[Multicenter retrospect analysis of early clinical features and analysis of risk factors on prognosis of elderly patients with severe burns]

Objective: To investigate the early clinical characteristics of elderly patients with severe burns and the risk factors on prognosis. Methods: This study was a retrospective case series study. Clinical data of 124 elderly patients with severe burns who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to the 12 hospitals from January 2015 to December 2020 were collected, including 4 patients from the Fourth People's Hospital of Dalian, 5 patients from Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 22 patients from Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, 5 patients from Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, 27 patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, 9 patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 10 patients from Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 9 patients from Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital, 12 patients from the 924th Hospital of PLA, 6 patients from Zhangjiagang First People's Hospital, 4 patients from Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, and 11 patients from Zhengzhou First People's Hospital. The patients' overall clinical characteristics, such as gender, age, body mass index, total burn area, full-thickness burn area, inhalation injury, causative factors, whether combined with underlying medical diseases, and admission time after injury were recorded. According to the survival outcome within 28 days after injury, the patients were divided into survival group (89 cases) and death group (35 cases). The following data of patients were compared between the two groups, including the basic data and injuries (the same as the overall clinical characteristics ahead); the coagulation indexes within the first 24 hours of injury such as prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time, D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation product (FDP), international normalized ratio (INR), and fibrinogen; the blood routine indexes within the first 24 hours of injury such as white blood cell count, platelet count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit; the organ function indexes within the first 24 hours of injury such as direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, urea, serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, globulin, blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, electrolyte indexes (potassium, sodium, chlorine, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in blood), uric acid, myoglobin, and brain natriuretic peptide; the infection and blood gas indexes within the first 24 hours of injury such as procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, pH value, oxygenation index, base excess, and lactate; treatment such as whether conducted with mechanical ventilation, whether conducted with continuous renal replacement therapy, whether conducted with anticoagulation therapy, whether applied with vasoactive drugs, and fluid resuscitation. The analysis was conducted to screen the independent risk factors for the mortality within 28 days after injury in elderly patients with severe burns. Results: Among 124 patients, there were 82 males and 42 females, aged 60-97 years, with body mass index of 23.44 (21.09, 25.95) kg/m2, total burn area of 54.00% (42.00%, 75.00%) total body surface area (TBSA), and full-thickness burn area of 25.00% (10.00%, 40.00%) TBSA. The patients were mainly combined with moderate to severe inhalation injury and caused by flame burns. There were 43 cases with underlying medical diseases. The majority of patients were admitted to the hospital within 8 hours after injury. There were statistically significant differences between patients in the 2 groups in terms of age, total burn area, full-thickness burn area, and inhalation injury, and PT, APTT, D-dimer, FDP, INR, white blood cell count, platelet count, urea, serum creatinine, blood glucose, blood sodium, uric acid, myoglobin, and urine volume within the first 24 hours of injury (with Z values of 2.37, 5.49, 5.26, 5.97, 2.18, 1.95, 2.68, 2.68, 2.51, 2.82, 2.14, 3.40, 5.31, 3.41, 2.35, 3.81, 2.16, and -3.82, respectively, P<0.05); there were statistically significant differences between two groups of patients in whether conducted with mechanical ventilation and whether applied with vasoactive drugs (with χ2 values of 9.44 and 28.50, respectively, P<0.05). Age, total burn area, full-thickness burn area, serum creatinine within the first 24 hours of injury, and APTT within the first 24 hours of injury were the independent risk factors for the mortality within 28 days after injury in elderly patients with severe burns (with odds ratios of 1.17, 1.10, 1.10, 1.09, and 1.27, 95% confidence intervals of 1.03-1.40, 1.04-1.21, 1.05-1.19, 1.05-1.17, and 1.07-1.69, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions: The elderly patients with severe burns had the injuries mainly from flame burns, often accompanied by moderate to severe inhalation injury and enhanced inflammatory response, elevated blood glucose levels, activated fibrinolysis, and impaired organ function in the early stage, which are associated with their prognosis. Age, total burn area, full-thickness burn area, and serum creatinine and APTT within the first 24 hours of injury are the independent risk factors for death within 28 days after injury in this population.

Phosphorylation of human glioma-associated oncogene 1 on Ser937 regulates Sonic Hedgehog signaling in medulloblastoma

Aberrant activation of sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling and its effector transcriptional factor GLI1 are essential for oncogenesis of SHH-dependent medulloblastoma (MBSHH) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Here, we show that SHH inactivates p38α (MAPK14) in a smoothened-dependent manner, conversely, p38α directly phosphorylates GLI1 on Ser937/Ser941 (human/mouse) to induce GLI1's proteasomal degradation and negates the transcription of SHH signaling. As a result, Gli1S941E loss-of-function knock-in significantly reduces the incidence and severity of smoothened-M2 transgene-induced spontaneous MBSHH, whereas Gli1S941A gain-of-function knock-in phenocopies Gli1 transgene in causing BCC-like proliferation in skin. Correspondingly, phospho-Ser937-GLI1, a destabilized form of GLI1, positively correlates to the overall survival rate of children with MBSHH. Together, these findings indicate that SHH-induced p38α inactivation and subsequent GLI1 dephosphorylation and stabilization in controlling SHH signaling and may provide avenues for future interventions of MBSHH and BCC.

Inhibition of non-muscular myosin light chain kinase accelerates the clearance of inflammatory cells by promoting the lysosome-mediated cell death

Infections like COVID-19 are the primary cause of death around the world because they can cause acute lung injury (ALI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and sepsis. Inflammatory cells serve as crucial protective barriers in these diseases. However, excessive accumulation of inflammatory cells is also one of the major causes of organ damage. The non-muscular myosin light chain kinase (nmMLCK) plays crucial of cytoskeletal components involved in endothelial cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion, integrity, and permeability. Our previous investigations found that ML-7, a specific inhibitor of MLCK, promoted neutrophil apoptosis through various signaling pathways. In this study, we found that knockout of MLCK significantly promote apoptosis of neutrophils and macrophages in the BALF of the LPS-induced ALI, meanwhile it had no effect on the apoptosis of neutrophils in the circulatory system. RNA-sequencing revealed that the effect of MLCK knockout in inducing apoptosis of inflammatory cells was mediated through lysosomes. Administering ML-7 into the lungs significantly promoted neutrophil apoptosis, accelerating their clearance. In the LPS- or CLP-induced sepsis models, ML-7 administration significantly improves the apoptosis of inflammatory cells, especially neutrophils, at the infection site but had no impact on neutrophils in the circulatory system. ML-7 also significantly improved the survival rate of mice with LPS- or CLP-induced sepsis. Taken together, we found that MLCK plays a crucial role in the survival of inflammatory cells at the infection site. Inhibiting MLCK significantly induces apoptosis of inflammatory cells at the infection site, promoting inflammation resolution, with no impact of the circulatory system.

[Research progress of mucormycosis in burns]

Mucormycosis is a relatively rare but dangerous infectious diseases. Burn patients, especially severe burn patients, are at high risk of mucormycosis. In recent years, the incidence of mucormycosis in burn patients has increased. At present, there are a few domestic literatures on mucormycosis in burns, with most being case reports without systematic summary. Based on the relevant literature at home and abroad in recent years, this article reviewed the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and treatment methods of mucormycosis in burns, hoping to provide some basis for the diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis in burns in China.

Smurf1 polyubiquitinates on K285/K282 of the kinases Mst1/2 to attenuate their tumor-suppressor functions

Sterile 20-like kinases Mst1 and Mst2 (Mst1/2) and large tumor suppressor 1/2 are core kinases to mediate Hippo signaling in maintaining tissue homeostasis. We have previously demonstrated that Smad ubiquitin (Ub) regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1), a HECT-type E3 ligase, ubiquitinates and in turn destabilizes large tumor suppressor 1/2 to induce the transcriptional output of Hippo signaling. Here, we unexpectedly find that Smurf1 interacts with and polyubiquitinates Mst1/2 by virtue of K27- and K29-linked Ub chains, resulting in the proteasomal degradation of Mst1/2 and attenuation of their tumor-suppressor functions. Among the potential Ub acceptor sites on Mst1/2, K285/K282 are conserved and essential for Smurf1-induced polyubiquitination and degradation of Mst1/2 as well as transcriptional output of Hippo signaling. As a result, K285R/K282R mutation of Mst1/2 not only negates the transcriptional output of Hippo signaling but enhances the tumor-suppressor functions of Mst1/2. Together, we demonstrate that Smurf1-mediated polyubiquitination on K285/K282 of Mst1/2 destabilizes Mst1/2 to attenuate their tumor-suppressor functions. Thus, the present study identifies Smurf1-mediated ubiquitination of Mst1/2 as a hitherto uncharacterized mechanism fine-tuning the Hippo signaling pathway and may provide additional targets for therapeutic intervention of diseases associated with this important pathway.

[Research progress on biomarkers and detection methods for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in vitro]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with insidious onset, posing a serious threat to human physical and mental health. The cognitive impairments caused by AD are generally diffuse and overlap symptomatically with other neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, the symptoms of AD are often covert, leading to missed opportunities for optimal treatment after diagnosis. Therefore, early diagnosis of AD is crucial. In vitro diagnostic biomarkers not only contribute to the early clinical diagnosis of AD but also aid in further understanding the disease's pathogenesis, predicting disease progression, and observing the effects of novel candidate therapeutic drugs in clinical trials. Currently, although there are numerous biomarkers associated with AD diagnosis, the complex nature of AD pathogenesis, limitations of individual biomarkers, and constraints of clinical detection methods have hindered the development of efficient, cost-effective, and convenient diagnostic methods and standards. This article provides an overview of the research progress on in vitro diagnostic biomarkers and detection methods related to AD in recent years.

