On the rheological and sensory properties of a novel natural salivary substitute

The prevalence of xerostomia, the sensation of dry mouth, is estimated at 20 % in the general population and up to 50 % in older adults. Saliva plays different roles during bolus formation: lubrication, mixing, coating, hydration, dissolution, and comminution of food particles. This study proposes and tests artificial saliva formulations mimicking human saliva rheological and sensory perceptions. Shear and extensional rheology were assessed to select the type of formulation closest to saliva rheological characteristics. After evaluating three alternative sources, an extract simulating saliva rheology was produced from flax seeds. Friction coefficient and rheological properties, such as flow curves, relaxation times, and Trouton ratios, were compared favorably with human saliva. The sensory evaluation demonstrated that flaxseed extracts induce perceived mouth hydration, slipperiness, and adhesion exceeding that of human saliva. The flaxseed extract proposed in this can i) be used to study in vitro food oral processing and ii) pave the way to novel natural salivary substitutes to alleviate the symptoms of xerostomia.

Determinants of depressive symptoms at individual, school and province levels: a national survey of 398,520 Chinese children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to describe the national distribution of depressive symptoms in Chinese children and adolescents, to examine the determinants of depressive symptoms at individual, school and province levels and to assess the gender and age differences in the effect of school factors on depressive symptoms.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a national cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A school-based online survey was conducted in mainland China from between December 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022. A total of 398,520 eligible participants were included in the analysis. School-level data were drawn from students, headteachers and Baidu Maps, and province-level data were obtained from the national human development report. The Patient Health Questionnaire-2 was used to measure depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Areas with the highest mean scores for depressive symptoms were in the northeastern, inner central and southwestern regions of China. At the individual level, younger age, male sex, being an only child, Han ethnicity, lower body mass index, more days of exercise, less drinking and smoking behaviours, higher subjective family socio-economic status (SES) and popularity in school were related to fewer depressive symptoms; however, objective family SES and maternal education were not related to fewer depressive symptoms. The school-level variables of public status, psychological activities and psychological courses and province-level variable of higher Human Development Index were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. The effect of psychological courses and activities on depressive symptoms was greater in females.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed multilevel factors related to depressive symptoms and emphasised the importance of implementing school-based psychological activities to ameliorate depressive symptoms in Chinese children and adolescents across age and gender.

Does COVID-19 vaccination affect post-traumatic stress symptoms via risk perception? A large cross-sectional study among the Chinese population

OBJECTIVES

Although infection rates may increase after relaxation of the zero COVID strategy, the extensive vaccination campaign in China could potentially curb the spread of COVID-19, which may be associated with a low level of risk perception and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). However, the relationship between vaccination, risk perception and PTSS has not been studied extensively. This study aims to examine the associations between the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses, consistency in the type of each dose and time since vaccination with PTSS, and the mediating role of risk perception on such relationships in China.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional sampling with a self-report questionnaire was used to measure vaccination, PTSS and risk perception.

METHODS

The survey was conducted in Beijing, China, from 13 January to 9 February 2023. Linear regression analyses were conducted to test the relationship between vaccination, risk perception and PTSS.

RESULTS

The analysis included 55,803 individuals. In total, 72.86 % of participants received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Regression results indicated that people with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had a lower level of PTSS (β = -1.232, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: -1.930, -0.534) than those who had not received any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Only the negative relationship between two-dose vaccination and PTSS was mediated by risk perception, while the negative relationship between the time since vaccination and PTSS was suppressed by risk perception.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine reduced PTSS by decreasing perceived risk. Vaccination time was negatively associated with PTSS, but this relationship was suppressed by risk perception.

Pijx confers broad-spectrum seedling and panicle blast resistance by promoting the degradation of ATP β subunit and OsRbohC-mediated ROS burst in rice

Rice blast, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most important diseases of rice. Utilization of blast-resistance genes is the most economical, effective, and environmentally friendly way to control the disease. However, genetic resources with broad-spectrum resistance (BSR) that is effective throughout the rice growth period are rare. In this work, using a genome-wide association study, we identify a new blast-resistance gene, Pijx, which encodes a typical CC-NBS-LRR protein. Pijx is derived from a wild rice species and confers BSR to M. oryzae at both the seedling and panicle stages. The functions of the resistant haplotypes of Pijx are confirmed by gene knockout and overexpression experiments. Mechanistically, the LRR domain in Pijx interacts with and promotes the degradation of the ATP synthase β subunit (ATPb) via the 26S proteasome pathway. ATPb acts as a negative regulator of Pijx-mediated panicle blast resistance, and interacts with OsRbohC to promote its degradation. Consistently, loss of ATPb function causes an increase in NAPDH content and ROS burst. Remarkably, when Pijx is introgressed into two japonica rice varieties, the introgression lines show BSR and increased yields that are approximately 51.59% and 79.31% higher compared with those of their parents in a natural blast disease nursery. In addition, we generate PPLPijx Pigm and PPLPijx Piz-t pyramided lines and these lines also have higher BSR to panicle blast compared with Pigm- or Piz-t-containing rice plants. Collectively, this study demonstrates that Pijx not only confers BSR to M. oryzae but also maintains high and stable rice yield, providing new genetic resources and molecular targets for breeding rice varieties with broad-spectrum blast resistance.

mTOR-dependent loss of PON1 secretion and antiphospholipid autoantibody production underlie autoimmunity-mediated cirrhosis in transaldolase deficiency

Transaldolase deficiency predisposes to chronic liver disease progressing from cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transition from cirrhosis to hepatocarcinogenesis depends on mitochondrial oxidative stress, as controlled by cytosolic aldose metabolism through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Progression to HCC is critically dependent on NADPH depletion and polyol buildup by aldose reductase (AR), while this enzyme protects from carbon trapping in the PPP and growth restriction in TAL deficiency. Although AR inactivation blocked susceptibility to hepatocarcinogenesis, it enhanced growth restriction, carbon trapping in the non-oxidative branch of the PPP and failed to reverse the depletion of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) and liver cirrhosis. Here, we show that inactivation of the TAL-AR axis results in metabolic stress characterized by reduced mitophagy, enhanced overall autophagy, activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), diminished glycosylation and secretion of paraoxonase 1 (PON1), production of antiphospholipid autoantibodies (aPL), loss of CD161+ NK cells, and expansion of CD38+ Ito cells, which are responsive to treatment with rapamycin in vivo. The present study thus identifies glycosylation and secretion of PON1 and aPL production as mTOR-dependent regulatory checkpoints of autoimmunity underlying liver cirrhosis in TAL deficiency.

