy BED10, which is equivalent to 35 Gy in 10 fractions (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54-0.91). Concurrent TMZ was also associated with improved OS (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46-0.83, p < 0.01). 32/143 (22%) patients evaluable for toxicity experienced Grade 2 or greater adverse radiation effect (ARE). Use of BEV was associated with decreased toxicity (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21-0.98, p = 0.05). Dose at re-RT (OR 1.07 per 10 Gy BED10, p = 0.78), a GTV > 5cm (OR 1.39, p = 0.44), and the use of concurrent TMZ (OR 1.90, p = 0.10) were not associated with Grade 2 or greater ARE.

CONCLUSION

Higher dose of re-RT and use of concurrent TMZ led to improved OS in recurrent HGG patients without an associated increased rate of ARE. Use of BEV decreased the likelihood of Grade 2 or greater ARE in the re-RT setting for these recurrent HGG patients.

Factors Associated with Short Interval from Treatment to Death in Patients Treated with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Lung Metastases: Experience at a Large Academic Facility

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly used to treat patients with lung metastases, as several studies have demonstrated a survival benefit in patients with oligometastatic disease, while in other cases it is used for palliation as in the re-irradiation setting. With increasing use, we queried whether SBRT is given more frequently toward the end of life for patients with lung metastases and assessed factors associated with a shorter interval from SBRT to death.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A sample of patients who received stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to lung metastases between 2014-2022 at a single academic institution were identified. Medical records were reviewed for patient demographic, disease, and treatment details, including age, sex, race, insurance status, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and time from SBRT to death. Descriptive statistics including chi-square and t-test analyses were used to compare patients who did versus did not die within 180 days of completion of SBRT.

RESULTS

A total of 81 episodes of SBRT for lung metastases were identified. Of these, median age was 68 years (range 22-86), 82.7% had KPS >70, a majority had Medicare/Medicaid (61.7%, 50/81) or private insurance (33.3%, 27/81), and 63% were male. Only 9 of the 81 patients (11.1%) died within 180 days of SBRT completion. Death within 180 days occurred in 7.3% of treatments prior to 2018 compared to 15.0% of more recent treatments, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.27; Table 1). Non-White race, KPS ≤70, and lack of insurance were all associated with increased likelihood of death within 180 days of SBRT (p<0.001 all comparisons).

CONCLUSION

Few patients treated with SBRT for lung metastases in our series died within 180 days of SBRT completion, and there did not appear to be a significant increase in 180-day mortality post-SBRT in recent years. While limited by the small number of events, race, KPS, and insurance status were significantly associated with likelihood of death within 180 days of SBRT. Additional work is needed to better appreciate what patients may benefit from SBRT for lung metastases. Table 1: Characteristics of patients that did versus did not die within 180 days of SBRT for lung metastases.

Hippocampal-Sparing Radiotherapy in Primary Sinonasal and Cutaneous Head and Neck Malignancies: A Feasibility Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Patients with primary sinonasal and cutaneous head and neck (H&N) malignancies often receive meaningful hippocampal doses, but the hippocampus is not a classic avoidance structure in radiation planning of these primary sites. This series characterizes the feasibility and tradeoffs of hippocampal-sparing radiotherapy (HSRT) for patients with primary sinonasal and cutaneous H&N malignancies.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients at a single institution treated definitively for primary sinonasal or cutaneous malignancies of the H&N. Each patient received (chemo)radiation and all received clinically-significant radiation dose to one or both hippocampi. We created new HSRT plans for each patient with intensity-modulated radiotherapy using original target and organ-at-risk (OAR) volumes. Hippocampi were contoured based on Radiation Therapy Oncology Group guidelines. Absolute and relative differences in radiation dose to the hippocampi, planning target volumes (PTV), and OARs were recorded. We used paired-samples t-tests to compare hippocampal and PTV dosimetric measures with and without HSRT.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were included (22 sinonasal, 11 cutaneous H&N, and 4 parotid primary tumors). Median prescription dose was 6600cGy (range: 5000-7440cGy). The most common fractionation regimens were 200cGy/fraction daily (51%, 19/37 patients) and 120cGy/fraction twice daily (41%, 15/37 patients). There were significant decreases in hippocampal Dmax and D100% using HSRT without compromising PTV coverage (Table 1). HSRT resulted in a relative increase of mean lacrimal gland dose by an average of 3.8%, optic chiasm Dmax by 1.3%, and whole brain Dmax of 1.2%. However, other OAR doses were lower with HSRT, including parotid gland mean dose, lens Dmax, optic nerve Dmax, cochlea mean dose, brainstem Dmax, and whole brain mean dose.