Disentangling the roles of chance, abiotic factors and biotic interactions among epiphytic bryophyte communities in a tropical rainforest (Yunnan, China)

Epiphytes offer an appealing framework to disentangle the contributions of chance, biotic and abiotic drivers of species distributions. In the context of the stress-gradient theory, we test the hypotheses that (i) deterministic (i.e., non-random) factors play an increasing role in communities from young to old trees, (ii) negative biotic interactions increase on older trees and towards the tree base, and (iii) positive interactions show the reverse pattern. Bryophyte species distributions and abiotic conditions were recorded on a 1.1 ha tropical rainforest canopy crane site. We analysed co-occurrence patterns in a niche modelling framework to disentangle the roles of chance, abiotic factors and putative biotic interactions among species pairs. 76% of species pairs resulted from chance. Abiotic factors explained 78% of non-randomly associated species pairs, and co-occurrences prevailed over non-coincidences in the remaining species pairs. Positive and negative interactions mostly involved species pairs from the same versus different communities (mosses versus liverworts) and life forms, respectively. There was an increase in randomly associated pairs from large to small trees. No increase in negative interactions from young to old trees or from the canopy to the base was observed. Our results suggest that epiphytic bryophyte community composition is primarily driven by environmental filtering, whose importance increases with niche complexity and diversity. Biotic interactions play a secondary role, with a very marginal contribution of competitive exclusion. Biotic interactions vary among communities (mosses versus liverworts) and life forms, facilitation prevailing among species from the same community and life form, and competition among species from different communities and life forms.

SUMOylation of Rho-associated protein kinase 2 induces goblet cell metaplasia in allergic airways

Allergic asthma is characterized by goblet cell metaplasia and subsequent mucus hypersecretion that contribute to the morbidity and mortality of this disease. Here, we explore the potential role and underlying mechanism of protein SUMOylation-mediated goblet cell metaplasia. The components of SUMOylaion machinery are specifically expressed in healthy human bronchial epithelia and robustly upregulated in bronchial epithelia of patients or mouse models with allergic asthma. Intratracheal suppression of SUMOylation by 2-D08 robustly attenuates not only allergen-induced airway inflammation, goblet cell metaplasia, and hyperreactivity, but IL-13-induced goblet cell metaplasia. Phosphoproteomics and biochemical analyses reveal SUMOylation on K1007 activates ROCK2, a master regulator of goblet cell metaplasia, by facilitating its binding to and activation by RhoA, and an E3 ligase PIAS1 is responsible for SUMOylation on K1007. As a result, knockdown of PIAS1 in bronchial epithelia inactivates ROCK2 to attenuate IL-13-induced goblet cell metaplasia, and bronchial epithelial knock-in of ROCK2(K1007R) consistently inactivates ROCK2 to alleviate not only allergen-induced airway inflammation, goblet cell metaplasia, and hyperreactivity, but IL-13-induced goblet cell metaplasia. Together, SUMOylation-mediated ROCK2 activation is an integral component of Rho/ROCK signaling in regulating the pathological conditions of asthma and thus SUMOylation is an additional target for the therapeutic intervention of this disease.

[Epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of sepsis development and death in patients with extremely severe burns]

Objective: To explore the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of sepsis development and death in patients with extremely severe burns. Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted. From January 2017 to December 2021, 135 patients with extremely severe burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burn and Wound Repair of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, including 100 males and 35 females, aged 18-84 years. The incidence and diagnosis time of sepsis, the rate of positive microbial culture of blood samples (hereinafter referred to as positive blood culture), and the mortality rate of all patients, as well as the incidence of sepsis and the pathogen of infection in patients with positive blood culture were recorded (statistically analyzed with chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability test). According to the occurrence of sepsis, all patients were divided into sepsis group (58 cases) and non-sepsis group (77 cases), and the gender, age, body mass index, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, combination of inhalation injury, burn site, burn type, total burn area, and combined injury of patients were compared between the two groups. According to the outcome, all patients were divided into death group (37 cases) and survival group (98 cases), and the aforementioned data grouped according to sepsis as well as the stability of shock period and the combination of sepsis of patients were compared between the two groups. The aforementioned data between two groups were statistically analyzed with univariate analysis of independent sample t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact probability test. Factors with P<0.1 were selected for multivariate logistic regression analysis to screen independent risk factors of sepsis and death in patients with extremely severe burns. Results: Among all patients, the incidence of sepsis was 42.96% (58/135), the diagnosis time of sepsis was 14 (7, 24) d after injury, the positive blood culture rate was 62.22% (84/135), and the mortality rate was 27.41% (37/135). The incidence of sepsis of patients with positive blood culture was 69.05% (58/84). The top 5 pathogenic bacteria in the detection rate of septic patients with positive blood culture were Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacter cloacae, ranking from high to low, and the proportion of Acinetobacter baumannii infected was significantly higher than that of non-septic patients with positive blood culture (χ2=7.49, P<0.05). Compared with those in non-sepsis group, the proportion of combination of inhalation injury, the proportion of perineal burns, and the total burn area of patients in sepsis group increased significantly (with χ2 values of 11.08 and 17.47, respectively, Z=5.68, P<0.05), while the other indicators did not change significantly (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that combination of inhalation injury, total burn area ≥80% total body surface area (TBSA), and perineal burns were independent risk factors for patients with extremely severe burns developing sepsis (with odds ratios of 3.15, 7.24, and 3.24, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals of 1.07 to 9.29, 1.79 to 29.34, and 1.21 to 8.68, respectively, P<0.05). Compared with those in survival group, the proportion of combination of inhalation injury, the proportion of perineal burns, and the proportion of combination of sepsis (with χ2 values of 6.55, 11.64, and 22.26, respectively, P values all <0.05), total burn area (Z=4.25, P<0.05), and proportion of instability of shock period (P<0.05) of patients in death group all increased significantly, while the other indicators did not change significantly (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the instability of shock period and combination of sepsis were independent risk factors for death of patients with extremely severe burns (with odds ratios of 4.87 and 3.45, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals of 1.21 to 19.57 and 1.28 to 9.33, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions: Patients with extremely severe burns have a high incidence of sepsis and a high mortality rate. The peak period of sepsis onset is 2 weeks after injury, with Acinetobacter baumannii as the most prominent infectious pathogen. Combination of inhalation injury, total burn area ≥80% TBSA, and perineal burns are independent risk factors for extremely severe burn patients complicated with sepsis, and combination of sepsis and instability of shock period are independent risk factors for death of patients with extremely severe burns.

Control of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes by protein S-palmitoylation: Novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases

Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) are dynamic coupling structures between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). As a new subcellular structure, MAMs combine the two critical organelle functions. Mitochondria and the ER could regulate each other via MAMs. MAMs are involved in calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis, autophagy, ER stress, lipid metabolism, etc. Researchers have found that MAMs are closely related to metabolic syndrome and neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). The formation of MAMs and their functions depend on specific proteins. Numerous protein enrichments, such as the IP3R-Grp75-VDAC complex, constitute MAMs. The changes in these proteins govern the interaction between mitochondria and the ER; they also affect the biological functions of MAMs. S-palmitoylation is a reversible protein post-translational modification (PTM) that mainly occurs on protein cysteine residues. More and more studies have shown that the S-palmitoylation of proteins is closely related to their membrane localization. Here, we first briefly describe the composition and function of MAMs, reviewing the component and biological roles of MAMs mediated by S-palmitoylation, elaborating on S-palmitoylated proteins in Ca²⁺ flux, lipid rafts, and so on. We try to provide new insight into the molecular basis of MAMs-related diseases, mainly NDs. Finally, we propose potential drug compounds targeting S-palmitoylation.