Resolvin E1 heals injured cardiomyocytes: Therapeutic implications and H-FABP as a readout for cardiovascular disease & systemic inflammation

The purpose of this study is to investigate heart-fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) leakage from cardiomyocytes as a quantitative measure of cell membrane damage and to test healing by Resolvin E1 (RVE1) as a potential therapeutic for patients with inflammatory diseases (cardiovascular disease and comorbidities) with high morbidity and mortality. Our quantitative ELISA assays demonstrated H-FABP as a sensitive and reliable biomarker for measuring cardiomyocyte damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and healing by RvE1, a specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) derived from the Omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a dietary nutrient that balances inflammation to restore homeostasis. RvE1 reduced leakage of H-FABP by up to 86%, which supports our hypothesis that inflammation as a mechanism of injury can be targeted for therapy. H-FABP as a blood biomarker was tested in 40 patients admitted to Boston Medical Center for respiratory distress, (20 patients with and 20 patients without COVID infection). High levels of H-FABP correlated with clinically diagnosed CVD, diabetes, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in both patient groups. The level of H-FABP indicates not only CVD damage but is a valuable measure for patients with increased inflammation disease comorbidities.

The Lyman Normal Tissue Complication Probability Model and Risk Prediction for Temporal Lobe Injury after Re-Irradiation in Patients with Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The risk of temporal lobe injury (TLI) in recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC) patients with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is high. We aimed to construct the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model for TLI of rNPC and establish a risk predictive model.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 103 patients with rNPC who had received two courses of IMRT in our institution. The 206 temporal lobes (TLs) of these patients were randomly divided into a training (n = 144) and validation group (n = 62). We determined the mean value of the following parameters to construct the Lyman NTCP model: TD50(1) (the dose with a 50% probability of complications to an organ when all volumes are irradiated), m [steepness of the dose-response at TD50(1)], and n (the parameter related to volume effect). The most predictive dosimetric parameter and clinical variables were integrated in Cox proportional hazards models. A nomogram was developed for predicting risk of TLs.

RESULTS

The parameters of the fitted NTCP model were TD50(1) = 107.84 Gy (95% confidence interval (CI), [97.15, 118.54]), m = 0.16 (95% CI, [0.14, 0.19]), and n = 0.04 (95% CI, [0.01, 0.06]). The cumulative dose delivered to 0.1 cm3 of temporal lobe volume (D0.1cc-c) was the most predictive dosimetric parameter for TLI. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed a significant difference in 2-year TLI-free survival among different risk groups according to the total score of nomograms.

CONCLUSION

The TD50(1) of TLI in patients with rNPC is 107.84 Gy in Lyman NTCP model. The nomogram model can accurately predict the risk of TLI for individual.

CRISPR-Cas9-mediated editing of the OsHPPD 3' UTR confers enhanced resistance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides in rice

This study reports the creation of herbicide-resistant rice lines via CRISPR-Cas9-mediated editing of the 3' UTR of OsHPPD. Resistance index calculations revealed that two resistant lines, TS8-2#-10 and TS8-8#-6, exhibited 4.8-fold and 3.7-fold greater resistance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides compared with the wild type, YG3012.

[Lenvatinib down-regulates IGF1R/Mek/Erk signaling pathway in the treatment of regorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of lenvatinib on regorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods: CCK-8 and clone formation assay were used to observe the inhibitory effect of lenvatinib on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of regorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells treated with lenvatinib. The expression levels of related proteins were detected by western blot and immunohistochemical staining. The inhibitory effect of lenvatinib on the tumor formation ability of regorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vivo was observed by subcutaneous tumor formation experiment in mice. Results: CCK-8 and clone formation assay showed that lenvatinib could inhibit the proliferation of regorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The number of clones of HepG2, SMMC7721 and regorafenib-resistant HepG2, SMMC7721 cells in lenvatinib group (120.67±11.06, 53.00±11.14, 55.00±9.54, 78.67±14.64) were all lower than those in control group (478.00±24.52, 566.00±27.87, 333.67±7.02, 210.00±12.77, all P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that lenvatinib could promote apoptosis of regorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells, the apoptosis rates of HepG2, SMMC7721 and regorafenib-resistant HepG2, SMMC7721 cells in lenvatinib group [(12.30±0.70)%, (9.83±0.38)%, (15.90±1.32)%, (10.60±0.00)%] were all higher than those in control group [(7.50±0.87)%, (5.00±1.21)%, (8.10±1.61)%, (7.05±0.78)%, all P<0.05]. The apoptosis-related protein levels suggested that apoptosis was increased in the treatment of lenvatinib. The animal study showed that lenvatinib can inhibit the growth of regorafenib-resistant cells in vivo. Immunohistochemistry and western blot results showed that lenvatinib could down-regulate the abnormally activated IGF1R/Mek/Erk signaling pathway in regorafenib-resistant cells. Conclusion: Lenvatinib can reverse regorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma, possibly by down-regulating IGF1R/Mek/Erk signaling pathway.

[Construction and biological characterization of a Proteus mirabilis strain with modABC gene deletion]

OBJECTIVE

To construct a modABC gene knockout strain of Proteus mirabilis and explore the effect of modABC gene deletion on biological characteristics of Proteus mirabilis.