CONCLUSION

HSRT is feasible and results in meaningful radiation dose reduction to the hippocampi without reducing PTV coverage or increasing dose to other OARs. The hippocampi should be regularly included as avoidance structures when treating primary sinonasal and cutaneous H&N tumors with radiation. We suggest target hippocampal constraints of Dmax < 1600cGy and D100% < 500cGy when feasible (without compromising PTV coverage). The clinical significance of HSRT in patients with primary H&N tumors should be investigated prospectively.

Definitive Chemoradiation Treatment Response Evaluation Using NI-RADS and ctHPVDNA for HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To compare the evaluation of treatment response among patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) treated with definitive (chemo)radiotherapy (CRT).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with locally advanced HPV-associated OPSCC treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT) or CRT from 2019 to 2022 at a single institution were reviewed. Patients underwent standard 3-month post-CRT positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan with or without contrast enhanced CT (CECT) of the head and neck. Plasma circulating tumor HPV DNA (ctHPVDNA) was collected from 2-8 months post-CRT. Equivocal findings on post-CRT imaging prompted repeat evaluation. Imaging response was assessed via NI-RADS (Neck Imaging Reporting and Data System) risk classification and independently reviewed by two board certified radiologists, both blinded to outcomes and ctHPVDNA values.

RESULTS

Our cohort of 52 patients included: 87% males; median age 61.5; 63% never smokers, 31% former smokers, 6% current smokers; 44% tonsil primary, 46% base of tongue; 4% T0, 25% T1, 40% T2, 12% T3, 17% T4; 6% N0, 15% N1, 2% N2a, 44% N2b, 25% N2c, 8% N3 (AJCC 7th edition). Concurrent systemic therapy was received in 90%. During this period 71 PET/CTs and 15 CECTs were reviewed for treatment response evaluation; 44% (23/52) patients required additional imaging for equivocal findings; 62 ctHPVDNA blood samples were co-analyzed for treatment evaluation. The highest risk classification score between mucosa, primary, and/or neck site was: 42% NI-RADS 1, 48% NI-RADS 2, and 10% NI-RADS 3. Only patients with locoregional disease recurrence/progression were included for evaluation comparison between imaging and circulating biomarkers. No cancer events occurred without imaging and/or ctHPVDNA detection. Patients with NI-RADS score ≥2 during first post-CRT imaging evaluation more frequently underwent additional imaging (70% vs 30%, p<0.001). NI-RADS risk classification suggested 5 locoregional events (2 true positives, 3 false positives) resulting in 100% sensitivity, 94% specificity, 40% positive predictive value (PPV), and 100% negative predictive value (NPV). Circulating tumor HPV-DNA identified 2 locoregional events (2 true positives, 0 false positives) resulting in 100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% PPV, and 100% NPV. Salvage operations were performed in 2 of 3 patients with false positive disease by NI-RADS classification without any evidence of cancer on final pathology.

CONCLUSION

While limited by the small number of recurrence events in this cohort, ctHPVDNA for HPV-associated OPSCC in conjunction with post-treatment imaging evaluation may limit the need for repeat imaging and unwarranted salvage operations that increase patient worry, morbidity, and financial toxicity. Additional prospective study is warranted.

