[Epidemiological characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli infection in infectious diarrhea outpatients aged 15 years and older in Shanghai, 2014-2021]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia (E. ) coli infection in infectious diarrhea outpatients aged 15 years and older in Shanghai and provide evidence for the development of disease control strategies. Methods: Based on multistage systematic sampling, diarrhea surveillance was conducted in 22 sentinel hospitals in Shanghai, the information about cases' demographic, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics were collected. Stool samples were collected for the detection and typing of diarrheagenic E. coli by local centers for disease control and prevention. The positive rate of diarrheagenic E. coli in different populations and seasons from 2014 to 2021 were analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted by using χ2 test. Results: In 15 185 diarrhea cases, 8.05% (1 222/15 185) were positive for diarrheagenic E. coli. The positive rate was higher in men (8.74%, 684/7 824) than in women (7.31%, 538/7 361). The positive rate was highest in age group 15-29 years (9.14%, 335/3 665) and the annual positive rate was highest in 2021 (10.21%, 83/813), the differences were all significant (P<0.05). In the 1 264 strains of diarrheagenic E. coli analyzed through PCR, enterotoxingenic E. coli was the most frequently identified pathogen (50.24%, 635/1 264), followed by enteroadhesive E. coli (27.93%, 353/1 264), and enteropathogenic E. coli (21.36%, 270/1 264). The positive rate of diarrheagenic E. coli showed obvious seasonality with peak in summer (13.92%, 774/5 562) (χ2=495.73, P<0.001). Conclusions: Diarrheagenic E. coli has become a prominent pathogen in infectious diarrhea cases in Shanghai, the disease can occur all the year round with incidence peak during summer and autumn. Predominant subtypes included enterotoxingenic E. coli, enteroadhesive E. coli and enteropathogenic E. coli. Targeted prevention and control strategies are needed for diarrheagenic E. coli-induced infectious diarrhea in different age groups, seasons and for different types of infections.

Neuroprotection of low dose carbon monoxide in Parkinson's disease models commensurate with the reduced risk of Parkinson's among smokers

Paradoxically, cigarette smoking is associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). This led us to hypothesize that carbon monoxide (CO) levels, which are constitutively but modestly elevated in smokers, might contribute to neuroprotection. Using rodent models of PD based on α-synuclein (αSyn) accumulation and oxidative stress, we show that low-dose CO mitigates neurodegeneration and reduces αSyn pathology. Oral CO administration activated signaling cascades mediated by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which have been implicated in limiting oxidative stress, and in promoting αSyn degradation, thereby conferring neuroprotection. Consistent with a neuroprotective effect of smoking, HO-1 levels in cerebrospinal fluid were higher in human smokers compared to nonsmokers. Moreover, in PD brain samples, HO-1 levels were higher in neurons without αSyn pathology. Thus, CO in rodent PD models reduces pathology and increases oxidative stress responses, phenocopying possible protective effects of smoking evident in PD patients. These data highlight the potential for low-dose CO modulated pathways to slow symptom onset and limit pathology in PD patients.

Full-endoscopic versus microscopic spinal decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review & meta-analysis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis is routinely treated with spinal decompression surgery, with an increasing trend towards minimally invasive techniques. Endoscopic decompression has emerged as a technique which minimizes approach-related morbidity while achieving similar clinical outcomes to conventional open or microscopic approaches.

PURPOSE

To assess the safety and efficacy of endoscopic versus microscopic decompression for treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A systematic review on randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing endoscopic versus microscopic decompression was conducted, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Treatment effects were computed using pairwise random-effects meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-bias and ROBINS-I tools for randomized and nonrandomized trials respectively. Quality of the overall body of evidence was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system.

RESULTS

A total of 19 primary references comprising 1,997 patients and 2,132 spinal levels were included. Endoscopic decompression was associated with significantly reduced intraoperative blood-loss (weighted mean differences [WMD]=-33.29 mL, 95% CI:-51.80 to -14.78, p=.0032), shorter duration of hospital stay (WMD=-1.79 days, 95% CI: -2.63 to 0.95, p=.001), rates of incidental durotomy (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.91, p=.0184) and surgical site infections (RR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.10 to-0.51, p=.001), and a nonsignificant trend towards less back pain, leg pain, and better functional outcomes compared to its microscopic counterpart up to 2-year follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic and microscopic decompression are safe and effective techniques for treatment of symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis. Prospective studies of larger power considering medium to long-term outcomes and rates of iatrogenic instability are warranted to compare potential alignment changes and destabilization from either techniques.

Ang1/Tie2/VE-Cadherin Signaling Regulates DPSCs in Vascular Maturation

Adding dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) to vascular endothelial cell-formed vessel-like structures can increase the longevity of these vessel networks. DPSCs display pericyte-like cell functions and closely assemble endothelial cells (ECs). However, the mechanisms of DPSC-derived pericyte-like cells in stabilizing the vessel networks are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the functions of E-DPSCs, which were DPSCs isolated from the direct coculture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and DPSCs, and T-DPSCs, which were DPSCs treated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), in stabilizing blood vessels in vitro and in vivo. A 3-dimensional coculture spheroid sprouting assay was conducted to compare the functions of E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs in vitro. Dental pulp angiogenesis in the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse model was used to explore the roles of E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs in vascularization in vivo. The results demonstrated that both E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs possess smooth muscle cell-like cell properties, exhibiting higher expression of the mural cell-specific markers and the suppression of HUVEC sprouting. E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs inhibited HUVEC sprouting by activating TEK tyrosine kinase (Tie2) signaling, upregulating vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, and downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). In vivo study revealed more perfused and total blood vessels in the HUVEC + E-DPSC group, HUVEC + T-DPSC group, angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) pretreated group, and vascular endothelial protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP) inhibitor pretreated group, compared to HUVEC + DPSC group. In conclusion, these data indicated that E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs could stabilize the newly formed blood vessels and accelerate their perfusion. The critical regulating pathways are Ang1/Tie2/VE-cadherin and VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling.

[Analysis and prediction of burden of viral hepatitis C-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2044]

OBJECTIVE

To measure the burden of hepatitis C-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2019, and to predict its changes from 2020 to 2044, so as to provide insights into formulation of the targeted hepatitis C control strategy.

METHODS

The total burden due to hepatitis C-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2019 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 (GBD 2019) data resources, and the trends in age-standardized prevalence, incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate of hepatitis C-associated acute hepatitis C (AHC), chronic liver diseases (CLD) and liver cancer in China from 1990 to 2019 were evaluated in China from 1990 to 2019 using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). In addition, the changes in the burden of hepatitis C-associated diseases were predicted in China from 2020 to 2044 using a Bayesian model.