METHODS

Fusion PCR was used to obtain the fusion gene of modABC and the kanamycin-resistant gene Kn, which was ligated with the suicide vector pCVD442 and transduced into Proteus mirabilis. The modABC gene knockout strain of Proteus mirabilis was obtained after homologous recombination with the suicide vector. PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to identify genomic deletion of modABC gene in the genetically modified strain. The concentration of molybdate in the wild-type and gene knockout strains was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and their survival ability in LB medium was compared under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

RESULTS

PCR and sanger sequencing confirmed genomic deletion of modABC gene in the obtained Proteus mirabilis strain. The concentration of intracellular molybdenum in the modABC gene knockout strain was 1.22 mg/kg, significantly lower than that in the wild-type strain (1.46 mg/kg, P < 0.001). Under the aerobic condition, the modABC gene knockout strain grown in LB medium showed no significant changes in survival ability compared with the wild-type strain, but its proliferation rate decreased significantly under the anaerobic condition and also when cultured in nitrate-containing LB medium under anaerobic condition.

CONCLUSION

Homologous recombination with the suicide vector can be used for modABC gene knockout in Proteus mirabilis. modABC gene participates in molybdate uptake and is associated with anaerobic growth of Proteus mirabilis in the presence of nitrate.

Cytosolic aldose metabolism contributes to progression from cirrhosis to hepatocarcinogenesis

Oxidative stress modulates carcinogenesis in the liver; however, direct evidence for metabolic control of oxidative stress during pathogenesis, particularly, of progression from cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has been lacking. Deficiency of transaldolase (TAL), a rate-limiting enzyme of the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), restricts growth and predisposes to cirrhosis and HCC in mice and humans. Here, we show that mitochondrial oxidative stress and progression from cirrhosis to HCC and acetaminophen-induced liver necrosis are critically dependent on NADPH depletion and polyol buildup by aldose reductase (AR), while this enzyme protects from carbon trapping in the PPP and growth restriction in TAL deficiency. Both TAL and AR are confined to the cytosol; however, their inactivation distorts mitochondrial redox homeostasis in opposite directions. The results suggest that AR acts as a rheostat of carbon recycling and NADPH output of the PPP with broad implications for disease progression from cirrhosis to HCC.

Cross-tissue immune cell analysis reveals tissue-specific features in humans

Despite their crucial role in health and disease, our knowledge of immune cells within human tissues remains limited. We surveyed the immune compartment of 16 tissues from 12 adult donors by single-cell RNA sequencing and VDJ sequencing generating a dataset of ~360,000 cells. To systematically resolve immune cell heterogeneity across tissues, we developed CellTypist, a machine learning tool for rapid and precise cell type annotation. Using this approach, combined with detailed curation, we determined the tissue distribution of finely phenotyped immune cell types, revealing hitherto unappreciated tissue-specific features and clonal architecture of T and B cells. Our multitissue approach lays the foundation for identifying highly resolved immune cell types by leveraging a common reference dataset, tissue-integrated expression analysis, and antigen receptor sequencing.

Substandard starch grain4 may function in amyloplast development by influencing starch and lipid metabolism in rice endosperm

The amyloplast is a specialized plastid in rice endosperm cells where starch is synthesized and stored as starch granules (SGs). However, little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying amyloplast and SG development. In this study, a novel mutant (c134) demonstrating a floury endosperm with enlarged SGs and amyloplasts was identified. The floury endosperm was caused by rounder, loosely packed SG. Grain-quality profile and expression analysis showed reduced contents of total starch and amylose in the c134 mutant, as well as reduced expression of a number of genes involved in starch biosynthesis. Galactosyldiacylglycerol (GDG) content and fatty acid synthesis play important roles in plastid development, and in the c134 endosperm, an obvious decrease in GDG and various fatty acids was observed, with down-regulated expression of various genes involved in lipid biosynthesis. Furthermore, map-based cloning revealed an amino acid substitution (glycine to aspartic acid) in the substandard starch grain4 (SSG4) protein. The results of this study suggest that SSG4 influences the regulation of starch and lipid metabolism as well as amyloplast development, a finding that is useful for potential genetic improvement of rice grain quality in future starch and lipid breeding and biotechnology.

Identification and fine mapping of qPBR10-1, a novel locus controlling panicle blast resistance in Pigm-containing P/TGMS line

Rice blast is one of the most widespread and devastating diseases in rice production. Tremendous success has been achieved in the identification and characterization of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring seedling blast resistance, however, genetic studies on panicle blast resistance have lagged far behind. In this study, two advanced backcross inbred sister lines (MSJ13 and MSJ18) were obtained in the process of introducing Pigm into C134S and showed significant differences in the panicle blast resistance. One F2 population derived from the crossing MSJ13/MSJ18 was used to QTL mapping for panicle blast resistance using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) method. A total of seven QTLs were identified, including a major QTL qPBR10-1 on chromosome 10 that explains 24.21% of phenotypic variance with LOD scores of 6.62. Furthermore, qPBR10-1 was verified using the BC1F2 and BC1F3 population and narrowed to a 60.6-kb region with six candidate genes predicted, including two genes encoding exonuclease family protein, two genes encoding hypothetical protein, and two genes encoding transposon protein. The nucleotide variations and the expression patterns of the candidate genes were identified and analyzed between MSJ13 and MSJ18 through sequence comparison and RT-PCR approach, and results indicated that ORF1 and ORF2 encoding exonuclease family protein might be the causal candidate genes for panicle blast resistance in the qPBR10-1 locus.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-021-01268-3.

Genomic insight into balancing high yield, good quality, and blast resistance of japonica rice

BACKGROUND

Balancing the yield, quality and resistance to disease is a daunting challenge in crop breeding due to the negative relationship among these traits. Large-scale genomic landscape analysis of germplasm resources is considered to be an efficient approach to dissect the genetic basis of the complex traits. Central China is one of the main regions where the japonica rice is produced. However, dozens of high-yield rice varieties in this region still exist with low quality or susceptibility to blast disease, severely limiting their application in rice production.

