Confounder balancing in adversarial domain adaptation for pre-trained large models fine-tuning

The excellent generalization, contextual learning, and emergence abilities in the pre-trained large models (PLMs) handle specific tasks without direct training data, making them the better foundation models in the adversarial domain adaptation (ADA) methods to transfer knowledge learned from the source domain to target domains. However, existing ADA methods fail to account for the confounder properly, which is the root cause of the source data distribution that differs from the target domains. This study proposes a confounder balancing method in adversarial domain adaptation for PLMs fine-tuning (CadaFT), which includes a PLM as the foundation model for a feature extractor, a domain classifier and a confounder classifier, and they are jointly trained with an adversarial loss. This loss is designed to improve the domain-invariant representation learning by diluting the discrimination in the domain classifier. At the same time, the adversarial loss also balances the confounder distribution among source and unmeasured domains in training. Compared to newest ADA methods, CadaFT can correctly identify confounders in domain-invariant features, thereby eliminating the confounder biases in the extracted features from PLMs. The confounder classifier in CadaFT is designed as a plug-and-play and can be applied in the confounder measurable, unmeasurable, or partially measurable environments. Empirical results on natural language processing and computer vision downstream tasks show that CadaFT outperforms the newest GPT-4, LLaMA2, ViT and ADA methods.

Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) as a grouping imaging biomarker combined with a decision-tree mode to preoperatively predict the pathological grade of bladder cancer

AIM

To investigate whether the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) could be used to develop a new non-invasive preoperative grade-prediction system to partially predict high-grade bladder cancer (HG-BC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study enrolled 89 primary BC patients prospectively from March 2022 to June 2023. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for predicting HG-BC and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in the entire group. In the low VI-RADS (≤2) group, the decision tree-based method was used to obtain significant predictors and construct the decision-tree model (DT model). The performance of the DT model and low VI-RADS scores for predicting HG-BC was determined using ROC, calibration, and decision curve analyses.

RESULTS

At a cut-off of ≥3, the specificity and positive predictive value of VI-RADS for predicting HG-BC in the entire group was 100%, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.697. Among 65 patients with low VI-RADS scores, the DT model showed an AUC of 0.884 in predicting HG-BC compared to 0.506 for low VI-RADS scores. Calibration and decision curve analyses showed that the DT model performed better than the low VI-RADS scores.

CONCLUSION

Most VI-RADS scores ≥3 correspond to HG-BCs. VI-RADS could be used as a grouping imaging biomarker for a pathological grade-prediction procedure, which in combination with the DT model for low VI-RADS (≤2) populations, would provide a potential preoperative non-invasive method of predicting HG-BC.

The factors influencing the occurrence of post-ischemic stroke depression and its relationship with the burden score of cerebral small vessel disease

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the determinants of post-stroke depression (PSD) in ischemic stroke (AIS) patients and its association with the burden score of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed 374 AIS patients treated between January 2020 and January 2022. Patients were categorized into 90 with PSD and 284 without PSD, enabling an investigation into PSD risk factors and the CSVD-PSD relationship.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in health factors between PSD and non-PSD patients (p>0.05). However, significant disparities were noted in age, gender, initial Barthel Index (BI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, plasma fibrinogen, homocysteine, red cell distribution width, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and CSVD burden score (p<0.05). Regression analysis indicated that these variables were pivotal PSD predictors (OR>1, p<0.05). Surprisingly, a positive correlation with PSD occurrence was found for age, NIHSS score, plasma fibrinogen, homocysteine levels, red cell distribution width, CSVD burden score (r=0.565, 0.615, 0.482, 0.514, 0.572, 0.608, respectively; p<0.05). Meanwhile, the MMSE score and BI index were inversely related to PSD onset (r=-0.604, -0.590; p<0.05). The ROC curve analysis of the combination model based on MMSE, NIHSS and CSVD score revealed an AUC of 0.926 and Youden's index of 0.744.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, MMSE score, BI index, NIHSS score, plasma fibrinogen concentration, homocysteine level, red blood cell distribution width, and CSVD burden score are all major influencing factors in the occurrence of PSD. The combination model based on MMSE, NIHSS, and CSVD scores presented a valuable approach to predicting PSD.

Magnetic droplet soliton pairs

We demonstrate magnetic droplet soliton pairs in all-perpendicular spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs), where one droplet resides in the STNO free layer (FL) and the other in the reference layer (RL). Typically, theoretical, numerical, and experimental droplet studies have focused on the FL, with any additional dynamics in the RL entirely ignored. Here we show that there is not only significant magnetodynamics in the RL, but the RL itself can host a droplet driven by, and coexisting with, the FL droplet. Both single droplets and pairs are observed experimentally as stepwise changes and sharp peaks in the dc and differential resistance, respectively. While the single FL droplet is highly stable, the coexistence state exhibits high-power broadband microwave noise. Furthermore, micromagnetic simulations reveal that the pair dynamics display periodic, quasi-periodic, and chaotic signatures controlled by applied field and current. The strongly interacting and closely spaced droplet pair offers a unique platform for fundamental studies of highly non-linear soliton pair dynamics.

[Key microbial monitoring and clinical analysis of bloodstream infections and CRO colonization after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in hematological patients]

Objective: To investigate the distribution and clinical characteristics of pathogenic bacteria following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), as well as to provide a preliminary research foundation for key microbial monitoring, and clinical diagnosis and treatment of infections after HSCT in hematological patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 190 patients who tested positive for microbial testing [G-bacteria blood culture and/or carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO) screening of perianal swabs] at our center from January 2018 to December 2022. Patients were divided into blood culture positive, perianal swab positive, and double positive groups based on the testing results. The three patient groups underwent statistical analysis and comparison. Results: The top four pathogenic bacteria isolated from sixty-three patients with G-bacteria bloodstream infection (BSI) were Escherichia coli (28 strains, 43.75% ), Klebsiella pneumonia (26 strains, 40.63% ), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 strains, 4.69% ), and Enterobacter cloacae (3 strains, 4.69% ). The top three pathogenic bacteria isolated from 147 patients with CRO perianal colonization were carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (58 strains, 32.58% ), carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (49 strains, 27.53% ), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (20 strains, 11.24% ). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS ) and overall survival (OS) of double positive group patients were significantly lower compared to those in the blood culture and perianal swab positive groups (DFS: 35.6% vs 53.7% vs 68.6%, P=0.001; OS: 44.4% vs 62.4% vs 76.9%, P<0.001), while non-relapse mortality (NRM) was significantly higher (50.0% vs 34.9% vs 10.6%, P<0.001). Failed engraftment of platelets and BSI are independent risk factors for NRM (P<0.001). Using polymyxin and/or ceftazidime-avibactam for more than 7 days is an independent protective factor for NRM (P=0.035) . Conclusion: This study suggests that the occurrence of BSI significantly increases the NRM after HSCT in patients with hematological diseases; CRO colonization into the bloodstream has a significant impact on the DFS and OS of HSCT patients.