RESULTS

The prevalence, incidence, mortality and DALY rate of hepatitis C-associated diseases all appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019 (EAPC = -2.64%, -2.24%, -3.81% and -3.90%, respectively); however, there was a minor rise in the incidence and prevalence of hepatitis C-associated diseases from 2015 to 2019. The overall prevalence of hepatitis C-associated diseases reduced from 2 152.7/105 in 1990 to 1 254.1/105 in 2019 in China, with a reduction of 41.7%. The overall incidence reduced from 87.9/105 in 1990 to 55.0/105 in 2019 in China, with a reduction of 37.4%, and the highest incidence was seen for AHC, followed by CLD and liver cancer. The overall mortality and DALY rate of hepatitis C-associated diseases was 4.0/105 and 100.8/105 in China from 1990 to 2019, with CLD showing the largest contributions to the gross mortality and DALY. The mortality and DALY rate of hepatitis C-associated diseases were 5.5/105 and 142.4/105 among men in China in 2019, which were both much higher than among women (2.8/105 and 60.3/105, respectively), and the overall prevalence (1 604.9/105), mortality (30.2/105) and DALYs (437.1/105) of hepatitis C-associated diseases were all highest among patients at ages of 70 years and older, and the highest incidence was seen among patients at ages of 0 to 9 years (167.3/105). The incidence of hepatitis C-associated diseases was predicted to rise in China from 2020 to 2044; however, the DALY rate was projected to appear a tendency towards a decline.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the burden of hepatitis C-associated diseases showed a tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019, the burden remained high, and was predicted to slightly rise from 2020 to 2044. High attention should be paid to screening of hepatitis C among infants and treatment among adults.

[Burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2030]

OBJECTIVE

To measure the burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2019, and to predict its changes from 2020 to 2030.

METHODS

The age-standardized prevalence, incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rate of hepatitis B-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2019 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 (GBD 2019) data resources, and the trends in burdens of hepatitis B-associated diseases were evaluated from 1990 to 2019 using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and annual percent change (APC). In addition, the changes in the burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases were predicted in China from 2020 to 2023 using the Bayesian model.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of hepatitis B-associated diseases reduced from 2 725.98/105 in 1990 to 1 397.31/105 in 2019 in China [estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) = -2.35%, 95% confidential interval (CI): (-2.58%, -2.13%)], with a reduction in the prevalence from 12 239.53/105 in 1990 to 6 566.12/105 in 2019 [EAPC = -2.34%, 95% CI: (-2.54%, -2.14%)], a reduction in the mortality from 24.67/105 in 1990 to 8.07/105 in 2019 [EAPC = -4.92%, 95% CI: (-5.37%, -4.47%)], and a reduction in the DALY rate from 793.38/105 in 1990 to 247.71/105 in 2019 [(EAPC = -5.15%, 95% CI: (-5.64%, -4.66%)]. The DALY rate of hepatitis B-associated diseases were mainly attributed to liver cancer, and the DALY rate of hepatitis B-associated diseases appeared a tendency towards a rise in China from 2012 to 2019 [APC = 1.30%, 95% CI: (0.16%, 2.45%)]. The overall burden of hepatitis Bassociated diseases was higher in males than in females, and the DALY rate of hepatitis B-associated diseases increased with age, with the greatest DALY rate seen among patients at ages of 50 to 69 years. The overall incidence of hepatitis B-associated diseases was projected to be 866.79/105 in China in 2030, with the greatest incidence seen in acute hepatitis B (854.87/105), and the burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases was predicted to decline in China from 2020 to 2030; however, the burden of liver disease was projected to appear a tendency towards a rise.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases appears an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2030; however, the burden of liver cancer appears a tendency towards aggravation. Early diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer should be given a high priority.

[Advances in the applications of dissolving polymer microneedles for delivering drugs in ocular diseases]

Due to the unique anatomical structure and physiological barriers of the eye, drug delivery for ocular diseases presents a formidable challenge. Conventional methods of ocular drug administration often suffer from limitations such as low drug bioavailability and a lack of tissue targeting, necessitating multiple administrations to achieve the desired therapeutic drug concentrations. In recent years, microneedles, known for their attributes of safety, minimally invasive application, and high efficiency, have found widespread application in ocular drug delivery research. Among the various types of microneedles, dissolving polymer microneedles have emerged as a prominent focus in the field of ocular drug delivery due to their distinct advantages over other microneedle types. This article provides a comprehensive summary and outlook on the progress in the application of dissolving polymer microneedles for drug delivery in ocular diseases.

Effects of dietary methionine supplementation from different sources on growth performance and meat quality of barrows and gilts

Methionine is indispensable for growth and meat formation in pigs. However, it is still unclear that increasing dietary sulphur-containing amino acid (SAA) levels using different methionine sources affects the growth performance and meat quality of barrows and gilts. To investigate this, 144 pigs (half barrows and half gilts) were fed the control (100% SAA, CON), DL-Methionine (125% SAA, DL-Met)-supplemented, or OH-Methionine (125% SAA, OH-Met)-supplemented diets during the 11-110 kg period. The results showed that plasma methionine levels varied among treatments during the experimental phase, with increased plasma methionine levels observed following increased SAA consumption during the 25-45 kg period. In contrast, pigs fed the DL-Met diet had lower plasma methionine levels than those fed the CON diet (95-110 kg). Additionally, gilts fed the DL-Met or OH-Met diets showed decreased drip loss in longissimus lumborum muscle (LM) compared to CON-fed gilts. OH-Met-fed gilts had higher pH45min values than those fed the CON or DL-Met diets, whereas OH-Met-fed barrows had higher L45min values than those fed the CON or DL-Met diets. Moreover, increased consumption of SAA, regardless of the methionine source, tended to decrease the shear force of the LM in pigs. In conclusion, this study indicates that increasing dietary levels of SAA (+25%) appeared to improve the meat quality of gilts by decreasing drip loss and increasing meat tenderness.

Single-stage computer-assisted approach for tumour resection and functional restoration of Brown class III maxillary defects-titanium mesh and zygomatic implants combined with vascularized anterolateral thigh flap

The functional restoration of Brown class III maxillary defects is a challenging endeavour in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Conventional reconstruction techniques with osseous free flaps have certain limitations, such as the need for multiple operations and greater patient morbidity. This study introduces a single-stage computer-assisted approach for tumour resection and functional restoration of these defects using titanium mesh, zygomatic implants, and a vascularized anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF). Virtual surgical planning was used to simulate tumour resection, titanium mesh placement, and zygomatic implant insertion. Surgery was performed under the guidance of mixed reality and surgical navigation. The tumour was resected by total hemimaxillectomy, and the reconstruction was performed using a pre-bent patient-specific titanium mesh for the orbital floor and two zygomatic implants placed and exposed through tunnels in an ALTF. The ALTF survived without any perioperative complications. A fixed prosthesis with built-in titanium frame was delivered 4 months postoperatively. At the 1-year follow-up, there was no tumour recurrence, the implants were osseointegrated, and aesthetics and masticatory function were satisfactory. An occlusal force of 155 N was attained on the reconstructed side, compared to 127 N on the non-surgical side.