RESULTS

Here, we re-sequence 200 japonica rice varieties grown in central China over the past 30 years and analyze the genetic structure of these cultivars using 2.4 million polymorphic SNP markers. Genome-wide association mapping and selection scans indicate that strong selection for high-yield and taste quality associated with low-amylose content may have led to the loss of resistance to the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. By extensive bioinformatic analyses of yield components, resistance to rice blast, and taste quality, we identify several superior alleles for these traits in the population. Based on this information, we successfully introduce excellent taste quality and blast-resistant alleles into the background of two high-yield cultivars and develop two elite lines, XY99 and JXY1, with excellent taste, high yield, and broad-spectrum of blast resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first large-scale genomic landscape analysis of japonica rice varieties grown in central China and we demonstrate a balancing of multiple agronomic traits by genomic-based strategy.

Liquid repellency enabled antipathogen coatings

Currently, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-a respiratory contagion spreading through expiratory droplets-has evolved into a global pandemic, severely impacting the public health. Importantly, the emerging of immune evasion SARS-CoV-2 variants and the limited effect of current antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 in clinical trials suggested that alternative strategies in addition to the conventional vaccines and antivirals are required to successfully control the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we propose to use liquid-repellent coatings to prevent the spread of the disease in the absence of effective vaccines, antimicrobial agents, or therapeutics, wherein the deposition and penetration of pathogen droplets are prohibited. We use SARS-CoV-2 as a model pathogen and find that SARS-CoV-2 remnants are reduced by seven orders of magnitude on coated surfaces, yielding a repelling efficacy far outperforming the inactivation rate of disinfectants. The SARS-CoV-2 remnant scales exponentially with the liquid/solid adhesion, uncovering the mechanism and effective means for minimizing pathogen attachment. The antipathogen coating that both repels and inactivates pathogens is demonstrated by incorporating the super-liquid-repellent coating with antipathogen additives. Together with its versatility over a wide range of substrates and pathogens, the novel antipathogen coating is of considerable value for infection control in everyday life as well as during pandemics.

[Preparation of doxorubicin-loaded metallic organic nanoparticles and their effect for enhancing efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy in tumor-bearing mice]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare metallic organic nanoparticles that produce synergistic effect in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy of tumors.

OBJECTIVE

Glucose oxidase (GOD), MnO₂, ferric iron (Fe³⁺) and doxorubicin (DOX) were self-assembled by physical adsorption with previously prepared manganese dioxide (MnO₂) nanoparticles to obtain GOD-MnO₂-Fe³⁺-DOX nanoparticles (GMFD NPs). HepG2 tumor-bearing nude mouse models were given intravenous injections of normal saline or GMFD NPs followed 4 h later by HIFU at the acoustic power of 90 W with a total treatment time of 3 s. The changes of tumor gray value before and after HIFU irradiation were observed and 24 h after HIFU irradiation, coagulation necrosis in the tumor tissues was examined; the histological changes of the tumor tissues were observed with HE staining.

OBJECTIVE

We successfully prepared GMFD NPs, which had an average particle size of 131.23±0.84 nm with a surface potential of 21.87±1.72 mV. GMFD NPs, with a drug loading rate of 40.18%, was capable of releasing more than 77.2% of the loaded DOX within 4 h in acidic environment. In the tumor-bearing mouse models, HIFU irradiation following GMFD NP injection, as compared with saline injection, resulted in significantly enhanced gray value of the tumor (25.5±4.5 vs 18.7±3.9, P=0.04) and greater volume of coagulation necrosis (105.80 ± 1.21 mm³ vs 38.02 ± 0.34 mm³). The energy efficiency factor (EEF) was significantly lower in GMFD NPs group than in saline group (1.79 vs 4.97, P < 0.001).

OBJECTIVE

GMFD NPs prepared in this study can enhance tumor ablation efficacy of HIFU and release DOX for further treatment of the residual tumor tissue in mice.

[Airborne pollens in Wuhan urban area and its correlation with hospital visits of allergic rhinitis patients from 2017 to 2018]

Objective: To investigate the species and concentrations of airborne pollens in Wuhan urban area and their correlation with the number of visits of allergic rhinitis patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of pollen dispersal characteristics and the number of patients with allergic rhinitis presenting to Tongji Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan city from October 2017 to September 2018, as well as pollen allergen testing results of patients with allergic rhinitis presenting to the Department of Allergy during the same period. Pollen data was collected by a 1-year air sampling conducted in Wuhan City during the same period using the volumetric method. The samples were examined microscopically to identify airborne pollen species and counted, and the concentrations of various pollens were calculated. Information on patients with allergic rhinitis who came to the hospital during the same period was collected, and the correlation between pollen concentration and the number of patient visits was statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Results: A total of 35 types of airborne pollen were collected from October 2017 to September 2018. The dominant pollens in spring were Moraceae (68.46%, 1 042/1 522), Pendula (12.22%, 186/1 522) and Cupressaceae (2.30%, 35/1 522); in summer and autumn, the dominant pollens were Artemisia (3.81%, 58/1 522), Humulus (4.01%, 61/1 522) and Ambrosia (0.59%, 9/1 522). The peak number of visits for allergic rhinitis patients occurred in March-April and July-September, both exceeding 2 200 visits and reaching a maximum of 2 545 visits. There was a very weak correlation between the number of visits and the total pollen concentration (r=0.17, P=0.001). The average monthly pollen skin prick test positive rate of patients with allergic rhinitis was highest in March-May, exceeding 40% with a maximum of 45.73%, and there was a significant correlation between the positive pollen skin prick test positive rate and the average monthly pollen concentration (r=0.62, P=0.031). Conclusions: Pollen species and concentrations fluctuated continuously with time in Wuhan urban area, with peak pollen dispersal in spring from March to April and in autumn from August to September. The number of visits to patients with allergic rhinitis and the positive pollen skin prick test positive rate increased accordingly during the peak pollen concentration periods.