[A prospective cohort study of long-term fasting blood glucose variability and risk of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes]

Objective: To investigate the association between long-term fasting blood glucose (FPG) variability and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 7 174 type 2 diabetic patients included in National Basic Public Health Service Program in Changshu of Jiangsu Province were recruited as participants. Long-term glucose variability was assessed using standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), average real variability (ARV), and variability independent of the mean (VIM) across FPG measurements at the more than three visits. Death information were mainly obtained from the death registry system in Jiangsu. Then Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the associations of four variability indicators and all-cause mortality's hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95%CIs. Results: Among 55 058.50 person-years of the follow-up, the mean follow-up time was 7.67 years, and 898 deaths occurred during the follow-up period. After adjustment, compared with T1 group, the Cox regression model showed that HRs of T3 group in SD, CV, ARV and VIM were 1.24 (95%CI: 1.03-1.49), 1.20 (95%CI: 1.01-1.43), 1.28 (95%CI: 1.07-1.55) and 1.20 (95%CI:1.01-1.41), respectively. HRs of per 1 SD higher SD, CV, ARV and VIM were 1.13 (95%CI: 1.06-1.21), 1.08 (95%CI: 1.01-1.15), 1.05 (95%CI: 1.00-1.12) and 1.09 (95%CI: 1.02-1.16) for all-cause mortality, respectively. In the stratified analysis, age, gender, hypoglycemic agent and insulin uses had no effect on the above associations (all P for interaction >0.05). Conclusion: Long-term FPG glycemic variability was positively associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes patients.

[The distribution of blood pressure and associated factors of the elderly with type 2 diabetes in Jiangsu Province]

Objective: To investigate the distribution of blood pressure and analyze the associated factors of blood pressure of the elderly with type 2 diabetes in Jiangsu Province. Methods: The elderly over 60 years old participants with type 2 diabetes in the communities of Huai'an City and Changshu City, Jiangsu Province were selected in this study. They were divided into two groups: taking antihypertensive drugs and not taking antihypertensive drugs. The demographic characteristics, such as age and sex, and relevant factors were collected by questionnaire. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by physical examination. The percentile of SBP and DBP in each age group of men and women were described. The kernel density estimation curve was used to show the blood pressure distribution. The trend of blood pressure with age was fitted by locally weighted regression. The logistic regression model was used to analyze relevant factors of blood pressure. Results: A total of 12 949 participants were included in this study, including 7 775 patients in the antihypertensive drug group and 5 174 patients in the group without antihypertensive drugs. The SBP of participants was concentrated at 140-160 mmHg, and their DBP was concentrated at 75-85 mmHg. There were significant differences in the distribution of blood pressure among the subgroups of body mass index (BMI) and rural areas whether taking antihypertensive drugs and not. For participants aged under 80 years old, the SBP showed an increasing trend with age and the DBP showed a decreasing trend with age. Age, BMI ≥24 kg/m², fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L, living in rural areas and no smoking were influencing factors of the elevated SBP; BMI ≥24 kg/m², male, living in rural areas, no smoking, drinking alcohol and not receiving drug hypoglycemic treatment were influencing factors of the elevated DBP. Conclusion: The SBP of older diabetic adults in Jiangsu Province is at a high level, and the distribution of blood pressure is significantly different between men and women in taking antihypertensive drugs group. The SBP presents a rising trend and the DBP is decreasing at the age of 60-80 years. The blood pressure level of this population are mainly affected by age, BMI, urban and rural areas, smoking.

Follicular fluid exosomes inhibit BDNF expression and promote the secretion of chemokines in granulosa cells by delivering miR-10b-5p

Ovulation is an inflammatory response. Before ovulation, follicle cells release chemokines to recruit immune cells and promote ovulation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether follicular fluid exosomes promote chemokine secretion by granulosa cells (GCs). Porcine follicular fluid exosomes and follicular GCs were isolated in vitro. GCs were treated with follicular fluid exosomes in vitro and the differential gene expression profiles of the exosome-treated and control groups were obtained by transcriptome sequencing. The results showed that, when compared to the controls, the expression of the chemokines CCL2 and CXCL8 was significantly increased, whereas the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was significantly decreased. The miRNA expression profiles in follicular fluid exosomes were obtained by microRNA sequencing. The results showed that exosomes carried many microRNAs, and that miR-10b-5p carried by exosomes could promote the secretion of CCL2 and CXCL8 by targeting BDNF. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that exosomes promote the secretion of CCL2 and CXCL8 by granulosa cells through the miR-10b-5p/BDNF axis to promote ovulation.