[Visual analysis of the current research status and development of burn-related coagulation dysfunction]

Objective: To conduct a visual analysis of the literature on burn-related coagulation dysfunction and to explore the current research status, evolution process, hot topics, and future research trends in burn-related coagulation dysfunction at home and abroad. Methods: The bibliometrics method was used. The literature on burn-related coagulation dysfunction which were published in Web of Science and China National Knowledge Internet databases from January 1, 1950 to May 1, 2022, and met the inclusion criteria were retrieved for publication volume analysis. The literature on burn-related coagulation dysfunction were retrieved as above in the core collection of Web of Science and China National Knowledge Internet databases, and CiteSpace 5.8.R3 software was used to perform co-occurrence analysis, cluster analysis, and literature co-citation analysis of key words. Results: A total of 501 and 235 literature on burn-related coagulation dysfunction were retrieved from Web of Science database and China National Knowledge Internet database, respectively. The literature on burn-related coagulation dysfunction emerged from 1975 and 1950, respectively, in China and abroad, which were gradually increased later. The frequency and centrality of Chinese key words such as , , were high in 235 literature in China National Knowledge Internet database, and the frequency and centrality of key words such as burn, coagulation, and deep vein thrombosis were high in 340 literature in the core collection of Web of Science database. In China National Knowledge Internet database, the top 6 Chinese key words in terms of burst intensity were , , , , , , and the first 3 among which were burst key words in the early stage; and in the core collection of Web of Science database, the key words with higher burst intensity were disseminated intravascular coagulation and pulmonary embolism, which were the burst key words in the early stage. The representative clustering labels in China National Knowledge Internet database were #0 , #1 , and #2 , etc., and the representative clustering labels in the core collection of Web of Science database were #0 risk, #1 surgical patient, and #2 sepsis. Early researches in China National Knowledge Internet database and the core collection of Web of Science database focused on the presence of burn-related coagulation dysfunction itself, while the late researches focused on the relationship between burn-related coagulation dysfunction and inflammation, immunity, coagulation in general, and wounds. From 2010 onwards, there were a large number of core cited literature in the core collection of Web of Science database, and the prevention and treatment of vein thromboembolism was the most popular research direction in recent years. The researches on optimization and standardization of diagnostic methods and the overall mechanism of burn-related coagulation dysfunction would be the main research directions in the future. Conclusions: The research hotspots and evolution processes of burn-related coagulation dysfunction at home and abroad have both similarities and differences, and the current research hotspot is the relationship between coagulation and inflammation, immunity. With researches increasingly deepening, the researches on optimization and standardization of diagnostic methods and the overall mechanism of burn-related coagulation dysfunction will be the main research directions in the future.

Multiple post-translational modifications ensure EGFR functionality: Potential therapeutic targets to overcome its drug-resistance mutations

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation is the most common driver mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The first-line therapy for advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR-sensitive mutation is the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). However, most NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation will develop resistant mutations in EGFR-TKI therapy. With further studies, resistance mechanisms represented by EGFR-T790M mutations have revealed the impact of EGFR mutations in situ on EGFR-TKIs sensitivity. The third-generation EGFR-TKIs inhibit both EGFR-sensitive mutations and T790M mutations. The emergence of novel mutations such as EGFR-C797S and EGFR-L718Q may decrease efficacy. Searching for new targets to overcome EGFR-TKI resistance becomes a key challenge. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of EGFR is essential to find novel targets to overcome drug-resistant mutations in EGFR-TKIs. EGFR, as a receptor-type tyrosine kinase, undergoes homo/heterodimerization and autophosphorylation upon binding to ligands, which activates multiple downstream signaling pathways. Interestingly, there is growing evidence that the kinase activity of EGFR is affected not only by phosphorylation but also by various post-translational modifications (PTMs, such as S-palmitoylation, S-nitrosylation, Methylation, etc.). In this review, we systematically review the effects of different protein PTMs on EGFR kinase activity and its functionality and suggest that influencing EGFR kinase activity by modulating multiple EGFR sites are potential targets to overcome EGFR-TKIs resistance mutations.

[Analysis of morphometric changes in the anterior alveolar bone in bimaxillary protrusion adult patients after retraction with cone-beam CT]

Objective: To measure and analyze the morphometric changes in the anterior alveolar bone during treatment and retention stage after retraction in bimaxillary adults using cone-beam CT(CBCT). Methods: Fifteen adult patients, four males and 11 females, aged 19 to 28 years[(22.2±3.1) years], who have completed orthodontic treatment and extracted four first premolar teeth for retraction in the Department of Orthodontics, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2016 to December 2018 were selected. CBCT was taken to assess the labial and palatal vertical bone level, total bone thickness at crest area, middle root area and apical area in pre-treatment (T1), post-treatment (T2) and at follow-up (maintained for more than two years) (T3). The differences in alveolar bone morphology at different stages were compared by single factor repeated measure ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis was performed on the amount of alveolar bone change in treatment stage and retention stage. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the alveolar bone height of the palatal side of maxillary anterior teeth, the labial side of maxillary lateral incisors and canine among three time points (P<0.05). The height difference of palatal alveolar bone of anterior teeth in T1-T2 stage was statistically significant (P<0.05). Palatal alveolar bone of upper and lower central incisors decreased by (1.52±0.32) and (4.96±0.46) mm, respectively. The height difference of anterior palatal alveolar bone was statistically significant in T2-T3 stage(P<0.05), the palatal alveolar bone height of central incisors increased by (1.20±0.27) and (3.14±0.35) mm respectively. The height difference of palatal alveolar bone in the anterior teeth of T1-T3 stage was statistically significant (P<0.05), and the height of palatal alveolar bone of central incisors was decreased (0.33±0.11) and (1.82±0.39) mm, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the thickness of the cervical and middle root alveolar bone of anterior teeth among three time points (P<0.05). The difference of alveolar bone thickness of the cervical and middle root of anterior teeth at T1-T2 was statistically significant (P<0.05). decreased by (0.63±0.10) and (0.67±0.09) mm in lateral incisors, respectively. In the T2-T3 stage, the alveolar bone thickness of the crest area of the lower anterior teeth was significantly different (P<0.05), the alveolar bone thickness of mandibular central incisor crest area increased (0.09±0.03) mm. There were statistically significant differences in alveolar bone thickness in crest area and middle root of the incisors during T1-T3 stage (P<0.05), among which the middle root decreased by (0.38±0.16) mm and (0.63±0.13) mm, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in other areas (P>0.05). The change of alveolar bone height in palatal side of upper anterior teeth at T2-T3 was very strongly negatively correlated with the change in T1-T2. The change of alveolar bone height in labial side of upper anterior teeth and lingual side of lower anterior teeth and the thickness of incisor root and neck were moderately strongly negatively correlated (r≤-0.8, P<0.001), the change of alveolar bone height in labial side of upper anterior teeth and lingual side of lower anterior teeth and the thickness of incisor crest area were moderately strongly negatively correlated (-0.8<r≤-0.4, P<0.05). Conclusions: For adult patients after retraction, anterior alveolar bone decreased significantly. In the retention stage, the same degree of bone apposition will occur, but still have alveolar bone loss compared with pre-treatment. The amount of alveolar bone change in the retention stage correlated with the amount of alveolar bone change in the treatment stage.

HSP90β chaperoning SMURF1-mediated LATS proteasomal degradation in the regulation of bone formation

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) molecular chaperone is responsible for the stabilization and biological activity of a diverse set of client proteins. We have previously demonstrated that inhibition of HSP90 by 17-Demethoxy-17-allyaminogeldanmycin (17-AAG) not only reverses the glucocorticoid-induced bone loss but also enhances the basal level of bone mass in mice. Here, we investigate the potential mechanism underlying HSP90-associated osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Knockdown of HSP90β but not HSP90α or inhibition of HSP90 by 17-AAG or NVP-BEP800 negates the protein levels of large tumor suppressor (LATS), the core kinases of Hippo signaling, resulting in the inactivation of LATS and activation of Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), in the enhancement of osteoblastic differentiation. In contrast, genetic ablation of Lats1 in mesenchymal stem cells is sufficient to abolish the HSP90 inhibition-induced osteoblastic differentiation and bone formation. Mechanistically, HSP90β but not HSP90α chaperones and prevents the SMAD specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (SMURF1)-mediated and ubiquitination-dependent LATS protein proteasomal degradation, whereas 17-AAG abolishes these effects of HSP90β. Thus, these results uncover the HSP90β chaperoning SMURF1-mediated LATS protein proteasomal degradation and the subsequent YAP/TAZ activation as a hitherto uncharacterized mechanism controlling osteoblastic differentiation and bone formation.

Sonic hedgehog signaling: Alternative splicing and pathogenic role in medulloblastoma

Alternative splicing (AS) produces the different mRNA splicing bodies, which are then translated into multiple protein isoforms and participate in various biological functions. With a deeper understanding of alternative splicing through the study of transcriptomes using high-throughput sequencing-based methods, the correlation between aberrant AS and diseases triggered a great concern, especially abnormal AS and cancer. Medulloblastoma (MB) is an intracranial tumor in children. Sonic hedgehog MB (SHH-MB) accounted for approximately 30% of MB, which is associated with the activation of SHH signaling. Growing evidence shows that aberrant AS is closely related to the tumorigenesis of MB. Here, we briefly introduced the AS and its mechanism. Next, we described canonical/noncanonical hedgehog signaling and its correlation with MB. The main description focused on AS of various regulators in canonical hedgehog signaling in MB. In addition, we also described AS of various regulators in noncanonical hedgehog signaling. Meanwhile, activated hedgehog signaling also induces AS in MB. Then, we pointed out that aberrant AS of hedgehog signaling is associated with different MB subgroups. Finally, we summarized the therapeutic applications of targeted AS in cancer treatment. In summary, further understanding of AS in SHH-MB could develop therapeutic targets for splicing factors which may be a novel therapeutic strategy.