Cigarette smoking and risk of herpes zoster: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan

The effects of cigarette smoking on the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) infection remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between cigarette smoking and HZ. Participants were collected from four rounds (2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013) of the Taiwan National Health Interview Survey. Incident cases of HZ were identified from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance database. Of the 57 641 participants, 3346 developed HZ during the observation period. After controlling for confounders, current smokers had a lower risk of incident HZ than never-smokers (adjusted hazard ratio 0.69; 95% CI 0.62-0.77). There was a trend toward a decreased risk of HZ with increasing numbers of cigarettes per day, years of smoking and cumulative pack-years of smoking among current smokers (P_trend < 0.001). Former smoking was not associated with risk of HZ. In conclusion, current smoking was significantly associated with a decreased risk of developing HZ.

Characterization and in vitro evaluation of a vaginal gel containing Lactobacillus crispatus for the prevention of gonorrhea

The increasing resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to any current antibiotic treatment and the difficulties associated with the use of prevention means such as condom urge the need for alternative methods to prevent this sexually transmitted infection. In this work, a prevention strategy based on the use of a vaginal gel containing Lactobacilli was assessed in vitro. A Lactobacillus crispatus strain (ATCC 33197) was selected based on the published data on its ability to inhibit Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Its probiotic properties were first characterized. Then, a thermo-sensitive hydrogel containing 21.5% of poloxamer 407, 1% of sodium alginate and 9log₁₀ CFU of Lactobacillus crispatus per gel sample (5 g) was developed. The gelation temperature and the rheological characteristics of this formulation appeared suitable for a vaginal administration. Lactobacillus crispatus was viable in the gel for six months although a large amount of the bacteria was not culturable. The ability of Lactobacillus crispatus to inhibit Neisseria gonorrhoeae was still observed with the gel. Such system, thus, appeared promising for the prevention of gonorrhea.

Lipid-based Janus nanoparticles for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications: Kinetics and mechanisms of destabilization with time and temperature

The aim of this paper is to investigate the time and thermal stability of innovative multicompartmental nanoparticles. These particles, having a hydrophilic side and a hydrophobic side, belong to the family of Janus particles and are promising tools to carry active ingredients with opposite solubilities in a unique nanocarrier. The stability of nanoparticles obtained with mainly two types of polyoxylglycerides (Labrafil® M2125 CS and Labrafil® M1944 CS) has been investigated. The suspensions describe a two-step maturation/destabilization process with an Ostwald ripening phase followed by the coalescence of the particles. The effect of lipid composition and temperature on these steps has been investigated in deep as stability with temperature is a critical parameter to consider in order to envisage the development of any formulation for pharmaceutical or cosmetic uses. These nanoparticles were particularly stable at room temperature as their hydrodynamic diameter did not change significantly for 20 months. Contrarily, a strong dependency to temperature appears when storage temperature increases from 25 °C to 43 °C. Indeed, Labrafil® M1944 CS seemed to undergo a progressive destabilization where a significant increase of particles size is visible from 25 °C and phase separation occurred after 4 months at 32 °C. At the opposite, Labrafil® M2125 CS remained stable until 36 °C and reached a threshold temperature between 32 °C and 36 °C after which Labrafil® M2125 CS underwent a consequent increase of particles size at the longer time, i.e. after 6 months. Moreover, Labrafil® M2125 CS formulation was stable at least 3 months at 43 °C.

Broadband, millimeter-wave antireflection coatings for large-format, cryogenic aluminum oxide optics

We present two prescriptions for broadband ($ {\sim} 77 - 252\;{\rm GHz} $), millimeter-wave antireflection coatings for cryogenic, sintered polycrystalline aluminum oxide optics: one for large-format (700 mm diameter) planar and plano-convex elements, the other for densely packed arrays of quasi-optical elements-in our case, 5 mm diameter half-spheres (called "lenslets"). The coatings comprise three layers of commercially available, polytetrafluoroethylene-based, dielectric sheet material. The lenslet coating is molded to fit the 150 mm diameter arrays directly, while the large-diameter lenses are coated using a tiled approach. We review the fabrication processes for both prescriptions, then discuss laboratory measurements of their transmittance and reflectance. In addition, we present the inferred refractive indices and loss tangents for the coating materials and the aluminum oxide substrate. We find that at 150 GHz and 300 K the large-format coating sample achieves $ (97 \pm 2)\% $ transmittance, and the lenslet coating sample achieves $ (94 \pm 3)\% $ transmittance.