Selectively Irradiation of the Supraclavicular Area in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The application of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has significantly improved the locoregional control and overall survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but how to deescalate the intensity of treatment to further reduce the side effects while ensuring the efficacy is the main concern of clinicians. Decreasing radiation volume is one of the hot research topics. Whole-neck irradiation is recommended for patients with cervical lymph node involvement, which includes levels IVb and Vc. Since the implementation of IMRT in our clinic, patients with only upper cervical lymph node invasion have not been irradiated in the levels IVb and Vc, and the regional control rate is comparable to that of other centers. This study intends to retrospectively analyze the feasibility of omitting levels IVb and Vc in patients with only upper cervical lymph node invasion, and provide a basis for the revision of international guideline for the delineation of the clinical target volume (CTV).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed NPC who completed IMRT successfully at our attending group between January 2014 to March 2018 were candidates for this study. Other eligibility criteria for analysis were as follows: (1) The first patient without distant metastasis; (2) Only patients with upper cervical lymph node invasion (only N1, N2, because the maximum diameter of the upper neck 6cm diagnosed as N3 patients were not included) (AJCC staging system, 8th edition); (3) Having complete baseline imaging data; (4) Over 3 months of follow-up; (5) Patients without previous history of malignant tumor and secondary cancer. According to the delineation of CTV in our protocol for patients with stage N1 and N2, levels IVb and Vc are not irradiated (i.e., retaining the original supraclavicular area). The main endpoints of the study were regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) and recurrence rates in levels IVb and Vc.

RESULTS

In all, 363 patients with NPC and median follow-up of 61.9 months (range, 3.67-93.3) met the study inclusion criteria and comprise the dataset for the analysis. The overall survival, survival without local recurrence, survival without regional recurrence, and survival without distant metastasis at 3 and 5 years were 94.6% and 91.1%, 97.7% and 96.5%, 98.6% and 98.0%, 93.5% and 91.1%. At the final follow-up, 11 cases showed regional recurrence, and only one case (0.28%) showed recurrence in regions IVb and Vc, which were field recurrences, while the rest were intra-field recurrences.

CONCLUSION

Omitting levels Ⅳb and Ⅴc IMRT should be safe and feasible for patients who only had involvement of upper neck LNs. Further well-designed multicenter prospective trials should be conducted to confirm our results and further optimize the recommendation of the International Guideline.

Ambulatory uniportal versus biportal endoscopic unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis-cohort study using a prospective registry

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic spine surgery has been established as a practical, minimally invasive technique for decompression in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. However, there remains a paucity of studies prospective cohort study comparing uniportal lumbar endoscopic unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression and unilateral biportal endoscopic unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression with open spinal decompression-both viable techniques with satisfactory clinical outcomes in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE/AIM

To compare the efficacy of UPE and BPE lumbar decompression surgery for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

METHODS

A prospective registry of patients who had undergone spinal decompression for lumbar stenosis via UPE or BPE under a single fellowship trained spine surgeon was studied. Baseline characteristics, initial clinical presentation, and operative details including complications were recorded for all included patients. Clinical outcomes, such as visual analogue scale and Oswestry Disability Index, were recorded at preoperative, immediate postoperative, 2-week, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up periods.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients underwent endoscopic decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (29 UPE, 33 BPE). No significant baseline differences were found between uniportal and biportal decompression, when comparing operative duration (130 vs. 140 min; p = 0.30), intraoperative blood loss (5.4 vs. 6mLs; p = 0.05), and length of hospital stay (23.6 vs. 20.3 h; p = 0.35). Two patients (7%) who underwent uniportal endoscopic decompression required conversion to open surgery due to inadequate decompression. Intraoperative complication rates were significantly higher in the UPE group (13.4% vs. 0%, p < 0.05). VAS score (leg & back) and ODI improved significantly (p < 0.001) in both endoscopic decompression groups across all follow-up time points, with no appreciable statistical differences between both groups.

CONCLUSION

UPE has the same efficacy as BPE in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. While UPE surgery enjoys added aesthetic benefits of only one wound, BPE had potentially lower risks of intraoperative complication, inadequate decompression, and conversion to open surgery during early period of learning curve.

[Clinical characteristics of 13 cases with entrapped temporal horn syndrome and efficacy of refined temporal-to-frontal horn shunt]

Thirteen consecutive patients with entrapped temporal horn syndrome in the Department of Neurosurgery of Beijing Tiantan Hospital from February 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and there were 5 males and 8 females, with a mean age of (43±21) years. Increased intracranial pressure caused by hydrocephalus was the main clinical symptom. All the patients underwent refined temporal-to-frontal horn shunt, and all the symptoms were improved after surgery. Postoperative Karnofsky performance score (KPS) [90 (90, 100)] was higher than preoperative KPS [57 (40, 70)] (P=0.001). However, postoperative entrapped temporal horn volume [13.85 (8.90, 15.25) cm³] decreased, compared with preoperative volume [66.52 (38.65, 88.65) cm³] (P=0.001). Likewise, postoperative midline shift [0.77 (0, 1.50) mm] was longer than preoperative midline shift [6.69 (2.50, 10.00) mm] (P=0.002). No surgery-related complications were observed after the operation. Therefore, the refined temporal-to-frontal horn shunt is safe and effective treatment for entrapped temporal horn syndrome, with favorable outcomes.

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

BACKGROUND

Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres.

METHODS

This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low-middle-income countries.

RESULTS

In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of 'single-use' consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low-middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia.

CONCLUSION

This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high- and low-middle-income countries.

Improved Measurement of the Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

Reactor neutrino experiments play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of neutrinos. In this Letter, the evolution of the flux and spectrum as a function of the reactor isotopic content is reported in terms of the inverse-beta-decay yield at Daya Bay with 1958 days of data and improved systematic uncertainties. These measurements are compared with two signature model predictions: the Huber-Mueller model based on the conversion method and the SM2018 model based on the summation method. The measured average flux and spectrum, as well as the flux evolution with the ^{239}Pu isotopic fraction, are inconsistent with the predictions of the Huber-Mueller model. In contrast, the SM2018 model is shown to agree with the average flux and its evolution but fails to describe the energy spectrum. Altering the predicted inverse-beta-decay spectrum from ^{239}Pu fission does not improve the agreement with the measurement for either model. The models can be brought into better agreement with the measurements if either the predicted spectrum due to ^{235}U fission is changed or the predicted ^{235}U, ^{238}U, ^{239}Pu, and ^{241}Pu spectra are changed in equal measure.