Osteocalcin activates lipophagy via the ADPN-AMPK/PPARα-mTOR signaling pathway in chicken embryonic hepatocyte

Fatty liver hemorrhage syndrome (FLHS) is the leading cause of noninfectious mortality in caged layers worldwide. Osteocalcin (OCN) is a protein secreted by osteoblasts, and its undercarboxylated form (ucOCN) acts as a multifunctional hormone that protects laying hens from FLHS. Lipophagy is a form of selective autophagy that breaks down lipid droplets (LDs) through lysosomes, and defective lipophagy is associated with FLHS. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ucOCN on the lipophagy of chicken embryonic hepatocytes and associated the function of the adiponectin (ADPN) signaling pathway. In this study, chicken embryonic hepatocytes were divided into 5 groups: control (CONT), fat emulsion (FE, 10% FE, v/v), FE with ucOCN at 1 ng/mL (FE-LOCN), 3 ng/mL (FE-MOCN), and 9 ng/mL (FE-HOCN). In addition, 4 μM AdipoRon, an adiponectin receptor agonist, was used to investigate the function of ADPN. The results showed that compared with CONT group, FE promoted the levels of phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) (P < 0.05) and decreased the mRNA expression of ADNP receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2). Compared with FE group, 3 and 9 ng/mL ucOCN inhibited the levels of autophagy adaptor p62 and p-mTOR (P < 0.05), increased the ratios of LC3-II/LC3-I (P < 0.05) and phosphorylated adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK)/AMPK (P < 0.05), as well as the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) and ADPN (P < 0.05). In addition, ucOCN at the tested concentrations increased the colocalization of LC3 and LDs in fatty hepatocytes. Administrated 4 μM AdipoRon activated AdipoR1 and AidpoR2 mRNA expression (P < 0.05), decreased the concentrations of triglyceride (P < 0.05), without effects on cell viability (P > 0.05). AdipoRon also increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio (P < 0.05) and the levels of p-AMPK/AMPK and PPAR-α (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results reveal that ucOCN regulates lipid metabolism by activating lipophagy via the ADPN-AMPK/PPARα-mTOR signaling pathway in chicken embryonic hepatocytes. The results may provide new insights for controlling FLHS in laying hens.

[Role and related mechanisms of LiaSR two-component system in acid tolerance and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans]

Objective: To investigate the role and related mechanisms of the LiaSR two-component system in acid tolerance and biofilm formation abilities of Streptococcus mutans (Sm) 593. Methods: The growth curves of various Sm strains in pH=5.5 brian heart infusion (BHI) medium were analyzed. And colony forming unit (CFU) was also performed to evaluate the acid tolerance of Sm. Laurdan probe, H+-K+adenosine triphosphate (ATP)ase activity analysis kit, proton permeability assay and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were conducted to detect the acid tolerant mechanisms of LiaSR two-component system in Sm. Crystal violet staining, CFU, SYTOX probe and anthrone-sulfuric method were used to analyze the properties and structures of the Sm biofilms. RT-qPCR was conducted to detect the expression levels of underlying regulated genes. Results: The growth of mutants in acidic BHI were inhibited (P<0.05). The acid tolerance of mutants significantly decreased compared to the wild-type strain (P<0.05). In mutants, the activity of H+-ATPase (917.06±59.53 and 469.53±47.65) were elevated by 7.22-folds and 3.70-folds compared to the wild-type strain (127.00±50.71) (P<0.001, P<0.001) and the encoded gene atpD (3.39±0.21 and 1.94±0.17) were also elevated by 3.39-folds and 1.94-folds compared to the wild-type strain (1.00±0.15) (P<0.001, P=0.001). The Laurdan generalized polarization of mutants (0.18±0.04 and 0.18±0.05) increased significantly compared to the wild-type strain (0.08±0.05) (P=0.006, P=0.003) and the expression levels of fabM gene were decreased in mutants (0.52±0.11 and 0.57±0.05) by 1/2 (P=0.014, P=0.022). In liaR deletion mutant, the reduced terminal pH (4.76±0.01) can also be observed (P<0.001). The total amount of the biofilms of three Sm didn't show significant differences (P>0.05). But the number of viable bacteria of mutants' biofilms were decreased [Sm 593: (12.00±2.80)×107 CFU/ml; Sm ΔliaS: (2.95±1.13)×107 CFU/ml; Sm ΔliaR: (7.25±1.60)×107 CFU/ml] (P=0.001, P=0.024). The extracellular DNA were increased by 18.00-folds and 6.50-folds in mutants' biofilms (128.73±15.65 and 46.38±5.52) compared to the wild-type strain (7.16±3.62) (P<0.001, P=0.003). Water-soluble exopolysaccharides could be found up-regulated in liaS deletion mutant [(138.73±10.12) μg/ml] (P=0.003) along with the expression level of gtfC gene (1.65±0.39) (P=0.014). The expression level of gtfD were elevated by 47.43-folds and 16.90-folds in mutants (P<0.001, P=0.010). Conclusions: The LiaSR two-component system can promote the expression of fabM gene and increase the fluidity of Sm which contributes to acid tolerance. The LiaR can also decrease the proton permeability and restrict the entrance of H+. The LiaSR two-component system can negatively regulate the production of the extracellular matrix in Sm biofilm.

Regional variations in retinopathy of prematurity incidence for preterm infants <32 weeks' gestation in China

OBJECTIVES

National-level data on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in different regions of China is insufficient. This study aimed to compare ROP incidences and care practices in different regions of China and their relationship with regional gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

All infants born at <32 weeks gestational age (GA) and admitted to 70 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, were enrolled. Hospitals were categorised into three regional groups according to geographical locations and GDP per capita from high to low: Eastern, Central, and Western China. The incidence of death or ROP, and care practices were compared among the groups.

RESULTS

A total of 18,579 infants were enrolled. Median GA was 29.9 (interquartile range 28.4-31.0) weeks and birth weight was 1318.1 (317.2) g. The percentage of GA <28 weeks, complete administration of antenatal steroids, and weight gain velocity during NICU stay were highest in Eastern China and lowest in Western China (all P < 0.01). In Eastern, Central, and Western China, the rates of death or any stage of ROP were 33.3%, 38.5%, and 39.2%, respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There were considerable regional disparities in ROP incidence in preterm infants with GA <32 weeks in China. The incidence of death or ROP ranged from high to low in Western, Central, and Eastern China.

[Construction of a surveillance and early warning index system for schistosomiasis transmission risk along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a surveillance and early warning index system for schistosomiasis transmission risk along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin, so as to provide insights into creation of a sensitive and highly efficient surveillance and early warning system for schistosomiasis.

METHODS

National and international publications, documents, laws and regulations pertaining to schistosomiasis control were retrieved with keywords including schistosomiasis, surveillance, early warning and control interventions from 2008 to 2022, and a thematic panel discussion was held to preliminarily construct surveillance and early warning index system for schistosomiasis transmission risk along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin. The index system was then comprehensively scored and screened using the Delphi method, and the weight of each index was determined using analytic hierarchy process and the modified proportional allocation method. In addition, the credibility of the Delphi method was evaluated using positive coefficient, authority coefficient, degree of concentration and degree of coordination of experts.

RESULTS

Following two rounds of expert consultation, a surveillance and early warning index system for schistosomiasis transmission risk in endemic areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin was preliminarily constructed, including 3 primary indicators, 9 secondary indicators and 41 tertiary indicators. The normalized weights of primary indicators epidemics, natural and social factors and comprehensive control were 0.639 8, 0.145 6 and 0.214 6, respectively, and among all secondary indicators, snail status (0.321 3) and schistosomiasis prevalence (0.318 5) had the highest combined weights, while social factors had the lowest combined weight (0.030 4). Of all tertiary indicators, human egg-positive rate (0.041 9), number of acute schistosomiasis cases (0.041 5), number of stool-positive bovine and sheep (0.041 1), and prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum in free-ranging livestock (0.041 1) had the highest combined weights. During two rounds of consultation, the positive coefficient of experts was both 100%, and the authority coefficient was both 0.9 and greater, while the coordination coefficients were 0.338 to 0.441 and 0.426 to 0.565 (χ2 = 22.875 to 216.524, both P values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The established surveillance and early warning index system for schistosomiasis transmission risk along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin is of great scientific values and authority, which may provide insights into construction of the sensitive and highly efficient surveillance and early warning system for schistosomiasis in the context of low prevalence and low intensity of infection in China.