[Epidemiological investigation of 511 adult inpatients with gas burns]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of adult inpatients with gas burns in the Department of Burns of Hwa Mei Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the author's unit) , so as to provide evidence for the prevention of gas burn. Methods: Medical records of all inpatients with flame burns admitted to the author's unit from January 2011 to December 2017 were collected. The percentage of adult inpatients with gas burns in total inpatients with flame burns in the same period, and their gender, age, injury season, accident place, burn severity, common compound injury, complication, population caliber, education, industry, as well as the pre-injury disease and prognosis of elderly inpatients with gas burns were retrospectively analyzed. In addition, the age, accident place, education, and industry of the floating population in the adult inpatients with gas burns were analyzed separately and compared with the total population of adult inpatients with gas burns in 7 years. Data were processed with chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability test (Monte Carlo algorithm). Results: During the 7 years, 1 490 inpatients with flame burns were admitted to the author's unit, among which 511 were adult inpatients with gas burns, accounting for 34.30%. The number of adult inpatients with gas burns increased gradually during the 7 years, but its percentage in the total inpatients with flame burns during the same period showed no significant difference (χ(2)=7.087, P>0.05). Among the 511 adult inpatients with gas burns (hereinafter referred to as the patients in this group), there were 315 males and 196 females, with a male/female ratio of 1.61 to 1.00, and the middle-aged patients were the most, up to 270 cases, accounting for 52.84%. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in gender and age (χ(2)=54.810, 27.832, P<0.01). Among the patients in this group, most were injured in summer, totally 251 cases, accounting for 49.12%, and the accident place was mainly at home, totally 388 cases, accounting for 75.93%. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in injury season (χ(2)=42.254, P<0.01), but not in accident place (χ(2)=6.782, P>0.05). The patients in this group were mainly with moderate burns (237 cases, accounting for 46.38%), and the distribution trend of burn severity of adult inpatients with gas burns was basically the same during the 7 years (χ(2)=19.680, P>0.05); 176 patients (34.44%) were accompanied by inhalation injury, and 30 patients (5.87%) were accompanied by blast injury of lung; post injury complications occurred in 20 patients (3.91%). In the elderly inpatients with gas burns, 44.44% (32/72) were accompanied by pre-injury basic diseases, and the proportion of death or unhealed reached 18.06% (13/72). Most of the patients in this group were permanent residents (358 cases, accounting for 70.06%) and received secondary education (304 cases, accounting for 59.49%), and the majority of them were engaged in manufacturing/construction (138 cases, accounting for 27.01%), self-employed business (90 cases, accounting for 17.61%), and catering (90 cases, accounting for 17.61%) industries. The distribution of adult inpatients with gas burns during the 7 years was significantly different in population caliber, education, and occupation (χ(2)=17.496, 29.898, 88.896, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among the patients of this group, the floating population were mainly young (90 cases, accounting for 58.82%) and middle-aged (62 cases, accounting for 40.52%), with main accident place at home (97 cases, accounting for 63.40%), generally received secondary education (101 cases, accounting for 66.01%), and were mainly engaged in manufacturing/construction (71 cases, accounting for 46.41%), self-employed business (26 cases, accounting for 16.99%), and catering (20 cases, accounting for 13.07%) industries. Compared with the total adult inpatients with gas burns in 7 years, the floating population were younger, more injured in the workplace, and more concentrated in industry (χ(2)=42.924, 9.390, 27.819, P<0.01). Conclusions: Gas burn was the leading injury cause of inpatients with flame burns in the author's unit, which mainly occurred in summer and at home; the patients were mainly male, young and middle-aged, and permanent residents, most of which were with moderate burn, often accompanied by inhalation injury. Most of the patients were of secondary education, engaged in manufacturing/construction, self-employed business, and catering industries, among which the floating population were younger, more injured in the workplace, and more concentrated in industry. In order to prevent gas burn, we should pay more attention to the propaganda and education of gas safety among young and middle-aged men, floating population, retired old people and housewives, especially in summer, we should do a good job in gas safety inspection at home. In addition, we should urge enterprises to further strengthen the supervision of production safety.

Post-acute Use of Opioids and Psychotropics in Patients after Hip Fracture: Unintended Consequences of Implementing Diagnosis-Related Grouping Payment

OBJECTIVE

How implementing diagnostic-related grouping (DRG) payment affected the use of opioids and psychotropics by hip fracture patients following hospitalization remained unknown.

DESIGN

A retrospective, pre-post design, cohort study of data excerpted from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research database (NHIRD).

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged ≥ 65 years first admitted for hip fracture surgery from 2007 to 2012 were identified and divided into two 1:1 propensity-score matched groups: pre-DRG (2007-2009); DRG (2010-2012).

MEASUREMENTS

The outcome measures were use of opioid and/or psychotropic drugs within 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 365 days after discharge.

RESULTS

Data of 16,522 subjects were excerpted, and 8,261 propensity-score matched subjects each classified into the pre-DRG and DRG groups. After adjustment, the DRG group was significantly more likely than the pre-DRG group to have used antipsychotics after discharge from hip fracture surgery (≤30 days, ≤90 days, ≤180 days and ≤365 days). The DRG group also had significantly higher prescription rates of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics during the observation period. Moreover, the DRG group was less likely to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (≤30 days, ≤90 days, ≤180 days and ≤365 days) and more likely to use acetaminophen (≤30 days, ≤180 days, and ≤365 days).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, DRG implementation in Taiwan substantially increased post-acute prescription of antipsychotic and psychotropic agents for hip fracture patients, and changed use of analgesics, which may result in suboptimal quality and safety for these patients. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of DRG implementation, and the potential benefits of appropriate post-acute care bundled with DRG payment.

scRNA-seq assessment of the human lung, spleen, and esophagus tissue stability after cold preservation

BACKGROUND

The Human Cell Atlas is a large international collaborative effort to map all cell types of the human body. Single-cell RNA sequencing can generate high-quality data for the delivery of such an atlas. However, delays between fresh sample collection and processing may lead to poor data and difficulties in experimental design.

RESULTS

This study assesses the effect of cold storage on fresh healthy spleen, esophagus, and lung from ≥ 5 donors over 72 h. We collect 240,000 high-quality single-cell transcriptomes with detailed cell type annotations and whole genome sequences of donors, enabling future eQTL studies. Our data provide a valuable resource for the study of these 3 organs and will allow cross-organ comparison of cell types. We see little effect of cold ischemic time on cell yield, total number of reads per cell, and other quality control metrics in any of the tissues within the first 24 h. However, we observe a decrease in the proportions of lung T cells at 72 h, higher percentage of mitochondrial reads, and increased contamination by background ambient RNA reads in the 72-h samples in the spleen, which is cell type specific.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, we present robust protocols for tissue preservation for up to 24 h prior to scRNA-seq analysis. This greatly facilitates the logistics of sample collection for Human Cell Atlas or clinical studies since it increases the time frames for sample processing.