[Analysis on missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery by echocardiography from one single medical center]

Objectives: To analyze the reasons of missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis on anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) by echocardiography. Methods: This is a retrospective study. Patients with ALCAPA who underwent surgical treatment in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2008 to December 2021 were included. According to the results of preoperative echocardiography and surgical diagnosis, the patients were divided into confirmed group or missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis group. The results of preoperative echocardiography were collected, and the specific echocardiographic signs were analyzed. According to the experience of the doctors, the echocardiographic signs were divided into four types, namely clear displayed, vague/doubtful displayed, no display and no notice, and the display rate of each sign was calculated (display rate=number of clearly displayed cases/total number of cases×100%). By referring the surgical data, we analyzed and recorded the pathological anatomy and pathophysiological characteristics of the patients, and the rate of missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis of echocardiography in patients with different characteristics was compared. Results: A total of 21 patients were enrolled, including 11 males, aged 1.8 (0.8, 12.3) years (range 1 month to 47 years). Except for one patient with anomalous origin of left anterior descending artery, the others were all originated from the main left coronary artery (LCA). There were 13 cases of ALCAPA in infant and children, and 8 cases of adult ALCAPA. There were 15 cases in the confirmed group (diagnostic accuracy was 71.4% (15/21)), and 6 cases in the missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis group (three cases were misdiagnosed as primary endocardial fibroelastosis, two cases were misdiagnosed as coronary-pulmonary artery fistula; and one case was missed diagnosis). The working years of the physicians in the confirmed group were longer than those in the missed diagnosis/misdiagnosed group ((12.8±5.6) years vs. (8.3±4.7) years, P=0.045). In infants with ALCAPA, the detection rate of LCA-pulmonary shunt (8/10 vs. 0, P=0.035) and coronary collateral circulation (7/10 vs. 0, P=0.042) in confirmed group was higher than that in missed diagnosis/misdiagnosed group. In adult ALCAPA patients, the detection rate of LCA-pulmonary artery shunt was higher in confirmed group than that in missed diagnosis/misdiagnosed group (4/5 vs. 0, P=0.021). The missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis rate of adult type was higher than that of infant type (3/8 vs. 3/13, P=0.410). The rate of missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis was higher in patients with abnormal origin of branches than that of abnormal origin of main trunk (1/1 vs. 5/21, P=0.028). The rate of missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis in patients with LCA running between the main and pulmonary arteries was higher than that distant from the main pulmonary artery septum (4/7 vs. 2/14, P=0.064). The rate of missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension was higher than that in patients without severe pulmonary hypertension (2/3 vs. 4/18, P=0.184). The reasons with an echocardiography missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis rate of≥50% included that (1) the proximal segment of LCA ran between the main and pulmonary arteries; (2) abnormal opening of LCA at the right posterior part of the pulmonary artery; (3) abnormal origin of LCA branches; (4) complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension. Conclusions: Echocardiography physicians' knowledge of ALCAPA and diagnostic vigilance are critical to the accuracy of diagnosis. Attention should be paid to the pediatric cases with no obvious precipitating factors of left ventricular enlargement, regardless of whether the left ventricular function is normal or not, the origin of coronary artery should be routinely explored.

Precision Measurement of Reactor Antineutrino Oscillation at Kilometer-Scale Baselines by Daya Bay

We present a new determination of the smallest neutrino mixing angle θ_{13} and the mass-squared difference Δm_{32}^{2} using a final sample of 5.55×10^{6} inverse beta-decay (IBD) candidates with the final-state neutron captured on gadolinium. This sample is selected from the complete dataset obtained by the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment in 3158 days of operation. Compared to the previous Daya Bay results, selection of IBD candidates has been optimized, energy calibration refined, and treatment of backgrounds further improved. The resulting oscillation parameters are sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0851±0.0024, Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.466±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the normal mass ordering or Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.571±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the inverted mass ordering.

[Analysis of the difference in MGMT promoter status in gliomas and its significance in prognosis assessment]

The data of 1 268 newly diagnosed gliomas from the Fourth Ward of Neurosurgery Department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital between April 2013 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on postoperative pathology, the gliomas were divided into groups: oligodendrogliomas (n=308), astrocytomas (n=337) and glioblastomas (n=623). According to the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyl transferase (MGMT) promoter status defined by the 12% of best cut-off value in previous research results, patients were divided into methylation group (n=763) and non-methylation group (n=505). Methylation level [M (Q₁, Q₃)] in patients with glioblastoma, astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma was 6% (2%, 24%), 17% (10%, 28%) and 29% (19%, 40%), respectively (P<0.001). Compared with non-methylation patients, the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of glioblastomas patients with methylation of MGMT promoter demonstrated more favorable prognosis [M (Q₁, Q₃)]) of PFS: 14.0 (6.0, 36.0) months vs 8.0 (4.0, 15.0) months, P<0.001; M (Q₁, Q₃) of OS: 29.0 (17.0, 60.5) months vs 16.0 (11.0, 26.5) months, P<0.001]. In astrocytomas patients, the PFS was much longer for those with methylation [the median PFS of patients with methylation was not observed at the end of follow-up, but those without methylation showed a median PFS of 46.0 (29.0, 52.0) months] (P=0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in OS [the median OS of patients with methylation was not observed at the end of follow-up, but those without methylation had a median OS of 62.0 (46.0, 98.0) months] (P=0.085). In oligodendrogliomas patients, no statistically significant differences of PFS and OS were observed between patients with methylation and those without methylation. MGMT promoter status was a related factor affecting PFS and OS in glioblastomas (PFS: HR=0.534,95%CI: 0.426-0.668, P<0.001; OS: HR=0.451, 95%CI: 0.353-0.576, P<0.001). Moreover, MGMT promoter status was also a related factor affecting PFS in astrocytomas (HR=0.462, 95%CI: 0.221-0.966, P=0.040), but not for OS (HR=0.664, 95%CI: 0.259-1.690, P=0.389). The methylation level of MGMT promoter differed substantially in different types of gliomas, and the status of MGMT promoter profoundly affected the prognosis of glioblastomas.