[Study on revision of standard limits for benzene in"Standards for indoor air quality（GB/T 18883-2022）"in China]

Benzene, as a major indoor pollutant, has received widespread attention. In order to better control indoor benzene pollution and protect people's health, the limit value of benzene in the"Standards for indoor air quality (GB/T 18883-2022)'' was reduced from 0.11 mg/m3 to 0.03 mg/m3. This study reviewed and discussed the relevant technical contents of the determination of benzene limit value, including the exposure status of benzene, health effects, and derivation of the limit value. It also proposed prospects for the future direction of formulating indoor air benzene standards.

The subfamily Xerocomoideae (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China

Xerocomoideae is an ecologically and economically important Boletaceae subfamily (Boletales) comprising 10 genera. Although many studies have focused on Xerocomoideae in China, the diversity, taxonomy and molecular phylogeny still remained incompletely understood. In the present study, taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Chinese species of Xerocomoideae were carried out by morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Eight genera in Xerocomoideae, viz. Aureoboletus, Boletellus, Heimioporus, Hemileccinum, Hourangia, Phylloporus, Pulchroboletus, and Xerocomus were confirmed to be distributed in China; 97 species of the subfamily were accepted as being distributed in China; one ambiguous taxon was tentatively named Bol. aff. putuoensis; two synonyms, viz. A. marroninus and P. dimorphus were defined. Among the Chinese accepted species, 13 were newly described, viz. A. albipes, A. conicus, A. ornatipes, Bol. erythrolepis, Bol. rubidus, Bol. sinochrysenteroides, Bol. subglobosus, Bol. zenghuoxingii, H. squamipes, P. hainanensis, Pul. erubescens, X. albotomentosus, and X. fuscatus, 36 known species were redescribed, and the other 48 species were reviewed. Keys to accepted species of Aureoboletus, Boletellus, Heimioporus, Hemileccinum, Hourangia, Phylloporus, and Xerocomus in China were also provided. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Aureoboletus albipes N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, A. conicus N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, A. ornatipes N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, Boletellus erythrolepis N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. rubidus N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, Y.J. Hao & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. sinochrysenteroides N.K. Zeng, R. Xue & Kuan Zhao, Bol. subglobosus N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. zenghuoxingii N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, Hemileccinum squamipes N.K. Zeng, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, Phylloporus hainanensis N.K. Zeng, L.L. Wu, & Zhi Q. Liang, Pulchroboletus erubescens N.K. Zeng, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, Xerocomus albotomentosus N.K. Zeng, H.J. Xie, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, and X. fuscatus N.K. Zeng, H.J. Xie, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang. Citation: Xue R, Zhang X, Xu C, Xie HJ, Wu LL, Wang Y, Tang LP, Hao YJ, Zhao K, Jiang S, Li Y, Yang YY, Li Z, Liang ZQ, Zeng NK (2023). The subfamily Xerocomoideae (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China. Studies in Mycology 106: 95-197. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.106.03.

Targeting Immunosuppressive Myeloid Cells and Exhausted CD8+ T Cells Overcomes Radioresistance in NSCLC

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Although stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has achieved great success in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), local relapses still occur and abscopal effects are rarely seen even when combined with immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs). Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly understand the immune responses after SBRT.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We characterized the dynamic changes of tumor-infiltrating immune cells at early and late time points after SBRT in a therapy-resistant murine tumor model using single-cell transcriptomes and T-cell receptor sequencing.

RESULTS

At the early stage, the innate and adaptive immune systems were activated, including activation of NKs and NKTs, and infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. At the late stage, however, the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) shifted into immunosuppressive properties, containing enrichment of immunosuppressive tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and terminal exhausted CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, our study revealed that inhibition of CD39 combined with SBRT preferentially reinvigorated exhausted CD8+ T cells and promoted their proliferation, infiltration, and cytotoxicity. Meanwhile, it also promoted M1-like macrophage infiltration and DCs maturation. On the other hand, consequently increased infiltration of immunosuppressive myeloid cells after SBRT could be a potential mechanism mediating CD8+ T cell dysfunction. Moreover, we found that combination treatment with anti-VISTA and SBRT synergistically reduced immunosuppressive myeloid cells, containing TANs, M-MDSCs, and M2-like TAMs, and further activated CD8+ T cells. Clinically, high VISTA expression was associated with poor prognosis in NSCLC patients.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, our data provides deep insight into acquired resistance to SBRT from an immune perspective and presents rational combination strategies.

Oligo-Residual Disease in PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors Treated Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Incidence, Pattern of Failure and Clinical Value of Local Consolidative Therapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Growing numbers of clinical trials are testing the efficacy of incorporating local therapy into programmed death receptor (ligand) 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the optimal timing and patient selection are still controversial. We aimed to examine the patterns of maximum tumor response and treatment failure in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-treated NSCLC, and explore the potential clinical value of local consolidative therapy (LCT) in those with oligo-residual disease (ORD).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Metastatic NSCLC treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in three academic centers from May 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed and those derived clinical benefit, defined as having objective response or durable stable disease lasting≥6months, were finally enrolled. Patterns of tumor response and treatment failure were extensively analyzed. ORD was defined as residual tumor distribution limited to 3 organs and 5 lesions, otherwise was defined as multiple residual disease (MRD). Local therapies targeting the residual tumor lesions performed after PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors initiation and before initial disease progression, were considered as LCT. The primary endpoints were the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Of the 318 patients enrolled, ORD and MRD were documented in 122 (38.4%) and 196 (61.6%) patients, respectively. Those who developed ORD had a significantly longer OS than those with MRD (p = 0.006). The median time to best response was 4 months and more than 50% of the initial disease progression developed only from the residual tumor lesions, providing the preliminary rationale of LCT. Among the 122 patients with ORD, those receiving LCT (n = 39) had significantly longer PFS (p = 0.04) and OS (p<0.001) than those without LCT. Moreover, LCT remained one of the independent predictors of improved PFS and OS after Cox analyses.

CONCLUSION

Local consolidative therapy seems to be feasible and may provide extra survival benefit for metastatic NSCLC patients with oligo-residual disease after PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treatment.