Detection of CMB-Cluster Lensing using Polarization Data from SPTpol

We report the first detection of gravitational lensing due to galaxy clusters using only the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The lensing signal is obtained using a new estimator that extracts the lensing dipole signature from stacked images formed by rotating the cluster-centered Stokes QU map cutouts along the direction of the locally measured background CMB polarization gradient. Using data from the SPTpol 500  deg^{2} survey at the locations of roughly 18 000 clusters with richness λ≥10 from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Year-3 full galaxy cluster catalog, we detect lensing at 4.8σ. The mean stacked mass of the selected sample is found to be (1.43±0.40)×10^{14}M_{⊙} which is in good agreement with optical weak lensing based estimates using DES data and CMB-lensing based estimates using SPTpol temperature data. This measurement is a key first step for cluster cosmology with future low-noise CMB surveys, like CMB-S4, for which CMB polarization will be the primary channel for cluster lensing measurements.

Global Transcriptome and Co-Expression Network Analysis Reveal Contrasting Response of Japonica and Indica Rice Cultivar to γ Radiation

Japonica and indica are two important subspecies in cultivated Asian rice. Irradiation is a classical approach to induce mutations and create novel germplasm. However, little is known about the differential response between japonica and indica rice after γ radiation. Here, we utilized the RNA sequencing and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to compare the transcriptome differences between japonica Nipponbare (NPB) and indica Yangdao6 (YD6) in response to irradiation. Japonica subspecies are more sensitive to irradiation than the indica subspecies. Indica showed a higher seedling survival rate than japonica. Irradiation caused more extensive DNA damage in shoots than in roots, and the severity was higher in NPB than in YD6. GO and KEGG pathway analyses indicate that the core genes related to DNA repair and replication and cell proliferation are similarly regulated between the varieties, however the universal stress responsive genes show contrasting differential response patterns in japonica and indica. WGCNA identifies 37 co-expressing gene modules and ten candidate hub genes for each module. This provides novel evidence indicating that certain peripheral pathways may dominate the molecular networks in irradiation survival and suggests more potential target genes in breeding for universal stress tolerance in rice.

[Five patients with severe burns complicated by fungal infection]

From June to November 2016, 5 patients with severe burns were admitted to our unit. Broad-spectrum antibiotic and fluconazole were used on patients as earlier empirical anti-infection therapy of bacteria and fungi. Seven to twenty-one days after injury, 5 patients developed fungal infection. Antifungal agents of caspofungin, voriconazole, and amphotericin B liposomewere were used according to the results of fungal culture, and the infected wounds were also treated with repeated debridement and dressing change. Multiple autologous skin grafts were performed after infection control of wounds. With the above antifungal infection treatment for 5 to 11 days, 2 patients' condition tended to be stable, and no fungus was found in wound secretion after cultured for many times. The patients were discharged with wounds healed after 52 to 54 days' hospital stay. Due to severe burns degree and or elder age, fungal infection aggravated and expanded to the trunk in the other 3 patients, then developed into burn sepsis, resulting in patients died of multiple organ failure secondary to sepsis.

Comprehensive evaluation of resistance effects of pyramiding lines with different broad-spectrum resistance genes against Magnaporthe oryzae in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

BACKGROUND

Broad-spectrum resistance gene pyramiding helps the development of varieties with broad-spectrum and durable resistance to M. oryzae. However, detailed information about how these different sources of broad-spectrum resistance genes act together or what are the best combinations to achieve broad-spectrum and durable resistance is limited.

RESULTS

Here a set of fifteen different polygene pyramiding lines (PPLs) were constructed using marker-assisted selection (MAS). Using artificial inoculation assays at seedling and heading stage, combined with natural induction identification under multiple field environments, we evaluated systematically the resistance effects of different alleles of Piz locus (Pigm, Pi40, Pi9, Pi2 and Piz) combined with Pi1, Pi33 and Pi54, respectively, and the interaction effects between different R genes. The results showed that the seedling blast and panicle blast resistance levels of PPLs were significantly higher than that of monogenic lines. The main reason was that most of the gene combinations produced transgressive heterosis, and the transgressive heterosis for panicle blast resistance produced by most of PPLs was higher than that of seedling blast resistance. Different gene pyramiding with broad-spectrum R gene produced different interaction effects, among them, the overlapping effect (OE) between R genes could significantly improve the seedling blast resistance level of PPLs, while the panicle blast resistance of PPLs were remarkably correlated with OE and complementary effect (CE). In addition, we found that gene combinations, Pigm/Pi1, Pigm/Pi54 and Pigm/Pi33 displayed broad-spectrum resistance in artificial inoculation at seedling and heading stage, and displayed stable broad-spectrum resistance under different disease nursery. Besides, agronomic traits evaluation also showed PPLs with these three gene combinations were at par to the recurrent parent. Therefore, it would provide elite gene combination model and germplasms for rice blast resistance breeding program.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of PPLs and interaction effect analysis in this study provides valuable theoretical foundation and innovative resources for breeding broad-spectrum and durable resistant varieties.

[Efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in dust mites andalternaria multi-sensitized allergic rhinitis patients]

Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of immunosuppression in patients with allergic rhinitis with multiple sensitization of dust mites and Alternaria.Method:An open, label random parallel controlled clinical study was conducted. Sixty dust mites and alternaria multi-sensitized allergic rhinitis patients were enrolled and randomized into immunotherapy group and medication group.Evaluation indicators included symptom scores, medication scores,symptom medication combined scores,RQLQ and serum allergen-specific IgE.In immunotherapy group, side effects were also observed and recorded.Result:After 24 months of treatment, all the scores were significantly lower than baseline,in both immunotherapy group and medication group.The scores of immunotherapy group were significantly lower than those of the medication group. Only local side effects were observed in immunotherapy group,without any systemic side effects and anaphylaxis.Conclusion: Mixed immunotherapy with dust mites and alternaria was effective and safe in allergic rhinitis patients and it had better curative effect than medication.