[Correlation between heart rate index, SBPpeak-to-SBPrest ratio and peak oxygen consumption in patients with chronic heart failure]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between heart rate index (HRI), systolic blood pressure(SBP) peak-to-SBPrest ratio (SBPR) and peak oxygen consumption (peakVO₂) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), and discuss the possibility of using HRI and SBPR collected during exercise to assess the exercise tolerance of CHF patients in the absence of gas analysis. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 547 patients with CHF who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET) in Tongji Hospital Heart Rehabilitation Center Affiliated to Tongji University from March 2007 to December 2018 were collected retrospectively, focusing on their clinical data including age, gender, type of heart failure,BMI as well as data collected during their CPETs, such as peakVO₂, HRI and SBPR. Spearman univariate correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis, to unveil the correlations between peakVO₂ and those parameters, and multiple linear regression analysis was also conducted. Results: A total of 547 CHF patients conducting CPET were included in this research, of which 447 were male, at age of 63(56, 69). Univariate analysis indicates that HRI, SBPR and peakVO₂ showed significant positive correlation (r=0.323, 0.263, respectively, all P<0.001); Age and peak VO₂ showed significant negative correlation(r=-0.207, P<0.001); Male patients showed peakVO₂ higher than female(r=-0.229, P<0.001); PeakVO₂ of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF) was lower than heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction(HFmrEF)and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF) (r=0.181, P<0.001). Body mass index (BMI) had no significant correlation with peakVO₂ (P>0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the HRI, SBPR were positively correlated with peakVO₂(t=7.68, 5.08, respectively, all P<0.05), while age and BMI showed negative correlation with peakVO₂(t=-5.43, -0.31, respectively, all P<0.05). PeakVO₂ of male was higher than female(t=-6.03, P<0.05), and peakVO₂ of HFrEF was lower than those of HFmrEF and HFpEF(t=3.17, 4.48, respectively, all P<0.05). A linear equation (F=33.52, adjusted R²=0.29) could be constructed: peakVO₂=10.65(male) or 8.53(female)+4.26HRI+3.31SBPR-0.07age-0.13BMI+0(HFrEF) or 1.05 (HFmrEF) or 1.62(HFpEF). Conclusion: HRI and SBPR are positively correlated with peakVO₂. In the absence of gas analysis, it is possible to apply HRI and SBPR during exercise to predict exercise tolerance in patients with CHF.

[Effect of sedation on resting energy expenditure in patients with extremely severe burns and the choice of energy estimation formula]

Objective: To investigate the effect of sedation on resting energy expenditure (REE) in patients with extremely severe burns and the choice of REE estimation formula during the treatment. Methods: A retrospective non-randomized controlled clinical study was conducted. From April 2020 to April 2022, 21 patients with extremely severe burns who met the inclusion criteria and underwent mechanical ventilation treatment were admitted to the Department of Burn and Wound Repair of Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, including 16 males and 5 females, aged 60 (50, 69) years. Early anti-shock therapy, debridement, skin transplantation, nutritional support, and other conventional treatments were applied to all patients. Patients were sedated when they had obvious agitation or a tendency to extubate, which might lead to aggravation of the disease. REE measurement was performed on patients using indirect calorimetry on post-injury day 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14 and every 7 days thereafter until the patient died or being successfully weaned from ventilator. Totally 99 times of measurements were carried out, of which 58 times were measured in the sedated state of patients, and 41 times were measured in the non-sedated state of patients. The age, weight, body surface area, residual wound area, post-injury days of patients were recorded on the day when REE was measured (hereinafter briefly referred to as the measurement day). The REE on the measurement day was calculated with intensive care unit conventional REE estimation formula Thumb formula and special REE estimation formulas for burns including the Third Military Medical University formula, the Peng Xi team's linear formula, Hangang formula. The differences between the sedated state and the non-sedated state in the clinical materials, measured and formula calculated values of REE of patients on the measurement day were compared by Mann-Whitney U test and independent sample t test. The differences between the REE formula calculated values and the REE measured value (reflecting the overall consistency) in the sedated state were compared by Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test. The Bland-Altman method was used to assess the individual consistency between the REE formula calculated value and the REE measured value in the sedated state, and to calculate the proportion of the REE formula calculated value within the range of ±10% of the REE measured value (hereinafter referred to as the accuracy rate). Root mean square error (RMSE) was used to evaluate the accuracy of the REE formula calculated value relative to the REE measured value. Results: Compared with those in the non-sedated state, there was no statistically significant change in patient's age or post-injury days on the measurement day in the sedated state (P>0.05), but the weight was heavier (Z=-3.58, P<0.01), and both the body surface area and the residual wound area were larger (with Z values of -2.99 and -4.52, respectively, P<0.01). Between the sedated state and the non-sedated state, the REE measured values of patients were similar (P>0.05). Compared with those in the non-sedated state, the REE values of patients calculated by Thumb formula, the Third Military Medical University formula, the Peng Xi team's linear formula, and Hangang formula on the measurement day in the sedated state were significantly increased (with Z values of -3.58 and -5.70, t values of -3.58 and -2.74, respectively, P<0.01). In the sedated state, compared with the REE measured value, there were statistically significant changes in REE values of patients calculated by Thumb formula, the Third Military Medical University formula, and Hangang formula on the measurement day (with Z values of -2.13, -5.67, and -3.09, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the REE value of patients calculated by the Peng Xi team's linear formula on the measurement day did not change significantly(P>0.05). The analysis of the Bland-Altman method showed that in the sedated state, compared with the REE measured value, the individual consistency of the calculated value of each formula was good; Thumb formula and Hangang formula significantly underestimated the patients' REE value (with the average value of the difference between the formula calculated value and the measured value of -1 463 and -1 717 kJ/d, the 95% confidence interval of -2 491 to -434 and -2 744 to -687 kJ/d, respectively), but the individual differences were small; the Third Military Medical University formula significantly overestimated the patients' REE value (with the average value of the difference between the formula calculated value and the measured value of 3 530 kJ/d, the 95% confidence interval of 2 521 to 4 539 kJ/d), but the individual difference was small; the Peng Xi team's linear formula did not significantly overestimate the patients' REE value (with the average value of the difference between the formula calculated value and the measured value of 294 kJ/d, the 95% confidence interval of -907 to 1 496 kJ/d), while the difference standard deviation was 4 568 kJ/d, which showed a large individual difference. In the sedated state, relative to the REE measured value, the accuracy rates of REE values calculated by Thumb formula, the Third Military Medical University formula, the Peng Xi team's linear formula, and Hangang formula were 25.9% (15/58), 15.5% (9/58), 10.3% (6/58), and 15.5% (9/58), respectively, and RMSE values were 4 143.6, 5 189.1, 4 538.6, and 4 239.8 kJ/d, respectively. Conclusions: Sedative therapy leads to a significant decrease in REE in patients with extremely severe burns undergoing mechanical ventilation treatment. When REE cannot be regularly monitored by indirect calorimetry to determine nutritional support regimens, patients with extremely severe burns undergoing sedation may be prioritized to estimate REE using Thumb formula.

[Correlation analysis between blood routine-derived inflammatory markers and respiratory function in pneumoconiosis patients]

Objective: To analyze the correlation between blood routine-derived inflammation indicators and respiratory function in patients with pneumoconiosis. Methods: In January 2021, 492 male pneumoconiosis patients hospitalized in Hefei Institute of Occupational Disease Control and Prevention from 2012 to 2020 were randomly selected as the case group, 492 dust exposed non pneumoconiosis workers who underwent occupational health examination at the same time were taken as the control group. The occupational history and clinical examination data of the two groups of subjects were collected, the correlation between blood routine-derived inflammatory indexes and pulmonary function and blood gas analysis was analyzed retrospectively. Results: Compared with the control group, the lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR) in the case group was decreased, and the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . There were significant differences in forced vital capacity as a percentage of the predicted value (FVC) , forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of the predicted value (FEV(1)%) , one second rate (FEV(1)/FVC) , partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)) , partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) , and pH among pneumoconiosis patients at different stages (P<0.05) . FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC, and PaO(2) decreased with the increase of the stage, the trend test was statistically significant (tau-b=-0.24, -0.34, -0.37, -0.17, P<0.05) , PaCO(2) and pH increased with the increase of the stage, and the trend test was statistically significant (tau-b=0.10, 0.08, P<0.05) . There were statistically significant differences in LYM, LMR, NLR, platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients with pneumoconiosis at different stages (P<0.05) , and LYM and LMR decreased with the increase of stage, trend test showed that there was statistically significant (tau-b=-0.11, -0.13, P<0.05) . There were significant differences in FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC, PaO(2), pH, LMR, NLR, PLR among patients with different types of pneumoconiosis (P<0.05) . LMR in pneumoconiosis patients was significantly positively correlated with FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC and PaO(2) (r(s)=0.342, 0.324, 0.203, 0.207, P<0.05) , NLR was significantly negatively correlated with FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC and PaO(2) (r(s)=-0.193, -0.202, -0.164, -0.177, P<0.05) , PLR was significantly negatively correlated with FVC%, FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC and PaO(2) (r(s)=-0.194, -0.193, -0.106, -0.113, P<0.05) . Multiple linear regression analysis showed that LMR in pneumoconiosis patients was positively related with FVC%, FEV(1)% and PaO(2) (P<0.05) . Conclusion: LMR in patients with pneumoconiosis has a certain correlation with lung function and blood gas analysis, LMR is expected to become a sensitive indicator for evaluating pneumoconiosis.