[Analysis of mortality trend and characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among residents in China from 2004 to 2020]

Objective: To analyze the mortality trend and characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among residents in China from 2004 to 2020. Methods: From the area, gender, region, and age dimensions, the Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the trend of COPD mortality rate from 2004 to 2020, extracted from the China Death Surveillance Dataset. Results: From 2004 to 2020, the mortality rate and age-adjusted mortality rate of COPD showed a downward trend (AAPC=-3.68%, P<0.001; AAPC=-7.27%, P<0.001), which were consistent with urban and rural subpopulations (mortality rate: AAPC=-3.62%, P=0.009, AAPC=-3.23%, P=0.014; age-adjusted mortality rate: AAPC=-7.26%, P<0.001, AAPC=-6.78%, P<0.001). The mortality rate of COPD in rural was higher than that of urban subpopulations (P<0.001). Also, the mortality rate and age-adjusted mortality rate of COPD showed a downward trend in males and females (mortality rate: AAPC=-3.00%, P<0.001, AAPC=-4.37%, P<0.001; age-adjusted mortality rate: AAPC=-6.73%, P<0.001, AAPC=-8.11%, P<0.001), and the COPD mortality rate for male was generally higher than female (P<0.001). Meanwhile, the mortality rate of COPD in eastern, central and western regions also showed a downward trend (AAPC=-3.87%, P<0.001; AAPC=-3.12%, P<0.001; AAPC=-1.37%, P=0.001), and western regions were significantly higher than that in central (P<0.001) and eastern (P<0.001) regions. The mortality rate of COPD in the age group of Chinese people showed a downward trend in<45, 45-59, and≥60 years groups (AAPC=-9.48%, P<0.001; AAPC=-9.03%, P<0.001; AAPC=-5.91%, P<0.001). Among them,≥60 years groups was significantly higher than that in<45 (P<0.001) and 45-59 (P<0.001) years groups, and the decline rate was slowest. Conclusion: In China, the mortality rate of COPD decreases from 2004 to 2020, and more efforts are needed to reduce COPD mortality, especially in western regions, rural populations, males and the elderly.

Radiomics model and clinical scale for the preoperative diagnosis of silent corticotroph adenomas

OBJECTIVE

Silent corticotroph adenomas (SCAs) are a subtype of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas that exhibit more aggressive behavior. However, rapid and accurate preoperative diagnostic methods are currently lacking.

DESIGN

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between SCA and non-SCA features and to establish radiomics models and a clinical scale for rapid and accurate prediction.

METHODS

A total of 260 patients (72 SCAs vs. 188 NSCAs) with nonfunctioning adenomas from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled in the study as the internal dataset. Thirty-five patients (6 SCAs vs. 29 NSCAs) from Fuzhou General Hospital were enrolled as the external dataset. Radiomics models and an SCA scale to preoperatively diagnose SCAs were established based on MR images and clinical features.

RESULTS

There were more female patients (internal dataset: p < 0.001; external dataset: p = 0.028) and more multiple microcystic changes (internal dataset: p < 0.001; external dataset: p = 0.012) in the SCA group. MRI showed more invasiveness (higher Knosp grades, p ≤ 0.001). The radiomics model achieved AUCs of 0.931 and 0.937 in the internal and external datasets, respectively. The clinical scale achieved an AUC of 0.877 and a sensitivity of 0.952 in the internal dataset and an AUC of 0.899 and a sensitivity of 1.0 in the external dataset.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on clinical information and imaging characteristics, the constructed radiomics model achieved high preoperative diagnostic ability. The SCA scale achieved the purpose of rapidity and practicality while ensuring sensitivity, which is conducive to simplifying clinical work.

The impact of sitagliptin in palmitic acid-induced insulin resistance in human HepG2 cells through the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway

Patients with type 2 diabetes respond differently to sitagliptin, an oral anti-hyperglycemic medication. Patients whose blood sugar levels were effectively managed while using sitagliptin had significantly lower levels of a protein called suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), according to our earlier research. In this study, we established an in vitro insulin resistance cell model for human HepG2 cells to investigate the possible mechanism of the effect of sitagliptin on glucose metabolism via the SOCS3/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. Since insulin resistance first develops in the liver, palmitic acid was used to generate an insulin resistance cell model in human HepG2 cells, after which small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA)-SOCS3 and sitagliptin were used to intervene. We then examined the changes in cell viability and biochemical indices in the insulin resistance cell model. SOCS3, Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3β) gene expression levels were quantified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the protein expression levels of SOCS3, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), GSK-3β, and phosphorylated GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β) were quantified using Western blot. In results: the expression of the SOCS3 gene was considerably raised in both the insulin resistance model group and the insulin resistance model + siRNA-negative control group, but decreased following treatment with sitagliptin. After sitagliptin intervention, the protein expression of Akt, p-Akt, and p-GSK-3β were dramatically decreased in the model group, while SOCS3 was significantly decreased. We conclude that sitagliptin can reduce insulin resistance by downregulating SOCS3 and regulating glucose metabolism in a hypoglycemic manner.

A97 LARGE NON-PEDUNCULATED COLONIC POLYP (LNPCP) OUTCOMES REFERRED FOR ENDOSCOPIC RESECTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: A QUALITY ASSURANCE INITIATIVE

Background

Endoscopic resection techniques have become the primary treatment strategy for the vast majority of large (≥ 20mm) non-pedunculated colonic polyps (LNPCPs). Despite this, surgery is still commonly performed with evidence suggesting an increasing trend over time. There is limited Canadian data confirming the effectiveness and safety of an endoscopic management strategy for LNPCPs.

Purpose

To investigate clinical outcomes of patients referred for endoscopic management of a LNPCP.

Method

Retrospective single-centre analysis of patients referred to a single endoscopist for the management of LNPCPs within a tertiary referral practice. LNPCPs were further subdivided into non-complicated (NC-LNPCP) or complicated (C-LNPCP) defined as those involving the ileocecal valve, appendiceal orifice, circumferential or previously attempted. Performance outcomes were evaluated by the frequencies of technical success (removal of all polypoid tissue during index procedure) and need for colorectal surgery. Safety was evaluated by the frequencies of clinically significant intraprocedural bleeding (CSIPB), clinically significant post-endoscopic resection bleeding (CSPEB), intra-procedural perforation and delayed perforation. Recurrence (either endoscopic or histologic) was evaluated at first surveillance colonoscopy (SC1). Continuous variables were summarized using median (IQR). Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies (%). To test for association between categorical variables, the Pearson χ2 or the Fisher exact test were used, where appropriate. For continuous variables, the Mann-Whitney U test was used. A probability (p) value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result(s)

Between January 2021 to March 2022, 263 LNPCP were referred for endoscopic resection and 41 LNPCP were excluded (23 pedunculated, 14 optical evaluation suggestive of deeply invasive cancer, 4 other). 222 LNPCP (188 NC-LNPCP, 34 C-LNPCP) underwent endoscopic resection. Median size was 25mm (IQR 20-30mm) with the majority undergoing cold snare resection (115, 51.8%). Polyposis (Adenomatous or serrated) was present in 23 (12.6%) cases respectively. Technical success was 97.3%. Cancer was present in 5 (2%). Clinically significant bleeding (CSPEB) occurred in 2.7%, DMI IV in 1.8% and there were no delayed perforations. Recurrence occurred in 4 (3.5%) at SC1 and 11 (5%) required surgery due to technical failure, submucosal invasion on pathology and clinically significant bleeding.

Image

Conclusion(s)

Endoscopic resection as the primary treatment strategy for LNPCPs offers a safe and effective alternative to surgery in British Columbia.

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Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

[Application and prospect of digital technology on personalized precision nutrition]

Nowadays in China, digital technology is sweeping all walks of life. To deal with the increasing incidence of chronic diseases and people's pursuit of a healthy life expectancy, modern nutrition, which is a core element in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, has gradually entered the digital age and raised broader needs and higher standards for achieving individualized precision nutrition. Artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies have been used to improve the accuracy of dietary surveys. The digital dietary quality monitoring and evaluation system established by integrating multiple nutritional and health databases are conducive to scientifically and effectively assessing the overall dietary quality. Wearable devices and chemical sensors have made nutrition assessment more efficient. Digital and precise nutrition developed for different populations and different diseases are realized. Nutrition education has been carried out rapidly with the popularization of "Internet+", new media, and application software. The various digital intelligent technologies have gradually penetrated into the dietetics field and empowered personalized health management. In addition, the technologies of digital nutrition in China still face a lot of challenges from theory to practice. How to promote scientific and technological innovation in digital nutrition to stimulate and enhance people's nutritional health is the major task ahead of nutrition science nowadays. This article will briefly introduce digital nutrition survey and assessment, digital nutrition intervention, and intelligent nutrition education, in order to provide a reference for realizing national nutrition and health by digital means.