[Effect of miR-21 down-regulated by H 2O 2 on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells]

Objective

To explore the effect and mechanism of miR-21 down-regulated which was induced by H ₂O ₂ on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

Methods

MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured and passaged, and the 7th generation cells were harvested to use in experiment. The MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with different concentrations (0, 40, 80, 160, and 320 μmol/L) of H ₂O ₂. The expression of miR-21 was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and the cell viability was determined by MTS. Then the appropriate concentration of H ₂O ₂ was obtained. To analyze the effect of H ₂O ₂ on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, the MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into blank control group (group A), H ₂O ₂ group (group B), osteogenic induction group (group C), and H ₂O ₂+osteogenic induction group (group D). The expression of miR-21 and the osteogenesis related genes expressions of Runx2, osteopontin (OPN), and collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 (Col1a1) were detected by RT-PCR. The expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was detected by Western blot. The extracellular calcium deposition was detected by alizarin red staining. To analyze the effect on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells after the transfection of miR-21 inhibitor and siRNA-PTEN, the MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into H ₂O ₂ group (group A1), H ₂O ₂+osteogenic induction group (group B1), H ₂O ₂+osteogenic induction+miR-21 inhibitor group (group C1), and H ₂O ₂+osteogenic induction+miR-21 inhibitor negative control group (group D1); and H ₂O ₂ group (group A2), H ₂O ₂+osteogenic induction group (group B2), H ₂O ₂+osteogenic induction+siRNA-PTEN negative control group (group C2), and H ₂O ₂+osteogenic induction+siRNA-PTEN group (group D2). The osteogenesis related genes were detected by RT-PCR and the extracellular calcium deposition was detected by alizarin red staining.

Results

The results of MTS and RT-PCR showed that the appropriate concentration of H ₂O ₂ was 160 μmol/L. The expression of miR-21 was significantly lower in group B than in group A at 1 and 2 weeks ( P<0.05). The expression of miR-21 was significantly lower in group D than in group C at 1 and 2 weeks ( P<0.05). The expression of PTEN protein was significantly lower in group C than in groups A and D ( P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of Runx2, OPN, and Col1a1 were significantly lower in group D than in group C at 1 and 2 weeks ( P<0.05). The extracellular calcium deposition in group D was obviously less than that in group C. The expression of PTEN protein was significantly higher in group C1 than in group D1 ( P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of Runx2 and OPN were significantly lower in group C1 than in groups B1 and D1 at 1 and 2 weeks ( P<0.05). The mRNA expression of Col1a1 was significantly lower in group C1 than in groups B1 and D1 at 2 weeks ( P<0.05). The extracellular calcium deposition in group C1 was obviously less than those in groups B1 and D1. The mRNA expressions of OPN and Col1a1 were significantly higher in group D2 than in groups B2 and C2 at 1 week ( P<0.05). The extracellular calcium deposition in group D2 was obviously more than those in groups B2 and C2.

Conclusion

H ₂O ₂ inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, which may be induced by down-regulating the expression of miR-21.

Identification of Genes Related to Cold Tolerance and a Functional Allele That Confers Cold Tolerance

Cold stress is a major factor limiting rice (Oryza sativa) production worldwide, especially at the seedling and booting stages. The identification of genes associated with cold tolerance (CT) in rice is important for sustainable food production. Here, we report the results of a genome-wide association study to identify the genetic loci associated with CT by using a 1,033-accession diversity panel. We identified five CT-related genetic loci at the booting stage. Accessions carrying multiple cold-tolerant alleles displayed a higher seed-setting rate than did accessions that had no cold-tolerant alleles or carried a single allele. At the seedling stage, eight genetic loci related to CT have been identified. Among these, LOC_Os10g34840 was identified as the candidate gene for the qPSR10 genetic locus that is associated with CT in rice seedlings. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), SNP2^G, at position 343 in LOC_Os10g34840 is responsible for conferring CT at the seedling stage in rice. Further analysis of the haplotype network revealed that SNP2^G was present in 80.08% of the temperate japonica accessions but only 3.8% of the indica ones. We used marker-assisted selection to construct a series of BC₄F₃ near-isogenic lines possessing the cold-tolerant allele SNP2^G When subjected to cold stress, plants carrying SNP2^G survived better as seedlings and showed higher grain weight than plants carrying the SNP2^A allele. The CT-related loci identified here and the functional verification of LOC_Os10g34840 will provide genetic resources for breeding cold-tolerant varieties and for studying the molecular basis of CT in rice.

[Primary research of early oral feeding after total laryngectomy]

Objective: To explore whether early oral feeding after total laryngectomy is safe and effective by evaluating the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) and the hospital duration. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 52 patients underwent total laryngectomy, plus partial tongue base resection (n=2), partial pharyngectomy (n=1), or pedicle flap (n=2) between January 2012 and October 2017. Patients who had a history of preoperative radiotherapy, chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, previous surgery for larynx or pharynx and who had severe complications were excluded. Early oral feeding started between 48 h and 72 h postoperatively, while delayed oral feeding started within postoperative day 8-10. The incidences of PCF in two groups were compared to evaluate whether PCF and early oral feeding was related. Multi-variables analysis was conducted to evaluate risk factors for PCF. Results: PCF rate was 19.2% among all patients, 11.1% in patients with early oral feeding and 23.5% in patients with delayed oral feeding. No significant statistically difference in PCF rate was found between two groups (χ(2)=0.506, P=0.477). Multi-variables analysis showed that oral feeding time (early or delayed) was not a independent risk factor of PCF (Two classification response variable Logistic regression, P=0.200, OR=0.242, 95%CI[0.028-2.118]). But low preoperative albumin level was observed as an independent risk factor for PCF (P=0.039, OR=0.848, 95% CI [0.726-0.992]). A negative correlation was observed between preoperative albumin level and PCF. And also there was not a significant difference in hospital duration between patients with early oral feeding and delayed oral feeding(U=268, P=0.464). Conclusion: For patients total laryngectomy with no previous history of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, early oral feeding after surgery is safe and effective.