Corrigendum: Whole transcriptome profiling of the effects of cadmium on the liver of the Xiangxi yellow heifer

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.846662.].

Predicting Progression from Normal to MCI and from MCI to AD Using Clinical Variables in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set Version 3: Application of Machine Learning Models and a Probability Calculator

Clinical trials are increasingly focused on pre-manifest and early Alzheimer's disease (AD). Accurately predicting clinical progressions from normal to MCI or from MCI to dementia/AD versus non-progression is challenging. Accurate identification of symptomatic progressors is important to avoid unnecessary treatment and improve trial efficiency. Due to large inter-individual variability, biomarker positivity and comorbidity information are often insufficient to identify those destined to have symptomatic progressions. Using only clinical variables, we aimed to predict clinical progressions, estimating probabilities of progressions with a small set of variables selected by machine learning approaches. This work updates our previous work that was applied to the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set Version 2 (V2), by using the most recent version (V3) with additional analyses. We generated a user-friendly conversion probability calculator which can be used for effectively pre-screening trial participants.

[Pancreatic β-cell dedifferentiation detected by flow cytometry]

Objective: To establish a method for detecting pancreatic β-cell dedifferentiation using flow cytometry. Methods: Experimental study. Min6 (mouse β cell line), αTC1-6 (mouse α cell line), HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma cells) and mouse F9 cells (mouse teratocarcinoma cell) were cultured with conventional medium. Min6 cells were treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in combined with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), or palmitic acid (PA) overnight and stained with anti-chromogranin A (ChgA), anti-insulin (Ins), anti-glucagon (Gcg), anti-SRY-box transcription factor 9 (Sox9) and anti-octamer binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) antibodies, respectively. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the pression of ChgA, Ins, Gcg, Sox9, and Oct4 in the cells, respectively. Unpaired Student t test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Flow cytometry analyses showed that Ins and ChgA were highly expressed in Min6 cells, Gcg was highly expressed in αTC1-6, Sox9 was highly expressed in HepG2, and Oct4 was highly expressed in F9 cells, respectively (around 90%). Treatment of Min6 cells with IL-1β+TNFα significantly decreased Ins positive staining cells (92.775%±1.702% vs. 97.125%±0.246%, P=0.045), while increased Sox9 positive staining cells (41.675%±0.390% vs. 25.875%±3.348%, P=0.003). No significant changes in ChgA and Oct4 expression could be viewed (both P>0.05). PA treatment elevated the number of Gcg positive staining cells (54.500%±3.597% vs. 41.160%±3.007%, P=0.022). The levels of mRNA expression by qPCR of the above proteins were in consistent with the levels of protein expression by flow cytometry in Min6 cells. Conclusion: Flow cytometry can be used to detect proteins expressed in dedifferentiated models of β cells, which provides a new method for identify dedifferentiation of pancreatic β cells.

[A prospective cohort study on socioeconomic status and risk of all-cause mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes based on latent class analysis]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 17 553 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited under the National Basic Public Health Service Project in Changshu county, Qingjiangpu district, and Huai'an district in Huai'an city of Jiangsu province as participants. Latent class analysis was applied to classify the individuals based on five socioeconomic indicators. Then, Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the associations of different levels of SES with all-cause mortality, and stratified analysis was performed according to age and area. Results: Among 100 529.08 person-years of the fo1low-up, the median follow-up time was 5.7 years, and 1 829 deaths occurred during the follow-up period. According to the relevant results of the latent class model, the model of the "three classes" was the best. The related population was then divided into low SES (8 256 people, 47.0%), medium SES (4 427 people, 25.2%), and high SES groups (4 870 people, 27.8%). Compared to patients with high SES, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio (95%CI) of all-cause mortality associated with low SES for males and females were 1.84 (1.53-2.21) and 1.41 (1.51-1.72), respectively. Stratified analysis showed that the hazard ration (95%CI) of all-cause mortality associated with low SES for males and females were 1.99 (1.12-2.95) and 2.01 (1.20-3.23), respectively, in people younger than 60 years old, and were 1.90 (1.57-2.31) and 1.40 (1.13-1.73) in people over 60 years old. The HR values (95%CI) for all-cause mortality associated with low SES for the male and females were 1.54 (1.17-2.04) and 1.27 (1.02-1.59) in the urban population with 2.11 (1.55-2.85) and 2.64 (1.17-3.35) in rural population, respectively. Conclusions: Lower SES increased the risk of all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetic patients, which is more significant in younger and rural populations.