A prognostic nomogram based on log odds of positive lymph nodes to predict the overall survival in biliary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) patients after surgery

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of biliary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) patients is affected by the status of metastatic lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to explore the prognostic value of the log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) and develop a novel nomogram to predict the overall survival (OS) in biliary NENs patients.

METHODS

A total of 125 patients with histologically confirmed biliary NENs were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database and further divided into training and validation cohorts. The discrimination and calibration of the nomogram were evaluated using the concordance index (C-index), the area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (time-dependent AUC), and calibration plots. The net benefits and clinical utility of the nomogram were quantified and compared with those of the SEER staging system using decision curve analysis (DCA), net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). The risk stratifications of the nomogram and the SEER staging system were compared.

RESULTS

LODDS showed the highest accuracy in predicting OS for biliary NENs. The C-index (0.789 for the training cohort and 0.890 for the validation cohort) and the time-dependent AUC (> 0.7) indicated the satisfactory discriminative ability of the nomogram. The calibration plots showed a high degree of consistency. The DCA, NRI, and IDI indicated that the nomogram performed significantly better than the SEER staging system.

CONCLUSION

A novel LODDS-incorporated nomogram was developed and validated to assist clinicians in evaluating the prognosis of biliary NENs patients.

SrB4O7:Sm2+ fluorescence improves the accuracy of temperature measurements in externally heated diamond anvil cells

The sample temperature in an externally heated diamond anvil cell (EHDAC) is generally measured by a thermocouple fixed to the pavilions of diamond anvils, ignoring the temperature difference between the thermocouple and the sample. However, the measured temperature depends strongly on the placement of the thermocouple, thus seriously reducing the accuracy of the temperature measurement and hindering the use of EHDAC in experiments requiring precise temperature measurements, such as high-pressure melting and phase-diagram investigations. In this study, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the 0-0 fluorescence line of strontium borate doped with bivalent samarium ions (SrBO₄:Sm²⁺, SBO) is found to be highly sensitive to temperature and responds extremely rapidly to small temperature fluctuations, which makes it an excellent temperature indicator. We propose herein a precise method to measure temperature that involves measuring the FWHM of the 0-0 fluorescence line of SBO. This method is used to correct the temperature discrepancy between the thermocouple and the sample in an EHDAC. These corrections significantly improve the accuracy of temperature measurements in EHDACs. The accuracy of this method is verified by measuring the melting point of tin at ambient pressure. We also use this method to produce a tentative elementary phase diagram of tin up to 109 GPa and 495 K. This method facilitates high-pressure, high-temperature experiments demanding accurate temperature measurements in various disciplines. The study also discusses, in general, the experimental approach to measuring temperature.

[Activation of cannabinoid receptor 2 alleviates acute lung injury in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) activation against acute lung injury in rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Forty-eight SD rats were randomly assigned into control group, model group, CB2 agonist group and P38 MAPK inhibitor group (n=12). In the latter 3 groups, the rats received intraperitoneal injection of LPS to induce sepsis, and the control rats were given saline injection. In CB2 agonist group, JWH133 (3 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before LPS injection; in P38 MAPK inhibitor group, the rats received intraperitoneal injection of SB203580 (5 mg/kg) 30 min prior to JWH133 injection. The changes in lung histopathology, water content, fluid clearance rate, inflammatory factors, pulmonary expressions of CB2 and tight junctionrelated genes, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK in the lung tissues were examined.

RESULTS

The rat models of sepsis showed severe damage of alveolar structures with significantly decreased fluid clearance rate, lowered pulmonary expressions of CB2, occludin and ZO-1 mRNA and proteins, increased water content in the lung tissue, and increased phosphorylation level of P38 MAPK and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in lung lavage fluid (all P < 0.05). Treatment with JWH133 improved alveolar pathology in the septic rats, but there was still inflammatory infiltration; lung tissue water content, phosphorylation of P38 MAPK, and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in lung lavage fluid were all significantly decreased, and the fluid clearance rate, pulmonary expressions of CB2, occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased (all P < 0.05). Additional treatment with SB203580 resulted in further improvements of alveolar pathologies, lowered phosphorylation levels of P38 MAPK in the lung tissue and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in lung lavage fluid, and increased the protein expressions of occludin and ZO-1 (P < 0.05) without causing significant changes in mRNA and protein expression of CB2 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In rats with LPS-induced sepsis, activation of CB2 can inhibit the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, reduce the release of inflammatory factors in the lung tissues, promote tight junction protein expressions, and thus offer protection against acute lung injury.

How well do polygenic risk scores identify men at high risk for prostate cancer? Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Genome-wide association studies have revealed over 200 genetic susceptibility loci for prostate cancer (PCa). By combining them, polygenic risk scores (PRS) can be generated to predict risk of PCa. We summarize the published evidence and conduct meta-analyses of PRS as a predictor of PCa risk in Caucasian men.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were extracted from 59 studies, with 16 studies including 17 separate analyses used in the main meta-analysis with a total of 20,786 cases and 69,106 controls identified through a systematic search of ten databases. Random effects meta-analysis was used to obtain pooled estimates of area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC). Meta-regression was used to assess the impact of number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) incorporated in PRS on AUC. Heterogeneity is expressed as I² scores. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger tests.

RESULTS

The ability of PRS to identify men with PCa was modest (pooled AUC 0.63, 95% CI 0.62-0.64) with moderate consistency (I² 64%). Combining PRS with clinical variables increased the pooled AUC to 0.74 (0.68-0.81). Meta-regression showed only negligible increase in AUC for adding incremental SNPs. Despite moderate heterogeneity, publication bias was not evident.

CONCLUSION

Typically, PRS accuracy is comparable to PSA or family history with a pooled AUC value 0.63 indicating mediocre performance for PRS alone.

[Effects of parity on nutrition and health status of Chinese women of childbearing age]

Objective: To analyze effects of parity on women's nutrition and health status. Methods: This study was based on the data bank of "Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance of Children and Adolescents Aged 0-17 years old and Lactating Mothers from 2016 to 2017". Using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method, 17 771 women at 0 to 24 months postpartum from 31 provinces in Mainland China were included in this study. Questionnaires were used to collect data on women's general demographic characteristics, parity, mode of delivery, pre-pregnancy weight, pre-delivery weight, diseases before and during pregnancy, postpartum hemorrhage. Current body height, body weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Blood hemoglobin, blood glucose and blood lipids were detected. Pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, postpartum weight retention, postpartum BMI, the rates of anemia, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were calculated. Survey sample weights were calculated according to the sampling design and number of children under 2 years old from the sixth population census data of China. Effects of parity on the observational indicators after adjusting for confounding factors were analyzed by multivariate linear regression and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The age of 17 771 women was (29.5±5.0) years old, 12.2% (2 172) were over 35 but less than 40 years old, and 3.2% (563) were over 40 years old; the women with one parity, two parities, and three parities accounted for 47.3% (8 413), 48.5% (8 620) and 4.2% (738), respectively; urban women accounted for 49.9% (8 875), and rural women accounted for 50.1% (8 896). The results from multivariate linear regression showed that the pre-pregnancy BMI of women with two and three parities was 0.55 kg/m² and 0.76 kg/m² higher than women with one parity, respectively; the results of multivariate logistic regression showed that the OR(95%CI) of pre-pregnancy anemia was 1.45(1.04-2.02) for women with three parities compared with women with one parity, and the OR(95%CI) of anemia during pregnancy for women with two parities was 1.20(1.06-1.35) compared with women with one parity. Conclusion: Parity is associated with pre-pregnancy BMI and risk of anemia before and during pregnancy in women of reproductive age.