[The role of STAT-6/KLF-4/PPAR-γ activation in alveolar macrophage polarization changes in silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis]

Objective: To observe the effect of silicon dioxide (SiO(2)) on the polarization of alveolar macrophages (AMs) , and to explore the expressions and the significance of signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT-6) /Krüppel-like factor-4 (KLF-4) /peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors-γ (PPAR-γ) signaling molecules in AMs. Methods: In November 2020, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into crystalline SiO(2) group and normal saline (NS) group, and 12 mice in each group. Mice were intratracheally instillated with 100 μl crystalline SiO(2) suspension (20 mg/ml) or 100 μl NS, and were sacrificed after 28 days. Masson staining was used to observe the degree of pulmonary fibrosis of mice and hydroxyproline (HYP) level were assessed. The proportions of M1-typed and M2-typed AMs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BLAF) were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA relative expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) , arginidase-1 (Arg-1) , interleukin (IL) -1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) , IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) , STAT-6, KLF-4 and PPAR-γ were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Activities of iNOS and Arg-1, as well as contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent. The protein relative expression levels of phosphorylation-signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (p-STAT-6) , KLF-4 and PPAR-γ were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Results: After 28 days of treatment, the structure of the lung tissue of the mice was destroyed, and the deposition of collagen was significantly increased in the crystalline SiO(2) group. Compared with NS group, HYP level of lung tissue in crystalline SiO(2) group were increased, the proportion of M2-typed AMs in crystalline SiO(2) group was increased, the proportion of M1-typed AMs in crystalline SiO(2) group was decreased, the mRNA relative expressions and contents of Arg-1, IL-10, TGF-β in crystalline SiO(2) group were significantly increased, the mRNA relative expressions and contents of iNOS, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 in crystalline SiO(2) group were significantly decreased, the mRNA of STAT-6, KLF-4, PPAR-γ and the protein relative expression levels of p-STAT-6, KLF-4, PPAR-γ were significantly increased in crystalline SiO(2) group, and the the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Crystalline SiO(2) may mediate the process of pulmonary fibrosis through promote AMs polarization toward M2-typed by activating the STAT-6/KLF-4/PPAR-γ signaling pathway.

Bifocal 532/1064 nm alternately illuminated photoacoustic microscopy for capturing deep vascular morphology in human skin

BACKGROUND

As a promising technology, photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) plays a critical role in diagnosis and assessment of dermatological conditions by providing subtle vascular networks non-invasively. However, the established PAMs are insufficient for clinical dermatology when faced with complex structures of human skin instead of animal models owing to high melanin content and superimposed vasculature for Asians, which cannot balance the spatial resolution and the imaging depth.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the ability of bifocal 532/1064-nm alternately illuminated photoacoustic microscopy (BF-PAM) to non-invasively reveal the morphological structure of human skin for improving the diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy of skin diseases.

METHODS

A BF-PAM was developed to capture biopsy-like information of human skin from epidermis to hypodermis. The optical foci of the two excitation beams are staggered in the axial direction to form an extended depth-of-field, which can maintain the lateral resolution and the contrast of PA image.

RESULTS

The imaging capability of the BF-PAM was demonstrated by depicting the vascular morphology of multilayered skin with imaging depth of ˜3 mm. Furtherly, vascular malformations in port-wine stains skin were quantitatively assessed without the need for any contrast agent, and the distribution, depth and diameter of the ectatic vessels can determine an optimal treatment protocol for port-wine stains lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The quantitative vascular morphology in the dermis can be used to accurately assess vascular characteristics, in which case it enables clinicians to determine optimum treatment parameters in individual patients. As a non-invasive imaging technique, BF-PAM holds great potential to provide objective assessment to enhance the therapeutic efficacy.

ETHICAL STATEMENT

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013). The study was approved by the Chinese Ethics Committee of Registering Clinical Trials (ChiECRCT20200184) and registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000034400). Before skin imaging, written informed consent was taken from all individual participants.

Cardiovascular adverse events are associated with usage of immune checkpoint inhibitors in real-world clinical data across the United States

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause life-threatening cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) that may not be attributed to therapy. The outcomes of clinical trials may underestimate treatment-related adverse events due to restrictive eligibility, limited sample size, and failure to anticipate selected toxicities. We evaluated the incidence and clinical determinants of CVAEs in real-world population on ICI therapy.

Patients and methods

Among 2 687 301 patients diagnosed with cancer from 2011 to 2018, 16 574 received ICIs for any cancer. Patients in the ICI and non-ICI cohorts were matched in a 1 : 1 ratio according to age, sex, National Cancer Institute comorbidity score, and primary cancer. The non-ICI cohort was stratified into patients who received chemotherapy (N = 2875) or targeted agents (N = 4611). All CVAEs, non-cardiac immune-related adverse events occurring after treatment initiation, baseline comorbidities, and treatment details were identified and analyzed using diagnosis and billing codes.

Results

Median age was 61 and 65 years in the ICI and non-ICI cohorts, respectively (P < 0.001). ICI patients were predominantly male (P < 0.001). Lung cancer (43.1%), melanoma (30.4%), and renal cell carcinoma (9.9%) were the most common cancer types. CVAE diagnoses in our dataset by incidence proportion (ICI cohort) were stroke (4.6%), heart failure (3.5%), atrial fibrillation (2.1%), conduction disorders (1.5%), myocardial infarction (0.9%), myocarditis (0.05%), vasculitis (0.05%), and pericarditis (0.2%). Anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 increased the risk of heart failure [versus anti-programmed cell death protein 1; hazard ratio (HR), 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-2.84] and stroke (HR, 1.7; 95% CI 1.3-2.22). Pneumonitis was associated with heart failure (HR, 2.61; 95% CI 1.23-5.52) and encephalitis with conduction disorders (HR, 4.35; 95% CI 1.6-11.87) in patients on ICIs. Advanced age, primary cancer, nephritis, and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 therapy were commonly associated with CVAEs in the adjusted Cox proportional hazards model.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the importance of risk stratification and cardiovascular monitoring for patients on ICI therapy.

•

Patient claims data across the United States were used to study cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) after ICI treatment.

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Patients on ICI treatment for advanced cancer have a higher incidence of CVAEs than previously reported.

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Median time to CVAE onset was significantly shorter with ICIs (~3 months) than with non-ICI systemic therapy (~8 months).

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Anti-CTLA-4 monotherapy or combination had a higher risk of heart failure and stroke than anti-PD-1 therapy (1.5-2 folds).

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Age, male sex, cancer type, nephritis, pneumonitis, and anti-CTLA-4 therapy were associated with a higher risk of CVAEs.

MiR-133b inhibits MPP+-induced apoptosis in Parkinson's disease model by inhibiting the ERK1/2 signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-133b on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)-induced apoptosis in the Parkinson's disease (PD) model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PC12 cells were induced by different concentrations of MPP+ to establish the PD cell model. Subsequently, the survival rate of PC12 cells was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-133b in the PD model induced by different concentrations of MPP+. Next, PC12 cells were transfected with miR-133b mimic and miR-negative control (NC), and divided into MPP+ group, MPP+ + miR-NC group and MPP+ + miR-133b mimic group. Transfection efficiency was verified using qRT-PCR. The apoptosis of cells was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Moreover, the expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 were determined using Western blotting.

RESULTS

After MPP+ treatment, the survival rate of PC12 cells significantly declined (p<0.05). MPP+ exhibited toxicity against PC12 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, cell survival rate decreased remarkably with the increase of MPP+ concentration (p<0.05). With increased concentration of MPP+, the expression of miR-133b in the PD cell model declined significantly (p<0.05). The apoptosis of PC12 cells was remarkably inhibited by overexpression of miR-133b in the PD cell model (p<0.05). In addition, the protein expression of p-ERK1/2 in PC12 cells was notably reduced after overexpression of miR-133b in the PD cell model (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-133b is lowly expressed in the PD cell model. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-133b inhibits cell apoptosis in the PD cell model by regulating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Structural basis of acquired resistance to selpercatinib and pralsetinib mediated by non-gatekeeper RET mutations

BACKGROUND

Selpercatinib (LOXO-292) and pralsetinib (BLU-667) are highly potent RET-selective protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for treating advanced RET-altered thyroid cancers and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is critical to analyze RET mutants resistant to these drugs and unravel the molecular basis to improve patient outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cell-free DNAs (cfDNAs) were analyzed in a RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) patient and a CCDC6-RET fusion NSCLC patient who had dramatic response to selpercatinib and later developed resistance. Selpercatinib-resistant RET mutants were identified and cross-profiled with pralsetinib in cell cultures. Crystal structures of RET-selpercatinib and RET-pralsetinib complexes were determined based on high-resolution diffraction data collected with synchrotron radiation.

RESULTS

RETG810C/S mutations at the solvent front and RETY806C/N mutation at the hinge region were found in cfDNAs of an MTC patient with RETM918T/V804M/L, who initially responded to selpercatinib and developed resistance. RETG810C mutant was detected in cfDNAs of a CCDC6-RET-fusion NSCLC patient who developed acquired resistance to selpercatinib. Five RET kinase domain mutations at three non-gatekeeper residues were identified from 39 selpercatinib-resistant cell lines. All five selpercatinib-resistant RET mutants were cross-resistant to pralsetinib. X-ray crystal structures of the RET-selpercatinib and RET-pralsetinib complexes reveal that, unlike other TKIs, these two RET TKIs anchor one end in the front cleft and wrap around the gate wall to access the back cleft.

CONCLUSIONS

RET mutations at the solvent front and the hinge are resistant to both drugs. Selpercatinib and pralsetinib use an unconventional mode to bind RET that avoids the interference from gatekeeper mutations but is vulnerable to non-gatekeeper mutations.