[Analysis of risk factors and prognosis of cytomegalovirus infection post umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation in children with primary immunodeficiency diseases]

Objective: To investigate the risk factors and outcomes of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection post umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation (UCBT) in children with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID). Methods: Clinical data of 143 PID children who received UCBT in the Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January 2015 to June 2020 were collected retrospectively. CMV-DNA in the plasma was surveilled once or twice a week within 100 days post-UCBT. According to the CMV-DNA test results, children were divided into the CMV-infected group and the CMV-uninfected group. The incidence and risk factors of CMV infection were analyzed. At 1-month post-UCBT, the absolute lymphocyte count, ratio of lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulin levels were compared between those whose CMV infection developed 1-month later post-UCBT and those not. Mann-Whitney U test and chi-squared test were used for comparision between groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to analyze the impact of CMV infection on survival. Results: Among 143 patients, there were 113 males and 30 females, with a age of 14 (8, 27) months at UCBT. Chronic granulomatosis disease (n=49), very-early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (n=43) and severe combined immunodefiency (n=29) were the three main kinds of PID. The rate of CMV infection was 21.7% (31/143), and the time of infection occurring was 44 (31, 49) days post-UCBT. The incidence of recurrent CMV infection was 4.2% (6/143) and refractory CMV infection was 4.9% (7/143).There was no significant difference in the first time CMV-DNA copy and peak CMV-DNA copy during treatment between the recurrent CMV infection group and the non-recurrent CMV infection group (32.8 (18.3, 63.1)×10⁶ vs. 22.5 (13.2, 31.9)×10⁶ copies/L, Z=-0.95, P=0.340;35.2 (20.2, 54.6)×10⁶ vs. 28.4 (24.1, 53.5)×10⁶copies/L, Z=-0.10, P=0.920), so were those between the refractory CMV infection group and non-refractory CMV infection group (21.8 (13.1, 32.2)×10⁶ vs. 25.9 (14.2, 12.2)×10⁶copies/L, Z=-1.04, P=0.299; 47.7 (27.9, 77.6)×10⁶ vs. 27.7 (19.7,51.8)×10⁶copies/L, Z=-1.49, P=0.137). The CMV-infected group accepted more reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen than the CMV-uninfected group (45.2% (14/31) vs. 25.0% (28/112), χ²=4.76, P<0.05). The rate of CMV-seropositive recipients and Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft versus host diseases (aGVHD) are significantly higher in the CMV-infected group than the CMV-uninfected group (100% (31/31) vs. 78.6% (88/112), 64.5% (20/31) vs. 26.8% (30/112), χ²=7.98,15.20, both P<0.05). The follow-up time was 31.6 (13.2, 45.9) months, CMV infection had no effect on overall survival (OS) rate (χ²=0.02, P=0.843). There was significant difference in the survival rate among three groups of refractory CMV infection, non-refractory CMV infection and the CMV-uninfected (4/7 vs.95.8% (23/24) vs. 86.6% (97/112), χ²=5.91, P=0.037), while there was no significant difference in the survival rate among three groups of recurrent CMV infection, non-recurrent CMV infection and the CMV-uninfected (5/6 vs. 88.0% (22/25) vs. 86.6% (97/112), χ²=0.43, P=0.896). Children who developed CMV infection after 30 days post-UCBT had lower absolute count and rate of CD4⁺ T cells and immunoglobulin G (IgG) level than those in the CMV-uninfected group (124.1 (81.5, 167.6) ×10⁶ vs. 175.5 (108.3, 257.2) ×10⁶/L, 0.240 (0.164, 0.404) vs. 0.376 (0.222, 0.469), 9.3 (6.2, 14.7) vs. 13.6 (10.7, 16.4) g/L, Z=-2.48, -2.12,-2.47, all P<0.05), but have higher rate of CD8⁺T cells than those in CMV-uninfected group (0.418 (0.281, 0.624) vs. 0.249 (0.154, 0.434), Z=-2.56, P=0.010). Conclusions: RIC regimen, grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD and CMV-seropositive recipients are the main risk factors associated with CMV infection in PID patients post-UCBT. Survival rate of children with refractory CMV infection after UCBT is reduced. Immune reconstitution in children after UCBT should be regularly monitored, and frequency of CMV-DNA monitoring should be increased for children with delayed immune reconstitution.