Osteocalcin reduces fat accumulation and inflammatory reaction by inhibiting ROS-JNK signal pathway in chicken embryonic hepatocytes

Osteocalcin (OCN) has a function in preventing fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in poultry. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OCN on fat emulsion stimulated chicken embryonic hepatocytes and related signaling pathways. The primary chicken embryonic hepatocytes were isolated from the incubated 15-day (E15) pathogen free eggs and cultured with dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM). After the hepatocyte density reached 80%, the cells were divided into 5 groups: control group (CONT), fat emulsion group (FE, 10% FE, v/v), FE with ucOCN at 1 ng/mL (FE-LOCN), 3 ng/mL (FE-MOCN), and 9 ng/mL (FE-HOCN). In addition, 2 mM N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, and 5 μM SP600125, a Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor, were added separately in to the DMEM with 10% FE to test effects of FE on the function of ROS-JNK signal pathway. The number of hepatocytes, cell ultra-microstructure, viability, and apoptosis were detected after 48 h treatment, and the protein expressions and enzyme concentrations were detected after 72 h treatment. The results showed that, compared to the control group, FE increased the triglyceride (TG) concentration and lipid droplets (LDs) in chicken embryonic hepatocytes (P < 0.05), and induced hepatocytic edema with obviously mitochondrial swelling, membrane damage, and cristae rupture. FE also decreased ATP concentration, increased ROS concentrations and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, promoted inflammatory interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations and hepatocytic apoptosis rate, and raised phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) protein expressions. Compared to the FE group, ucOCN significantly increased hepatocyte viability, reduced hepatocytic TG concentrations and LDs numbers, and alleviated hepatocytic edema and mitochondrial swelling. Furthermore, ucOCN significantly decreased ROS concentrations, increased ATP concentrations, reduced IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α concentrations and hepatocytic apoptosis rate, and inhibited p-JNK protein expressions (P < 0.05). NAC had the similar functions of ucOCN reduced the ROS concentration and inhibited the TNF-α protein expression and p-JNK/JNK ration. Similarly, SP600125 reduced p-JNK/JNK protein expression, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and TG concentrations without effects on ROS concentration and hepatocytic apoptosis. These results suggest that ucOCN alleviates FE-induced mitochondrial damage, cellular edema, and apoptosis of hepatocytes. These results reveal that the functions of ucOCN in reducing fat accumulation and inflammatory reaction in chicken embryonic hepatocytes are mostly via inhibiting the ROS-JNK signal pathway.

[Pathological features related to onco-immunity and their clinical significance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the tumor immunity-related pathologic features and clinical significance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: All pathologic materials and clinical information of 192 PDAC patients from the Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences from January 2010 to December 2020 were collected. The onco-immune microenvironment associated morphologic features were evaluated, and MHC-Ⅰ, PD-L1, CD3, and CD8 expression were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then the correlation between the factors and their influence on prognosis was analyzed. Results: There were 163 cases of non-specific adenocarcinoma (163/192, 84.90%), 18 cases of adeno-squamous carcinoma (18/192, 9.37%), and 11 cases of other rare subtypes (11/192, 5.73%). Perineural invasion was observed in 110 cases (110/192, 57.29%) and vascular invasion in 86 cases (86/192, 44.79%). There were 84 cases (84/182, 46.15%) with severe chronic inflammation. Tumor infiltrating immune cell numbers (TII-N) were increased in 52 cases (52/192, 27.08%). Lymphocytes and plasma cells were the main infiltrating immune cells in 60 cases (60/192, 31.25%), whereas in 34 cases (34/192, 17.71%) the tumors were mainly infiltrated by granulocytes, and 98 cases (98/192, 51.04%) showed mixed infiltration. CD3+T cells were deficient in 124 cases (124/192, 66.31%). CD8+T cells were deficient in 152 cases (152/192, 79.58%). MHC-Ⅰ expression was down-regulated in 156 cases (156/192, 81.25%), and PD-L1 was positive (CPS≥1) in 46 cases (46/192, 23.96%). Statistical analysis showed that TII-N was negatively correlated with vascular invasion (P=0.035), perineural invasion (P=0.002), stage (P=0.004) and long-term alcohol consumption (P=0.039). The type of immune cells correlated positively with chronic pancreatic inflammation (P=0.002), and negatively with tumor differentiation (P=0.024). CD8+T cells were positively correlated with CD3+T cells (P=0.032), MHC-Ⅰ expression (P<0.001) and PD-L1 expression (P=0.001), and negatively correlated with long-term smoking (P=0.016). Univariate analysis showed that histological nonspecific type (P=0.013) and TII-N (P<0.001) were the factors for good prognosis. Vascular invasion (P=0.032), perineural invasion (P=0.001), high stage (P=0.003) and long-term alcohol consumption (P=0.004) were adverse prognostic factors. COX multivariate risk analysis found that TII-N was an independent favorable factor for PDAC, while perineural invasion was an independent adverse risk factor. Conclusions: TII-N is an independent superior prognostic factor for PDAC, and significantly correlated with many factors; chronic alcohol consumption and smoking may inhibit onco-immunity in PDAC patients.

Bacillus subtilis inhibits intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress by regulating gut flora and related metabolites in laying hens

Bacillus subtilis is one of the most popular commercial probiotics used in farm animal production. However, its potential mechanisms are not very clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis on intestinal histomorphology, innate immunity, microbiota composition, transcriptomics, and related metabolomics. Twenty-four 48-week-old Lohman Pink-shell laying hens were randomly divided into two groups: a basic diet and the basic diet supplemented with Bacillus subtilis (0.5 g/kg) for a 9-week experiment. At the end of the experiment, tissues of the duodenum, ileum, and jejunum as well as cecal content of each bird were collected for microstructure, PCR, transcriptome, metabolome, and 16S rRNA analyses. The results showed that dietary Bacillus subtilis supplement had no effect on the intestinal microstructure. However, Bacillus subtilis increased mRNA expression of tight junction protein occludin (P < 0.05), while reduced mRNA expression of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF factor (P < 0.01) in the duodenum. Moreover, transcriptomic results indicated that most of Bacillus subtilis supplement-induced differential genes were associated with inflammation and immunity, including cytochrome b-245 beta chain, transferrin, and purinergic receptor P2X 7, resulting in a decrease in Malondialdehyde level (P < 0.05) in the duodenum. In addition, at the genus level, Bacillus subtilis supplement enriched the potential beneficial bacteria, Candidatus_Soleaferrea (P = 0.02) but inhibited the harmful bacteria including Lachnospiraceae_FCS020_group, Ruminiclostridium, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010, and Oxalobacter. Metabolomic results revealed that N-Acetylneuraminic acid and ADP were increased by fed Bacillus subtilis. These results suggest that dietary Bacillus subtilis could inhibit gut inflammation and improve antioxidative status and barrier integrity of the duodenum via regulating gut microbial composition in laying hens.