[Abnormalities of white matter differentiate the Parkinson variant of multiple system atrophy from Parkinson's disease]

Objective: To identify objective markers between the Parkinson variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on 10 patients with MSA-P, 15 patients with PD, and 15 healthy control group during the period from August 2016 to February 2019 in Baoshan Branch of Shanghai First People's Hospital.We combined the novel tract based spatial statistics (TBSS) and region of interest (ROI) analyses for the first time to investigate three groups with diffusion tensor imaging. By TBSS, we performed pairwise comparisons of mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps. The clusters with significant differences between MSA-P and PD were used as ROIs for further analyses. Results: FA values in the left anterior thalamic radiation(ATR) (ROI values were 0.371(0.287-0.535), 0.472(0.390-0.594), 0.473(0.388-0.555); P values were 0.008, 0.008) and left superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF)(ROI values were 0.397(0.291-0.469), 0.456(0.338-0.560), 0.473(0.427-0.530); P values were 0.013,<0.001) were significantly decreased in MSA-P compared with PD or controls, and significantly correlated with clinical data((r =-0.807, P =0.005),(r =-0.455, P =0.022)). Conclusion: Our findings indicate the abnormalities of left ATR and left SLF as specific biomarkers for differential diagnosis.

Risk factors for inadvertent arterial puncture during subclavian vein catheterization

OBJECTIVE

Central vein catheterizations facilitate the establishment of reliable venous pathways in emergent medical situations. The subclavian is an important vein for central venous catheterizations. But, inadvertent arterial punctures during subclavian vein catheterizations are more dangerous than those during jugular or femoral vein catheterizations, because of the lack of a reliable compression site. We aimed to identify risk factors for the occurrence of inadvertent arterial puncture during subclavian vein catheterizations in crowded emergency rooms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated 190 patients undergoing bedside subclavian vein catheterizations in our emergency room, from which 62 patients experienced inadvertent arterial punctures. We evaluated possible risk factors from basic physical or laboratory tests that can easily be obtained in the ER, and performed Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, non-conditional logistic regression analysis, and receiver-operating characteristic curves to determine the cut-off values of the identified risk factors.

RESULTS

We identified age, BMI, and serum pre-albumin level as significant risk factors for inadvertent arterial puncture during subclavian vein catheterization (p<0.05) through regression analyses (odds ratios of 1.043, 0.719 and 0.989; and receiver-operating characteristic curves with AUCs of 0.741, 0.818, and 0.717, respectively). The cut-off values for age, BMI and serum pre-albumin level were 66.5 years old, 21.12 and 109.5 mg/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that patients with poor nutritional status (BMI <21.12 and serum pre-albumin <109.5 mg/L) or older than 69.5 years tended to experience more accidental arterial punctures during subclavian vein catheterizations, probably due to atrophy or diminished peri-vascular support tissues in patients with poor nutritional statuses that make it difficult to obtain adequate chest extensions.

MiR-125a-5p inhibits EMT of ovarian cancer cells by regulating TAZ/EGFR signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influences of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-125a-5p on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ovarian cancer cells by regulating the transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The human ovarian cancer cells were cultured, and miR-125a-5p was repressed by inhibitor and overexpressed by miRNA mimics. The expression of EMT-related proteins was measured via Western blotting (WB). The action target of miR-125a-5p was determined through a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The changes in protein levels were detected via WB.

RESULTS

MiR-125a-5p was down-regulated remarkably in ovarian cancer tissues. The expression level of serum miR-125a-5p in patients with ovarian cancer was lower than that in control group. After inhibition on miR-125a-5p, the expression level of E-cadherin, an epithelial indicator, was decreased, while that of Vimentin, an interstitial indicator, was increased. MiR-125a-5p contained a complementary site in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of TAZ messenger RNA (mRNA). The expressions of TAZ mRNA and protein in cells were down-regulated markedly after the overexpression of miR-125a-5p. The expressions of EGFR, phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR) and p-Akt were up-regulated in the cells transfected with miR-125a-5p mimics and those transfected with miR-125a-5p mimics overexpressing TAZ.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-125a-5p can inhibit the EMT of ovarian cancer cells by regulating the TAZ/EGFR signaling pathway.

[Nursing care of one patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders complicated with pressure ulcers]

On February 11, 2019, a 37-year-old female patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders was admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and her acute osteomyelitis was caused by infection of multiple pressure ulcer wounds with Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was diagnosed and treated with multidisciplinary cooperation. The nurses focused on the strict observation of the syndrome of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders during hormone reduction therapy, guarded against the rebound of condition, implemented wound care in stages according to the diagnosis and treatment plan, maintained effective drainage, ensured appropriate negative pressure, and strengthened nutrition to promote wound healing. After active treatment and careful nursing care, the patient recovered and was discharged on the 39th day after admission.

[Evidence summary for postoperative hypothermia rewarming in adults with severe burns]

Objective: To retrieve, evaluate, and summarize the best evidence for postoperative hypothermia rewarming in adults with severe burns. Methods: Foreign language databases including Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center Database, PubMed, Ovid-Medline, BMJ Best Practice, and Web of Science were retrieved with the search terms of " severe burn/major burn/severe degree burn" , " hypothermia/warming intervention/hypothermia/temperature/body temperature change" , and " postoperative /perioperative/peri-operative/post-operative" and Chinese databases including Chinese Journal Full-Text Database, Wanfang Database, and VIP Database were retrieved with the search terms of "//" , "/" , and "" to obtain all the publicly published evidence for postoperative hypothermia rewarming in adults with severe burns from the establishment of each database to April 2018, including systematic evaluations, guidelines, expert consensus, evidence summary, and original research closely related to the evidence. The literatures were screened and evaluated for their quality, the evidences were extracted from them, evaluated, classified in order to summarize the best evidences. Results: A total of 8 literatures were included, including one systematic evaluation, three guidelines, one expert consensus, and three evidence summaries. Finally, the best evidences in 8 aspects including the body temperature monitoring site, body temperature monitoring frequency, surface heating, in vivo heating, rewarming start, multi-strategy rewarming, equipment, and personnel training were summarized. Conclusions: Based in the evidence-based nursing method, this study retrieves and evaluates the literature, summarizes the evidence analysis and evaluation, and obtains the best evidences of postoperative hypothermia rewarming in adult patients with severe burns, which provides a strong reference for the clinical implementation of rewarming.

[Nursing of one patient with extremely severe burn-blast combined injury complicated with acute kidney injury caused by dust explosion]

On January 31, 2018, a 21-year-old male patient with extremely severe burn-blast combined injury complicated with acute kidney injury caused by dust explosion of crospovidone was admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The following nursing measures were carried out, aiming at the condition of the patient. We strengthened the management of fluid intake and output volume, prevented hypothermia and unplanned disembarkation during the period of continuous renal replacement therapy with burn shock and acute kidney injury. For traumatic pneumothorax, we took a good care of the closed chest drainage tube and implemented a ventilation strategy of low tide and low positive end expiratory pressure. During the infection with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, the environmental disinfection of the care unit was optimized and polymyxin B drug care was done. After 71 days of comprehensive treatment and nursing care, the patient recovered and was discharged from hospital. This case suggests that, in view of the renal function and lung function of patients with extremely severe burn-blast combined injury, individualized treatment and nursing measures are helpful to improve the cure rate and prognosis.

[Effects of ticagrelor on cardiorespiratory fitness in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To investigate the effects of ticagrelor on cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 1 073 patients, who were diagnosed as coronary heart disease and underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) within 1 year after PCI, were enrolled from September 2017 to September 2019 in Peking University Third Hospital, including 309 patients in ticagrelor group and 764 patients in clopidogrel group. Clinical information, blood test results, echocardiographic parameters, cardiorespiratory fitness related parameters (including peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)), anaerobic threshold VO(2), peak oxygen pulse (VO(2)/HR) and carbon dioxide ventilation equivalent (VE/VCO(2)) slope), coronary lesions and intervention information were obtained. Cardiopulmonary fitness related indexes were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between ticagrelor use and cardiopulmonary fitness related indexes was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Patients who underwent CPET within 1 month after PCI were included in the subgroup analysis. Results: In ticagrelor group, the age was (60.3±10.3) years, and 253(81.9%) cases were male. The age of clopidogrel group was (60.6±10.0) years, and there were 608(79.6%) males. No significant differences were observed in peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2), and peak VO(2)/HR between the two groups (all P>0.05), but the VE/VCO(2) slope was significantly higher in the ticagrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (30.075 (27.207, 33.603) vs. 28.853 (25.970, 32.336), P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis suggested that the peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2) and peak VO(2)/HR were not significantly correlated with the ticagrelor use (all P>0.05), while the VE/VCO(2) slope was independently correlated with ticagrelor use (OR=1.098, 95%CI 1.032-1.168, P=0.003). Subgroup analysis of patients who underwent CPET within 1 month after PCI also indicated that no significant difference were observed in peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2), peak VO(2)/HR and VE/VCO(2) slope between the two groups (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis suggested that the peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2) and peak VO(2)/HR were not significantly correlated with ticagrelor use (all P>0.05), while the VE/VCO(2) slope was significantly correlated with ticagrelor use (OR=1.132, 95%CI 1.030-1.244, P=0.010). Conclusion: Among coronary heart disease patients after PCI, treatment with clopidogrel does not result in significant decrease in exercise endurance as compared with patients treated with ticagrelor.