Controlled pilot test of a translated cardiac rehabilitation education curriculum in percutaneous coronary intervention patients in a middle-income country delivered using WeChat: acceptability, engagement, satisfaction and preliminary outcomes

In China, despite the rapid increase in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is just burgeoning, leaving a need for comprehensive evidence-based education curricula. This pilot study assessed the acceptability of Simplified Chinese CR education delivered via booklets and videos on WeChat asynchronously and the impact on improving knowledge, risk factors, health behaviors and quality of life. In this pre-post, controlled, observational study, interested PCI patients received the 12-week intervention or usual care and WeChat without education. Participants completed validated surveys, including the Coronary Artery Disease Education-Questionnaire and Self-Management Scale. Acceptability (14 Likert-type items), engagement (minutes per week) and satisfaction were assessed in intervention participants. Ninety-six patients consented to participate (n = 49 intervention), of which 66 (68.8%) completed the follow-up assessments. Twenty-seven (77.1%) retained intervention participants engaged with the materials, rating content as highly acceptable (all means ≥4/5) and satisfactory (2.19 ± 0.48/3); those engaging more with the intervention were significantly more satisfied (P = 0.03). While participants in both groups achieved some improvements, only intervention participants had significant increases in disease-related knowledge, reductions in body mass index and triglycerides, as well as improvements in diet (all P < 0.05). In this first study validating the recently translated CR patient education intervention, acceptability and benefits have been supported.

[Associations between personal fine particulate matter and blood lipid profiles: A panel study in Chinese people aged 60-69 years]

Objective: To explore the association between short-term exposures to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) on blood lipids in the elderly. Methods: In this panel study, five repeated measurements were performed on 76 people aged 60-69 in Jinan city. Each participant had a PM_2.5 monitor for 72 hours before each health examination, including a questionnaire survey, physical examination, and biological sample collection. Serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were examined, and non-HDL-C concentrations were calculated by subtracting HDL-C from TC. The generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to quantify the association of personal PM_2.5 exposure at different lag with blood lipids and dyslipidemia. Results: The age of 70 participants was (65.0±2.8) years, of which 48.6% (34/70) were males. The BMI of participants was (25.0±2.5) kg/m². Their TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and non-HDL-C concentrations were (5.75±1.32), (1.55±0.53), (3.27±0.94), (1.78±0.52), and (3.97±1.06) mmol/L, respectively. Generalized linear mixed-effects model showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, at lag 72 hours, each 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 was associated with the percentage change in TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and non-HDL-C about 1.77% (95%CI: 1.22%-2.32%), 1.90% (95%CI: 1.18%-2.63%), 1.99% (95%CI: 1.37%-2.60%) and 1.74% (95%CI: 1.11%-2.37%), and the OR values (95%CI) of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperbetalipoproteinemia were 1.11 (1.01-1.22), 1.33 (1.03-1.71) and 1.15 (1.01-1.31), respectively. Conclusion: There is a significant association of short-term PM_2.5 exposure with the concentration of blood lipids and the risk of dyslipidemia in the elderly.

Helical Flow in Healthy and Diseased Patient-specific Coronary Bifurcations

Helical flow (HF) exists in healthy and diseased coronary bifurcations and was found to have a protective atherosclerotic vascular effect in other vessels. However, the role of HF in patient-specific human coronary arteries still needs further study, and is therefore the objective of this study in both healthy and diseased bifurcations. Computational studies were conducted on 16 patient-specific coronary bifurcations, including eight healthy and eight identical cases with idealized narrowing to represent disease. In general, higher HF intensity may have a favorable effect as it corelated to the reduction of the percentage vessel area exposed to adverse time averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS%) in both healthy and diseased models. The HF intensity and distribution of each model varies due to the complex shape of patient-specific models. The presence of disease appears to have an important impact on the downstream HF patterns and the TAWSS distributions. Clinical Relevance- By understanding the relationship between HF and hemodynamics, HF may be used as a predictor for the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries instead of near-wall WSS measures, which can be determined with higher accuracy in vivo.