Response and tolerance mechanism of food crops under high temperature stress: a review

High temperature stress events are critical factors inhibiting crop yield. Meanwhile, world population is growing very rapidly and will be reached up to 9 billion by 2050. To feed increasing world population, it is challenging task to increase about 70% global food productions. Food crops have significant contribution toward global food demand and food security. However, consequences from increasing heat stress events are demolishing their abilities to survive and sustain yield when subjected to extreme high temperature stress. Therefore, there is dire need to better understand response and tolerance mechanism of food crops following exposure to heat stress. Here, we aimed to provide recent update on impact of high temperature stress on crop yield of food crops, pollination, pollinators, and novel strategies for improving tolerance of food crop under high temperature stress. Importantly, development of heat-resistant transgenic food crops can grant food security through transformation of superior genes into current germplasm, which are associated with various signaling pathways as well as epigenetic regulation in response to extreme high temperature stress.

Genetic characterization and clinical characteristics of bovine viral diarrhea viruses in cattle herds of Heilongjiang province, China

BACKGROUND

Heilongjiang province is the main cattle-producing area in China, and molecular epidemiological studies of bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDV) in cattle have not been performed in the province.

AIMS

The objective of this research was to determine the genetic and clinical characteristics of BVDV in cattle.

METHODS

Fifty-three BVDV-positive clinical samples were collected from 22 cattle farms in Heilongjiang, and the 5´-untranslated region (5´-UTR) was used to carry out a phylogenetic analysis of the viruses.

RESULTS

The similarity of the 5´-UTR sequences among these BVDVs was 84.2%-100%, and the phylogenetic analysis showed that all viruses belong to the BVDV-1 species, which is classified into five subtypes: BVDV-1b (47.17%, n=25), 1c (15.09%, n=8), 1d (16.98%, n=9), 1 m (3.77%, n=2), and 1o (16.98%, n=9). The statistical results showed that the BVDV-1b subtype had a positive correlation with gastrointestinal disease (P<0.05; 95% CI: 1.19 to 3.34). There were up to three or four BVDV-1 subtypes in some dairy cattle farms, but farms with a single subtype were prevalent (5/10).

CONCLUSION

BVDV-1b is predominant in cattle herds of Heilongjiang province, China, and shows a positive correlation with gastrointestinal disease. BVDV-1o was found for the first time in Chinese cattle, which increased the complex distribution of BVDV-1 subtypes in cattle herds of China.

A survey of a COVID-19 cluster of charter flight importation

OBJECTIVES

Although a number of cases of importation with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been reported, there are still no data available concerning the characteristics in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cluster of charter flight importation. Here, we provide an analysis of COVID-19 cases and their close contacts who worked for the same company on a project in Karbala, Iraq, and returned back to Chengdu, China, by a charter flight.

METHODS

The data of imported COVID-19 cases and their close contacts were obtained from National Notifiable Disease Report System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and field epidemiological investigation reports by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) in Chengdu. The information of general characteristics and laboratory findings of this cluster were collected and summarized.

RESULTS

One hundred and six (66.67%) of 159 charter flight passengers tested positive for COVID-19 before entry. Through treatment, all 159 people tested negative and meet the requirements of taking flights bound for China before boarding. However, there has been still 36 (22.64%) of them tested positive after entry. The median time from entry to confirmation was 1.0 day (Interquartile Range (IQR): 0-4.3). The Cycle threshold value (Ct value) of 36 patients' positive samples are all above 30 and most values are above 35.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, there is still a risk that a number of COVID-19 cases can be imported through charter flight. However, the infectivity of confirmed patients of the charter flight was considered to be low.

In Situ Oxygen Generation Enhances the SCAP Survival in Hydrogel Constructs

Prolonged and severe hypoxia is the main cause of death of transplanted cells prior to the establishment of functional circulation. In situ generation of oxygen by oxygen-producing scaffolds-a unique solution that could produce and deliver oxygen to the adjacent cells independently of blood perfusion-has attracted considerable attention to enhance the survivability of the transplanted cells. However, the application of oxygen-generating scaffolds for facilitating cell survival in pulp-like tissue regeneration is yet to be explored. In this study, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-a biocompatible scaffolding material that closely mimics the native extracellular matrix and is conducive to cell proliferation and differentiation-was used to fabricate oxygen-generating scaffolds by loading various concentrations of CaO₂. The CaO₂ distribution, topography, swelling, and pore size of CaO₂-GelMA hydrogels were characterized in detail. The release of O₂ by the scaffold and the viability, spreading, and proliferation of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) encapsulated in the GelMA hydrogels with various concentrations of CaO₂ under hypoxia were evaluated. In addition, cellular constructs were engineered into root canals, and cell viability within the apical, middle, and coronal portions was assessed. Our findings showed that 0.5% CaO₂-GelMA was sufficient to supply in situ oxygen for maintaining the embedded SCAP viability for 1 wk. Furthermore, the 0.5% CaO₂-GelMA hydrogels improved the survivability of SCAPs within the coronal portion of the engineered cellular constructs within the root canals. This work demonstrated that 0.5% CaO₂-GelMA hydrogels offer a potential promising scaffold that enhances survival of the embedded SCAPs in endodontic regeneration.

Nicotinamide improves NAD+ levels to protect against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose causes acute liver injury (ALI). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an essential coenzyme, and NAD⁺ is oxidized type which synthesized from nicotinamide (NAM). The present study aimed to investigate the role of NAD⁺ in ALI and protective property of NAM. The mice were subjected to different doses APAP. After 8 hours, the serum activities of alaninetransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the hepatic NAD⁺ level and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) expression were determined. Then, the mice were pretreated with NAM (800 mg/kg), the hepatoprotective effects and the key antioxidative molecules were evaluated. Our findings indicated that APAP resulted in remarkable NAD⁺ depletion in a dose-dependent manner accompanied by NAMPT downregulation, and NAM pretreatment significantly elevated the NAD⁺ decline due to upregulation of NAMPT. Moreover, the downregulated Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1), upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its translocation activation after NAM administration were confirmed, which were in accordance with improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Finally, NAM dramatically exhibited hepatoprotective effects by reducing the liver index and necrotic area. This study has suggested that APAP impairs liver NAD⁺ level and NAM is able to improve hepatic NAD⁺ to activate antioxidant pathway against APAP-induced ALI.

Breast milk flora plays an important role in infantile eczema: cohort study in Northeast China

AIMS

Infantile eczema, usually coupled with a range of hypersensitive phenotypes, has come into notice with its rising prevalence and unclear pathogenesis. Recent studies show close ties between eczema and an infant's intestinal flora. To gain a further understanding of the interactions between microbiota and eczema, we studied the breast milk flora as a new factor and present the links among breast milk flora, infant intestinal flora and infantile eczema through a cohort study in Northeast China.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifty-two families were recruited with either an eczema or healthy infant younger than 6 months. Analysis and predictions using amplicon sequencing of microbiota found that Bifidobacterium and Bacteroidetes were enriched in healthy and eczema infant stools, respectively, consistent with previous reports. For breast milk flora, more 'positive' bacteria such as Akkermansia were enriched in breast milk from healthy infants' mothers. Further, higher bacterial delivery efficiencies were found in pairs of breast milk flora and infants' stool flora of families with eczema infants compared with families with healthy infants. Bacteroidetes, a widely known indicator of eczema, was found delivered more in eczema pairs. Further metagenomic predictions revealed that the breast milk microbiota participated significantly less in metabolism and immune system pathways, particularly in antigen processing and presentation and in Th17 cell-related pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, as with other components of breast milk, the breast milk microbiota closely associates with infants' health via mother-infant bacterial delivery and metabolic functions.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our research aimed to fill the gap between the eczema and breast milk flora and describe the connections among breast milk and intestinal flora and eczema.