P205 Effectiveness of a portable patient education video prior to coronary angiography and angioplasty

Introduction

 Coronary angiography and angioplasty is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease. Limited time to explain the procedure to patients in busy clinical settings may lead to increased adverse outcomes. 

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of a portable patient education video in improving knowledge and allaying patient"s anxiety prior to coronary angiography and angioplasty.

Methods

 Consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography and angioplasty were prospectively recruited over 1 year from June 2016 to May 2017 from a tertiary cardiac institution. We developed a 3 minute animated patient education video on the procedure. Patients were randomised 1:3 into a control group (receiving routine standard of care) and intervention group (watched video plus routine standard of care). Before the procedure, a self-administered written survey was conducted in the control group, pre-video in the intervention group, and post-video in the intervention group. Demographic data, knowledge and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores were gathered. Figure 1 shows excerpts of the video.

Results

We recruited 332 patients- 80 controls (80% males, mean age 59.6 ± 11.5, 51% previous procedures) and 252 intervention group (86% males, mean age 59.0 ± 9.4, 52% previous procedure). Compared to the control group, the intervention group had lower overall baseline knowledge scores (7.6vs8.5, p = 0.022) and similar anxiety scores (94vs92, p = 0.323); but significantly higher overall knowledge scores (10.3vs8.5, p= &lt;0.001) and lower anxiety scores (75vs92, p= &lt;0.001) after watching the video. Within the intervention group, there was a significant increase in overall knowledge scores (7.6vs10.3, p= &lt;0.001) and reduction in anxiety scores (94vs 75, p= &lt;0.001) before versus after watching the video. See Table 1. Subjectively, after watching the video, 98% of the patients reported benefit, 96% were more prepared and 85% less worried. There was significant improvement in knowledge scores and reduction in anxiety scores (p &lt; 0.001) in the subset of patients who had previously underwent a similar procedure (n = 131).

Conclusion

The video improved knowledge and reduced anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography and angioplasty. This is a useful adjunct to incorporate into existing workflows to improve patient care.

Table 1 Total scores* Procedural events - Sedation Procedural events - Access site Procedural events-Contrast Procedural events-Stent Complications-General risk Complications-Bleeding Complications-Myocardial infarction Complications-Stroke Complications-Re-stenosis Anxiety-STAI# P-value comparing pre and post amongst cases (n = 252) &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 0.094 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 P-value comparing cases (post) and controls (n = 80) &lt;0.001 0.042 0.005 0.006 0.131 0.021 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 &lt;0.001 * Range from 0-12 # State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), 40 questions, score range from 40-160

Abstract P205 Figure 1

Quercetin and Isoquercitrin Inhibiting Hepatic Gluconeogenesis Through LKB1-AMPKα Pathway

Objective

To observe the impact of quercetin and isoquercitrin on gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes.

Methods

Mouse primary hepatocytes were cultured with lactic acid and pyruvic acid. After treatment with quercetin and isoquercitrin for 24 hours, the glucose concentration in the culture supernatant was determined. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNAs of PEPCK, G6Pase, LKB1, and AMPKα. Protein levels of LKB1, AMPKα, and Thr172 phosphorylation were evaluated by Western blot.

Results

The glucose concentration in the gluconeogenesis group (GN) was significantly higher than in the control group (C), but the glucose concentrations in the high level quercetin(group 80Q) and high level isoquercitrin (group 80I) were significantly lower than in the group GN, P<0.01. In the group 80Q, and group 80I, the mRNA levels of PEPCK and LKB1were significantly lower than in the group GN (P<0.01), and the G6Pase mRNA were significantly lower than in the group GN (P<0.05). The protein levels of LKB1 and the phosphorylation of AMPKα Thr172 in the group 80Q, group 40I, and group 80I were higher than in the group GN. The effects of quercetin and isoquercitrin on LKB1 and AMPKα were similar to those of metformin.

Conclusions

Quercetin and isoquercitrin inhibit gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes, which may be related to the LKB1 upregulation and phosphorylation of AMPKα.

Establishment of a Risk Prediction Model for Mild Cognitive Impairment among Elderly Chinese

BACKGROUND

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage of cognitive function between normal aging and dementia. Substantial variations in the prevalence of MCI in different countries have been studied including China. In this study, we established a prediction system to assess the risk of MCI among the elderly in China.

METHODS

The Rothman-Keller model was conducted on the basis of the risk factors of MCI obtained by the combined results of a meta-analysis. The accuracy of the model was verified using actual population data.

RESULTS

A total of 1826 subjects as a verification set were enrolled in this study in February 2019. There were statistically significant differences in the combined results of 10 risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, educational level, hyperlipidemia, smoking, physical exercise, living alone, stroke, drinking and heart disease (P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the actual data and the predictive results of this model was 0.859 (95%CI: 0.812-0.906, P<0.05), the sensitivity was 86.6% and the specificity was 76.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

This model performs an effective prediction that may be applied to the primary prevention for patients with MCI, helping to reduce the risk of MCI.

[Advances in the research of severe burn-related corticosteroid insufficiency]

Despite considerable advances in diagnosis and treatment of the critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI), it is still not clear that whether it is common in severe burn patients or not, and how clinical diagnosis, treatment, and research progress. Severe burn is a systemic disease involving the damage of multiple organs of the whole body. The course of the disease is relatively long, and there often exists persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism. On the basis of CIRCI study, the epidemiological evidence, possible mechanism, suspicious clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of severe burn-related corticosteroid insufficiency (SBRCI) were briefly reviewed in this article in order to help clinical diagnosis and treatment of SBRCI.

[Preliminary effect observation on the application of micro-negative pressure in children with small-area deep partial-thickness burn]

Objective: To preliminarily observe the effects of application of micro-negative pressure in children with small-area deep partial-thickness burn. Methods: From January 2016 to August 2018, 64 children with small-area deep partial-thickness burn who were admitted to the Department of Burn Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University were recruited in this prospective randomized controlled study. According to the random number table, they were divided into negative pressure group [18 boys and 14 girls, aged (3.9±1.6) years with total burn area of (5.5±2.2)% total body surface area (TBSA)] and conventional group [20 boys and 12 girls, aged (3.8±1.7) years with total burn area of (5.8±1.6)% TBSA], with 32 patients in each group. After admission, simple debridement was performed in the patients of 2 groups. After that, the children in negative pressure group were treated with micro-negative pressure with negative pressure material replaced every 3 to 5 days. Children in conventional group were treated with silver sulfadiazine cream with dressing change every other day. On post injury day (PID) 14 and 21, general wound observation was performed, the wound healing rate was calculated, the exudates from the wounds were cultured and the positive detection rate was calculated. The number of patients requiring surgical skin grafting was recorded and the rate of surgical skin grafting was calculated, and the complete wound healing time was recorded in the patients of 2 groups. Scar formation was evaluated by the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) in 3, 6, and 12 months after wound healing. Data were processed with chi-square test, t test, Bonferroni correction, and analysis of variance for repeated measurement. Results: (1) On PID 14, all the necrotic tissue in the wounds of patients in negative pressure group was removed, with few exudates, and most of the wounds had been epithelialized; most of necrotic tissue in the wounds of patients in conventional group was removed, with more exudates and smaller wound healing area than those in negative pressure group. On PID 21, most of the wounds of patients in negative pressure group were healed, and the exudates were rare, while the wound healing area of patients in conventional group was significantly smaller than that in negative pressure group with more exudates. (2) On PID 14 and 21, the wound healing rates [(49.8±3.3)% and (95.8±2.4)%] of patients in negative pressure group were significantly higher than those in conventional group [(40.0±3.2)% and (75.3±2.5)%, t=11.899, 33.461, P<0.01]. (3) On PID 14 and 21, the positive detection rates of wound bacteria of patients in negative pressure group were significantly lower than those in conventional group (χ(2)=6.275, 5.741, P<0.05). (4) The rate of surgical skin grafting of patients in negative pressure group was significantly lower than that in conventional group (χ(2)=5.333, P<0.05). (5) The complete wound healing time of patients in negative pressure group [(23.9±2.3) d] was significantly shorter than that in conventional group [(27.9±1.8) d, t=-7.806, P<0.01]. (6) In 3, 6, and 12 months after wound healing, the VSS scores [(6.9±1.8), (5.6±1.4), (3.4±1.5) points] of patients in negative pressure group were significantly lower than those in conventional group [(9.0±1.5), (7.4±2.0), (5.7±1.6) points, t=-4.987, -4.127, -5.988, P<0.01]. Conclusions: In comparison with routine dressing change, the treatment of application of micro-negative pressure in children with small-area deep partial-thickness burn can significantly improve the wound healing rate and rate of surgical skin grafting, decrease the wound infection rate, shorten the wound healing time, and improve the wound healing quality.

High Performance Bi-2212 Round Wires Made with Recent Powders

Multifilamentary Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x (Bi-2212) wire made by the powder-in-tube technique is the only high temperature superconductor made in the round shape preferred by magnet builders. The critical current density (J _C ) of Bi-2212 round wire was improved significantly by the development of overpressure heat treatment in the past few years. Bi-2212 wire is commercially available in multiple architectures and kilometer-long pieces and a very promising conductor for very high field NMR and accelerator magnets. We studied the effects of precursor powder and heat treatment conditions on the superconducting properties and microstructure of recent Bi-2212 wires. Short samples of recent wire with optimized overpressure processing showed J _C (4.2 K, 15 T) = 6640 A/mm² and J _C (4.2 K, 30 T) = 4670 A/mm², which correspond to engineering critical current densities J _E (4.2 K, 15 T) = 1320 A/mm² and J _E (4.2 K, 30 T) = 930 A/mm².