[Clinical analysis of 11 patients with neuroendocrine carcinoma in maxillofacial region]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of maxillofacial neuroendocrine carcinoma. Methods: A total of 11 patients with maxillofacial neuroendocrine carcinoma diagnosed in the Department of Pathology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2010 to July 2022 were retrospectively enrolled, including 8 males and 3 females, aged (65.2±9.5) years (ranged from 49 to 87 years), with a disease course of 0.5 to 6.0 months. The clinicopathological data including head and neck CT, MRI and treatment methods were analyzed. Results: Submandibular gland and maxilla were involved in 3 cases, parapharynx in 2 cases, and face, tongue root and soft palate in 1 case respectively. Clinically, the initial symptom is a rapidly growing painless or tender mass, which may be accompanied by restricted mouth opening, dysphagia, and local numbness after invasion of masticatory muscles and nerves. The tumors were all invasive and low-density, with unclear boundaries from the surrounding tissues. Among the patients, 9 received surgical treatment, and 5 received adjuvant treatment after surgery (2 received chemotherapy, 3 received radiotherapy+chemotherapy). According to the 5th edition of the World Health Organization classification of head and neck tumors in 2022, there were 1 case (1/11) with poorly differentiated large cells and 10 cases (10/11) with poorly differentiated small cells. Histologically, the macrocell type is composed of large cells with rough chromatin, obvious vacuolar nucleolus, protruding nucleolus, and necrosis. The small cell type is dominated by small blue round cells with neuroendocrine characteristics, with active growth and multifocal necrosis. Immunohistochemical staining showed that cytokeratin (CK), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and synaptophysin (Syn) were diffusively expressed, 10 cases expressed CD56, 8 cases expressed p63, 6 cases expressed weakly punctated chromograin-A (CgA), and S-100 was not expressed. The Ki-67 index ranges from 20 to 90 percent. By the end of follow-up (0.5 to 127.0 months), 3 patients were alive, and the mean progression-free survival (21.0 months) of postoperative chemoradiotherapy patients was significantly longer than that of surgery and/or chemotherapy alone (3.3 months). Conclusions: Maxillofacial neuroendocrine carcinoma is characterized by low differentiation of small cells, high degree of malignancy and poor prognosis. Radical surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy has better local control effect.

Measurement of the ν_{e}-Nucleus Charged-Current Double-Differential Cross Section at ⟨E_{ν}⟩=2.4 GeV Using NOvA

The inclusive electron neutrino charged-current cross section is measured in the NOvA near detector using 8.02×10^{20} protons-on-target in the NuMI beam. The sample of GeV electron neutrino interactions is the largest analyzed to date and is limited by ≃17% systematic rather than the ≃7.4% statistical uncertainties. The double-differential cross section in final-state electron energy and angle is presented for the first time, together with the single-differential dependence on Q^{2} (squared four-momentum transfer) and energy, in the range 1  GeV≤E_{ν}<6  GeV. Detailed comparisons are made to the predictions of the GENIE, GiBUU, NEUT, and NuWro neutrino event generators. The data do not strongly favor a model over the others consistently across all three cross sections measured, though some models have especially good or poor agreement in the single differential cross section vs Q^{2}.

Deep learning assessment compared to radiologist reporting for metastatic spinal cord compression on CT

Introduction

Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a disastrous complication of advanced malignancy. A deep learning (DL) algorithm for MSCC classification on CT could expedite timely diagnosis. In this study, we externally test a DL algorithm for MSCC classification on CT and compare with radiologist assessment.

Methods

Retrospective collection of CT and corresponding MRI from patients with suspected MSCC was conducted from September 2007 to September 2020. Exclusion criteria were scans with instrumentation, no intravenous contrast, motion artefacts and non-thoracic coverage. Internal CT dataset split was 84% for training/validation and 16% for testing. An external test set was also utilised. Internal training/validation sets were labelled by radiologists with spine imaging specialization (6 and 11-years post-board certification) and were used to further develop a DL algorithm for MSCC classification. The spine imaging specialist (11-years expertise) labelled the test sets (reference standard). For evaluation of DL algorithm performance, internal and external test data were independently reviewed by four radiologists: two spine specialists (Rad1 and Rad2, 7 and 5-years post-board certification, respectively) and two oncological imaging specialists (Rad3 and Rad4, 3 and 5-years post-board certification, respectively). DL model performance was also compared against the CT report issued by the radiologist in a real clinical setting. Inter-rater agreement (Gwet's kappa) and sensitivity/specificity/AUCs were calculated.

Results

Overall, 420 CT scans were evaluated (225 patients, mean age=60 ± 11.9[SD]); 354(84%) CTs for training/validation and 66(16%) CTs for internal testing. The DL algorithm showed high inter-rater agreement for three-class MSCC grading with kappas of 0.872 (p<0.001) and 0.844 (p<0.001) on internal and external testing, respectively. On internal testing DL algorithm inter-rater agreement (κ=0.872) was superior to Rad 2 (κ=0.795) and Rad 3 (κ=0.724) (both p<0.001). DL algorithm kappa of 0.844 on external testing was superior to Rad 3 (κ=0.721) (p<0.001). CT report classification of high-grade MSCC disease was poor with only slight inter-rater agreement (κ=0.027) and low sensitivity (44.0), relative to the DL algorithm with almost-perfect inter-rater agreement (κ=0.813) and high sensitivity (94.0) (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Deep learning algorithm for metastatic spinal cord compression on CT showed superior performance to the CT report issued by experienced radiologists and could aid earlier diagnosis.

Thermal property evaluation of a 2.5D integration method with device level microchannel direct cooling for a high-power GaN HEMT device

Gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor (GaN HEMT) devices have become critical components in the manufacturing of high-performance radio frequency (RF) or power electronic modules due to their superior characteristics, such as high electron saturation speeds and high power densities. However, the high heat characteristics of GaN HEMTs make device level cooling a critical problem to solve since performance degradation or even failure may occur under high temperatures. In this paper, we proposed a 2.5D integration method with device-level microchannel direct cooling for a high-power GaN HEMT device. To demonstrate this technological concept, a multigate GaN HEMT device featuring a gate length/width/source drain spacing of 0.5 μm/300 μm/6 μm that underwent in-house backside thinning and metallization was used as the test vehicle. A high-resistivity silicon (HR Si) interposer embedded with four-layer microchannels was designed, having widths/pitches of 30 μm/30 μm at the top microchannel. The high-power GaN HEMT device was soldered on a Si interposer embedded with open microchannels for heat dissipation. A pair of GSG Pad chips was soldered simultaneously to display the capacity for the heterogeneous integration of other chip types. Thermal property evaluation was conducted with experiments and simulations. The test results showed that the maximum surface temperature of the GaN HEMT device decreased to 93.8 °C when it experienced a heat dissipation density of 32 kW/cm² in the gate finger area and an average heat dissipation density of 5 kW/cm² was found in the active area with the DI water coolant at a flow rate of 3 mL/min. To our knowledge, among recently reported works, this finding was the best cooling capacity of heterogeneously integrated microchannels for GaN HEMT devices. In addition, this technology was scalable regarding the numbers of gate fingers or GaN HEMT devices.