Whole Transcriptome Profiling of the Effects of Cadmium on the Liver of the Xiangxi Yellow Heifer

Cadmium (Cd) is a major heavy metal toxicant found in industrial zones. Humans and animals are exposed to it through their diet, which results in various physiological problems. In the current study, the toxic effects of Cd on the liver were investigated by whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of the livers of Xiangxi heifers fed a diet with excess Cd. We randomly divided six healthy heifers into two groups. The first group received a control diet, whereas the second group received Cd-exceeding diets for 100 days. After 100 days, the livers were collected. A total of 551 differentially expressed mRNAs, 24 differentially expressed miRNAs, and 169 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified (p < 0.05, |log2FC| >1). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses. We found that under Cd exposure, DEGs were enriched in the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase pathway, which is involved in autophagy regulation, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathway, which is involved in lipid metabolism. In addition, the apolipoprotein A4 gene, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, the anti-apoptotic gene ATPase H+/K+ transporting the nongastric alpha2 subunit, and the cholesterol metabolism-associated gene endothelial lipase gene were significantly downregulated. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 3, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase, which are involved in the development of fatty liver, were significantly upregulated. These genes revealed the main effects of Cd on the liver of Xiangxi yellow heifers. The current study provides insightful information regarding the DEGs involved in autophagy regulation, apoptosis, lipid metabolism, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant enzyme activity. These may serve as useful biomarkers for predicting and treating Cd-related diseases in the future.

Difference responses of soil fungal communities to cattle and chicken manure composting application

AIMS

Cattle and poultry manure composting are often applied on agricultural lands but the fungal community composition before and after application in soils is still unclear. Describe soil fungal diversity after manure applications contribute to the correct resource use of livestock and poultry manures.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fresh manure samples were obtained from 10 beef cow farms and 12 egg-laying poultry farms at five distinct phases of rearing. Surface soil samples were collected from vegetable plots within the farms after manure application at 15, 30 and 45 t hm^-2 . Using high-throughput sequencing techniques, the ITS region was utilized to describe soil fungus populations. The fungal OTUs, Chao1 and ACE of cattle manure were relative higher in fattening stage (>12 months), the OTUs and ACE of chicken manure were the highest in the initial laying stage (16-24 weeks). The fungal diversity indices of vegetable soils hadn't linear change after cow or chicken manure application compared with the control. Ascomycota (84.7% of total sequences), Neocallimastigomycota (9.69%), and Basidiomycota (4.6%) were the dominant phyla in cattle manure. Ascomycota (88.9%) also predominated in chicken manure, followed by Basidiomycota (8.9%). Following both cattle and chicken manure application, the abundance of Ascomycota decreased, while Basidiomycota and Chytridiomycota increased in the soils. None of the dominant genus increased or decreased linearly with the increase of cattle and chicken composting application rate. The fungal dominant genera of the soils with and without manure composting application were mostly affected by soil pH and EC than manure. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that organic matter, Cu and Hg contents were strongly linked to the fungal diversity and the abundance of specific taxa in cattle manure. In chicken manure, OM, TN and Zn were major factors controlling the fungal diversity and community composition. Soil pH, EC, and Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and As content had pronounced effects on beneficial and pathogenic genus in soil with and without manure composting. Beneficial fungal genus such as Aspergillus, Plectosphaerella, Acremonium, Meyerozyma and fungal pathogenic like Fusarium, Cladosporium, Verticillium were sensitive to properties (EC, pH, OM) and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Hg) contents of environment, relatively. The study can serve as an applicable contribution helping in farms management (especially to cattle and poultry breeding) and improve their resource use of livestock and poultry manure.