YAP-Induced Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a potentially malignant disorder. Current studies have shown that chewing areca nut is considered the main cause of OSF, and endothelial-mesenchymal transformation (EndMT) participates in the occurrence and development of the fibrotic lesion. However, the specific molecular mechanisms and treatments remain unclear. Here, we report the mechanism of arecoline-induced EndMT and the importance of this mechanism in OSF, and we also identify potential therapeutics for decreasing OSF incidence. We demonstrate the overexpression of Yes-associated protein (YAP) in human samples and that it was significantly associated with OSF pathologic stage. Arecoline activated YAP by increasing reactive oxygen species levels and inducing the PERK pathway (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3), resulting in the initiation of EndMT and leading to OSF. Verteporfin, a YAP–TEA domain pathway inhibitor, suppressed EndMT and decreased collagen accumulation, resulting in the alleviation of OSF in mice. These data indicate that arecoline regulates the activity of YAP and highlight an alternative method for treating OSF.

[A study regarding the control attempts on body weight and related factors among overweight and obese adults in China, 2013]

Objective: To understand the control attempts of body weight and its related factors among overweight and obese adults in China. Methods: Data was from the 2013 Chinese Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Surveillance Program, which covered 302 surveillance sites. 179 570 adults, selected through multistage stratified cluster sampling method, were interviewed. Demographic characteristics and weight-control attempts were collected via face-to-face interview. BMI, waist circumstance and blood pressure were individually measured under physical examination. Venous blood samples were obtained and tested for FPG, OGTT-2h, TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C. A total of 87 545 overweight and obese patients were included in this study, with the exclusion of 152 patients having the missed critical information. Rates on weight control and attempts were analyzed, using the complex weighting on samples to represent the overall overweight and obese adults in China. Results: The rate of weight-control attempts was 16.3% (95%CI: 14.9%-17.7%). Among all the 12 133 patients who had undergone weight-control measures, the proportions of different attempts were as follows: diet (40.9%, 95%CI: 38.4%-43.3%), combination of diet and physical activity (31.5%, 95%CI: 28.9%-34.0%), physical activity (22.8%, 95%CI: 21.0%-24.6%) and drug control (1.3%, 95%CI: 1.0%-1.7%). Factors as: being female (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.15-1.38), at younger age (18-44 years old, OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.31-1.74), with high education levels (college degree or above, OR=4.52, 95%CI: 3.76-5.43), having high annual income (≥24 000 Yuan, OR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.63-2.30) etc., appeared as favorable factors for taking the measures vs. rural residency (OR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.55- 0.72) as the unfavorable one. Conclusion: The rate of weight-control attempts appeared low among the overweight and obese adults who were affected by factors as age, education and income level. Personalized intervention measures should be carried out for people with different characteristics.

[Epidemiological characteristics of imported acute infectious diseases in the border areas of Yunnan province, 2008-2017]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of imported acute infectious diseases between 2008 and 2017 in the border areas of Yunnan province. Methods: All the cases occurred between January 2008 and December 2017 and related information was from the Chinese CDC infectious disease report information management system, according to definition of imported cases diagnosed by clinicians. Epidemiological characteristics of the imported cases of related information were gathered. Results: A total of 13 157 imported acute infectious diseases were reported from the border areas of Yunnan province, which accounted for 6.03% (13 157/218 284) of the total number of acute infectious diseases in the same areas from 2008 to 2017. Malaria, dengue fever and hand-foot-mouth disease were accounted for 56.05% (7 374/13 157), 21.82% (2 871/13 157) and 4.62% (608/13 157), of all the case, respectively. The number of imported malaria cases decreased annually. However, dengue fever showed a sharp increase. Peaks of the epidemics appeared as: May for malaria and October for dengue fever. Male patients were accounting for the majority (73.22%, 9 634/13 157), so as the patients with Chinese nationality (54.91%, 7 225/13 157). The age distribution appeared as: 67.12% (8 829/13 157) for the 15-44 year olds and 19.26% (2 535/13 157) were children below 14 years of age. Proportions of occupation appeared as: farmers (45.23%, 5 596/13 157), migrant workers (21.30%, 2 802/13 157) and children living at home (11.12%, 1 463/13 157). Most of the imported cases were coming from Myanmar and appearing in the following three counties: Ruili city, Tengchong city, and Yingjiang of Yunnan province. Cities/counties that with number of imported cases more than 10% of the local reported cases, would include Ruili city, Tengchong city, Zhenkang county and Mangshi of Yunnan province. Conclusions: Imported acute infectious disease was a serious public health problem in Yunnan province, 2008-2017. The main imported acute infectious diseases were malaria, dengue fever and hand-foot-mouth disease. The majority imported cases were accounting for Chinese, male, young adults and farmers. It is also important for immigration workers to carry out surveillance, prevention and control programs on infectious diseases when working in neighboring countries.

[The evaluation of training program "resident team leader in the Department of General Internal Medicine" at Peking Union Medical College Hospital]

Objective: To evaluate senior resident training program "resident team leader in the Department of General Internal Medicine" at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Methods: We surveyed the residents or the fellows who had been selected as resident team leaders and received the training from October 2014 to September 2018 on their comments and suggestions. Results: Twenty-two rotated senior residents who were selected as team leaders in the Department of General Internal Medicine completed the survey. Almost all (21/22, 95.5%) of the respondents reported that they learnt more in general as team leaders by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The mean VAS scores of clinical skills were 7.23±1.27, 7.86±1.32 in teaching abilities, 8.14±0.89 in leadership evaluation. Scales as chief resident assistants were 8.44±1.26. Sixteen respondents (72.7%) considered that pre-job training by attending doctors was necessary. Another 8 (36.4%) respondents addressed their demands on training of teaching skills. Conclusions: The senior resident training program "resident team leader in the Department of General Internal Medicine" improves the competency of rotated senior residents. It is a valuable pilot study on senior resident training and worthy of further application in other departments and hospitals.

[Study of epidemiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome and influencing factors in elderly people in China]

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of MS in elderly people aged ≥60 years and its related factors in China and provide scientific evidence for prevention and control of MS in the elderly. Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from the 2013 Chinese Chronic Diseases and Risk Factor Surveillance Program. A total of 50 497 people aged ≥60 years were selected and interviewed through multistage stratified cluster sampling at 298 surveillance sites in 31 provinces. According to the Chinese MS diagnostic criteria proposed by the Chinese Medical Association Diabetes Branch in 2017, the prevalence rates of different MS forms were compared, and the main related factors were analyzed. Results: The prevalence rate of MS was 36.9% (95%CI: 35.4-38.5). The prevalence rate was higher in urban area than in the rural area, higher in females than in males, higher in eastern area than in western area. The prevalence rate of MS in elderly people aged ≥70 years was lower than that in those aged 60-69 years. The rate in the elderly with higher education and income levels was higher than that in the elderly with lower socioeconomic level. The comparison of the prevalence of the five forms of MS in the elderly showed that hypertension had the highest prevalence rate (72.8%), followed by hyperglycemia (41.7%) and central obesity (37.6%). The prevalence rates of hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C were 25.8% and 17.5%. The risk for MS in women was 1.20 times higher than that in men. Age, gender, education level, living area and urban or rural residence were the main factors influencing the prevalence of MS. Smoking, drinking and physical activity levels were correlated with MS. Conclusions: The risk for MS was higher in women than in men in China's elderly population, and the risk was related to socioeconomic level and life behaviors. It is recommended to carry out lifestyle interventions, such as increasing exercise and having reasonable diet for the elderly patients with MS. Hypertension and diabetes patients also need to be treated with drugs to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.

[Current status and change trend of violence against children in China from 2006 to 2015, an analysis on data from National Injury Surveillance System]

Objective: To understand the current status and change trend of violence against children in China and provide evidence for the risk factor and intervention priority identifications and intervention strategy development. Methods: The data of National Injury Surveillance System (NISS) from 2006 to 2015 were used to analyze the change in outpatient visit due to violence against children, injury cases'demographic characteristics, incidence of injury and clinical outcomes of injury cases. Results: A total of 44 319 injury cases caused by violence against children were reported through NISS during this period. The proportion of violence related child injury cases in total child injury cases decreased year by year. In child violence cases reported in 2015, boys accounted for 81.31%, the boy to girl ratio was 2.22∶1. Violence related injuries caused by blunt strike accounted for 65.69%. The incidences of child violence were low in February and during July-August and 48.87% of violence related injuries occurred in schools and public places, bruise accounted for 63.52%. The main injured body part caused by child violence was head (51.18%), and most violence caused injuries (82.66%) were mild, while 83.21% of the injury cases went home after treatment. Conclusions: Violence against children should not be ignored. Male students of middle/high schools are at high risk. Schools are the places where violence against children is prone to occur. Health and safety education should be strengthened to prevent the occurrence of campus violence and improve the child's awareness of self-protection and reduce the incidence of serious violence.