2D monochromatic x-ray imaging for beam monitoring of an x-ray free electron laser and a high-power femtosecond laser

In pump-probe experiments with an X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) and a high-power optical laser, spatial overlap of the two beams must be ensured to probe a pumped area with the x-ray beam. A beam monitoring diagnostic is particularly important in short-pulse laser experiments where a tightly focused beam is required to achieve a relativistic laser intensity for generation of energetic particles. Here, we report the demonstration of on-shot beam pointing measurements of an XFEL and a terawatt class femtosecond laser using 2D monochromatic Kα imaging at the Matter in Extreme Conditions end-station of the Linac Coherent Light Source. A thin solid titanium foil was irradiated by a 25-TW laser for fast electron isochoric heating, while a 7.0 keV XFEL beam was used to probe the laser-heated region. Using a spherical crystal imager (SCI), the beam overlap was examined by measuring 4.51 keV Kα x rays produced by laser-accelerated fast electrons and the x-ray beam. Measurements were made for XFEL-only at various focus lens positions, laser-only, and two-beam shots. Successful beam overlapping was observed on ∼58% of all two-beam shots for 10 μm thick samples. It is found that large spatial offsets of laser-induced Kα spots are attributed to imprecise target positioning rather than shot-to-shot laser pointing variations. By applying the Kα measurements to x-ray Thomson scattering measurements, we found an optimum x-ray beam spot size that maximizes scattering signals. Monochromatic x-ray imaging with the SCI could be used as an on-shot beam pointing monitor for XFEL-laser or multiple short-pulse laser experiments.

Comparison of Three Frailty Scales for Prediction of Adverse Outcomes among Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the ability of Frailty Phenotype (FP), FRAIL and Frailty Index (FI) to predict adverse outcomes.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

A senior community in Beijing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 188 older adults aged 65 years or older (mean age 84.0 ± 4.4 years, 58.5% female).

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was evaluated by FP, FRAIL and FI. The agreement between scales was assessed by Cohen kappa coefficient. The predictive value of the three scales for adverse outcomes during one-year follow-up period were analyzed using decision curve analysis(DCA) and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

Frailty ranged from 25% (FRAIL) to 42.6% (FI). The agreement between scales was moderate to good (Cohen's kappa coefficient 0.44~0.61). DCA showed though the curves of the scales overlapped across all relevant risk thresholds, clinical treating had a higher net benefit than "treat all" and "treat none" when risk of unplanned hospital visits ≥30%, risk of functional decline or falls ≥15%. The three scales had similar predictive value for unplanned hospital visits (area under ROC, AUC 0.63, 0.64 and 0.69). FRAIL and FI had similar predictive value for functional decline (AUC 0.63,0.65). FI had predictive value for falls (AUC 0.65).

CONCLUSIONS

All three scales showed clinical utility but FRAIL may be best in practice because it is simple. Multidimensional measures of frailty are better than unidimensional for prediction of adverse outcomes among older adults.

Structure and thermal properties of beeswax-based oleogels with different types of vegetable oil

Beeswax-based oleogels with different types of vegetable oil, including camellia oil (CO), soybean oil (SO), sunflower oil (SFO), or flaxseed oil (FO), were prepared and their structure and thermal properties were evaluated. The critical concentration of oleogel obtained from each of CO, SO, and SFO at 25 °C was 3% (w/w), and that from FO was 4%. Thermal measurements revealed similar thermodynamic curves for oleogels in different lipid phases. X-Ray diffraction showed orthorhombic perpendicular subcell packing and characteristic peaks of the β’ form. Furthermore, a morphology analysis of the crystals showed that they were needle shaped. Fourier transform-infrared spectra revealed that beeswax-based oleogels were formed via non-covalent bonds and may be stabilized with physical entanglements. The oleogels showed oil type-dependent oxidative abilities, but they were all stable and showed no obvious changes in peroxide value during 90 days of storage at 5 °C.

Physiological effects of transport duration on stress biomarkers and meat quality of medium-growing Yellow broiler chickens

Pre-slaughter transport exerts negative effects on broilers' welfare, meat yield, and meat quality, but little is known about the effect of transport on medium-growing broiler chickens. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of different durations of transport (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3h) on stress biomarkers and meat quality of medium-growing Yellow-feathered broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty Chinese Yellow-feathered broilers aged 75days (marketing age), of 2.02kg average BW, were allotted into five groups; each group contained six replicates (six birds/replicate (crate)). Each crate with dimensions 74×55×27cm (length × width × height) was loaded with six birds, that is, 30kg live BW/m² crate. The tested transport durations increased BW loss (linear, P<0.01), plasma concentrations of ACTH (linear, P<0.10), cortisol and corticosterone (quadratic, P<0.05), and activity of glutathione peroxidase (linear, P<0.05), whereas plasma glucose was not affected. In breast muscle, contents of glycogen, lactic acid, malondialdehyde, and reduced glutathione were not affected (P>0.05), but total antioxidant capacity decreased (linear, P<0.01). The drip loss of breast muscle increased (linear, P<0.01), whereas shear force, pH at 24h postmortem, and breast meat color lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) scores were not affected. In conclusion, the tested transport durations (from 0.5 to 3h) increased BW loss and some plasma stress biomarkers in 75-day-old Yellow-feathered broiler chickens, but the effect on meat quality attributes was minor.

Convolutional neural network based proton stopping-power-ratio estimation with dual-energy CT: a feasibility study

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has shown a great potential for lowering range uncertainties, which is necessary for truly leveraging the Bragg peak in proton therapy. However, analytical stopping-power-ratio (SPR) estimation methods have limitations in resolving the influence from the beam-hardening artifact, i.e. CT number variation of the same object scanned under different imaging conditions, such as different patient size and location in the field-of-view (FOV). We present a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based framework to estimate proton SPR that accounts for patient geometry variation and addresses CT number variation. The proposed framework was tested on both prostate and head-and-neck (HN) patient datasets. Simulated CT images were used in order to have a well-defined ground-truth SPR for evaluation. Two training scenarios were evaluated: training with patient CT images (ideal scenario) and training with computational phantoms (realistic scenario). For the training in ideal scenario, computational phantoms were created based on 120 kVp patient CT images using a custom-defined density and material translation curve. Then, 80 kVp and 150 kVp Sn DECT image pairs were obtained using ray-tracing simulation, and their corresponding SPR was calculated from the known density and elemental compositions. For the training in realistic scenario, computational phantoms were created based on the geometry of calibration phantoms. For both scenarios, evaluation was performed on the phantoms created from patient CT images. Compared to a conventional parametric model, U-net trained with computational phantoms (realistic scenario) reduced the SPR estimation uncertainty (95th percentile) of the prostate patient from 1.10% to 0.71%, and HN patient from 2.11% to 1.20%. With the U-net trained with patient images (ideal scenario) uncertainty values were 0.32% and 0.42% for prostate and HN patients, respectively. These results suggest that CNN has great potential to improve the accuracy of SPR estimation in proton therapy by incorporating individual patient geometry information.