Impacts of menopause hormone therapy on mood disorders among postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the modulatory effects of menopause hormone therapy (MHT) on mood disorders among postmenopausal women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit postmenopausal women, including patients (arranged MHT for over 3 years as the medication group) and non-MHT controls. All participants were asked to respond to the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) questionnaires to assess their depression and anxiety status.

RESULTS

A total of 230 cases from the two groups were determined based on propensity score matching analysis by matching the menopausal age and menopausal durations. We found that MHT served as a favorable modulator in the depression status of postmenopausal women. Among the four factors of the CES-D questionnaire, our data indicated that the differences between the two groups fell primarily into two aspects: depressive emotion, and somatic symptoms or retarded activities. MHT was mainly involved in improving the depression of overweight women. However, no substantial effects of MHT were observed on the regulation of anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Postmenopausal women, especially the overweight population, who have experienced MHT exhibited an improved depressive status but not their anxiety condition.

First Measurement of High-Energy Reactor Antineutrinos at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first measurement of high-energy reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay, with nearly 9000 inverse beta decay candidates in the prompt energy region of 8-12 MeV observed over 1958 days of data collection. A multivariate analysis is used to separate 2500 signal events from background statistically. The hypothesis of no reactor antineutrinos with neutrino energy above 10 MeV is rejected with a significance of 6.2 standard deviations. A 29% antineutrino flux deficit in the prompt energy region of 8-11 MeV is observed compared to a recent model prediction. We provide the unfolded antineutrino spectrum above 7 MeV as a data-based reference for other experiments. This result provides the first direct observation of the production of antineutrinos from several high-Q_{β} isotopes in commercial reactors.

Scintillation light detection in the 6-m drift-length ProtoDUNE Dual Phase liquid argon TPC

DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. ProtoDUNE Dual Phase (DP) is a 6  ×  6  ×  6 m 3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) that recorded cosmic-muon data at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. Charged particles propagating through the LArTPC produce ionization and scintillation light. The scintillation light signal in these detectors can provide the trigger for non-beam events. In addition, it adds precise timing capabilities and improves the calorimetry measurements. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation and electroluminescence light produced by cosmic muons in the LArTPC is collected by photomultiplier tubes placed up to 7 m away from the ionizing track. In this paper, the ProtoDUNE-DP photon detection system performance is evaluated with a particular focus on the different wavelength shifters, such as PEN and TPB, and the use of Xe-doped LAr, considering its future use in giant LArTPCs. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and a comparison of simulation to data is performed, improving understanding of the liquid argon properties.

Deep Learning Model for Classifying Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression on MRI

Background

Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) is a devastating complication of advanced cancer. A deep learning (DL) model for automated MESCC classification on MRI could aid earlier diagnosis and referral.

Purpose

To develop a DL model for automated classification of MESCC on MRI.

Materials and Methods

Patients with known MESCC diagnosed on MRI between September 2007 and September 2017 were eligible. MRI studies with instrumentation, suboptimal image quality, and non-thoracic regions were excluded. Axial T2-weighted images were utilized. The internal dataset split was 82% and 18% for training/validation and test sets, respectively. External testing was also performed. Internal training/validation data were labeled using the Bilsky MESCC classification by a musculoskeletal radiologist (10-year experience) and a neuroradiologist (5-year experience). These labels were used to train a DL model utilizing a prototypical convolutional neural network. Internal and external test sets were labeled by the musculoskeletal radiologist as the reference standard. For assessment of DL model performance and interobserver variability, test sets were labeled independently by the neuroradiologist (5-year experience), a spine surgeon (5-year experience), and a radiation oncologist (11-year experience). Inter-rater agreement (Gwet’s kappa) and sensitivity/specificity were calculated.

Results

Overall, 215 MRI spine studies were analyzed [164 patients, mean age = 62 ± 12(SD)] with 177 (82%) for training/validation and 38 (18%) for internal testing. For internal testing, the DL model and specialists all showed almost perfect agreement (kappas = 0.92–0.98, p < 0.001) for dichotomous Bilsky classification (low versus high grade) compared to the reference standard. Similar performance was seen for external testing on a set of 32 MRI spines with the DL model and specialists all showing almost perfect agreement (kappas = 0.94–0.95, p < 0.001) compared to the reference standard.

Conclusion

A DL model showed comparable agreement to a subspecialist radiologist and clinical specialists for the classification of malignant epidural spinal cord compression and could optimize earlier diagnosis and surgical referral.

Probing the role of methyl methacrylate release from spacer materials in induced membrane bone healing

In the induced membrane (IM) technique for bone reconstruction, a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) spacer is implanted to induce formation of a foreign body membrane around the defect site. Membrane development is essential for later bone grafting success, yet the mechanism by which the IM promotes bone regeneration remains unknown, as are the ways that spacer composition plays a role in the membrane's healing potential. This study investigated the impact of leached methyl methacrylate (MMA)-the major monomeric component of PMMA-on IM development. In vitro cell culture found that MMA elution did not impact endothelial cell or mesenchymal stem cell proliferation. For in vivo analysis, we advanced a streamlined rat femoral model to efficiently study the influence of spacer properties on IM characteristics. Comparison of membrane formation around polycaprolactone (PCL), MMA-eluting PCL (high-dose PCL-MMA and low-dose PCL-MMA), and surgical PMMA revealed robust membranes enveloped all groups after 4 weeks in vivo, with elevated expression of osteogenic bone morphogenetic protein-2 and angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor compared with the surrounding muscle and bone tissues. Growth factor quantitation in IM tissue found no statistically significant difference between groups. New bone growth, vascularization, and CD163+ macrophage populations surrounding the polymer implants were also quantified; and blood vessel formation around high-dose PCL-MMA was found to be significantly decreased compared with PCL alone. To the best of our knowledge, these findings represent the first time that results have been obtained about the characteristics of membranes formed around PCL in the IM setting.

Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with vildagliptin and metformin vs. metformin monotherapy for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus therapy: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim is to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of combination therapy with vildagliptin and metformin vs. metformin monotherapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of combination therapy with vildagliptin and metformin vs. metformin monotherapy in patients with T2DM published up to 30 February 2021. The Cochrane tool and Revman 5.3 software was used to assess the risk of bias and conducted the meta-analysis in the included RCTs. Evidence level was assessed by the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

RESULTS

A total of 11 RCTs and 8533 patients were included. For the efficacy, we found that combination therapy with vildagliptin and metformin (dose of metformin ≥1500mg/d) had a significantly higher reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) [mean differences (MD)= -0.59, 95% CI (-0.28, -0.16), p<0.00001] and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level [MD= -0.82, 95% CI (-1.09, -0.56), p<0.00001] than combination therapy with vildagliptin and metformin (dose of metformin <1500 mg/d). Vildagliptin plus metformin as combination therapy reduced body weight loss ratio [MD=0.22, 95% CI (0.17, 0.27), p<0.00001] when compared with metformin monotherapy. In terms of safety, the vildagliptin plus metformin as combination therapy did not increase risk of total adverse events (AEs) [RR=0.98, 95% CI (0.94,1.02), p=0.29], however there were significant statistical difference and did not increase the risk of diarrhea [RR=0.55, 95% CI (0.40, 0.76), p=0.0003] and Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders [RR=0.72, 95% CI (0.58, 0.91), p=0.006], but significantly increased risk of dizziness [RR=1.41, 95% CI (1.06, 1.88), p=0.02] when compared with metformin monotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with metformin, vildagliptin combined with metformin could significantly reduce FPG, HbA1c and body weight. When the dose of metformin in the combination group of vildagliptin and metformin is ≥1500mg/d, the results showed significant reduction in HbA1c and FPG. In addition, it had no risk of increase in total AEs, diarrhea, and GI disorders, but had significant risk of increase in dizziness. GRADE showed that the quality of evidence had high certainty in FPG and moderate certainty in HbA1c, body weight and all AEs.

Joint Determination of Reactor Antineutrino Spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Fission by Daya Bay and PROSPECT

A joint determination of the reactor antineutrino spectra resulting from the fission of ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu has been carried out by the Daya Bay and PROSPECT Collaborations. This Letter reports the level of consistency of ^{235}U spectrum measurements from the two experiments and presents new results from a joint analysis of both data sets. The measurements are found to be consistent. The combined analysis reduces the degeneracy between the dominant ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu isotopes and improves the uncertainty of the ^{235}U spectral shape to about 3%. The ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu antineutrino energy spectra are unfolded from the jointly deconvolved reactor spectra using the Wiener-SVD unfolding method, providing a data-based reference for other reactor antineutrino experiments and other applications. This is the first measurement of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu spectra based on the combination of experiments at low- and highly enriched uranium reactors.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trajectories of ADL Disability among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: Findings from the CHARLS Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

There is little evidence on the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and disability trajectories among middle-aged and older adults. This study aimed to investigate the association between ACEs and activities of daily living (ADL) trajectories over eight years of follow-up and the mediation role of different chronic diseases on this relationship.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study, eight-year follow-up.

SETTING

China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS).

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 10651 participants age 45 and over from CHARLS 2011 to 2018 were included in this study.

MEASUREMENTS

Five ACEs exposure groups were formed based on the cumulative ACE scores. A 6-item ADL score was used, including bathing, dressing, eating, getting in/out of bed, using the toilet, and controlling urination, to measure the ADL disability, and the group-based trajectory model (GBTM) was used to identify the ADL disability trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to investigate the association between ACEs and ADL disability trajectory memberships, and KHB-method was used to estimate the contribution of different chronic diseases on this relationship.

RESULTS

Of the 10651 participants, 9.64% showed a mild-increasing trajectory in terms of change in ADL score during follow-up, followed by the low-mild trajectory (32.00%) and low-low trajectory (58.36%). Compared with those without ACEs exposure, participants who had ≥4 ACEs were associated with an increased risk of being on low-mild trajectory (OR 1.32, 95%CI:1.11-1.57) and mild-increasing trajectory (OR 1.41, 95%CI: 1.06-1.89), respectively. Besides, mediation analysis revealed chronic diseases had a mediation effect in this association, with the largest effect from arthritis or rheumatism (over 60%), followed by digestive system disease (around 14%), respiratory disease (around 12%), and cardio-metabolic disease (around 5%).

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that exposure to ACEs was associated with a higher risk of being worse ADL disability trajectories. Moreover, chronic disease accounts for a meaningful proportion of this association. Further studies are needed to clarify how chronic diseases mediate the association between ACEs and ADL disability trajectories.

Understanding "Kyphosis" and "Lordosis" for Sagittal Balancing in Two Common Standing Postures

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional radiographic comparison study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to understand whole-body balancing in directed and natural standing postures, through comparison of kypholordotic ratios on whole-body radiographs of young, healthy subjects.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Recent studies highlighted the importance of understanding whole-body balancing, proposing the use of the more physiological natural standing posture, together with the conventional directed standing posture, for imaging.

METHODS

Sixty healthy, 21-year-old subjects (36 males, 24 females) were recruited. EOS whole-body radiographs of subjects in directed and natural standing postures were obtained. Radiographic parameters compared include C2-sagittal vertical axis (C2-SVA), C7-SVA, C2-7-SVA, global cervical angles (C0-T1 and C2-C7), regional cervical angles (C0-C2, C2-C4, C4-C7), T1-slope, global thoracic angles (T1-T12 and T1-inflection vertebra [Inf]), thoracolumbar angle (T11-L2), global lumbar angles (T12-S1 and Inf-S1), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), spinocoxa angle (SCA), and femoral alignment angle (FAA). Kypholordotic ratios of T1-12/T12-S1, T1-Inf/Inf-S1, Tl-Inf/SCA, and (T1-Inf + FAA)/(T1-slope + SCA) were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

Compared to directed standing, natural standing has greater C2-SVA and C7-SVA, more lordotic global and regional cervical angles (except C0-2 angle), higher T1-slope, larger T1- T12 and T1-Inf kyphotic angles, smaller T12-S1 and Inf-S1 lordotic angles, larger PT, more lordotic SCA, and smaller SS and FAA angles. T1-12/T12-S1 and T1-Inf/Inf-S1 ratios in natural standing, and (Tl-Inf + FAA)/(T1-slope + SCA) ratio in both postures approximate 1. There were significant differences between postures for Tl-l2/Tl2-Sl, Tl-Inf/Inf-Sl and Tl-Inf/SCA ratios.

CONCLUSION

Whole-body balancing requires understanding of the balance between kyphosis and lordosis, which varies with the posture of patients. Analysis of kypholordotic ratios obtained in this study allude to the importance of performing whole-body imaging in the directed standing posture, and whole-spine or whole-body imaging in the natural standing posture, so as to fully understand spinal and whole body balancing for spinal realignment surgeries.Level of Evidence: Level 3.