CONCLUSIONS

Soil heterogeneity rather than manure determines fungal communities in the vegetable fields, but we can encourage the sensible use of cattle and chicken manure in agroecosystems.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study will help the farmers regulate the dosage of feed components which can increase the number of beneficial fungal genus or reduce the number of pathogenic fungal genus, improve their resource use of livestock and poultry manure, and encourage the sensible use of cattle and chicken manure in agroecosystems.

[Safety evaluation of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with local advanced gastric cancer after radical resection for prevention of peritoneal metastasis]

Objective: Patients with advanced gastric cancer have a poor prognosis and a possibility of peritoneal metastasis even if receiving gastrectomy. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can effectively kill free cancer cells or small lesions in the abdominal cavity. At present, preventive HIPEC still lacks safety evaluation in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. This study aims to explore the safety of radical resection combined with HIPEC in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Methods: A descriptive case series study was carried out. Clinicopathological data of 130 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who underwent radical resection + HIPEC at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2020 to February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: (1) locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma confirmed by postoperative pathology; (2) no distant metastasis was found before surgery; (3) radical resection; (4) at least one HIPEC treatment was performed. Exclusion criteria: (1) incomplete clinicopathological data; (2) tumor metastasis was found during operation; (3) concomitant with other tumors. HIPEC method: all the patients received the first HIPEC immediately after D2 radical resection, and returned to the ward after waking up from anesthesia; the second and the third HIPEC were carried out according to the patient's postoperative recovery and tolerance; interval between two HIPEC treatments was 48 h. Observation indicators: (1) basic information, including gender, age, body mass index, etc.; (2) treatment status; (3) perioperative adverse events: based on the standard of common adverse events published by the US Department of Health and Public Health (CTCAE 5.0), the adverse events of grade 2 and above during the treatment period were recorded, including hypoalbuminemia, bone marrow cell reduction, wound complications, abdominal infection, lung infection, gastroparesis, anemia, postoperative bleeding, anastomotic leakage, intestinal obstruction, pleural effusion, abdominal distension, impaired liver function, and finally a senior professional title chief physician reviewed the above adverse events and made a safety evaluation of the patient; (4) association between times of HIPEC treatment and adverse events in perioperative period; (5) analysis of risk factors for adverse events in perioperative period. Results: Among the 130 patients, 79 were males and 51 were females with a median age of 59 (54, 66) years and an average body mass index of (23.9±7.4) kg/m(2). The tumor size was (5.4±3.0) cm and 100 patients (76.9%) had nerve invasion. All the 130 patients received radical resection + HIPEC and 125 (96.2%) patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. The mean operative time was (345.6±52.3) min and intraoperative blood loss was (82.0±36.5) ml. One HIPEC treatment was performed in 54 patients (41.5%), 2 HIPEC treatments were in 57 (43.8%), and 3 HIPEC treatments were in 19 (14.6%). The average postoperative hospital stay was (13.1±7.5) d. A total of 57 patients (43.8%) had 71 cases of postoperative complications of different degrees. Among them, the incidence of hypoalbuminemia was 22.3% (29/130), and the grade 2 and above anemia was 15.4% (20/130), lung infection was 3.8% (5/130), bone marrow cell suppression was 3.7% (4/130), abdominal cavity infection was 2.3% (3/130), and liver damage was 2.3% (3/130), wound complications was 1.5% (2/130), abdominal distension was 1.5% (2/130), anastomotic leakage was 0.8% (1/130), gastroparesis was 0.8% (1/130) and intestinal obstruction was 0.8% (1/130), etc. These adverse events were all improved by conservative treatments. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of adverse events during the perioperative period among patients undergoing 1, 2, and 3 times of HIPEC treatments (all P>0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses showed that age > 60 years (OR: 2.346, 95%CI: 1.069-5.150, P=0.034) and neurological invasion (OR: 2.992, 95%CI: 1.050-8.523, P=0.040) were independent risk factors for adverse events in locally advanced gastric cancer patients undergoing radical resection+HIPEC (both P<0.05). Conclusions: Radical surgery + HIPEC does not significantly increase the incidence of perioperative complications in patients with advanced gastric cancer. The age >60 years and nerve invasion are independent risk factors for adverse events in these patients.