Functional analysis of a putative Bombyx mori cypovirus miRNA BmCPV-miR-10 and its effect on virus replication

Bombyx mori cypovirus (BmCPV) is an important pathogen of silkworm (B. mori), the economically beneficial insect. The mechanism of its interaction with host immune defence system in the process of infection is still not yet completely clear. Researches have demonstrated that virus-encoded microRNAs (miRNA) play a crucial role in regulating host-pathogen interaction, but few reports are available so far on miRNAs encoded by insect viruses, especially the RNA viruses. In this study, a putative miRNA encoded by the 10th segment of BmCPV genomic RNA, BmCPV-miR-10, was identified and functionally analysed. The expression of the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could be detected via stem-loop RT-PCR (reverse transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) in the midgut of silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV. BmCSDE1 (B. mori cold shock domain E1 protein) gene was predicted to be a candidate target gene for BmCPV-miR-10 with the miRNA binding site located in 3' untranslated region of its mRNA. The regulation effect of the putative BmCPV-miR-10 on BmCSDE1 was verified in HEK293 cells by lentiviral expression system, in BmN cells by transfecting BmCPV-miR-10 mimics. The qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) results showed that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1. By injection of BmCPV-miR-10 mimics into the silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV, it was further proved that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1 in vivo, then inhibit the expression of BmApaf-1 (B. mori apoptotic protease activating factor 1), while enhance the replication of BmCPV genomic RNAs to a certain extent. These results implied that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could down-regulate the expression of BmCSDE1, then suppress the expression of BmApaf-1, thereby created a favourable intracellular environment for virus replication and proliferation.

[The application of transumbilical single incision plus one robotic-assisted surgery in choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy in children]

To explore the effectiveness and summarize the experiences of transumbilical single incision plus one robotic-assisted surgery surgery in the treatment of pediatric choledochal cyst. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 10 children who underwent choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy from June to December 2020 at Fujian Provincial Hospital. The mean age was (4.6±1.7) years (range from 2 years to 8 years). The mean weight was (17.1±3.8) kg (range from 12.3 kg to 25.0 kg). The Todani classifications were type I (n=6) and type Ⅳ(n=4).The clinical symptoms were asymptomatic (n=4), abdominal pain (n=3), and abdominal pain with jaundice (n=3). Ten cases of transumbilical SILS+1 robotic-assisted choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy were completed successfully. The average duration of operation was 204-227 min ((220.0±7.2) min), the mean intraoperative bleeding was (7.67±0.86) ml (range, 6-9 ml) without blood transfusion, average fasting time was (2.30±0.48) days (range, 2-3 days), the average hospitalization time was (4.70±0.67) days (range, 4-6 days) and the medical expense was (5.30±0.42) ten thousand yuan (range, 4-6 ten thousand yuan). Ten patients did not develop early complications such as acute cholangitis, ranging from 3 months to 6 months. Ultrasonography showed no dilation of ductuli hepaticus communis and intrahepatic bile duct occurred at the third month after surgery. With the development of minimally invasive techniques and enhanced recovery, the da Vinci robotic surgical system will be extensively used. Transumbilical SILS+1 robotic-assisted surgery has equal effect with routine robotic-assisted surgery. The incision is more subtle and excellent, but the operation should be taken by sophisticated surgeon.

Search for Active-Sterile Antineutrino Mixing Using Neutral-Current Interactions with the NOvA Experiment

This Letter reports results from the first long-baseline search for sterile antineutrinos mixing in an accelerator-based antineutrino-dominated beam. The rate of neutral-current interactions in the two NOvA detectors, at distances of 1 and 810 km from the beam source, is analyzed using an exposure of 12.51×10^{20} protons-on-target from the NuMI beam at Fermilab running in antineutrino mode. A total of 121 of neutral-current candidates are observed at the far detector, compared to a prediction of 122±11(stat.)±15(syst.) assuming mixing only between three active flavors. No evidence for ν[over ¯]_{μ}→ν[over ¯]_{s} oscillation is observed. Interpreting this result within a 3+1 model, constraints are placed on the mixing angles θ_{24}<25° and θ_{34}<32° at the 90% C.L. for 0.05  eV^{2}≤Δm_{41}^{2}≤0.5  eV^{2}, the range of mass splittings that produces no significant oscillations at the near detector. These are the first 3+1 confidence limits set using long-baseline accelerator antineutrinos.

Exploring optimal heart team protocol to improve decision-making stability for complex coronary artery disease: a sequential explanatory mixed method study

Background

Although heart team was recommended by guideline for decision-making in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD), the decision-making stability was lack of evaluation and optimal protocol remained unknown.

Purpose

We aimed to assess inter-team agreement for revascularization decision-making and related influencing factors, so as to provide recommendations for optimal protocol.

Methods

A sequential, explanatory mixed method study was conducted, including (1) a cross-sectional study retrospectively enrolling patients with complex CAD and four heart teams to assess the inter-team decision-making agreement and (2) a qualitative study that semi-structurally interviewed all heart team members to analyze the potential factors associated with decision-making discrepancy. Primary outcome was kappa value of inter-team decision-making agreement. Inductive thematic analysis was used to generate themes and subthemes attributing to decision-making discrepancy. Integrating qualitative and quantitative data, we explained how each subtheme affected decision-making agreement and provided corresponding recommendations based on these explanations. Finally, we provided a detailed heart team protocol by integrating our recommendations, published experience and guideline. Patient sample size was precalculated and interviewee sample size was identified by theoretical saturation.

Results

A total of 101 patients with complex CAD were randomly enrolled from a consecutive angiography registry. Sixteen specialists were invited and randomly established four heart teams to make decisions for enrolled patients. Inter-team decision-making agreement was moderate (kappa 0.582) (Table 1). Decision-making may be influenced at three themes (specialist quality; team composition; meeting process) and ten subthemes (decision thought; understanding of disease and evidence; understanding of other discipline; personality; learning curve; personnel quality; number of team members; discipline selection; ratio of different disciplines and meeting form). Recommendations at five levels were provided, including (1) specialist selection, (2) specialist training, (3) team composition, (4) team training and (5) meeting process. A detailed implementation protocol to establish and deploy a qualified heart team was generated.

Conclusions

Agreement between heart teams for revascularization decision-making in patients with complex CAD was moderate. Five recommendations to improve heart team modality were provided based on factors associated with decision-making discrepancy. A detailed heart team implementation protocol came into being. Randomized controlled trial was warranted to further confirm the protocol.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): the national key research and development program;Beijing municipal commission of science and technology project Table 1. Inter-team agreement of decision making